Goodbye, Welcome, and Transfers.....

What an emotional week it was for us. Wednesday evening, we said goodbyes to 9 outstanding missionaries who have completed an honorable mission. (Elders Alcoy, Hanks, Hope, Jaramillo, Pangan, and Pasco; Sisters Bondad, Lamboson, and Serrano). We had a Career Workshop for them all day, they all got final interviews with the president, then enjoyed a farewell dinner (President Carlos cooked his famous Rudiyaki Chicken), then had an emotional testimony meeting before we put them on the bus to Manila. We love them and wish them the best as they move on to a new season of life.



The next morning, we got up at 4:00 AM to prepare for the new missionaries arriving from the MTC. 11 wonderful, energetic, excited, tired, anxious, and hungry-- sisters and elders joined us. After arriving at the Mission Home at 6:00 a.m., we fed them (President Carlos made his famous Breakfast Rice, and Sister Carlos made her now famous Cinnamon Rolls) They all got their initial interviews, then given orientation by the Assistants and the Office Staff.



Following that, we moved to the chapel next door and held our transfer meeting. 44 companionships changed including some changes in mission leadership. Announced were: New Assistant to the President (Elder Bayless); New Zone Leaders (Elders Balaich, Bates, Cabanacan, and Jenkins.) Elder Murphy, the previous Assistant, also took one of the Zone Leader spots for his final 2 cycles; New District Leaders (Elders Geddes, Hale, Mataipule and Nielsen). After the transfer meeting, a bunch of elders and sisters found themselves at the Mission Home with plenty of leftovers from dinner and breakfast. Pictured are the four-some of Elders Ward, Hale, Farley, and Riner.

The Field is White and Ready to Harvest

What a weekend we've had in the Philippines Cauayan Mission. We were able to attend a number of baptisms. First on Friday night we witnessed the baptisms of four very special individuals. One was a couple in their late 70s. The brother was quite feeble and almost blind. He is an albino and so he has pure white skin and white hair but with filipino features. They live far from the church and since they didn't want to miss their baptisms they took a trycie in the middle of the afternoon. They showed up at the church at 4:00 p.m., three hours early! Since most filipinos run way late, that was very amazing. The missionaries organized it so a member drove them home afterwards. When Elder Murphy got in the font with the brother he was really gentle with him and helped ease him in. When it was time to baptize him, the brother simply sat down in the font and Elder Murhpy just had to ease his upper torso under the water. I've never seen anyone sit down in the font. There were two young men in their 20s also baptized. One is a young husband whose wife is a member. She is pregnant with their first child. On Saturday afternoon they were injured in a motorcycle accident and are now in the hospital. So they weren't able to be confirmed. Both are really banged up but luckily the doctors don't think it hurt the baby! We pray for a speedy recovery for them.

On Saturday we went to Tuguegarao where they had 43 individuals baptized. That zone has really be concentrating on working with the members and we witnessed the fruits of their labor. This represented 4 or 5 of their units. I saw a jeepney arrive that was stuffed with people from one of the branches and our missionaries that serve there. There was smoke billowing out from under the hood. It looked like a miracle that the jeepney made it to the baptism.

The chapel was a sea of white. It was so inspiring to witness! It was very organized and after an opening exercise with a couple of speakers (including President and I) they lined up to be baptized. All in all it took 2.5 hours total including the opening and closing exercises. What was truly inspiring was the fact that these folks were there and dressed on time! Believe me, that never happens in the Philippines. So I know that our missionaries and the bishops and branch presidents of these units worked hard to make sure everyone understood the importance of being on time.

I shall never forget this event for as long as I live! We believe that this was a mission record for the number of baptisms in one zone. There were many other baptisms throughout the mission this weekend we're excited to hear how many in all received this glorious gospel. Now the work begins as the members fellowship and nurture these precious souls into their gospel family.

We are so proud of all of our missionaries who work tirelessly to cultivate this part of the world. The field is white and our missionaries are eager to assist in the harvest!

Dumb Americans!

I'm still getting used to pesos and all the coins and paper bills that they use here in the Philippines. The other day Sister Breese and I needed to run up to a bakery, the butcher and then to a European Bakery. So we flagged down a trycie to take us. The normal fair would be 8 pesos per person. He was willing to stay with us and drive us to all three destinations. When we returned to the Mission Office I looked in my purse and was really happy to see two 25 pesos little gold pieces. I figured that was a really nice tip and so when I handed it to him he started shaking his head. I kept saying, "No, sir it's okay we want to give you a little tip! You deserve it." He reluctantly drove off.

