Elder and Sister Whiting in the Philippines: Halo Halo

If you are wondering what in the world Halo Halo is, let us explain. Halo Halo is a Philippine dessert whose literal translation means "mix mix". It's really good and is a mixture of many sweet things, usually jello squares, coconut milk, cheese chunks, fruit and anything else sweet and tasty. That's kind of the subject of this post -- just a mix of things.

Earlier this week we had a sister missionary go to the Missionary Recovery Center for treatment. It was determined that she needs to be released to go home to finish recovering. She had left most of her belongings behind and it fell to us to deliver her things to the MRC. We attended sacrament meeting at 9, then took off for Manila. It's not every day that a Sunday drive takes you to Manila, and usually it's anything but a relaxing drive. But the traffic was light and we made it in good time. Dear Sister Peel, the MRC nurse, had lunch ready for us and while we were eating, President and Sister Trask, Manila MTC president and wife popped in. They finish their service this week, and it was great to meet them before they leave. Before we knew it, we had been there an hour. Traffic was even lighter coming out of the city, and we were back to Tarlac in record time.

Elder Whiting has been working on getting the new senior couple's house ready, and Sister Whiting has begun compiling the 2016 mission history along with her other duties. It has given her a chance to reminisce about the past year and how much has transpired.

On Friday we had our pre transfer staff meeting, and afterwards went to lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant with Elder and Sister Pugh. Then Sister Whiting rode with the Pugh's and Sister Clark to Angeles to pick up an order at the capiz shell factory. We had a great visit on our drive down and back, and we didn't get lost in Angeles like the last time when we couldn't find the quilt shop. Whew!

This coming week is transfer week, and we will, for the last time, teach our departure workshop. We are writing tonight from the mission office as we wait for the missionaries from the outer areas of the mission to arrive for interviews, dinner, and to settle their finances with Elder Whiting. It will be a late evening and it has been a long day.

This coming Friday, on the heels of transfer week, the mission will help host Sister Bonnie Oscarson, Young Women General President, and Sister Jean Bingham, 1st counselor in the Primary General Presidency, as they visit and do training with the local units' young women and primary presidencies. They will spend two days training and meeting with the sisters from all but two of the units within the borders of the Angeles Mission. Since the mission office is attached to the Tarlac Stake Center, where they will be meeting, the mission office becomes the reception area for them. We are looking forward to meeting them and hearing their counsel. As it was for President Nelson's visit a year ago, the FM group is busily cleaning, painting, and sprucing up the grounds and buildings. Exciting times!

We leave you with a "Halo Halo" of sweet scriptures:

"Doubt not, fear not." --D&C 6:36--
"Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy." --2 Nephi 2:25--
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." --Philippians 4:13--
"I have engraven thee upon the palms of my hands." --Isaiah 49:16--

Mahal Kita,
Elder and Sister Whiting