Week 70

January 15, 2012

Nara Morgan

        HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Nara!!!!  WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!

Good afternoon from the island of Palawan. We arrived safely in Puerto Princesa on Friday morning. The flight was smooth until the landing. They have a shorter runway than most other airports here so the plane has to come down quickly and stop quickly. Mom was sleeping when we landed and she awoke startled when we touched down – it was an unexpected and hard landing. 

Sister Afu, Elders Morales & Villa came in with us.

The Petersons met us and the other three incoming missionaries at the airport. It was good to see them again. They have done so much for us to help us here. They were able to find a place for us to live and they furnished it with the things we would need to get started. They have been a huge blessing to us. After having a quick Orientation/District Meeting we went to lunch with all of the Puerto Princesa missionaries at a local eating establishment (not too bad but they must have put some ‘sliders’ in the food – they slide right in and slide right out again). Then it was off to the grocery store for some staples for the weekend and then into the vehicles for the 90 minute ride to our house.

The road to Narra was rough and the Peterson’s assured us that these were the best roads that we will see here on Palawan (that’s encouraging). The Church gave us another Toyota Corolla and not the van we were hoping for. We will literally ruin this car out here on these dirt roads. Hopefully it will last for at least 6 months. 

Our 'street'

Our house is big – much bigger than we really need. It is owned by a member. 

 

The husband was the previous Branch President here in Narra. He had a stroke and they moved him to Canada to be with one of his children hoping that he would have somewhat better medical care. He later had another stroke and then died in Canada. The wife wanted to keep the house so it was fortunate that we came along in order to rent the house. The Petersons had an air conditioner installed and also got us a full size washer and dryer. They spoiled us. The house has been somewhat remodeled to accommodate a wheelchair. The interior walls are made of ¼ inch plywood and do not reach to the ceiling. The room air conditioner has difficulty cooling the living room because it is not a single enclosed room. The kitchen is large but the counters are short (they hit me at about mid thigh level). Mom bought some small plastic stools to use in the sink and on the counters to raise the things to a reasonable height. 

I have come to refer to everything here as a hobbit house. The kitchen also is equipped with a resident tuko (large gecko). We haven’t seen him yet but we have heard him (they say their name – tuko, tuko- and it sounds like you are walking on a squeaking wood floor).

 The air is very clean over here and there isn’t probably 1/10 the traffic that was in Manila. The island is beautiful and still very primitive in many ways. There are no fast food places in Narra. There isn’t a grocery store or a convenience store to buy bread or milk – that means no cold cereal. There are 2 grocery stores in Puerto about 90 minutes away. We are still looking for an internet place to establish contact with the outside world. The skies have been very clear and blue until around 2 or 3 pm. Then we get a short rainstorm. The humidity is horrible. It didn’t help us to work in the office for 3 months in an air conditioned office – now we have to acclimatize to the heat and humidity again – and the hot season is just around the corner (April, May and June) followed by the rainy season. We aren’t complaining (who am I kidding – of course I’m complaining about the heat and humidity)  but I’m just not looking forward to the heat again. 

President & Sister, Elders Palmer, Serrano, Jacinto & Munsod

;

 Sisters Raguindin, Martinez,Younas, & Sipe

Elders Morgan, Belarmino, Misa & Teo, Sis. Morgan

Well, last week went well with the transfers. We didn’t leave anyone stranded or forget to get tickets for those going home. We had a few minor things that we can improve for the next transfer but we won’t need to worry about that. We said goodbye to 8 missionaries on Tuesday evening,   had transfer day on Wednesday

 and welcomed 6 new missionaries on Thursday morning. 

New missionaries, office elders and some companions

We had only one American elder (Elder Nielson from Syracuse, UT) in this last transfer but we did get a young missionary (Elder Kang) from mainland China! He speaks some English but has had no Tagalog training. President Stucki asked him to say the blessing on the food and he spoke in Mandarin. It was great. We also received another elder from Sri Lanka (Elder Fernando). He is very sharp and will be a good missionary. 

  

It was strange arranging for our own transfer. Transfer week is, by itself, a very exhausting and stressful week but having to pack and clean and prepare for our own transfer made it quite interesting. We thought it will be nice to get to Narra so we could rest. No such thing. We have hit the ground running. Saturday morning we had a three-hour training meeting with the District Presidency and the Branch Presidencies. I did some training about scripture study. Whenever I am asked to speak, I always emphasize that I love to read the scriptures. President Stucki wants each member to have their own copy of the scriptures so they can read and study and develop a love for the scriptures. So, the mission is providing Bibles and Triple Combinations in both Tagalog and English to each of the Branches. The Church subsidizes the cost of the scriptures here (one can purchase all of the standard works for about 80 pesos or $2). 

