Christmas Celebrations

There were two mission Christmas Celebrations this year. One was on December 2nd for the missionaries on Bohol and one last Friday, the 9th, for those on Cebu. The format was the same for each so we will talk of them as if they were one event.

For the first half of the day we met in the chapel.  After a song and prayer we had a discussion led by Elder Grimpluma and Elder Clark, the two assistants. Their theme was #lighttheworld. This was followed by zone presentations that alternated with talks from missionaries. Over the two days we heard from Sister Cook, Elder Perez, Sister Gil and Elder Benting who all did very well. The zone presentations were a nice assortment of musical numbers and videos. The mission office even 'chimed in'. Sister Maughan and President Maughan both spoke to end the morning meeting. They talked of their love for the missionaries and for the Savior.

Elder Grimpluma and #lighttheworld

Office on chimes

We then had a catered lunch during which there was a slide show with music showing pictures collected from throughout the mission.

Bohol Christmas Lunch

Cebu Lunch

After lunch the tables were cleared for games and gift exchange. Games included acting out the12 days of Christmas and a favorite game of Sister Maughans called Dipity-Dipity. On Bohol there was an additional game called Pukana introduced by some of our missionaries from the South Pacific.

Dipity Dipity

The item for the gift exchange this year was flip-flops. There were games involved so that the winning zone would have the final pick.

Decorating a District Leader

 We were glad it wasn't up to us to pick the winner.

Danao Zone 'Painting a Picture'

For one of the games in Cebu Elder McNett was asked to be the royal guard for King and Queen Maughan of Planet Pluto. The challenge for the zones was to make the royal guard laugh.

Stern looking Royal Guard

It wasn't easy but he maintained his composure until Consolacion Zone surprised him with Sister McNett hiding in the middle of their group. They won.

Following the gift exchange we sang Christmas carols and ended the day with a prayer. It is always so nice to have the mission come together like this for fun and spiritual uplift. It was especially nice to do it in celebration of Christmas.

Thought for the Week

 "Give"
 Little Stream



Only two weeks now until Christmas. The following is the response to a text our zone leaders received at the first of the month letting them know that their monthly support was available.

Hark the herald elders/sisters sing,
 glory to the finance king!
Support on card and we withdraw,
 missionaries shout hoo-ray!
Joyful missionaries rise,
 join the ATM lines,
And with grateful hosts proclaim,
 Elder McNett has done again.
Hark the missionaries sing,
 THIS DECEMBER WE CAN EAT!

Elder Santos, Elder Goulding
Calape Zone Leaders