Mission Visit

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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 different, but oh, so wonderful.  As I opened the "explosion box" the Sisters made, I read, "We will miss you" and that started the tears flowing.  Oh, how I will also miss them.  


On Monday late afternoon, after lunch and preparations for the missionary meetings, we went out to teach with some of the missionaries.  I have missed this tremendously throughout the last two years because of the pandemic.  Community restrictions and keeping safe kept us from being able to freely go out.  Sister Bangerter and I went out to teach with the Sisters in nearby Cabatuan, and President Craig and Elder Bangerter went with the Assistants.  

Tuesday afternoon we met with the missionaries from the northern part of the mission in Ilagan, and we met on Wednesday afternoon with the missionaries from the southern part of the mission in Santiago.  The meeting in Ilagan was the first missionary meeting we have held there for two years.  It was sweet to be back there again.  The missionaries were so excited to meet them and be taught by them.  Some had never been with a General Authority in person before.  


Elder Bangerter did most of the teaching at the meetings, and we learned along with the young missionaries.  One of the things he taught was that "miracles happen in the action".  This was his primary message, along with sharing our vision of being a successful missionary:  "Work like a carabao, be obedient, and fall in love with the scriptures", all actions that bring great rewards.  This really is a powerful concept.  If one hopes for miracles or even simple changes in their lives, they must act.  God rarely, if ever, sends miracles to us when we are sitting still.  If we want to be healed we must act and seek proper medical attention.  If we want greater faith and knowledge of heavenly things we must study and pray and work to understand and know.  For a missionary this is a life-changing concept.  If we want success as a missionary we must be obedient and work and pray and do many other actions.  In the famous movie Shenandoah, the character Charlie Anderson played by Jimmy Stewart says:  "If we don't try we don't do.  And if we don't do, why are we here on this Earth?"  It is about the action; coupled with seeking help from a loving God who is eager to help and bless.

On their last full day,  we were able to take Elder and Sister Bangerter to Banaue and Batad, the famous rice terraces.  As COVID subsides here these beautiful spots have again reopened to visitors.  I believe this was the first adventure of this kind for Elder and Sister Bangerter in a very long time. It was a great joy to spend the day with them, and also our Area 70, Elder Tumaliuan along with his wife and daughter.  It was just a privilege to spend time with all of them and feel of their warm personalities.  The terraces were built by hand about 2000 years ago by a people who chose to act and obtained a miraculous, beautiful  result. 


What a fun, inspiring few days we were able to spend with Elder and Sister Bangerter.  What fun we have here.  We love this beautiful country and it's kindly people.  We dearly love our young missionaries and felt true joy as we watched their excitement to meet such special guests.   

It is surprising to us that our time here will soon end.  It feels like we just got started.  We are not sitting and thinking of home.  We are continuing to act, and continuing to seek miracles as we serve.


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