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

September 24 - Miracles

Dear Family and Friends,

Hope you are having a fabulous Fall. It's so fun to see the Fall colors, feel the crispness of the air, and enjoy the smells of Fall.

We had a miracle in the Dental Clinic last week that reminds us all of who is in charge and who we serve. We had a large batch of new missionaries come into the MTC last Friday. As we were getting them each through a quick exam and a panoramic x-ray, we started to smell something burning. I thought maybe one of the dentists was doing something with one of his tools but didn't check on it because I was busy with the new missionaries in the front of the clinic. One of the dentist's wives (they are called as their husband's assistants) noticed that the smell was getting stronger so she decided to investigate. She checked all the dentists rooms and didn't find anything so she decided to go to the mechanical room and check. There she found the compressor smoking. She went to get her husband and before he got there to unplug the compressor, a fire had started. They were able to get one of our fire extinguishers and put the fire out quickly. It has to be a miracle that the fire was discovered and put out before it caused any damage to the building. Everything came together so perfectly that we know we and the MTC were being watched over and protected. The fire could have started when no one was around or could have been discovered after much damage. There are so many "what if" questions that could be asked but the miracle was that nothing worse happened. The Dental Clinic is located on the basement floor of the MTC and we can only imagine what might have happened if a fire had caught onto the structure.

We, along with most of the Senior missionary couples, attend the only English speaking ward in the Philippines on Sundays. The ward is comprised of American families who are there for the Dad's work, some Filipino families, a few famous people in the Philippines who can't go to the regular wards because they have too many fans (as Senior missionaries we have no idea who is famous here), and those of a few other nationalities who know English better than Tagalog. Today in Sacrament meeting, a sister from Cambodia spoke. She said as she prayed about what to say, she felt impressed to share her father's conversion story. We want to share it with you. Her father was part of a family with 12 children. The family was happy and doing well until the day in 1975 when Civil War broke out. The Communist party of Kampuchea fought to take over Cambodia. Her father's family was taken captive and sent to different camps. He was 9 at the time and didn't know what happened to his family. For 2 years he and the other children in the camp had to work from 4 am until noon when they were given some rice with a few vegetables in it then they were sent back to work from 1 pm until 6 pm. When he was 11, he heard that his parents were in a nearby camp. Somehow he got out of the camp he was in and walked alone through the deep jungle to the camp where his parents were. He was able to find his parents and was so happy to see them. A crowd had gathered and then they heard that the soldiers were coming so her father hid. From his hiding place he watched the soldiers question his parents and then shoot them. He was devastated to know he had caused their death. He continued walking through the jungle not knowing what to do. He feel to his knees and asked whatever Deity there might be to help him. He kept going and came to an old man who took him in, cared for him and sent him to school when the war was over. He married and moved to the city. There were many Christian churches who wanted them to join their churches but he would join none of them because he knew they were not right. When he met the missionaries and they taught her parents, her father knew that this was the right church and their family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It wasn't until after he found the truth that the pain and anguish he felt about his parents' deaths began to heal and he began to feel at peace.

I don't have any pictures to go with my letter today so I'll just add some from our travels of the past. The first is a picture of 2 girls walking home from school and a tricycle. I love that they wear uniforms here. The second picture is a view of the sea. The third picture is of banca boats. They are the boats on the right, a Filipino outrigger boat (not the little boat on the left).

Our scriptural thought for you to consider is this: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. There is peace that can only be found by conforming to and keeping the commandments of God. The Savior is the Prince of Peace and we hope that all our loved ones, family and friends, are living the peaceable life available by loving God and keeping His commandments.

Thank you for your love, your support, your prayers. They all sustain us and we thank you for them.

Elder and Sister Tucker

September 15 - Ta'al and Margkhut

Dear Friends and Family,

Hello!

We have been spending most of our time working in the office the past couple of weeks so there really aren't any adventures to share with our service. There are always tender mercies that let us know who is in charge of all the work that we do. Pathway Connect starts next week and we are looking forward to watching the students learn and grow and become friends.

