Now that was funny....and there was a mouse too!

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 first, followed by any other missionary wishing to speak.  Finally, Sister Craig and I would give some concluding remarks.  We would then sing a closing hymn and one of our brand new missionaries would give a closing prayer to end the conference.  This part of the day was to take about 40 to 45 minutes and is a favourite part of the conference for many of us.  In the middle of the second missionary speaking, a mouse wandered onto the rostrum right near where Sister Craig and I were sitting.  Well.....when Sister Craig saw the mouse (she is afraid of mice) she gasped, but just loud enough for everyone in the entire building to hear her, jumped almost straight into the air and landed nearly in my lap.  To say it was a bit of a distraction would be an understatement.  To watch 65 young missionaries try not to break up laughing and fall out of their seats at that moment was priceless.

18 missionaries returning to Tuguegarao after Zone Conference

Now that is not all.  After the departing missionaries completed their testimonies (statements of belief) which took about 15 minutes, a young missionary got up and walked in a determined manner towards the rostrum.  We all assumed that he was coming up to be the first non-departing missionary to bear his testimony.  We were proud of his courage to be the first one to come up.  He got to the microphone, bowed his head and gave the closing prayer.  It was a lovely prayer.  Perhaps he was dozing or perhaps he was distracted by the mouse.  I do not know.  After he said "Amen" to close his prayer, people were just frozen looking up at me.  Not wanting to embarrass the young man I just got up and started shaking hands.  I suspect that most were just happy to go home a little early.  I know that I was.

On Tuesday when we arrived early in the City of Ilagan for a Zone Conference and piled out of the van Sister Craig began to unload the van.  I had a craving for donuts and knew of a bakery down the street.  I took 6 young Elders with me and off we went.  As I walked down the street the world seemed to slow down for just a minute and I was allowed to feel and reflect.  I felt the heavy moist air of the Philippines,  heard the chatter of Tagolog speakers near me and saw a Jeepney drive by.  I thought, "I am really here..... home in the Philippines....I am really here."  I then looked at these 6 young men with me and felt a rush of great love for them and all of the fine missionaries that I get to serve with.  I felt a rush of love for the Philippine Islands and their sweet beautiful people.  Mostly I felt a great rush of love for my Saviour, Jesus Christ and gratitude that I get to be here at this time doing this work.  I love being a missionary!