Craigs in Cauayan

Binyag is the Tagalog word for baptism.  I remember very well my own baptism over 50 years ago now.  I remember the warm water, the white clothes and I remembering realizing just how tall my uncle Charlie was (6’8”).  My kindly Uncle Charlie baptized me.  I remember the quizzical look on my mother’s face as my black and red swim suit showed through my wet white clothes (I had been swimming earlier in the day).  Mostly I remember the feeling of love and acceptance by God.  I knew what I was doing was right.  That feeling has never left me. We are blessed to be able to be part of many wonderful and memorable baptisms in this assignment.  Each one is special.  For example, a few days ago we participated in the baptism of an 11-year old boy.  The rest of his family was baptised 2 weeks ago.  When the family got ready to come to the church to be baptised they could not find him.  He was very anxious to be baptised, but like most 11 ...

December 31 marked the last day of the crazy year that was 2020.  It also marked another milestone, the halfway mark of our mission.  It hardly seems like we have been here for longer than a month.  I still feel new.  The days roll together and soon they mark weeks and months and years.  But the last of the Sister missionaries that served with President and Sister Hiatt went home 2 weeks ago.  Some of our clothes and shoes are showing wear.  My hair is getting long.  I have filled a journal with a record of all we have done.  Mango season will soon be here again! Time flies on wings of lightning; We cannot call it back. It comes then passes forward Along its onward track. And if we are not mindful, The chance will fade away For life is quick in passing. 'Tis as a single day. It seems like only yesterday they came, but the Becks have returned home.  How we will miss them.  They were always at the ready to do all they could to serve u...

 Behold! A royal army, With banner, sword, and shield, Is marching forth to conquer On life's great battlefield. Its ranks are filled with soldiers, United bold, and strong, Who follow their Commander And sing their joyful song: I have been sing this hymn in my mind for the last few weeks, and thinking of mighty armies in the cause of the Lord. The army of Helaman, 2,060 strong, marching forth to battle the Lamanites.  They were young, but young men of faith, taught by their mothers to have faith in the Lord; that he would preserve them. "they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually." (Alma 57:27) Ever since our mission tour in September, I keep being reminded of another army, the army of Gideon, that began with 32,000, but was whittled down to 300,  lest they would think "Mine own hand hath saved me." (Judges 7:2) The mighty Midianite army was delivered into their hands. The missionaries here in "Cauayan Zion...