Picture A Day

Day 124 - Monday, October 31, 2016   There are many cemeteries in the Philippines.  They are a busy place on the days leading up to the holiday, All Saints Day (All Hallows Day) on November 1st.  Filipinos observe this day by visiting the family members who have died to clean and repair their tombs.  Offerings of prayers, flowers, candles and even food are made.  Many also spend the day and night holding reunions at the graves, playing games and music, singing karaoke and feasting.    The family members pretty much camp out at the graveyard on October 31st until midnight.  The candles are lit and they say the smoke from the candles rise to heaven to let those who are gone know they loved then the skies will form clouds and rain. We don't allow our missionaries to be out after 6 p.m. on November 1st. Lots of booths with food begin to appear.  It is said that President Duterte is banning alcohol at the site of cemeteries this year.   This is a picture I took off the inte

Day 123 - Sunday, October 30, 2016 Today we spent the day traveling about the mission.  Bongabon was our first stop.  I was impressed to see this box with members around it as they took the envelopes out and carefully placed their tithing and fast offerings in it.  The box says, "Please return in order."  It is important to receive the blessings from paying a full tithe.  The wonderful people of the Philippines are learning this in a meaningful way. This is the Verde family.  They have been members of the church for almost one year.  They all received a temple recommend to be sealed as a family.  They are what would be considered a golden family.  They are prepared to make covenants that will allow them to be bound together for time and eternity.  They are all so excited.  As I hugged Sister Verde, tears of joy were plentiful as she understands the significance they will take to enter the walls of the temple which will tie them to the eternities.   In Guimba we loved

Day 122 - Saturday, October 29, 2016 This picture is of a Mission President and his assistants!  Elder Naylor and Elder Bleazard worked President Clark hard in their area.  They met with some investigators and members. President's foot was finally healed enough to get out and walk the trails.  It was a great experience for them all.    

Day 121 - Friday, October 28, 2016 After a meeting in Mabalacat, President Clark and I drove to S&R.  This is the Costco look alike store in the Philippines.  While the prices are generally high, once in awhile a little taste of home is appreciated.  When driving into the parking lot, you are given a plastic card that says "Parking Reminder."  We have never quite been able to determine why these cards are needed.  What we do know is no one enters the parking lot without receiving one.  You also cannot leave the parking lot without returning the card.  All mall parking lots in the Philippines are the same thing.  One thing we have learned the hard way is that you must not lose the card or ticket.  If you do, there is much questioning, searching of the vehicle and license inspection.  We take very good care of the cards and tickets given to us as we enter so that we can in turn leave.  

Day 120 - Thursday, October 27, 2016 It's Transfer Day!!!  Transfer day is a day of transition for many of our missionaries.  President Clark and I are mainly focused on training for our newest trainers and trainees.  That being said, many missionaries come to meet their new companion and travel to their new areas.  It is high energy in the mission!  Some of the sights that never cease to amaze me is to watch the trike drivers tenderly cramming luggage of every shape and size.  It is sometimes a difficult puzzle to tackle.  None the less, they make it work.  More pictures will be displayed on the post for new arrivals that will happen in a day or two.  

Day 119 - Wednesday, October 26, 2016 We welcome our 20th Batch of incoming missionaries.  They are great!

Day 118 - Tuesday, October 25, 2016 Look up!  For our 20th Departing Batch, 19 wonderful missionaries complete an honorable mission.  In the next two days, they will travel home and enjoy the status of RM (returned missionary).  Farewell dear ones....until we meet again!

Day 117 - Monday, October 24, 2016 There are so many wonderful things that go along with being a Mission President's wife.  I embrace it all!  However, when I get pictures on my email like this, my stomach does a little back flip.  In my 2+ years, not much surprises me.

Day 116 - Sunday, October 23, 2016 There are times when we take for granted certain happenings in our lives.  This Sabbath is one of those.  It is a time for rejoicing.  Our missionaries have not partaken of the Sacrament for 2 weeks.  The first week was our General Conference in the Philippines.  Last week most of the missionaries were on lock-down because of Typhoon Haima.  The words spoken by Cheryl Esplin are especially appropriate today,  "The sacrament is a renewal for the soul.....The more we ponder the significance of the sacrament, the more sacred and meaningful it becomes to us."   #Hisday

