April 28 - Fini

Dear Family and Friends,

This will be our final mission letter. We thank all of your for your prayers, love and support over the past 2 years. It is with mixed feelings that we prepare to say good-bye to the Philippines. This has been a chapter in our lives that we will never forget. The people we have met, the friends we've made, the places we've been, the beauty we've seen, and the service we've been able to be part of. There is no way to put into words all that is in our hearts right now. There are wonderful things behind us and wonderful things ahead.

As we prepare to depart, I want to share with you some of our lasts. Each one has been so much a part of our lives for the past 23 months.

The morning of the last MTC intake for me at the dental clinic. Every three weeks a new group of missionaries enters the MTC One part of their intake procedures is getting an exam and panoramic x-ray at the Dental Clinic. The first picture is of the families and missionaries lined up ready for the MTC to open and let the missionaries in. The last picture is of a few Elders waiting their turn to see the dentist.

The last Pathway gathering. We were able to be there for the last class of the second semester so we saw them finish their math class. The Pathway class members become like family to us. Our group is the second picture.

The last ATS Conference. These are the wonderful people we've visited and trained throughout this country. Most of them are called as couples to serve Church Service Missions. They came from all over the Philippines and range in age from 77 to 23. It was a miracle and blessing to be able to bring them together. They became fast friends with each other. It's good to know they will support each other and help each other. We are hopeful a new couple will be called soon to replace us and be the ATS here in the Philippines. They are capable on their own but I think every group needs a shepherd. We have been blessed beyond anything we could imagine to be able to serve with these good and faithful people in this blessed land.

The third and forth pictures are of our AATS Conference.

Our mission hasn't all been easy and fun but it seems that in life, we pretty much find what we are looking for and we are looking for the good in our lives while we have served here in the Philippines. It's nice that the good is easy to find.

We close with the scripture we chose that would give us direction before we left for our mission. Proverbs 3:5,6:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." We love our Savior. The gospel is true is is truly going to every isle of the sea. We know that Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet on the earth today. We know the Book of Mormon is true. We know that Joseph Smith restored the true church of Jesus Christ in these latter days.

Love,
Elder and Sister Tucker

April 6 - One Month

Dear Family and Friends,

Writing a letter now is difficult. It's hard to believe we only have one month left on our mission. We are trying not to focus on time but we have things we need to do before we leave - like giving away things we don't need to bring home. We've already been part of farewell parties - which makes it hard because we aren't leaving just yet. Two of the employees we work with are leaving the department. One is going to Australia for more schooling and the other is moving into an executive position so they had one big party for all of us.

We are excited for the AATS conference we are hosting in just 3 weeks. It's fun yet challenging at times to plan their travel, housing, the agenda, and food for 40 people. The best part will be seeing the dear friends we've made in this service and making sure all is in order with them before we leave.

As General Conference begins, I want to share a scripture that has been on my mind the past few days. 1 Nephi 16:28-29. In verse 28 Nephi explains how the Liahona works. He says that "the pointers work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them." Verse 29 says,"And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things" . Reading these verses made me think of General Conference. Through the words of our prophet and the apostles, we each have our own Liahona today. If we listen with faith and heed their words with diligence, we will receive understanding concerning the ways of the Lord and the Lord can bring about great things in our lives and in the church. We look forward to receiving direction for the paths of our lives from our leaders this weekend.

Love,
The Tuckers


Our first picture is dark because the man is in the shade and I couldn't get any closer. He is actually sleeping on his motorcycle!

Grocery shopping here is a bit different- squid in natural ink with chili or Spanish style bangus chunks anyone?

The changing of the guards in our apartment building. These guards are really our friends. They are helpful and friendly. I asked one if he ever had to use his handcuffs and he said he did. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear the details....

Our sunset view from our apartment - some days they are spectacular

Our ICS team on farewell day.

March 19 - Ormoc

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello!

We took our last trip to do training last week. We went to Ormoc on the island of Leyte. It is a beautiful place. Kent and I don't usually both get time to present at the meetings but this time we did and it was fun to share what we both had prepared. The Facilities Manager who had arranged for our travel offered to take us to see a lake in the mountains after our meetings were finished. We didn't arrive until sunset but we were able to get some beautiful pictures. It was so peaceful there. They had a interesting set up there on the lake. You could rent a little nipa hut on a raft that was attached to a rope. When you get on the raft, you pull yourself to the other side of the lake with the rope. You could also just pull yourself to the middle of the lake and have a picnic.

