Arrivals & Departures

Every six weeks we have what we refer to as “arrivals and departures”.  This cycle we sent home eleven missionaries and welcomed sixteen more.  The departing missionaries come to the mission office the day before they leave.  They spend a few hours moving from one orientation station to the next, where they receive flight itineraries, have luggage weighed, get results from their TB x-rays, turn in their support cards, obtain enough funds to get them home and have an exit interview with the President.

 Delicious! Or as we say in the Philippines, "sobrang masarap!"

This is followed by a dinner in the President’s home, watching a video made from a collection of their photos and a testimony meeting.  After staying the night in a hotel, they have a last mission meal of the Mission President's wife's yummy ‘Decadent French Toast’.

We leave to take them to the airport at 7:45 a.m. and the new missionaries are scheduled to arrive a few minutes later.

The new missionaries have their group picture taken, and then have a meeting where they each stand and introduce themselves. After introducing myself, I ran next-door to the mission office and sent off a quick email to the parents with photos attached, to let them know that their children have safely arrived. The New Arrivals are then interviewed by the President and rotate from station to station receiving LOTS of instructions.  I’m sure their brain goes on overload trying to process everything from how to fill out a Baptism and Confirmation form, to using water filters and spraying for bugs once a month.  After being assigned a companion, they quickly gather their things and head out to begin their labors.

Yesterday afternoon, I was invited to speak to a group of Young Women at their ‘New Beginnings’ program.  I am so glad that they understand English! 

Top row, far left -  Vilma, the Amazing YW President, Chef & 'Couple's Night' party planner & hostess!

In the evening we attended a “Couples Night” in the Cauayan 2^nd Branch.  The Young Women’s President; a tiny, energetic, powerhouse woman was in charge.  She enlisted the help of the young men and women in the branch and spent four days decorating the cultural hall with hundreds, maybe thousands of hearts, flowers, and balloons.  The plastic chairs had white slipcovers and pink cloths covered the tables.  After a few dances and having a ‘couples’ picture taken, we were seated and served our dinner by the Young Women.  They also brought us beautiful glass goblets and filled them with ice and sparkling grape cider.  We were treated royally!

The man on the left was the winner with 19 tiny ponytails!

Elder Roberts and I participated in a contest to see which wife could put the most little ponytails in her husband’s hair.  Yes! – You guessed it, we lost!

Today after Sacrament Meeting, The Branch President asked Elder Roberts if I could teach Primary and of course, he said yes.  So there I was, with no preparation and one young woman to help me, I taught seven children ranging in age of 10 years to 3 years. They especially like singing, 'If You Chance to Meet a Frown'. - Sister Roberts