Day 115 - Saturday, October 22, 2016 Traditional dancing is very popular in the Filipino culture.  Many of our Stakes and Districts take opportunity to share their talent of dance.  Tarlac Stake has a dance talent event every year.  The has always taken place on a weekend where we are traveling.  This weekend would have been no exception but for the typhoon.  Our regular trip to Baler was cancelled so Sister Whiting and I jumped at the opportunity to enjoy this activity.  I LOVED seeing each of the groups with their native dance.  Many danced to observe the harvest.  Each of the 10 wards  or branches in the Stake participated. Tarlac Ward 5 is ward I often go to because it is closest to the mission home.  When I don't travel with President, I see these cute ladies.  Their dance costume was the "malong."  It is a traditional tube skirt or dress.  People often wear this kind of clothing for traditional celebrations.  The sisters in front have the original print on b

Day 114 - Friday, October 21, 2016 Typhoon Haima came and went.  Most of the areas in our mission were not greatly affected. This area in Lapaz, however, sits at a low point near a large river.  Flood waters are yet to recede.  There are many row boats on the streets of Lapaz.   

Day 113 - Thursday, October 20, 2016 This has been our week!  Back to back Category 4 typhoons came through our area.  The first, Karen, made a direct hit on our mission.  The second, Haima, skirted to the north.  Both brought heavy rains and damaging winds.  One more month left in typhoon season.  We count our blessings and feel your prayers!

Day 112 - Wednesday, October 19, 2016   This daughter of ours is celebrating another birthday today.  She is bright and beautiful.  Her middle name means "smile or sunshine".  It describes her very well.  She not only masterfully cares for 2 VERY active and wonderful children, but she gives piano lessons, is Young Women's President and she has done some pretty incredible mission training plans for us.  She is a minister in the truest most Christlike sense of the word. She is always looking out for the good of others.  Tomorrow is her birthday and we're pretty sure she'll reach out to serve more people than she receives birthday wishes.  Oh, and did I mention...she'll be having our 10th grandchild very, very soon.  Happy Birthday, Miss Chell Belle!  Oh how we love you!!!  

Day 111 - Tuesday, October 18, 2016 Last Sunday our missionaries were in lock-down because Typhoon Karen landed in the boundaries of our mission.  It was almost one year to the day that Typhoon Lando hit.  Karen came on shore near Baler and the winds were close to 130 mph.  The rest of the mission received various amounts of rain and wind.  We were lucky that there wasn't more flooding and damage.  All missionaries were safe and it was more irritating for many that they were asked to stay inside.   Typhoon Haima is right behind.  It most likely will arrive on Thursday.  Our northern areas will receive some wind and rain.  The rest of the mission will receive various amounts of rainfall.  We are always vigilant as we know that weather patterns are known to change.  In the Philippines all  have learned to be prepared to weather the storm.  

Day 110 - Monday, October 17, 2016 This is a picture of our dear friends and neighbors.  Mila is my walking partner.  Gus loves to laugh.  His laugh is contagious and the rest of us end up laughing simply at his laugh.  They will be traveling tomorrow so they invited us to dinner tonight.  Besides a delicious meal, we read scripture, shared some thoughts and shed a few tears.  Our thoughts and prayers go with Gus and Mila.  We look forward to their return trip.  

Day 109 - Sunday, October 16, 2016 Today a typhoon hit our mission.  The Philippines name for the typhoon was Karen.  Karen made landfall along the oceanside near Baler.  It was almost one year to the day that Typhoon Lando hit the same place.  The winds were about 130 mph.  Luckily there wasn't as much rain as last year.  Baler was the worst hit and many homes were damaged.  There are families living at the church in Baler for a few days until they can make repairs.  All of our missionaries were safe and accounted for early on.  We are grateful for the prayers of many faithful friends and family members.   In the afternoon we made our way to Angeles for a meeting.  The members were just getting out of their meetings.  This couple was prepared for anything as they traveled home.  They were ready for anything that might come their way.  

Day 108 - Saturday, October 15, 2016 Elder and Sister Spung were introduced to their new home today.  We drove them over to Muñoz where they will be living.  The zone leaders, Elder Cox and Elder Gray were very happy to meet them.  The zone leaders did much of the preparatory work of finding and preparing the house.  The Spung's are pleased with their little cottage in the heart of Muñoz. We are extremely happy to have them in the mission working with the Guimba saints. 

Day 107 - Friday, October 14, 2016 This week we welcomed two wonderful senior missionaries to the Angeles Mission.  We know they are wonderful because we lived and served alongside them in the Joliet Illinois Stake for almost two decades.  Elder Dony and Sister Sheila Spung are great disciples of Christ and also the parents of our beautiful daughter-in-law, Lesley Spung Clark.  We share two (almost three), energetic and bright grandchildren.  The Spung's are an nvaluable addition to the Angeles Mission.  

