Christmas Pictures

We haven't heard much from President and Sister Stamps but we did finally catch them on Skype for Christmas. They are doing well and keeping busy. They were able to spend some time with Sister Stamps' family for the holiday. Here are a few pictures that were posted to Facebook.

Temple Trip

President and Sister Stamps are keeping busy.

They are teaching the temple preparation class to two potential Elders. Both have their papers in and are waiting for their mission calls.

They are going with members of their branch to the temple this week. They will leave at 1:00 a.m. to arrive at the temple in the morning, returning that night. They'll take pictures!

Christmas Greetings

MAABIG YA CABUASAN ED SIKAYO

Mangandang Umaga from Pangasinan.

MALIGAYANG PASKO

We are busy learning and serving. We see a lot of this province and the people. They are great. We are enjoying the local festivities. We are spending Christmas in baguio.

We wish that all of the world would be happy and peaceful. Then it would really be more like heaven. Everyone here is full of hope for that which they understand.

The great message of Christmas is the hope for eternal life with a perfect peace.

THIS IS THE PROMISE OF JESUS CHRIST

MAY YOUR DAYS BE MERRY AND BRIGHT

WE PRAY THAT YOUR LOVED ONES WILL BE CLOSE TO YOU.

Updated Mailing Address

Elder and Sister Stamps
386 Malibong, Urbiztondo
Pangasinan, Philippines 2414

Sister Stamps reports that they had two baptism this month. They are busy still and tired but love what they are doing.

Baptisms!

Farmers plowing the fields for the second palay planting

It's Different...

It’s different when:

The gecko in the corner sings better than the karaoke down the block at 1 am.

The karaoke is so loud that the dogs quit howling and the roosters quiet down.

You can sing better than the guy on the karaoke.

The ants quit biting because you have too much talcum powder on.

You go down the road ten miles and have a crises because you forgot your cellphone.

You get lost because the map is older than you are (and you are old.)

Your glasses get lost under your computer.

The lock on the front gate can be picked with a nail but won’t work with the key.

Mcdonalds is 8 miles away but it takes two hours to get there. (the bridge is washed out).

You turn on a light and the rooster thinks it is morning.

The country air is refreshing (unless the neighbors have pigs).

When someone has a party and the tables and chairs are set on the highway.

You have to ask for the threshing machine to move off the back road so you can pass.

You meet a large truck on a back road that is ten feet wide.

You go through a mile of mud and bamboo to find the pavement again.

The food at the market looks good and smells great but you are afraid to eat it.

Friends give you ten pound of bananas from their trees.

The mangoes are big as a softball on the tree next door.  

The papayas are the size of basketballs and fresh.

You can buy fresh juice from the pushcarts.

The push carts are all on bicycle side cars.

Most people are friendly and will say hi. Even if they have never met you.

All the chairs are made of bamboo or plastic.

When we come into a home we are always offered a seat of honor.

Some floors need to be paved.

When in someone’s home you are always offered a drink, usually a coke or orange pop.

No one can name the other guy, but everyone wants to know what we think of the president.

You can’t turn the car around because the bamboo and banana trees are too thick.

The whole neighborhood comes to see how you will turn around this time.

You get stuck on a tree root.

When you put the jack under the car, the ants keep biting you.

The next time you drive that road, you remember the tree root but forget the bamboo fence.

Scratches from bamboo don’t show on gray paint.

Bamboo has thorns which are hard on tires.

People are bathing the kids at the community well at 6 am.

The kids are back to the well by noon to cool off.

The mansion by the road looks better than anything back home.

Behind the mansion is a nipa hut made of bamboo and grass.

Some trucks are bigger than the ones back home.

The trucks own the road.

You get cut off in traffic by someone on a bike. He owns some of the road too.

Everyone walks on the road. It’s their road too.

No one goes very fast. Except late at night when the road is clear.

Gas is sold in pesos per liter.

You wade through water a foot deep to get something to drink.

You wait in line to buy water.

You sweat a gallon of water each day.

It is a crises if the aircon dies.

You are saved because the car has aircon.

You are glad when it rains cause it cools down but, but you forget the umbrella.

The school rooms are open air with center courtyard in front.

No one is upset because a guy plays hookey from school.

Everyone in a store or office is soooo polite.

You know more about local politics than that back home.

Everyone speaks English but no one understands it.

You understand more of what is being said when they mention your name.

No one will answer a phone but they will text you back.  (it is much less expensive).

