District Leadership Council - Mission Leadership Council

January 22, 2015

In January we met with our District Leaders.  It was a great opportunity to train and teach.  The Elders learned about How to Correct Disobedience, 

Several Match the Message and Baptism Interviews.

 

February 3, 2015
February surprised us with MLC as soon as we turned the calendar.  We have many new members whom we adore!  They are stepping up

We end MLC with a testimony meeting.  The missionary who is new and the missionary who will be leaving bear a powerful witness of the Savior.  

SENIOR TRIP - CORRIGADOR

All of the Senior Missionaries were to set off for a road and water trip before Elder and Sis. Lund leaves to return home to Utah.  Unfortunately, President Clark had an emergency come up and he was unable to attend.  We went to the Island of Corrigador.  There is some amazing history that took place here during World War II.  

Below is a description of how the "Island Fortress" played a part in WWII.

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is strategically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government.

Although Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, the Philippine and American forces held out at Corregidor for 27 days against great odds. On May 6, 1942, their rations depleted, the Allied forces were forced to surrender Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army after having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia. It was only two years and ten months later in March 1945 when the Allied forces under the command of General MacArthur recaptured Corregidor ... making good his promise to return to the Philippines.

The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice."

Training in San Jose

I was asked to do some Auxiliary Training in the San Jose Stake.  I met with 3 of the President's of Young Women, Relief Society and Primary in the past.  There is a new Stake President and every Stake Auxiliary Presidency was changed.  I thought there might be 40 or so members of Stake and Ward/Branch presidencies so I planned according with bookmarks and cookies.  Imagine my surprise when the room was nearly full by the time we were to begin.  Needless to say, I owe them more supplies but did we ever have a great time together learning about Ministering and Leading as the Savior Led.

Then They Were Gone ---- Batch #5

January 27, 2015

This happens every 6 weeks.  You would think I would get prepared for the exit of faithful missionaries who have served well.  It continues to be a bitter-sweet goodbye.  I'm so happy for them but they'll be terribly missed.  This is the first time we've lost a senior couple.  The Lund's have done so much good for the people of Baler.  Their presence will be greatly missed!

 Farewell Lund's

 The following are pictures of the down time when our missionaries were allowed to enter their binders and contemplate on many moments during their mission.  

 Our Final Family Home Evening together: 

  I don't think that they are excited thinking about where they will be in about 24 hours.

 This is the 5th Batch we've had to say goodbye to.

 Elder Cutler and Elder Kadamira had families pick them up.  Elder Cutler's twin brother was picked up from serving a mission in Thailand.  That is always an emotional reunion. 

 Cutler's above - Kadamira's below

 We said goodbye to two of missionaries who were Assistants to us.  They were the lifesavers we needed to get us through the beginning months.  Elder Mabalot and Elder Watkins are great replacements.  We don't know what we'd do without them!  

They loaded up.....

 

then they were gone.  Fortunately, the memories linger on.  Well done, thou good and faithful servants!  Now go home and do great things!