Missionary Life = Beach Days

Missionary Madi has been so busy that she really has not shared with us many P Day activities. It also seems to be the rainy season so beach days are limited. However this Monday she was able to go to a local beach and enjoy some time in the sun. She got fried! She loves getting sun. She states she knows were jealous because we are not brown like her she says she has the cutest farmers tan we will ever see. The missionaries played a fun game of Capture the Flag!

Missionary Madi, Sister Samayla, and Sister Adasme. I love to see Sister Adasme in these photos. It feels like seeing her with family. These two sisters will forever be connected in more than just the usual way. They have experienced a life altering catastrophe together and have come out the other side triumphant and full of wisdom beyond their years. Those Smiles are Priceless!

The Meaning of Easter

 

Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. Because of him, death is 

not the end, and life takes on new meaning. we can change, we can start

 over-and we can live again with God. This Easter, celebrate His life and 

discover all that's possible because of Him.

 VISIT MORMON.ORG/BECAUSEOFHIM

Because Jesus Christ is the Savior 

of all mankind it's possible for 

each of us to live again with God.

UNTHINKABLE   IMPOSSIBLE     UNFATHOMABLE  UNPRECEDENTED 

A SINGLE ACT THAT CHANGED HISTORY
LIKE ALL WHO PRECEDED HIM!
HE LIVED

AND HE DIED

AND UNLIKE ALL WHO PRECEDED HIM

HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!

 

"We also had a really good week with work.Sister Samayla and I were so blessed and were able to teach a lot of lessons and didn't get punted. We don't know what we are doing but it must be good."

Because of him we will never be separated from each other. 

We will be a forever family now and in the eternities.

BECAUSE OF HIM WE HAVE SECOND CHANCES! 

Let Your Light Shine!

The Sister Missionaries were excited because they all got to have a sleepover together in one apartment before conference. Missionary Madison and Sister Anderson enjoying some down time.

 Missionary Madi enjoying conference with her Filipino Family!

Missionary Madi Letting Her Light Shine!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, 

and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).

 Missionary Madi said the rest of her week was super busy and the highlight of it all. She was able to teach with Sister Schaap who is serving as a Sister Training Leader. Their mission dream came true. Ever since training together in the MTC they dreamed of being companions. I think this as close as it will get. 

For them it was enough!

Zone Conference & LDS Conference

Missionary Madi was excited to have Zone Conference this week. This meant getting to be with many of the sisters and elders that were separated after the storm. To be united again as missionaries serving in the Philippines Tacloban Mission. To stand victors over the many challenges they have faced. Not to mention the wonderful instruction the missionaries receive at these conferences. Their lamps are filled and they are re-energized with the desire to continue to be obedient and bring others the good news of the gospel.

In these last days, the Lord has said, “Be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom” (D&C 33:17). This counsel refers to the parable of the ten virgins, which illustrates how we are to prepare for Christ’s Second Coming (see Matthew 25:1–13).

Missionary Madi was taken back and got a little teary eyed when she realized this would be her last LDS Conference in the Philippines. It was her third!
Everything used to symbolize a beginning and now there are many significant endings.

The Caravan to Conference.

"Another conference here in Phili. My LAST conference here in Phili. :((( I teared up after the afternoon session yesterday when I realized that was the last time that I will ever watch conference here at a church with people speaking another language and not understanding English and sweating even though I am at church and eating rice in between the morning and afternoon sessions and being with my family here in Phili!:(( It is all so sad."

Travel Plans

 Travel Plans = Excited Beyond Belief!

Missionary Madi will be released on July 30, 2014. Three of us will be traveling to the Philippines to pick her up and travel to all her areas and on each island that she has served. We will also visit both of her missions - Philippines Tacloban Mission and Cebu East Mission. She is excited for our visit but would prefer we come visit, see her areas, and then get back on the plane and leave her there. She has had a hard time assisting us with our travel plans as she really does not want to accept the fact that in 4 months her service in the Philippines will come to and end. The cost to travel to the Philippines is not for the faint hearted.

 

Missionary Madi is finally attempting to assist us with our travel plans. Due to the typhoon and earthquake many of the common areas that we would choose to stay are not operational at this time. As the areas are rebuilt there will be more options but for now we need her assistance. She is grudgingly assisting us. I love her desire to continue serving.

Answer to questions:

"I'm thinking Maasin, Ormoc and Biliran in like 2 or 3 days they aren't that far and then Bohol and then Cebu and we will stay with President Tanner.

I don't think we will need a car we can just ride the way i have been this whole time.

If I get transferred again I'm gonna  want to go to that area too....

Mom pick me up on the 28 not the 30."

I find her simply amazing.

