February Departing and Incoming Missionaries

February 8-10, 2015/Departing Missionaries
     It's hard to believe how quickly 6 weeks pass by. Our February departing batch was a fantastic group of missionaries. Each time it gets a little harder to say good-bye as we know the missionaries better. This group had a lot of wonderful sisters who had blessed my life since we got to the mission. They had been cheerleaders encouraging and supporting me. I had also had the opportunity to go out and teach with a couple of the sisters and we had attended baptisms for many of this group. The good-byes were tearful but the time with the sisters and elders at the mission home was great. We had a wonderful Family Home Evening sharing favorite mission memories and testimonies.

Our Fantastic February Departing Batch
Saying Good-bye gets harder each time. We'll really miss them! 

A fun new sign for departing batches--thanks to Sister Moran.

February 11-12, 2015/Incoming Missionaries

     The cycle continues and a day after we said good-bye to our missionaries we welcomed new ones. This was a small batch and only one sister to replace 14! The smaller batch made the orientation and visiting very personal and we enjoyed it. They are a great group. As they got off the bus I thought one of them looked just like one of our other Elders. I looked at his name tag and realized why he looked so familiar, it was one of our elders returning. He had gone home for some medical concerns and we weren't told he was coming back with this group. It was fun to see him and great to have him well enough to return.

Our new great group of missionaries ready to serve.

Special Missionary Meeting with Young Men's General President

     On February 7 we had a special experience as Elder and Sister Ardern (the Philippines Area President and wife) and the Young Men's General President, David Beck, and his wife came to our mission. The six of us enjoyed a nice lunch together at the mission home before driving to San Pablo for a special meeting with most of our missionaries. The visit at lunch was nice. Although I get nervous before we have special guests they are always friendly, personable, and fun. We are also blessed to hear insights and wisdom from them.

Brother and Sister Beck, Sister and President Mangum, Elder and Sister Ardern

     Unfortunately some of our missionaries are too far away to make it reasonable for them to attend so they missed out on this experience. Bart and I were told to each prepare a talk and all four of them were supposed to speak as well. As we were walking into the Chapel Elder Ardern said that he and Brother Beck had been talking and they had decided to change things. We were still supposed to talk but then they were going to have a panel discussion and let the missionaries ask them questions and they would answer. I couldn't believe it! The missionaries came to hear them speak not us. We gave our talks and then they did the panel discussion. It turned out great and the four of them were inspired in their answers. I couldn't believe how easy it seemed for them to answer questions in that kind of format. Bart and I were included in the answering but I briefly said something and Bart added a couple of answers. Anyway, it was a great meeting and the missionaries enjoyed it.
      After the missionary meeting there was a special meeting for the youth from four stakes in our mission. The chapel and cultural hall were filled with youth. It was a wonderful meeting. Elder and Sister Ardern, and Sister Beck all spoke briefly and then Brother Beck taught about the sacrament and showed the clip "Always Remember Him." Each of the youth had been given an outline and were asked to write ways that they would remember the Savior. He then had the a few young men and a few young women come up and share their comments. It was so impressive to listen to these faithful youth. It was a wonderful meeting and the Spirit was strong. I'm putting a link to the video clip. It's very thought provoking.

Always Remember Him

January 2015

   
     January was filled with Zone Interviews. We spent a lot of time traveling and actually spent 5 nights in a row gone one week. Elder and Sister Galbraith came with us and it was a fun trip. While President was interviewing the missionaries Sister Galbraith and I did a workshop on cooking and eating healthy. I did a Power Point presentation and Sister Galbraith demonstrated 3 dishes that the missionaries could cook--quick, healthy, and inexpensive meals. We also made them little recipe books so they could cook for themselves. The missionaries all loved the workshop because they got to eat a nice meal. After 15 deals of demonstrations we were tired of the meals even though she switched them up a little. It's always fun to be with the missionaries but it is tiring and we were happy to have the interviews done and get a little bit of a break.

Some of the beautiful scenery we saw during our zone interview travels.

Some of the missionaries during the cooking workshops.

December 2014 Departing and Incoming Missionaries

     On the Sunday after Christmas we were joined by 24 departing missionaries. (Earlier in the month 3 others had left as well.) Usually the departing missionaries spend two nights with us before going to Manila but since it was the holidays we only had them for one night. It was quite hectic as President had to interview each of them. It was not only a large group but a fun group so it was enjoyable to visit with them. We had a nice dinner followed by a departing video, memories, and testimonies. On the morning of the 29 we all had breakfast, said our goodbyes and they got in Jeepneys to head to Manila. The only problem was there ended up not being enough room so President and I drove a few of them up to the hotel. It was fun to visit them as we traveled.

