Super Seniors, and an unexpected Farewell

It was hard to know how to title this blog post.  There are so many words that describe our Senior Couple Missionaries…super, sensational, sweet, stupendous, sassy, sacrificing, solemn (well, maybe not that one),  smiling, sincere…you see what I mean.  Our mission has been blessed with amazing senior couples, and they genuinely keep the mission running smoothly.  They bless the lives of our missionaries, of our members, of the communities where they serve...and President Rahlf and I are deeply, deeply grateful for their support and love and friendship.
We honor them with all of our hearts.


When we arrived in the mission in July of 2013, we were greeted by three wonderful senior couples:  Elder and Sister Kiholm, Elder and Sister Laker and Elder and Sister Mills.  About a year ago, the Kiholms returned home, then the Lakers in December and the Mills in March.

Elder and Sister Mills, Elder and Sister Honeycutt, President and Sister Rahlf
Elder and Sister Laker, Elder and Sister Kiholm

Elder and Sister Honecutt arrived in October of 2013

Followed by Elder and Sister Campbell in November of 2013

And Elder and Sister Shorter in February of 2014

A Senior Couple Training
held in beautiful Banaue
March 2014

Ye Elders of Israel!

 Our Senior Couples 
hard at work in their assignments

Elder and Sister Shorter log many, many kilometers overseeing the housing for our missionaries.
Elder Shorter also puts in not a little time doing repairs

The "Hammer" in the commissary

Sister Campbell cheerfully filling orders

Sister Honeycutt is the Mission Office Secretary,
but she can always be found with her camera too!

Elder Honeycutt is the favorite at Zone Conferences
(He's got the money for reimbursements)

Elder and Sister Cambell taught English classes in Gamu and Cabatuan

Elder and Sister Shorter also oversee the Companion Language Study program (CLS)
Sister Shorter proctors the exams
Elder Shorter prepares the celebratory banana splits

Elder and Sister Morgan arrived in April of 2014
They serve as member support in Gamu and manage the "Address Unknown" program for the mission--
a huge undertaking to find all members in a Branch and update their addresses.

Elder Morgan and President Rahlf discuss the "Address Unknown" project at a fireside in Gamu Branch.
The Morgans have been very successful there and are creating a film to use for training.

Elder and Sister Leslie arrived in May 2014
They serve as Self-Reliance Missionaries and have responsibility for
two missions:  Cauayan and Loage

Elder and Sister Leslie also conduct a Career Workshop for all departing missionaries,
teaching among other things, resume development and interviewing skills. 

We just couldn't ask for finer people!

The Unexpected Farewell

November 5, 2014
The plane bringing our newest missionaries arrived 25 minutes ahead of schedule.
Elder Campbell rushed to jump in the truck and head to the airport, but a lip of cement on the
sidewalk tripped him and and caused a rather unkind fall on his shoulder, which fractured in three places.
That meant surgery and rehab, and an early completion of a well-served mission.

It's hard to imagine 
the Office minus the
smiles and laughter
of the Campbells!

The Cutting Ceremony!

November 15

Friends from Gamu Branch

Monday morning
November 17

Recreating the same pose from 1 year ago...

Ingat!

May memories abound!
Thank you for being here with us in the Philippines Cauayan Mission.
You've left deep footprints on many hearts.
(Even Boris will miss you!)

Well done, thou good and faithful servants!

"Do you want to be happy?" Arriving Missionaries November 5, 2014

Wednesday Morning, November 5
10:30 AM

And they're here!  After weeks and months of planning, preparing, studying, thinking, praying and waiting, our newest missionaries arrive and are welcomed at the airport.  

They notice right away that it's pretty warm here…but the excitement of finally being in the mission field overrides the heat.

Hurrah for Israel!

Looking for shade

and waiting for luggage

(and smiling all the while!)

I love the lineup of

luggage outside the 

office door.

After coming to the mission home and office from the airport, we stay very busy.  Luggage is unloaded and then orientation begins.  We introduce ourselves, along with the senior couples.  Then we take a lot of pictures:  a group photo, one with each missionary and President and Sister Rahlf, and one individual picture that will go on the Mission Directory Board in President's office.  Lunch is served (and devoured) and then we break into groups for more detailed instruction from the assistants and individual interviews with President Rahlf. Each missionary also meets with Sister Rahlf for health guidelines; Elder and Sister Honeycutt for office and finance; Elder and Sister Shorter for housing and CLS; and Elder and Sister Campbell for commissary items.  The minutes go by fast, and all of a sudden, it's time for the Transfer Meeting, where our new missionaries will meet their trainer and first companion.

   Lined up to go to the chapel for theTransfer Meeting

New companion,
new pillow, found the
right luggage and 
ready to go!

Instruments in the Lord's hands
November 5, 2014 Arrivals
Back:  Sister and President Rahlf, Elder Mower, Elder Teikauea
Middle:  Elder Canencia, Elder Rebojo, Elder Odchigue, Elder Martizo, Elder Navarro, Elder Hardy
Front: Sister Labis, Sister Fajardo, Sister Romero, Sister Acosta, Sister Valdez, Sister Garcia
Elder Hilario and Elder White

Welcome to the Philippines Cauayan Mission--

We're so glad you're here!

"Do you want to be happy?  Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause.  Lend your efforts to helping people….Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down.  Live the gospel of Jesus Christ."

                                                                                                                 President Gordon B. Hinckley