Monday, January 20, 2014

Zone Interviews

The day after Christmas we began our visits with each zone for interviews, work shops and role plays. We spend one day with the missionaries in each zone. Even though the days get pretty long when we travel to the zones that are 1 to 2 hours away, this is a wonderful opportunity to see each missionary. It's one of my favorite times because I get to interact with the missionaries while each one takes their turn interviewing with President Monahan. After interviews, we gather for a zone picture. Unfortunately, I was sick during the first 2 days of interviews so President Monahan visited Alaminos and Calasiao zones without me :(       Here are your wonderful missionaries by zone (in alphabetical order).....

 Alaminos Zone

 Bayambang Zone

 Calasiao Zone

 Dagupan Zone

 Lingayen Zone

 Mangaldan Zone

 Rosales East Zone

 Rosales Zone

 Urdaneta North Zone

Urdaneta Zone

Retreat with the Senior Couples

We were able to spend a couple of days in beautiful Baguio City with our senior missionary couples during Christmas.  Urdaneta Mission has the most awesome and talented senior couples!
President Monahan took my picture and as I was ready to take his picture, a nice man volunteered to take our picture together.  :)

Breakfast with the Bells and Mortensens.

Nativity scene outside the entrance to the hotel. Then, inside we saw the world's idea of the holidays. 

Dinner with the couples:  (L) Mortensens, Monahans, Bells, Shamrells and Stamps.
The next picture is of our former couples who remained with the Baguio Mission when we divided:  
Dinkles and Fullmers, with President & Sister Balledos & family


The scenery from Mines View, on the hill 



The Shamrells (L) and the Mortensens had fun dressing in native costumes

It was a sunny day, so President Monahan wore his hat and sunglasses (in case you didn't recognize him).
On the right, the Three Wise Men in the Nativity.

(L) Breakfast on our last day together.  Notice I am at the way back, so I can't be blamed for not getting everyone in the picture.  
(R) Here we are with the Fullmers (center) and the Mortensens (right).



Our 2-day Retreat was a success. We love the senior couples and are so thankful for their service. They are truly a blessing and we appreciate their sacrifices as they serve the members and missionaries.