Now that's…..a SPIDER!

Ayo Family and Friends!

I am not usually a jumpy person but I have to tell you this one got me!

I am not even exaggerating when I say this bad boy was the size of my hand!!

We learned a few months ago that only 7% of the senior couples that apply for missions are qualified to come here to the Philippines and now I know why.  Because if you had a little old person see a spider the size of this one and that little old person had a mild heart condition….that little old person would have died of a heart attack!  Thankfully this little old person did not, but it sure got my heart pumping for a few minutes as the thing crept out from behind the apron I just picked up and put on.  Elder Bell was not at home and so I had to collect myself enough to be able to kill it single-handedly with my spatula!

It was a sweet goodbye to our wonderful mission president and his sweet companion.  We have grown to love these people like family!  They have been serving continuously for over four years now and they certainly deserve some time at home with their family but we are really going to miss them.  President Tanner has been a fabulous mission president and Sister Tanner the 24 hour a day doctor that 200 missionaries need every single day.  Their love and kindness, wisdom and patience have taught us so much about what it means to live and treat others as Christ would.


We were able to meet with the Tanners as they bid farewell to all of us missionaries on Monday morning with a wonderful conference in Tagblilaran.  We had all 85 of our missionaries there and we were able to sing for them the most beautiful song to show our love and state our dedication to this work.  It is a medley from 2001 EFY called, 'We'll Bring the World His Truth".  It is the sisters singing 'As Sisters in Zion' and the elders singing 'Army of Helaman' at the same time.  When you join that many missionary voices together it is moving to say the least.  I couldn't see the faces of the Tanners as I was leading the song but I could see the faces of the missionaries and many of them, like me, had tears streaming down their cheeks.  It was a fitting tribute to the two people we all revere so much.

President and Sister Tanner

Then tonight we were able to meet with the Tanners again as they came to Bohol for the last time to say goodbye to the members in a fireside this afternoon.  We filled the Calape Chapel with people whom these people had touched in some way.  Remember they were here when the earthquake happened in 2013.  These are the people that pulled all of the members of Bohol through that really hard experience.  How they had the resources and wisdom to get through that as a new mission president is astounding.  Then just two months later the biggest typhoon ever to hit the Philippines blew through and they once again pulled together all of the members and missionaries on Cebu to get them through that tragedy.  The Tanners have really had some remarkable experiences in their three years leading this mission.  Oh, and they are the very first mission president (couple) of the Cebu East Mission.  So they have had some phenomenal  pioneering experiences.  They have helped the church grow in leaps and bounds here on Bohol and on Cebu.  They believed in their missionaries and in the members and most often everyone stepped it up because of their trust.

Tanners, if you are reading this, please know that we love you and we are so happy to have been able to serve with you here in the Cebu East Mission.  Go well my friends….go well!

Other events this week included a p-day activity with the Panglao District.  They talked us in to taking them to the beautiful Mag-aso Falls that we have already featured here a few times.  Little did we know that those beautiful turquoise waters turn all kinds of brown in the rainy season.  And the water was really high because we have had lots and lots of rain this week!  You have never experienced rain until you experience rain here in the Peens!

Magaso Falls

This is the Panglao District out for adventure!  A good time was had by all!

We also had some great baptisms this week but I am going to leave those stories for Elder Bell to share.  I just want you to know that I am so happy to be here.  The days are long and the work is not always easy but it sure is worth it.  I am so blessed to be able to be here with my good husband and feel like he is doing a great job.  He works so hard at learning Cebuano and puts his whole heart and soul in to the lives of all of these missionaries and all of the members.  He loves them without reservation as the Savior would and sees the great potential in each and every person.  I love being a witness to his life and learn from his example.  Me, I am just trying to keep up with him and occasionally cook a decent meal!  He is the work horse here….I am the hired help! But, I wouldn't want to have it any other way. Thank you for all of the prayers, letters, and thoughts you send our way.  It really helps sustain us through the tough days.

Love you forever, 

Sister Bell (Nanay, Lola, Amigo)

Kamusta Mo Amigo's,

Well the baptisms started on Friday this week. Sister Zita Anober and Sister Luisa Umbang along with a daughter from each family were baptized.  These families are both from Sagbayan and are sisters.  Their other Sister Claudia was baptized last October just after we arrived on Bohol.  Sister Claudia was one of our first teaching appointments shared with the elders after we arrived.  We have been working with these two families for about 4 to 5 months now and have shared posts in the blog about Family Home Evenings and other events at their homes.  It is great to see extended family units joining the church and preparing to go through the temple.  I am teaching a Temple Prep class to Sister Claudia now along with 3 other new members.  The gospel is really for families and we can see it open before our eyes the longer we serve.

 Zita Anober, Marina Anober, Luisa Umbang and Louie May Umbang (left to right front)

Elder Garcia, Elder Cirunay and Elder Malinao (left to right rear)

After church today we participated in teaching the remainder of Sister Zita and Sister Luisa's family.  There are 6 more member of the families and Sister Louie May's boyfriend being baptized on July 8th.

It is great to see families participate in the gospel together.

On Saturday we were off to the races again for a double header.  We attended a baptism in Carmen for Sunny Logrono Mejia.  We assisted Carmen with the baptism but were not involved with the teaching of Sunny.  All I can say after hearing his story he is very patient man and deserves a place in the Lord's kingdom.

Sunny Logrono Mejia & Elder Ludby at the Pilar Chapel

Then it was off to Ubay for the baptism of Eric Ignacio Mendoza.  We have worked with him at Ubay in church.  He is joining other members of his family in the church.

Eric Ignacio Mendoza and Elder Borrego

Many of these baptismal pictures from Ubay come as a result from Elder Borrego and his unconquerable spirit.  We call him Captain Moroni because if all missionaries were like Elder Borrego the Gate of Hell would shake at their coming.  He is truly a bold and great missionary.

Well I will close for this week as we embark upon a busy week next week.  Checking 38 apartments on Bohol. Also preparing for the new mission president to come to Bohol the week after.

What a Beautiful place that we serve in. 

I love the Lord and I love his work.  As we are in the last minutes of the last day before He comes again, may all of us be prepared for his coming.  Remember if we are prepared, we shall not fear.

Nahi Gugma Ako mga Amigo's,

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo and Amigo) 

PS…If you have the thought, "I should really write to the Bells.", consider it personal revelation and act upon it!  Salamat!