Elder and Sister Whiting in the Philippines: October Blest

Much is happening in the mission right now. We are completing our October Blest initiative with an impressive increase in baptisms, in spite of two typhoons. We will carry that momentum on through our November Quest as our missionaries continue to find and baptize in ever increasing numbers.

Some of the events of the past two weeks included a second typhoon bringing torrential rain to Northern Luzon--almost all of our mission. Since then, there has been no rain. We have heat and humidity instead. We've helped with an emergency transfer, escorted Elder and Sister Spung to their new home in Muñoz, tracked down missionaries who needed to sign visa documents, prepared and executed transfer week, and participated in Sunday services in Burgos and Dapdap.

On October 22nd, Sister Whiting and Sister Clark were privileged to attend a Tarlac Stake Relief Society activity entitled "Relief Society's Got Talent" patterned after the "America's Got Talent" show. Each ward and branch presented a traditional Filipino dance complete with costumes. We loved watching the sisters perform their cultural dances. Sister Whiting ended up being a last minute "judge" whose only duty was to tell what she liked about each act. It was such a fun afternoon!

Transfer week is always busy. We spend all day Monday teaching the departing missionary workshop. We show 14 video clips and cover 14 topics. Elder Whiting introduces the day by reminding them that each one of us is important to Christ, and He has time for the one. Elder Whiting has done the math and when the Savior greeted the 2,500 or so Nephites in America after his death and resurrection, even if he took just 10 seconds for each person, he still spent 8+ hours with them. He tells them that in 40 years he and President Clark will be dead so who will be the new mission presidents, stake presidents, bishops and wives? They will. He then tells them that "manna from Heaven" has stopped. Their missionary support card no longer works and it's time to become self reliant not only temporally but spiritually so they can, to quote Elder Robert D. Hales: "get ourselves on higher ground so we can lift others in need"

We try to prepare them to assume their places back in the "real world". We call them by their first names--it really weirds them out! We remind them that there is a lot of life to live after a mission. We tell them if they don't remember anything we say all day, remember this: PAY YOUR TITHING! THE LORD DOES NOT NEED YOUR MONEY BUT YOU NEED THE LORD'S BLESSINGS. We love these Elders and Sisters and cherish this time with them. The vast majority of them we will never see again in this lifetime.

Tuesday, they get the "essential ordinance" (read temple marriage) workshop from President and Sister Clark , luncheon and testimony meeting and goodbyes. The tears always flow that day.

Wednesday, we get a whole new batch of missionaries from the MTC. We spend the day orienting them to the mission. Elder Whiting teaches them how to use their support card and Sister Whiting teaches them how to fill out a Baptism and Confirmation Record. Also on Wednesday we send an email to the parents of the new missionaries letting them know their missionary has arrived safely. One parent in the United States misunderstood the email and thought something was wrong. We get a call at 3:18 am Thursdy morning, waking us out of a sound sleep, from this freaked out parent. We calmed her down, assured her all was well, but that ended our night's sleep. Thursday was a looong day!

Thursday is transfer day. The new missionaries and their trainers are paired up, receive further training, then leave for their areas. Meanwhile, other transferring missionaries meet their new companions at the mission office and go to their new areas. The mission office is a busy place with all of the comings and goings. Friday and Saturday are letter writing, update the mission information, and catch up days.

42 years ago Elder Whiting departed for his first mission. He tells missionaries the very best thing about these 42 years is that the gospel is still true! Heavenly Father and Jesus did come to Joseph Smith! It's as true today as it was in 1820, and in 1973. We know this to be true. This is why we are here in the Philippines in 2016.

Mahal Kita,
Elder and Sister Whiting