"...that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Zone Conferences September 2013

Part 1

Our Zone Conferences for this quarter were held on September 24 and 26, 

with the theme of

"that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent"

Our teachings were centered on a two-fold purpose:

understanding the true nature of God and knowing the characteristics of Christ. 

As our missionaries come to learn and internalize these truths, they will be better able and better prepared to teach their investigators and others about the depth of love our Father in Heaven has for his children and how we may all become more like Christ.

The morning joint session was followed by break-out workshops  

and then "food, glorious food!"

Very happy Elders Wellman and Golightly

A "Jeopardy" activity after lunch kept our energy going

"I'll take Preach My Gospel for 500"

 

The afternoon session was taught by President Rahlf 

and concluded with testimonies from our missionaries.

 These two days were filled with spiritual growth and knowledge, music, 

friendship, laughter, and learning to be the Lord's missionaries.

September 24 

 Held in Ilagan

Ilagan Zone

Burgos Zone

Cauayan Zone

Roxas Zone

Tuguegarao South Zone

Tuguegarao North Zone



September 26
Held in Santiago

Bambang Zone

Santiago South Zone

Santiago North Zone

Alicia Zone

Solono Zone

And we are now the Lord's missionaries

to bring the world His truth

(stay tuned for Part 2)

Keep those cards and letters coming!

There are lots of things that make our missionaries smile: 

 "yes, we would love to have you come teach,"  member missionaries,  progressing investigators, 

"Hi missionaries!" shouted from the street, 

Books of Mormon received, Books of Mormon read,

 dogs that don't bite, 

baptisms. 

But right up there with the rest, is mail. 

Happy, wonderful, beautiful letters and packages. 

 And we will  joyfully deliver all that is sent.

Because, this is how they react:

So--happy missionaries. . .

. . . Sad missionaries

Missionaries with mail

Missionaries still looking--

Yes!!! Mail!

 So please--

--take a moment and write a missionary today.  It will bring a smile!*

"Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand."

                                                                                                                  Galations 6:11

Looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season, one of our missionaries parents put together some shipping information that you may find helpful.  Thank you Sister Clyde, mother of Sister Clyde!

Large Flat Rate Box--Priority International is $78 6-8 business days which really means 10-14 business days.  It can weigh up to 20 lbs.
Medium Flat Rate Box--Priority International is $59 and should arrive 6-8 business days, but
probably 10-14
Flat Rate Envelope up to 4 lbs.-- $24  same time frame for delivery for what you can shove into it
Priority EXPRESS flat rate box--same size as the medium Priority box is $79, up to 20 lbs and 3-5 business days, but can take up to 10
Priority International--custom box (meaning plain brown one.  Any box must be less combined girth which is height + length.  Must be below 79 inches and weigh less than 20 lbs.
It was the same price for a box 26 x 15 x 4 and a box 20 L x 12 W x 8 H and a box 12 x 12 x 12
If around 5 lbs--cost is $51
If around 10 lbs--cost is $65
If around 15 lbs--cost is $82
If around 19 lbs--cost is $94

Send Christmas boxes by at least the end of October if you want it to arrive before Christmas.  Even then, it's not always a guarantee.  Ship early!  We will store it at the mission office or home.  The address of the mission:  Philippines Cauayan Mission
                                      78 Burgos Street
                                      3305 Cauayan City
                                      Isabela, Philippines


*I was just looking for happy and sad faces, not missionaries that weren't getting letters :)

We do have a number of missionaries, however,  that do not receive letters or packages ever.  If anyone would like to care for one of these wonderful Elders and Sisters, please email me (Sister Rahlf) saugenase@yahoo.com

"Going out and Coming In"

Departures and Arrivals.  These are two very important words in mission life and they occur every 6 weeks, on a Tuesday and a Wednesday here in Cauayan.  

On Tuesday, September 10th, we had 12 departing  Elders and Sisters who had completed their full-time missionary service.  They came in at different times throughout the day, had their luggage weighed and items re-arranged or given away as needs be, had their departure interview with President Rahlf, and prepared for the Departure meeting.  There they had a chance to share their testimonies one last time in the mission field, 

and we loved hearing those tender and powerful words.

And then it was dinner at the mission home, followed by the cutting of ties and handkerchiefs.  (We will make squares out of the material for a quilted wall-hanging).

Sister Rafiqiue had to leave the mission two days earlier than the rest of the group, so
we had dinner with her and her various companions on Sunday evening.
Sister Khushi, Sister Perlas, Sister Rentayo, Sister Len Wai, Sister Rafique, Sister Saez, and Sister Obnias.

