Hello!
The past couple of months have been very busy. We have had big batches of missionaries arrive at the MTC which means we have been doing a lot of dental work. Even though I don't actually work on teeth, the front desk and scheduling keep me very busy. It's my job to keep the 3 dentist here scheduled with patients, keep records, order supplies, and other various duties. while I have been busy keeping up with the demands of the dental clinic, Elder Tucker has been busy with the technology assistants. More assistants have been called and there is paperwork and training to do with them. He creates power points to help them understand what they need to do and he keeps them up on the latest developments and changes. We keep in touch with them with a monthly newsletter too.
We had another miracle in the dental clinic a couple of weeks ago. A sweet sister missionary from Tonga arrived and had the usual dental screening. When the doctors looked at her x-ray, they saw a wisdom tooth in one of her sinuses. When they examined the area, they realized there was a hole in her sinus and she was having a lot of drainage out of that area. They suspected she had an infection. They took her to a doctor associated with the best hospital in the city and the missionary got a CT scan. The doctors found a tumor (not cancer as it turned out) that filled her sinus cavity on that side of her face. They operated and treated and the sister is fine now. She used to have really bad headaches and didn't know why. They are gone now as is the constant drainage from the hole that was in her sinuses. We were blessed to be a part of her healing. She is quick to tell anyone who asks about it that the Lord provided the way. Many Tongans have been called and have been awaiting their visas. She was the first sister in several months to get a visa and come to the Philippines as scheduled - she came ahead of many others who were waiting. We know she came in time to receive treatment and depart for her mission as scheduled - no delay. No question that this was a sweet and tender mercy for our loving Heavenly Father.
The Philippines have been blessed to have one of the church's giving machines. We love that all donations go to local needs. What a great gift that the church gives in covering all the administrative costs. It is fun to use the machine and choose our gifts - it's like a kid in a candy shop but feels so much better because others receive what we buy. I'm including a picture - if you zoom in, you can see some of the choices. It's amazing how much can be bought with so little money. The least expensive is 30 pesos (60 cents) for a notebook and pencil. Everything in the machine is much needed and greatly appreciated.
The second picture is one we snapped while driving in Manila. These painters are painting in their bare feet and are able to use their scaffolding like real acrobats. We are always amazed by the resourcefulness of these great people and they do it all with a smile.
We love the Book of Mormon! Scattered throughout its pages are so many teachings and truths about our Savior. Not all tidings of great joy are found in accounts of His birth. In Alma 39:15 it says "An now my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people." We have so many sweet reminders of our Savior's love and life on the earth. His life was all about doing His Father's will. How grateful we are that He was born and fulfilled His mission here. This is a great time of year to reflect on how we can become more like Him.
