Picture A Day

Day 185 - Saturday, December 31, 2016 We received one of the best gifts available! The gift of another grandchild.  You can see the admiration and love these little boys already have for their baby sister.  Quinn Marie Clark entered this wonderful world on December 30th.  Because I'm in the Philippines it was the 31st here.  We are surely delighted that she is here safe and healthy.  Both of her grandparents are in the Philippines.  Quinn's dad is our son.  Quinn's mom is Elder and Sister Spung's daughter.  They are serving as a senior couple in our mission.  You can only imagine the angst we gramma's had at not being able to help.  Luckily Lesley's sister is there assisting.  When she goes home, another sister will come help.  And that is exactly as it should be.  Family is a beautiful thing --- we are grateful for all of ours!  Welcome to our world beautiful little Quinn.  Already we love you so much!

Day 184 - Friday, December 30, 2016   The year is nearly over.  Our tree is down and the decorations stored away.  We are ready for 2017!  Before we move to January, I wanted to document a few nativities I've not shown yet.  I wasn't able to get as many pictures as I wanted.  The traffic doesn't allow us to properly document.   President and I drive separate cars most days that doesn't allow for better photo opportunities.  The nativity above is one down the street from the mission office in front of a park.        This is a nativity that is on the roof of the medical center near our office.   Simple and colorful.   The shopping center closest to our home is the stage for this ivory nativity.     I was able to snap these on the way home from Camiling District Conference.  They are located in different areas in Santa Ignacia. This was the scene in front of Magic Mall.   Up near Central Luzon Hospital is a story book all about, The Holy Nig

Day 183 - Thursday, December 29, 2016 Lack of internet brought a tender mercy in the form of 3 brothers who used to be Angeles Missionaries and a sister.  I stayed at the mission home awaiting PLDT to send some technicians out to check on the internet.  The doorbell rang and I saw these four standing there.  I thought that PLDT did not want to hear from me anymore so they sent out the troops.  That's when I found out that the brothers used to be Angeles Elders back in the day of President Puzey and President Martino.  It was fun to meet them and hear about their mission service.  Most of them hadn't seen the new mission home before so they were excited to do that.  It truly confirms the fact that once an Angeles Missionary always an Angeles Missionary!

Day 182 - Wednesday, December 28, 2016 The lack of internet is putting a crimp in the daily picture a day posting but I am trying be patient and hope better for the new year. Today is our cute Jackson's birthday.  Jackson was born 6 months before we came to the Philippines.  President Clark and I had just found out where we would be serving on our mission.  I loved being able to be with this sweet boy as much as possible after he was born.  I knew it would be a long time before I'd be able to squeeze him again.  One of the members of the Cabanatuan Stake drew this picture of me with Jackson after I was here a year.  It was a tender and appreciated gift.  I have it on my dresser everyday so I can remember that precious time with Jack.  Today he celebrates his 3rd birthday.   It won't be very long before we can reacquaint ourselves and I can smother him in gramma love.  Happy Birthday sweet boy!  

Day 181 - Tuesday, December 27, 2016 Today was a historic day!  I was able to go to the dentist for the first time in 2 1/2 years. Elder Stewart sold his practice in Los Angeles.  He and Sister Stewart flew to Philippines to serve a medical service mission.  She became his dental assistant.  There is such a need for dental care among missionaries in the Philippines. The Stewart's are assigned to evaluate and treat every missionary who comes to the MTC.  Their schedule is full and they work very long hours.  Their dental office has state of the art dental equipment donated by generous sponsors.  During their mission they will bless the lives of thousands of missionaries, both young and old.  THANK YOU, Elder and Sister Stewart!   

Day 180 - Monday, December 26, 2016 Picture without ornaments blocking Sister Pugh's face. They loved exchanging gifts! We celebrated Christmas a day late with our senior couples.  We took a few days to recover from the rigors of Zone Conference last week.  Our senior couples ran the Christmas workshops.  They provided some mission appropriate recreation - very welcome at this time of year.  We exchanged some fun gifts, enjoyed great humor and great company.  We were joined by our neighbors, the Lacinlale's, who just arrived home from America and added great joy to the gathering.  As always, many thanks to Sister Lopez for a wonderful meal.  