 Not having a love of reading sounds somewhat strange to us because of our love to read but the Filipino culture is not prone to reading. Most schools do not provide books. The students are taught by the teacher to memorize. Most students never see a text book and many high school students graduate having read just a few books. The students become very dependent upon the teacher. The lack of reading becomes very apparent when they are asked to read in class. This will be a huge obstacle to overcome – huge but not impossible. 

Later Saturday evening we had a satellite broadcast from the Area Presidency. They unfold their vision of what work needs to be done in the Philippines over the next 5 years. It was very inspiring and insightful. All of the missionaries will be working with reactivation and retention of members. We also met with the District President to help him plan his Branch Conferences. He wants us to help him in getting things established that have not been done before. The branches in this district are far away from each other and the roads (or lack of roads) make it difficult to visit the various branches. As a result, they have not held Branch conferences in many of the outlying branches. We will be taking the district leadership to the branches now and then determine how to help them with future transportation concerns and budget matters. This will be a fun and challenging assignment. 

Well, we survived another week.  We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve. Sometimes we feel that we don’t do very much but the assurance comes that our influence will be felt by many people. We hope to do the best we can to reactivate and train the leadership here. It is fulfilling and rewarding. 

We love you all so very much and are always grateful for your love, prayers and support. Thank you for everything that you do for us. Please take care and be safe. We love you and wish we could give each of you a big hug. Remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ.  And always remember to say your prayers.

Love, 

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant

Week 69

January 8, 2012

Dear Family and Friends, 

How is everyone this week? We hope that all is well with each of you and that you are enjoying life. How are the New Year’s resolutions coming? 

front yard of old mission office

Well, transfer week is upon us again. This will be an interesting transfer for a couple of reasons. One, we are in the new office and are still trying to arrange everything , two, we are training the new office couple to take over and three, we are being transferred on Friday. 

This will be a short letter because this has been the first full week where we could just train the new office couple. We haven’t done much of anything else. We have tried to put everything that we learned into one week of concentrated training. Fun huh! The Dietrichs are doing well and they will be great in the office.

We had Mission Presidency meeting on Thursday evening and afterwards, President and Sister Vicencio treated us all to dinner at Brazil-Brazil (Manila’s take on Rodizzio). It was good but not exactly the same as back home – they were limited in the types of meat they offered. The pork belly was really good once you cut off the fat, the beef tenderloin was good but the squid –let’s just say that was my first and last time I will have barbecue squid (Mom wholeheartedly agrees)! They did have grilled bananas that were really good. They cut the small bananas in half, dipped them in sugar syrup and then grilled them. I am not a fan of warm bananas but these were very tasty.  The other thing we really liked was the corn soup. It was very good. We all had a wonderful time. Mom and I think that we have eaten out more in the past three months since we have been in Manila than any other time. There is every kind of eating place here – Manila is truly Americanized. 

Well, we are trying to get everything completed before we leave for Palawan and somewhere in between we will pack and clean and sleep. We hope that you are all doing well. We pray every day for your well-being. We hope you are healthy and happy and enjoying life with those little ones. It won’t last long so enjoy it now while they are small. We love you. We pray that you are happy. 

Thank you for your love and prayers. We couldn’t be here without your prayers. Keep smiling and remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ. And as always, remember to say you prayers.

Love,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant   

Week 68

January 1, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!!

How was everyone’s holiday? We hope they were filled with fun, excitement and wonderment. We hope that Santa brought you everything that you needed. Yesterday, December 31^st, it felt as if it were a late August day in Utah. The temperature was 82, a gentle wind was blowing and some of the leaves were starting to fall from the trees. One more month of this weather then the hot season starts up again – argh! The time has gone by so quickly. It seemed only a few weeks ago we came to Manila and now we will be off to spend the last 6 months in Palawan. Wow! 

I hope that this letter makes sense. The fireworks lasted until about 3:00 am so I’m working on very little sleep. Staying awake in church today was a real challenge. The nice thing is that this year we didn’t have all of the videoke singers all night long in our neighborhood. We spent a quiet day working. President and Sister Stucki treated the office crew to a New Years Eve lunch and after that, they invited me and Mom over to the mission home and we played Dominos, Speed Scrabble and Rummy-cube. We left to come home around 8 and then read and studied. It was a quiet and relaxing evening until 10pm and then the fireworks started up. It was like we were under attack. Early Sunday morning I went outside and the smoke was still hanging around and you could smell the gunpowder in the air. The Filipinos love their fireworks and they love to celebrate. All in all, it has made for some great memories.  