This was a big, fun loving group of missionaries! We'll miss them.

      In December both of the Assistants that were here when we arrived left as well as an office elder. These three elders were such a blessing to us. They were encouraging, loving, and accepting from the moment we met them. They had all been a way from the office for at least a few weeks so that helped in the transition but it was still tender to say good-bye.

      Tuesday morning, December 30th, we had 27 missionaries arrive! It was amazing to see all of them climb off the bus and head down the lane to the mission home. Once again because of the holidays and the need to get them to their areas before New Year's Eve we had to cut our time together. We had a brief orientation, they then met their trainers and had some training, ate lunch, and they were on their way to their areas.

Welcome to our largest group--27 missionaries!

A lot of great new missionaries to take the place of the large group that left.

     

 

Merry Christmas 2014

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

      Christmas morning was very different and pretty relaxed. We were able to Skype with mom and dad Mangum with Hayley, Ben, and Peyton on their Christmas Eve. It was great to see them and visit for a while and a great way to start the morning. We had a Christmas brunch with the two office couples and were joined by the sister missionaries in the area. We then went with three of the couples to a baptism. It was a wonderful way to spend Christmas in the mission field. They called it a "White Christmas". There were two companionships involved and five baptisms. Most of the missionaries from that zone were there and it was a very special experience. After the baptism we (the four couples, the Assistants and office Elders) enjoyed a wonderful dinner, yummy desserts, and played games. After everyone left we were able to Skype and join some of our children and grandchildren for Christmas morning and watch the excitement of the kids while they unwrapped a couple of presents. We were able to "visit" and be a part of each of the family's Christmas celebration sometime during their Christmas day. It was the highlight to our Christmas for sure!

We had so much joining the traditional adult party and Christmas Eve Eve Family party. We loved joining in the laughter, hearing the grandkids sing, and seeing everyone together! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS FAMILY---WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Fun with Maddie, Grady, and Ari (Wes, Leah, Collin, & Cecily too).

Being entertained by the Larson family.

Sharing Christmas moments with Kaleb, Kat, and family.

Lots of laughter with Hayley, Ben, and Peyton and fun with the Drakulich family. 

Our first Christmas Day in the Philippines!

A few decorations in the mission home and around the area.

      

Christmas Zone Conferences

    CHRISTMAS ZONE CONFERENCES

 The week of Christmas we held three separate Christmas conferences. They were held on the 22, 23, and 24 in different locations. We kept hearing about how fun Christmas zone conferences were which put a lot of pressure on us (well, at least me) to make sure our's were balanced with spiritual instruction and fun and games. We feel like things turned out well. The missionaries seemed to enjoy their time and it was a great way for us to spend the week. We loved being with all of the missionaries sometime during those three days and being able to watch their interaction with each other and also be able to personally wish each of them a Merry Christmas. We do love our missionaries and it is fun to feel like we know them all now, at least a little bit.

      The conferences started at 10:00 a.m. and lasted until 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. We had invited the missionaries to share musical numbers if they were interested. We love Christmas music and wanted to have a lot of it--we did! We began the morning with a fun video that the office elders had made. It started with a photo of each missionary coming in and out quickly. Then a group of "ugly dog" photos--there are some pretty pathetic dogs here in the Philippines. After that we saw fun photos of companionships and groups of missionaries. The best part to me was the end where the companionships and a few districts or zones had sent in their "Share the Gift" photos. This part began with the video and beautiful music from the "Share the Gift" website which set a wonderful tone. It was so sweet to see what the missionaries had chosen to do to share the Gift of the Savior and His restored gospel.