One of my favorite things about getting out into the country is that when people see our name tags, they often tell us that they know someone in our church or they go get someone they know and we get to meet a member. This area was so far away from a church building that the member there couldn't attend church but was so friendly and excited to see us. It warms my heart to see how much our name tags bring an immediate bond with some people - we really do represent our Savior and His church.

We never go to Leyte that we aren't reminded of the devastation they suffered from the Super Typhoon Yolanda 5 years ago. In spite of the fact that they have rebuilt so quickly, there are still reminders of the destruction of the storm and the lives that were taken in the storm surge. I had thought the storm surge happened during the storm but it didn't. Dandy, our friend who drove us back to the airport, stopped at a Catholic church where there was a mass grave. He was living in Ormoc at the time and was given the assignment to make sure all the missionaries in Tacloban were safe after the storm. He showed us the names of a member family on the memorial that marked the burial site. They had all taken refuge at our church during the storm and when the sun came out and was shining, they went home. 15 members of that family lost their lives in the storm surge, only 1 survived. They didn't know anything about storm surge, it was not expected, no one knew it was coming. We sorrow for those who died and for the families who miss their loved ones. We feel we are in a hallowed place each time we go to Tacloban (the city where the airport is on Leyte).

Returning to the airport in Manila was bittersweet. We realized that the next time we came to the airport, we would be going home. When we first arrived, I wondered if we would ever figure out which line to stand in and where to go next - especially because we don't speak Tagalog. We've been just fine. We have been so blessed to have safe travels while we've been here.

I was reading 2 Nephi chapter 4 a few days ago and was so touched with Nephi's words. How hard it must have been for him to have his father pass away and know not only that he was the one who would be the leader but also that his 2 brothers wanted no part of him being the leader. Nephi had some serious struggles ahead and he knew it. It is interesting to read his thoughts here. At first he is really struggling with many things then he shares memories of how good God has been to him and in the end he expresses full confidence and faith in God. I love how he ends with greater faith and courage than he started with: "Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen"

Our adventures will continue as we plan for a country wide training conference the week before we finish our mission. That keeps us busy putting all the details in place and making sure the training will be meaningful and useful. We're blessed to work with some outstanding people who serve so willingly and faithfully. As of now, we have about 35 who have committed to attend. The conference will be a great way for us to conclude our mission.

We look forward to seeing you all again. soon. Thank you for your prayers and concern for our well-being while we've been away. We love you all...

Love,
The Tuckers

The lake

Inscriptions on the memorial

Evidence of Yolanda still remains

The McDonalds menu- check out the Japanese influences options (ebi is shrimp, nori is seaweed)

March 5 - Family and Friends

Dear Friends and Family,

This has been a week filled with love for family and friends.

This past week we were blessed with a visit from my brother, his wife and their son, Bill, who had served his mission here in the Manila area. Kent was a hero as he drove to the provinces twice to take us to see some of the people in areas where Bill served. What a delight it was to see that the people were so loving and generous and remembered the light that Bill brought to their lives through the gospel after all these years. He has been home from his mission for about 20 years and yet the friendships are still strong. Some even welcomed us into their homes. They were thrilled to meet their missionary's parents too.

Two couples who were our good friends here went home this past week. One couple was a dentist in the clinic and his wife (his assistant), the other was serving as an Area Medical adviser and his wife. Now we're the ones who have been in the area the longest. It's so strange to think about how things were and who was here when we came and how much things have changed in a short time. We still have so much to do that it's hard to imagine going home just yet.

I cannot write this week without mentioning the passing of a dear friend of our family from Tallahassee. She went to work as usual but wasn't feeling well. An ambulance was called and took her to the hospital where she passed away from a pulmonary embolism. She was only 35. She was a good friend to our girls and lifted them when they struggled with our move to Tallahassee then stayed in touch all through the years. Her smile would bring light to the hearts of all around her. As we mourn her passing, we are reminded of the gift of the great plan of happiness that our Father in Heaven has given us. How grateful we are to know that this life is not the end of our existence, our lives, our families or our friendships. Praise be to God for his love and tender mercies. D&C 6: 36-37 "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven." Our Savior gave his life that we might be together forever with our families. Believe.

We love you.

Thank you all for your prayers and love.
Love,
The Tuckers

Our pictures this week are of the beauty around us.

February 19 - Nuts and Blessings

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings!

