October 18 - October

Dear Family and Friends,

Wasn't General Conference great? This was my favorite conference ever - but I think it is true every conference. The talks were all just what I needed to hear - we hope you fell the same. Now to go to work and make what we heard a part of our lives.

We had a wonderful group of new missionaries come to the MTC last Friday. 5 Sisters and 1 Elder from Thailand; 3 Sisters and 1 Elder from Mongolia; and 2 Sisters and 1 Elder from Mainland China who will all be learning English and will be going to different missions in Australia. It is such a delight to see the glow on the missionaries faces on the day they arrive. I am sending a picture of the 2 sisters from China (the 2 on the right) with one sister from the Philippines - aren't they beautiful?! When the missionaries come to get work done, the dentists (senior missionaries) often ask them to tell about their background in the church. Some are so proud to say that they were born in the covenant. Others will tell stories of being kicked out of their homes because they joined the church and when they wanted to serve a mission. For some, when they serve a mission, it is the first time they have had 3 meals every day. Every once in a while, the sister missionary companionships like to dress alike. I'm including a picture of a threesome that came into the clinic today. They are so cute. A couple of times a sister (usually from an island) will come and bring matching skirts for her companions - so sweet!

On Saturday a couple of weeks ago, a few senior missionary couples got together and went on a hike through Masungi Georeserve - a conservation area about an hour away from us in the rain forests of Rizal. It was an amazing experience to hike through this area. We hiked on stone lined paths through the forest, up rock outcroppings, through a cave, to high peaks, over a hanging bridge and there was even a ropes course. We've never seen anything like it and it was a fantastic experience.

Our scriptural thought this week is this: “…How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him…” 1 Kings 18:21. Elder Maxwell quoting Brigham Young said this about that particular verse: “Trials, why bless your hearts, the man or woman who enjoys the spirit of our religion has no trials; but the man or woman who tries to live according to the Gospel of the Son of God, and at the same time clings to the spirit of the world, has trials and sorrows acute and keen.” Elder Maxwell then concluded “WE MUST CHOOSE AND NOT TO CHOOSE IS A DECISION!”

We witness this is the gospel of the Jesus Christ and our testimonies have been strengthened by our commitment to serve. We have faith the same is true for all our friends and family.

Love you all,
Elder and Sister Tucker

October 8 - Mindoro

Dear Family and Friends,
Hello!

This past weekend we traveled to San Jose Mindoro to do some training. The man who has been called to be the technology specialist hasn't had very much experience with computers. Our training was more about teaching him about the computer than the usual teaching about the calling. When we finished our session on Saturday, he told us that he felt because he had been called, the Lord would help him learn what he has to do. This brother is about 70 years old and we were touched by his great faith. Fortunately he has 2 out of his 12 children still at home so they will be able to help him.

While we were in San Jose, we were able to watch a group of people do their morning fishing. It was so interesting to watch. There was a long line of people bringing a big long net. A man was in a boat neatly but quickly stacking the net. After the net was on the boat, the boat went down the shore a ways. The people all walked along the beach to a certain spot. There they lined up and held one side of the net. The net had been unrolled and the other side was with the boat. Unfortunately it started to rain very hard and we couldn't watch them bring in net. It was amazing to watch them all work together as one. Everyone knew their job and did it. I imagined they all worked together for the success of the catch and shared it when they brought it in. They all needed each other.

The pictures are of the fishing party. The back boat is being towed to the fishing spot. The net is the white pile on the back of the boat being towed to the fishing spot.

Last Sunday in Sacrament meeting, the speaker was talking about communicating with others. He said something that I've been thinking about all week. He said that usually when people need to talk, they want empathy. I think what he said makes a lot of sense. Often the world tells us to just listen but I think if we just listen, it doesn't demonstrate caring but if we listen and express empathy, we have really made a connection. Most people will come up with their own answers, unless they specifically ask, empathy is what they need most. It's just something to think about....

We haven't been able to hear all of conference yet but family and friends have shared highlights with us. General Conference happens in the night here so they schedule the week after conference to broadcast it in the chapels. we are excited about the challenges issued and the changes made. The scripture that comes to mind is in D&C 1:38,"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, ...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same". We are grateful for prophets on the earth today. Pres. Nelson has taught us how to get our own revelation so we can get confirmation that what transpired this past conference is His will. It seems the bar has been raised for parents but with that also comes many promised blessings.

Much Love,
The Tuckers