Moving On....

It always amazes me how international we are here at the Philippines MTC.  This transfer we had missionaries from 11 countries.  We also had 2 sets of siblings, 1 being twins.  From the Missionary Training Center to their assigned missions.  They are well prepared and eager to go.

Temple Sunrise

The other morning as President Clark was out for a morning run.  This scene caught his view as he passed the Manila temple.  It's a daily event but this particular day was eye catching with the sunrise behind the temple spires.  Our temple has been closed for the last couple of weeks.  We miss our weekly visits.

Preparation Day with the MTC Teachers

Once each year, the faculty of the Philippines Missionary Training Center have a retreat/team building day.  We were invited to participate.  The faculty is comprised of 40+ young adults - all returned missionaries - and wonderful teachers.  We started the day at the Pillialla Rizal Windmill Farm, about 2 hours drive from the MTC.  It was a fascinating field trip to learn about energy in the Philippines.

One of our former missionaries is a current teacher at the MTC. 

This is Melvin.  He is our department administrative assistant.  We don't know what we'd do without him.  The picture below is how we all feel about him.  Melvin was in our mission in Angeles.  He has an incredible heart and serves all who he meets.

Here, teachers participate in a team building exercise to lower the "helium stick" to the ground.  It's a great lesson in teamwork, communication and anger management.  A good time was had by all.

Filipinos love videoke.  The low point of the day was President Clark and Elder Muir mauling the microphone and mangling the Sinatra favorite, "My Way."  Sister Clark and Sister Muir on the other hand pretended to be skilled vocalists with a song we can't even remember.  (Age is kind in some ways).  We enjoyed our day with the teachers and staff.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

These sweet people in this slightly askew photo joined us for our anniversary celebration in February.  Fittingly, each of us celebrated our anniversaries in the month of February.  Our night on the town was highlighted by a Josh Groban concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.  We are old so we arrived a bit early.  After 2 1/2 hours, we left a bit hard of hearing (most of us started that way too).  Interesting note:  each couple represents a decade difference in age.  The Muir's and the Warner's are terrific missionaries and wonderful friends.

The Book of Mormon

New missionaries attend the MTC for 19 days if they are not learning a language.  The almost three week period of time is extremely structured.  Each of the three Sundays these missionries are here, President Clark and I teach a devotional. The second Sunday devotional is The Book of Mormon.  Teaching from this miraculous miracle is vital to being a missionary.  It is another testament of Jesus Christ and it testifies that the Savior and His Atonement are the most important thing that happened on the earth today.

170 missionaries preparing for the devotional.

We love the Book of Mormon and have intense testimonies of the truthfulness of this book.  We can teach with a firm conviction that we know it is scripture, written by ancient prophets, to help us in these latter days.  There is no more correct book on the earth.  Read it; you'll love it!