Well this has been another whirlwind week with a lot of events and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I will start with a flag ceremony and prayer. That is the proper way to start all school days here in the Philippines. So here are some shots of the flag ceremony in the morning. I think it is so amazing to see a country still honor their flag and country in a way that long ago was hindered by so many people in our great USA. It is refreshing to see this happening every morning and we do not even mind waiting on the road for all of this to happen.
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Stopping traffic for the morning Flag Ceremony.
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| Children participating in Flag Ceremony before Prayer. |
I have also been asked to give a spiritual message at the beginning of Barangay (Town) Council meeting twice month. The Secretary (President Lorzono) of the Barangay Council is member and the other member are not. Saturday was the second time teaching at the meeting. The first meeting went very well and taught them about the nature of God the Father, his son, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Also that families are center Gods plan here on this earth. I also left them a list of 15 questions of the soul and asked them to pick some question for next time and we could study together to find out answers to the questions they have.
This time I and Sister Bell showed them the timeline in the Old Testament for the bringing forth of the Book of Mormon. We then explained we could have discussion using the Bible and also the Book of Mormon. Two people had questions they wanted answered; 1. Did we live before we came to Earth 2. Where do we go between death and resurrection. That will be our topic for next meeting and they will study with us for the answers to the questions. These are basic question that we all have and apparently the religion they are participating in has not answered those questions. This is a great opportunity and these are great very humble people that just want to know the truth about their lives.
We attended a Senior Couples Training on Wed. & Thursday of this week in Cebu. It was also a going away meeting for the Senior Couples and President and Sister Tanner. They are returning home from their mission at the end of June. We are sad to see them go. They are such great friends and brother and sister in the Lord. They were called to be Mission President while serving a mission. They have been away form home for 4 1/2 years so no doubt their kids and grandkids will be very excited to have them home. I hope they get a little rest as they have worked so very hard for so many years now…but, we know them and we know that it is not likely!!
We also toured some of the sights of Cebu we have not seen before. First was the Island of Lapu Lapu.
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| Lapu Lapu was the first leader in the Philippines to repel European aggression. |
Elder Head is one the Nindot Kaayo Assistants that accompanied us on the trip. We thought he was a very good likeness to Lapu Lapu or as we like to think….Captain Moroni!
Second we visited a guitar factory. These guitars are sold all over the world.
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| This is where the guitars start. |
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| The finished product. They sound amazing. |
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| Then off to Temple of Leah. The richest man in Cebu is building this for his wife that passed away. |
Not finished yet. There are lower levels that will contain collections of art.
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| Over looking Cebu City form the Temple of Leah |
Well I am going wrap up and let Sister Bell take over.
It has been a great experience to serve with President and Sister Tanner. To see their unwavering devotion to the missionaries and the members of the church in the Cebu East Mission in inspiring and also very humbling. Their service will be felt for decades to come as they were able organize a Stake on Cebu and also the first Stake on the Island of Bohol. I know the people of Bohol have been blessed by their pioneering spirit that established the Church as we know it today on the Island of Bohol.
I love the Lord and I love his work. It is the most fulfilling thing I have felt in my life.
Daghang Salamat to all my Family and Friends.
Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo and Amigo)
Ayo Family and Friends!
I hope you have had a great week! Happy Father's Day to all of you dads out there! They actually celebrate Father's Day here as well. So, in our typical fashion, we celebrated by attending two branches for church and driving a lot just like we do every Sunday. But, I did get to spend that time with the fabulous father of our family and for that I am grateful.
We had the chance last Monday to attend a Family Home Evening at the Lupio's home here in Calape. They are such a nice couple and have been an active part of the church here for many years. They had never hosted an FHE in their home before and so they were really excited to have the opportunity. There are no words to describe Brother Lupio and his magical tree houses that he has been building for years….you just have to see it to believe it!
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| The Lupio Family! They live in a very humble home but share all they have with others. |
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| President Perez and his daughters |
This is President Perez (Calape Branch President) and two of his adorable daughters performing their talent! (You have to do a talent if you lose the game!) They are performing some silly childhood song together. Elder Bell also lost the game and performed his famous "Little Bunny Foo Foo"
The mission home in Cebu that has been the home of Tanners for 3 years now is a really beautiful home and it sits right on the water. The view from the front of their house is breathtaking morning and evening.
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| The sunset Wednesday night! I never get tired of sunsets on the water! |
We had the greatest missionary day Saturday! It started with that teaching opportunity with the Barangay Captains in Clarin and then we headed up to Talibon to teach with some of the Elders there!
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| Elders (from left to right) Calumpang, Wilson, Gamolo, and Lockhart |
We got there at noon and so we took all of the Talibon Elders out for lunch, our treat! They love it when you take them to lunch! There is a great restaurant in Talibon called, Chellannes where you can feed missionaries for pretty cheap. After the lunch we headed out to teach with Elders Calumpang and Wilson for the rest of the afternoon. They have two families that are getting ready for baptism on July 2. They are dynamite missionaries and have certainly done some good missionary work in their area. Talibon hasn't had a baptism for quite awhile now and they are about to change all of that and have 7 on the same day….look for photos soon!
We stayed in Talibon for the night as we were supposed to attend a very early baptism Sunday morning. That however was postponed and so we stayed the night anyway so that we would not have to turn around and drive back up there this morning (it is a two hour drive).
Well, that covers the highlights of our week. We just get so busy we can hardly believe another week has flown by. It is such a blessing to be serving here. We are so inspired by the sacrifice of these young missionaries who put their lives on hold for eighteen months to two years and go out to serve where ever they are called. It is hard work and it takes monumental dedication to see it through. But, the miracles happen and through the efforts of this amazing young people, the good news of the gospel is spread one person at a time. It really is miraculous to be a small part of it and we feel blessed to be here. Thank you from the depths of our hearts for supporting us in this adventure!
I love you forever,
Sister Bell (Nanay, Lola, Amigo)
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