Balik Bayan and Mabuhay! (Returned Home and Welcome) Departures and Arrivals, March 29 and 30, 2016

Balik Bayan…saying farewell to Elder Monilla, Elder Glassie, Elder Enuake and Sister Arcinas, Sister Canlapan, Sister Clarin and Sister Sanchez.  We are so grateful for these special missionaries and the good work they accomplished.

Elder and Sister Leslie joined us for our Departure events.  They will be completing their mission on April 4.  Elder De Dios was also a part of the day and will depart April 8.

President Rahlf and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with our departing missionaries.  We shared counsel and insights about the transition to being a Returned Missionary and some guidelines for the rest of their wonderful future that lies ahead.  We then were blessed to hear sweet testimonies from each missionary as they bore them the last time in the mission home.  


We had dinner with the Senior Couple missionaries.  
After dinner, Elder and Sister Leslie presented CLS certificates.

The Departure evening isn't complete until the cutting of ties and material for our quilt.

Before

And after!

Departure Morning Breakfast

Leaving words of wisdom for our new missionaries...

The joyful arrival of Sister Sanchez's family!

Transfer reveal!  Right before we leave for the airport, President brings our departing missionaries in to see the transfer board and the new companionships that will happen 
in just a few minutes.

And then it's really time to load the trucks and pose for one last picture… or two, or three!

Cauayan Airport!  Departure time is here.  This would be really hard if I didn't remember those excited families waiting on the other end of this journey.  Still, I wave goodbye through a few tears.

Departures, March 30, 2016
Elder Glassie, Elder and Sister Leslie, Sister and President Rahlf, Elder Enuake, Elder Monilla
Sister Arcinas, Sister Canlapan, Sister Clarin, Sister Sanchez

And then just two hours later…Mabuhay!  

What a joy it is to welcome our new missionaries as they come through the arrivals hall.

This is a really great group of Elders and Sisters.

And the luggage made it too!

Introductions, lunch, orientation, interview with President Rahlf, and finally! it's time to go over to the Chapel to meet the first companion.  

Here they are...

Elder Mercado and Trainer, Elder Olsen

Elder Searancke and Trainer, Elder Acosta

Elder Lapi-an and Trainer, Elder Miague

Sister Urdaneta and Trainer, Sister Turley

Trainer, Elder Hilbun, and Elder Rizando

Trainer, Sister Porter and Sister Tabayan

Elder Umpat and Trainer, Elder Ishibashi

Gathering pillows and luggage before the trip home

Friends--old and new

We're on our way!

Arrivals March 30, 3016
Elder Searancke, President and Sister Rahlf, Elder Rizando
Elder Umpat, Elder Mercado, Elder Lapi-an, Sister Tabayan and Sister Urdaneta




It's been a very good day in the mission.
How blessed we are to serve with these wonderful Elders and Sisters.


"You are not called to serve in a place;
you are called to serve in place of the Savior."