Another week has come and gone much too quickly. This whole mission is going to be over before we blink. It is passing too quickly to suit us.
We had the great opportunity to take two families from Calape to pick their daughters up when they returned from their missions this past wednesday. Both of the women came front the same branch and were best friends. They got their mission calls the same day to the same mission but they never got to be companions. It was such a joy to share that special moment when they get to see their families after an 18 month separation.
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| The sweet joy of hugging your mom when you finally get to see her! |
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| Our Returning Sisters greeted by their Families |
While we waited at the airport for a couple of hours Elder Bell took to entertaining Sister Demi's grandson, Rabin and granddaughter, Janine. They loved Elder Bell and never tired of his antics. We were with these people for a long time that day and later on in the day little Rabin had gotten so comfortable with Elder Bell that he slipped and called him, Papalo. That is the name he uses for his grandpa. So everyone grabbed on to that name and now it is Elder Papalo and naturally if Elder Bell is Papalo they decided I should be called Sister Mamala. So there you go…we have new nick names!
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| Papalo to all! |
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| Our wonderful, new Seminary Class from Sagbayan! |
On Thursday we got to have a Zone training meeting and it was great but I am going to let Elder Papalo tell you all about that and a few other great experiences we had this week. But before I sign off I want to tell you all how much I love you. I really am so happy to be able to be a missionary at this time of my life. I love the Lord and I know that he wants all of his children to return to live with Him someday. It is so wonderful to be involved in the work that can help bring His children home. I am learning and growing everyday and it is wonderful to be here doing all of these exciting and challenging things here on Bohol. Thank you so much for all of your letters and calls. We could not do this if we did not have all of you supporting our efforts. I hope you are all well and happy and enjoying the wonderful holiday season.
Love you forever,
Sister Bell (Mamala, Nanay, Amigo)
Maayong Gabii from the Peens Pamilya and Amigo's!
Well we have finish another fun filled, whirlwind and exciting week on the Island of Bohol.
We had Zone Meeting this week and it was great. A lot of great training, association with missionaries we love, and great departing testimony form a amazing Zone Leader with an amazing story. So here is the story.
Elder Saenz was raised by his mother because his father left when he was very young. His mother was the leader of a Bible study group. He was schooled in the teachings of the Bible from a young age. One day he noticed a group of young men playing basketball at the church he passed by ever day. He asked if he could join them. After a time he decided he would attend the LDS church and see what it was all about. After 4 weeks attending church no one had asked him anything about if he wanted to hear about the church and its teaching. He inquired with the Branch President and the missionaries quickly were involved.
Elder Saenz decided to join the church even though his mother strongly opposed. He had based his decision on his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the answers he received to his prayers. He was faithful to the testimony he had received.
Elder Saenz then decided to go on a mission. Just a short time before he left to go on his mission his Mother looked in to the church and was baptized a member of the church. His goal on his mission was to find, teach and baptize an entire family. During his mission he has become one the strongest and greatest leaders a mission could hope to have. He worked very hard on his mission and saw some baptisms, but never a complete family.
He said in his testimony his mother had been working on family and friends while he was on his mission and had 5 complete families ready for him to baptize when he returns home in the middle of December. All this from one boy that stayed true to what he believed when the Lord answered his prayers.
I have grown to love Elder Saenz by all the things were have been through together. Such as a van plunging off the hill into a swamp and he was the driver whose life was saved by the angels watching over them that day. There are many other transfers, training, working out problems as they arise and many other experiences we have shared together. It is really hard to see him go.
(Elder Saenz told us in his finally testimony Thursday that he had never known the love of a father until he met President Tanner and now Elder Bell. He now felt the love of two righteous men that he loves like his father)
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| My dear friend Elder Saenz |
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| Calape Zone choir practicing for Mission Christmas party next week |
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| Sister Tahaafe preparing Zone for a great choir presentation. |
Sister Tahaafe preparing Zone for a great choir presentation.
She sings first verse of Silent Night in Tongan and the rest of the choir sing the 2nd verse in Cabuano.
If this doesn't touch your heart nothing will.
It is Nindot (Great)!
Elder Papalo still Nahi Gugma (Loves) Sister Mamala! We love our family at home, the family of missionaries we serve with, and the people we serve on the Island of Bohol. We love our mission and the Lord for all the great blessing and tender mercies he gives to us each and ever day.
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| Elder Papalo still Nahi Gugma (Loves) Sister Mamala! |
Love to all
Elder Bell (Papalo, Tatay and Amigo)
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