August 24 - Trip North

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello!

We send you greetings from this beautiful island! This past week, we were able to meet with assistants and leaders in the north. We started out flying to Tuguegarao (too-gig-a-rouw). One of our meetings was for dinner. I had to take a couple of pictures of the menu to share with you. I've heard of fish lips but didn't think they were a real thing until now. The restaurant wasn't very fancy to look at so I didn't know what to expect. We ordered lemon chicken. When the waiter brought it, I was pleasantly surprise by the presentation and how delicious the food was. Our plate had two vegetable flowers on it but I didn't think to take a picture of both before one was eaten. :)

On Sunday we went to a District conference in Ballesteros on the very northern shore of the Philippines. The church yard has a wall around it and just beyond that wall is the beach but the beach isn't visible from the church. It was so nice to be in church with the local people. They were so excited to shake our hands. I know they came because of our missionary name tags and what they represent. We were actually in Luke Anderson's mission (a friend from our former ward). He is assigned to a different district so we didn't get to see him but we saw elders who knew him well. I had a few minutes to talk to the mission president's wife who also attended the conference. We told her we knew an Elder in her district. She said Elder Anderson works very hard and they know they can count on him to do whatever they ask. It's awesome to get good missionary reports.

We had a bit of an adventure getting home. There is only one flight a day into and out of Tuguegarao on Philippine Airlines. Our flight was cancelled because of weather. When Kent changed our ticket,the agent told him they couldn't guarantee a flight the next day because a typhoon was headed that way. Kent checked the weather and it was supposed to rain there all week. We had no idea how long it might be before we could get a flight out. One of the airport security men told us a driver could take 6 passengers in a van to Manila for $50 each. We took the offer and started out for Manila. It wasn't until we were well on our way that we started thinking about all the things that could happen but Kent and I both felt at peace about the choice so we tried to enjoy the ride. I thought when we decided to fly, we would miss seeing the country on the way. We did get to see the country after all. It was pretty and green with many little villages and winding mountain roads. We arrived home safely about 12 hours after we set off. We know we were blessed with peace and safety and an honest driver.

While on our travels there are times when we don't always feel safe but in my heart, I know we are always in God's care no matter where we are. Of course we must be wise in what we do and where we go but sometimes we find ourselves in situations we don't expect. It is during those times that one of my favorite scriptures gives me courage: "Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am they God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10.This scripture and the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" have given me courage during many stressful and uncertain times in my life. I cannot count how many times I have sung at least the first 3 and 7th verses. Each time I would read or sing these words, they would help me choose to trust in God and He has never let me down.

May we each be blessed with the courage to choose faith in God.

Love,
The Tuckers



Just a quick note from dad… the mentioned 12 hour van ride back to Manila was full of small tender mercies. Our driver was bent of getting to the front of every line of traffic we encountered and so was a little on the aggressive side. Well, in all honesty he was more like a lunatic. Passing lines of cars and truck on blind curves like we were the only vehicle on the road. Many times I found myself sending a heavenward request reminding Father that we were in some perilous conditions and needed his protection. We spoke with one other passenger about this one of our stops and he said he stopped watching… too frightened to watch. All in all we saw some wonderful areas and the scenery was spectacular…other than 6 souls pleading for safety all the while our driver pushed on with a determined zeal to be first.

We are loving the experiences, learning our duties and acting in accordance with what is needed. I taught in the Area Office Devotional this past week and it was recorded and broadcast to all the Philippine Employees. One in our group sent me a link to the talk just today and it was kind of fun watching myself do my thing.

All is well. I sure love my missionary companion. 😉

Diddy, Poppi, Padre, etc.

Dear Family,

Just a bit more....

We had an appointment on Saturday but the brother we were supposed to meet with sent us a text to let us know he was sick. So we ended up with an extra day. We had a local driver and asked him what we should see. He took us to a sanctuary (park) in Illagan. It was a beautiful place in the mountains. They had a cable car, zip line(a short one), obstacle course, pony rides, a small zoo, swimming pools, caves and a waterfall. We opted to see the caves and hike to the waterfall. It was a great place for families.