       After the video we then had the departing missionaries for December and February share their testimonies. It was sweet to listen to the missionaries. After the testimonies and a beautiful musical number it was my turn to speak. I spoke about the gift of the Atonement and used wrapped gifts to illustrate how the atonement is personalized for each of us and it's up to us how we use the gift. The Assistants did a great workshop on using the family as a beginning point of teaching the gospel as you OYM with short, powerful statements. Bart then taught the missionaries about the atonement and the importance of repentance. He gave wonderful instruction and used an inspiring video, "Paralyzed Gymnast" from Mormon Messages as part of his presentation. The gymnast shares how she overcame the trial of being paralyzed through the grace of the atonement of Christ. He also used this quote by E. T. Sullivan (quoted in the Christmas Devotional): “When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, he goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn’t stir up his earthquakes or send forth his thunderbolts. Instead, he has a helpless baby born. … And then God waits. The greatest forces in the world are not the earthquakes and the thunderbolts. The greatest forces in the world are babies.” He showed baby pictures of many of the missionaries which was really fun and talked about the great things they have to do. The musical numbers were intermixed with the talks, videos, testimonies, etc. They were wonderful and really added to the spirit of the meeting. After a long but wonderful morning it was finally time to eat lunch (I was ready). One of the mission traditions was to have lechon/roasted pig for the Christmas zone conference. It was my first time seeing a whole pig on the serving table. It was weird to see the heads of the pigs, especially the second day because it looked like it was smiling. Bart said it was happy to fill the measure of its creation by giving it's life for the missionaries.
     After lunch we had another one or two musical numbers and then the games began. The couples were in charge of the games and we divided the missionaries into three or four groups (depending on the size of the zones attending) and had games that they played and then rotated. It was fun and funny to watch them get into the games and great to hear all of the laughter. After the games we took the traditional zone pictures. When Bart was a missionary they did a tie exchange for Christmas so we decided to try it. Each Elder was supposed to bring a tie wrapped with a note and then they sat in a large circle to exchange the tie. The sisters each brought an accessory (jewelry, hair accessory, etc.) for their exchange. While they were in their circles President Mangum read The Night Before Christmas right/left story where the presents go right or left each time that word is read. the missionaries. It was a lot of fun. We ended the day by returning to the chapel and singing a couple of Christmas hymns, having a closing prayer and then handing out a treat bag and wishing them each a Merry Christmas. It was a tiring but wonderful three days!

Marinduque Zone

Lopez Zone

Lucena Zone

Mindoro Zone

    

Lipa Zone

Batangas Zone

Santa Cruz Zone

San Pablo Zone

Cabuyao Zone

Siniloan Zone

A small glimpse of the fun and games!

The pigs that gave their lives for these great missionaries!
(I enjoy eating pork more when I don't see the pig's face looking at me.)

December 2014

     December came and went quickly and all of a sudden it's halfway through January!!!! Life continues to be busy here in the Philippines and occasionally we have some down time to try to relax and catch up on neglected items. Although December and the Christmas season were very different for us we enjoyed the month. We particularly had a busy last two weeks. This post is kind of scattered but I'm finally writing it so I hope it makes sense.

     On the first weekend in December a super typhoon was forecast. The Area Office was very concerned because it was supposed to be as bad as Yolanda in November 2013. Because they were so concerned they had the missions take precautions. We had several of our missionaries that were by the ocean or in other areas of high water or high wind danger move to either other missionary's apartments or stay in chapels. Fortunately as typhoon Ruby progressed it weakened and slowed down so that by the time it actually hit our area it was just a tropical storm. We know that many people all over the world had been praying for the Philippines and we feel like we were blessed to avoid any major damage. It turned out to be an interesting few days. I have to admit I didn't mind the day we had to stay in and relax while it stormed outside. In fact I was able to watch part of a Hallmark Christmas movie with Wes and Leah over Face Time.

My only Hallmark Christmas movie this year--over Face Time
on the iPad while I made soup and visited with Wes and Leah.

Thankfully prayers were answered and there was no major damage but plenty of rain water in some areas.

     On December 6 our dear grandson, Boston was baptized. It was one of our hardest days since we arrived. Boston's birth was a true miracle as he was born during Brittney's year of remission. We are so happy that he chose to be baptized but it was hard to miss this special day. We are thankful for his sweet 2nd mom, Wendy, who sent pictures and let us know what a special day it was (including that Brittney's presence was felt). The family that was there also shared about the experience.

So handsome! 

   

     On the 5 we had our MLC and it was a great meeting. We were able to attend three zone trainings as well. It was interesting to see how they had taken the information from MLC and used their own inspiration for their areas to teach the principles. We really enjoyed all of the meetings. We also attended district meetings, had Missionary Check-up, went to the Alaminos ward Christmas party, and the San Pablo stake Broadway night. We had wonderful experiences attending some baptisms. One of the baptisms we were able to see a dad baptize his son. What made it extra special was that we attended the dad, mom, brother, and sister's baptisms in August. The mom was so excited to have a "completed" family (everyone of age is baptized and can go to the temple in a year).

Mission Leadership Council--They're Wonderful Missionaries 

December District Meetings, Zone Meetings, Stake Conference, and Baptisms

Missionary Check up with the November Batch and their trainers. It's always a fun meeting.

