Urdaneta Mission: December 2015

Friday, December 25, 2015

2015 Christmas Initiative: A Savior Is Born!

2015 Christmas Initiative: A Savior Is Born!

Last Thursday, as part of the 2015 Christmas Initiative: A Savior Is Born, the Urdaneta Zone held a mini-concert/exhibition at the Events Centre in CB Mall, Urdaneta. After weeks of planning, their hard work was put to the test. The Urdaneta Zone missionaries set up various booths for people to come and learn more about the unique message that we have as missionaries. People could also come to listen to the mini-concert featuring Elder Dromey and Elder Dahle. The event did not start off well with very little people attending. However, the zone members, joined with the Asingan 1 Elders, Elders Cox, Lomax, Johnson and Dalauta, continued to work hard under the hot sun outside the mall to invite people to come and see. In the end, the event was a success with many investigators leaving behind their contact details for the missionaries to visit them.

Mini Concert by Elder Dromey and Elder Dahle

"The Message of The Restoration" Booth.

"The Plan Of Salvation" Booth

"The Gospel of Jesus Christ" Booth

"Christmas Initiative/Referrals" Booth

Elder Johnson hard at work trying to invite others to come and see

Urdaneta Zone with members who came to show their support!

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Arrival of The Jensens!

Arrival of New Senior Couple: Elder and Sister Jensen!

This past week, The Jensens arrived! The Jensens are a new senior couple assigned in the Urdaneta Mission. Elder and Sister Jensen are from Mesquite, Nevada and are the proud parents of 8 children and 21 grandchildren. They are currently assigned in the Aguilar and Alaminos areas and we are happy for them and their desire to serve the Lord. The Urdaneta Mission welcomes them with open arms!

Elder and Sister Jensen

Orientation meeting for the Jensens by the Office Staff, together with President and Sister Deyro

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

New Trainers For December 2015 Arriving Batch!

New Trainers For December 2015 Arriving Batch!

This morning, the newly called trainers for the December 2015 arriving batch met at the Mission Home for a our Train The Trainers meeting. At this meeting, the trainers were instructed through various workshops by the Assistants and President and Sister Deyro. The call to be a trainer is a sacred one because of the responsibility he or she will have to train a brand new missionary in the mission field. We are happy and excited for the newly called trainers in their new callings next transfers!

Trainers doing their studies while waiting for the training to start.

Trainers engaged in a discussion during a workshop by Sister Deyro

President Deyro instructing the new trainers

The new trainers for the December 2015 Arriving Batch!

(Left to Right) Front Row: Pres. Deyro, Sis. Deyro
Standing: Elder Brown, Elder Capate, Elder Hillman, Elder Panzo, Elder Lumanog, Elder Sabiano(AP), Elder Quevedo, Elder Martindale, Elder Rivera, Elder Cochrane(AP), Sister Obtingga,
Sister Standage, Sister Juaniza, Sister Latorre, Sister Adalid
Standing on Sofa: Elder Tumanuvao, Elder Isuga, Elder Ah Hong, Elder Dahle,
Elder Shettell, Sister Montenegro, Sister Miller

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Adopt-A-Missionary Program

We express heartfelt gratitude to all those individuals who made personal sacrifices to make Christmas special to those missionaries who need it here in Urdaneta. The gifts they received from you were special and personal blessings to them and will be treasured throughout their missions and much after. Thank you Adopt-A-Missionary Program!

*If the video doesn't work, please write a comment so I can fix it

*UPDATE: An article about this project was written on http://www.ldsdaily.com/world/filipino-missionaries-receive-the-gift-of-christmas/ . Please Share!

Typhoon NONA Update:

Typhoon NONA Update:

The Typhoon has made landfall in Oriental Mindoro and we in Urdaneta are experiencing light rainfall. We have not been assigned a signal yet, meaning that the effects of the storm for us, will be no more than that of a normal low-pressure rain front. All missionaries in our mission are safe and accounted for, and all precautions possible are being taken to ensure their safety. All is well!

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Urdaneta Mission

We do His work in His way by His power

Message from the President

The Miracle of 12 Weeks

As soon as missionaries are in-field they start the First 12 Weeks training program. Their magnificently inspired trainers teach them about the rudiments of the work of the Lord, introduce the mission culture, and refine their teaching skills. The training in being exactly obedient goes on continuously until the end of the mission term. All of them would learn what Elder Sta Maria summarized:

“I observed as we continue trying to become exactly obedient, we felt that God is reaching out and helping us to find people to teach and our prayer was answered right away and especially this area became more fruitful than I ever expected. I felt like when we are doing our best everyday He also do his best to help us in doing His work. Now I realize the importance of being exactly obedient. It’s not just for safety nor restrictions but it’s also the way for God to bless us.”

Mission life is bumpy life. Many ups and downs. Many highs and lows. Jubilee (of baptisms) and misery (of being punted). This is exactly what missionary life ought to be – compressed life experiences in 24 months or 18 months. What is important is you did your best! Sister Piutau related this account:

“Although the sun burns, and we walk for miles, by the time the sun sets, there's nothing that satisfies me more than knowing that we've tried our 100% best.”

On their last 2 transfers, every elder and sister that I know who has set his/her mind to baptizing a family or one more before going home indeed baptized some more. How is it possible that on the last months of their mission they can do this? They intensely exercised their faith to find, faith to teach, and faith to baptize. They actually did what Helaman described,

“…wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”

The wonderful thing about it is that you don’t have to wait until your last 2 transfers to baptize. Imagine that every transfer cycle is your last. Every area is your last. And you will do your utmost best as if your time is running out. See the miracle unfold!

Weekly baptism is a reality! Those who have done this will testify of it. These are the joyful, joy-filled, joyous missionaries! Indeed, we retain the recent converts and nourish the less active members but our main purpose will always be to teach repentance and baptize converts.

I believe that when we work relentlessly every day as if it is our last transfer, we will find, teach, baptize and confirm those whom the Lord has prepared for us. Witness the miracle of the last 12 weeks every transfer cycle!