THE QUEZON QUIBBLER: Opposition in All Things

Dear Family,

This has been a tough week for us. But we are trying to focus on the blessings and miracles, and there have been many--probably many we don't even know about. The Lord is so very kind to us.

Every couple of months we try to have an activity with the senior couples. It gives us an opportunity to be with them, find out how they're doing, and make sure they are enjoying their service (we are always hoping they'll extend!). Sister Cole and her companion were in charge this time and they planned a temple trip for Wednesday, which we've really been looking forward to since it's our first time in the temple since last June. Wednesday morning Stewart got a text from Sister B, who said her bags are packed and she's ready to go home! Her companion, Sister T, was also texting him that she doesn't know why Sister B is upset at her and going home, since she (Sister T) is the righteous one in the apartment! Another sister complained that her companion won't speak to her, so Stewart went to the mission office instead of the temple to see if he could help these sisters.

We arrived early at the temple and most of the couples went to a nearby deli to get a sandwich. I was headed there but ran into our two couples from Baliuag District, so I went with them to the Distribution Center, planning to show them where the deli is when they finished. As I sat a chair waiting for them, a young sister came by, and noticing my name tag, said hello, shook my hand, etc. I got up and greeted her and she told me what a difference Dad made in her life when he taught at a YSA conference awhile ago. After she left I sat back down and the lady who'd been sitting by me asked, "So you are the wife of the mission president in Quezon City North?" When I said I was, she said, "I have a niece in that mission." I asked who and she responded, "Sister B!"

She went on to explain that she was Sister B's legal guardian since her sister (Sister B's mom) died five years ago and her dad has another family. She treats her as a daughter was concerned when she emailed Monday to say she may return home early. She didn't know what is the matter with Sister B, but she and her husband came to the temple to pray that she will get the help from her mission president to stay on her mission. As a return missionary, she said, "I know a mission is not easy, but my niece can do it." I texted the photo of us together to Dad so he could share it with her. So far she is still in the serving. I felt God's love for Sister B in that "coincidence."

That day Stewart got an email from the IFR that one of our missionaries whom Dad has worked with tirelessly and has seen many miracles with, the missionary department decided he had to return home. Since Dad had recommended he stay and President Bowen agreed, we thought he was fine to stay and had told him so. I was insistent that Dad appeal the decision and not take 'NO" for an answer! Dad thought about it for awhile, but then told me something he learned from President Derrick (who heard it from President Kimball): If it's not right, the Lord will fix it. He explained to me that the Lord loves this missionary even more than we do. He knows that he is clean and pure, and He will make things right through His Atonement. The next morning Dad went to his apartment, told him the news, and drove with him to the area office where he had a meeting, Then Dennis drove him to the nearby mission where the mission president released him and then to his home. I hope he feels the love of Heavenly Father--it is his best hope in the dreary situation he's returning to. Dad counseled with his branch president and ward mission leader on how we can help him in the future. The miracle in this is that God can help him, even if he isn't serving full-time. He has repented, he is willing to serve, and God can make everything right.

Thursday night we met the Lisonbees, here on business, at their hotel in Manila and went to dinner together. It was fun to share experiences with them, learn of things that worked for them, and realize the blessings we have here: our traffic may be worse, but the Filipino drivers are nice, we don't have to teach in Portuguese, our missionaries are never robbed with weapons, we've had no kidnappings and we have no missionaries 18 hours away from the mission home. We are thankful to be assigned to the Philippines and not Brazil! They were very kind and encouraging and we realized we may not be doing as poorly as we sometimes feel. And Sister Lisonbee brought me a dress and a lot of books and gifts for members and missionaries.

It's still very, very hot here. Dad went yesterday and worked with the missionaries and members in a zone blitz in Fairview and came home completely soaked with sweat. The weather is changing, though -- almost every afternoon we've had a downpour for a couple of hours. I also came home soaked yesterday, but I was soaked with rain! A lady at church said that the summer is ending and it will soon be "cold." Let it be so!

Many thanks to Mark, Abby, Fenton, Juliana, Zoe, and Sydney for supporting the Hunt Family Reunion in Southern Utah yesterday, visiting our grandparents graces and having Aunt Nancy to dinner. We are so thankful for your efforts to maintain family ties.

We appreciate your prayers and hope they will continue -- we have the mission presidents' seminar coming up this week. There is so much to do we hate to be gone, but hopefully everything will go well.

We love you!

Mom

Me with Sister B's aunt