Picture A Day

  Day 368 - Friday, June 30, 2017 I have a pair of shoes here.  I love these shoes.  They were very well made.  Before I purchased them, the salesperson took an imprint of my foot so they could see exactly what shoe would be best for me.  I have worn these for over 3 years.  They have seen many miles…me and my shoes.  Many of the miles (kilometers), have been right here in the Philippines.  They have served their purpose.  In fact, I tried getting another pair of shoes.  They were not like these.  They were not comfortable.  I gave the new shoes away and kept wearing these.  You can see after 3 years plus, they are getting worn.  They are getting holes on the inside.  The rubber is pulling apart on the side.  My shoes are still functional.   But they no longer  have all of the padding and cushioning like the once did.   T hey are getting worn out.   I look forward to going back where I got these shoes and get a brand new pair.  My feet will feel cushioned and recharged.  I wil

Day 367 - Thursday, June 29, 2017 Gapan Zone was the place of choice today.  We met with the healthy and not so healthy but they all presented mighty smiles to remind us why we love them so much!  We hurried back and accomplished much in the office.  The supply room looks much better and files, medication and documents were organized.  One step closer.  #alwaysremember

Day 366 - Wednesday, June 28, 2017     Gratitude and love just begins to express how we feel about Elder and Sister Pugh.  They both retired from their jobs to answer our plea for senior couple help.  They have faithfully served for 18 months in the Camiling area.  Everyone who meets them, loves them.  They will be departing our mission soon and returning to a eager family reunion.  The three words we have chosen for them are "Camiling's Ministering Marvels!"  Their absence will be felt but their memory will be cherished. Elder and Sister Spung joined us for farewell to the Pugh's and happy birthday Elder Spung.  The Spung's also graciously agreed to join us in the Angeles Mission to serve as senior couple.  We take great comfort as we leave the mission, knowing they will remain to assist President and Sister Johnson for a few months.  Carry on, good and faithful servants!   Happy Birthday, Elder Spung!  #alwaysremember  

Day 365 - Tuesday, June 27, 2017 We would be lost without our senior couples!  Elder and Sister Richards have stepped into the office and stepped up to most demanding positions.  We asked them to join us for our last visit to the distant land of Baler on the east coast of our mission.  They were great traveling companions and the mission will benefit greatly in the future from their familiarity of this remote area. Farewell beautiful Baler!  #alwaysremember

Day 364 - Monday, June 26, 2017 Meanwhile back in another part of the world, there are people counting the days.   

Day 363 - Sunday, June 25, 2017                                       How fitting to have our final Stake Conference to be the Paniqui Stake Conference.  How we love President Nadado and his family.  It was an emotional experiece from the time I stepped into the room and saw many loved members and missionaries.  Listening to them sing sweet hymns with power and love will be another emotional memory.  The choir sang a hymn for the closing prayer.  I dare you to guess what it was....yep!  "God Be With You Til We Meet Again."  I'm sure you probably know what it did to me.  I think the fact that song has been band from the mission home for 3 years caught up with me in the past month.  We had snap shots on the phone as well as in our memories of these wonderful final moments on our mission.  #Hisday #alwaysremember

Day 362 - Saturday, June 24, 2017 A great way to spend a Saturday!  Interviews with our Camiling missionaries in the morning (2 missionaries missing) and Paniqui Stake Conference in the afternoon.  The only thing we would ask is that things slow down a bit so we can take it all in.  #alwaysremember

Day 361 - Friday, June 23, 2017 Interviews today were home visits in Paniqui Zone.  We went into bukid areas that we have not seen before.  We were only lost one time when we went so far we nearly ran into the river.  There was some beautiful areas that we covered.  Some of the pictures above were sites we saw along with our missionaries.  The best part of our visit was seeing the missionaries in their homes.  We were impressed with most of them.  Thank you for keeping your homes like heaven on earth.  #alwaysremember

Day 360 - Thursday, June 22, 2017   With an early morning trip to Cabanatuan, we met our trainers and trainees who came into the mission nearly 6 weeks ago.  With the help of their trainers, these young missionaries are on their way to being master gospel teachers.  They are learning much in their few short weeks.  I love watching the respect they have for one another in their companionship.  It was a great final trainer-trainee meeting.  #alwaysremember #angelesmissionaries Our Cab side district leaders met for final instruction before receiving President and Sister Johnson.  Most are experienced district leaders - some are past zone leaders.  We know that their districts are in great hands under their direction. #alwaysremember After trainer-trainee meeting, President interviewed and I enjoyed conversation with our Cabanatuan Zone.  After being spoiled by them last Monday, it was great to sit and enjoy some final moments expressing appreciation to them.  Oh how we love t

Day 359 - Wednesday, June 21, 2017 Loved meeting with our Guimba Elders and Sisters!  They are wonderful, dedicated missionaries.  All went well except the bridge that was closed and delayed our start time.  Nothing that meeting with great missionaries won't take care of.  After finishing interviews in Munoz and Guimba we raced back for Trainer-Trainee and District Meetings!  Below are the memories! Trainers-Trainees! Tarlac Side District Leaders!

