The Philippines Manila Misson 2014-2017: 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.