Volcano's

First – we received the below from James’ Mission President:

The Taal Volcano, located in the Philippines but not in our mission, erupted on Sunday. All Missionary apartments are outside the danger zone; however, we are experiencing ash fallout in many of our teaching areas. I have directed the missionaries to remain in their apartments if ash is falling. All missionaries are safe.

President Alder

Philippines Antipolo Mission

Even with this, we were able to talk with James.  He’s doing great.  Here are some highlights…

The volcano is supposed to possibly erupt here in a day or so, so we will see!! But there is a lot of ash around so we are wearing face masks/bandannas as we go out of the house. IT IS EVERYWHERE!!!

James update Mission plaque showing both the San Pablo and Antipolo Missions

So, this week, we got to bring Jana to the special devotional with Quinten L. Cook (picture below) at the Stake Center! What that was a powerful time and testimony!! Words cannot explain all the things we felt there!! It was really empowering to hear!!

Elder Q. Cook devotional

At the end of the devotional, Elder Cook bore such and amazing testimony about the Savior, it was incredible! Powerful is a better word.  For me, as he testified, the chapel went completely silent, he was the only thing that I could see and he seemed to glow. The spirit was so strong!!

For Jana, as he bore his testimony, she shared that she saw the countenance of Christ in him and he seemed to glow as well!! She hasn't been baptized yet but wants to serve a mission!! She is already inviting friends to hear the message too!!

Then on this Thursday, Elder Cook is going to have a combined mission conference with Antipolo and Quezon City and we all get to go and we are so excited!!! The conference will be at Aurora chapel in Quezon city.  It will just be a couple hour meeting, travel there and back. Our mission and the chapel aren't too far apart.

Something that I would like to share - I remember about a year ago in my mission, about April-ish, I was struggling a little bit around some doctrinal issues. Eventually I came to realize how much I was struggling, and I had to know how things were true. So, I went back to the primary answers, church, prayer, and reading the Book of Mormon. Simply, I asked myself, is the Book of Mormon true? AND IT IS!!!!  After that, everything was up hill! I understood the simple things which allowed me know, to understand all of those deeper doctrines. You do not need to balance plates on sticks if you have a table to place them on!

Our District Pokemon shirts

New Year's Eve!!

It's the New Year

New Year's Eve Fireworks!