Picture A Day

Day 154 - Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Not all days on a mission are equal.  Sometimes a little rain will fall.  When it does, a silver lining isn't very far away.  To me this pictures shows just that.  I took this last weekend as we traveled to Baler.  I just love it.  It shows that when life throws a little rain your way, it won't last very long so embrace and move forward with joy in your heart for the goodness of life.  As we end the month of November the truth of President Monson's quote is realized, "Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven." 

Day 153 - Tuesday, November 29, 2016 We are grateful to have security guards at our home 24 hours a day.  One of our guards has been worked here since we arrived in the Philippines.  When our family members came to visit, he took a particular liking to Jackson because Jack would escape from the house and run right to Jose.  Whenever I am outside speaking to one of the family members via Face-time, Jose yells, "Jackson, Jackson!"  Jose was driving down the road to get something for lunch.  A large 10 wheeled truck didn't see him and his motor.  The rear part of the truck swerved knocking him over. We were grateful he came out of it with road rash on his foot and ankle and a very sore shoulder.  So far it looks like it's just bruised.  His motor has a couple of scratches on it but nothing that would not allow him to drive it.  I always say we have mission angels that protect us (especially in our travels).  I believe one was with Jose as he traveled.  Speedy recove

Day 152 - Monday, November 28, 2016   It's difficult to choose just two pictures today.  There is so much going on.  I didn't show a nativity from our area yesterday.  This is in front of a Hotel named L Square.  Its colorful and has its own story to tell.  In the Philippines this is called a belen. This afternoon we were invited to another Thanksgiving Dinner.  Elder Teasdale is the District Leader and thought it a grand idea to help his district know what a traditional Thanksgiving dinner tastes like.  He and his companion went to great efforts picking just the right turkey and ham then getting it cooked.  Neither is very easy.  We dined on turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, kimchi rice, delicious sweet carrots, rolls, and a graham cracker dessert.  I brought pumpkin, apple and pecan pie.  The foreigners couldn't believe their good fortune.  The others kindly tasted their pie and some even liked it.  Everyone left more thankful for the blessings of life and a f

Day 151 - Sunday, November 27, 2016 Happy birthday to our energetic, talented and beautiful oldest child, Staci.  Staci was 3 pounds 7 ounces when she was born.  She spent boundless energy growing when she was young and she continues to be a force for all things great for her family.  This is a picture of Staci one week ago.  She was assisting her sister, Mikale, after she gave birth to baby Lincoln. I wasn't able to be there so Staci left her 4 children in the capable hands of others and drove hours away to be with Mikale during labor and recovery.  Mikale had her big sister by her side as Lincoln entered our family.  Normally that would have been my cherished role.  This is just one example of the ways Staci has supported President Clark and me while we have been away.   Staci made certain all was well with the Williamson family before she made the long trip back to her family in Boise.  Children taking care of their brothers and sisters - there is no better example of the p

Day 150 - Saturday, November 26, 2016 It would be difficult to find better people to serve with in the Philippines.  This is our batch! There were 10 couples that came at the same time as we did to serve as Mission President and wife.  We laugh together and cry together.  We understand what the other is going through.  We experience the same types of "joy!"  We will be "forever friends."

Day 149 - Friday, November 25, 2016 Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with our wonderful senior couples.  That is one thing we wish to shout from the rooftops, our gratitude these giving senior couples.  They carry such a load which we would never be able to carry ourselves.  Our missionaries love them!  Our dinner consisted of many traditional Thanksgiving dishes with appetizers included.  Last night on the way home from Manila, we stopped at S&R just in case they had a pie or two. Three kinds of pie made for a pie night to remember.      

Day 148 - Thursday, November 24, 2016   We have had a spiritual feast the past few days at the Mission President's Seminar.  Today is the last day.  A picture with President and Sister Zapanta was a must!  President Zapanta used to be President Clark's counselor when we arrived on our mission.  They were a real team!  We had mixed emotions when they were called to be Mission President and wife in the Naga Mission.  They are doing such a fabulous job and we loved seeing them.  They didn't have the deer in the headlights look at all.  They are very comfortable and very loved in their mission.  We can't wait to see them again in six months!  

Day 147 - Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Today is our darling daughter-in-law's birthday.   The month of November emphasizes gratitude.   This is the perfect time of year for Lesley to be born.  We knew Lesley as a youth from girls camp and other stake activities.  She was darling and fun and full of life.  Imagine our delight when Preston and she started dating.  It only got better when they decided to marry and she became a full-fledged member of the family.  Now they have two adorable boys and a little girl will soon join the throng.  Happy Birthday, dear Les...we love you!

Day 146 - Tuesday, November 22, 2016 Today we gathered with 21 Mission Presidents and companions at the Manila Shangrila Hotel.  The purpose is our annual Area Mission President's Seminar.  Our Area Presidency and their wives host us for three days for education, inspiration, interviews and socializing.  They tell us it is our chance to refresh and rejuvenate.  It works really well.  It's great to be with other MP's and wives.  We share a common bond and common concerns.  We learn a lot from just listening.  Many of our batch gathered after dinner for casual conversation, good humor and friendship. We serve with some really great people!  Looking forward to a few more wonderful days in Manila.

