Welcoming our Newest Missionaries--January 15, 2014

And they're here!  We welcome the first group of missionaries for 2014 and gratefully gather them in to the Cauayan Mission--

Welcoming Elder Bautista and Sister Quijano

…and Elder Lawrence

...and Sister Tioti and Sister Spencer

…and Sister Akau and Elder Delaney

All smiles here!

Ready to serve!

We have 11 in this group--representing the Philippines, New Zealand, Micronesia, Samoa,

Australia, Kiribati, America and Tonga.

After a quick drive to the Mission Home, we are ready for our Orientation Meeting, along with lunch prepared by the fabulous Sister Rosie, and then pictures and personal interviews with President Rahlf.  Oh, and preparing the special musical number for the Meet Your First Companion meeting.

Sister Quijano

Sister Tioti

Sister Spencer,Sister Simram, Sister Akau
Elder Delaney, Elder Seuili, and Elder Lawrence

Sister Vi and Sister Saito

A brotherhood of Missionaries
Elders Delaney, Lawrence, Seuili, and Bautista

Sister Power
Sisters Vi, Saito, Tioti, Akau, Spencer, Simram and Quijano

This is one fine group of missionaries!

Elders Bautista, Delaney, Lawrence, Seuili
Sisters Akau, Saito, Simram, Vi, Tioti, Spencer, Quijano

By 3 PM these great missionaries have met their new companion/trainer and are headed out to their first area, carrying the light of the gospel and love for their Savior along the way. 

We are blessed to have them here.

"We are commanded by God to take this gospel to all the world.  That is the cause that must unite us today.  Only the gospel will save the world and nationalities in peace.  Only the gospel will bring joy,happiness, and salvation to the human family."

President Ezra Taft Benson

Thoughts and Testimonies Departing Missionaries January 14, 2014

All of a sudden 18 months or 2 years have gone by and Departure Day is really here. They are are getting harder and harder,  because we have come to know these Elders and Sisters so well. These eight leave the mission as true servants of Jesus Christ.  We asked them to leave behind  their testimonies and any counsel they would give to the Arriving Missionaries.  Here are their words:

Sisters Janda, Palomo, Morales, Tulikihihifo, LenWai, Wilkins
Elders Llorin and Golightly

Sister Janda:  I know that missionary work is not so easy and its success isn't automatic, but it's really true.  I know that it will help you and your investigators, less actives and other people change their lives and become much closer to our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.  Love your companion, they are your first investigator and also treat them as equals.  Be focused and center your mind and heart in His work and the power of the Spirit will always dwell with you and in your companion and with the people you may serve.

Sister Palomo:  Always seek Heavenly Father's help and be worthy to receive the Holy Ghost because that's the best teacher.  With the Holy Ghost, the teaching of the principles will go to the hearts of all people.

Sister Morales:  Be strong no matter what happens.  You might face challenges, but it's okay!  Jesus Christ suffered for us because He loves us so much.  It is always possible because of His atonement.  Finish strong.
Be patient, be humble, be diligent, and be exactly obedient.  Be like Him!

Sister LenWai:  It is so true!  All of it!  Our Savior lives and He is always there for us. . .Fear not for He is with us always.  He loves us so much.  Smile!  Never stop serving!! "You sacrifice for the things you love, you love the things you sacrifice for."

Sister Tulikihihifo:  I know that our Savior Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins.  The mission is hard, but it's worth it!  The Book of Mormon is a great tool for this work. . .Use it!  Have righteous fun.  Always love your companion.  Be confident.  Act on the promptings you receive.

Sister Wilkins:  I know that our Savior lives.  He loves you and wants you to succeed.  It's okay to cry, as long as it's a good reason!  Study!  Learn how to listen.  Be the best you that you can be.

Elder Llorin:  You can always choose Jesus Christ, no matter what situation you are in.  I believe that our Heavenly Father loves us and He always will.

Elder Golightly:  I know that this is the work of the Lord!  God loves us and He guides everything in this mission.  I have come closer to Him here than I thought possible.  Love the people and look at everything with a positive countenance and you will do great!



It's not officially Departure Night  until the cutting of the ties, skirts, shirts, handkerchiefs. . .

Before. . .

And After!

After a restful night's sleep (hardly), and breakfast cooked by President Rahlf,

it was time to head for the airport.  We knew all would be well when a rainbow showed

up to bless the day.

Luggage as big as our Sister Palomo!

Sister Wilkins, Sister Tulikihihifo and Sister LenWai one more time

And the doors are open!  First in are Elder Llorin and Sister Janda

Sister Sunshine

One fine missionary

Final Farewells

"and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God 

to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy."

Alma 29:9

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