2nd Grandson in MTC

      Austin Hollingsworth is now in the Provo MTC, on his way to Atlanta, Georgia. He is ready and excited to serve.

 Austin's family in front of the Provo Temple

Austin with his mom, Wendy

 This is it - he's on his way. 

      We were sad to miss Austin's day at the temple to receive his own endowment, and to miss his farewell. However, they recorded the farewell, and we were able to listen to it. He did such a great job. He is ready to serve the Lord. We are pleased to have more family members receiving the blessings of serving missions. We are so grateful to be here in the Philippines serving at this time.

Christmas Conferences in the Cebu Mission

Elder Glines, Elder Millan, Elder Mejos

      What a great tradition! Christmas Conference. 

      It began in the morning with a spiritual program. 

       Featuring --- our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dialogue, video presentations (including the one we helped with the other evening), music, a message of love from Sister Schmutz and an inspirational message from our President. A fine way to get into the spirit of Christmas.

      A catered lunch,

 










     And then a talent show put on by the missionaries. We were fortunate enough to see the talent show for  both Cebu South and Cebu North. Great talent in these young adult missionaries.
      The first day, Elder Sommerfeldt and I were cohered into playing our ukuleles. (We have been practicing nightly.) We only know about 5 chords, so we chose to play "Tiny Bubbles."However, we didn't want to sing in the wine (not appropriate)  - so our words said:

      "Tiny bubbles in my coke. Makes me hiccup, makes me choke.

 Tiny bubbles make me shake all over, 

Makes me feel like I'm going to burp until the end of time. 

So, here's to soda pop

It's good to the very last drop, 

But if you drink too much your teeth will rot!

Tiny bubbles in my coke. Makes me hiccup, makes me choke.

 Tiny bubbles make me shake all over, 

Makes me feel like I'm going to burp until the end of time."

       Later in the program, two sisters were singing, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", and we went up on the stage and did the jive for a few minutes. That little insane moment was very unplanned. The younger missionaries loved it. 

All about rhythm.

 

 Sister Sawyer

and Sister Hutchings

(our darling Balamban sisters)

 Sister Prasad - from India. Here she is in her traditional dress from her country.

A skit by CarCar Zone.

 The AP's. Now they know how to play the ukulele!

A skit about Christmas. Toledo Zone.
 Elder Blount (tall missionary on the R in the back)
was one of the MC's. He was hilarious. 

Sister Pala - from Tonga, danced for us.

 Central Zone acted out the Nativity.

Several extremely talented elders played the piano - 

to accompany singers, to play solos, and to play duets. 

A number from Talisay Zone.

Elder Ernstrom - the great story teller!

      And then my camera battery died, and pictures were done for the day. But both programs were great fun. These missionaries are full of energy - and full of the spirit of the Lord.

On Saturday, President and Sister Schmutz are on the Island of Negros in the Dumaguete Zone for their Christmas concert.

Cebu Mission Couples Conference

      If we didn't come on our mission for any other reason than to be taught by our mission president - President Schmutz - it would have been the best reason in the world.
      Our Couples Conference began on Thursday evening with a dinner at the Quest Hotel. The restaurant there was superb.

There were 18 senior missonaries  in attendance for the dinner. 

The watermelon carved like a rose. 

The fish was grilled for you on the spot.

 The food was reminiscent of a first class cruise ship in quality and presentation. 

This yellow fish is actually a butter sculpture.

Of course, there was a great salad bar, yummy entries, etc., 

but if you were wise you tasted the desserts before you were full. 

This is called a halo-halo station, 

which is basically ice-cream, cookies, and a variety of toppings. 

Interesting Filipino addition to toppings: corn. 

They also offered a chocolate fountain, but NO fresh strawberries. What's with that?

      Friday morning we began our day with a delicious breakfast at the mission home, then a temple session in the Cebu Temple. Elder and Sister Hall were asked to be our witness couple. The session was full with Americans and Filipinos sharing the experience together.

      After the session, a small break, then a yummy lunch at the mission home. We eat very well here!

      At about 1:00 p.m. we had a training session with President Schmutz and the Assistants. Elder Vusonecevia and Elder Mejos are excellent young men who are already great leaders. They have been well trained, and are an asset to the mission and to the President. After a couple of hours, we had a short break and then met again with the President and Sister Schmutz. As the president taught us truths from the scriptures, we asked questions, and discussed doctrine. The spirit was strong, and we were truly edified. 

       As missionaries, we are to preach repentance. We are on the Lord's errand and we are to say what we are prompted to say - with love and care. However, if we delete the gospel of repentance, we perform a disservice, because the ordinance of baptism is an empty ordinance if repentance - i.e. change - has not taken place. 

      We would encourage all healthy seniors to serve a senior mission. There you are taught eternal truths as you think carefully about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all left the conference desiring to be more diligent in our scripture study. The President encouraged us to combine our eternal destiny with our very real opportunity: one hour of personal scripture study a day, as well as keeping a study journal. President Schmutz shared with us a specific list of scriptures with which to begin our study. The really great thing about studying these scriptures together as couples is that your maturity in the gospel, plus the sure word of prophecy, allows you to discuss topics of upmost importance to each of us for our knowledge to increase. Might we just say: Rejoice that you are of the Blood of Israel! 

      Before dinner, we walked to the Stake Center on the temple complex to witness a baptism performed by President Schmutz. 

      Saturday morning - we met once again at the Mission Home for breakfast before all the missionaries left for their own areas once again. This conference was especially meaningful for Elder and Sister Sommerfeldt because they had not had the opportunity to meet all the couples before this time. We formed great friendships in a very short time. 

L - R: Elder & Sister Hall, Elder & Sister Anderson, 

President & Sister Schmutz, Elder & Sister Sommerfeldt, 

Elder & Sister Henrichson, Elder & Sister Austin, Elder & Sister Ernstrom

      Today, Sunday, we were again spiritually fed, as we attended the Toledo District Conference. It's amazing that even though so much of the conference was spoken in Cebuano, the spirit of the Lord was still strong and helped us to understand the message. 

      Our Area Authority, a Filipino, joined the church when he was eleven years old. He was baptized six days after first meeting the missionaries. At that young age, he knew if he would accept Jesus Christ and join His church, it would rescue him. He told the saints of the Toledo Branch that they were strong enough in number and could become a stake if they will live the law of tithing. The Lord only asks of you 10% - the Lord doesn't need your money, he needs your faith. God will never forget His covenant people.