Elder and Sister Whiting in the Philippines: Transfers, Baptisms, and a Trip to S&R

President Russell M. Nelson is coming to the Philippines Angeles Mission! He will speak at a full Mission Conference on Tuesday February 16th. We can't wait! But first, a recap of the last two weeks.

Saturday, February 6th, we rode with Elder and Sister Pugh and President and Sister Clark two hours north to San Jose to participate in the setting apart of the new 2nd counselor in the mission presidency. He lives in that area, so we went to him. Elder Whiting is the secretary in the mission presidency. After the setting apart, we all had dinner together and got home quite late.

February 7th, we drove out into the country and attended the Burgos Branch. We counted around 60 or 70 in attendance, and we enjoyed it very much. Most members of the branch are farmers; folks just like us. Afterwards, we drove another 20 kilometers into the mountains to a monestery. It was an interesting contrast to the branch; not much in the way of the Spirit was there, but it was a neat place to see. It was so good to be in the mountains again; even though these mountains are dwarfed by our mountains. We miss our mountains.

This past week was a good one with lots of interesting events. We again taught the departing missionary workshop on Monday--we LOVE teaching this class. It is so great to spend a few hours with these wonderful missionaries who have served honorably and are headed home. We hope our class prepares them a little for life after the mission. At the very beginning of the class, even though they all know each other, we ask them to introduce themselves using their first name. It is so hilarious to watch how hard it is for them to say their first names after being Elder or Sister for so long. You can see the inner struggle. It's pretty funny.

The rest of the week was filled with welcoming the new missionaries and transfers. By Thursday afternoon, transfers were over and everyone headed to their new area with their new companion.

After transfers on Thursday, we took Elder and Sister Pugh to S&R to do some shopping. While there, we picked up a big supply of vitamins for the mission. We used our card to buy them--rather to attempt to buy them--but because it was a LARGE transaction, and we were in the Philippines, our card got declined and frozen. There we were with a shopping cart full and a frozen credit card. Ahhh! We can't have our card frozen! We called Nicholas, woke him up, (sorry) and he was able to help us unfreeze the card and complete the transaction. Thanks, Nicholas--we owe you.

Today, we took the sister missionaries who are assigned to our area across the street and introduced them to the family whose kids come open the gates and do other odd jobs for us for pesos. The sisters got a return appointment for next Wednesday. We will go with them and sit in on the lesson. These same sisters taught and prepared children from part member and less active families for baptism, and last night, we attended the baptism of five children ranging in age from 8 to 11. It was one of the highlights of our mission so far. Each one bore their testimony afterwards. Today, we witnessed their confirmations in sacrament meeting. Maybe soon we can witness the same thing with the kids across the street.

Some of you have asked about the young men who were hit by the truck a couple of weeks ago. A week ago Thursday, we attended the funeral of the boy who died--it was held in our ward building. The room was packed with mostly nonmembers. It was hard to watch a mother grieve. When it was time for the bishop to speak he did a wonderful job of testifying and teaching the plan of salvation. The other boy who was critically injured is recovering and will be OK.

We are so looking forward to President Nelson's visit on Tuesday. Tomorrow will be filled with last minute preparations and instructions. Our missionaries have been asked to have their appearance "match the message" for President Nelson's visit. A little side note, we have a young sister who is headed to the Utah Provo Mission and has been serving in our mission while she awaited her visa. Well last week we got word that her visa was ready and she was scheduled to fly out the day of President Nelson's visit. President Clark arranged for her departure to be delayed two days so she could be in attendance at this event. We admire him so much for doing that, because he didn't have to go to the trouble. The sister is so grateful that he did this. At any rate, keep your eye out for Sister Lenogon from the Philippines. She's headed your way!

We leave you with the words of President Russel M. Nelson and the Prophet Joseph Smith:

"Prophets see ahead. They see the harrowing dangers the adversary has placed, or will yet place, in our path. Prophets also foresee the grand possibilities and privileges awaiting those who listen with the intent to obey. ... You may not always understand every declaration of a living prophet, but when you know a prophet is a prophet, you can approach the Lord in humility and faith and ask for your own witness about whatever His prophet has proclaimed" --President Nelson--

"No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." --Joseph Smith--

Pagpalain ka ng Diyos (Lord bless you)

Mahal Kita

Jeepney of the Week

2016 Mission Theme

Philippines Angeles Mission Presidency L-R: President Zapanta, 1st Counselor; President Clark;
President Cruz, 2nd Counselor; Elder Whiting, Secretary