Tender Mercy's of the Lord and Wonders of Bohol

Maayong Buntag (Good Morning) to all Family and Friends

First I will show you some of the Beautiful sights of Bohol then some of the Tender Mercy's of the Lord this week. A picture is worth a thousand words.
                                     

Add captionThe Chocolate Hills of Bohol

More Chocolate Hills                                           

 Tarsiers Monkey (3 to 4 inched tall)

It was hazy the day we went half way across the Island.  We will send a pic of the hundreds of hill together on a day that is clear.  We still have only seen half of the Island.  They say the other half is a beautiful as the first half.

Now on to the Tender Mercy's of the Lord.

This week we had 2 Baptisms on Saturday.

In Calape Sister Lappay and Sister Stanley baptized Irish (15 years old).  We met Irish the first two days that we were on Bohol.  We were called out to give her a blessing and carried her a half a mile in the rain and took her to the nearest medical facility.  She recovered and today was baptized.

Sisters Stanley and Lappay

In Tubigon Sister Palo and Sister Bolo baptized Cristina Calesa.  These 2 small Sisters (4 feet tall) went with us into town this week for dentist appointment.  Before they left the ICM Mall where the dentist was they had 8 referrals from workers, police officers and everyone else they ran into.  We call them our Minion Sister because they are so short and little firecrackers.  Terry would be happy around them as they looked up to her.

I went to meeting today with the District Presidency and all the Branch Presidents.  They made a goal to organize a Stake in Calape in the next year.  That will take a lot of work and help from the Lord.  We presented a Book of Mormon plan to help them accomplish that goal.  We will be working hard to get the Book of Mormon in the hands of all the members with there testimonies in them and committed them to place the Book of Mormon with a friend.  The Missionaries and the Members are all excited about this program so we will let you know how it goes

The final Tender Mercy is watching the gift of tongues in action with Sister Bell.  She has started to learn the language (Cebuano).  She started slowly the first few days but since that time learns 20 to 40 new words a day and retains them.  The Lord is helping her to learn the language.  I am still learning but much slower.  She is the greatest asset I have.

We have developed a great love for the people.  We love the work and we love to work with the people we serve.

I will turn this over to Sister Bell now.

Till we meet agin.  From the Other Side of Heaven

Elder Bell (Lolo - Grandpa and Friend)

Ayo! (Hello)

It has been a week of hurry up and wait.   We had three different days to take missionaries to doctor and dental appointments.  So we gather them up and hurry to the appointment which takes about an hour to drive to the main town of Tagbilaran and then we wait, and wait, and wait.  Medical offices rarely make appointments and if they do it is similar to the lines on the roadway...just a mere suggestion.  But, hopefully we have all the missionaries on the road to recovery for the next week.

We were fortunate enough to finally get a P-day yesterday.  It was our first since we arrive one month ago.  The Halladay's are the other senior couple serving on Bohol.  They have been here for one year and so know all the places that are a must see while on the island.  So they were so kind to take us sightseeing and for a nice dinner.  It was fun to see the Chocolate Hills and the Tarsier Monkeys. (Grandkids...I want you to look up information on the Tarsier Monkeys and learn how cool they are. Report back to  me about what you learn!)

We were fortunate enough to have the Women's Conference Broadcast today and enjoyed it so much.  We do not get to have General Conference until next week via recorded DVD.  But that is okay.  We will enjoy it next weekend.  It will be wonderful to hear gospel messages in a language that I can understand.  (My bana (husband) greatly over- exaggerates my ability to learn the language.  I am praying for the gift of tongues but it really has not happened yet.)

We are frustrated with our internet connection most days.  Our lack of a connection prevented us from starting our language training this last week.  So we are praying for a better connection on Tuesday so we can finally begin our language training.

Nagpa salamat ako para sa akong kauban, akong pamilya, ni Jesu Kristo! (I am grateful for my companion, my family, and Jesus Christ!)  I am so happy to be able to serve the people of Bohol.  They teach me each day by their happy attitudes and faith.  I love you all and want you to know we are definitely in the right place at this time.  There is so much work to do and we are happily and busily engaged in it. I hope you are all well.  We think of you often and pray for your happiness and safety.

Love you forever,
Sister Bell (Lola (grandma), Mom and Friend)