We began the week with some excitement. After Christmas and the Monday holiday (haven’t figured that one out yet) we went to the new office to see what progress had been made. 

There was still considerable work to do before we could move in but we all felt that Friday would be the best day to move. The phone line was working, we had internet but there was still some minor construction and then a 2 day clean-up to be done before we moved in. Well, Wednesday morning they showed up at the old office and began moving us! Whoa! This week is supposed to be a holiday vacation (the whole week) and they wanted to get everything done so they could have their vacation (can’t blame them for that). The whole organized moving plan went out the window and confusion became the norm over the next 3 days.  To make things even better, the office elders and assistants had to move from their apartment by Thursday. Well, a good time was had by all! We are now in the new office – of course no one knows our new phone number or address (that can’t be set up until after the holiday break). The old phone numbers are not able to ‘roll over’ to the new phones (this can be done but not until after the holiday break)  No complaints really. Everything just worked out. It is really better to have moved this past week than next week because of the transfer week coming up. A move during transfer week would have been disastrous. Thank goodness for the little things that just ‘work out’. 

Elders Belarmino, Stirland, and Hernando

We attended a Filipino Ward here in Manila today. It was fun to attend a High Priest Group meeting again. I think the last one I attended was over two years ago. The members were excited to have us there and were hoping that we would be assigned to their ward. They were sad when we told them that we would only be with them for 2 Sundays and then we would be transferred to Palawan. We will fly out to Palawan on Friday January 13^th. We are excited. We will spend most of our spare time this week getting things organized and packed so we can make this move uneventful. 

We are doing well. We hope you are all enjoying good health and that you are happy. We love you all so very much. Again, we thank you for your love, prayers and your support. We couldn’t do this without you. Give everyone a big hug for us. Please be safe and be happy. And remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ. And always remember to say your prayers. 

 Love,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant

Week 67

December 26, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

             

Mission Home tree

Merry Christmas to one and all! It was so fun to talk with each of you on Christmas Eve. The kids were delightful in the Family Home Evening Nativity. We miss you all so very much, especially at Christmas time.  

 We had a very quiet Christmas. On our Christmas Eve we were invited to the Mission Home with the senior couples. President and Sister Stucki had prepared dinner for us and we then joined them in some of their Christmas family traditions. We acted out the nativity (we were the photographers) and then watched It’s a Wonderful Life. 

President Stucki, Elder & Sister Spencer

Elders Hernando and Stirland

Elder Dietrich and Sister Stucki

Elders Spencer and Belarmino

Sister Stucki, Elders Hernando & Dietrich, Sister Dietrich

Narrator, angel, shepherd, wisemen, Mary/Joseph & donkey

unwrapping carabao

Three of our office elders had never seen this movie before. It was fun watching them and hearing them laugh. On Christmas day we enjoyed a very quiet morning. The office elders came over before their church meetings and we had presents for them. It was fun. 

We then went to Church and then back to Naic to visit with one of the senior couples that was not able to come to Manila for the Christmas Eve party at the mission home. Except for the 2 hour ride back home in the traffic, it was a restful day. Mom did well in her talk for Sacrament meeting. The branch only held Sacrament meeting at 2:30 but it was after 3:00 when we finally started. 

This week has been somewhat disorganized. The move of the office has been on and then off then on again. We don’t know just what or when so we just try to be flexible and work around the changes. The Dietrich’s had to move from their original apartment  to another apartment because the landlord did not want to have taxes reported on his rental property. So they ended up moving again. I think they are finally settled now. 

 

Our hearts have been touched this week in so many different ways. There seems to have been a greater number of beggars on the streets this week since they are playing on the sympathies of generous people at Christmas-time. We always feel so bad to turn anyone away but it is clear that some are ‘professional’ beggars. We keep some individually wrapped crackers in the car and will give them to the beggars. Some are happy with the food but sadly many just want money. One evening last week we were on our way to the grocery store. The light was almost ready to change so I thought we wouldn’t get ‘hit’ by the many beggars. Once they see the ‘rich’ Americans in the car they can become very persistent and pound on the car windows. One young lady was holding a toddler in her arms and we pulled up beyond her. I thought we were in the clear but she saw that we were Americans so she came back to our car.  We rolled down the window and gave her some crackers. She thanked us and gave them to the little boy. It was nice to have her say thank you. What happened next was sheer delight and gave us reason to believe in humanity again (that sounds harsh but sometimes you don’t even want to go out on the streets because of the beggars). Well, the little boy looked at those crackers and the look in his eyes was one of ‘Hey, these are for me. I get these all to myself!’ He then looked at us and began to wave to us. He would hold up the crackers and then wave at us again with this great big smile on his face. I will never forget his smile and the light coming from his eyes.  

