Tarlac City, Tarlac
Philippines
22 November 2009
It is the end of November and we want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! We miss the major holidays because it is not a holiday here in the Philippines so it is a regular work day.
We are grateful to be part of the missionary work here. This past Thursday at our missionary Zone Conference, our mission president, President Puzey talked about the importance of missionary work and that something very important is happening right here in Asia. There are about 6 billion people in the world, three billion live in Asia. Right in the center of Asia is this Christian country called the Philippines! It will have a major impact on the non-Christian countries in the entire region.
In 1961, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley rededicated (to missionary work) the Philippines. The first stake was organized in 1973 and since then the Philippines has progressed rapidly. Currently there are 600,000 members, 79 Stakes and 86 districts.
We have paused this week to think about all of the many things we are thankful for. We are so very thankful for friends and family and the gospel. We have been so blessed in our lives. Living in this very poor and humble country right now has taught us so much about all of the blessings that we have and take for granted every day at home! We especially have learned to love and appreciate these humble, sweet people and their positive attitude. We love them dearly, we try to help them in any small way that we can.
Last year at Thanksgiving we were just in the Philippines two weeks and we were training and traveling so we had Thanksgiving dinner at McDonalds. This year however, we are going to Cabanatuan, about 2 hrs. away, to have Thanksgiving with two other “Senior” missionary couples. We don’t have an oven in our house but the Davis’ (from Tooele) do and she has ordered a turkey from a local farmer. He asked her if she wanted to kill the turkey herself – she said “No thanks!” We so appreciate the other Senior missionary couples, we appreciate the work they do for the districts and branches plus when we get together we all understand English and we can talk about our grandchildren!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
Elder NB & Sister MB
5 comments:
Hi Aunt Mary and Ucle Nolie - that was a wonderful message! I did not know that about the Asian population - that is crazy. It is wonderful that the Phillipines is a Christian center there... that is a good beginning!
I hope your holidays are wonderful!
Happy Thanksgiving to you two beauties!!! I get homesick for you two when I see your beautiful faces!! We love you are are grateful for your hard work, sacrifice,and willingness to help others. Luv you--cams
Happy thanksgiving to you also. I laughed when I read the comment about killing the Turkey. I hope it was wonderful to enjoy some turkey and time with friends who love the gospel too.
What great people you are, serving and loving the Filipinos. No oven must be something. People here also have many live turkeys and kill them themselves. Glad you didn't have to and that you were able to spend the day with other seniors, able to visit about your grandchildren. Love,
You remind me so much of your Mother in that picture Mary. What a handsome Missionary couple.
Post a Comment