Craigs in Cauayan

Yesterday was the baptism of Jowell Magday, his wife April Lyn, daughter Jane and nephew Romel.  About two and one half months ago, Jowell was working.  He owns and drives a tricycle here in Cauayan City.  Tricycles serve as a taxis here in the northern Philippines.  He picked up a fare; two of our young Sister missionaries.  They asked him if he knew about the Church and if he wanted to know more.  There in the traffic, he felt something that he had not felt before. He was so impressed by the experience that he sought out one of his neighbours/relatives who he had heard had recently joined the Church.  He asked this neighbour/relative  to introduce him to the missionaries.  Soon he was introduced to two of our Elders who work in his area of the city.  We were privileged to be part of their teaching and were in their home several times.  Jowell's family is strong, funny, happy and wonderful.  Thoughtful and kind.  T...

Ilagan Zone Conference Normally we do not post until the end of the week but today was way too funny not to.   This week was our Zone Conferences.  At Zone Conferences we have large meetings of our missionaries for training.  Usually 60 to 70 missionaries attend each Zone Conference according to what zone or area of the Mission they are in.  A lot of effort goes into these all day conferences.  After all that work, today's conference will likely be remembered most for the last 15 minutes of the conference.  Donna and I were sitting at the front of the meeting, up on the rostrum facing the congregation of missionaries.   We began the last part of the day: the Testimony meeting.  Here young missionaries can get up as inspired to do so and share their feelings about their faith and the work they are engaged in.  It was announced that the missionaries who were completing their missions and returning home would be invited to go f...

Another week has come and gone.  It is really amazing how the weeks fly by.  As we say in the mission, the days are long, but the weeks and months are short.  It is so weird to me that it is November.  In the land of summer every day, it is hard to believe that time goes by.  I am not missing the cold weather at home. This week was a busy one. Monday night we were able to go out with the Elders in the evening to teach with them.  I love to see how the gospel blesses families as they learn and act upon the truths they learn. I still don't understand much as they teach in Tagalog, but I get a little. We were in Santiago for interviews on Tuesday.  That was a long day, leaving home at 6:45 am and not getting home until around 10:00 pm.  We have two Zones of missionaries in Santiago, and then we had to make an emergency transfer and move some Sisters around, so it made for a long day and lots of driving.  I was so happy to get home and get in...