What if?

Maayo Gabii kaninyong tanan!

Another week in paradise filled with work, fun and always new adventures with those we love.

Well now I am not the Branch President any more so we were able to find the time to go out with the Elders teaching.  It is great to have Sister Bell by my side as she brings a dynamic to the meetings with the people that the Elders like to have. We get to walk the trails in the dark and testify to the message they bring.

As we teach Sister Verona she always has tears in her eyes as she hears the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She has a baptismal date set for June 17, 2017.  She is a regular attender at church and has been for awhile now. She will be a great addition to the Sagbayan Branch.

Elder Acedilla & Elder Ramos two of our diligent missionaries in Sagbayan

We also attended a FHE this week with the Tampon Family.  It was Sister Tampon's birthday and it was great to meet with such humble people who have so few worldly possession but are so rich in Spirit.  They are just new members but it seems like we have know them forever and maybe we really have.

I lost the 'speedy tie' game (or I was set up to lose) and had to do a talent.

So I choose the good old stand by of Little Bunny FuFu.

The Tampon Family and the Missionaries.

WHAT A GREAT TIME

This afternoon we attended a tradition that we did not know existed.  A formal engagement of a couple to be married. So the couple is allowed to find their own mate as we do in America but the families meet together and the Tatay's decide the marriage arrangement and agree of the timing of the wedding. They try to help the couple get off on the right foot from the start and try the help them plan for future work, support and everything else that goes into a successful marriage.  The young couple are very supportive of the efforts of the parents.

The couple getting married is Mel Jun (Sagbayan Branch Clerk) and Sister Iris Rabina (returned missionary and District Young Women's President).  They are a great couple and will be married in the Temple in October.

Tatay's planning the timing of the marriage.

Bright young couple planning their future together with their family

Well, I am not even half way done so I am going turn this over to Sister Bell (my better half).

As I ride a bike in the mornings for exersize through the coconut groves on Bohol, I realize that I will not always be able to do this. This is such a beautiful land filled with such beautiful people.  We are now and will always cherish the days we lived on Bohol serving the Lord.

May the Lord bless each and every one of you with the righteous desires of your heart.

Elder Bell (Taaty, LoLo & Amigo)  

Ayo Pamilya ug mga Amigo,

Komusta mo? (How are you?) We had a really busy week (as usual) and it was filled with many events and activities….not the least of which was our zone conference.  We always love to be in the presence of our President and Sister Maughan.  They have a grueling schedule as they now must hold zone conferences every six weeks and interview all the missionaries in the mission every six weeks.  I don't envy their schedule.  They live on the run and on the road rarely having time in their own home.  But we so appreciate their happy smiles and wise counsel each time we are with the.  Thank you so much for your dedicated service to us and to our mission!

As Elder Bell said we had a couple of Family Home Evenings to attend this week and I want to share the funny game that we participated in.  It is called 'What if'.  Each person in the group writes a 'what if' statement on a paper.  The papers are then passed a certain number of times around the circle and the 'what if' question is answered by the person who now has the paper.  Then someone starts the game by reading the 'what if 'question but not the answer.  The person next to them reads the answer on their paper and so as you can imagine the game gets hilarious as the answers don't always match the question.  So here was the funny one…."What if Elder and Sister Bell could stay in Sagbayan forever?" The answer on the next paper was, "Then God would shout of joy!"  The room erupted in applause, viewing it as divine direction for Elder and Sister Bell.  We get reminded daily of our looming departure date with sad embraces and faces.  We don't want to think about it yet!

We had the great opportunity to attend this great concert last Tuesday….

Can you read that?   Brigham Young University Chamber Orchestra!

Shamrell's joined us at the concert

With these great people….Sister and Elder Shamrell.  We really enjoyed a little piece of Utah right here in our own back yard!  One of the musicians had actually served in Calape District just before we became Cebu East Mission and were still part of the Cebu Mission.  He actually had interviewed the Racoma family (our new branch president's family) for baptism in 2012!  He was very excited to hear about the growth in Sagbayan because when he was here the Racoma's were the only members in the entire town!

We had our last 'Mission Prep' class with the seminary students Saturday.  We talked about budgeting and how hard it is to step in to the real world and have to pay for all the things your parents have always paid for.  We also encouraged them to begin now saving for their missions and gave them all a bamboo bank and a little bit of change to start the savings…..(Dewey, remember all of the money of Grampa's that you counted?  Well now it is in the bamboo banks of the Sagbayan Youth!)