On our way to Cauyan from Tuguegarao we had a little extra time so our driver suggested we visit a cave nearby. To get to the cave, which was discovered by Theodore Roosevelt, we had to take a boat across a river. Our guide told us that the little village where we got on the boat was inhabited by native Philipino people. There is quite a contrast in the village. We saw a beautiful people - the man who took us across the river in the boat (picture) and the cute little girls who let us take their picture (it was ok with their mother for us to take their picture). There are several openings in the tops of the cave and a catholic church was located there.

The last picture is of the grand opening of the McDonald's fries and sundae stand outside our hotel. :) All they serve there is ice cream, fries and I think you can get a soda (there were floats on the menu).

We are so much grateful (that's a Philipino phrase we like) for each of you. We love that you take care of each other and us.

Love,

Mom and Dad
xxxo

Part of our menu

Our vegetable flower

A view of the beautiful countryside

August 16 - Mid-August

Hello!

We are on our way to visit a couple of our assistants so today's letter will be short.

I think I mentioned in an earlier letter that Kent and I have been called with another couple to serve as Pathways missionaries for the area office group. We have spent much of our time the past week or so preparing to start our group. We have needed to do some encouraging and explaining to help them understand the benefits of the program. There has been a great response from the group at Beehive clothing (They have a factory here where they make garments) group. They seem eager to take advantage of this opportunity to learn. Many at the area office already have degrees but part of the advantage of this program is to help them learn to communicate in English better. It seems if the people here know English pretty well, they can advance more quickly and even get better jobs. Our role will be to facilitate and support the members of the group. I'm sure we will learn more about what we need to do as we start our group. The deadline for application is August 22 so that is why we have been doing more encouraging as of late.

I love to share scriptures so I will close with one:

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 25:26

Love for and faith in our Savior is the answer to many of our challenges and will be so for our children as well. How grateful we are to know He lived and still lives to help us return to Father.

Have a great day,
The Tuckers

My picture this week is of a local that I saw on my walk outside one day. :)

August 9 - A Visit to Angeles

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello! I put the subject of this letter as 'A visit to Angeles" but just so you don't get it mixed up with Los Angeles, this one is pronounced ang hel ees.

Kent and I drove to Angeles one rainy day. We had a great meeting with an assistant and the FM group there. Driving back wasn't so bad until we got near Manila. We were on a highway, using Waze, and it took us off and on the highway trying to get around traffic. We were in neighborhoods and drove down streets too narrow for 2 cars to pass. It is impossible to describe the traffic but just imagine yourself in Mario Cart with the most possible number of players and they are shooting bombs, or whatever they shoot, at you. It was the most crazy so far but Kent did great. It took us almost 2 hours to go less than 10 miles. I guess the upside is that we got to see more of the neighborhoods in the city. :) Picture 4 is of the Angeles City sign and picture 5 is of the Angeles city streets.

On the amusing side - Each weekend for a month the mall around us has a theme. This month's theme is rainbows and unicorns (see picture 1). In the center of the mall, they have vendors selling many things related to rainbows and unicorns and they were playing a cake decorating video on the big screen (see picture 3) For instance they sell fancy cotton candy of multiple colors(see the girl in the foerground of the picture of the cake video), Krispy Kreme (yes, the Philippines has Krispy Kreme) has special doughnuts for the theme, someone selling unicorn headbands - you get the idea. On Saturday afternoon they have a show for children. The MC was dressed up in pink and a rainbow long tutu type skirt. Three girls also dressed up and videoke (see picture 2). They even had a volunteer get her hair colored rainbow colors. It was quite entertaining to see what they did but I don't think we'll go again next week.:)

As we work to get technology specialists throughout the Philippines, we find there really are few places with consistent internet connections. I've wondered about us getting the specialists in place before the internet is. I was reading in 1 Nephi 3 about Nephi's reaction when Lehi told him about going back to get the brass plates and a new meaning came into my heart. Nephi states, 

"for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

I feel if we do all we can to prepare, the internet will become available and the people will be ready for all the wonderful media and other things the church has to offer through the internet. What a blessing it can be for all to be gathered in through this technology no matter where we are on earth!

