And Here They Come...

Welcome to the Philippines Cauayan Misison--what we think is the best mission in the entire world! It's full of hardworking and happy missionaries who are making a huge impact on the lives of each other, the members and investigators.

Our theme is "No Regrets" and we always help new missionaries to start off right by accounting each night in their nightly prayers and asking "Do I have any regrets today? Did I do my best today?"

We were so excited at the airport and I have to admit I was crying as I welcomed each one of them.

And fresh from the Provo MTC are Elder Hepworth, Doney and Bahr

And Sister Stabenow and Elder Heumann

President explains the events of the day and welcomes to this great work!

I think they actually were awake during the orientation! (Not like those before who came off an overnight bus trip!)

We can tell this is a great batch of missionaries!

 After orientation, initial interviews with President Carlos, photo taking and lunch we headed over to the chapel next door for our transfer meeting.

 Elder Samar, Daniels and Golightly did one of the musical numbers for the meeting. It was absolutely fantastic! They are so talented!


The new batch sang a musical number during the meeting! Wow, were we all impressed.

Fresh from the Manila MTC come Sister Broqueza, Fanugao, Perlas and Acoba

After a few talks, assignments were given, testimonies shared and it was time for missionaries to head to their new areas and get back to work! (Sorry I didn't get one good group shot of these folks!)

And There They Go...

It still feels like a dream--having to say goodbye to 7 absolutely wonderful elders was so painful. I think I'm still in denial and think I'll see them at their next district meeting!

But their time had come--it's time for them to head back home and resume their normal lives. We truly appreciate their dedication and hard work. We know the Lord is very mindful of their sacrifices and commitment to the work and we pray that He will shower them with blessings.

The day started with their final interviews with President Carlos--it's always an emotional time.
Then came the departing fireside where each missionary bore their final testimonies to their fellow missionaries and friends who gathered to pay their respects to this great bunch.

They stood in front as we all sang 'Til We Meet Again

Back Row: Elder Young, Acu, Wooden and Williamson

Front Row: 

Elder Obiacoro, Horlucas and James

 After the fireside there is always plenty of time to mingle with friends and members before the banquet.

New members come to pay tribute to those who have taught them

Members and former missionaries come and offer their well wishes to those going home

 The Philippines Cauayan Mission is a happy mission!

After a night in the mission, good food, it's time to say our final goodbyes before heading to the airport. President offers a few words of counsel.

We kneel in humble prayer before leaving. (This was taken as we prepared to pray.)

At the airport--does everyone have their luggage and ID?

It's so hard to see them go....

Preparing for our New Batch!

It's hard to imagine all the preparation that had to take place when we said goodbye to 7 elders and welcomed 24! That means opening up new areas, getting new apartments (in a few instances) purchasing new beds, desks, etc., etc, etc. The Shaners (our apartment couple) spent the entire month getting everything ready for these new missionaries.

This was the first time missionaries could fly in and out of Cauayan--that's right no more overnight bus trips!!! This became a reality when the MTCs finally came together and released our missionaries on Tuesday instead of Wednesday so that they could make the early morning Wed. flights. (We only have 3 flights a week into Cauayan.) So Sister Laker spent hours working on all the paperwork necessary for the flights.

President and the Assistants worked hard to identify the new trainers and then wait for the confirmation from the Holy Ghost as they prayed about them.

On transfer day "all hands were on deck." We had all couples come to the airport to help with luggage and transporting missionaries. They also helped with setting up the building and sorting the mail, etc.

Everyone had to chip in and help with all the work.

A week before transfers we had a wonderful training session with our new trainers, who were all raring to train the new missionaries.

Elder Phippen, Elder Robertson, Elder Odom and Elder Marshall are excited to train!

Elder Odom was recovering from being a little sick and so he didn't eat our Tacos--poor guy stuck with bananas!

Elder Betancourt, Elder Marshall and Elder Phippen

Elder Juzcaya, Sister

Elder Garcia, Elder Opalda , Elder Sacauga, Elder McLaughlin and Elder Juzcaya enjoy eating  lunch together.

It looks like all we did was eat--but I didn't have my camera handy during the training!

Sister Daelo, Sister Gardoce with Elder Saba and Elder Ilgan

Who wouldn't love having any of these great missionaries for their trainer?

We are so proud of these missionaries who will lead the training during our next 2 cycles!