The White Plastic Dead Bolt

 Leaving the mall at closing time I saw this stool across the door handle of the Levi's store. I thought it was funny and I couldn't help but take a picture. Instead of the typical "Sorry We're Closed" sign, they decided that the ever threatening "white plastic stool" was the best bet to scare off after hour shoppers or someone looking to heist the days cash counting going on at the back of the store. 

Tanza District Meeting

Elder Baylon, Elder Faatoia,  Elder Fiame, Elder Anderson, Elder Burbidge, Elder Doloritos, Elder Tadina, and Elder Barney

We visited the Tanza District meeting today. They didn't know we were coming and it was fun to surprise them. I love seeing how obedient the missionaries are - we could have walked in to an unorganized group of elders who were just goofing off and playing basketball. Tanza is located in just about the furthest corner of our mission. The chance of President Tye coming to visit in the middle of the week is slim, but we opened the classroom door to find this district busy discussing their current needs and making announcements. They quickly found us a place to sit and then we watched as each companionship stood and told about a spiritual experience they had during the week. President made sure that we also shared our experience - I got a referral from a waiter at a restaurant and talked about how great it was to be involved in OYM. (open your mouth) Then President and I split up and we each joined a different companionship to do some role play. Elder Burbidge and Elder Doloritos were my 'missionaries' and they were awesome! They asked me if I had a question about the reading assignment they had left me the last time we met. I tried to give them a hard time, but they really know their stuff! I am so proud of our missionaries. 

Sharing their spiritual experiences

 Elder Burbidge and Elder Doloritos

 Elder Tadina and Elder Anderson

Elder Barney and Elder Fiame

You Say Goodbye, And I Say Hello

The past month we have had “goodbyes” and “hellos” a plenty! It's sad times when we have some of our mission family leave for home or to another mission. Besides the scheduled missionary transfer day in December, we have had a few others come and go. Thanks to the Beatles I have been humming the song mentioned in the post title and can't get it off my mind.

VISA WAITERS

 Elder Justesen and Elder Hyer came to us in July as visa waiters from India. A visa is only good for one year in India so all foreign missionaries must leave India and serve in another mission until their visa is renewed. They were with us for six months and are now back in India finishing their two year mission.

 Sister Dela Cruz came to us from the Manila MTC and was waiting for her visa into Australia where she was called to serve. She was with us for three months and we loved having this happy, optimistic, and loving sister in Cavite.

I cried when these three left us! Although not originally called to the Cavite mission, they have made an impact here and will always be in our hearts!

SENIOR COUPLES 

Elder and Sister Paddock

The Paddock's left us a few months early because of medical reasons. Their departure came so quickly that we didn't get to do all the "goodbye activities" with them. See the measuring tape on his belt? The Paddock's and the West's worked constantly on finding and furnishing apartments. They also fixed toilet seats, drippy faucets, and broken fans - and did a zillion other things. (like making breakfast every Monday for some neighboring Elders.) Getting a new mission off the ground is hard work. These two couples, the Paddock's and the West's were busy, busy, busy - and again I cried when they left us.

The West's







Sister West signs the goodbye quilt.

Elder West hangs up their ties.

TACLOBAN SENIOR COUPLE

Elder and Sister Maxfield

The Maxfield's came to us from typhoon hit Tacloban. At the time they only had about a month left on their mission and were given the choice to either go home or complete their eighteen month mission in Cavite. Being the amazing people that they are, they chose to give all their time to the work. These are two very spiritual members. There is no question that their service here in Cavite for those five weeks blessed so many lives. What an honor it was for President Tye and I to have them spend it with us.

Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over, SMILE because it happened!"

Can't I do both?

Even though the Cavite Mission Family will miss these senior couples, I know that there are a lot of children and grandchildren that are happy to have them back home. Thanks to all their family for letting us borrow them for a while!

HELLO, HELLO . . .

