Family Visits, Goodbyes and New Missionaries!

Jami's family visits the Philippines!  Here is what she said:

"Two days after Christmas, our family had the opportunity to go visit my mom and dad in the Philippines! We were overcome with emotion to finally be reunited with them. It was the best Christmas gift we could have asked for! We felt like we were in a dream as we navigated our way to the mission home in San Fernando. It was so amazing to hear all about the area, the mission, the people, the traffic, the work, the challenges, the funny things they'd experienced and their love for it all. We were in heaven with them! We spent 10 days riding trykes, sweating, visiting the palengke (market) and other various stores and malls, walking on the beautiful beaches, sweating, eating at MacDo and all their usual spots, playing basketball, sweating, cooking with my mom, meeting new people and trying new things and more sweating. We saw and experienced so many fun things that we will never forget, but the best part of the trip was the spirit we felt the entire time we were there with my mom and dad, the missionaries and the sweet members of the Church. We had the opportunity to attend the baptism of three sisters and also met so many amazing people at church on Sunday. The spirit we felt was incredible. Missionary work is incredible! We loved the time that we were able to spend with the missionaries. We were in awe of their service and sacrifice and we felt of their goodness and joy. Our testimonies were strengthened and we were reminded (again) of how thankful we are for my parents and their amazing example of service. We love them so much! It was hard to say goodbye again but we left the Philippines knowing that they are right where they need to be and that God's love for each of us is real. He is aware of us, and them, and I've never been more thankful for that knowledge and testimony than now. We are so thankful that we were able to go visit and create so many memories that we'll never forget."

Pictures and comments from my mom:

"The Marriot at the Clark Airport.  They flew in the middle of the night so they stayed there and we were able to pick them up in the morning!"

"The first morning we took them to Poro Point to see the ocean.  We introduced them to some missionaries and walked to the beach that is close by our house.  In the video Brad and Lola decided to find someone to give a Book of Mormon to on our walk to the beach.  This is a picture of some good missionaries!  They found a really nice couple to talk to and give their Book of Mormon to."

"We went on an adventure shopping and rode in a jeepney.  They have a huge market place called Palengke.  We found everything imaginable from food to clothes to toys.  Isaac found a basketball hoop that kept him very entertained the rest of the trip!"

"Of course we had to drive them to Baguio.  Jami, Ben and Lola had a little bit of motion sickness on the drive there.  It is a very crazy drive to get up the mountain.  We stayed at Camp John Hay and showed them all the pretty Christmas decorations.  The put on a holiday show each night that we were able to go to.  We also hiked on the beautiful trails!"

"we had our follow-up meeting with new missionaries that they were able to be at with us! They loved the Burger King lunch after."

"They were all able to attend a baptism of 3 sisters on Saturday.  Lola was sick so I stayed home with her and everyone else had a great time.  They had lunch after and met more missionaries and ward members."

"Attending church with more missionaries"

"Sunday dinner with our Assistants Elder Christensen and Elder Magistrado and also Elder Provido, Elder Sacil and Sister Christensen.  Brad and Scott ended up making an unplanned trip to Baguio to deliver a missionary and had to miss dinner."

"Dinner at a beautiful beach that the Floyds found one day when they were exploring.  We invited the Christensen's to have dinner with us."

"All too soon it was time to say goodbye!  The missionaries got up early to say goodbye."

"After our new missionaries have been here for a month, we invite them back for a meeting and lunch.  We like to see how they are adjusting to their life on a mission and see if they have any concerns.  We love seeing how happy they are and how much their trainers are helping them become good missionaries!"

"Every six weeks a group of missionaries go home.  This is a hard time for us!  We have grown to love them so much!  We know they are going to go home and do great things.  We had seven leaving us this time.  Here they are and also our assistants."

"When missionaries leave, we know that we will be getting new missionaries.  Here are our 13 new missionaries!  We spend a day and a half with them.  We have meetings and take care of all of the important details before they head out with their trainers.  We also get to have lunch, dinner and breakfast with them."