Mission President's Seminar, Thanksgiving and More Happenings

Here is a bit from my Dad's email:

"So much has happened over these past couple of weeks. We are busy and enjoying our work so much. This past week was our week 6 in our rotation, that means that we said goodbye to departing missionaries and welcomed new missionaries. Five missionaries returned and 10 arrived. Elder Mitchell left with the group. It was hard to say goodbye to him. He was a very good missionary and helped us so much over these 5 months. He helped us get established on our mission and was always willing to put in long hours for whatever we needed. He is a kind thoughtful person who had the respect of the entire mission.

Last Saturday I attended a baptism service in the San Fernando zone. 8 people were baptized. Everyone was so happy. It was a very spiritual experience. They all bore their testimony at the end of the meeting. One said, "today i'm announcing to the universe that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". Another said, "I have been on a search for the truth and now my search is over". These are people who have had to overcome problems and challenges to join the church."

And now here are some pictures and descriptions from my Mom:

"The last week of November we attended our Mission President's Seminar. It was held in Baguio and all of the 23 mission president's and wives attended along with the area presidency and all of the staff from the office in Manila."

"After we returned home we celebrated Thanksgiving with all of our senior missionaries"

"The first week of December we said goodbye to these wonderful missionaries. It has been a joy getting to know each one of them and we know they will do many great things as they continue onto the next phase of their lives."

"Elder Mitchell and Elder Christensen had only two weeks together before it was time for Elder Mitchell to return home. He has been our Assistant since we arrived here. We appreciate all he has done to help us. We will miss him so much! We truly love him."

"This is a picture of our new Assistants Elder Magistrado and Elder Christensen with Elder Mitchell."

"It's always so excited to have new missionaries arrive. They arrive on Wednesdays on the bus from Manila. We spend 1 1/2 days with them. They meet their trainers and spend time preparing for what lies ahead!"

"Time for MLC! We had a great meeting talking about goals for 2020. They set some pretty lofty ones and they are sure the missionaries will rise up and be able to accomplish them. We also had a special meeting after with just the Sister Training Leaders."

"We had a special Family Home Evening night at the mission home with some new members of the church. We had a really nice evening together and some great Filipino food!"