The adorable Jamaica Jandayan and her bamboo bank!

This little guy greeting us when we came home the other night.  He was sitting on our gate…...

And this guy greeted us the next night…..

It has been really rainy this dry season.  It has rained nearly every day this week and so it brings the frogs out in force!

In closing, I just want to share a moment I had this week….We were sitting in on a discussion with the Elders as they taught about the plan of salvation to Sister Verona.  As they read the scripture from 1 Corinthians 15:54, my heart felt like it might burst.  The last line of the verse is 'Death is swallowed up in victory!'  What joy I felt to be reminded of that most beautiful gift that our Savior has given us.  We need not fear. We need not sorrow.  Because of this great gift we have hope!  Hope of being with our loved ones again someday.  Hope of meeting Him, our great Redeemer face to face one day!  What joy this brings my heart!  What purpose this one great promise gives my life.  I know that my Redeemer lives, that He loves me and that one day I will kneel at his throne.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Dog Days of Summer!

Ayo Family and Friends!

It has been a work week…..catch up with stuff week…..lots of laundry week!

So here goes….the number of missionaries in our mission (and I assume all missions) has been slowly going down over the last few transfers.  Last year at this time there were a little over 200 missionaries in the Cebu East Mission and now we hover around 160ish.  That being said, we have had to close down quite a few apartments and so this week we cleaned one out in Jagna.  While we were doing so, with the help of the wonderful Smalley's, we ran in to this guy…

He had been living in the bedroom of the Jagna Sisters apartment….not sure how long, but he was none too excited about being captured and set free outside.  I think now he has tasted his freedom for a few days he probably likes it.

And this guy was living on the back porch of the Jagna Sisters apartment!  They had a variable zoo on the premises!  He startled me a bit when he jumped as I moved a garbage can!  Oh the joys of being a senior couple!  We have all sorts of adventures!

This cute little duck lives next to one of our investigators and I captured his photo as we hiked back in with the elders to teach her!  I post all of these for my grandkids (especially Liliana) who love animals.

We had a great 'mission prep' class on Saturday morning.  This week we studied about patriarchal blessings and then I wanted to teach them how to cook!  Well, I was seriously out voted on that matter….they wanted to learn to make cookies.  I tried to tell them that they would likely not have an oven while on their mission but still, they wanted cookies.  So we baked cookies and watch a movie until it was time to go to the baptism.  Elder Bell can fill you in on that event.

Today was a day with mixed emotions for us.  Elder/President Bell was released from being branch president of Sagbayan Branch.  We know our new branch presidency are ready for the challenge but Elder Bell really loved serving these wonderful people in that capacity.  It is all good though….we have a few more weeks with them to help teach them all they need to know before we have to leave for good!  Sorry no picture of our new presidency but they are, President Racoma as president, President Jandayan as 1st counselor, and President Gambe as 2nd counselor.  They are wonderful men and will carry on the strong missionary effort going forward in this branch.

Today was one of the hottest days of the year so far.  We were sweltering in the small church that held 100 people today! (Yes we broke the record…100 people in attendance at church today!)  Even the locals who are never hot kept agreeing with me when I said it was 'init' (hot)!  Sometime after I had already walked home the sky became very dark and the thunder started rolling and finally the clouds opened up and boy did it rain!  There is no rain in the world like Philippine rain!  It just dumped water for about 30 minutes and then as quickly as it had began, it stopped and the clouds rolled away!

Of course the picture does not do it justice…especially the deafening sound of the rain on the metal roof!  But, at last the rain cooled off the very hot day!  Thank the Lord for a good rain!

Well, it really was just a busy work week and not so much news but I am still grateful to be here and to be doing a little good in this part of the vineyard.  I am so grateful for my good husband.  He is a man of such great integrity and works so tirelessly to serve these wonderful people whom we love so very dearly.  They love him and there were a few tears today at his releasing but it is important to teach all of these new members that the work rolls on and it is the Lords work not Elder Bells!

We love you all so much and appreciate your love and sacrifice to help us stay out on this mission!  We have an army at home taking care of all the little details of our life and for that we are so thankful.  Please know we remember and acknowledge all that you do for us.

We love you forever,
Sister Bell (Mamala to all)


Hello to all

Another week in paradise as we sprint down the home stretch.