It is really difficult seeing so much poverty. I wish that I could just help everyone but money isn’t the answer. It is difficult to see the children growing up in such poor circumstances. It is enough to break one’s heart.  Somehow I feel that Heavenly Father never meant things to be like this. Little children need to have a chance to play, be happy (be little children) and not suffer from hunger and disease.

We prepared numerous ‘baskets’ with rice, canned foods and treats for the members of our branch. We knew we were leaving so it didn’t matter this year if we did this in secret or not. We spent most of Friday visiting members and distributing the food baskets. We love to see the look of surprise on their faces. Again, some were so excited and grateful for the food while others were not. In one particular home the father looked in the box and then looked at us and said that he needed money not food. All of the others were so thankful for the gift. In one home, we took a container of rice and a bag of Toblerone Chocolate. I told the sister that there are two staples in life. One is rice – and I gave her the container of rice. She was excited and said that the rice was as white as we were. She wanted to know if it was American rice. I assured her that it was Japanese rice. We all laughed. Then I said that the other staple was chocolate – and I gave her the bag of chocolate. She smiled a very big smile and said, “a million thanks to you.” We love these wonderful people. They will always have a place in our hearts. In another home, I asked them what special things they do for Christmas. They said, ‘Nothing.”  Well, do you roast a pig or get together with family to eat. They again said, ‘No.’ That made me sad. We were happy to leave them with a little something in hope that it would brighten their Christmas. 

The branch Christmas party on Thursday evening was really wild. The Filipinos love to play games and sing and eat. That is exactly what they did. The party started at 5:00pm. We arrived late (just after 7:00) for the party because of the traffic coming out of Manila. When we left at 10:00 they were still going strong. They have a simpler outlook on life and that is so good in many ways. For many of them, this party was their Christmas. That would be the only celebration for them. Christmas day would be just another normal day. At least there weren’t any fireworks yet.  We wonder what the New Year’s celebration will be like here in Manila. Last year’s celebration in the country (province) was so loud because of the many fireworks, we hesitate to think what this year will be like here in the city.  

Well, that wraps up this week. It doesn’t sound like we did a lot of missionary work but we did. Sometimes the best work we do is just to visit and encourage people. It makes a big difference in their lives. We are trying to train the new office couple in the midst of the moves and confusion associated with the move. We are excited to be able to get back out into the ‘field’ to teach again. It looks like we will transfer out at the end of this next transfer either the 13 or 14 of January. This will give the Dietrichs an opportunity to see a full transfer and everything associated with the transfer. Then we will have the opportunity to ‘start over’ again in a new area. This transfer we ‘open’ this area for senior couples. That should be fun and we will do all that we can to strengthen this new district and train the leaders. We are enjoying good health. Heavenly Father has blessed us so abundantly. We are very, very blessed. We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. 

Thank you all for your love and your prayers. We hope that each of you have a wonderful holiday break. We hope that you will feel the Saviors love in your hearts. This gospel is so beautiful and simple. May Heavenly Father’s blessings be poured out upon you. We love you all. Remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ. And always remember to say your prayers. 

Love,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant    

Week 66

December 18, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

Elder & Sister Dietrich

This has been an eventful week at the office. The routine is pretty much the same and we have been busy. Late Tuesday evening, our new office couple arrived from the MTC in Provo. The Dietrich’s will be a great addition to the mission. They are from Indiana and have known President and Sister Stucki for many years. We were able to meet them on Wednesday and begin to orient them somewhat to the office. We discovered that the new office building will probably be ready for us to move in next week (we just need a firm date that we can plan on – not the back and forth maybe maybe!). So plans may have to be changed again. 

Thursday we had our Mission Christmas Party. It lasted most of the day. We started in the chapel with a Christmas Program and then the senior couples took the missionaries into several rooms and we had a gift exchange. What a fun experience. Someone had purchased a pair of purple Barney slippers that quickly became the favorite gift to ‘steal’. 

