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.