Computers are rare.  Tvs are common. You can tell who has electricity, they have tv at night.

The cheap pharmacies have the best medicine. Everyone buys there.

You have to go to the dealer to get an oil change.  

The dealer is two hours and 25 miles away.  (no one travels fast).

Life in the slow lane is usually pretty good. Most people here like you…..

You can lose weight and not even know it.  Life is good.

Life in Pangasinan in October

We are having a quiet day. Yesterday was Sunday. Today we are doing laundry and study. It is good to see family on Skype.  Tomorrow we will visit some members.  We are still looking for a larger building for the branch.  We had 138 people show up.  The meeting hall is rented. It was built to accommodate 38 people.  Life is interesting here.

 Much here seems like it was in the states years ago.  Most of the people are happy with a simple way of life. The people here are in better physical shape than most Americans.

We are at the end of the rainy season. The rivers have gone way down. There are small fishing boats on them. 

The fruit trees produce a lot of fruit. Mangos and papayas are seasonal.. Bananas grow year round.  The first rice harvest is mostly over. The second crop is being planted. The fields that won’t have enough water for a second rice crop will be planted in corn. This area is a rich agricultural province.

 When we are driving, we see many fine homes with beautiful ornate fences in front. These homes are all concrete. These don’t burn down or blow away.  They are well painted and are quite spacious.  They often have fruit trees in the yards. Most houses are built near roads.

 Other neighborhoods have “nipa” (bamboo) huts in them..  These are simple and functional.  A common feature in any area is the well with a hand pump.  Near a community pump, laundry is washed, kids are bathed and older kids come to cool off. 

The most of the people travel on foot or they ride in a tricycle. This is a motorcycle with a side car.  Often people ride in a jeepney.  These are about the size of a 15 passenger van.  The original ones were built from left over war jeeps. The ones today are on truck frames.   There are many cars on the roads. Most  come from Japan.  Travel between cities is by bus.  Traffic moves slowly and in a somewhat unusual way.  Most roads are well paved with thick concrete. These will last many years.  We often drive the back roads. They are always paved. For a look at traffic, look on line for “kuliglig”.

Many houses here have screens but not windows. They don’t need them. If you don’t have air conditioning, the outside air is fresh enough. It may be warm or hot. It will not be cold unless you live in the mountains. Many homes have  a tv. A very popular thing here is karaoke.  If it runs till late at night, at least the dogs won’t be barking and the roosters crowing. This is a rural place.

We are looking forward to going to Baguio City again. Everyone here does. Everyone who is wealthy, or well connected, has a home in Baguio. It is in the mountains north of here.  It is cool. It rains there more often than here.   Many of the beautiful pine trees are still there.  The presidential summer house is there. There are many fine hotels and some tourist places. Some of the roads are steep!!! It is a trip well remembered. It is Rose’s home town.  Two sisters and a brother and their families are there.

We are well. We have much to do yet.  The members are great. It is good that we are away from most Americans.  We can better concentrate on the task at hand.  My language skill need a lot of work…...

Please take care

President and Sister Stamps

Keeping busy in October

President Stamps sent the following email. He's obviously being sarcastic about the heat...

Things are not boring here. Sunday at church [Sister Stamps] took a [video - happens to be posted on this blog] of the branch after sacrement. It does not show the people outside of the building. This place is so tiny compared with the chapels at home. We are trying to get a bigger better place. The one scene through the kitchen shows the back gate and the mosquito swamp. There is no back door.

Monday we went to Urdaneta to meet with the mission president and other senior couples. Great trip. We got to do some shopping in a mall. This sure is a break from the small towns in our area. [A] tricycle driver backed into the side of our car. Now we have dents on one side, the front and back. I hope to get the other side hit so I can get a real paint job done. The trip is 60 kilometers one way (about 40 miles). It takes two hours one way with the traffic. On the way back, it got dark. The worst time to drive is just after dark. The cows are [on] the road and also most of the chidren. The road is a common thoroughfare for everyone. Everyone is on it. The tricycles (motorcycles with sidecars) are still there. Half have lights, half don't. These all travel at 12 miles per hour.  Then there are bicycles with sidecarts on them. These travel at two miles an hour. They have no lights and no reflectors. I missed one by three inches. The kid riding it had no clue. The best part is the big frogs. When we pass over them, they jump and hit under  back of the car. It must put a dent in their day.

Today we are going to a funeral for a member's father. We will learn something else from it.

