The Philippines Angeles Mission

Friday, December 9, 2016

Lucky Twelve - Lucky Us

These 12 missionaries come to us from the Philippines, Canada, US, Samoa and New Zealand. We enjoyed doing some training and having them over to the mission home later in the evening.

The following day they met their companions. The matching of companions is always an exciting event. Trainers sit on one side and trainees sit on the other. We watch them look over as they wonder which missionary will be their companions. It is quite an inspiring event.

Here is the group of trainers that will be teaching our trainees to be grand missionaries.

After the matching was complete, President Clark shared 4 steps to becoming a great missionary. They were as follows:

1. Love to obey. Embrace the commandments (Mission Handbook)

2. Let go of your pride. Develop humility.

3. Learn the gospel. Deepen your knowledge especially in the Book of Mormon.

4. Leave the world behind. Let the Lord take care of your family. Trust Him.

Focus your life on your mission.

These are simple yet wise steps that if put into practice, can make the difference between a good or great mission.

The Garcia family not only feeds us delicious meals but they also play beautiful background music as well.

Immediate love for new missionaries. A true gift of the Spirit not to be forgotten.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

"Hearts Turning Outward"

This week twenty-one missionaries completed honorable missions and departed for home. This was a big loss to our mission in terms of talent, experience and dedication. They comprised our 21^st departing batch. We vividly remember when these missionaries first arrived. Like most new missionaries, they came with a rather inward focus. We find that pretty typical with 18 and 19-year-olds facing a stressful and life-changing experience. Self-preservation and protection is a natural instinct.

As this group of wonderful young men and women left our mission yesterday, they are living proof of the positive power of missionary life. They leave here as seasoned missionaries, true disciples of Christ, capable of describing real growth they’ve experienced because of missionary service. Gone are the tendency for selfish thought and action. These elders and sisters have become true ministers. Following the Savior’s example of “going about doing good” and living their lives to benefit others.

The three words we chose to describe this group are, “Hearts Turning Outward.” Their positive, powerful influence will resonate through the mission for months and years to come.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Mini Mission Reunion!

What better time to see some of our returned missionaries than while we're in Manila. We have the perfect reason to gather. We are here for a Mission President and wife Seminar. We decided to take advantage of being in Manila. With help from some of our RM's, we contacted as many past Angeles missionaries as possible. They came! Each time someone would walk through the door, our hearts would leap. It is just a testimony that once an Angeles missionary during 2014-2017, forever in our hearts! We were only able to be there for 2 hours but we took advantage of the time. We talked, laughed, gave updates of what's happening in the mission and each RM, extended counsel and took pictures. The time went way too fast. After we left, the others stayed to enjoy each other's company. We even had missionaries attend from America, via skype. It was great! At the end, Sister Bagano solicited missionaries to send a message. Each of our children also had messages in the video. The emotion was strong as we saw not only a video our past missionaries but our children and their families as well. Thank you Sis. Jesa and Bro. Cooper Thacker for putting such a memory together for us.

The returned missionaries decided they would like to dress in mission attire. They brought their name tags to remind them of the grand experiences they shared together.