Monday, August 12, 2013

Welcome to the Philippines Cauayan Mission!

There are so many beautiful sights and beautiful people in this wonderful country...

and we look forward to sharing them with you.



And especially, we have the best missionaries! 
 I apologize for taking so long to get our blog up and running.  So, I'm going to work a little backwards here and begin with the events of July 30 and 31st--Departures and Arrivals.  
Elder Abitona, Elder Villania, Elder Cruz,
Sister Amis, Sister Forcada,  Sister Phillip,
Elder Nay, Elder  Needs, Elder Lasay,
Elder Landeen, Elder Ziegler, Elder Lundy, Elder Lisaca

On Tuesday, July 30th, we celebrated our thirteen missionaries returning with honor from the field.

After a wonderful Departure Fireside, we enjoyed a delicious meal together in the mission home.


And then we began a new tradition.  We cut off the ties of the Elders and a piece of material from the Sisters, like a blouse or  a handkerchief.  We will take the pieces and make them into squares to create a Missionary Memory quilt wall hanging.





At 8:30 AM July 31st, we said good-bye to these faithful missionaries! 
Sister DeLuna, Elder Lisaca, Sister Amis, Sister Phillip, Elder Abitona, Elder Lundy, Elder Lasay, Elder Needs, Elder Landeen, Elder Ziegler, Sister Forcada, Elder Nay, Elder Cruz, Elder Villania
(Sister DeLuna is returning home to recover from a back injury.  We will see her again!)


The plane coming to take our returning missionaries away was also bringing our new missionaries to the field!  It is truly a passing of the torch . . .

 So we joyfully welcome


Back row:  Elder Johnstun, Elder Tribe, Elder Poulter, Elder Baker, Sister Perkins, Elder Ranada, 
President Rahlf, Elder Frank, Sister Howlett, Sister Clyde, Sister Pace
Front row:   Elder Corcuera, Elder Thayn, Elder Hall, Sister Bates, Sister Miller, Sister Camansa,
Sister Lange, Sister Manukailea, Sister Calisaan, Sister Rahlf, Sister Meizner, Sister Grande, Sister Nosler, 
Sister Cabada, Sister Hafen, Sister Carr, Sister Maddock, Sister Paetau




and all their luggage!



Then it's to the Mission Home for pictures, delicious Filipino lunch, training with the Assistants,  interviews with President Rahlf, maybe a quick 10 minute doze, and off to Transfer Meeting and their first companion in the field!

And a long-awaited, exciting, exhausting day comes to a close.We are so glad you're here! 






6 comments:

  1. I am really looking forward to coming out there shortly!!! Only 13 more days till I report!!!
    - Soon-to-be Elder McCausland

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looking forward to serving as well. My wait times longer than 13 days add another 40 to that and you have the number of days before I enter the mtc but i will try to prepare as much as possible during those days to be a more effective missionary.
    Jacob Lawrence

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just got called here! I report to the MTC in February. I'm so excited to serve in this beautiful country!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is there an email address I can use for Pres. or Sis. Rahlf?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I served in this mission from 2005 to 2007. I can honestly say it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I have since been married and now have two children, and have always looked back on my experiences in the Cauayan Mission with fondness. The people are absolutely wonderful, the food is delicious, and the culture is very warm. If anyone is serving/serves in the Paddad Area in the Alicia district, say hello to the Ubaldo family for me!

    ReplyDelete