Sunday, November 24, 2013

VIDEO: Ministering to the Needs in Tacloban, Philippines


To view this video, go to MormonNewsroom.org 
Search: Ministering to the Needs in Tacloban, Philippines


Reassigned Tacloban Missionaries

The Urdaneta Mission was blessed to be one of 11 missions to receive missionaries reassigned from the Tacloban Mission. Our hearts were full as we welcomed 17 missionaries--15 from the mission field and 2 from the MTC.  We know that the 14 elders and 1 sister who were in the areas of the super typhoon have gone through life-changing experiences. They will never forget their mission president and his wife, nor will they forget their fellow missionaries, members and friends in the devastated areas they left behind. We love them and are so thankful for their willingness to continue serving the Lord in the Urdaneta Mission.
 Front row (L-R): Elder Ramilo, Elder Diaz, Elder De los Santos, Sister Yanoyan, Elder Abatayo, Elder Balmediano and Elder Dicdican.  Back row:  Elder Hughes, Elder Acosta, Elder Santiago, Elder Daffon, Elder Natividad, Elder Cui, Elder Disbarro and Elder Gaerlan 

 Four days later, Sister Lagan and Sister Sabunod arrived from the MTC. They had received their calls to the Tacloban Mission, but were reassigned to the Urdaneta Mission before leaving the MTC. 

 Where there is food... there are plenty of smiles!
 The elders are always willing to lend a hand...and they are good cooks!
 After cleaning up, we all went over to the mission home.
  The office elders helped with the food and the music                                     
    Singing "Called to Serve"                                                           



  

Monday, November 11, 2013

Zone Studies

It was a beautiful day in the Urdaneta Mission.

Three Monday mornings of the month, each zone meets together for zone studies. The zone leaders and district leaders teach from the six-month study plan and the missionaries practice their language skills. President Monahan and I often visit zones during their zone studies. These pictures are of the Urdaneta Zone during their language session.....
After zone studies, the missionaries leave to do their preparation day activities, such as....writing emails and letters, shopping, laundry, a friendly game of basketball, cleaning their apartments and other things to prepare for the coming week.  Preparation day ends at 6 p.m., then back to work. 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

New Missionary Training

We met with our new missionaries who have now been in the mission field for two weeks. During this meeting with new missionaries, I take time to remind them about eating a balanced diet, drinking only purified water, and exercising to keep in shape.  I give them advice about staying healthy....since their mothers are not here to tell them :)  They also receive information from the office elders and are taught by the Assistants. President Monahan takes the rest of the time to teach from the scriptures and Preach My Gospel, then they practice by doing some role plays.

 Office elders: Elder Macabenta, Elder Elix and Elder Lamoglia

Assistants to the President:  Elder Dearing and Elder Castillo


Some of the elders left a little too quickly after the meeting (on their way to lunch) so I missed getting their pictures. President and I feel so blessed that the Lord sent these wonderful missionaries to the Urdaneta Mission and are thankful for diligent trainers.