Tender Mercies
It seems like every few days another little tender mercy happens to us. We know that Heavenly Father is mindful of us and helping to make our ways just as bright and happy as possible. We are so grateful for these special experiences.
Tender Mercy #1--The Lees
For 19.5 years we lived in Salem, Oregon. We have such fond times there of wonderful friends, church service and watching our kids grow up and graduate from high school. From the beginning our dear neighbors Jim and Laurey Lee and their awesome six kids were an important part of our lives. Last fall as we were contemplating coming, we learned that we would lose the couple that serve as Executive Secretaries to the President in May of this year. About that same time Laurey (we moved away from Oregon way back in 2012) and I were catching up during a once a year phone call. She told me that she had retired and Jim was about to retire. She mentioned that he was set on going on a mission but she wasn't sure about it. A light bulb went on! Elder Lee had served his young mission in Hong Kong and still had a love affair with all things Asian. We knew that we would be getting Chinese missionaries here to be trained to go back to Taiwan and Hong Kong. So I asked her if they might be interested. They prayed about it and talked it over with their kids and decided to put in their papers. When that happens they request us and we request them--but we all know that the brethren could change their call if they felt inspired to do so. Then we waited and waited and finally they got their call--here in the Philippines MTC!
The didn't have more than a day to recover before a new batch arrived. And so it has been in the two months they have been here--super busy, super fun!
Tender Mercy #2--The Whiteheads
President Carlos always tells missionaries about how odd he was as a young missionary. He served in Hawaii and was the only Filipino serving at the time. The church was still very young in the Philippines. He always says, "I just got off the boat and I talked and looked different." Actually he had been going to Church College of Hawaii and was given missionary shirts from two elders. His belongings fit into a brown paper sack. Some of his companions didn't appreciate the diversity he brought, but a few were kind and loving. One of those was a young Elder Whitehead from California. They served together on Molokai. President Carlos has attended several mission reunions since then but never saw Elder Whitehead. He had heard that he had become a dentist. We have a beautiful dental office here at the MTC. One of the dentists was heading home and news came that a new one would be arriving soon. You can imagine how shocking it was for President to read that it was Gordon Whitehead--his long lost companion of over 45 years ago.
Elder and Sister Whitehead were able to bring along their daughter serving as a sister missionary. She assists in the dental clinic and also assists us here at the MTC. We love her and appreciate her service. We are thrilled to be working with the Whiteheads!
Elder Schmutz from the Area Presidency was one of their first visitors!
These are just a couple of the tender mercies we are experiencing. We are so grateful to know that the Lord is mindful of us and our needs and continually surprises us with such fabulous blessings!
Tender Mercy #1--The Lees
For 19.5 years we lived in Salem, Oregon. We have such fond times there of wonderful friends, church service and watching our kids grow up and graduate from high school. From the beginning our dear neighbors Jim and Laurey Lee and their awesome six kids were an important part of our lives. Last fall as we were contemplating coming, we learned that we would lose the couple that serve as Executive Secretaries to the President in May of this year. About that same time Laurey (we moved away from Oregon way back in 2012) and I were catching up during a once a year phone call. She told me that she had retired and Jim was about to retire. She mentioned that he was set on going on a mission but she wasn't sure about it. A light bulb went on! Elder Lee had served his young mission in Hong Kong and still had a love affair with all things Asian. We knew that we would be getting Chinese missionaries here to be trained to go back to Taiwan and Hong Kong. So I asked her if they might be interested. They prayed about it and talked it over with their kids and decided to put in their papers. When that happens they request us and we request them--but we all know that the brethren could change their call if they felt inspired to do so. Then we waited and waited and finally they got their call--here in the Philippines MTC!
The didn't have more than a day to recover before a new batch arrived. And so it has been in the two months they have been here--super busy, super fun!
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| Sister Lee coming through Immigration |
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| Elder Lee looks great after 24 hours on the plane! |
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| So happy to welcome the Lees to the Philippines and to the MTC. |
President Carlos always tells missionaries about how odd he was as a young missionary. He served in Hawaii and was the only Filipino serving at the time. The church was still very young in the Philippines. He always says, "I just got off the boat and I talked and looked different." Actually he had been going to Church College of Hawaii and was given missionary shirts from two elders. His belongings fit into a brown paper sack. Some of his companions didn't appreciate the diversity he brought, but a few were kind and loving. One of those was a young Elder Whitehead from California. They served together on Molokai. President Carlos has attended several mission reunions since then but never saw Elder Whitehead. He had heard that he had become a dentist. We have a beautiful dental office here at the MTC. One of the dentists was heading home and news came that a new one would be arriving soon. You can imagine how shocking it was for President to read that it was Gordon Whitehead--his long lost companion of over 45 years ago.
Elder and Sister Whitehead were able to bring along their daughter serving as a sister missionary. She assists in the dental clinic and also assists us here at the MTC. We love her and appreciate her service. We are thrilled to be working with the Whiteheads!
These are just a couple of the tender mercies we are experiencing. We are so grateful to know that the Lord is mindful of us and our needs and continually surprises us with such fabulous blessings!
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