We had another great week in missionary work.  On Saturday Ian Anober was baptized and that is always a great event. His brother Ronel joined the church a few months ago and we are glad to see more members of the family join us here in Sagbayan. The baptism was an exercise in persistence.  I felt bad for both Ian and Ronel as it took 5 tries to get the job done.  It was quite frustrating because the white jumpsuit kept filling with air and would float up the mid-section each time and so it would have to be repeated.  Finally after the fourth attempt we decided to change something about the process.  We added 6 more inches of water to the font.  Had Ian change the suit to a lighter weight fabric and we had Elder Salazar dress in white and stand in the font.  Upon the united 'amen' and just after Ronel had laid Ian back in to the water, Elder Salazar leaned over Ian and made sure he and his entire suit got submersed in water!  The fifth try was the charm.  All involved were very patient and determined to get the job accomplished!!

Ian's Sister & Brother, Elder Salazar, Ian, Ronel and Elder Birdiguil

Ronel was (finally) able to baptize his brother and it was great to see him as he prepares to serve a mission next year.  I know Ian will make a great missionary also in a few years if he decides to go. Elder Salazar confirmed him today as a member of the Church and gave him a great blessing.  It is amazing the see these young men both Elders and converts step up and share the gospel in the world.

Well today I was released for Branch President in Sagbayan.  It was a happy day and also a sad day at the same time. Happy to see the 3 men called to be in the Branch Presidency stand up and accept their calling with vigor and a true spirit of service.  That was the goal all along to help in a small way this growing branch function on its own with local leadership that truly knows how to run a branch. You can just imagine joining the church as a member of a small group and then being call to be a Branch President with no prior experience and all the members in the Branch are new members of the church. Things that we take for granted in Utah and other established areas of the church are not common knowledge in newly formed branches.

Sad in another way as these are people who I have grown to love. I have walked through the rice fields with them, I have cried with them at times of disappointment, I have laughed with them as they triumph in the challenges of their lives. When I was called to be branch president I could not understand a lot of what they said as they spoke from the bottom of their hearts and they could not understand me either. We now understand one another and I have grown to love them to bottom of my heart. You learn a lot about people when you walk a mile or two in their footsteps. One thing I have learned is that material possessions are not the key to true happiness. Many or most of these people live below what we would consider the poverty line in the US. And they are the most thankful people I have met.  When they pray the prayers are not short and are filled with 90% thankfulness for everything in their lives.  The Lord said "Men are that they might have joy".  A joy brought by a real and abiding testimony of the Lord and blessings they have in their lives. May I never forget this lesson.

Well I would put a picture in but I forgot take one of the new Branch Presidency. I will get one for next week. I will spend the next two months walking through all the responsibilities of all member for the Branch Presidency. It will be great to visit all the homes a few more times and see some the projects started come to pass in the future.

The new chapel is slated to start construction on June 1.  The completion date will be sometime in September or October.  The welfare project is in the stages of final approval at the area in Manila. We are hoping to see that start before we leave and I am sure we will be in contact for some time after we are home as it unfolds.  These projects help the people raise their standard of live in a way they can provide food for the family and allow their children to attend school for a better life in the future.

Well enough of my blabbering. I have learned to see the hand of the Lord in peoples lives and also the best of what the Lord has through their lives. They truly are so rich when it comes to the things that matter most.

I love the Lord and I love His work.

May the Lord bless each and every one of you with the righteous desires of your heart.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Another Great shot of the Land we have grown to love.

 

Water, water everywhere!

Good Morning to all!

Well it does not take long to have 3 week worth of adventure wrapped in 1 week after exile was ended.

We started off the week picking up my brother Tharon (Elder Bell) and his wife Holly (Sister Bell) from the Bagio Mission on the large Island of Lazon in the Philippines.  Their daughter Amy and grandson Carter were visiting their parents while on their mission and came to the Island of Bohol to see some of the great beauties of the Philippines.

We spent the first two days at our favorite place the Isla Hayahay and snorkeled. We found many sea shells while Island hoping and had a great Filipino adventure. The local people were fascinated to see a 6 foot tall 14 year old American.

Amy with her mother Sister Bell and Carter

Elder Bell on the left and Elder Bell on the right at Sagbayan Peak

During the stay we visited Danao Adventure Park so the visitors could ride the Zip Line and also take the Plunge.

Sister Holy Bell on the Zip Line

We also visited Hilltop 360

We went to visit the Viodor family and found Tatay Viodor holding the new Baby.  The fathers here really are good to their children and show them a lot of love.

Tatay Viodor with the new baby

The Viodor family also had a new litter of pigs this week.  Tatay Viodor has worked with animals his whole life and will offer much needed help and direction to the new member welfare project.

