The Philippines Manila Misson 2014-2017: August 2014

2014-8-31 President's Message part 2

Dear Sisters and Elders,
I had one more prompting I need to share with you...And that is, what an exciting time to be actively engaged in the work of the Lord!
You are doing a magnificent job! I have no doubt that it is difficult for most of you to feel the full impact of what you are doing. You work your hearts out every day. You pray. You study. You walk and sweat and teach and testify. You rejoice in the converts that come and the precious souls who are reactivated but you do not see what the Lord is blessing us to do as a mission.
This is the time of a great harvest of souls! More than twice as many people are being baptized this year in our mission than last year. Throughout the whole world the work is rolling forward. All credit and glory go to the Lord, but my love and gratitude go to you as well. Thank you for who you are and who you are trying so very hard to become.

Mahal ko po kayo,
President Ostler

PS...For those of you who are being held back by some unconfessed sin or disobedience, now is the time to stop carrying that around. Aren't you tired of being on the wrong side of the line? The Lord said, in Matthew 11: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Please give me a call or send me an email so that we can sit down and work things through. It is time to experience the full blessings of the atonement of Jesus Christ in your life.

2014-8-31 President's Message

Dear Elders and Sisters,
This week we will all have the privilege of being taught by two servants of Heavenly Father: Elder Ian S. Ardern who is President of the Philippines Area of the Church, and his wife, Sister Paula Ardern. PREPARATION IS THE KEY TO REVELATION. If you prepare for the training you will receive, the Lord will give you 1) the guidance you need in your individual life and 2) the inspiration you need to help your investigators and less actives come to the Lord. Before you come, write down the questions and concerns that you have on a piece of paper and pray that you will receive the inspiration you need.
President Ardern has asked that every missionary come prepared with a 2-3 minute "scriptural insight." He will call on several of you to share you thoughts about a scripture of your choice. It is important to be obedient to the time frame as well as the preparation. If you are ever called on to speak--in a sacrament meeting, in a class, in stake conference, or in a zone conference--always show respect to the Lord and to the leader by staying within the assigned speaking time.
He has also asked each missionary to be prepared for him to come and inspect their apartment. If your apartment is chosen, you will find out at the zone conference and you will drive there at the same time as Elder and Sister Ardern.
He as also requested that every missionary bring: scriptures, Preach My Gospel and some note-taking materials.
You must arrive at the meeting location 45 minutes before the start of the meeting. So plan your morning and your transportation so that EVERY missionary is sitting in his or her chair 45 minutes ahead of time quietly listening to prelude music and reading the scriptures.
Sister Ostler and I are looking forward to seeing each of you this week. May the Lord bless you our dear friends.
With love,
President and Sister Ostler

2014-8-28

As soon as we said good bye to our wonderful departing missionaries, we cleaned up and set up for the next morning when we were receiving 28 new missionaries! (Wonderful new missionaries are the only cure for the sad hearts that have just sent off wonderful experienced missionaries.)

Wednesday morning dawned early at 5:30am, but the roads were already full of cars excited for the day.

We couldn't help but wonder what everyone else was doing up at that time in the morning! :)

This is why we were up! Just look at these beautiful sister missionaries!

The missionaries had been up for hours packing and getting ready to leave the MTC. The air was full of excitement!

We are the luckiest, most blessed people in the world to be able to get to know such wonderful, faithful and dedicated missionaries!

A few more people were on the roads at 6:30am on the way back to the mission home.

After a delicious breakfast made by Angel, and interviews with the president and some orientation by the Thelers regarding finances, language, and health, we all packed back into the vans and drove to the nearby American Cemetery.

We shared the history of the Americans' and Filipinos' sacrifice for freedom.
We were the only ones there that early, and it was a quiet opportunity to reflect.

We read Elder Hinckley's talk and prayer opening the Philippines for the spread of the gospel of peace. It is a sacred experience to stand on this hallowed spot, made holy by the sacrifices of thousands for the freedom of others. How much more we should be willing to sacrifice so that our brothers and sisters in all lands can have eternal freedom! It is a good place to reflect and make commitments....at the beginning....and the end of our missions. Thank you, Elder Hinckley.

A rare place of peace in the large, bustling city of Manila.

The ten minute drive took almost forty five. :) Welcome to the Philippines! As they say, "It's more fun in the Philippines!" As long as you are never in a rush, life is wonderful! Good lesson to learn.

As soon as we got back, we had lunch, then some of the missionaries were informed that they would be serving on Palawan...an island they would fly to in a few hours. The fun part was trying to reduce what they would take with them down to one suitcase not weighing more than 20 kilograms!

Not an easy task for anyone, but there wasn't one word of complaint!

After finding out who their trainers and companions would be, all the missionaries got packed up with their luggage to head off to their new areas.

It is such a wonderful thing to see the love with which the trainers welcome their new companions! The missionaries flying to Palawan had to wait till later that day to meet their companions who were waiting in Palawan for them.