April 28 - Fini

Dear Family and Friends,

This will be our final mission letter. We thank all of your for your prayers, love and support over the past 2 years. It is with mixed feelings that we prepare to say good-bye to the Philippines. This has been a chapter in our lives that we will never forget. The people we have met, the friends we've made, the places we've been, the beauty we've seen, and the service we've been able to be part of. There is no way to put into words all that is in our hearts right now. There are wonderful things behind us and wonderful things ahead.

As we prepare to depart, I want to share with you some of our lasts. Each one has been so much a part of our lives for the past 23 months.

The morning of the last MTC intake for me at the dental clinic. Every three weeks a new group of missionaries enters the MTC One part of their intake procedures is getting an exam and panoramic x-ray at the Dental Clinic. The first picture is of the families and missionaries lined up ready for the MTC to open and let the missionaries in. The last picture is of a few Elders waiting their turn to see the dentist.

The last Pathway gathering. We were able to be there for the last class of the second semester so we saw them finish their math class. The Pathway class members become like family to us. Our group is the second picture.

The last ATS Conference. These are the wonderful people we've visited and trained throughout this country. Most of them are called as couples to serve Church Service Missions. They came from all over the Philippines and range in age from 77 to 23. It was a miracle and blessing to be able to bring them together. They became fast friends with each other. It's good to know they will support each other and help each other. We are hopeful a new couple will be called soon to replace us and be the ATS here in the Philippines. They are capable on their own but I think every group needs a shepherd. We have been blessed beyond anything we could imagine to be able to serve with these good and faithful people in this blessed land.

The third and forth pictures are of our AATS Conference.

Our mission hasn't all been easy and fun but it seems that in life, we pretty much find what we are looking for and we are looking for the good in our lives while we have served here in the Philippines. It's nice that the good is easy to find.

We close with the scripture we chose that would give us direction before we left for our mission. Proverbs 3:5,6:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." We love our Savior. The gospel is true is is truly going to every isle of the sea. We know that Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet on the earth today. We know the Book of Mormon is true. We know that Joseph Smith restored the true church of Jesus Christ in these latter days.

Love,
Elder and Sister Tucker

April 6 - One Month

Dear Family and Friends,

Writing a letter now is difficult. It's hard to believe we only have one month left on our mission. We are trying not to focus on time but we have things we need to do before we leave - like giving away things we don't need to bring home. We've already been part of farewell parties - which makes it hard because we aren't leaving just yet. Two of the employees we work with are leaving the department. One is going to Australia for more schooling and the other is moving into an executive position so they had one big party for all of us.

We are excited for the AATS conference we are hosting in just 3 weeks. It's fun yet challenging at times to plan their travel, housing, the agenda, and food for 40 people. The best part will be seeing the dear friends we've made in this service and making sure all is in order with them before we leave.

As General Conference begins, I want to share a scripture that has been on my mind the past few days. 1 Nephi 16:28-29. In verse 28 Nephi explains how the Liahona works. He says that "the pointers work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them." Verse 29 says,"And there was also written upon them a new writing, which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave it. And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things" . Reading these verses made me think of General Conference. Through the words of our prophet and the apostles, we each have our own Liahona today. If we listen with faith and heed their words with diligence, we will receive understanding concerning the ways of the Lord and the Lord can bring about great things in our lives and in the church. We look forward to receiving direction for the paths of our lives from our leaders this weekend.

Love,
The Tuckers


Our first picture is dark because the man is in the shade and I couldn't get any closer. He is actually sleeping on his motorcycle!

Grocery shopping here is a bit different- squid in natural ink with chili or Spanish style bangus chunks anyone?

The changing of the guards in our apartment building. These guards are really our friends. They are helpful and friendly. I asked one if he ever had to use his handcuffs and he said he did. I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear the details....

Our sunset view from our apartment - some days they are spectacular

Our ICS team on farewell day.