Responding to the Lord's Call January 2014 Zone Conferences Part 1 (Tuguegarao North and South, and Ilagan Zones)

We held the first Zone Conferences of 2014 the last week in January.   
Our theme was "Responding to the Lord's Call." 

When President Rahlf and I received our call to the Philippines last February, we had numerous training sessions with the missionary department.  In the very first lesson, we became acquainted with the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 88:73 "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time."  All of our training thereafter, as well as in the MTC, was focused on this scripture and the hastening of the Lord's work of salvation.  The worldwide broadcast in June of 2013 invited members and missionaries to work together to accomplish this sacred work.

We have shared several quotes with our missionaries on the significance and urgency of this new era of missionary service:

Elder L. Tom Perry: "This is the most remarkable era in the history of the Church.  This is something that ranks with the great events that have happened in past history, like the First Vision, like the gift of the Book of Mormon, like the Restoration of the gospel, like all things that build the foundation for us to go forward and teach in our Father in Heaven's kingdom."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:  "God is hastening His work and we are privileged to be a part of it.  Only history will tell how well we are using this opportunity."

Elder David A. Bednar:  "I testify that the Lord is hastening His work.  And He is doing so now."

During the opening session of the conferences, new goals and Standards of Excellence that had been determined by our MLC were presented by Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders, along with a Vision Statement for the Philippines Cauayan Mission.  We are deeply impressed and touched by the way our missionaries have quickly responded to the Lord's call by showing greater devotion and dedication and becoming even more fully engaged in the hastening of the His work.  We are so grateful for them.  
The gospel light shines bright in the Cauayan Mission.

After the opening, we divided into groups for breakout sessions:

                                      

After the breakouts, it's patiently waiting for lunch!
(The Elders let the Sisters be served first, good men that they are)

After lunch we receive training 
from our Housing Senior Couple:
Elder and Sister Mills

Sister Mills times Sister
Razonable in making a bed.
(We found out it really does 
only take a minute!)

Greatest activity ever--
Speed Contacting!

We had the missionaries
sit across from their companion.
They were then given a
scenario and 30 seconds to
make a contact and introduce
the gospel in some way.

One side of the group 
represented missionaries--
the other side investigators.

After the 30 seconds, one 
side moved a chair to the left
and they repeated the
scenario, switching parts.

 We had numerous situations with lots of excitement, voices and laughter as the
missionaries learned they could talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, about anything,
when they have the spirit.

After the activity, we gathered back in the chapel.  The afternoon session included training from President Rahlf about the characteristics and qualities shown by Joseph of Egypt and then the sharing of testimonies.  It was an excellent day.


District Pictures:

Ilagan District--Ilagan Zone
Elders Lawrence, Johnstun, Waldron, Berends, Laxamana, Faasavelu
Sisters Jensen, Carr, Ostienane, Miller, Elders Badol and Phippen

Tumauini District--Ilagan Zone
Elders Larron, Petersen, Espino, Baker
Sisters Hurst, Corsilles, Warr, Mamea
Elders Tadeo and Delos Reyes

Solana District--Tuguegarao North Zone
Back: Elders Sevilla, Lavelua, and Bahr
Middle: Sisters Tioti and Sumagpao; Elders Wightman, Juzgaya, Dionisio, Rumbaoa
Front:  Elder Echano

Cattagaman District--Tuguegarao South Zone
Elders Franzuela, Delaney, Belaro, Williams, Opalda, McLaughlin
Sisters Diola, Maestrado, Villanueva, Nembangu, Solis, Nicoll
Elders Teitibwebwe and Zabala

Amulong District--Tuguegarao North Zone
Elders DeGuzman,Domingo, Stephenson, Camain, Rasmussen, Salvador, Dariagan, Costacio
Sisters Molisi and Tebwaruaki

Cabagan District--Tuguegarao South Zone
Back:  Elders Dela Vega, Cabaliza, Sister Pace, Elder Sogari, Elders Zhang, Eudala, Tietjen
Front:  Sisters Camansa, Howard, Razonable, Ilagan and Akau


Part 2, with Cauayan, Roxas and Burgos Zones posted soon!