Loaves and Fishes and 1 Month Missionaries

The occasion of Jesus feeding the five thousand has some very insightful applications for missionaries--especially new ones as they deal with becoming the Lord's servants.  The first cycle is exciting, challenging, wonderful, hard, good, overwhelming, and most of all, humbling.  

So we discuss the loaves and fishes.  The Savior, seeing the multitude of people, asked his disciples "whence shall we (for He works side by side with us) buy bread" to feed them?Philip thought it wasn't possible.  Andrew acknowledged that there was a lad among them with five loaves and two fishes, but he did not see how one so young with amounts so small could make a difference.  But the Savior took what the lad had to offer, gave thanks, and then gave to the disciples, who then gave to the multitude until all were filled.  In fact, there was an over-abundance, as 12 baskets were left over.  Do you see, then, our young missionaries, that when we give all that we have to the Savior--even if it seems woefully small and inadequate--He can take what we offer and magnify it to bless many, many lives.  Age and amount does not matter.  The miracle happens and the gift is given when we willingly give every bit of what we have, when we give our heart and will to Him and let Him increase our offering.  And He does.  And He will.  

The Lord loves His missionaries.  We do too!  We are so grateful they are here with us in the beautiful  Philippines Cauayan Mission and we love seeing them reach and stretch to discover the potential they carry within.  Their lights just get brighter and brighter.

One Month Missionaries

January 2, 2014

Companionships

(with apologies to the Petersen and Espino families--the two Elders returned to their area before I could get their picture--)

Sister Leoncio and Sister Lange

Sister Pace and Sister Razonable

Sister Manukailea and Sister Cornillez

Sister Clyde and Sister Dasalla

Sister Dotillos and Sister Bates

Sister Murdock and Sister Perlas

Sister Lagan and Sister Lamac

Elder Abadines and Elder Talines

Elder Arorong and Elder Heumann

Sister Davis and Sister Dela Torre

Elder Dulaca and Elder Paea

Sister Berghout and Sister Reyes

Sister Osteniane and Sister Miller

Sister Atienze and Sister Hafen

Elder Thacker and Elder Llacona

Elder Kocherhans and Elder Manabo

Elder Loto'aniu and Elder Allred

Elder McCausland and Elder Betancourt

Elder Mortensen and Elder Cruzit

Sister Perkins and Sister Pavino

Elder Castillo and Elder Sefita

Elder Taumalolo and Elder Larona

Elder Togia Soi and Elder Cruz

The whole wonderful group together.

"That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you."

D&C 88:80