Day 106 - Thursday, October 13, 2016 The arrival of Elder and Sister Spung, merited a gathering of the senior couples at the Angeles mission home.  We are now almost fully staffed with senior couples.  Our missionaries are richly blessed with all of their selfless service.  We are joined by our neighbors Gus and Mila and our dear friends from Bentonville, Arkansas, the Saumweber's. We had such a lovely evening together.  

Day 105 - Wednesday, October 12, 2016 Baler is the perfect setting for great friends to visit.  This week's preparation day was in beautiful Baler with Les and Jan Saumweber.  It was a beautiful location and a wonderful reunion of old friends. 

Day 104 - Tuesday, October 11, 2016 "BELIEVE TO ACHIEVE" --- This was the theme of our Conference and these were the beautiful sisters who attended.  It was truly a day we will remember!  Thank you Sister Jan Saumweber for sharing your conversion story and inspiration with us.  

Day 103 - Monday, October 10, 2016 Our Sisters Conference was perfect in every way.  We had an opening in the chapel then went to the cultural hall to enjoy a meal.  This is the sight that greeted us as we entered the door.  These Elders worked very hard assisting Sis. Lopez to make sure that the Sisters each had a plate of delicious food waiting for them. 

Day 102 - Sunday, October 9, 2017 We are thrilled to have Les and Jan Saumweber visit the Philippines Angeles Mission.  They are truly leaving an imprint on the hearts of our missionaries!  

Day 101 - Saturday, October 8, 2017 Many hands make work light!  Even our Elders are helping to prepare for our special conference on Monday.  Thanks Elder Tuvera for treating us to your ironing skilz! 

Day 100 - Friday, October 7, 2017 This is a picture of four great sisters.  It is also the first time that I've seen one of our sisters dressed in slacks. The Church is doing all they can do to help missionaries avoid getting mosquito borne diseases.  That includes putting on mosquito repellent, spraying permithrin in houses and for the sisters, wearing pants while outside.  They do need to change into a skirt whenever going to meetings such as Zone Conference, baptisms, etc.  The sisters were at the Church to practice a song for our big meeting on Monday.  We are so excited!  

Day 99 - Thursday, October 6, 2016 Today we celebrate our bunso (baby).  It was 27 years ago that Brian joined our family.  Our little boy now has a new title --- "daddy".   I love this picture.  It tells a lot about becoming a new parent.  You love and care for your new little one immensely, but sometimes exhaustion catches up with you.  Brian's protecting arm lets little Grace know that she is safe and secure.  She looks so content to be laying down next to her daddy (even if he did fall asleep before she did).  Happy Birthday, sonshine!

Day 98 - Wednesday, October 5, 2016 October-blest is good to us already this month.  All sisters in our mission have been given a huge tender mercy.  A Sisters Conference was approved because of a special guest who will be visiting us next week.  Sister Borrowman is practicing a song that will be sung at the conference.  She is listening to the song and is practicing the notes on her lap.  It's an interesting way to play a song on the piano.

Day 97 - Tuesday, October 4, 2016 Awesome, happy, seasoned!  That's what these mission leaders are.  They are preparing in the heat of the noon day sun to get the group picture for MLC.  These missionaries work in the heat every.single.day!  I was quite surprised when after waiting 3 or 4 minutes in the sun for the photo, they talked as as if they had been outside for hours on end.  When they went inside, they froze because of the aircon.  It's a good thing that the MLC training was worth the trials and discomfort.  As you can see from their faces, they were really suffering.  (Joke lang).  

Day 96 - Monday, October 3, 2016 BEFORE The first Monday before General Conference (in the Philippines we watch General Conference a week later), every missionary performs a POWER SCRUB on their homes.  It is a time when elbow grease meets the CR, floors, sinks, ref, etc.  I get pictures from some missionaries who are brave enough to send me before and after.  Power Scrub is a bi-annual event.  The missionaries work for at least 4 hours to make certain their homes are spic and span.   It puts us all in a happy place.      AFTER  BEFORE   AFTER

Day 95 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 It's harvest time in the Philippines.  Rice fields are filled with men and machinery harvesting grain.  We came upon this picture this morning - a lone man wielding a simple sickle in the middle of a large rice field.  Truly the laborers are few.  It reminded us of how our missionaries sometimes feel.  Today is a great day.  #Hisday

Day 94 - Saturday, October 1, 2016 Feeling October-blest!  While sitting in a meeting, I received some pictures of a few of our beloved Returned Missionaries. They were at a mission reunion and sent President Clark and I greetings. Our hearts are touched by every.single.one of these valiant souls.  We love them when they are in the field and when they return home.  You can only imagine our joy when we continue to receive pictures and letters from them.  Once an Angeles Missionary, always an Angeles Missionary!