Day 145 - Monday, November 21, 2016 We are in Manila for a few days at the Mission President's Seminar.  Before the conference began, we took advantage of the opportunity to see some of our RM's at a mission reunion.  It is difficult to express the love we felt for each one as they walked into the room. One of our RM's is married with a child.  He and his wife said President and I are the mission lolo and lola.  Many came in missionary attire and brought their badge of honor.  Some missionaries who weren't able to come sent pictures in with greetings for us.  We were delightfully stunned as we then had video messages from each of our children and their families from America. What an incredible way to begin a few days of intense learning and fellowshipping with the Area Presidency and other Mission President's and Wives.   Holding the badges that they were so proud to wear for 18 to 24 months.

Day 144 - Sunday, November 20, 2016 This is the largest nativity display in Tarlac.  It is a large and colorful peacock with a small nativity embedded in the middle.  A unique pairing to be sure.  The religious significance of the peacock escapes us but it's a real crowd pleaser.  The nativity is accompanied each night by loud music and a thin man in a Santa Claus suit.   Today we are joined the Gapan Stake Conference.  There were great message and testimony.  It is always great to be with members and missionaries.  

Day 143 - Saturday, November 19, 2016          Because we are so thrilled to be grandparents again, I share this memory of these two darling grandchildren.  Lincoln is less than a week old and Grace is 3 months old.  When we came to the Philippines we were grateful for five grandchildren.  Five more have joined since then.  We look forward to welcoming another granddaughter next month. Grandchildren truly do complete the circle of love!

Day 142 - Friday, November 18, 2016 Everything about our Zone Conferences were wonderful.  The Elders Choir was perfect! The request was sent to all Elders to come early to conference and practice a song.  The elders heeded the opportunity and sounded like a choir of angels.  (Very masculine angels!) The song was very fitting, "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy."  These missionaries not only sing these praises but they actually keep the lower lights burning in the hearts of those in the Philippines Angeles Mission.  

Day 141 - Thursday, November 17, 2016 Today completed the last day of zone conferences for the year.  We gathered three zones in Muñoz for a 6 hour conference.  Recognition is always part of our zone conferences. Several months ago we started giving simple "SOE flags" to missionaries who baptized two people in a month.  (See the white flags the missionaries are holding).  We were really pleased to see the number of SOE flags at each conference is growing.  There are more missionaries who receive an SOE flag then don't receive one.  Today more than a quarter of these missionaries received more than one flag.  Congratulations Angeles Missionaries!!! This sister received three flags but wasn't in the picture above.   I think that deserves a picture on her own.

Day 140 - Wednesday, November 16, 2016 This week is filled with traveling about the mission for Zone Conferences.  We were able to have a special guest workshop presented by Elder Collins.  He and Sister Collins visited the Angeles Mission to give a health presentation.  Elder Collins is our AMA "Area Medical Advisor."  He helps many mission president's wives throughout the Philippines.  Whenever we have a health issue that we feel needs an extra opinion, Elder Collins assists.  It is a wonderful backup when a second opinion is needed.  For two of our 3 Zone Conferences, he shared great ways the missionaries can stay healthy.  It was great having he and Sister Collins visit our mission.  

Day 139 - Tuesday, November 15, 2016 This Clark historical event happened today!  Little Lincoln Arthur Williamson joined our family.  He  is healthy and loved.  The Williamson family felt the love of those close and abroad, those on this side of the veil and the other.  I can't wait to hold him in my arms and sing to him someday.  Welcome little one!  We love you!!!

Day 138 - Monday, November 14, 2016 It's a day late but as promised, the first of several nativities that are nestled on the streets of Tarlac.  It's a sweet reminder that Christianity is alive and well in the Philippines.  

Day 137 - Sunday, November 13, 2016 This afternoon (Saturday), we spoke at the Camiling West District Conference.  Normally President Clark would have presided but we had an Area Seventy assigned to this meeting.  Elder Baquiran taught about families.  It was wonderful!  Afterward, their family came over to the mission home for dessert.  Their boys are so smart and well behaved.  It was fun getting to know them.  More conference tomorrow (Sunday).  

Day 136 - Saturday, November 12, 2016 Today Sister Luz, Sister Whiting and I went on an adventure to the shops in the city of Tarlac.  There are shops there that I never would have dreamed.  You just need to have a guide to help her get there.  Sister Luz is an incredibly talented artist.  She is going to sew some malong's for Sister Whiting and me --- and maybe some little ones for granddaughters.  Below are pictures of the fabric shop I never knew we had so close. Vegetables and very fresh fish on the ride side of the picture. There's a whole new world and we walked the back streets of Tarlac.

