Tender Mercies

It is so amazing to see all the tender mercies the Lord gives us in our lives. It seems that so often in the business of our lives we miss or overlook all the the times that our Father places special people or circumstances in our path that help us to know that He is always there guiding us and blessing us in so many ways even while we are struggling with the difficult challenges of life. Kayla and Thomas were blessed with many of these tender mercies. To live in such a caring and loving ward who helped  them so much even though they are only there for a short time. A wonderful lady who came and cared and took pictures, kind medical staff, all the little things that" happened" so that we could come and that all the family could all be there as well.Even after we got back here on Sunday morning the Stucki's took us to church and just randomly took us to the ward where it so happens one of the converts from my mission lives and we got to meet his wife and daughter.There are just so many times that things happen that are just too good to just be coincidence. God is so very much involved in our lives and as the perfect loving parent guides us as we try to muddle our way through.                                                                                                                                 We got back to Palawan late Sunday night and spent Monday getting settled back in and trying to adjust to the jetlag again. Tuesday we had zone conference in Puerto Princessa so we took a load of missionaries up there. It was a really good conference and a great way to get us back into the work and pumped up for this final segment of our mission. Wednesday we went  with the branch president to an area along way from Narra where there are quite a few members. There used to be a branch there but it was closed because too many people were not coming to church. We visited one older couple who still faithfully come all the way into Narra often walking 5 kms to where they can get transportation into town. I thanked him for his faithfulness and dedication; he just shrugged and said," I made covenants a long time ago and I keep them". Thank God for members like that! Wish more could catch that vision so the Lord could bless their lives. Yesterday we went with the missionaries and got to do some teaching with them. One of their investigators is a fisherman. He goes out fishing every morning at 1 o'clock so he can be back to sell his fish at the market by 7 or 8. What a life- bad as logging! He strings out 1000 hooks with bait on them and it takes him and his wife 2 hours every evening to bait all the hooks so they are ready for morning. They were pretty happy yesterday because they had caught between 60 and 70 kilos of fish that morning. That brought them about 3000 pesos or around $75 gross. That was a good day.

Time For Family

We have been back in the Philippines now for a week. We went to be with our daughter Kayla and Thomas our Son In Law as they had a still born child. His name is Thomas Kyrum. We buried his perfect little body in Baker, Oregon where John's grandparents and Uncle Bill are buried- his fathers brother. It is hard to see our children go through such a difficult trial. We cried together as we held his precious little body so perfect yet there was no life. But he will always be a part of our family their son; our grandson! We know where he is . We know Gods plan for each of us. Can't wait to see him some day and become acquainted  with him. We know he is a chosen son of God. He has so many loved ones on the other side I know he is well taken care of. Thomas and Kayla have been so strong through all of this trial. I know its because of their strong faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. What comfort this sweet sentence gives (I know that my Redeemer Lives). We are so blessed to know what we know and have the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. It doesn't mean all is well all the time but it helps us get through the hard times such as losing the life of a child. President Monson said : "From the bed of pain, from the pillow wet with tears, we are lifted heavenward by that divine assurance and precious promise;" I will not fail thee,nor forsake thee". Joshua 1:5. We have seen so many tender mercies towards Thomas and Kayla that we can not doubt the Saviors love for them. We have witnessed so many blessings in their lives as they have gone through their heartache,sorrow and sadness. We thank all those who made their burden lighter and helped them through the darkness into light. Thanks to all my children who have shown their endless faith and love to one another; we love you all so much! We are thankful we were able to go home and be with all of you. You are our joy in this life! We are thankful for your support on our mission. We have been so blessed by being here serving our Heavenly Father.It is our desire that others will  come to know of His love for them so they to can be comforted in their times of sorrow and  all the hardships these great  people endure all their lives. We love them and are ever concerned for their eternal welfare. This life is but a short time may we all endure to the end, then we shall be given all that the Father hath. Can we want for any thing greater than that? I think not!

More Pictures

Haulin' cows. Actually they are caribaos

How about a load of chickens?!

Brother and Sister Concepcion who were reactivated while we were in Carissa. We love that family!

Some members of Punta branch.Left to right: Bro Ocado,Sis Madlang-awa( front), not sure who's behind her,Sis Barrios and new baby, Sis Ocado and son,Sis Ramos,Sis Malabanan, Sis DeGuzman, Bro & Sis Tamio, us, Luis Madlang-awa, Bro Soriano, Elder Isip and 3 little girls that I can't remember their names.

MyAnn Armonia- Future Missionary

Sister Salvatos

Paul Balderama

Members of Carissa Branch

President Contado's Family. He is Carissa Elder's Quruom President. Jessa, on right, has her mission call to Hong Kong

Samonte Family

Two cuties.

More cuties.

Base Family. He was 1st councilor and I was 2nd. He was then called as Branch President.

We love this family a lot. Forever friends

The Tamios. Also close Friends

Manangan Family

Myann Armonia

Balderama Family. Hewas Carissa Branch President and then called as Naic District President. A great man with a lovely family.

Gretchen Cabungan. Also planning on a mission soon.

Gretchen and Elders Sanchez and Isip

Kevin Villarante and three young ladies(sisters) who came to our open house and have since been baptized.

It's nice to know

...and missed. We will miss these wonderful people too!

Going Home Missionaries July 2, 2013 and couples and some parents

Going Home!

Elder Griffin with Dietrichs, Paddocks and us.

Elder Grob.

Elder Griffin

Typical Philippine family transportation.

And here we are at the Puerto Princessa airport on Palawan ready to start the next leg of our mission and another new adventure! We're excited!

Wedding Pictures and More

Ina and Jobert's Wedding. Ina was YW President in Punta Branch

Newly Weds

Together Forever

Some of Jobert's Priesthood leaders

Us, Sister Orcas,Sister Madlang-Awa, TheNew Couple, President Balderama

The Chapel in Punta decorated for the reception.

The Wedding Cake

The Malabanan Family at Riaza's baptism. I was their home teacher.

Brother Jovi's Delos Reyes baptism. We did not know them well but he asked that I baptize him.

Also in the picture: Elder Acosta, Elder Durfee, Sister Delos Reyes, and President Geraga.

Marlon, Maureen, Jarrod and new little Janae.The Cielos Family hold a special place in our hearts.

Us at the Temple

The Borja family and the wedding party while waiting for the new couple to come out of the temple.

And here they come! The newly weds- Jun and Manilynn

The Borja Family together on a special day.  They are members of the Carissa Branch

Jun and Manilynn. Wonderful Day.

Sister Stucki, The Newlyweds, and Us

Jun and Manilynn at the reception in Carissa Chapel

Anna Lou Gamazon and Myann Armonia. Myann has received a mission call to the Cagayen De Oro Mission

The DeGuzman Family. He is a fairly recent convert and they were in our temple preparation class.Really a special family and have now gone to the temple since we left for Palawan.

The Tamio Family. He is the branch clerk and she is a recent convert also in our temple preparation class and are preparing to go. Another wonderful couple.

Us with Sister Borja and MariCris. Sister Borja is the Relief Society president in Carissa Branch. She is a wonderful faithful sister who also teaches seminary.

The Geraga Family. He is the Carissa Branch President. He's Great! Always happy!