Happy Birthday….Filipino Style!

Happy Birthday to me!

This week was so full I don't think we can even scratch the surface tonight….So let me just recap this weekend…..

It was my birthday Saturday.  I guess the branch had been planning this little surprise for all week and most of them kept it pretty hush-hush!  They let Elder Bell in on it only Friday night (they probably know how hard it is for him to keep a secret)…Anyway, they asked him to make sure the gate to our place was unlocked by 4:30 AM!!  And sure enough, right on time, they snuck in to our little condo and started singing.  It was the sweetest birthday song I have ever heard.  Elder Bell shook me awake and told me I had bettered get dressed.  I slowly began to realize there was something afoot and grabbed my robe and poked my head out the door and saw a large crowd gathered on the doorstep below (second story bedroom).  Brother Jandayan was playing the guitar and the crowd was singing this song…..
"How colorful is the morning
 As we come and sing to you
With heart so full of gladness
And the fondness thought for you.

On the day that you were born
All the flowers come in to bloom
The world was filled with colors
And the streams of birthday song"……..there were many more verses just as sweet as those two.

The view from my balcony of the birthday singers!

Sagbayan Branch wishing me a Happy Birthday at 4:30 AM!

So after the singing, I went out, in my jammies, and gathered up the balloons, flowers, and cards and hugged everyone thinking they would be on there way.  But no, they had an entire eulogy planned for me.  They produced cake, cupcakes and candles and so I invited them all in.  They got settled in a circle and started a devotional!  Opening hymn, prayer and so forth.  Then they all started, one by one, to eulogize me.  I didn't follow most of it as it was in Visayan but I understood Nahigugma Sister Bell (I love Sister Bell) and definitely understood the tears and hugs!  It was an amazing, much appreciated, surprise for my birthday.

So you ask, yes but why at 4:30 AM?   Well,we, as in the entire branch, had a really busy day and that was the only free time any of us had!  Some of the people had gotten up at 3:00 to get in to town and to my house by the appointed hour!  That is true love!!!  It made turning one year older a lot easier than I thought it would be!

The rest of the day was packed.  We had an early morning baptism…

Elder Salazar, Dexter Gutual, Simeon (Jr.) Viodor, Elder Crowley, Elder Marjonilo

Dexter is a 20 year old young man that has a quiet way about him but he lights up the room with his smile and he has meshed in well with all of our youth and single young adults.  He is soaking up seminary like a sponge!  Jr is Marjonilo's youngest brother who he got to baptize before he heads off on his mission in a few weeks.

We moved quickly on to District Conference Meetings that occupied the remainder of the day.  We are always happy to go to District Conference because for the whole first year we were here we served in many of the branches in the district.  We were so happy to see all of our beloved saints from Ubay!  We spent many months with them and had missed seeing them.  They all ran to us when we arrived and hugged and chatted….

Elder Bell and his new friend

Last year we were attending a baptism in Ubay and this little girl was just barely toddling about.  The baptism was in the ocean and suddenly we saw her mama bolt for the water to save this little girl who was going under for the second time.  It was a heart stopping moment for all of us.  Anyway, she was so small back then that we were very surprised when we saw her for the first time yesterday she ran to us for hugs like we were her long lost Lolo and Lola.  She ran to us every time we saw her all weekend just for a quick hug and then off she would run again.  We loved it! (a little homesick for grandkids!)

Today we both had to speak in District Conference.  It was an easy topic…"What have you learned from your mission".  I could have gone one for much longer and yes Sumner, (our language coach from last year), we spoke in Cebuano!  (As did President Maughan).  You would have been proud!

It was a little emotional though because we both knew that it was the last conference before we go home and we may not see some of these people ever again.  But, we did get to tell them how much we have learned from them and their pure and simple faith.  We will never be the same.  The impact that these humble people have had on us will forever change us.  

Well, I am going to let Elder Bell fill you in on the rest of the crazy, busy week we had.  I love you all.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love the work we have been called to do.  It has made us better people, better followers of the Master, to be swallowed up in the love and lives of these extraordinary people.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Hello Family and Friends

Another whirlwind week in Paradise. Much is going on from many different fronts so we will keep you informed on things as they develop.

