Breakfast at 6:30am!
Amazing how they can smile this early!
Our wonderful office elders.
Assistants and office elders.
Elder Packard and his aunt's brother in law, our son,
Josh Ostler (and his son, Ryan)
Elder Ballif instructing the new missionaries. He did an excellent job. He's an amazing office elder and has already contributed a lot by his positive attitude and hard work.
Elder Burgos and Elder Schroeder, two excellent assistants who truly lead the mission by their example and their leadership skills.
New missionaries visit to the American War Memorial Cemetery in Manila.
It's a humbling experience to look at each of the individual names of those who gave their lives so the Filipinos can have their freedom.
We talk about what they are willing to sacrifice during the next 18 months or two years for the "eternal freedom" of the people living here in Manila.
One story we share is about a man named Elmer Fryar who was a private. That is the lowest level you can be, yet he was awarded the highest honor, a medal of honor. We researched why, and found that he courageously defended his battalion despite being wounded, and by himself protected them from being cut off from the rest of the group. Then, as he tried to catch up with his battalion, he found a seriously wounded soldier who he helped toward his retreating group. When he caught up with his leader who was also helping another wounded comrade, an enemy sniper aimed to shoot the leader. Private Fryar threw his body in front of the bullets and saved his life. Although Private Fryar was mortally wounded, he threw a grenade and killed the sniper. Although war is a sad example, Private Fryar is powerful reminder that each one of us can make an important difference in the lives of others, no matter how small and insignificant we may feel.
Sister Lemmon, our mission nurse teaching important health skills.
Trainers and trainees!
A training tri-some.
Practicing companion inventory.
Sister Lemmon, our mission nurse teaching important health skills.
