Another Microsoft Widow: 2009

In October Aaron did a major business trip to Tokyo, Shanghai, Cebu (Philippines), Amsterdam, and Milan.

View from his hotel in Tokyo:

The day of the Windows 7 launch at the call center in Cebu:

View from the call center in Cebu:

This is a view as Aaron flew over Mongolia. He said it was shocking how there was NOTHING for hours! He compared it to the landscape of the moon.

Il duomo in Milan, Italy. Aaron couldn't believe how enormous it is!

I was SO jealous that Aaron made it to Italy before I did, but I still made sure he tried the gelato. He got the mint chocolate in my honor and said it would've been my favorite frozen treat EVER! Some day...some day... :) It's also VERY cool that he was in both the Philippines and Italy, where our sisters are/will be serving their missions.

We could not be more excited for Tori's mission call to the Philippines Tacloban Mission, speaking the Cebuano language!!!

When Aaron heard where she would be serving, he said this: "I'll say two things. Number one, they are the nicest people in the world. Two: IT IS HOT!" He travels to the Philippines usually once or twice a year for work, as well as to India, and he says it's hotter in the Philippines than in India. Tori will LOVE that! ;) One of the most generous people I worked with during my mission to Spain was a lady from the Philippines. She gave and gave to me and my companion. What a great people!

I'm not sure what the exact mission boundaries are, but here is a map of the general area:

I pulled up the Mission website and checked out the recipe page. Maybe Sister Blonquist will be making this (if she can ever SAY IT!):

1 basong gatas na walang banto
5 itlog
1/2 librang asukal
Babatihing mabuti ang limang itlog at ilalagay ang ikatlong bahagi ng kalahating librang asukal at saka ilalahok ang gatas na sariwang hindi pinakulo hanga't maari. Ilalagay sa isang hulmahan ang natirang asukal na hahaluan ng isang kutsarang tubig, isasalang sa apoy hangang halos masusunog na, at ikakalat sa loob ng hulmahan, sa gawing puwitan na pareho ng kapal o nipis. Ilalagay sa hulmahan ang maghalong gatas at mga binating itlog at lulutuing parang tiniim o "baño de maria" hangang sa tumigas. Hahaloan ng dahon ng dayap o balat ng dayap upang pabanguhin.

We feel that Tori's living experiences in Africa and Fiji, and especially her service opportunities there have been key in preparation for this mission.

We love Tori and are so pleased she puts others before herself so readily. We look forward to hearing about her experience in the Philippines serving God's children.

Here are a few highlights from an article about the Church in the Philippines:

Church History
LDS Church News
Saturday, May 11, 1991

THE CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES
From a tiny seed comes great growth
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"In a sunrise service held in the Philippines on April 28, 1961, a special prayer asking a blessing on missionary work was given and a tiny seed was planted. Now 30 years later, the tiny seed has grown into a 'mighty tree' - like the mahogany trees that dot the forests of this island country.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, then a member of the Council of the Twelve, prayed that the people of the land would be friendly and hospitable, and kind and gracious to those who would come to the Philippines. He also prayed, saying 'there shall be many thousands who shall receive this message and be blessed.'
Thirty years later, members have seen that prayer answered with the Philippines becoming one of the fastest growing areas of the Church.

About 42 percent of the mission presidents, five out of 12, are Filipino members. About 2,000 missionaries currently serve in the Philippines with 67 percent, or two-thirds of the missionary force, being Filipino.

'We feel this is a good mix. We are very encouraged,' Elder Kendrick continued.

Church meetings were held in the Philippines as early as 1898, but most meetings were held for soldiers stationed in the area or for the few converts who joined the Church after hearing about the gospel from the soldiers.

The Philippines was dedicated Aug. 21, 1955, at Clark Field by President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve. But it wasn't until June 5, 1961, that the first missionaries arrived in the Philippines.

Now there are 233 wards and 463 branches in this tropical country. The Philippines also has its own Missionary Training Center, established in 1983, and a temple, dedicated in 1984.

The temple was a great boon to members, who earlier had to travel to Japan, Hawaii or New Zealand to go to the temple. Built on a hilltop, the temple has become a symbol of faith for Filipino members.

Communication challenges must also be overcome, Elder Kendrick remarked. Although most Church meetings are held in English, there are 87 different dialects, with Tagalog being the national language.

As of the first of January this year, Tagalog was added to the languages at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Once the missionaries pick up one dialect, it is easy to master another, he said.

'We are indeed living in a moment in time in the history of the Church in the Philippines that is of the greatest importance,' Elder Kendrick declared. "President Hinckley spoke under the inspiration of the Spirit and we have been blessed just 30 years later to see those prophecies come true.

'The Filipino people are some of the greatest people I have ever associated with. They have sweet spirits and deep testimonies. What a joy and blessing it is to serve them and live among them,' said Elder Kendrick."
- Sheridan R. Sheffield
(c) 1996 LDS church News and Deseret News Publishing Co.