Broadway night and Ward Party--some fun games we'll have to remember.

 
     On the 11 we were able to drive the PEF couple to Manila. We had a fun lunch and visit with them before we said good-bye. They are so much fun and are definitely missed. The couple parties won't be nearly as entertaining without them.

Good-bye to a great couple--we miss them!

     On the 15 we drove to Manila to pick up a new senior couple who serve as the PEF couple in San Pablo. They have already been a great addition to the mission. That evening we had all of the couples in our mission come for a nice dinner and Christmas party. We had fun sharing Christmas memories and exchanging gifts with each other. One gift per couple was supposed to be homemade and there were some creative gifts given. We also wrote our "Share the Gift" commitments.

   

   

He is the Gift!

     Although the Philippines doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, I feel like I would like to share some of the things I'm especially thankful for:
     Of course, our family--wonderful children, their sweethearts, and beautiful grandchildren; our dear parents and siblings, and extended family. I'm thankful to be married to my best friend and thankful for our love and that we still enjoy being together after 39 years. I'm thankful for fabulous friends, old and new. I'm thankful for things that I often have taken for granted--good food, running water (hot and cold), showers, flushing toilets, toilet paper, nice home, electricity, air conditioning. I'm very thankful for modern technology--Skype, Face Time, cell phones, Vonage, computers. I'm grateful for incredible young adults and senior couples who are willing to leave their homes and families to serve missions and be representatives of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for the freedoms of the United States of America and the goodness that it represents. Although I miss America, I'm thankful for the beauties of the Philippines and for the kindness of the Filipino people. I'm thankful that they believe in Jesus Christ and God and aren't afraid to share their beliefs. I'm grateful to be in a country where prayers are still said in public places.
      I'm especially thankful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the privilege I have of being a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm thankful for modern day prophets; including Joseph Smith who restored the fullness of the gospel and Thomas S. Monson who leads the Lord's work today. I'm thankful for the Book of Mormon and the Bible and that they teach us of Christ, His life, His love, His atonement, and His example for each of us.
      Above all, I'm thankful to know that we have a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan for each of us so that we can return to His presence. I'm thankful for the precious gift of His son, Jesus Christ and I'm thankful for the atonement of the Savior which not only allows me to repent and be forgiven of my sins but gives me the enabling power to work through life's trials and accomplish all that He asks of me. I'm thankful that the Savior's atonement is for each of us. I'm thankful that families can be together forever.
      I'm thankful for the Christmas season which I love and I'm thankful to be able to share this wonderful message of the true meaning of Christmas with you.

HE IS THE GIFT
http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=77010030

Saying Good-bye

     On November 18, 2014 we said good-bye to our 4th group of missionaries. This group was the hardest yet because I had gotten to know them all and they were a wonderful group of missionaries. I had spent time with each of the 9 sisters; including having the privilege of teaching with some of them.

Saying Good-bye to a Wonderful Group of Missionaries

     The elders were actually excited to put on their suit coats for the first time since they arrived. It was fun to meet the parents and brother of three of the sisters. 

A new Batch of 20 for our Anniversary!

     When we were married on October 8, 1975 we would never have guessed that we would be spending our 39th anniversary in the Philippines (as well as our 40th and 41st)!!! Our life has had many unanticipated events and this mission is definitely towards the top of the list.

      It was a nice day but very busy. We got up early to be ready for the missionaries arrival around 7:30 a.m. but it was after 8:30 before they arrived on the bus. They are dropped off at the end of the lane and all of the office staff go down and meet them and help them with all of their luggage. We then had breakfast and the interviews with President Mangum began. Half of them were taken to San Pablo to the lake for their OYM experience and the others stayed for their interviews and filled out a couple of forms, visited, relaxed, and slept. Then after a couple of hours the remainder of the missionaries switched places and activities. It was 1:30 p.m. before they had a lunch/snack. That was followed by Orientation and dinner. They were all tired and happy to be taken to the hotel around 7:00 p.m. 

     Although we didn't have a typical anniversary celebration we had a nice day. Monday we did find a different restaurant in San Pablo and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of grilled salmon, so that was our anniversary celebration.

     I'm so thankful for my sweetheart and for the love and memories we've shared for 39 years. I'm so thankful that we still enjoy being together and that we have the opportunity of sharing this adventure together. I'm especially thankful for the ordinance of temple marriage and the hope of eternal families. 

Happy 39th Anniversary
and Welcome to our Newest Batch--20 plus 1 (returning after health concerns.)