Elder and Sister Rigby

What a beautiful sight and blessing came out of the Manila Air Terminal on the morning of January 8th. The Rigby's are from Utah and are smiling because their winter coats were left at home. Welcome to the Philippines and the humidity! I cannot explain how thrilled, excited, happy, delighted, and overjoyed we are to have the Rigby's with us. What wonderful people they are. They spent their first day at the mission office and mission home. We even had a dinner for them their first night. I bet they were so exhausted!

I love all of our senior couples so much! I am looking forward to the next year and eternity as we combine our faith, hard work, and never ending friendship in the hastening of this work.

A January Baptism

The first Saturday in January, President Tye and I attended two baptisms. There was ample time to visit both if we left the first baptism as soon as it was over and hurried to the second. But as is common in the Philippines, the baptism did not start on time. Actually it ended up an hour behind schedule. Because of this we walked into the second baptism just as the last talk was ending. But people are so loving here that we were still treated to hugs, kisses, and handshakes. Amazing, beautiful people!

But I would like to share the experience that I had during the first baptism we visited that night. When we arrived the font was being filled. Sometimes dirty water comes through a water line and can make a font look dirty and unclean, but tonight this font was beautiful. As I stood watching the water slowly filling the font, I noticed two candy or gum wrappers floating on top of the water. I pointed them out to Elder Roberts who was standing next to me. The next thing I know, he is stepping over the protective glass barrier, wedging his slippery shoes against the glass and with his knee on the 4" ledge he reached in to the font to pick up the small pieces of paper. I was impressed that Elder Roberts understood the importance of having a clean baptismal font to preform this sacred ordinance. Even to the extent that he would put himself in that precarious position just to remove these two insignificant pieces of floating garbage. I was touched by his concern for sacred things.

 

 Elder Calaunan, Elder Roberts, Elder Matina, and Elder Banawan have a picture with the young baptism candidate and his family. 

 

The next experience I had at this baptism had to do with the little fellow that was baptized. Elder Roberts helped him into the font, completed the ordinance, but after he finished, the young boy did not immediately go up the stairs to get changed into his dry clothing; he just stood there and didn't move. He looked out at everyone who was attending and just smiled the biggest smile ever! I saw pure joy in this young boys face and instantly I thought of the people gathered at the waters of Mormon who after Alma asked them to take upon themselves the covenant of baptism they, ". . . clapped their hands with joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." (Mosiah 18:11) It was such a sweet experience for me to witness.

 

The elder I stood with at the font and the young 'new member' of the church taught me that joy can be found in every detail of the gospel. Keeping sacred things clean and pure, and being baptized a member of the church of Jesus Christ should be the greatest desire of our hearts!

Four Week Follow-up

Today we met with the December 2013 batch of missionaries to have a four week follow-up training. The training consists of a twelve week program and we like to have them all come together and talk about any problems they have had during their first few weeks in the Philippines.

 

This is a picture of just the new missionaries. They have been split from their trainers so we can talk through any concerns and answer questions.

Companionship Activity

 

 

 

 

Medical Woes And Blessings

I have been receiving quite a few medical calls within the last week. Nothing serious, just sore throats, bloody noses, cavities, mosquito bites, and ingrown toe nails. The sore throats and bloody noses can be attributed to the change in our weather. Going from rainy season to dry can have a short term effect on that. Some Vaseline in the nose and throat lozenges will help until our bodies adjust. The mosquito bites can be reduced by using DEET (at least 25%) and making sure the screen on the apartment windows are closed. President and I took a group to St. Luke's Global in Manila to get checked up by doctors. St Luke's is an awesome hospital with great doctors.

Picture taken in the elevator at St Luke's.

I believe the hardest part of this job is taking care of the medical needs of almost 200 missionaries. I receive medical related texts from them every day. This is another reason I KNOW that God is in charge of this work. I usually know what to do because of the promptings of the spirit that come to me as I listen to their needs and concerns. Plus I know that God really does watch out for all the missionaries. I have no medical background. My qualifications are 1) I am a mother of six children. 2) I listen to the Holy Ghost as I listen to the missionary. 3) I have an Area Medical Advisor and Nurse that I stay in constant contact with. 4) and I pray a LOT!