So we went teaching in Danao again this week.  Every time we go there it seems to be a little different.  Well this week, on Tuesday, we took 2 sets of Elders and 1 set of Sisters.  Sister Bell and I went with the Sisters to teach some people we knew would be suited for the Sisters. We had a great discussion with a grandma that babysitting her twins. She especially enjoyed the discussion with the Sisters and also appreciated Sister Bell sitting in as gramma to help control the energetic, one year old twins.

Sister Bell teaching with Sister Anderson and Sister Nacalaban

Well, we can not tell you much about Danao without telling you about Sister Awring. She is a faithful member of the church that has lived very far away form a church building most of her life.  With us coming to Danao it offers her a place to attend church that is very close.  She has shown such a great example to all the people in her neighborhood and always has tried to share the gospel with them. Many of the mothers in the area reguard her very highly and admire her family.  On the other hand the fathers are gone all the time and listen more to the other preachers in the town that tell them to steer clear of the Mormons.  So during the week the mothers and the children rally around us in great numbers with their children and on Sunday when the men are home they are shy to come to church as to not cause problems in the family.

Sister Nacalaban talking to people not he street in Danao

 Missionaries being approached by people in Danao

We we have learned that you need to be consistent over a long period of time to change peoples behavior. So for now we will stand beside the members in Danao and see what happens over time as we share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sister Awring and her handicap son Mani…. a living example of the truth. 

Well on to Zone Conference.  We attended in Tagbilaran and benefited much from direction and doctrine about the Holy Ghost and the Light of Christ. It is truly amazing to understand how much they work in our lives.

A great snapshot at the end left over from a backdrop from Valentines Day

(The missionaries love it when we hug or kiss in front of them…they put us up to this shot)

Well I will leave you today with a prayer in my heart for each and every one of you.  May the Lord Bless you in your life and may you find the peace and satisfaction you are searching for in your life.  Remember that when you lose yourself in the service of others you find the real you.

I am thankful to be in the Lords service and pray that I can always be what he wants me to be.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo, Amigo)

Just a fun picture for the road.

The kids here are so easily entertained!

                   

Wedding Bells!

Ayo Family and Friends!

Well it was our Sagbayan adult temple trip this week and what a week we had.  The logistics of the whole thing are a little tricky because when you deal with adults they actually have jobs, families, animals to care for and other adult responsibilities.  So, as it turned out we did not all go together on Thursday to Cebu.  Fourteen of us headed for Cebu on Thursday and nine of them came over on Friday.  Some had to go home on Friday and the rest stayed and headed home with us on Saturday.

We were able to be with Marjonilo and his lolo and lola as they were endowed. Then we had the wonderful experience of seeing Maximiano and Conchita (Lolo and Lola) sealed.  It was pretty cute.  They were so stoic I could not get them to smile to save my soul.  I think they are conscientious of their toothless smiles, but I think they are so adorable anyway….

Sister Bell, Maximano, Marjonilo, Conchita, Elder Bell

Another one of our great surprises Friday was our sweet Sister Cook coming to the sealing.  She had served many months with us in Sagbayan and was transferred to Cebu a few weeks ago. She was able to get permission to attend the sealing of the Seliote's.  She had taught many of the people that were with us on the temple trip and they were all so happy to see her and hug her one last time as she will be returning to the USA next transfer.

Sister Erlinda Jandayan, Sister Cook, Sister Florizza Jandayan

Sister Cook taught the gospel to both of these sweet sisters!

Me with some of my sweet sisters!

Some of our Sagbayan branch members as we prepare to go home.

Many of our members had been doing a bit of family history work before they went to the temple trip and there is a wonderful family history center at the temple complex.  They continued to do more work with the fabulous senior couple serving there and were able to bring lots of names to the temple for baptism work.  So even the members that are not yet endowed were able to spend time in the temple and they loved the beauty and peace they felt within the hallowed walls of that special place.