Day 179 - Sunday, December 25, 2016 Have a "Shock and Awesome" Christmas this year.  #LighttheWorld!!!

Day 178 - Saturday, December 24, 2016 Day 2 of Christmas Zone Conferences - Tarlac Side:  Angeles, Camiling, Mabalacat, Paniqui, Santa Ignacia & Tarlac.  A great time was had by all.  On Christmas eve we ask all missionaries to stay in after 7 p.m.  Tomorrow they will go to one hour of Church services. Just to bring a little excitement to Christmas Day, it looks like Typhoon Nina is going to move swiftly across the Philippines.  The projections say that the typhoon will be going south of us but we will prepare are missionaries in any event to keep them safe.  When you are on a mission, Christmas isn't like a typical holiday.  A mission Christmas is a time to look outward and serve others.  They are a unique and memorable experience.    

Day 177 - Friday, December 23, 2016 Christmas Zone Conference Day 1 - Cabanatuan Side with the Bongalar, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Guimba and San Jose Zones.  It was a GREAT day of learning and celebration!

Day 176 - Thursday, December 22, 2016 Clean copies of the Book of Mormon, a new marking pencil and a bookmark will be gifted to each missionary.  We are excited to read and mark this Miraculous Miracle then gather in 3 months time to share insights and inspiration.     We're making our list and checking it twice.  It's organized chaos at it's finest.  All boxed up and ready to be distributed to excited missionaries after our conference.   

Day 175 - Wednesday, December 21, 2016   Preparations for Christmas Zone Conference are pretty intense.  No matter how early we start preparing, the last few days become very long and demanding.  Days are long and rest is short.  All of that being said, it is all worth it to serve our missionaries providing a rich in-field Christmas experience.  The rewards are great for the work required.  We don't know what we'd do without our Elders who work alongside us in the office.  The box from America arrived with enough socks to gift to our Elders.  I have personally seen some of the socks that they wear.  A new pair of socks will be very much appreciated!  

Day 174 - Tuesday, December 20, 2016 Today President Clark and I were invited to meet with the Muñoz Branch 2 for a Christmas Devotional.  We decided that since Christmas has so many beautiful songs we would perform a do it yourself devotional.  President Clark explained how in Chicago they have the "Do It Yourself Messiah" each year.  Instead of doing the Messiah, we would be singing other beloved songs, all together.  President and I added some narration to the program. Our missionaries were also there sang a few solos along the way.  The members turned out in great number and did a heart felt job with their "Do It Youself Christmas Devotional."  In fact, it turned out much better than we deserved it to.  A bonus was being able to see one of our returned missionaries, Bro. Surio, his mom and girlfriend.  Although it is a most busy week, we were grateful for the opportunity to share together the Spirit of Christmas.   Some of our missionaries wi

Day 173 - Monday, December 19, 2016 I received a picture of two of our great Angeles Sister RM's.  Sister on left, Sister Hansen just went home 2 weeks ago.  On the right is Sister Knudsen (soon to be married).  They  share the title of Angeles RM.  We had a visit with one of our great Elders.  Bro. Brandon Sorilla was in the area and stopped by as well.  We loved catching up with him.  We are all Angeles Family!

