Going Home Activities, Transfer Day, MLC, "Remember Him", Guadalupe Chapel, Makati 2nd, and Vikings

Mon 5/11/2015
Going Home Activities, Transfer Day, MLC, "Remember Him", Guadalupe Chapel, Makati 2nd, and Vikings

Still reading?

Sorry for the long title. Too much has been going on and I can't seem to put it all together in a few words. 

On Tuesday, 19 missionaries headed home (eeek!). As an escort to those missionaries, you get to head to the temple. This time, I saw Diaz family from the Bonifacio 3rd ward, who were there to be sealed as a family. The two boys in the 1st picture often worked with us when I was there. 

We also went to the American Cemetery, where we waited (in style) to hear Sister Ostler talk to the missionaries. 

On transfer day, we picked up 8 new missionaries from the MTC, which, if you do the math, means the mission is going down in size. There were a few areas that got consolidated. During the orientation, Sister Ostler took the new missionaries to the American War Memorial while we and President Ostler taught the new trainers, including some zone leaders I'd worked with. Orientation went relatively smoothly, because we're just teaching. The real chaos began after it all ended, as we had to formulate plans for missionaries getting to new apartments, then planning for MLC. If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you that we got to bed at 1 A.M. b/c we were preparing MLC. 

MLC was so cool! We discussed four main points 

1) all lessons under 30 minutes or less 

2) singing during lessons 

3) always bringing up baptism during the lesson 

4) extending baptismal dates in every lesson. 

President Ostler made some comments in as the three of us taught. After MLC, we finally got time to get groceries and unpack the bags.

Friday was relatively normal.  Elder Wilson told us about our area, and how much potential it has. We're really striving be a model area now, and to have a vision to baptize every week. We've made a graph that shows every week for the next 3 months. We've filled in some of the slots with people who can be baptized. I love how it raises our vision of what we can do. 

The Whole Laddaran Family.

Saturday, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to baptize June Laddaran. It's a completed family, set for the temple. I really can't express how I felt during his baptism.

 Here are some pictures from the Bonifacio 3rd Ward.

Jonathan Parades and Elder Thurber

Elder Thurber and Mark Castillon

Perping Cruz with her granddaughter, Kaylee (who I taught before)

Sunday, I got to meet the Makati 2nd ward! They're excited to see us, and know our vision to baptize weekly.

Today, we went to this place called Vikings. It was a buffet for about 15$, but I am stuffed! I have a bunch of pictures I want to send to you!

No more time! Take care!

--

Elder Thurber - Philippines Manila Mission

#BecauseHeLives

HeLives.mormon.org

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