It is not raining much.  The dry season starts next month. Then we get the hot season. I can hardly wait. It is 85 F. today and muggy.

We are well. Just busy. It is great to skype and see everyone. Take care.

Video!

A video of the chapel and the people that President and Sister Stamps are serving.

All Souls Day

What are some of the holidays and traditions you have [in the Philippines] that we don't know about?

The only thing I know of is All Souls Day. It is the day after Halloween. Sometimes they have a parade. Most people just take the day off. Many go to mass. The Catholic church has so many holidays for different saints. This one is for all those saints without a specific day of their own. Christmas is a big thing here.. not Santa Claus, but the whole season. They are now singing Christmas songs in the stores and in Sacrament [meeting].

Life sure is different here. People are usually kind and happy. They may not have much worldly things, but they are happy.  The sad part I have found is the lack of education for so many and the lackof good jobs.
We are going to help one young man with enough tuition to graduate from high school. He is 16. He is smart. His brother is 18. He went to Manila to work because the father can't. His health is really bad. The older brother will support the family for now. The mother is dead. The older sister is working in Manila. Their house is a bamboo hut sitting on the edge of a mosquito filled swamp.  The others in the "house" I think are cousins.  I really admire this family. They make opportunity out of necessity.
We are well. [Sister Stamps] is tired tonight. We went to san carlos to find an ATM and do some shopping. Tomorrow we will be at the church.  It is not boring here.
Please take care of the family.

September Pictures

We are well. It is hot. We are busy. Take care of [the grandkids].

The Ferrer Family at their baptism

Sister Stamps at Mines View Park in Baguio where she grew up

  

A loaded Jeepney going down the road.

A calesa (horse and cart). Quite popular 100 years ago but rare today.

Some branch members at a baptism.

President and Sister Stamps. Yes, he has lost weight.

Our household gekko. He keeps the bugs out.

Address Reminder

The missionaries say they aren't getting mail. In case you need it, here is their address.

Elder Kenneth and Sister Rosalina Stamps
Philippines Baguio Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
PO Box 7, Barangay: San Vicente East
Urdaneta, Pangasinan 2428
PHILIPPINES

Hot and Muggy

The rain stopped.  It is sunny and hot.  And muggy.

We are well.  We have been teaching some basic computer [skills] to the branch clerk and some members so they can do their jobs. We are helping some members with papers to get married. Nothing moves fast here.
It took 12 minutes to get on line at 12 kbits per second. We hope you get this [email].

There is a lot of dengue in Urbiztondo.  If they would drain some of the bogs it would not be so bad. We are 15 miles away in Aguilar.  No swamps here. We put out a bug zapper. It works.
[Sister Stamps] got a new washing machine. It works well enough. She is happier now. Tomorrow we will take some sisters to a zone conference. Now while things are quiet, we are figuring out organization problems. These are the routine items that all leaders get.

The car we have is a three year old Toyota. It runs pretty good. [President Stamps has] only put four dents in it  and some scratches on the front bumper when we turned around once. We once got stuck on a tree root. Life is different here.  When we got the car serviced, they had to bolt the bumper back on. It looks better now.

[Sister Stamps] is complaining to the globe internet people again.  Maybe this will work this time. We will get back to all when we can.

Still safe

President and Sister Stamps were not impacted by the earthquake because they are on the west side of the country and the quake was on the east side. They have no internet or cell coverage however. The flooding from the typhoons has subsided. It is very windy. They want everyone to know that they are ok.

Pictures of our neighborhood

We are adjusted to most things here. Life is much better now that the rains have slowed down. It is a lot cooler. We are well.


The Relief Society President pouring water out of her boot. She had delivered food to a family.

The food relief crew at a local school. The Church gave a lot of food to flooded families.

The Sagun Family

By the Agno River. The road was washed out. Two weeks earlier, the water here was four feet deep.

Our home, the landlord and his wife in Aguilar.

A tricycle (a motorcycle with a sidecar)

One of thousands of tricycles on the road.

A jeepney loaded with handmade furniture.

A farmer with his tractor going to town. The tractor is a big rototiller and he is pulling a wagon.

The members cleaning up the local church.

One of our great sisters and her daughters.