Elder Glodo & Barney slippers

It was a riot and our room just went nuts. It was really fun. Next we had a dinner of roasted pig. The roasted pig or ‘lechon’ is a Christmas tradition in the Philippines. It took 2 whole pigs to feed all the missionaries. 

 


















Finally we had the talent show. Sister Stucki had wanted the senior couples to do something for the talent show and suggested that we act out the nativity for our talent. We couldn’t get together to decide on something so we didn’t make it on the published program. On Wednesday evening after dinner with the new couple, I teased the couples that we should at least sing something funny such as 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer' and said we could ‘tweek’ it a bit for the mission. Sister Stucki liked that idea but the couples weren’t convinced. Early Thursday morning after my study time, I sat at the computer and wrote some new lyrics. The couples loved it and wanted to sing it at the talent show, so we were back on the program. Funny thing was, as we sang, none of us could really remember the exact tune so it really sounded like some ‘rednecks’ singing. Here are the words (you have to think like a missionary to really appreciate them - the 'EDSA' is a very busy freeway in Manila,'kasama' is Tagolog for companion, 'lechon' is roasted pig and of course a 'jeepney' is a jeepney)

Santa got runned over by a jeepney

Tryin’ to cross the EDSA Christmas Eve

You can say there’s no such things as miracles

But for me and my kasama we believe.

He was at the mission party

Singin’ carols and having fun.

He ate one more plate of lechon

Then after that he said he’d have to run.

 

We were walking to the bus top

We saw the accident that night

So we asked the jeepney driver

If he had Santa directly in his sight

Santa got runned over by a jeepney

Tryin’ to cross the EDSA Christmas Eve

You can say there’s no such things as miracles

But for me and my kasama we believe.

So the driver said that he was busy

Looking for one more paying fare

There were only twenty riders

Ten more could fit with plenty room to spare.

The ambulance was stuck in traffic

It couldn’t move an inch

Luckily for us two Elders

We stepped up to help Santa in a pinch.

Santa got runned over by a jeepney

Tryin’ to cross the EDSA Christmas Eve

You can say there’s no such things as miracles

But for me and my kasama we believe.

I asked him if he knew where he came from

Why he was here and where he will go

I was tryin’ to get some information

But Santa said, “Young man, I’d really like to know!”

So we taught him the Plan of Salvation

While he laid there on the street

When I asked if he had any questions

He said, “So, when’s the next time we could meet?”

 

Santa got runned over by a jeepney

Tryin’ to cross the EDSA Christmas Eve

You can say there’s no such things as miracles

But for me and my kasama we believe.

So we thought that we would bless him

Cause he’d done so much for us

Right after the anointing

He sat right up and said, “I think I’ll take the bus.”

Oh, we had found our golden contact

It was a miracle darn right

So if you ever get discouraged

Just remember our experience that night.

Santa got runned over by a jeepney

Tryin’ to cross the EDSA Christmas Eve

You can say there’s no such things as miracles

But for me and my kasama we believe!

Friday after the Dietrich’s were able to get their drivers license, we took them to their apartment. They are living in a high-rise apartment building on the 10^th floor. They don’t have screens on their windows but being on the 10^th floor they shouldn’t have to worry about mosquitoes. Saturday was spent moving them into the apartment and going to the grocery store to get them set up.

 Sunday we attended the English branch here in Manila to introduce the Dietrich’s to the Branch. They will be attending this branch rather than driving out to the province to attend a Filipino Branch. Our Chinese convert, Sister Irene was confirmed in Sacrament meeting. I wish I could have somehow captured the look on her face as they finished the confirmation and she opened her eyes and looked up. That look of joy will be forever written upon my soul. What a delight. After the English meetings we took the Dietrichs out to our branch to have them experience the Tagalog version of church. I was able to teach the gospel essentials class again and also spoke in Church. They asked Mom to speak next Sunday in the Christmas Sacrament meeting. We love our little Branch in Bulihan. 

We are well and enjoying the work. Holiday traffic is not the greatest joy, but this too will pass. The elders asked if I would go on a teaching appointment with them on Wednesday evening. We taught a single sister that owns an air-cargo/freight business. She has 3 adopted children and they attend the international school (they speak English, French and Tagolog). We had a really good discussion and it was good to teach again. I talked to the mother about the possibility of flying humanitarian missions and she was very interested in that idea. I hope to speak with the Area Office Welfare Services about using her as a resource. She has already flown numerous missions to areas in the Philippines to provide disaster relief.