We recently had the opportunity to go to a cashew "factory". Before going, we were able to see some cashews growing on a tree. The woman in charge of the factory store told us about how they process the cashews. If the fruit is freshly picked, they eat the fruit but if it has been a couple of days, they can't eat it. They dry the nut out for 2 to 3 days then they begin to process them. One woman cuts the cashew in half. There were two at the table using a metal pick to take the nut out of the shell. Two young men were cooking the cashews in oil over an open fire. They would drain them and set them out to dry. When the cashews were cooled and dry, they took them into the building where two ladies would bag and seal them. We were humbled by their willingness to work so hard. The tediousness of their work made the nuts we purchased from them even more precious.

Kent has been busy this past week making arrangements for our AATS Conference. There are many things to be planned and prepared and he will be doing most of that. He's gotten really good at power point presentations. Kent also gets to be the problems solver for issues that come up with anything to do with technology and callings. The employees do all the work with the equipment and they support the other employees but there are senior missionaries who come to him with problems they have with the work they do and he helps them. We have both learned a lot about technology on this mission. We came with no answers and lots of questions. We learned how to find answers and who to ask. Now we (Kent more than me) can answer many questions without asking our workmates for help. They are still looking for a replacement for us so if you know someone who is up for the adventure, let us know. They don't even need to know anything about computers, it's on the job training here.

This past week a new group of missionaries came to the MTC. A young man came to the clinic with a large lesion in his jaw - probably not cancer but the lesion destroys the jaw bone. This is the second one we've seen and it always leaves me with such mixed feelings. I mourn for the missionary and sorrow for the disappointment he must feel at having to go home for treatment. At the same time I rejoice for the tender mercy that the lesion was found and can be treated and pray for the full recovery of the missionary.

During General Conference the past year, encouragement was given for us to live so we would be prepared for the Second Coming. I wondered what that meant, what we needed to change and do better. In the country-wide stake conference that was held while Elder Holland was here, he answered my question beautifully. He also shared a quote from many years ago by George Q. Cannon that I would like to share with you in case anyone else had the same question I did:

"By the Saints refusing to be led by the influences of Satan, and not yielding to his seductive temptations, he is virtually bound so far as they are concerned; and, when the head of the family can attain unto this power, and persuade his wife and family to do likewise, the power of Satan will be bound in that habitation, and the Millennium will have commenced in that household; and if all should take this course, man and the earth would soon be prepared for the coming of Jesus and the ushering in of the full Millennial glory, and the complete binding of Satan, of all of which glory they would already have a foretaste. (George Q. Cannon, 17 July 1864, Millennial Star, XXVI:514) 

May we all do our best to prepare for the Second Coming individually and in our homes.

Love,
The Tuckers

February 11 - February

Dear Family and Friends,

Mabuhay! (the miracle of technology is that you can google this and find out what it means 😀) The past few weeks we have been to Legazpi to train new assistants and we were blessed to have a son and a daughter (they came at the same time) come to visit us here in the Philippines. We were given permission to take a few days off to show them some of our favorite spots and to visit some new ones.

The region around Legazpi is known for their chili peppers. They are tiny but they really have a burn. We stopped at a restaurant that served Sili (chili) ice cream. As you can see by the first picture, there are different heat levels you can order. We had Level 1 but one of local people we were having lunch with had Level 2 - they don't even want the highest heat (Volcano). This ice cream is very interesting. It is cold and creamy when it touches the tongue but the burn starts in the back of the mouth. The burn doesn't go down the throat, it pretty much stays in the the same place unless you eat more than one scoop in one sitting, then the heat starts to spread. We had a tiny taste of the Level 3 and that one is really hot! The little things sticking up out of the ice cream in the picture are the chilis. Elder Tucker tasted those and found out they are really, really hot.

When Aubry and Rhet were here, we went out one evening for a "Firefly" tour. We rode a boat into the mangroves which grow on the edge of the land out into the water. We've seen fireflies on land before but part of this tour was seeing bioluminescent plankton in the water. At first it was like little fireflies in the water, little sparks of light in the wake of the boat. The guide that was with us gave us sticks that we put in the water. When we would dip or splash the water with our sticks, it looked like a lighted sparkler or a fairy wand of magic sparkles in the water. It was amazing to see all that light in the water - so beautiful! An added bonus was seeing all the stars in the sky while we were out in the dark. God has created so many beauties for us to enjoy - on land, in the sky and in the water - everywhere! I tried to take pictures but it was too dark for my camera so your imagination will have to do. I am including some pictures of some of the sights we saw with Aubry and Rhet so you can see how beautiful this country is.