Return to Ormoc

Missionary Madi was so excited that they had a Zone Conference this week. In Ormoc! So wonderful for her to be able to travel back to the area she was serving in during the typhoon. They have felt guilt and worry for months after leaving the devastated city in November. Seeing her Filipino families and seeing the blessings that have come into their lives as they deal with the reality of the devastation and the need for them all to do their part to rebuild their lives and serve in the church. Less actives who have been blessed by service and have improved their life by serving the lord. Learning that so many were safe and rebuilding their lives brought peace and comfort to this sweet sister missionary. She loved spending time with President & Sister Andaya. They are being released in June and they love their missionaries. This will be a sad day!

Missionary Madi's Batch Buddy Sister Schaap

My Ormoc Family!

Missionary Madi apparently decided that Sister Adasme loved her birthday watch. So she gave it too her. KK and I thought we were the greatest sending her this fun little piece of bling. Glad it brightened Sister Adasme day (they both had birthday's in October & they are both twins). Missionary Madi was so excited to get to see her. They all traveled back to Ormoc which made them happy and I am sure was healing to see all those they left behind in early November 2013. Blessed! Miracles still happen.

Sister Adasme batch has hit there 9 Month Mark! Apparently Missionary Madi felt the need to get in on the celebration. Love this happy sister missionary. Missionary Madi is at her 14 Month Mark and probably wishes she could turn back the time and have 9 more months to serve. 

     She does not want to come home.                                               

Missionary For Life!

Missionary Madi and Sister Anderson dressed in their nanay dresses. They shower in the streets so these are there dresses that they wear while they are showering. I do not really understand what this means when she states "Showering in the streets" but I am sure it is pretty much just that. Only in the Philippines.

Isaiah 40:26

Isaiah 40:26: 

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

This scripture is in reference to all of the stars in the firmament. They are always there but it is not until it is dark that are we allowed to see them. It is in our darkest times that the most beautiful and wonderful things are manifest unto us. I am thankful for all that Missionary Madi has endured that now reveals itself unto her.

Missionary Madi was so thankful for the strength and courage that was shown by this dear sister as she entered the waters of baptism. Sometimes even when we know that the gospel is true and what we want and need in our lives it can still be difficult to take the steps necessary to receive those blessings. Satan is always at hand to throw obstacles in our way. It takes much faith and diligence to follow our savior.

True hero's are those who are brave enough to dare to do what is right!

Missionary Madi has a new companion Sister Samayla (Phili Hipster Sister) at Sister Lunas baptism.

What you doin?

Missionary Madi never ceases to amaze us. There is always a cute child hanging on this sister missionary. I am sure they love this American Sister! What an amazing example of love she is. I am sure she is touching lives in ways she will never understand. Her Heavenly Father has been so generous to her.

"Last Monday we had a really fun activity and hiked down to the dagat (ocean) in the rain and had a big fire and the members swam. I was so jealous. It was so pretty and it was raining the ENTIRE time so I pretty much should've swam anyways because I got so soaked."
I asked Missionary Madi what they were cooking. She said they were cooking chicken, pork and hot dogs & rice. Missionary Madi made mashed potatoes. She said it was pouring the whole time they were trying to cook. This does not look healthy. Notice the open plate of raw meat just sitting on the ground.

FORETEEN MONTHS

IS IT BAD THAT I AM ALREADY STARTING TO PLAN HER HOMECOMING?

We are so excited that Missionary Madi has been able to continue to serve her full time mission. So thankful of her ability and desire to seek comfort, guidance and strength from her Heavenly Father. Providing her with opportunity to return to the Philippines Tacloban Mission and find peace in serving her people there. Being part of the solution to help and bless the lives of those who have lost more than they had.
A Golf Shoot -  You know people yell "FORE" when a wild ball might hit another group.
                    Epic Fail - The fact that I have to explain it!

"You are freaking me out with these travel plans! I hate it. But I am excited also.......I just don't want to think about it. I only have 18 p days left. Holy poop. PS no I didn't figure that out myself they counted for me."

"The other day we were teaching this investigator family who is soooooooo golden and awesome they are just way poor so it's hard for them to come to church and Tatay was bearing his testimony and I just started crying. I hid it tho cuz its lame to cry but it just crossed my mind that before I know it my mission is going to be over and I am not going to get to do this work every single day. It's a heart breaker. I  refuse to think about it." 

Hey baby girl! Ridiculous idea. A golf shoot. Which could be pretty fun other than it decided to rain today. Then it started snowing. Which you know made your sister want to snap my neck. It made it a fun celebration. We had fun and froze our bums off. Daddy is sick and also thought my idea was going to give him pneumonia. KK wanted to know why we did not do the pictures yesterday when it was warmer. Easy answer yesterday was not your anniversary. I am thankful to be allowed to celebrate your milestones. You are inspirational to me and to so many others. I love you and thank you for being a fighter and a warrior. I cannot wait to hear from you today! Love you to the EXTREME! Mamacita