Keeping busy

From Elder (President) Stamps:

On a brighter note, things here are sure busy and really interesting. We have had 3 typhoons pass this area in 3 weeks. We had little wind but a lot lot lot of rain. The people living by the Agno river got flooded out. They often had so little to begin with. We have spent 2 weeks taking food and some medicine to them.
The church emergency response sent some food to hundreds of families in this area, members and non- members alike. The fast offering funds really make a big difference in peoples lives. As the families are given their food, they always come to me to say thank you. I assure them this is a gift from the Lord. I guess we are the public face of the church here. When we see the look on the mothers faces, it is quite touching. they know their families will eat till they can return home.

The branch is growing. We have about 190 members here. About half show up each Sunday. The building that is rented is smaller than the chapel portion of the stake center [in Oregon]. Honestly, this building is a dump. We are pushing hard for a larger more presentable location.

The members are great. They try so hard to learn. The young women's leader is only 20 years old.
No one has ever heard the Primary or Young Women songs. We bought a CD player and had brought some songs with us. The relief society is awesome. No real surprise there. The elders quorum had their first presidency meeting. We have 5 branch missionaries, all are teenagers. I just found the branch mission president. The only duties the young men have known of is passing the sacrament. Ee have a lot of work to do here. I do know who my replacement will be. We are in a training mode. 

We have some awesome missoinary elders here. They take food and the gospel to families in banka boats (about the size of a canoe) to families through flood waters 3-4 feet deep.

We are well. The heat isn't bad when it rains. The traffic is something else.
We have a great place to live. it is ten miles and across the river from Urbiztondo where we are serving.
The river is about the size of the Willamette. When it floods, everyone knows it. Sometimes we can't get across the bridge.

We hope all are well there.
Elder and Sister Stamps

Flooding report

From Sister Stamps:

We are doing great. Yes, Pangasinan is flooding. It has been raining and it pours by the bucket. On top of that the gov. opens up the dams.

 

Some of our members have to move to a higher grounds which is schools and we have to open up the church.  Many get sick due to dirty water, crowded school rooms and lack of comfort space. Cold cement floors. We did our best help out.

 

One time we were not able to help because the roads are flooded and we cannot get to where the members are and we get lost just trying to find a safe road getting to them.

 

We are also blessed that in one area where we do not know which to turn to get out from a certain town  

that the water is all around us every which way we try (the road) is deep water. Luckily, a family saw us and pulled side by us. We did not know they are members at first. We were thinking they want to pass us because we are moving very slow so not to get the car engine wet. They opened their window and ask if we are lost, we said we need direction to highway towards Manggaterm. We wanted to just go home at this time. They address us Elders we forgot we had our name tags and President Stamps his white shirt. We feel safe and he looks like we could trust him. He said to follow him. We did, then the road got narrower and narrower and lots of turns. I feel worried not for myself but for my husband. He is americano and white. We looked each other and followed a little more slower then the driver of the van got out and said that the road we want will be to our right, just follow the road and it will lead us to the freeway. We ask if we need to turn right after how many street we past and what corner. Then we ask if he knows about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he said he is a Mormon. Then another window in the van opened and we saw a lot of them and the older lady said they will bring us to the highway instead of giving directions because lots of turning in the road and no road signs. We were thankful for her instruction to her son and thank them all and they told us their names but we forgot it. All we know Jason and his family from Cammiling district had help us to safety.

 

Today we are going to Urdaneta to the Mission Home for a family home evening get together for Senior couples. We are to bring the main dish.

Safe

There is widespread flooding in the Philippines due to a typhoon and monsoons. Elder and Sister Stamps report they are fine.

They also say they want pictures, particularly of the grandkids.

Some pictures

We finally got [an internet] connection. But we hardly find time to sit and browse. We have been busy trying to get to know all the members. It all reminds me of how it used to be when we were growing up. We got it better though when we were growing up. We have cement floors in our house. A lot of the people here are very humble and kind and friendly. We love them all.

So far out of 80 members we have visited just 8. They all lived far apart and since it is rainy season, the canals smells and muddy. I am not complaining, just telling you how it is. Pres. Stamps and me with
the branch Elders are enjoying our adventures. With the big help of Elder Tijap and Elder Millevo. They are the two great Branch full time missionaries from Quizon City. They are both giant in Spirit and expert on translating what Pres. Stamps English words. I do my best to share my testimony to the members. They do understand me and so willing to help me thier dialect.

Maabig ya kabuasan, good morning.

At the Provo Temple

Missionaries from Philippine Islands to serve state side

One of our family members home, future elders

Keeping Busy

[From webmaster] I was able to chat briefly with Sister Stamps this evening. They will soon have a wired internet connection and will be able to upload pictures. In the meantime, here are a few comments from our chat, from their perspective.