Day 358 - Tuesday, June 20, 2017 Remember the service project we did during April with the Returned Missionaries Reunion?  Well these ambitious missionaries helped us complete the task.   All we had to do was offer up breakfast at the mission home afterward and they were all in.   It will feel good to drive by the entry way walls now and see that they have a fresh coat of paint everywhere.   What a treat it was for us to have them all in the mission home again.  Many reminisced about their first days as they sat around that table in that very room.  #alwaysremember

Day 357 - Monday, June 19, 2017 Sunday night we were invited to speak at a Missionary Fireside in Cabanatuan.  We snapped a few pictures at the very end of the night.  One last picture of our little mission apo, Aison Clark DeGuzman, his momma and aunties.  We also needed a picture of some of our Angeles Sisters!   Today, Monday we were invited to a Zone Activity in Cabanatuan.  What a delightful treat was in store for us.  The theme was unity.  We had lots of fun games, a truly treasured moment when each missionary shared very kind words to President Clark and me, then we ended in a Boodle Fight!  We were given a model trike and jeepney to remember this special day on our mission.  #alwaysremember

Day 356 - Sunday, June 18, 2017 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY To the father who raised me and who loves his children and my mother.  How I love him! Happy Father's Day to the father who raised President Clark.   How he loves his children and they love him! Happy Father's Day to the father who helped raise our beautiful children.  How I love him! Happy Father's Day to our sons and sons-in-law.  They are raising our wonderful grandchildren.  How I love them all!

Day 355 - Saturday, June 17, 2017 We enjoyed our interviews today with the Angeles Zone.  Another great visit with these missionaries where only the finest serve!

Day 354 - Friday, June 16, 2017 Today was a banner day!  We left the house early and returned late but saw lots of stalwart missionaries in between.  San Jose was the place for interviews today.  We visited some missionaries in homes and others at the Church.  We met great investigators preparing for baptism.  We are cherishing the moments that we get to be reminded just how lucky we are to work with the finest missionary force anywhere!     

Day 353 - Thursday, June 15, 2017 Newly minted trainer - trainee companionships joined with us for a photo before their departure lunch.  They soon departed for their assigned areas across the mission.     

Day 352 - Wednesday, June 14, 2017 There is not much time to mourn the absence of departing missionaries because the next day, we receive the next batch of incoming missionaries.  The cycle of mission life continues.  We perpetuate the title, "Where Only the Finest Serve" with these new missionaries.  Welcome Batch #26!  We are delighted to call you Angeles Missionaries!

Day 351 - Tuesday, June 13, 2017 This Batch distinguishes itself in two ways.  They are the smallest departing batch we've ever had in 26 transfers.  It is also "our" batch.   They were a great group of missionaries.  It is only fitting that we give them two "3 word phrase."    The first is  "Super Batch Tayo" .  Tayo means us (meaning all of us).  The second 3 word phrase is,  "United and Kind" .  We have observed these missionaries for some time now.  They have shown great integrity.  They have served their fellow missionaries very well.  Even at the mission home they showed great discipline and decorum.  They are prepared to go home and serve.  We will also be saying goodbye to Elder and Sister Pugh.  They have been incredible servants and great friends.  Our missionaries have benefited immeasurably from their association with the Pugh's.  This wonderful couple has modeled celestial marriage and pure religion.  They will be lov

Day 350 - Monday, June 12, 2017   We Are Batch!  These missionaries are our final batch of transferring missionaries.   They are also our smallest batch.   We treasured having them in the mission home while the Spung's and Pugh's trained on next steps after mission.  They mark the 26th batch.  Tomorrow we will stand on the driveway and wave until the vehicle drives away and they commence their lives as returned missionaries.  How we love these dear ones.   

Day 349 - Sunday, June 11, 2017   This Sabbath Day took us to Bongabon District for the Area Special Conference Broadcast from Salt Lake City.  We were pleased to hear from Elder Robbins, Sister Oscarson, Elder Ardern, Elder Bowen and Elder Bednar.  We had the unexpected pleasure of being the featured speakers of the first 30 minutes of the meeting.  That means we spoke to our local congregation in Bongabon before the broadcast started.  All in a day's work.  Meeting with the Saints of Bongabon was a pleasure.  Below is a cute sister who will be baptized soon.  She is so delighted to qualify for baptism.  She and her daughters will be a welcome addition to the Branch.   When we returned to the Mission Home, we hosted some of our returned missionaries.  Although they've been gone for a few months, it was still a joy to be with them.  The saying, "Once an Angeles Missionary, always an Angeles Missionary" rings true as we converse with these dear missionaries af

Day 348 - Saturday, June 10, 2017   Today was a double banner day!  It seems as if we've been running fast and furious.  I was asked to speak at the Camiling District Leadership Training.  After mountains of pictures, President Clark and I ran home before our guests arrived.  Below we honored many people who have helped us fulfill our mission duties.  These people are our guards, our care takers, cater our missionary meals and our friends.  It was fun being with their families and treating them to a lovely dinner.  Sisters Lopez still worked hard and we had a difficult keeping them out of the kitchen.  They were also treated to deserved recognition. 

Day 347 - Friday, June 9, 2017   Today we had the opportunity to travel to a beautiful area of our mission.  We were invited to speak at a Young Single Adult Conference in Gabaldon.  There were YSA's from 3 Stakes totaling about 200.  What a great group of youth.  Many were baptized at 8.  Some were baptized at the age that Elder Andersen speaks about - 16 to 25 years old.  They were attentive and very kind. After speaking with the YSA group, we visited some of our missionaries for interviews.  Although there were brownouts all over the area, we enjoyed conversation and time with our missionaries.  

Day 346 - Thursday, June 8, 2017 Elder and Sister Pugh!  Oh how we love them.  Nearly two years ago, President Clark sent an email with an invitation to join us in the Philippines.  They were on vacation and both working.  They heeded the call to serve.  They both retired early and jumped on a plane to a land that they had never been to before.  They have served so many.  They have lived in the Camiling District area.  The missionaries love them!  The members love them!  We love them!  Today they shared their testimony for the last time during Zone Conference.  The missionaries were spellbound.  The Spirit was strong.  God bless you, Elder and Sister Pugh.  You are mighty and strong servants! In order:  Camiling, Tarlac, Mabalacat, Angeles, Santa Ignacia Zones