December 6, 2014 - Saturday

By now most of our friends following Elder and Sister Lasher know about the typhoon about to hit the Philippine Islands.  As this typhoon crossed the Pacific Ocean it was called Typhoon Hagupit and now that it is hitting the Philippines it is called Typhoon Ruby.  It has the potential for tremendous damage to the Cebu, Tacloban, and Manila areas of the islands.  Mom and I are in the northern part of the islands on the Island of Luzon.  The storm so far has produced cooler temperatures, (of which we are grateful), and some stronger winds. We had our District Meetings on Thursday and all missionaries in the Laoag Mission were counseled to have their 72 hour kits filled, (extra batteries, candles, food and water), and we were informed that all the missionaries serving in the Philippines are in safe and secured areas, and especially where the threat of the damage is the greatest.  The missionary department watches over this work almost as closely as does Heavenly Father.  There is great comfort in knowing that those efforts are being made.

We are very grateful for the extra precautions and the extra prayers that are offered for the missionaries.  Mom and I have felt those prayers on a few very challenging days this past few weeks.  I know that the prayers of our families and friends have kept us focused and encouraged.  I have had the privilege of working with dozens of young Elders and Sisters preparing to serve full time missions and I have tried to keep letters and notes of encouragement going to them and they have always been in our family prayers.  But now I have a much deeper appreciation for those notes of encouragement and those heartfelt family and friends prayers. 

This is the Lord's work and we have come to realize that this is His errand we are on.    As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we know the commandment to go out and teach and invite all of His Children to come to Jesus Christ and be perfected in Him.  This is our errand as full time missionaries and boy does the Adversary know that!  We know discouragement and we know the whisperings of going home to family and friends.  Satan will do whatever he can to stifle this work and he never sleeps.

I read an interesting Scripture in Romans 6:16, many of you already know this: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or by obedience unto righteousness".

And in Romans Chapter 8;35-39

35 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 36 - As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

 37 - Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

 38 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

 39 - Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thank you all who take the time to read this blog and to make comments.  We are so encouraged by this support! Saloma Pu!

Here are some Christmas Pictures in and around the city of Laoag!

Approaching the City of Laoag

In front of the Capital Building in Laoag

The Hospital in Laoag

Decorations at the Robinson Mall in Laoag

Even the small homesteads are decorated

We attended our first Christmas Party this afternoon at the Institute of Religion in Laoag.  The people were so kind and so welcoming to these two senior missionaries!  Everyone wanted to shake our hands and tell us "Hello".  The institute covers 4 other cites outside of the Laoag area and some traveled up to 2 hours to be there.  We found out that others were not able to make it due to the weather and travel.

The Institute Building Laoag, Philippines

Mom and I work out Monday through Saturday at the stadium called Marcos Stadium about 1/4 mile from our apartment.  We usually walk 6 times around the track and then head home.  We usually leave our apartment a few minutes before 6am.  This is where we met Jimmie! 

Elder Lasher at Marcos Stadium - Laoag, Philippines 6:15am

We have had a most interesting time getting around the city of Laoag.  Each city in the Philippines is organized by "Barangays" both urban and rural and they are governed by a Barangay governor.  Usually they take great pride in their areas and we see people early in the morning sweeping sidewalks and streets all by hand.  In Laoag their are about 30 Urban Barangays and 50 Rural Barangays.  The city is built around each Barangay and most streets do not have street signs.  We use this NFA sign to get to our apartment.  Part of the learning curve getting around the city!  I hope they keep that sign up for 2 more years!

There is the "NFA" sign we look for to find our apartment in Barangay 4 - Turn Right!