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!
|
No comments:
Post a Comment