The Wooden Family Visits the Philippines Cauayan Mission

We recently welcomed Elder Wooden's family to Cauayan. They arrived on the same flight as our 23 new missionaries. After touring the mission, Elder Wooden's stake president was able to release him via SKYPE. The family then headed off to Boracay for a week of fun in the ocean before heading back home.

On Easter Sunday we drove the family to Gamu where Elder Wooden had served for 7.5 months. The branch invited Sister Wooden, Brother Wooden (his parents) and Elder Wooden to speak. The branch put together a choir and also had a special musical number about Gethsemane sung by 3 of their primary children. We were so proud of them. Afterwards there was time to mingle with these dear saints before heading back to the mission home for Easter dinner. (We served turkey and ham and all the trimmings.) Elder Wooden was a very special missionary and being able to get to know his wonderful family was a real treat for us.

We are surely going to miss Elder Wooden!

His father and three brothers at the airport getting their first glimpse of their missionary.

Time to hug mom!

Two of his younger brothers

His little brother may be bigger than he is now

The saints in Gamu enjoy meeting the Wooden Family

Everyone wanted a picture with Elder Wooden

Hi sbrothers have their own fan club in Gamu, they all loved these boys and kept commenting on their beautiful white skin!

The Relief Society wanted a picture with Sister Wooden

The Primary wanted one last picture too!

Several of Elder Wooden's converts made a lovely merienda for him at the Mills nearby apartment

There was time for the converts to share their testimonies and experiences wtih the Wooden family--there wasn't a dry eye in the room! Elder Wooden certainly touched their lives in a very special way!