MLC and Conference Sunday

We've had a wonderful first week of April in Philippines Cauayan Mission.  We "Returned With Honor" both Elder and Sister Leslie, and Elder De Dios (see other posts); We met with the MLC; and we had a wonderful weekend of General Conference.  
Just another great week with the world's best missionaries!



Mission Leadership Council

It was also my birthday--
and I received some very entertaining gifts!

Our topic for MLC this month was Effective Teaching.
Here is President Rahlf demonstrating some techniques
with the "Mariano Family"

We are grateful for the dedication of these missionaries 
who have accepted leadership assignments for a time.
The mission is in good hands...

General Conference is delayed one week in this part of 
the world,  so our conference weekend happened April 9-10. 
We treasure this time to be taught from the First Presidency 
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, as well as others 
in our Church leadership.

We have been filled and are ready to go forth in faith!

These are pictures from conference Sunday in Cauayan with
our missionaries and the wonderful Cauayan Saints.

"Our desire to serve others is magnified by our gratitude 

for what the Savior has done for us."

                                                               President Henry B. Eyring

Do you know what day it is?

Elder De Dios Departure

Elder De Dios returns with honor a few weeks ahead of his Batch.  He participated in our Departure activities and then flew home on April 8th.  We're grateful for his service in the Philippines Cauayan Mission!

Elder Atnenorcruz, Elder De Dios, Elder Higgins

With President and Sister Rahlf

Ready to walk through the Cauayan Airport doors!


God bless and watch over you always Elder De Dios!

Elder and Sister Leslie Return with Honor!

Monday morning, April 4th.  It's Departure Day for Elder and Sister Leslie.  The whole mission has been blessed by their loving service, friendship and discipleship.  They've left deep footprints on many hearts and places and we are so grateful for them.  They return with honor and a treasured love for, and from, the Philippines.  

Photo Ops in front of the mission home…
Eternal Friendships

Even Senior Couples can pull off "wacky wacky"

Farewell!!

Once more--thank you for coming!  

And they're through the doorway

Elder and Sister Leslie

Philippines Cauayan Mission

May 2014-April 2016

Well done, thou good and faithful servants

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it 

unto one of the least of these my brethren, 

ye have done it unto me."

Balik Bayan and Mabuhay! (Returned Home and Welcome) Departures and Arrivals, March 29 and 30, 2016

Balik Bayan…saying farewell to Elder Monilla, Elder Glassie, Elder Enuake and Sister Arcinas, Sister Canlapan, Sister Clarin and Sister Sanchez.  We are so grateful for these special missionaries and the good work they accomplished.

Elder and Sister Leslie joined us for our Departure events.  They will be completing their mission on April 4.  Elder De Dios was also a part of the day and will depart April 8.

President Rahlf and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with our departing missionaries.  We shared counsel and insights about the transition to being a Returned Missionary and some guidelines for the rest of their wonderful future that lies ahead.  We then were blessed to hear sweet testimonies from each missionary as they bore them the last time in the mission home.  


We had dinner with the Senior Couple missionaries.  
After dinner, Elder and Sister Leslie presented CLS certificates.

The Departure evening isn't complete until the cutting of ties and material for our quilt.

Before

And after!

Departure Morning Breakfast

Leaving words of wisdom for our new missionaries...

The joyful arrival of Sister Sanchez's family!

Transfer reveal!  Right before we leave for the airport, President brings our departing missionaries in to see the transfer board and the new companionships that will happen 
in just a few minutes.

And then it's really time to load the trucks and pose for one last picture… or two, or three!

Cauayan Airport!  Departure time is here.  This would be really hard if I didn't remember those excited families waiting on the other end of this journey.  Still, I wave goodbye through a few tears.

Departures, March 30, 2016
Elder Glassie, Elder and Sister Leslie, Sister and President Rahlf, Elder Enuake, Elder Monilla
Sister Arcinas, Sister Canlapan, Sister Clarin, Sister Sanchez

And then just two hours later…Mabuhay!  

What a joy it is to welcome our new missionaries as they come through the arrivals hall.

This is a really great group of Elders and Sisters.

And the luggage made it too!

Introductions, lunch, orientation, interview with President Rahlf, and finally! it's time to go over to the Chapel to meet the first companion.  

Here they are...

Elder Mercado and Trainer, Elder Olsen

Elder Searancke and Trainer, Elder Acosta

Elder Lapi-an and Trainer, Elder Miague

Sister Urdaneta and Trainer, Sister Turley

Trainer, Elder Hilbun, and Elder Rizando

Trainer, Sister Porter and Sister Tabayan

Elder Umpat and Trainer, Elder Ishibashi

Gathering pillows and luggage before the trip home

Friends--old and new

We're on our way!

Arrivals March 30, 3016
Elder Searancke, President and Sister Rahlf, Elder Rizando
Elder Umpat, Elder Mercado, Elder Lapi-an, Sister Tabayan and Sister Urdaneta




It's been a very good day in the mission.
How blessed we are to serve with these wonderful Elders and Sisters.


"You are not called to serve in a place;
you are called to serve in place of the Savior."