Yesterday I found out that I gave him 2 25 centavos (1/2 of 1 peso) for all of that. So I totally ripped him off! I bet he is telling every trycie driver in Cauayan to avoid picking up those two dumb Americans!

I am so embarrassed!

Sister Carlos

A Humbling Experience

On Sunday we visited San Mateo branch. We randomly picked that branch since we hadn't been there before. When we arrived we realized it was their branch conference. The District President and Auxillary Leaders were there, but they quickly shift everything so that Rudy and I could speak.

I first attended Primary. The children were bright and happy. I was especially fond of a darling little 3 year old with chubby cheeks. They drew a temple. The younger kids had to connect the dots and she was able to draw really straight lines. They asked me to teach the children a song and I taught them the echo song (Hello, Hello...)

Next I was able to catch the last 10 minutes of Relief Society and hear a little of the lesson taught by the district leaders.

During the Sacrament Meeting, they had lovely piano prelude (the best piano player I've heard so far in the Philippines). The meeting went fine. I spoke on miracles and shared a few that had happened to us so far in our mission. I suggested that if we're doing God's work we can expect miracles. I reminded them that our most important work is raising our children and we should expect miracles as we try to raise them with love and prayer. After the meeting we visited with the District President for a few minutes and then we noticed that not one soul in the congregation had moved a muscle. We couldn't figure out why noone was leaving the chapel. We turned around and asked Elder Phipps, one of our missionaries who was singing with the choir, why noone was leaving. He responded, "President, they are waiting for you to leave before they get up." Wow, that was really humbling. These sweet people exhibit a reverence that we've never seen before. We realize it's not because of us, but they respect the calling that Rudy holds.

Zone Meetings

Last week we were on a whirlwind visit to all six of our zones for their zone meetings. We had to leave the mission home by 5:30 am most mornings and visited one zone in the morning and another one in the afternoon. We didn't get home until 6:00 or later each night. I made tons of chocolate chip cookies to share and the missionaries seemed to appreciate them. When you're feeding over 150 you can only make enough for one cookie apiece.

The zone leaders all taught in their own style the principle of Divine Companionships. We could feel the spirit and thoroughly enjoyed the meetings. One zone taped a paper on the back of each missionary and had each other write a positive trait they saw in that person. It was fun to watch the missionaries line up writing on each other's back. The point they were making was that each one of us has good qualities. IN a Divine Companionship you must focus on the good in your companion and not worry about those things that bug you.

An Eventful Trip to Tuguegarao

Elder Goobie took a short cut which resulted in a flat tire!


Elder Mulliner takes his turn at jacking up the van.

Finally the president lends his hand in placing the final screw.


Thank goodness for Team Cauayan (Our office elders and Assistants to the President)

Note: This was our second flat tire in the six weeks since we arrived! These roads are hazardous to our tires.

Recent Fun Times

We have the best office elders. Elder Goobie (From Canada) and Elder Mulliner (From Utah), not only do they run our office, they also pitch in often with the dishes after we've served a big meal. (Elder Mulliner likes the BYU apron. I think Elder Goobie really prefers one of my pretty flowered aprons but for this picture he selected a basic navy.) Once the Breeze's arrive (a senior couple who will serve 2 years in the office), the Elders will train them before going back to the field.





We have a number of helpers that make our mission home and office run smoothly. Imelda is our housekeeper. She is a grandmother of one small grandson. She is a true delight and keeps our home spotless. Ronnie is the groundkeeper. We feel like we are living in a fancy resort because our grounds are totally immaculate. We also have the able assistance of Donnie, who works for the church's facility management group. Anytime I need a picture hung, an appliance fixed or a light bulb changed, Donnie comes running. Our household goods finally arrived after being stuck in Manila in customs for a month. We had over 70 boxes and these three quickly became entrepreneurs. They asked if they could have the boxes and then tied them to Donnie's tryce and sold them. They took them over a few days. Here you will see Ronnie in the green, Imelda is in the sidecar and Donnie in the white shirt. (They just crack us up!)


This past Saturday we had the privilege of going to Aurora to witness the baptisms of two wonderful young teens. Elder Farley (From California) and Elder Mabanta were able to teach these two young men. We are so proud of the work they have been doing.




