We were only partly surprised to wake up to the news this morning of the 2-hour schedule for Sunday meetings. We think this will be helpful in getting investigators to attend church, since most church-goers from other faiths here are used to short church meetings. And I realized now Rocky and Sarah can move from Switzerland, knowing that their 2-hour schedule will be preserved around the world! Our local ward here consistently meets for 3.5 hours each week, so I am looking forward to one less hour of Tagalog because that last hour is very hard to stay awake in.
Zone conferences were held this week, and we saw all the missionaries and taught them. They were prompt, reverent and teachable. By the end of the first zone conference I thought they were all just about perfect--we have such great missionaries here! The brand-new Americans looked a little distraught coming into the conferences, but confident and happy as they left. Unfortunately, on Monday afternoon/evening challenges were brought to Dad's attention, and he visited a couple of missionaries late at night and made emergency transfers. I'm beginning to think some disobedience is going to be a constant in the mission, even though every time it happens, I am surprised.
But 95% of the missionaries are doing so well and we had 51 baptisms in the mission yesterday! I loved hearing Dad teach four days in a row and learned something new each time. And he does surprisingly well on very little sleep, although when we returned about 5:45pm from the zone conference in Tabang Wed night, he was asleep by 6:30pm and slept until morning! Our last zone conference was Thursday and a few minutes Dad's last interview, Derrick and Valentine arrived. It was perfect timing! We had a break that evening and no meetings in the morning so I got to read and play games with Valentine until 10am Friday morning and she beat me each time! (I realized why I like being a mom better than a mission president's wife: tucking a 6-year-old in bed and playing Sleeping Queens is much more enjoyable than speaking to 60+ missionaries!)
Friday night after office meetings I planned to relax, but when Stewart got home he invited me to go with him to visit some Polynesian sisters in Santa Maria who were struggling to get along (the real story cannot even be put in print!). We drove in traffic for 90 minutes and then searched for their apartment for another 30 minutes before we finally found them. I listened as Dad taught them firmly about the importance of being kind to each other and then saw him show forth an increase of love the filled the apartment with the Spirit. Even the drive home was pleasant and we didn't run over anyone which is always a miracle since people are riding bikes and walking in the road with dark clothing and no lights. I was tempted to go to bed with my clothes on, I was so tired!
Dad is amazing at this calling, even though it is very hard for him. He left at 7:30 am for interviews in Baliwag district today and came home for 30 min break to call stake presidents before going to the mission office to meet with the same missionaries he met with Monday night. (I then wrote four sentences but none were kind, so I'll leave it at that.)
In good news, a missionary who has struggled on-and-off for 15 months was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, so he will get the help he needs soon. A missionary Dad traveled far to meet with for a belated confession because he didn't feel worth to baptize the person they were teaching has been reassured that he is fine. A sister with a serious challenge met with love and helpful counsel after finally getting the courage to share her challenge with him. And arrived early at a baptism, in time to see two other sets of missionaries' baptisms and hear their recent converts' testimonies. And I completed one more fast day in the Philippines--for some reason it's super hard for me to fast here--so I'm thankful I only have 20 left!
My admiration for Coy & Dennis, Claudia & Louie, and Mila & Chris has skyrocketed. Senior couples are amazingly helpful, and we are praying that we get a nurse here in the next two months before our nurse/apartment couple leave--or Yours Truly will be doing the nursing. Yikes! I know this is the Lord's work and I feel His help and guidance so often. We appreciate your prayers for us and for the missionaries.
Love,
Mom
Photos:
Derrick and Valentine arrive!
Valentine wins again!
Dad teaching missionaries--they love listening to him.
Nighttime baptism --father of six joins Church.
Some favorite elders.
Before Derrick left Friday morning.
Boys riding on top of jeepney--free but dangerous.
Selfie found on my cell phone after I handed it to a missionary to take zone photo.
Little sister in this photo was taught by missionaries and baptized Sat afternoon.
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