Two Saturdays ago we went with the Senior missionaries on an outing to Ta'al. Ta'all is a volcano. There is a lake inside one volcano and another volcano inside the lake. The inside volcano also is filled with water so there is another lake. The water in the smaller volcano is too hot to swim in so there must be some kind of activity below the surface. The lake in the big volcano is 2000 feet deep at its deepest point. There is an amazing view from the top! (Pictures)

Typhoon Margkhut come through the Philippines in the early morning hours on Saturday. The worst of the storm was predicted to go through the center of Luzon but veered north so just caught the northern end of the island. Manila was on the outer edge of the storm. Even though we weren't in the center, the rain poured and the wind blew so hard that it woke us up. I am glad we live in a big apartment building. I couldn't help thinking about and praying for the people who live in makeshift homes - the rain and the wind had to wreck havoc with them.

A few days before the storm was supposed to hit, the big signs on the billboards were rolled up and secured in the middle of the billboard structures. It seemed a little eerie to see none of the usual huge signs along the roads and so few cars. (pictures)

Elder Tucker and I were supposed to fly to Butuan, a city on the island of Mindinao, to do some training on Friday. Because of the storm warning, our department manager advised us not to go so we postponed the training and will go in November instead. We are grateful that our manager,Venna, watches out for us. We are so unfamiliar with the weather here and how it affects the country. The storm wasn't going to effect Butuan but flying in and out of Manila was going to be a problem. Flying in a storm is not on any of my lists of things I want to do.

We have loved reading and listening to the "Saints The Standard of Truth" book that the church has given to all of us. Having it on the Gospel Library App has allowed all of us to read it as soon as it was released. From Salt Lake City to Manila and beyond we all have access to this new treasure. Writing and research in this book is excellent. The church truly has provided us all with a book as described in D&C 88:118;"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek leaning even by study and also by faith."

Enjoy the lovely fall weather!

Love,
The Tuckers

August 28 - Tuguegrao and Pathway

Dear Friends and Family,

This past week we were in Tuguegarao to do some training. We stayed for church on Sunday and attended a ward that met in a rented house. It was a wonderful experience. So exciting that the Spirit attends every meeting no matter where the meeting is held. In wards we attend other than our own, the people sing the hymns, read the scriptures and say the Sacrament prayers in English. Other than those things, most speak in their local language or dialect. We can usually follow along with the main ideas of the talks or lessons but not the details. One brother who spoke in Sacrament meeting read something in Illicano or Tagalog but then when he started to speak, it almost sounded like he was singing or chanting a beautiful song. Afterward, the friend we attended with said he spoke a dialect that they nicknamed the "language of the birds". It was delightful to hear him speak and feel the Spirit even though we didn't understand a word. In Relief Society, the teacher asked me a question. I was able to answer the question before anyone else so it wasn't too intimidating. We usually don't make comments in classes because we don't know what has been said and don't know if what we say will go along with what they are talking about or not.

Another great thing that happened this past week was Pathway graduation. It was the first graduating class from the Area Office site. We have come to love each of the students and will miss our weekly gathering with them. Because most of the students work at the Area Office, they have advanced education degrees but they took the class to learn and improve their English skills which in turn will improve their opportunities for promotions. We have been happy to see not only their English improve but also their confidence in speaking English and standing in front of a group. They gained so much more from the class than English. Two students cut up their credit cards during the first semester as they learned about life skills and personal finance. I didn't realize how much I had grown to love and would miss these students until they were lining up in the hallway getting ready to march into graduation. It was then that I realized that our gatherings really were done. Elder Tucker and I, another missionary couple, the the wonderful wife of the DTA (Director of Temporal Affairs in the Philippines), will be able to continue to facilitate the next group that starts in September. Last year we didn't have a clue about what we were doing or what to expect when we started with the first group. Now that we've done it for a year, we are excited to start again and look forward to the growth that we will see in the group as well as in ourselves . This has been an awesome experience!

While doing some reading in the June Ensign this week, I found a scripture that I hadn't really noticed before in an article by Elder Gary B. Sabin titled, "Place Your Trust in Him". This verse is in Nahum 1:7 " The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him". It is such a sweet reminder that the Lord knows us, is aware of us, and will help us - each and every one of us! I don't know how it is done but I do know that it is true. He knows each of us and our circumstances. He loves us and watches over us. We are never alone.

We love you all - 

Love,
The Tuckers

Picture 1 - Elder Tucker and our friend in front of their church after the meetings

Picture 2 - Our Pathway graduates lined up ready to go in

Picture 3 - The Pathway graduating class. Pres. Wakolo (2nd counselor in the Area Presidency) is in the center front with Bro. Almeida (the DTA), Elder Tucker and Elder Kaneen (the two on the front left)

Picture 4 - Just a snapshot of life -Mothers walking with their little ones to school.