                 

We hope all is going well with each of you. We pray for you every day and know that Heavenly Father is watching over you. You are great. Thank you again for your prayers, love and support. We love you all. Remember to BE good, DO good and BE men and women of Christ. And as always, remember to say your prayers. MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!!

Manila Temple Nativity

Love,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant      

Week 65

December 11, 2011

Dear Family and Friends, 

Elder Teh

Wow! Another week has passed. Sometimes we stop and wonder where the time has gone. It just seems like it was yesterday that we wrote. We just got back from our District Conference meetings in Biñan today. The conference was very good. The district is very close to becoming a stake. It was good to see the members of the district that we haven’t seen for some time. Elder Teh gave some very good counsel about reading scriptures and staying close to Heavenly Father. It was very basic doctrine but very wise and timely.     

 In our weekly office meeting, President Stucki informed us that the new mission office would probably be finished at the end of next week – so we may be moving the office just before we leave. He asked me to organize the move – too bad we don’t have any moving experience.  I am also in the process of getting a 2012 mission calendar put together – I have come to appreciate the clerks and executive secretaries that helped me in so many ways for so many years. And finally, President asked us when we thought it would be best for us to move to Palawan –we discussed the options and if the training goes well, we will leave for Palawan on December 27th. That just happens to be our wedding anniversary – what better anniversary gift than to go to a tropical island and live for 6 months?    

We have 7 missionaries that will be leaving on this coming Saturday. They are leaving early to be home in time for school winter semester to begin. So we have a ‘partial’ transfer this week. We will also welcome our new office couple on Tuesday. They will arrive about 10:30pm on Tuesday and probably spend Wednesday in the recovery stage. Thursday is our mission Christmas Party. That should be fun. We did get to look at the apartment for the new office couple on Friday. It is about 15 minutes away from the office – although on Friday afternoon it took us almost 1 hour to get to the apartment because it was just one of those wonderful Manila traffic days.

It has rained every day this week. The rain has been a steady rainfall with no wind or thunder, just a good soaking rain. The rain clears out the pollution from the sky but sometimes you just wish you could be dry.    

We have had a couple of wonderful experiences over the past 2 days. Friday afternoon we just got back into the office after making the ‘mail run’ and the assistant’s called to see if we could be at their discussion that evening. They needed a member to be with them since they were teaching a single sister. We were excited for the opportunity. When we arrived at the church, the missionaries weren’t there yet (wonderful traffic day) so we sat and talked with their investigator. She is delightful. She is Chinese! She speaks English and is working here in Manila for a mining company. It was so nice to talk with her and learn about her family. When the Elders came they taught her about tithing and they asked if we could explain some things about tithing and to bear our testimonies. We loved it. We love the office and have learned some wonderful things here but I miss teaching the people. What a blessing it was for us to be a part of her gospel experience. She will be baptized on Saturday December 10th and was very excited when we asked if we could come to her baptism.

Saturday morning we started out early to travel to a baptism in our little branch. Sister Aubrie Cayanas was baptized. We were excited to be there to witness her baptism. We have been blessed to teach the Gospel Essentials class for the past 4 weeks and to have her in the class. Her countenance has been ‘lit up’ by the gospel. It won’t be long and her brother will be baptized also.  After the baptism, the brethren met to do their ‘unified’ home teaching. Since we were there for the baptism and we were going to the Saturday meetings of District Confidence later that afternoon, I wanted to go home teaching with them. I was assigned to go with the Branch President and a recent convert (Brother Santos). It was so good to go back and visit some of the families that we had visited and taught while we were assigned in the branch. I thought it was more than a coincidence that I was able to go with the Branch President. We visited 3 families and were able to ‘really teach’ them not just visit them. They were good visits. I know that we all felt the spirit and hopefully both the new convert and the Branch President understood a little better about what we should do when we home teach. I was impressed to be very bold in speaking and teaching the families. I apologized to the Branch President afterwards but he was grateful for the messages we were impressed to teach the families. I told him that in order to bring them back to church they need to be taught correct principles and not scolded for not coming to church. We have to give them what the world cannot give them. If we give them what the world has they will have no incentive to change their lives. There just isn’t anything better than teaching the gospel.

Well, this week has the makings of a very busy week. We hope that you are all doing well. Christmas is almost upon us. I’m sure that you are all ready for the holidays.  We hope that you are enjoying good health and that you are happy. We love you all. We miss you very much, especially at this time of year. Thank you again for your prayers and your love. We love you. Remember to BE good, DO good, and BE men and women of Christ. And always remember to say your prayers. 

Love, 
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Janene and Grant