Reunion!

October 15
Exactly 30 days ago, we welcomed 14 new missionaries to the Philippines Cauayan Mission.  After four weeks in the field, we bring them back in to the Mission Home for additional training and help, some reminders of what we went over that first day, a great lunch, and best of all, a chance to reunite with their group.  It's a wonderful reunion, with time to share experiences and stories, maybe some surprises, get advice and counsel, and strength from friendships shared with fellow missionaries.  We love this day!

October 15, 2014
Four Week Missionaries and their Trainers

Companionships

Sister Canlapan and Sister Murdock

Sister Arcinas and Sister Matanatabu

Sister Lyles and Sister Pavino

Sister Hunsaker and Sister Sanchez

Sister Dotillos and Sister Clarin

Elder Zabala and Elder Haacke

Elder Walstad and Elder Abadines

Elder Delos Reyes and Elder Hamp

Elder Olson and Elder De Guzman

Elder Eudela and Elder Murdock

Elder Higgins and Elder Lavelua

Elder Canrero and Elder Thorpe

Elder Zhang and Elder Flores

Elder Molate and Elder Brandon

 So good to see you again!

September 24, 2014 Batch

Guapo?

Sister Strength

Manila MTC Group

Provo MTC Group

"Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come;

and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare 

glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."

Doctrine and Covenants 31:3

Ingat and Kumusta Departures and Arrivals May 21, 3014

These six week cycles are going faster and faster.  All of a sudden, it's time for departures and arrivals and we say good-bye to missionaries we've come to know and hello to ones we will get to know.  We are blessed in both, but it's lots easier to say hello than good-bye!  Remembering all those families on the other end of this journey makes it all well and good.  Tender thanks to them for sharing their sons and daughters and brothers and sisters in such a great cause.

So, "ingat" for now to:

Elder Robertson looking over pictures from the last two years

Sister Daelo getting travel instructions from Sister Honeycutt

Sister Diola and a final hug from companion, Sister Miller

Longtime friends, Sister Seprioto with Sister Quitolo of Cabattuan Branch

Who knew that Elder Marshall plays beautifully?

Elder Ardon, Sister Daelo, Sister Seprioto, Elder Oldem and Sister Gardoce
weighing and rearranging luggage

The Before Photo
Back Row:  Elder Phippen, Elder Marshall, Elder Roberston, Elder Badol, Elder Ardon, Elder Oldem
Front Row:  Sister Seprioto, Sister Gardoce, Sister Daelo, Sister Diola

 Let the cutting begin!
We're glad to keep a tiny
piece of our missionaries
for a memory quilt.

And After!

We give each missionary
a Departure Book with 
memories from their
missionary service.

The next morning, it's a breakfast
of President Rahlf's famous 
French Toast. 

And we have a new record holder--Elder Robertson with 10 pieces!

Leaving words of advice to our new missionaries...

One final picture in front of the mission home
Elder Oldem, Elder Badol, Elder Ardon, Elder Phippen, Elder Roberston, Elder Marshall
Sister Gardoce, Sister Daelo, Sister Diola, Sister Seprioto

 

God be with you 'til we meet again--
We love and honor these wonderful missionaries!
Ingat, Po

"…to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places"
                                                                                                                                        Mosiah 18:9

Advice and counsel to our newest missionaries from our departing ones:

"Seek for the Spirit"     
Elder Oldem

"Put aside pride, always give service--most especially to your companion.  Enjoy your mission life--balance it.  Righteous fun is best!"     
Sister Gardoce

"Be worthy and enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost.  Every day is a day of change."
Sister Diola

"Don't worry, be happy!"     
Elder Robertson

"Charity will never fail us.  The Lord teaches us to adjust ourselves the way He wants us to live."  
Sister Daelo

"Find joy in the journey every day."     
Elder Phippen

"Serve with your ALL and see miracles happen."
Elder Ardon

"Real men don't know how to cry.  But real missionaries know how to cry for others!"
Elder Badol

"Show your example.  Be the light of others.  3 Nephi 15:9"
Sister Seprioto

"Turn that frown upside down."
Elder Marshall


And then, with the landing of the plane from Manila, we joyously welcome our long-awaited newest missionaries!  

President Rahlf greets Elder De Dios

Elder De Ocampo, Sister Borja and Sister Saragoza

Elder Enuake 

Elder Glassie

Just a little cat-nap before meeting new companions

Elder Enuake still has energy though!

Elder Glassie and Trainer/Companion Elder Zabala 

Elder DeOcampo with first companion and trainer Elder Wightman

May 21, 2014
Newest missionaries in the great Cauayan Mission!
Elder De Ocampo, Elder Padilla, Elder Enuake, Elder Glassie, Elder Espanto, President and Sister Rahlf
 Sister Paniergo, Sister Saragoza, Sister Borja and Elder De Dios

KUMUSTA!

"And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God."

                                                                                                                                                                            Doctrine and Covenants 42:6