As we've thought about Elder Holland's visit, we have realized that the broadcasts we had with him have been a highlight of our mission. These broadcasts are part of the reason we are here. We are doing our best to get people trained in every unit so that real-time broadcasts like we had with Elder Holland can be available to every member in the Philippines. There really isn't anything we can do about wifi dependability but to have trained people in place to set up and troubleshoot broadcasts such as these is what our work has been. The country-wide Stake Conference Elder Holland held and the Devotional for Married Couples were the responsibility of the Technology Specialists. They use Facebook Messenger to communicate with each other too. It was great to see their conversations when one had a problem and someone would answer to help them resolve the issues. We couldn't really read what was written because they sent messages in Tagolog but we could watch the action and see how they worked together to have successful broadcasts. Ours is a work that we don't often see the results but this time we did and it was satisfying to know that through technology, the good word of the gospel was reaching more and more members. Of course this wasn't all because of our efforts alone. It took many people doing their jobs to make the connections work. We were just happy to be part of the team.

As our time becomes shorter and we know our mission will soon come to an end, our tendency is to look back and determine what kind of a “wake” or ripple effect we’ve had. More than ever, we witness this is the gospel of Christ, His work rolls forward and our testimonies are stronger because of these past months. The prophet Nephi puts it this way, “and thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them...” 1 Ne 17:3 Our witness is this is true. We are doing all we can to work and make a difference and gradually ways open so we can accomplish the things which need to be done.

We love each of you and are grateful for your prayers of support. We can feel the difference your prayers make in our service. Thank you.

Love,
The Tuckers

January 15 - Happy New Year

Dear Family and Friends,

As the new year and a new schedule at church begins, I want to share a thought that our high councilman shared with us in Sacrament meeting. He was speaking about the new emphasis on home centered gospel learning. He compared the change to food. In the past, the teacher would cook and bring what she made to class to share with her class. Now, we all cook and bring what we had prepared to share with everyone. It becomes a banquet for all. It doesn't matter what exactly we cook or if it is the same as someone else's, it matters that we cook and come and share. If someone doesn't cook, there is a shortage in our feast so we all need to do our part. I really liked this analogy. It helps me understand more about the change. We look forward to what the changes in church meetings mean to us in our home.

I would like to pretend I sent this when I started to write 2 weeks ago but I didn't. We've been pretty busy. We've spent the past 2 weekends training new assistants and I have been training a new sister to help in the Dental Clinic. We just found out that we will be having a conference for our AATS. It will be great to have them all together for our meetings. We look forward to having the conference but there are a lot of details we need to get started working on.

This week has been a spiritual feast for us. Elder Holland came to the Philippines for the groundbreaking for the Urdaneta temple - that's on Wednesday the 16th. He came on Saturday and a country wide stake conference was held. We love how Elder Holland always speaks with such insight and power.

Elder Holland also spoke at the MTC in a devotional for all the missionaries. At that meeting, he came in early and said he would like to shake hands with all the missionaries but we were to act like the meeting had started,be reverent, no laughing and talking. All the young and senior missionaries got to shake his hand and greet him. When he was speaking, he told us that he had interviewed each one of us. He said the interview happened when we spoke to him and he looked into our eyes. His talk and counsel was so powerful. He has such a great sense of humor too.

Today was another spiritual feast as Elder Holland spoke at an Area Office employee devotional. The first part of his talk was expressing gratitude for the employees. He even shared with us, so far away from Salt Lake City, the new domain name the church will use to replace lds.org. The end of his talk was about our Savior. We are grateful we could attend these meetings, feel the Spirit and receive a witness that Elder Jeffery R. Holland is truly an apostle of the Lord. I felt a little of what the Nephites must have felt when the Savior came and taught them, I just wanted him to stay and teach us more.

Rather than end this letter with a written scripture, I want to share with you a truth that we heard Elder Holland say in more than one address. He said,"Obedience is the first law of everything." I can't write all he said about that but if we will ponder the creation, the atonement, temple covenants, sealing covenants, etc., we will know he is right.

Thank you for your caring and love.

Love,
The Tuckers


Each place we go the tricycles are a little different. This is a tricycle Palawan style

Everywhere we go, there is a basketball court and usually a group playing basketball. Not everyone has shoes but they don't care.

Elder Holland shaking hands with the MTC missionaries