This has been a sad week as we have sent the Starley's home. They have served for two years here in the mission office. They have also worked with many of the local branches. They truly have loved those they've come to know and the past week our mission office has been packed with people, crying as they bid their dear friends a fond goodbye. Sister Starley has heard the hymn "Til We Meet Again" over and over as they have visited branches during the past month. This past weekend we went with the Starley's to Angadanan (which the Starley's say is like a little Utopia!) Branch. We thought it was just a ward family home evening activity. Instead, it was a surprise party for the Starleys. The missionaires Elder Mataipule (From American Samoa) and Elder Lien (From Boise, Idaho) helped with the prepartion. Many of the members shared some words of how the Starley's had touched their lives and then we played a fun game: Hymnbook Chase. Sister Starley played a few notes of the hymn and we had to find that hymn in the hymnbook. They also decorated a room with love notes to the Starleys, flowers and they served delicious food. It was truly a night to remember!

A Visit To Tuguegarao

Tuguegarao is our nothern most zone, and it's the largest city in our mission. (It's about a 3 hour drive from our home.) We visited their district meetings during a Humanitarian Project with local farmers. During a 3-day period 500/day (1,500 total) local farmers came to the church for a seminar on how to farm with less water. They were given sacks of special seeds. In addition they were taught the importance of setting a few of their acres aside to grow vegetables for their family. In the past, a rice farmer's family went hungry when there was a drought that affected his crop. There were thousands of startings for vegetables. Our church's humanitarian aide group co-sponsored the event along with a TV station, who advertised it and helped underwrite the costs of the seeds, etc. The local military came to assist. Our missionaries spent time visiting with the farmers and assisted in loading up the seeds and plant starts. It was a huge success!

While we were there we were able to ride a kuliglig (translates to cricket in English.) These are a popular mode of transportation. They haul people and stuff everywhere. They are also used to plow farmlands. They scare us to death at night because they don't have lights and will get on the highway from a tiny side street without any warning. We have to be on the lookout for them at all times. President also got to try his hand on a trycie. I'm in the sidecar. IN Tuguegarao there are so many trycies that the government has issued certain days when each color of trycie can be in operation. The day we were there was a day when yellow, green and orange trycies could be in operation.

I was also able to go to Sister Banks and Sister Corpuz apartment and attend a companion study session. It was fun to see where they live and to watch them in action. They are two very powerful missionaries!

Sister Carlos

Leadership Training

We had the great opportunity to bring in all the zone leaders and district leaders in for a day of training. The focus for the day was The Doctrine of Christ. As we studied Christ's doctrine it became evident what our focus is as missionaries. We had plenty of time for role playing and interacting with each other.
Lunch was catered by several local members who own restaurants. We served BBQ pork (on sticks) pancit (noodles) and I made tons of brownies and chocolate chip cookies. (I brought a suitcase full of chocolate chips and luckily they got here without melting!)

Recent Events

Elder Moffat, Elder Joslin, Elder Murillo and Elder Nielsen have a chance to visit with old friends at our recent transfer meeting.



Sister Corpuz and Sister Banks meet as new companions.


Getting to know the missionaries from Roxas Zone.


Elder Bayles and Elder Rondilla with the Assistants to the President, Elder Murphy and Elder Paco at McDonalds. (That Elder Rondilla always has a big smile on his face!)


Elder Kelson and Elder Daquioag at McDonalds. (I never cared much for McDonalds back home but here in the Philippines my eyes light up whenever I see one! The closest one to where we live is 30 minutes away.)

Only in the Philippines Part 2

This week I found a number of things that should be added to my list.
Only in the Philippines...
1. Does the chorister sing the first line of the song and then says, "Ready sing." Often the tune she is singing doesn't match the tune in the hymnbook! (A few branches have piano players but many sing acapella.)
2. Do churches have long umbrella stands in the foyers. (I thought they were shoe racks like I saw in Japan but found out they were for the umbrellas.) Many people walk to church and they use their umbrellas in the sun and in the rain. The women carry beautiful bright umbrellas.
3. Does a trycie become a traveling store. (We saw a bunch of trycies loaded down with thousands of baskets and ratan items traveling in a caravan. When they stopped I jumped out of the car and took a picture.)
4. Does McDonald's delivers. (In front of the McDonalds there is a row of motorcycles with a carry box in the rear.)
5. Do you get invited to a member's birthday party dinner and the member never eats. (They just hover over you to make sure you're enjoying the food. I guess they eat when everyone is gone.)
6. Does the congregation sing out with exuberance, off key many of the times. (I've never heard such singing!)
7. Do you get bananas or candies in place of small change at stores.
8.Do you see beautiful fields of green corn and rice set against purple mountains and bright blue sky.
9. Does a ward party that is scheduled for 5:00 actually start 6:00 or 6:30.
10. Does one zone get 58 baptisms in one day!