Follow up note from Lauri:
For Christmas Jordan wanted us to open our presents while we were on the
Skype call. Because he is 15 hours ahead
of us he was going to call at 10:30 AM on his December 26th which
would be 7:30 PM on our December 25th. We had the front room all ready for the call and we waited. We played some games… and waited. Just after 9:00 PM we finally opened
presents. It was a good thing since we
did not hear from Jordan again for weeks!
Below are the letters from the mission president and his wife. A combination of these emails, the Holy Ghost,
and knowing Jordan was probably secretly relishing in the craziness of it all,
kept me sane.
From: Sister Lori Kotter
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 5:32 PM
To: Philippines Legaspi Mission <1986341@ldschurch.org>
Subject: Christmas email
Dear families of the Legazpi missionaries,
Merry Christmas! We send you our love and greetings during this most joyous time of year. We wish to thank you for the support and love you give your missionary. We are grateful for the sacrifices you make in order that they may serve. They are wonderful and they are sharing the light of Christ to all they come in contact with.
We hope you will enjoy this mission Christmas card. Each of the Legazpi mission family is pictured here. We want you to know we love each one of them! Thank you for sharing them with us. May the spirit of Christmas be with you, now and always. May our Heavenly father's blessings be poured out upon you, your family and your missionary during this holiday season.
Sincerely,
President Dale Kotter & Sister Lori Kotter
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2016 5:32 PM
To: Philippines Legaspi Mission <1986341@ldschurch.org>
Subject: Christmas email
Dear families of the Legazpi missionaries,
Merry Christmas! We send you our love and greetings during this most joyous time of year. We wish to thank you for the support and love you give your missionary. We are grateful for the sacrifices you make in order that they may serve. They are wonderful and they are sharing the light of Christ to all they come in contact with.
We hope you will enjoy this mission Christmas card. Each of the Legazpi mission family is pictured here. We want you to know we love each one of them! Thank you for sharing them with us. May the spirit of Christmas be with you, now and always. May our Heavenly father's blessings be poured out upon you, your family and your missionary during this holiday season.
Sincerely,
President Dale Kotter & Sister Lori Kotter
_______________________________________________________________
From: dale.kotter@ldschurch.org
<dale.kotter@ldschurch.org>
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2016 11:36 PM
To: Lauri Merrill
Subject: Typhoon letter
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2016 11:36 PM
To: Lauri Merrill
Subject: Typhoon letter
23 December 2016
Dear Brother and Sister Merrill,
We are currently in the middle of the annual typhoon season in the Philippines. Every year, more than 20 typhoons come to this island nation. These typhoons originate in the Pacific, east of the Philippines and then move in our direction. Our mission is often in the path of these storms, especially our outer island Catanduanes. Prior experience has prepared this region to weather the various storms well. We have missionary housing that is selected for resistance to high winds and located out of the flood plains. Each missionary area has an emergency plan for preparing for and responding to all natural disasters. Areas that are remote from the mission office have local priesthood leaders that provide direct oversight of the safety of our missionaries.
Currently Typhoon Nina is head in the direction of the Legazpi Mission and is expected to pass over our mission the evening of December 25th. It is expected to bring heavy rains and some floods in the low lying and/or coastal areas. Each companionship has been notified of the incoming storm and have been asked to follow our emergency plan. The safety of our missionaries is our #1 priority. Each missionary has a 72 hour kit of food, water and other supplies. They should also have an emergency supply of cash and a fully charged cell phone. As soon as the storm passes each missionary will contact their leaders to report their condition and that information will pass through our communication tree to me shortly thereafter.
If the storm compromises our electrical or Internet infrastructure, this may impact the ability of your missionary to complete their Christmas phone calls and/or normal preparation day emails. Be assured, I will be constantly monitoring this situation, and they will have opportunity to reschedule their calls at the first opportunity. We love your missionary and will always care for them as if they were our own son or daughter. May the Lord bless you for sending your precious child to serve the Lord. You would be so proud of who they are becoming and the great work they are doing.
If there are any further developments that would impact our missionaries, I will let you know. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Serving the Lord is a joy!
Warmest regards,
President Dale Kotter
Philippines Legazpi Mission
Dear Brother and Sister Merrill,
We are currently in the middle of the annual typhoon season in the Philippines. Every year, more than 20 typhoons come to this island nation. These typhoons originate in the Pacific, east of the Philippines and then move in our direction. Our mission is often in the path of these storms, especially our outer island Catanduanes. Prior experience has prepared this region to weather the various storms well. We have missionary housing that is selected for resistance to high winds and located out of the flood plains. Each missionary area has an emergency plan for preparing for and responding to all natural disasters. Areas that are remote from the mission office have local priesthood leaders that provide direct oversight of the safety of our missionaries.
Currently Typhoon Nina is head in the direction of the Legazpi Mission and is expected to pass over our mission the evening of December 25th. It is expected to bring heavy rains and some floods in the low lying and/or coastal areas. Each companionship has been notified of the incoming storm and have been asked to follow our emergency plan. The safety of our missionaries is our #1 priority. Each missionary has a 72 hour kit of food, water and other supplies. They should also have an emergency supply of cash and a fully charged cell phone. As soon as the storm passes each missionary will contact their leaders to report their condition and that information will pass through our communication tree to me shortly thereafter.
If the storm compromises our electrical or Internet infrastructure, this may impact the ability of your missionary to complete their Christmas phone calls and/or normal preparation day emails. Be assured, I will be constantly monitoring this situation, and they will have opportunity to reschedule their calls at the first opportunity. We love your missionary and will always care for them as if they were our own son or daughter. May the Lord bless you for sending your precious child to serve the Lord. You would be so proud of who they are becoming and the great work they are doing.
If there are any further developments that would impact our missionaries, I will let you know. Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Serving the Lord is a joy!
Warmest regards,
President Dale Kotter
Philippines Legazpi Mission
_______________________________________________________________
From: dale.kotter@ldschurch.org
<dale.kotter@ldschurch.org>
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2016 1:13 AM
To: Lauri Merrill
Subject: Storm follow up
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2016 1:13 AM
To: Lauri Merrill
Subject: Storm follow up
Mark Merrill|Lauri Merrill
The typhoon has moved out of our mission. All missionaries are safe and accounted for. We have extensive power outages so this will affect phone and internet. This may impact many of the Christmas calls and weekly emails to families. As power is restored and at earliest opportunity we will allow our missionaries to email/call home and complete their Christmas calls.
All is well! Each day this mission is an adventure and full of tender mercies. Your missionaries sons and daughters are the greatest! Thanks for sharing them with the Lord and with us.
Best regards,
Pres Kotter
The following pictures were found on the internet.
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| About the 5th to 6th blue typhoon dot from the left is where Jordan is located. |
The following pictures were taken by mom at home...
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| Scented candles on the 1st day of Christmas |
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| Turtles and Doves on the 2nd day of Christmas |
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| T-shirts on the 3rd day of Christmas |
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| Ravioli's and Mac & Cheese on the 4th day of Christmas |
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| CTR rings on the 5th day of Christmas |
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| Doritos on the 6th day of Christmas |
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| Bathroom wipes on the 7th day of Christmas |
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| Sour gummies on on the 8th day of Christmas |
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| 100 Grand and mini chocolate bars on the 9th day of Christmas |
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| ? on the 10th day of Christmas |
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| Mints on the 11th day of Christmas |
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| 'Twas the Night Before Christmas book on the 12th day of Christmas |
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| Socks for Christmas Day! |
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