We have lots of things happening, all great and wonderful and scary at the same time. Thank you so much for the long letters and information on how things [are going]. We are learning much on how to teach a class. 


We have been busy visiting all the branch members. So far, we have only visited 8 families. The first day, President Stamps [he's the branch President there] got stuck on a big mango root that we did not see and the car got wedged. The second day, the car battery died on us in the middle of the jungle. 


We are so blessed to have the gospel and the guiding hands (Holy Ghost) in our many journeys. 

New home

Elder and Sister Stamps have arrived at their new home in Aguilar Pangasinan.
"We are well. Life is sure different here. It is hot. [Sister Stamps] is happy. [Elder Stamps is] adjusting. We will be working in Urbiztondo which is 30 minutes away. We have filters for our water. There is plenty of pop and bottled water. Our home has three bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and a back porch which is covered. The internet runs really slow. It is through a cell phone tower. The people here are very friendly.  They live in humble circumstances. They do well with what they have. Everyone we have met loves us. We are happy. The traffic is interesting."

Safely in the Philippines

Elder and Sister Stamps have arrived in Manila!

Map Pictures

We have pictures of the missionaries! They've been busy learning a lot this week and will be leaving for the Philippines on Monday.


Classic "MTC Map" picture

 

The MTC district: from left to right: Elder & Sister Kelly, Elder & Sister Cobia,
Elder & Sister Stamps, and Elder & Sister Klein



Independence Day in the MTC

Elder and Sister Stamps report they are being "pampered" in the MTC. This made us laugh since, for the junior missionaries, the MTC is similar to the Army's boot camp. Here are some pictures of how Independence Day is celebrated in the MTC.

Parade of flags of different countries	Different parts of the world where we're going to preach the gospel.
Watching fireworks from our room



MTC address

Here is the mailing address for Elder and Sister Stamps while they are in the MTC. Since they'll only be there until the 9th, it's probably best to use a site like dearelder.com to make sure your letter reaches them before they leave. If you use dearelder.com, the MTC box number is in yellow below.

Elder and Sister Stamps

MTC Box 19-0709

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT  84604

Update: Elder and Sister Stamps report that they survived the first day. There are two other couples in the MTC who will be going to the Philippines, one set of sister missionaries and one set of elders.  

Safely in Utah

Elder and Sister Stamps arrived safely in Utah this afternoon. They'll spend a few days with family before reporting to the MTC on Monday morning.

Mailing Address and Info

Until the webmaster figures out how to make this display properly on the main page, here is some useful mailing info. There are several options for "snail mail."

For packages or letters longer than one side of a page, send to the following address with proper postage. Please use padded envelopes when sending CDs, thumb drives, or other small items. If shipping a package via private courier, the mission office phone needed is: 63 75-568-1081

     Elder Kenneth Mark Stamps
     Sister Rosalina Ganio Stamps 
     Philippines Baguio Mission 
     PO Box 7

     Brgy: San Vicente East

     Urdaneta City, Pangasinan 2428 

     PHILIPPINES

For short messages, use this page to send a letter through the pouch program (for free!)
http://www.dearelder.com/index/

If you prefer to send your own short letter [defined as one page, written on only one side of the page] or postcard and want to use the pouch program, a first-class stamp will suffice if sent in the following way.

• Lay letter blank side down.
• Fold bottom about 1/3 the way up and crease.
• Fold the top to the bottom of first fold.
• Secure long side with two pieces of tape but do not seal the ends.
• Add a stamp in the right corner.
• Address as follows:

      Elder Kenneth Mark Stamps
      Sister Rosalina Ganio Stamps
      Philippines Baguio Mission
      POB 30150
      Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150

Set Apart

Elder and Sister Stamps were set apart this evening and provided the following pictures.



With our Stake President after being set apart



With a map

Leaving the Stake Center to go on our mission!

It's the last week!

[From the webmaster] The soon-to-be-missionaries continue to spend time with family before they leave. They'll fly to Utah on Saturday and enter the MTC on Monday. The following Monday [9 July], they'll fly to the Philippines.

Getting close!

[From webmaster] Less than three weeks remain until the Stamps Mission Adventure starts! This is just the webmaster practicing making updates. :-) In the meantime, Ken and Rose are busy keeping up with some of their grandkids.

Getting the blog set up

This is just a test, though eventually there will be all sorts of good information here!