Thanksgiving and more!

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To avoid any confusion- the following was written by my mom yesterday! She says...
"Some have been asking what we do all day.  Honestly, we have not had two days that have been identical...  We plan, but always execute flexibly. Our 151 missionaries are our first priority and being available for them means adjusting to their needs; spiritually, physically, mentally, and temporally. However, other responsibilities call for our attention and time - here are just the basics of what we do;  
Every six weeks we prepare for and execute Zone Conferences for our three different zones.  These are all day meetings for our missionaries that include training, activities, business items and lunch.  One is held nearby, one is held 2 hours away and one we drive 6 hours away to. We also interview each missionary every six weeks.  We have 151 missionaries right now (soon to be 160) and we travel to them so that they can keep working. Each interview is approximately 15 minutes long - so you can do the math - that is just under 38 hours of interviews each six weeks - not including travel time.  We hold our Missionary Leadership Council every month. This is another full day of training.
We also obtain and inspect housing for all our missionaries which gives us a challenge here in the Philippines.  
We have 2 Stakes and 5 districts in our mission.  Districts are Stakes in the making and Mark acts as a Stake President to each one.  Each District has 3- 4,000 members, so again, if we do the math, that is 20,000 members that he is responsible for.  We train leaders, do Conferences, and speak throughout the week and on Sundays, etc. One of our goals is to turn some of these Districts into Stakes because Stakes mean Temples.  We love visiting the 5 or 6 branches in each district - the farthest branch is 8 hours away from the Mission home.
To facilitate everything we run the mission office which includes travel, finances, mail, missionary supplies...
One thing we don’t do is yard work haha!  We have a beautiful yard and are grateful for a full time grounds keeper.  Also, we don’t do laundry thanks to a wonderful sister who does a fabulous job!
Every day we feel the Lord’s help.  The responsibility weighs heavy at times, but WE LOVE THIS WORK!  We love our missionaries and they are always foremost in our thoughts!  We are grateful for the support and prayers of all of you!"

Lacey again! I can fully attest to my parents being busy! But in the best way possible. There is no where we would rather have them be right now and are witnessing great miracles in our own lives because of their service. Thank you all in behalf of my brothers, sister and I (and our families) for supporting them!
Enjoy the following pictures and captions by my mom :)


Leaving missionaries. It is a marvelous thing that Heavenly Father lets us know these incredible people and have the privilege of hearing their final testimonies on the mission. It is getting harder and harder to let them go. 

A fresh new batch of missionaries! Yay!!
I came into our meeting and there was Elder Peck wearing my pink slippers! He cracks me up!! 
For FHE, we invited the families of our three FM brothers. The two on the ends and the one in the middle. They are so good to us and are always available! They take care of the mission home and mission office as well as all the chapels on the llocos side of our mission. This allows us to focus on our missionaries and members and we are so grateful! We had dinner, played a fun game and enjoyed them so much!
On Sunday we visited the Pagudpud branch, They have quickly outgrown their small rented church building and many members sit outside during sacrament meeting, We felt such strength and love there are hopeful that they will get a larger building soon. 
Dad with the mayor of Burgos. He is pointing to a picture of him and President Marcos. We met with him to talk about opening that area to our missionaries. 

Before the thanksgiving feast begins the Elders are eyeing some of the goods
Dad getting some laughs 
Thanksgiving guests 

Dad getting a little football action in. Not exactly a "turkey bowl", but still fun. 

Huddle

Elder Villanueva was the visitor for the Vigan District Conference. Dad and I both spoke in the adult session and main session and then at the last minute they asked Dad to speak in the leadership session. No problem...

With Stake Presidnet Gillapia and his family


Dad speaks at the Batac Stake Discovery Day
Lots of traditional Philippine dances were performed.
On our way to the mission Presidents seminar in Cebu, our first leg stopped in Manila and this train is in the Marriott hotel where we stayed. It is made of real Gingerbread!