Sunday, January 4, 2015

A December to Remember Part 2 Christmas Devotionals

The week following the Mission Tour with Elder and Sister Bowen, we had Returning and Arriving missionaries on Tuesday and Wednesday.  (see "Days never to be forgotten," and "Joy to the World.")  Then on Thursday, December 18th, we began our Christmas Devotionals to celebrate the joy and significance of being a missionary at Christmastime.
The morning was spent with Christmas music and remembering the greatest gift of all, the only begotten Son given from a loving Heavenly Father.  We then enjoyed lunch and entertainment.  All of the Zones had been changed somewhat because of the December 17th transfers, so it wasn't possible for the Zones to prepare beforehand.  Instead, we gave each Zone a bag with 10 items in it and they had 30 minutes to come up with a skit, using every item in the bag.  

Very, very entertaining Elders and Sisters we have!
Here are a few pictures to give you an idea of the great day we had. (and I apologize--most of the pictures from these days turned out blurry and couldn't be used.  I can only say I must have been laughing so hard at the skits that I couldn't hold my hand steady)

December 18th:  Alicia, Cauayan and Roxas in Cauayan






Roxas Zone
Alicia Zone
Cauayan Zone
Friday, December 19th:  Santiago North and South; Bambang and Solano Zones


Part of the lunchtime entertainment
included a rousing version of
"The Twelve Days of Christmas."
Each table had a verse and they
had to act it out.

This is "Four Calling Birds"


The skits were, again,
very entertaining!



And, of course,
the Haka--

Solano Zone
Santiago South Zone
Santiago North Zone
Bambang Zone



Tuesday, December 23: Ilagan, Burgos, Tuguegarao North and South Zones



Lunch with Brother Pete
just makes us all happy



"Two turtle doves…"

And a little interpretation of
that old favorite
Jingle Bells


Zone Skits and Songs









And a small group 
"Angels We Have Heard on High"

right into Haka #2!


Tuguegarao South Zone 
Tuguegarao North Zone 
Ilagan Zone
Burgos Zone


We concluded each of our Christmas Devotionals by meeting again in the chapel for videos of "Wise Men Still Seek Him," and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel,"  followed by testimonies--a touching end to a wonderful day together.


Loading into the vans after
a really great conference.


How grateful we are for the blessing of sharing the restored gospel of 
Jesus Christ at Christmas time. . . a "multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 


1 comment:

  1. Sis. Rahlf, I'm so appreciative to your blog and all the pictures!! Though, Jarom (Elder Odom) is home, I continue to enjoy all the updates, pictures, going-ons, and successes in the Cauayan mission! Jarom is doing well, he has his rough days. Lots of doctors appointments... With his compromised immune system and the fickle Texas weather, he's had several colds that have given him a hard time. It was really weird to have him home for Christmas this year and to not be waiting on a phone call! "Missionary Mondays" (aka Sunday evenings for us) are still kind of weird, too. I open my email to read a letter from Elder Odom and he's sitting next to me... Our family continues to pray for the Cauayan Mission - I'm sure we will for the rest of our lives! Thank you!!

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