Tatay Viodor caring for the new piglets

The last story before I turn it over to Sister Bell…..one of the sister went in the hospital this week for 

an infection.  So today when we were going to visit the Relief  Society ask if they could come and also some of the youth in the Branch. These people truly help each other in so many ways.  If someone is in need regardless of what the need is many will offer to give a hand or offer comfort.  This is what a Christ-like people should be like.  We are so blessed to be among them.

Nanay Luisa's support group The Sagbayan Branch

We I will close and turn this over to my better half.  I can sum it up by saying 'My cup runneth over.'

Thanks to all

Elder Bell  (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Ayo Family and Friends!

Elder Bell is right….we had a lot happening this week.  Some weeks we search for a few pictures to share and stories to tell but this week we are having to leave a few untold.  I do need to back up to the Monday birthday of Elder Bell….. We were so surprised when the staff of the Isla Hayahay brought out this beautiful birthday cake after our dinner…

Elder Bell got a birthday cake from Isla Hayahay

I didn't even remember telling them it was his birthday when I made the reservations but they not only remembered I had mentioned the birthday…they went out of their way to drive to Tubigon and order a cake for him!  No wonder I love the Isla Hayahay!  It really is the best kept secret of the Philippines!  We love their wonderful service and kindness!  I jokingly asked the manager if were were his most frequent guest.  He paused and then said, "Yes, only the staff come more often than you!"  We had just been there the week before while in exile and they had treated us so kindly that week and just topped it off this week!

We had a busy week with the Bells and were so happy to get to know Amy and Carter.  They are wonderful people and we are happy to have been able to share a few days with them.  We dropped them at the airport on Friday afternoon and raced back to Sagbayan for a youth Family Home Evening at the Racomas…

 It was Sister Liezel's birthday (17th) and we had a grand time with the youth and the missionaries.

Night falls outside of the Racomas house

 This was the view as the Viodors and I left the Racomas house.  I have told you about this beautiful farm before.  It really is a beautiful place where the Racomas have raised their 13 children and a large amount of rice!  We had to leave earlier than the rest of the group as the Viodors were expecting a call from Marjonilo (the annual Mothers Day call) and they were going to use our computer for the call.

Marjonilo gets to meet his new sister on Mothers Day call

If you look closely you can see Marjonilo on the computer screen talking to his mother and meeting his new baby sister!  (Remember she was born the day after he left on his mission in March.)  It is funny how much of the business of this branch happens in our bedroom because it is the only place wifi works in our apartment!  Oh well, we are all one big happy family!

Saturday we were up early for our mission prep class.  This week we studied a little while and then we worked on exercising!  The young women were all walking a little slow today with 'sakit' (sore) muscles. Saturday afternoon we attended a baptism in Tubigon.  And this is where the 'water, water. everywhere!' comes in to play.  We were just getting started in our meeting.  I was paying close attention to the first speaker who was talking about baptism by water, when I noticed a steady stream for water creeping in to the room.  I left the meeting to investigate and when I stepped in to the hallway it had water, water everywhere!  The baptismal font had overflowed and was slowly filling the hallway!  There were already a handful of people out there working on the mopping and scooping so I kick off my shoes and joined the mop-up crew!  We scooped and mopped through the entire meeting and sometime afterward!  I wish I had a picture to share but I was too busy mopping.  

Joel Mebato baptism

This baptism was for Joel Mebato, the young man in the center of the picture and Junry Ocabat, the little boy standing in front of me.  Joel is 19 years old and just a shy, quiet young man.  His brother Justin was baptized a short time ago and we are happy to have him join our branch.  Jonry is a special friend of mine and we are so excited that his father became worthy enough to be able to baptize his son.  It was a special experience.  

So, that was our busy week in a nutshell!  We got a lot accomplished and have a long list to get started on come Monday morning!  I just want to wish all of you wonderful women in my life a Happy Mothers Day!  You have all impacted my life in different ways and I appreciate you and the love and support we receive from you.  I hope your day is wonderful and filled with the love of dear ones near and far.  We are so thankful to be here in this place at this time.  We have been given the great opportunity to insert ourselves in the lives of some amazing people and have learned so much of love, patience and joy from this experience.

Have a wonderful week!  We love you and miss you.  We will try to stay focused as we come in to the last stretch here.  Thanks again for your love and support!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Out of Exile!

Maayong Gabii ang Tanan Pamilya ug Amigo's

Well we are out of exile and up and running again.  There is much to do and little time to do it in.

