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.
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
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