I wanted to share a special experience we had on Thursday night.  One of our sweet sisters, Joenalyn Cansancio, was having terrible mouth pain and was not even able to function.  She asked if Elder Bell could give her a blessing.  So I rounded up Elder Bell and Marjonilo and they were able to give her a blessing.  Elder Bell blessed her that she would be in no pain and be able to sleep well that night so that she could enjoy the time in the temple the next day.  When the blessing was over she touched her hand to her jaw and looked so surprised.  She said the pain had vanished instantly!  She walked back to the room that I shared with her and four other sisters.  By the time I got there she was in tears and her sister told me that she was crying because she realized she had just witnessed a true miracle!  I talked with her a minute about her great faith being the reason the Lord could perform this miracle for her.  She slept well and felt no pain the next day.  She headed home the next day and by the time she got home it began to hurt again but the promise of the blessing was fulfilled perfectly!  She understood she had been the recipient of a miracle and was in awe!  Her profound and pure faith was amazing and I was privileged to witness this tender mercy from the Lord.

Just one more temple trip picture……

The Yellow Submarine

"We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine…"  Remember that song from the 60's?  Well this is the ferry that we often travel in to and from Cebu.  Pretty scary huh?  It is scary and old and we just pray every time we travel that we will arrive safely to our port!  Life in the Peens is always an adventure!

We had invited our new senior couple to go with us so they could figure out the ferry system, and the temple travel with taxis and such.  Well, Elder Shamrell had to leave Friday to get some packages at the mission office and while he was out and about he discovered this amazing little french restuarant that is right next to the temple complex.  The four of us walked over there after we got out of the temple that evening and had the most delightful dinner!  

That, my friends, was the most amazing meal I have eaten in 18 months!  Look!  No rice!  And look at this door…

This door divided two rooms.  It had the most intricate carving in it and the light from the other room shone through!  I loved it.  It was good food and great atmosphere….we will be happy to go there again when I am so tired of cafeteria food I could scream! 

We had to say goodbye to our kids last Monday and so this temple trip was a good diversion after they left.  It kept us really busy all week.  I love you all madly and I am so happy to be serving here in the Cebu East Mission.  The adventure continues…….

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all!)

Maayong Gabii Pamilya ug mga Amigo!

Well most of the time we spent last week was fit around the Nindot Kaayo (Fantastic) Temple Trip. So Sister Bell does such a great job of describing those events that you just can not add on to perfection. 

So Sister Bell and I were called upon to speak in District Conference next week.  This is the last District Conference we will attend while serving on Bohol.  So as to follow suit I decided I will give a lot of my talk in Visayan.  Now I have accomplished that task many times but always in smaller audiences and people are very nice to me even though I am not the best at speaking their language. So I spent a lot of time this week writing my talk and going over it with my trusted friend Marjonilo Viodor, who is preparing to serve a mission on March 25th.

Well after writing a few different talks and scrapping a lot ideas, I finally settled on a talk the is titled "Whom the Lord Calls the Lord Qualifies".  After pouring over many scripture verses and many conference talks from the Prophets and Apostles.  I came up with a final draft (most of the time these drafts actually change sometime even as I am speaking).  So Majonilo and I translated what I need to say and how to say it (like the natives talk), and we were able to come up with a workable talk.  Nindot Gjud (Fabulous). 

Then on the way home from the temple trip Majonilo told we he was terrified at the assignment he received to be concluding speaker in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  At that point I understood one of the many reasons preparing my talk had taken so long and the translation process had be so precise. We reviewed over the fact that in just 4 or 5 short week, as a missionary, he would be called on weekly or even daily to perform the same task he is so terrified to do on Sunday.  We reviewed back over the talk and he took the challenge to apply it in his life and be willing give the talk or any other thing he was called by the Lord or his servants to do.

Well he stood and gave wonderful talk with no notes.  He actually shortened his talk because a High Councilman had shown up at the last minute and needed 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the meeting.  He truly became qualified throughout the help of the Holy Ghost and his faith.  It is amazing to see these people become what the Lord truly wants them to be.

Marjonilo Viodor

As I strive to teach this young man English which greatly enriches his life, and will open opportunities forhim in the future.  He teaches me his language that truly enriches the experiences we have on our mission and allow me to bless many other lives also.

Just another great shot of some home made stilts that a young boy had made in Danao from bamboo that grows in the area.

This boy has found a great way to have fun even though he has little money.

Well I will close for tonight.  I am amazed at how many tender mercies of the Lord we receive while serving as missionaries.  The prayers offered over the alters of all the temples in the world each day are truly answered in our lives.  I love the Lord and I love his work.