Elder and Sister Laker with Sister Rafique and Sister Rantayo

Departing Missionaries
Back row:  Elder Rapsing, Elder Lacambra, Elder Dagal, Elder Gueverra, Elder Sulla,
 Elder Laurente, Elder Meru, Elder Cruz
Front Row:  Elder Legarde, Sister Saez, and Elder Ilagan

 Wednesday morning, it's French Toast cooked by President Rahlf at the mission home, and off to the airport.

Then the plane arrives-- bringing our new missionaries to the field and taking our departing ones back to Manila, where they will spend the day, go to the Temple and return to their homes on Thursday.

"well done, thou good and faithful servants"

It's the going out of one group, and the coming in of another.

So happy to see these faces!

Elder Iuli, Sister Guttenbeil and Sister Molisi
as we wait to gather luggage at the airport. . .

. . .and bring it back here!

These are their new pillows that will accompany them to every place they serve

One of my favorite sights--it means that missionaries are in the home!

New Missionaries September 11, 2013
Back Row:  Elder Evitt, Elder Lavelua, President & Sister Rahlf, Sister Warr, Elder Thorpe, Elder Wengreen
Middle Row:  Elder Pawin, Elder Franzuela, Elder Mabini, Elder Iuili, Elder Espino, Sister Hirst,
Sister Kirchhoefer, Sister Barney, Sister Molisi
Front Row: Elder Padon, Elder Delos Reyes, Elder Zabala, Sister Lasay, Sister Dela Torre, Sister Lamac,
Sister Guttenbeil, Sister Crystal, Sister Nicol, Sister Hurst, Sister Mautatia, Sister Karavenua

After a delicious Philippine lunch, we settle in for orientation with the Assistants

and interviews with President Rahlf

 After Orientation and before the Transfer Meeting, there is 

a little time for a quick power nap...

At the Transfer Meeting, our new missionaries walk up to the front of the chapel while the other missionaries sing "Called to Serve."  During the meeting, they are introduced 

to their new companion and afterwards set off to their first area.

It is a joyful, amazing, exhausting, wonderful day!

"The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,

 and even for evermore."

Psalms 121:8

Happy September!

The first week of September was full of great missionary days.

It began with Bambang District Conference.   Bambang was one of the areas hardest hit by the typhoon earlier in August.  We heard many accounts of members taking care of each other and of our missionaries.  The Conference was a sweet time to meet with the members and missionaries, to feel the strength of testimonies, and to share in the light of the Gospel, which shines brightly in the Philippines.

District President Tajon and his first Counselor

Baptisms Saturday night

Elders Oldem, McLaughlin, and James



Youth Meetings Sunday morning

Members and Missionaries at Sunday Conference

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another

and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together."

                                                                                              Lucy Mack Smith

On Tuesday, we visited District meetings in Santiago, hearing great lessons prepared by 

District leaders Elder Marshall, Elder Saba, and Elder Findlay.

Three Districts from Santiago North and South Zones

Back Row:  Elders Dagal, Phippen, Llorin, Zhang, Camain, Allen, Williams,
Marshall, Doney, Teitibwebwe, Cass, Pingol, Jimenez
Front row:  Sisters Bienvinuto, Sumagpao, Khushi, Nosler, Perlas, Frame, Fugaban,
Elder Saba, Sister Bureeti, Elder De Guzman, Elder Findlay

And we brought mail!  Sister Perlas and Sister Frame enjoying letters and packages.

Wednesday was Mission Leadership Council

This is an insightful and wise group--

Back:  Elders Oldem, Juzgaya, Woodruff, Amoi,, Wellman, Linnell, Ardon, bluth, Dixon, Nielson, Sisters Wilkins, Tlulikihihifo
Middle:  Sisters Manguil, Klein, Ramos, Morales, Peckham, Saez, Larsen, Gardoce, Elders Garcia, Coronel, Caluz, McLaughlin, James
Front:  Elders Legarde, Allen Ilagan, Llorin, Lacambra, Samar, Pingol, Jimenez, Ballentos, Smith, Bundy

I promise. . .

Thursday was the New Trainers Training

Some of our Sisters who will be training new missionaries on September 11--
Sister Nembangu, Sister Ilagan, Sister Davis, Sister Frame, Sister Sumagpao, Sister Bureeti,
Sister Rantayo, and Sister Berghout





Saturday there were 40 baptisms across the mission!
Here are some of them...

                              "...and now,  as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God,

                                                      and to be called his people...

being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him. . .

that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you..."

We invite others to come unto Christ!