So after moving back home to Sagbayan last week we hit the ground running with transfers this week.  All the foreign missionaries were moved of the Island of Bohol with the exception of the senior couples.  We feel very safe now and still heed the precautions the security representatives for the church have given us. It's always a busy day during transfers and especially this one.

Normal transfer day with our Sister in Tagbilaran

The Elders in Tagbilaran and Elder Wilson, our US Zone Leader, we will miss him.

Sister Haskell transferring, we will miss her also.

So yesterday we had a long fantastic parade in the street in front of our house.  Every year in the month of May there is many Fiesta's (parties) and much celebration.  It just happens that we live next to the school in Sagbayan where all celebrations start.

A colorful part of the Parade

Well tomorrow is my birthday and the members knew we would be away from Sagbayan tomorrow so they planned a little surprise FHE sa akong balay (at our house). So about 1 1/2 hours ago I received a text from John Mark to come to the front door.  As I opened the the door a lot of members from the Branch were standing in the rain singing a Filipino Happy Birthday song. Many had walked for miles to attend and it was very special. So after going around the room and hearing from each and ever one of them it was one of the happiest crying moments I have experienced in my life. One miracle I realized is that as they all spoke in Bisayan I could understand every word they said to me. They are so gracious  and thankful for everything.  For people who have so little worldly possessions, yet they are truly rich with the things that really count in life. Needless to say there were many tears of joy shed by all and I really loved it. (It was kind of like a eulogy because they all know our departure is creeping ever so close and they are as sad as we are at the thought of being torn apart.)

Many choice members form Sagbayan Branch

Well we have many other great stories this week and will defer to my better half for them.

We are truly blessed to have meet so many special missionaries and members while serving on the Island of Bohol.  They are all as beautiful as the Island they live on.

May the Lord Bless all of you with the righteous desires of your hearts.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo) 

Ayo Family and Friends!

Can I just say we are so happy to not be on the run anymore!  It is nice to be back in Sagbayan that is for certain!  While we were gone our little branch did some amazing things.  The youth all worked hard at getting all of our new members and investigators visited.

Jamaica, Angel, Cathlene (all 13 years old)

See these three amazing young women?  Wednesday they stopped by the house in the evening.  They had been out teaching all day some of our people.  So I asked them who they had visited and they named off 8 people!  Then I asked them if they taught lessons to all of them and they said yes!  Then I asked them what lesson they taught.  Jamaica whips out her gospel essentials manual and opened the front cover where she had recorded all the people and lessons.  They had taught a different lesson to each person based on what that person needed.  They taught a lesson on the word of wisdom, fasting, families can be together forever and they even taught several young men about the priesthood!  When all was said and done….Jamaica had taught all of the lessons and the other girls testified about what she taught.  (Sister Cook…you did well teaching this young lady!)  This was just one of the stories…it turns out all of the youth had been working the week we were gone at keeping the missionary work progressing.  What amazing young people!  I would say this branch is in good hands upon our departure!

We had the chance to attend the district youth temple trip with three of our own Sagbayan youth and about 17 others from the Calape District on Thursday and Friday.  

Ronel, Justin, Jecelle

These three were able to attend the temple trip.  The entire district can only take a total of 20 youth and so each branch is only able to send 3 kids.  These three were not members when we took our other kids a few months ago and so they were happy to be able to attend.  All three jumped up first thing today in testimony meeting to share their experiences with the branch.  It is so amazing what these trips do for our branch.  The spiritual strength can nearly be measured upon the return.  Justin, in the middle, is so shy he can hardly speak to us face to face but he could not contain himself today and stood at the microphone and boldly declared his testimony of the temple and many other things.  The gospel changes people in mighty ways almost instantly!

We came home from Cebu on Friday so that we could hold our 'missionary prep' class on Saturday morning.  My idea for this class was to keep the kids spiritually focused during the Summer break from Seminary.  So we spend the first part of the class in study groups working on Personal Progress and Duty to God requirements.  The last half of the class I taught them how to iron a shirt, sew on a button, hem a skirt, and repair a ripped seam….all useful talents when one is a missionary.

Mission prep….sewing a button

More mission prep

None of these kids had ever done any of these tasks before.  Some of them were amazingly good at sewing…even the boys!  They will thank me someday!

Well, I will close for now but I just want to say….it is going to be really hard to leave these people.  They have filled up my heart and taught me so much of love and devotion.  I love these wonderful saints.  They are humble and faithful people who serve with dedication and love without reserve.  I am so blessed to have traveled the same path as they for these last two years.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)