September 12th - 19th

 Binghams in the Philippines

It was so much fun to meet Jodi & Jim Nichols as they picked up our missionary - Elder Nichols from his mission last week.  (Jodi & I are like 3rd cousins on the Keetch line!)  We enjoyed dinner with them at the Rustic Restaurant sharing Filipino food including my favorite green mango shakes with them.  What sweet joy to witness the reuniting of missionary and parents! Especially when it is a really super missionary that has loved his mission.

Elder Labasa's parents, brother & cousins came to pick him up at the mission home as he completed his mission.  How sweet it was to get to know them a little bit.  Every Filipino has beautiful stories of conversion and love for the gospel.  The entire mission is going to miss Elder Labasa and he is a wiz at anything technical!

The Hazeldines (mom, dad & 3 sisters) came from Australia to pick up Sister Hazeldine from her mission.  We really enjoyed getting to know them a bit as we visited with them over lunch.  Oh that Australian accent is such a fun one.  

We are so blessed with such diversity.  There are faithful saints, members and missionaries all over this big beautiful world.

And YES - it is Christmas in the Philippines.  It started September 1 - with September being a "ber" month.

We welcomed 17 arriving missionaries on Thursday October 9.  What an incredible group.  We are so grateful for each of them - their willingness to sacrifice and their willingness to serve.  Welcome to the mission field!

Meet Sister Borromeo.  Her mother served a mission in the Philippines.  She was baptized at age 8.  The exciting news for her is that her father was baptized June 21, 2025 - right before she entered the MTC.  She loved the MTC as her testimony grew bigger!

Meet Sister Cabriga.  She is 25 & is serving a mission because she wants to share the gospel and the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ with others.

Sister Kabiriera from Kiribati (pronounced Kirabas).  She had cataract surgery while she was in the MTC.  What a beautiful miracle for her to now be able to see clearly.  Her grandparents joined the church years ago as did her mother.  Her father was also baptized right before Sister Kabiriera entered the MTC.

Sister Lucero was recently living with friends to prepare for her mission.  Her family are all members and have been sealed in the Cebu Temple.  (we take it for granted, but not many of our missionaries come from families that are sealed in the temple)  She shared a beautiful testimony with a bit of emotion of her gratitude for her membership in the church and how excited she is to share the message of the gospel with others.  Her parents advice, "Do you best."

Elder Dimaya from Salem OR.  Both of his parents are Filipino.  He is excited to serve here, where his family is from.  He has witnessed miracles from small things.

Elder Garvin from Chubbuck Idaho.

Elder Goodson from California.  His grandpa, Roy Goodson was one of the first missionaries to serve here in the Philippines.  Roy was also the first mission president here as well.  Elder Goodson's father was born in Quezon City as his grandparents were serving here.  He is thrilled to serve in the Philippines. 

We actually met Roy Goodson in the first couple months that we got here.  He is an 88 year old go getter!  He was instrumental in establishing the Rise & Rebuild farm and program.

Meet Elder Lazanas.  Both of his parents served missions in the Philippines. His family was broken for 10 years - but a few years ago, in 2019, his father experienced a turning point.  Elder Lazanas was baptized when he was 12 years old, in 2019.  His family was sealed in 2023.  He is a kind, sweet missionary.  He shared a beautiful story of his love of the Savior.

Meet Elder Litchfield from SLC Utah.  He is a 4th generation graduate from West HS in SLC.

Meet Elder Merrill from Kaysville UT.  He comes from a golfing family. (too bad we aren't golfers since we live on a beautiful golf course).  Since the MTC he has been striving to learn one new thing every day about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I thought that would be an awesome thing to do as well.  You could do that and never run out because of the infinite power of the Savior's Atonement.

Elder Mesina from United Arab Emirates.  Although his family is originally from the Philippines, his entire immediate family all lives in UAE. We hear of "overseas workers" all of the time, but rarely does the entire family go - that was impressive.

Elder Mitchell from Fillmore UT.

Elder Naungayan from Cavite area.  He experienced a great conversion while in the MTC.

Elder Morley from Bountiful UT.  (his bishop's wife is John's cousin). He loves to fish and is now a fisher of men.  He loved being in the MTC and what he came to know - the things his parents have taught him are true on a deep level.

Elder Reeves from Grace ID (Thatcher, actually). He was a shotputter in HS) Even though he is the youngest in his family is the first missionary to serve.  He loved being in the MTC and learning about the WHY of the gospel.

Elder Tolley from Orem, UT.

Elder Wilde from Gilbert AZ.  He is the oldest in his family and the first to serve setting a great example for his 4 younger siblings.

Dinner with President Costales and his wife.  He is one of the newly called stake president of the newly created Tarlac South Stake.  We love visiting and getting to know the leaders here.  They serve to the best of their ability.  He joined the church at age 27, has 5 children.  His 2 oldest daughters are attending BYU Hawaii.  They are also raising a granddaughter that is 7 years old.  We love and appreciate both of them.

Saying goodbye to Elder Ebrada as he leaves our mission to head to his assigned mission - Vanuatu.  He served in our mission as he waited for his visa to come.  What mixed emotions for him and for us.  I shared his tender conversion story about a month ago.  Godspeed Elder Ebrada.

MLC was awesome today.  These missionaries have so many wonderful experiences and ideas to share.  What a group!

Ako ay nagpapasalamat sa mga missionary na walang sawa napumupunta at nagtuturo sa akin. At sa wakas natupad na ang aking pinapangarap na mabinyagan sa Simbahan ni Jesucristo at mabago ang buhay ko.

Translation of Bro. Nicholas Abalos’ testimony:

I am grateful to the missionaries who tirelessly come and teach me. And finally my dream of being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ and changing my life has come true.