It's difficult to believe our adventure in the Philippines San Pablo Mission has ended. When we began this adventure three years ago it was with much apprehension on my part mingled with excitement of course. Bart was very excited but I felt unprepared and nervous about leaving our family and traveling across the world for three years. I knew we would enjoy the experience and love the missionaries but I truly had no idea how much we would love the experience and especially love the missionaries as well as the members. We love the beautiful Philippines and the kind and friendly Filipino people. I will forever be grateful to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to have this great privilege even with our weaknesses. It has been a time of spiritual growth as we have been pushed to do things beyond our comfort zones (especially me--my comfort zone is smaller than Bart's) and experience things we would never have imagined. We have learned to truly rely on the enabling power of the Savior's Atonement. We have a better understanding of our Heavenly Father's love for each of His children as we have personally felt His love and felt the love He has for all of the missionaries, members, and all the people we have met. We have prayed constantly that the missionaries and others will feel our love as well as our Heavenly Father's love through us. We have felt the Holy Ghost as He has brought things to our remembrance and guided us as to what we should teach the missionaries, say in meetings or visits. We have had incredible experiences that have strengthened our faith and testimonies of the Savior and His Atonement and we know that the fullness of His gospel has been restored on the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. Our love and testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon has increased as we have studied it daily and read it with a focus on the Savior, His teachings, and attributes. We have been blessed to be taught by Apostles, Seventies, and general Church leaders. We have been strengthened by the faith of our dear missionaries. Many of them are first generation members of the Church and some have given up family and friends as they joined the Church and chose to serve a mission. All of our missionaries chose to consecrate 18-24 months to be full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and represent the Savior. Although they are young and not perfect they are incredible examples of faith and service. We have been blessed to serve with 18 amazing senior couples who have changed our lives as we have watched their willingness to leave their families and the conveniences of home to serve a mission. They bless the missionaries and members with their examples of charity and discipleship.
It has been an emotional roller coaster the past few weeks as we have said our good-byes to many people. The last two weeks we went to each of the nine zones and had a short conference with them and shared our last messages as well as our love and appreciation for them. Of course, we took many photos too. It was incredibly fun as well as a tender experience.
On Wednesday we were asked to stay in a hotel for the last three nights so they could deep clean the mission home, replace linens, and do some changes in decor before President and Sister Davies arrived. It was strange to walk out the door on Wednesday morning knowing it was the end of our lives there in that beautiful home. We have so many sweet memories of greeting new missionaries and saying good-bye to missionaries going home as well as other meetings with missionaries, leaders, families, and fun senior couple get-togethers. We also have sweet memories of having each of our children and all but two of our grandchildren (technically they were there just still in the womb) spending a few fun filled days with us in the mission home. This beautiful home has a wonderful spirit as you walk in it. We will miss it!
Yesterday, we drove back to the Mission Home/Mission Office and did some final preparations as we anxiously waited the arrival of President and Sister Davies. We had visited with them three times on Skype and it was nice to greet them in person. They are wonderful, energetic and fun. Everyone immediately felt comfortable in their presence. They will bless the Philippines San Pablo Mission with new vision and take it to the next level. We would loved to have served side by side these great people but we will always be connected through our love of the mission and missionaries.
It was a tender experience as we greeted President and Sister Davies because we immediately felt the mantle leave and knew the baton had been passed. We watched their excitement, grace, and love as they greeted the Assistants, Office Elders, and Couple. Their adventure has begun while our's has ended and we are excited for them but sad that this incredible experience has ended. Bart loves a quote from Dr. Seuss that says, "Don't be sad that its over, be happy that it happened"; that is what we are striving to do. We will miss serving with our missionaries and the dear Filipino members and friends but they will forever be in our hearts. We will also miss the beautiful Philippines San Pablo mission and have left a piece of our hearts there. Once again I express our heartfelt gratitude for the great honor, privilege, and blessing of serving our Heavenly Father and Savior in our assignment in the Philippines San Pablo Mission. We will continue to press forward and strive to serve faithfully throughout out lives. We pray we will remain the new and improved Bart and Renae Mangum.
