Ruptured Appendix - September 13, 2019 & January 21, 2020

We've had a rough patch of health concerns with our missionaries as of late.  In September one of our Elders came down with a pain in his side.  Elder Eliason thought it best if we took him to the hospital.  It was late afternoon and nothing swiftly happens in the hospital.  With our Elder we waited and waited in a side room in the Emergency area.  Finally at 2 a.m. they decided to take him in for surgery.  Before opening him up his appendix burst!  He was a good sized young man so it took a great deal of work to clean everything up.  We were grateful that he was okay after it was all over.  These are the trying times when healthcare isn't quite as we are used to.  

In January we had a Sister with the same symptoms.  I couldn't believe it.  We again took her in to the hospital.  The attendants in admitting now know me by first name.  Again we waited and waited until after 3 a.m.  Finally they took her in to surgery.  Her appendix had nearly burst.  We know the Lord was watching over our missionaries .... and us!  We hope that this pattern doesn't continue.  President Clark is the one who stays through the night.  It is beginning to wear on him.  Although the hospital is close to our MTC, it is easier to park in a close-by neighborhood and walk about a mile to the hospital.

MTC Priesthood Leaders Gathering! January 20, 2020

From left to right:  Bro. & Sis. Balleados, Pres. & Sis. Macariola, Bro. & Sis. Tolentino, Bro. & Sis. Maasin, Pres. & Sis. Reyes, Pres. & Sis. Agustin, Elder & Sis. Sackley, Elder & Sis. Muir, Pres & Sis. Clark, Elder & Sis. Hill, Bro. & Sis. Serrano, Pres & Sis. Navarro, Elder & Sister Simpson, Elder & Sister Ringer, Bro. & Sis. Baligod.

 We had the Priesthood Holiday party tonight.  It was fun to get everyone together in a much lighter setting.  Filipinos love to have a good time.  We are grateful to serve with them. 

After the party we had a missionary that had 3 impacted wisdom teeth removed earlier that day.  He kept spitting blood during the day.  He was so week he passed out.  We had to have Elder and Sister Ringer come back to take him to the dental clinic on a stretcher.  He finally came to and they were able to stabilize his mouth from bleeding.  He walked back with assistance from his companions.  I marvel at the endurance these missionaries have.  3 impacted wisdom teeth and this elder went back to class.  My kids would have been down for at least 3 days had that happened.  It was at night when it all came to a head.  They are so grateful for the care that is given them here.  

OUR NURSE IS HERE!  Elder Steven and Sister Shelley Hill arrived on the same day as our Priesthood gathering.  They were good sports and came to the party even though they were operating on limited sleep.  We are so grateful to have them here.  Medical needs have been really difficult lately.  Having a registered nurse in the house is a great blessing.  WELCOME

 

TayTay - Ministering to the MTC

We received a true gift from the Senior Missionaries all around the Manila area who serve in different organizations at the Area Office.  They all donated and the total we received to assist our missionaries was astonishing.  There is an area that sells clothing at very good prices.  It is called TayTay.  With Reygie in the drivers seat, we all went off to find some great deals.  Gym clothes and slippers (flip flops) were in high demand.  You can see by the face of the cute slipper salesperson, how delighted when we said we would take "lahat" all of her slippers.  We went on the day between Departures and Intake.  It was good to get out of our little compound for a few hours.  

From the left:  Sister Muir, Sister Bondad (MRC), Sister Eliason (Doc wife), Me, Gilda (X-ray Tech), Reygie 

(MTC nurse until the Hills arrive), Sister Cajocson (wonderful service missionary)

 Slippers galore

Lunch at Greenwich

Batch 693 - December 19, 2019 to January 15, 2020

WOW!  What a ride we had during Batch 693.  This was an interesting batch from the start.  Because of the blackout period on travel through the holiday, this batch stayed with us for 26 days instead of 19 days. Our Provo missionaries have been learning a language.  It is generally a 6 week stay then they come to Manila for 6 more days.  They came with 7 weeks under their belt and another 6 days.  Somehow, it worked.  And it worked well!  Spending more time with the missionaries just meant that our hearts grew fonder to them.  

