Craigs in Cauayan

March 18 is a day we will always remember. Two years ago, on March 18, 2020, was the day of the evacuation of 99 foreign missionaries from Cauayan Mission.  (You can read about our experiences that day in our post, "The Evacuation of Foreign Missionaries" March 22, 2020.) I do not think anyone had any idea of what would happen and how long the restrictions and lockdowns would last.   As with all days where highly-charged emotional events occur in our lives, they forever hold a spot in our hearts.  We remember our feelings on those days and the images ever remain.  We remember watching the departing missionaries adjusting their luggage to meet airline weight requirements and doing other things to keep themselves busy and try to remain calm.  They had so many questions that none of us could answer. What would happen to them?   Their missions?   Their friends and those they were teaching?   What would happen to their Filipino com...

We were blessed this week to have Elder Bangerter (of the Area Presidency of the Church here in the Philippines) and his wife visit our mission.  The purpose of the visit was to help us in our preparations for transition in the mission when we leave in July.  We were also able to hold two missionary meetings and also a missionary presentation with the youth that reside within the Cauayan Mission; to encourage them to serve missions.  It was truly a treat to be with and learn from them.  They are so kind and inspiring.  The week started out great.  It was my birthday, and missionary birthdays are the best!  The Elders and Sisters in Cauayan District surprised me with balloons, gifts and a cake on Monday morning before the Bangerters arrived.  They also sang a song written for me by one of the missionaries in another area of the mission.  I felt so loved, and it made this birthday special.  Each birthday here in the mission has been differ...