Mission Presidents Seminar

 November 17-19, 2015--We had the wonderful opportunity to attend another Philippines Mission Presidents (and Wives) Seminar. We love spending time with the other mission presidents and wives who have become dear friends. We always love being taught by the Area Presidency, Elder Ardern, Elder Bowen, and Elder Haynie. This time we had the amazing experience of also being taught by Elder Neil L. Andersen and Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles! They are wonderful teachers as well as very personable. I wish I knew how to express the feelings I experienced being taught by two apostles. It felt surreal. The Spirit was so strong during the meetings. Now we are trying to decide what of all the things we were taught we need to apply at this time for ourselves and the mission. We had the opportunity to sit at the table with Elder and Sister Andersen at lunch on the last day of the seminar. I still can't believe that I am having these experiences. (I so wish I could talk with my parents about the "learning experiences" Bart and I are having as we serve in the Philippines, San Pablo Mission.) I am incredibly humbled by the many blessings I have been given.

On Wednesday we had meetings during the morning and free time in the afternoon.
We went with some of our friends to the American Cemetery Memorial.
 It is a beautiful and sacred place. It is overwhelming to think of the many soldiers that are buried there as well as many others who are honored but were MIA.
We then had a wonderful dinner and visit with our friends hosted by the Manila Mission President and his wife at their Mission Home. It was so much fun.
 After we returned to the hotel we were surprised by a yummy dessert and a birthday song from a couple of the hotel workers. They were so cute and wanted a photo with us. 

We arrived in Manila on Monday afternoon and had dinner with almost all of "our batch"
at PF Chang's. (We never feel like we're in the Philippines when we're in Manila; it's so different from our area. Even though we love the nice restaurants we love our mission more!)
 The beautiful hotel we stayed at had "snow" at different times during the day.
We watched out the window and then went out to see it up close.
The snow turned out to be soap bubbles but it looked great.
The wives had the incredible opportunity to be taught briefly by Elder Andersen and Elder Renlund at a Women's Meeting. They then left to teach the Presidents and we were taught by their impressive wives. It was an inspiring meeting.
We took pictures so we could believe it was real that we were with two of the Lord's apostles.
The seminar was the same week as APEC was held in Manila.
We talked about how everyone was watching the world leaders not realizing
that two of the Savior's modern day Apostles were across town!