Amping gyud mo (Have a great day all of you)

Elder Bell (Tatay, Lolo, Amigo)

Nothing Better Than Family!

Ayo Family and Friends!

I don't even know where to begin.  It has been amazing to have Jennifer, Kariann and Chris with us this week.  We have covered a lot of territory and gotten a good amount of missionary work done along the way.  The weather could not have been more perfect after a long, long rainy season.  This week was not rainy but cool and nice.  Pictures speak louder than words, so here we go…….

 Jennifer and I on top of the Hilltop 360 hill! This is a beautiful place to view the Chocolate Hills.

Chris and Kariann looking at the strange statues.  This is a pilgrimage sight for the Catholic Church.

 Chris and Kariann sitting atop the Holy Spirit Statue at Hilltop!

 This spider….no kidding….was the size of Kariann's hand!  They grow so large here!!  Not Jennifer's favorite tourist sight!

Me, Jennifer, Kariann, Chris on the view platform at Sagbayan Peak!

Kariann and Chris….strangest Tarsiers I have ever seen!

 Jennifer was so very brave to try the zip-line!  She loved it!

Tuesday we attended district meetings in Tagbilaran.  It was transfer notice meeting and so they had a budol-budol fight for lunch following!  It looked yummy!

 These are our transferring missionaries from Tagbilaran;  Sisters Merjudio & Pulgar, Elder Navarro, Sisters Macadangdang and Dela Cruz.

Lunch at our favorite place on Panglao….The Buzz Cafe'.

Chris did not hesitate to perform valuable Chiropractic care for the missionaries!

 Jennifer and her favorite step-father, Elder Bell.

Tarsier monkey sanctuary….it is a really great place.  I will take you there when you come to visit!

Here we are after a long day of snorkeling.  We all got very sunburned as it was a pretty overcast day and so even though we knew better, we forgot to sunscreen.  The sun in the Peens is brutal!  But the reef here is worth it!  It is amazing!

Now, that was just a brief overview of our week.  We were busy every minute of every day.  We are sad to let them go home.  We enjoyed our time with them and are so happy they came all this way to share with us a little part of our grand adventure!  

We love you all and appreciate your love, prayers, and sacrifice on our behalf!  We love what we do and we are trying to finish up all the projects that we know we need to complete before we leave this great country.  

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Maayong Gabii Pamilya & mga Amigo

Malipayon mi nakita mga anak, si Jennifer ug Kariann ug bana, Chris. (We are grateful to see Jennifer, Kariann and husband Chris).

Well my post will be centered around a magical event that took place today (Sunday).  

Since coming to Bohol we have followed and become part of the Sagbayan Branch and watched it grow and become a new thriving branch. Our attendance has climbed from first 20 to 25 and now averaging 85 to 90.  The missionaries in Sagbayan have 10 to 15 baptisms lined up in the branch spanning over the next 3 or 4 weeks.  It has been amazing to see the Lords hand in the work and the growth he orchestrates when members and missionaries work together to do his will.

Well to top that all off we felt impressed to start and new unofficial group in a town about 45 minutes drive from Sagbayan called Danao.  There are 2 members that live in Danao and have been as faithful as they could over the years to attend church whenever they could considering the distance and limited resources available.  They also have invited the missionaries to Danao for the past 2 or three years to teach there friends and neighbors. No one was able to join the church because of the inability of being able to attend church.

Well at 4:00 today we held the first sacrament meeting in Danao at one of the members homes. We had about 20 members come with us from Sagbayan and 22 attended from Danao!  Fifteen of the 22 were investigators and have expressed desires to be taught and/or baptized.  We intend on holding sacrament meeting every week allowing them to be baptized and receive the blessing of the gospel in their lives.

   Picture of the first Sacrament Meeting in Danao

We will share some of the stories of the individual people and their path towards receiving the truth in their lives.  We have 6 months left and if the Lord has this in his plan we hope we can see the development of a new branch of the Church with these special people.

I will leave with a great shot of the beautiful land we serve in.  It is great to see the people who live in this land have such pureness of heart. The beauty of the land reflects this pureness of heart.