These are some of the events that took place during their stay:

• We had 16 countries throughout their stay; American Samoa, Australia, Cambodia, China, Figi, French Polynesia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, United States 
• There were 2 Area Presidency spoke - Elder Wakolo & Elder Bangerter (twice).
• We had 2 days of Christmas celebration (thank you senior couples from the Area Offices for assisting us).
• One of our missionaries spent a couple of days in the neighboring hospital.  We went through some frightening moments but there was a full recovery!
• We had 2 days of New Years festivities (hopefully a post will come in the coming days).
• These missionaries LOVED to talk.  
• The cough and cold season hit us hard.  We spent 3 weeks until a no handshake ban.  Fist or elbow bumps were optional.  
• 2 days before the missionaries departed, Taal Volcano - 45 miles north of Quezon City erupted.  This is the second-most active volcano in the Philippines.  This created the messiest departure that we've had to this point because of cancelled flights, etc.  
• A major highlight was having an apostle visit the night before they left.  President Clark and I were able to host Elder & Sister Bangerter and Elder Quentin L. Cook and Sister Mary Cook for dinner.  After that, they spoke to our missionaries.  It was a stirring evening that started the missionaries on a spirtitually high plain.  The message of "urgency and importance" is real!

Visit from an Apostle

Elder Quentin L. and Sister Mary Cook visited the MTC.  

They were escorted by Elder Steven R. and Susan Bangerter.  

 We had such a delightful dinner with them before the devotional.  The conversation was pleasant and warm.  It was as if we were having dinner with old friends.  It is a gift for our leaders to be able to sit with anyone and have an engaging experience.  

 Although it is difficult to be seen in this picture, the Cook's loved looking at all of the luggage lined up ready for the missionaries to leave for their areas early the next morning.  They loved the beauty and peace that was felt in our courtyard area of the Missionary Training Center.

Our meeting began by singing, "Enter to Serve."  This song is sung to the tune of "Press Forward Saints."  The Bangerters and Cooks were given the words to the song.  You could tell that the missionaries felt the power behind the words the sang as they begin this wonderful journey.  The MTC Choir then sang, "Youth Battalion of the Lord: Hope of Israel."  Sister Stone serves in the Family History Center and allows us to utilize her musical talents as a piano player.  It is a powerful song, especially when performed with the vigor of new missionaries. 
We all loved the messages that were shared by Elder & Sister Cook. 
Highlights:
Sister Cook Highlights: 
A mission is an act of unconditional love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Sister Cook loves music so she shared how we learn doctrine of the gospel through music. 
        I Am a Child of God
        My Heavenly Father Loves Me
        He Sent His Son
        Jesus Is Our Loving Friend
        I Will Follow Gods Plan for Me
        The Lord Needs Valiant Servants
        I Hope They Call Me On A Mission
        We'll Bring the World His Truth
Elder Cook Highlights:
We were told that he prepares what he will say while Sister Cook speaks.  Elder Cook changed what he originally planned and gave the following message. 
"I want you to go out and feel a real sense of Urgency."

He shared experiences he had with companions and the lessons he learned.  

1.  Elder Cook's first experience as a trainer was to a missionary who had grown up on a farm.  This companion's sister had a scholarship to go to school but she decided to work so that he could go on a mission.  He prayed often for the gratitude he had for his sister.  When Elder Cook's companion taught the 1st Vision, he taught with power.  We learned the most important thing you'll do at the beginning of your mission is to bear witness.  He felt an urgency to be a good missionary because of the sacrifice of others.  When the companion went home, he worked so his sister could go on a mission.  

2.  Elder Cook's first companion taught a lesson of listening to the promptings of the Spirit.  When opening up a new town, his companion had the impression to STOP and tract here.  Because of it, 3 families were baptized over time.  

D&C 31:7 - Listen to the prompting of the Spirit.  

Remember the 4 Loves:

1.  Love you companion - learn from each one.

2. Love the people - recognized everyone is a child of God. Don't make fun of people.  D&C 29:7

3. Love your Mission President and companion

4. Love the Savior - The Savior's Atonement overcomes everything!

Probably the most stirring part of Elder Cook's talk was his witness at the end.  He shared:

  "I know the Savior's voice and I know the Savior's face."  

Elder Cook's trip had been planned weeks before he came to the Philippines.  Three weeks before he came he wanted to see if he could visit with High Communicators Visits.  The day after he arrived, Taal Volcano erupted.  Because of that, Elder Cook wished to meet with President Duterte to deliver a donation from the Church for assistance of those who were affected by the volcano eruption. The meeting was quickly arranged and a Book of Mormon with President Duterte's name engraved was presented.  Also a healthy donation.  President Duterte noted our church is always there to help others during disasters.  They help but never ask for anything.  He said that he is busy but he would read the Book of Mormon before his term as President was over.