Thanksgiving in the Philippines

The senior couples from the Area Office, MTC and dental clinic gathered to enjoy a real Thanksgiving meal.  How we love being able to associate with these great people.  It doesn't happen very much but when it does, we relish it!  We are grateful!

Dinner & Devotional with Elder & Sister L Whitney Clayton

Elder L Whitney Clayton and Sister Kathy K. Clayton along with Elder Steven and Sister Susan Bangerter along with Elder and Sister Muir joined us for dinner and a devotional.  We had a lovely, relaxing time together after what had been a pretty demanding and stressful day for them.  The missionaries seemed to have enjoyed it.  The Muir’s are related by family through marriage.  They seemed happy for the reunion that was provided. 

Batch 688 - October 2, 2019

Intake 688 was a International mix of Cambodia, Canada, China, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, United States, Vietnam, Kiribati, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa.  168 missionaries with 53 from Provo for the last 6 days.  We love all 221 of them!

687 - September 11, 2019

This was a batch of strange proportions.  We don't generally have more Americans than Filipinos.  Provo had to do some switching around and we ended up with more Americans.  It was definitely a louder and different feel to the MTC.  Missionaries learning is always a treat for us to watch.

This batch had Australia, India, Mongolia, New Zealand, 63 Philippines and 72 United States.  With our Language Training Missionaries we were 179 strong!  Provo brought our numbers up to 189.

Batch 690 - November 13, 2019

Interesting fact.  When we receive new missionaries, flu shots are administered from about June through October.  The medical personnel figure these are the months when flu hits the Philippines hard.  Our first batch not receiving the flu shot was hit with a heavy dose of the flu.  The Missionary Recovery Center (MRC) was like a revolving door.  Missionaries would arrive and stay for 3 or 4 days, leave and others would arrive.  We had a "no handshake rule".  This is often very difficult for missionaries to comply with.  It's even more difficult when you are out in the field and your Mission President tells you not to shake hands.  

This was another large batch.  Australia, China, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.  We had 2 translators this batch - Thailand and Vietnam.  197 RTM's and LTM's plus 54 from Provo.  251 mighty missionaries this batch!

Angeles Mission Reunion - No Tags, Just Great Memories - November 2, 2019

Ever since we arrived back in the Philippines, we planned to have a great reunion for the RM's we served with.  Generally when a MP goes home to America, there are reunions for the Americans but not the Filipinos.  We solved that problem.  With the help of our party planner, Cindy Antonio, we began preparing 6 months in advance.  This gave everyone enough time to make money to travel to Manila if possible.  It was a huge hit!  President Clark and I got "Third Floor" our catering service to feed them.  We had the beautiful facilities with hand mics and space for everyone to gather comfortably.  Some people stayed with friends or at the temple housing so they were here by 12 p.m. on the day of the reunion.  It was so great to see everyone again.  We met babies and spouses of our dear missionaries.  Our theme was appropriate, "No Tags, Just Great Memories!"