The sunset at Isla Hayahay

May the Lord Bless you as you strive to find happiness and peace in your life.

Kita Kits sa sunod simana (See you next week)

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Family Visits & New Horizions

Maayong Buntag Pamilya & Amigo's

Another great week in paradise.

To start off this week we have a young man by the name of Marjonilo Viodor waiting for his mission call.  Well at the end of last week we felt like the call should have been here last week so we started making inquiries about it.  Come to find out because of the mail system, the mission call was accidentally lost somewhere, somehow.  So Sister McNett called Salt Lake City and had them E Mail his mission call to her and she forwarded it on because I am his Branch President.

We prepared the call on Tuesday and gave it to Marjonilo.  He was so excited when he received his call to the Philippines Cagayan de Oro Mission.  He leaves on March 24, 2017 to enter the MTC in Manila.  He will be speaking Cebauo and that is his native language.  He will be a great missionary having only been a member of the church for a year and one month now.  He is my branch clerk and and also translates for me and I teach him how to speak English also.

Marjonilo reading his mission call

That night was also a birthday party for 4 of the members of the Viodor family that had birthdays in January and also Elder Johnson.  Fun was had by all.

The Viodor & Johnson Birthday party

Also another member of our branch decided to serve a mission.  Her name is Louie May Umbang and she is our Young Women's President in the Branch.  We will keep you informed on the progress of her application.

Louie May Umbang

We also finished up our first Self Reliance course in the Sagbayan Branch.  It is titled, Start or Grow My Own Business. The final activity for the group that called themselves Helamans Warriors was to do family search and go to the temple and start the work for family names to receive ordinances.  

Bonajos Sisters doing Family Search

 The work is moving along and we are looking at new horizons. We have a average attendance in Sacrament meeting now of 85 to 90.  There are 10 to 15 new baptisms planned for the next month. We are planning on trying a new group in Danao (a town about 45 minutes away from Sagbayan where 2 member families live).  We have taught a few people there in the past and they have expressed interest in joining the church.  We will keep you updated as this progresses.

Well I am going to wrap up for the week. I love the Lord and I love his work.  This is truly that gathering of Israel that we are engaged in.  The Lord's is in the work continually.

Maliypayon ko tabang ug gugma sa Dios kanunay (I am Thankful for Gods help and Love always)

Elder Bell  (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)  

Ayo!

Well I have to start at the end today….because today my children arrived for a visit!!!

Our daughters, Kariann and Jennifer and Son-in-law, Chris!!

I have to tell you, anyone that is willing to make that long, long flight to come and visit, really deserves the royal treatment.  I can't believe they are here.  We are so excited to have them.  It has been a little less rainy so maybe it will hold out for a week so we can have some fun.  I will report next week on our grand adventure!  I just love that they are here!

I have been battling a really bad cold this week (wouldn't you know it?) and as the week wore on I developed this lovely eye infection.  It got pretty bad by Friday night and I could not find the antibiotic drops I needed to clear it up.  Finally I asked a local what they use for 'sore eyes' and was told that they have an eye drop that worked great.  Elder Bell finally headed off to the pharmacy and found the drops.  They are helping today.

My poor swollen and red eyes!!!

Another great event of this week was the wedding of Samuel and Lourdes Mendez.  President Mendez was the president of the Ubay branch that we attended for nearly a year.  We got very close to him and witnessed the baptism of his girlfriend, Lourdes, last June.  They finally got married on February 1 and we were invited to be the witnesses.  We are thrilled for them and they are excited to start their life together.  After a year they will be sealed in the temple.

They both looked amazing and are so happy to finally be able to marry.

Well, that is our week in a nutshell.  We are still very busy.  There are so many wonderful things going on all of the time.  We love our work here and love these people so very much.  They really make us feel as though we are part of their family.  We have seen so much growth and change in such a short amount of time.  They are dedicated saints and show by word and deed what it means to live a Christ-like life.  We are so blessed to live among them and be taught by their humble faith.

I love you and miss you. I am so grateful for you and for your help, love and sacrifice for us.  It has taken all of you to keep us going for these last 18 months.  Thank you for your letters of encouragement and news.  Thank you for your prayers and help.  We could not do this without you.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)