2016-12-28 The Circle of Life Begins Again!

Today we received a small group of wonderful missionaries.  It was so wonderful to start to get to know them.  President interviewed all of them and prayed where they should be assigned and to which companion, then we had our orientation and training meeting.  They are all tired from waking up early to say goodbye to MTC companions, but they are excited and doing well.

 NEW COMPANIONSHIPS BELOW!  THE LAST TWO DONT HAVE PICTURES WITH THEIR COMPANIONS YET BECAUSE THEY WILL BE SERVING ON PALAWAN AND THEIR COMPANION IS WAITING FOR THEM THERE!

THESE SISTERS ARE IN A THREESOME BECAUSE ONE IS A VISA WAITER WHO WILL LEAVE IN A WEEK.

Visiting the American War Memorial Cemetery Where Philippines Was Dedicated For The Preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.

Experiencing the importance of being unified, working together, and communicating as a companionship.

 The Elders were given a bit more challenging assignment.  :)

Elders heading for Palawan needed to repack with half their things since the weight limit is only 40 lbs.  They did a great job and when they return to Manila in a few months, they will likely wonder why they even brought the rest of their stuff.

2016-12-27 Time For Celebration!!!! After Mission....there is still so much joy!

What a joy it was to attend the eternal sealing of Michael and Jessa Francisco!  These are two returned missionaries who are truly trying to follow the prophet.  It takes a LOT of faith...and they have it!


Being at the temple with Sister Esmolo (who teaches at the MTC now), Elder Francisco and our Assistants was a heavenly experience.  Someday, we hope to have a temple reunion with all of our missionaries and their families.  That would be heaven!
           

 Elder Francisco and his family.

 We love being at the temple, because we run into so many of our returned missionaries and we see that they are still strong in the faith!

Because it is the Christmas holidays, many families are traveling to the temple.  What a joy it is to see it so crowded!

2016-12-27 Time to Bid Farewell...Again.

  Elder Billarina, assistant, testing camera picture quality while visiting the American War Memorial Cemetery 

                     We love the Jacobsens!  

 One last trip to the Manila Temple!

                                   Masarap Filipino Food....and buco salad!

 Daniel, Caleb and Benjamin Ostler.....older brothers visiting for Christmas!

Picking up the Loose Ends....Got to make sure I get these in too! 2016-11/12

Typical site one a jeepney.  Often they are hanging on both sides of the back so they can fit on.

 Pink is a favorite color here.  We were interested to see a pink casket advertised on the freeway.

Sister Ortea's sister, Sister Ortea, was able to serve a two week mission on Palawan.  Her dad came to pick her up.  It was wonderful to have her.  Both Sister Orteas are great missionaries.

                              Filipinos are very artistic, and its fun to see how they decorate each jeepney!

               Christmas Choir practices started near the beginning of November!

They work hard....and they like to eat!

2016-12 Great News For the Philippines!

In the last few months, the Philippines Area has set up a Dentist office that has a dentist and his wife, Elder and Sister Stewart, who screen and treat as many of the missionaries in the Manila MTC as they can before they leave for their missions.  They also help treat any necessary cases of the missionaries during their missions that can't be handled correctly in their own areas.  They have a wonderful set up in the basement of the MTC.

Elder and Sister Stewart are literal angels!  They have to beg Elder Stewart to take time for lunch.  He is always trying to help just one more person.  He is very compassionate, gentle and understands the need for pain medication (which is not generally understood here in the Philippines).  I know, because he got to do a root canal for me and for Sister Jacobsen the same time.  :)  We are SO grateful for them!