This week has been a busy one for Lady Hiva and I—both at
work and all the activities afterwards. Do you ever have those days that you
try to fit in more than is physically possible? It felt like we were constantly
running from one place to the next. Literally. Yet we love it! We would not
have changed anything if we had the chance. Let me share a few of them with
you, as they taught us, once again, that we are constantly blessed.
On Saturday morning we woke up early to make cookies for an
afternoon goodbye party before we went to a site visit for a Stake (collection
of five congregations in an area) community service project. (See you can
already feel the rushed nature of the day—one or the other of us is constantly
reminding us of the time). The service project will be in a few weeks at Smokey
Mountain. We will be working with JCI Manila and Gawad Kalinga as always when
we go out there. But this time we will add another group—the LDS helping hands!
It was several of the group’s first time to visit Smokey
Mountain. You can read older posts of when we have been out doing projects out
there. But just a reminder, Smokey Mountain used to be a trash refuse site for
years. Then the government created housing so people now live there. The name
Smokey Mountain derives from the scavengers sorting trash and burning what they
don’t need. It truly is a sobering experience to be there and see how people
live three families to one room; and that is the better situation of the
families. I always leave with a thankful heart for the things that I have been
blessed with and look forward to opportunities to serve others.
The Women that sew to make money for their families and our group |
The big mountain on the right is trash |
You can see the trash through the dirt |
The kids use it so much that the grass dies on the infield |
The baseball field and track |
Sorting through rubbish |
The other experience happened earlier in the week. Lady Hiva
received a box from her brother Moana in Hawaii. We ALWAYS LOVE to get packages
from Moana because they usually include our favorite goodies from Hawaii. He
did not let us down this time either! WOOT WOOT! Lady Hiva was especially happy
to see SEES CHOCOLATES. She has been craving them for months. However, although
chocolate is great, that is not the part
that was inspiring.
Moana had sent the package as a Mother’s Day box. In the box
were several 8x10 photos all taken around the gravesite of our three children.
Moana had hand written a note and placed it next to the headstone that read: “HAPPY
MOTHERS DAY MOM, WE LOVE YOU! The Children.” It meant so much to us that he was
willing to go out of his way to remember us and our children. Most of all to
include them in part of our lives still even though we will not see them until
we too leave this mortal life and join them in Heaven. Much like the many
others that have thought of us in times like these and send notes, texts,
cards, or go put new flowers on the gravesite, Moana let us know we are loved.
Loved by others and loved by an understanding Heavenly Father that sends
earthly angels into our lives to let us know of that love.
So, sometimes you give, and sometimes you receive. But in
the end we are blessed either way. We have so much to be thankful for.
Moana your Mothers Day Note from the Children made me cry. Thank you for being so thoughtful to Dustin and Hiva. You are a very sweet man.
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