Day 135 - Friday, November 11, 2016 We are going to have new neighbors.  This house will hopefully be completed before June next year.  It is amazing to me the work and energy that goes into building homes.  The ground is dug with shovel and manpower before the foundation is begun.  I don't know if you can tell the rebar that sticks up from the cement blocks.  Homes are built primarily with cement blocks.  You can see the cement mixer in the middle of the picture.  I took this on a weekend so there are only 3 or 4 workers.  The picture below just added plastic around the perimeter of the ground.  I will try to send a monthly update of the house across the street. 

Day 134 - Thursday, November 10, 2016 Perhaps this is a way that hospitals get more business?

Day 133 - Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Today President Clark and I ventured out to run some errands.  I left my phone on my desk.  (Can you tell where my office is? A little corner of the supply room!)  Later I checked my camera to determine what my picture of the day should be.  And then I saw these!!!  Yes...these two Elders are the Philippines Angeles Mission Assistants!  They are fun-loving, hard working, happy Elders.  There is significance in the second shot.  The finger to the lips is the universal sign in our mission when one hears inappropriate slang.  The assistants have taught missionaries to politely make this sign when they hear slang helping everyone to remember words are powerful and our speech matters.     

Day 132 - Tuesday, November 8, 2016 This picture brings me joy!  Megan used to be known as Sister Remund nearly six months ago.  She returned home and began dating a friend she knew before.  It didn't take long until they both knew that they wanted an eternal relationship together.  One of the interesting "coincidences" is that her husband to be has relatives in the Philippines.  Megan came to visit people she had worked with while a missionary and added extended family to the trip.  It has been an emotional and humbling trip for her.  The only thing that would have been better is to have met Alex here also.  Congratulations!      

Day 131 - Monday, November 7, 2016 What a month!  President Clark rolled out the idea of October-blest to our missionaries the end of August.  They worked so diligently to find, teach repentance and baptize converts.  They did it inspite of General Conference weekend (which makes it difficult for investigators to travel the far distance to a stake center), 2 powerful typhoons, 1 transfer with 19 missionaries who left and 17 incoming missionaries.  They did it because of lots of faith and prayers!  For the month of October, we nearly baptized the number of baptisms in the prior month.  Nearly 150 baptisms would be a great month in every mission in the Church.  "Well done, thou good and faithful servants." We are very grateful for our dear missionaries who act in faith.

Day 130 - Sunday, November 6, 2016 It's no secret that I LOVE nativities!  Through the goodness of others, I have nativities from all over the world.  This nativity is becoming one of my favorites right now.  It includes carabao, nipa hut, coconut trees and wise men carrying bananas, mango and rice.  I love the Philippines!  One reason is they love Nativities!  They are atop many buildings where we travel including store fronts, hotels and even McDonald's.  This would be unheard of where I come from.  Each Sunday I will post a few of these wonderful Nativities.  #LighttheWorld

Day 129 - Saturday, November 5, 2016 It's not what's around the Christmas tree that matters, it's who's around it.  This Christmas season will be our last in the Philippines.   We will make certain to share it with as many as we can.  

Day 128 - Friday, November 4, 2016 Today we had a much needed Seniors Day.  We utilized the day well as the sisters went to Rosa's Quilt Shop and the Elders went exploring the Angeles area.  We all met up at the mission home and enjoyed a lovely lunch.  After that, it was decorating time!  We were able to spruce the mission home up in it's Christmas beauty.  We are now prepared for the holiday season.  We were so caught up in the Christmas music and decorating details that we forgot to get a picture all together.  We will do this during the Thanksgiving holiday!  

Day 127 - Thursday, November 3, 2016 Today was a great day!  First of all, we had our Mission Leadership Council at the mission home.  Our mission leaders, many of them just newly called, came together in council.  We discussed important matters of the mission and heard instruction.  The meeting was very edifying.  Our leaders are prepared to go forward in faith.  More great things to come in the Angeles Mission.  An added bonus was the Chicago Cubs World Series Championship.  A rare but welcome event.  During our lunch break, I announced, "WE CAN FLY THE W Again!  Cubs Win!"  Sadly, our little group of non baseball fans didn't seem too moved by it. Holy Cow...Cubs Win!  Cubs Win! I don't see many pictures of Ammon without one of his family members in it.  We are grateful for a son-in-law who is a hands on help take care of the children kind of dad.  He adores my daughter and his kids.  He is often not in the pictures because he is taking the pictures.  A

Day 126 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 Here they are!  We lost two missionaries that worked in the office during our last transfer. Never fear...we have some great additions.  Shown above are Elder Naylor (assistant), Elder Silva (new office elder), Elder Apolinario (office elder) and Elder Bleazard (new assistant).  They are always just a text away, plus they keep us organized and on track as we rush about the mission.  We don't know what we'd do without them!  

Day 125 - Tuesday, November 1, 2016 How time flies!  It was just one year ago these wonderful missionaries spread their wings and were transformed from full-time missionaries to returned missionaries.  In many ways it seems like yesterday.  In other ways it seems much longer.  I'm proud of their accomplishments after mission.  Some are married and having families, some engaged, many are in school and are pursuing careers.  There is one constant...they were and still are Angeles Missionaries and they are loved dearly by President Clark and me.