But it is still a miracle that this little flock of 80,000+ is protected and that every mission mom listens to the Spirit that freely gives direction and quiet instruction. I am so thankful for the prayers of so many members of the church who ask for blessings on the missionaries and the president and his wife!

 Sister Murphey gave me permission to show her mosquito bitten legs. The screen on the window to her bedroom was slightly left open. She must taste really good because this is the first missionary I have seen with this many bites. Mosquito nets are not used because all windows in the apartments have bars and screens. The missionaries are responsible to make sure that their screens are properly closed - especially at night.

Big toe on right foot taken care of for both elders Kestler and Oakden. They were thrilled with the laser treatment and quick fix.

Mom says, "If you can run on it, you can teach on it!"

January MLC

It's the start of a new year and the best way to get things going smoothly is to have MLC at the Mission Home. I love having the missionaries here and I especially love to cook for them! No wonder the first pictures I post are not of our wonderful Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders, but of my desserts!

Coconut Strawberry Tres Leches Cake and

Mango Cake 

Who in the world would take a close up picture of strawberries and toasted coconut on a Mission Blog? ME!!!

I tried two new recipes and they were so beautiful that I gave them priority blog-placement! Who cares about the Teriyaki Chicken, garlic shrimp 'n vegetables, and home made rolls I also served.

It was just so lovely! - I'm having a moment.

BACK TO THE REASON FOR THE POST - MLC

Here are a few of the pictures from January's MLC. 

This is a practice baptism interview.

I love having the missionaries come to the mission home. The meeting was scheduled to start at 10:00am, but by 9:00 most everyone had already arrived. The sisters came into the kitchen and helped me roll out the rolls while the elders relaxed and ate candy that was scattered around the house. By the time the meeting started our home was filled with sweet smells and beautiful voices as the sisters and elders sang the opening song.

There will never be anything in my life that will compare to having the missionaries in my home.

The voices of all 18 of us filled every corner and reached beyond each closed bedroom door. The prayers, testimonies, lessons, thoughts, and counsel that took place during this six hour meeting was so uplifting. I love the Spirit that lingers here long after the shoes are put back on and the last companionship shakes my hand then closes the door. After all have left, I stand against the closed door and I breathe it all in - holding my breath. This may seem silly, but it is my way of sharing this feeling with my spirit. I am making a memory and I will have many memories when these three years are over.

The definition of "Temple" in the Bible Dictionary gives the best description of what my home feels like when all have left. The first paragraph on page 781 states: 

"Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness." 

I will always be thankful that I was given the opportunity to witness the workings of the Spirit in the mission home. It truly has become a place of sacredness, comparable only to the temple on every first Thursday of the month. Surely our goal would be to have our homes like this every day!

I have no idea why President and I were lucky enough to be chosen to take part in this great work. But because of this calling, I have a greater love for my Heavenly Father. I have a firmer knowledge that Christ leads and directs this work - it is His work! It is His Gospel that was restored to the earth thru Joseph Smith in this last dispensation in preparation for His return and Millennial Reign. Yes I miss my home. Yes I miss my family. I hope they know that their father and mother love them, and through this experience we are teaching them that we will always honor the covenants that we made in the temple. Because even with trials, even with pure exhaustion and daily repentance, it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us true joy and happiness in this life and throughout eternity.  

You Never Know . . .

One of the elders that just finished his mission and is now bragging his "RM Status", posted this picture on his Facebook page. It is a picture of President Tye and I holding hands while driving.

I was not aware that he took the picture and I asked him why he took it and then posted it on Facebook. He responded, "It's awesome, that's one of my favorite photos I took on my mission."

You never know who is watching and making a memory of the things you do.