August 13 - Rainy Season

Dear Family and Friends,

It seems like a bit of a cliche to start this week's letter with news about the weather. Last year when we arrived in the Philippines, we were told it was the rainy season. It rained some everyday but not a lot. We thought the rainy season was like living in Florida in the summer when the storms came in, it rained and then cleared up and was sunny again. We learned this year that last year was a very mild rainy season. This year is more normal. It has been cloudy and rainy for the past several weeks but the last five days have been crazy. We will have howling winds and a driving downpour for 30 to 60 minutes then it will be calm and the streets and sidewalks will begin to dry. Before we know it, the wind and rain begin again. There have been landslides and a lot of flooding. The first picture is of the only way out of the neighborhood where our department manager lives. Her home and family were fine but they were stuck at home for a while.

I learned a fun fact last week. I brought a "bucket"of crackers (see picture) and brought them to the office. When our co-worker saw them, he said that there are bigger containers of these crackers that people buy and bring to funerals here. We have funeral potatoes and they have funeral crackers. :) Actually they have a week long wake where people come to the home of the family who has had someone pass away. There they talk and eat. It is sometimes very expensive for the bereaved family. Often those who visit will bring food with them or donate money to the family that is used for all the food they serve.

My picture of the crackers also includes the most used hand sanitizer here - plain Isopropyl alcohol. They keep several bottles around the office.

Every Tuesday morning the Area Office has an employee devotional at 9 am. Today the subject was about Pathway Connect. The employees are encouraged to take this course to help them advance in their jobs. Kent gave a great talk encouraging the employees to enroll. I think most left the meeting ready to do it. I'll share more about Pathway Connect in my next letter.

Elder Stevenson and his wife were here this past week for the Face to Face that was broadcast from the MTC Activity Center. Following the broadcast, they both spoke to the missionaries who are currently at the MTC . We were blessed to be invited to that meeting (we were not invited to the Face to Face because that is an event just for the youth). Elder Stevenson is amazing! He knows the whole "Preach My Gospel" manual forwards and backwards! He taught so powerfully from that book. (3rd Picture)

We close with a scripture he shared and told the missionaries to remember by memorizing 2-2-2 -
2 Nephi 2:2 "Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." The word consecrate adds so much power to this statement. Knowing that God will "make sacred" our afflictions and that they will make us more than we would have been without them brings us all hope that those afflictions are creating something beautiful and powerful within us, that no trial is wasted.

It is an honor to be serving and having the learning opportunities we experience. The gospel of Jesus Christ heals the wounded heart, lifts up the down trodden, and blesses everyone in individual ways as needed. We witness the work of God moves forward and his kingdom is rolling forth to fill the earth. We love the work…

Love,
The Tuckers

August 2 - Train, Teach, Travel

Dear Family and Friends,

Greetings!

This month has been especially busy with training. Which means we've been away from Manila a lot. More AATS (Assistant Area Technology Specialists) are being called and we need to train them in their responsibilities. We were in Tacloban last weekend and were able to train 2 new AATS and had a group training with technology specialists serving on the islands of Samar and Leyte. The week before, we were in Cagayan De Oro training new AATS there. The AATS are key to technology success in every area of the Philippines. Two of the biggest differences between us teaching and the local AATS teaching is they know the language and circumstances of the people in each of the stakes and districts in their areas. Some of the areas speak more than one language. Most of the Filipinos we've met speak at least 3 languages or more. Our main goal is really to get the Filipinos self-reliant with their technology needs and this seems to be the best plan to address their needs. So we travel.

Most of the airports we visit are small. I thought in this email, I would share through pictures a little about the places we spend a lot of our time on weekends.You'll recognize the airport pictures for what they are. It's pretty easy to spot Elder Tucker at the baggage claim area. I had walked away and when I turned around and saw him, he seemed to glow - white shirt, grey hair, tall, good looking.

While we were waiting in Tacloban, Elder T picked up a newspaper to read. I peeked over his shoulder and happened to see this full page notice. I was impressed with the stand of the local churches. It has words like "mass" and "holy communion" in the text so we know it isn't a notice from our church - but if a few words were changed, it could be. Take a few minutes to read it, even if you have to enlarge it. It's worth the effort.

We are so grateful for all of our blessings. 2 Nephi 22 seems to put into words the feelings of our hearts.

"And in that day though shalt say: O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid, for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.
Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation
And in that day shall ye say: Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted
Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

Love,
The Tuckers