Have a good week.

Love,
The Tuckers

August 1

This week I was able to help in the dental clinic because one of the couples there had gone back to the U.S. for their son's wedding reception. I didn't write about that in my regular letter because their clinic is kept quiet. They are only allowed by the government to be at the MTC to work on missionaries. The government doesn't want them to take any work away from local dentists. Local dentists are another story for another day. I loved working with the new missionaries. I was able to log in each patient as they had a panoramic x-ray taken. Every missionary here gets a visual exam on their first day here and then during their first week they get a panoramic xray. It broke my heart to see the number of missionaries who are already missing teeth or already have partial dentures. The dentists do the very best they can for the time the missionaries are at the MTC. Many get fillings, some get wisdom pulled out, some even get root canals. What a blessing for so many of these elders and sister to have the dental clinic here and have 2 great dentists and an oral surgeon to help them.

We love you all.

Love,
Mom
XXXO


Hi all,

Suppose I should take a little time to keep in touch as well. I have been busy working on the creation of a memo that will go out to all stake and district presidents country wide under the signature of the Area Presidency that informs and instructs the leaders about the calling of Assistant Area Technology Specialist. Elder Haynie, the 1st counselor in the Area Presidency is whom we are under and it was his influence that drove this action. The memo is an introduction of mom and I and what we’ve been called to do. It is kind of frightening to think of all who be reading it and insuring that the information is understandable, concise, and accurate. Job done! The memo and accompanying information that I put a lot of effort into has been approved and will be going out today or tomorrow.

In connection with that memo I also created a Power Point presentation that Elder Haynie will use to train the Area Authority 70’s on the calling of the AATS’ and what their assignments are all about. It was a lot of thinking, creating, editing, etc but that too is complete, approved and will shortly be see by all the AA 70’s and priesthood leadership across the country. It’s nice to know that these are my creations but I am not credited for them. All accolades and such will go to the Area Presidency. Anyway, I’ve been real busy working on those two items and they’re done.

We’re still searching for a new place to live. Not a critical search but important. We like where we are but seek a few ‘upgrades’ if you will. 😊 We know that compared to the young missionaries around this area we live like royalty… but hey, we’re senior missionaries and can make some things nice.

We’re better health wise now. Mom was sick for a few days but she’s back to full strength and doing just fine.

A reminder that although our work has a technology focus its all about bringing souls to Christ. More than ever I know God is our Father and that His Son redeemed us all. I am comforted knowing that He hears our prayers, knows our concerns, and listens to our cries. This is a great work and mom and I are blessed to be serving.

We’re off on our first road trip alone in about thirty minutes so we’ll have stories to tell next time.

Love you all so much. Make daily scripture study a normal routine. It’s a great thing.

Dad

August 1 - July

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been a great week! We've learned a lot more in our training and have even done some training in the meetings we've attended. We are grateful for so many people who support us in our assignment and guide us in our work. Now that we are beginning to catch the vision of our assignment, we are discovering new ways to accomplish the work.

The MTC is across the road from our office and we were able to not only watch the missionaries arrive but this week we were also able to help with one area of their intake because one of the missionary couples who is usually there wasn't able to be there. It was so fun to see the excitement on the faces of the incoming elders and sisters. They were all radiant! Some of them seemed a bit nervous but most looked like they were thinking,"Bring it on!" We love the energy and enthusiasm the missionaries bring to any setting.

A few days ago as I was reading the scriptures and thinking about people we know and the challenges and trials they face, I read a scripture that I have memorized and read many times before. This time as I read it, I thought of those people and what an example they have been to me in living this scripture. I'm sure you know some of the same people we do, or know others, or right now may be you. As I read I was given a witness that this is the sure way:

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Helaman 5:12

In consideration of privacy and fear of missing someone, I won't list names. Thank you to all of you and others who have built their foundation on Christ. How you live your testimony, is a light and example to all.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support.

Love,
The Tuckers

It is rainy season here so I'm sending a picture of one of the storms bringing us rain taken from our apartment building.