A Week of Recovery, Planning, and Zone Conference

The flu bug caught us and laid us low for a week. A high fever for a day, bad headache, weakness and a little nausea to top it all off. Yes, it was quite a week. Mom felt like she was going to die in Manaoag, but she pulled through and we're back on two feet. The weakness and dizziness lasted for a couple of days after the fever spiked. I got it Sunday and about the time I was getting mobile, mom came down with it Tuesday. While we were recovering we considered our work and found a better way. We have an overview of the district and understand the branches and their challenges, so now we will focus on one branch for 8 - 10 weeks and explain, demonstrate, practice, evaluate, strengthen and re-train. We're excited to get into the training deeper and get closer to our members and their leaders. Saturday I will show the branch and district presidencies how to effectively train leaders and all in a calling. I know it is the first of many trainings that will be needed, but it is a real start at making a difference.

While we are working with the leaders we are also working with the members. We will visit families and challenge them to study the scriptures daily, have family prayer daily, hold Family Home Evening and plan to attend the temple. If anyone has a great FHE idea send it our way. We'll take pictures of us giving the lesson and let you help us in the work here in the Philippines. It needs to be fun, active, scripture based and low/no cost.

 This is inside the door of the Mission Office. We have a hand carved Moroni and the Title of Liberty carving on order. Someday it will remind us of our work of our mission to rally the saints to action to strengthen and protect their wives and children, homes and rights!

 We had an inspiring zone conference and after we were done we took a few pictures of each zone that was there. This is the mission paparazzi at their best.

 There were more taking pictures than were in the picture.

 Here we are, healthy and well again, with our Mapandan Zone.

 The birthday missionaries get their picture taken by everyone, a birthday song in English and another in Tagalog and then a trip to the gift box.

 There is a lot of excitement and decision making around the gift box.

Do I want a bookmark, notebook, stickers, markers... decisions, decisions!

We had a good week once we recovered and got back to work and met with the missionaries once again. We were blessed again, the typhoon that was headed straight for us turned north and we will only get clouds and moderate rains. The work goes on rain or shine, but it's nicer to work when it shines.