Day 172 - Sunday, December 18, 2016   Today was a great day in the Angeles Mission and Camiling District.  Two districts were combined to make one.  It won't be long until the large district becomes a stake.  Elder Babida of the Seventy and President Clark went through the sacred process of interviewing and receiving direction in selecting a new District President.  It was a very inspiring process. The Lord's will was manifest clearly through the course of the conference.    Left to right:  Elder Babida, 1st Counselor, President, Second Counselor, President Clark accompanied by spouses

Day 171 - Saturday, December 17, 2016 Today the official process of merging two member districts into one district in Camiling begins.  For my talk, I will share with them a term well known in the Philippines.  It is "Bayanihan."  The term refers to a spirit of unity.  The original concept came into existence as members of a community unified to transport a house from one location to another.  The process involves the literal carrying the house to its new location.  This is done by everyone standing close in a unified manner then lifting the whole house off the ground and carrying it to its new destination.  They are "lifting where they stand."  We are sure the saints in Camiling will all stand close together and lift this new district to greater heights.  After all, this is the work of the Lord.    

Day 170 - Friday, December 16, 2016 Christmas is upon us and Sister Whiting and I don't know the ins and outs of clothing shopping areas as well as the sister missionaries do!  We took each other for a round-about ride of misdirection, wrong way roads and yet an overall successful time of finding just the right items to bring Christmas joy. Thanks sisters for taking time to assist us today!  Mahal kayo namin! We live in the boundaries of Tarlac Ward 5.  We aren't often able to attend there because of other commitments but we were happy to go to their Ward Christmas Party.  It was fun to watch groups of all ages participate in games.  The food was great and the company was very kind to the old people in the group.  They did a great job of organizing so that all ages had something that they were interested in doing.  I'm sure there were many adults that slept soundly after that production.  Great job, Tarlac Ward 5! 

Day 169 - Thursday, December 15, 2016 Jesus worshipped through song and so can you!  Last year the Church gave many people an opportunity to participate in the virtual Hallelujah chorus.  It was amazing.  The only thing better would have been to be in the Tabernacle to hear the volume and grandness of the music as it was recorded.  We worship Him and he showed us how.  Our missionaries are practicing for our Christmas Conference where they will sing praises of the Savior.  It will be the perfect way to celebrate Him!    #LighttheWorld

Day 168 - Wednesday, December 14, 2016   This is our neighbor.  Four months of the year it belches out the leftovers of refined sugarcane.   The Philippines is a beautiful country with beautiful people.  We embrace it all.

Day 167 - Tuesday, December 13, 2016 This is our newest group of Sister Training Leaders.  They are beautiful and capable sisters who train, encourage and support other sisters missionaries.  They are true leaders in our mission.  They are also some of the finest proselyting missionaries we have.  Four of them are brand new.  They go about doing good!  

Day 166 - Monday, December 12, 2016 It's catch up time as we celebrate our favorite new four year old, Kai.  He is a creative, energetic and a playful lover of trucks (especially trash trucks).  He is a protective big brother to his younger siblings.  He loves going to preschool and being around good friends.  He is always ready for an adventure.  I don't think the apple falls too far from the tree on that one.  Grandpa and I can't wait until we can go with Kai on a bike ride, a hike up the canyon or go out for an ice cream cone. We love and miss you Kai guy!

Day 165 - Sunday, December 11, 2016 This Sunday nativity was taken by Sister Whiting.  There is a light show and music that goes along with this quaint nativity.  How wonderful that many churches gather together to celebrate the birth of the King of Kings! Today we enjoyed a great Stake Conference where Elder Adduru presided.  I love seeing the scriptures of the Area Seventies.  They are loved and well used.  Highlighted scriptures and markers throughout.  They are wonderful scriptorians.  President Clark and I spoke as well.  President talked about the Book of Mormon and its importance in our lives.  He gave an analogy of his cellphone.  Our friends visited us in October.  They showed us some features that we never knew was on the phone.  They were always there but we didn't use them until we were informed about them.  That is analogous to how the Book of Mormon is in our lives.  It's one of the greatest gifts that we need to open and explore to understand all of its f

Day 164 - Saturday, December 10, 2016 President Clark performed a wedding today for this cute couple.  Sister will be baptized next week.  We gave them a picture of Christ for a wedding gift.  Sister wouldn't put it down and so the pictures that followed proudly displayed the Savior beside them.   I think that is a really good sign.