Conference, Conference and more Conference

Maayong Buntag Pamilya & Amigo's

Well another fun filled week in Paradise. To start off the week my Branch Clerk and I went around to a lot of the member and gave their children under 8 a name and a blessing.  Most of our members are new in the church (less than 1 or 2 years).  Their children were not blessed in the church when born so to create a record for each of them we gave them a name and a blessing.  It was a great experience and we fell closer to all the member and their families by doing so.

Next I met with a representative from the area real estate department to find property to lease - rent or build and lease for a new chapel. We were able to get them in touch with the owner of a large house that is 2/3 built and been sitting unfinished for 2 or 3 years. They are presenting the property to the committee for approval.  They would build a chapel next to the house and tie them together.  We feel very good about  this option and are praying for it to be be approved speedily.

This is our existing meeting house we are using. 

We are meeting in the room behind the garage doors. And we though you might like to see our new sign that makes us kind of legit!

Last week we had 89 in attendance and this week we transported 75 to district conference in Calape. It was great conference and many investigators and members attended.

Bus we hired to bring member to District Conference

It hauled 55 people and we hauled 20 in our Multi Cab.

We also had a movie night in Sagbayan with the members and any one at the market that came by.  We held it out in the street in front of the chapel.  We showed 'Meet the Mormons' and it was very successful.  Most of the members and investigators came and the missionaries were talking with people in the street walking by and some stayed to watch.  The sister obtained new family to follow up on and also a few single people.  That was a great success and fun was had by all.

A shot of a real street meeting in the Peens.

Some motors would stop and go around the block and some would just pass thru.

Well I am going to wind up for this week with another beautiful shot from the Island of Bohol.  This is sunset from Tagbilaran.

Beautiful sunset Philippino style

Their is plenty left for Sister Bell to tell so I will turn it over to her.

I will close with some heart felt feeling.  I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and He loves each and ever one of us. I know he sent his son to bless our lives and to make it possible for us to return to live with him.  Central to Gods plan for our happiness is our family.  He blesses his children thru families by learning and caring for others.  I testify the Lord will bless you if you stay true to your family commitments in this life and the life to come.  My prayer is that we will all stand worthy to be called his children at the last day.  I love the Lord and I love his work

Nahi Gugma ko kaninyo (My love to all of you)

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo) 

Ayo Family and Friends,

We had lots of conferences this week!  We were able to spend time with the missionaries from all around Bohol as we attended Zone Conference in Tagbilaran with the Tagbilaran and Valencia zones on Thursday.  We had Calape Zone Conference on Friday.  It is so nice to spend time with our mission leaders, President and Sister Maughan and our AP's.  We were well taught from each of them.

Tagbilaran and Valencia Zones

Calape Zone

Tonight we are staying in a really nice resort on Panglao Island.  The McNett's are also here and so the Maughan's, McNett's, and us are enjoying a short little get-together.  

The view off our balcony!  Nice place!

They have lots of pools and we are right by the white sand beach!  This place is beautiful!

Today was our District Conference.  Just one year ago, we had District Conference just about the second week we were here and I remember feeling like a stranger amongst the saints as we did not know too many of them yet.  What a difference a year makes.  We have made really good friends all over this island and so today as we attended District Conference we were greeted so warmly by so many people.  When I walked through the door about a dozen kids ran up to me to give me a hug.  They were all the primary kids from the Ubay Branch that we had attended for many months until Elder Bell got the call to be Branch President of Sagbayan.  They really missed us and we them.  We were greeted by members from every branch in the District and it was so great to see them all.  As I looked out over the sea of dark haired people, I felt such love and compassion for them.  It is so true that you love whom you serve!  We have had just small interactions with so many of them but we love them so much.  They are so humble and so faithful.  We learn so much from them.  We gain so much from them.  They fill our hearts with joy when we get to see them.

I keep forgetting to tell you all that the Christmas Holidays have already started here.  Christmas season starts September 1!  All of the stores have up the holiday decor and play the music.  Some folks string lights outside.  They countdown the days until Christmas "91".  So my point is that if you, like my brother Jay, like Christmas music, it is time to start playing it….in fact you are nearly a month late!  Put up that tree, turn on those lights…..Merry Christmas!

Well, I will leave you for now.  We love you so much and so appreciate your love and support.  We are working hard and trying to make you proud.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala)