Tyhoons and Earthquakes!

Ayo Family and Friends!

Yes you read that correctly….Typhoons and Earthquakes!  We have been in the midst of them all week.  We don't get any news so I could not tell you how strong the earthquakes have been but we have had our bed shaking several nights this week!  And we have had the most spectacular thunder and lightening and rain!  Lots and lots of rain.  I think we were on the outer edge of a typhoon that came through this week.  Fortunately we did not get the wind just the rain.  All is well….no worries here.  These island know how to handle rain!

It has been a really busy week and I hardly know where to start and where to stop…I guess I will start at the beginning of the week with the sisters conference.  We had a conference for just the Sister Missionaries here on Bohol.  We were joined by three of the senior sisters from Cebu, Sisters Maughan, McNett and Weatherston.  It started Monday morning with the funniest, funnest Missionary Zumba.  Our district leader, Elder Caindoy, was a certified Zumba instructor in his previous life…who knew?  Anyway, he knew that "Babylonian" music was against the rules so he made up this wonderful routine that was all about missionary work…(no Babylonian music President Tanner!) And it was so much fun!  We loved it!

TC (testifying contact) contact to the right, 2, 3, 4 and back…TC contact to the left, 2, 3, 4 and back!

Ayo..ayo…ayo…ayo (right then left then right then left repeat 16 times)

'Ayo' is the greeting made at the gate to see if anyone is home (hence the reason I always address you'all with 'Ayo" each week when I write!)

After Zumba we had a workshop on scripture journaling and then headed to lunch at McDo's in Tubigon and then on up the hill to Sagbayan Peak for some play-time and pictures!

Me with my fellow senior sisters at arms!

Sisters Bell, Maughan, McNett and Weatherston

Other events this week included a visit to the Bitang Family who have not yet been very active in the branch as they are Tagalog speakers and the Cebuano is hard for them to understand.  Anyway, the Sisters visit them regularly and we knew that one of the older daughters had just had a baby girl so I went out to visit with the sisters last week and met this adorable baby…..

Rowella Bitang with her baby girl…Jack Bitang.

While we were visiting the Bitang family we asked them if they would like a name and blessing for the baby?  They showed up for church today and let President Elder Bell give this sweet baby her name and a nice blessing.  Behind her on the bench you see her mother and three of her younger siblings.  There are nine (I think) children in the family.

Another day this week I had the chance to go out with Sisters Bertoldo and Varias teaching one afternoon.  We got to go to the Gambe family and visit.  You remember they are the family that got sealed in August.  I just love this family and while we were there we helped with the corn…

Sister Bell helping with the corn

They grow the corn, harvest it and let it dry for a few days.  Then the kernels have to be taken off of the cob so the corn can be ground in to a meal.  Just doing my part to help. It was fun but the members will rarely let me help with the daily tasks as they think it is beneath me to get dirty…oh if they only knew me!

We had the much anticipated visit with the Smalley's on Thursday.  We just love to go to the other side of the island and make that beautiful drive but we really enjoy visiting with the Smalley's and always enjoy a wonderful meal with them.  We were hoping to get to do a little ocean time that day but it was not to be…..oh well, maybe next time!

Man!  I wanted to jump in that ocean soooooo badly!

A real third world problem….car traffic on the same road as caribou traffic!  

Well, as I close for the week, I just wanted to share a few of my thoughts this sabbath day…..we were in Sacrament Meeting today and Brother Gambe was conducting.  He is the second counselor in the branch presidency and he is very nervous to conduct the meeting and then to top it all off today he had to speak in the meeting.  He gave his very first talk ever!  I was so proud of him.  He is the perfect representative of our young branch.  All of them so new in the church and yet so willing to do their best at what ever they are called upon to do!  It is amazing to watch it all unfold each week.  There are 'firsts' every day around here and the branch is really growing in experience.  They will be so ready for our departure in a few months because they are willing to try and the Lord helps them be more than they could have ever been without Him!  He qualifies whom He calls!  That is the lesson of the week.

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala)

Hello Family and Friends

Well another action packed, fun filled week in the books.  I wish all weeks could be as productive and this one, even though we are on the go kanunay (always).  

In the branch this week we had 6 baptisms, a branch family home evening and started the Self Reliance program for the members (I will explain Self Reliance program later).

I will start with the baptism.  The Jandayan (Han-di-an) family of 5 was baptized in Saturday along with Kim Racoma grandchild of Pres Racoma (my first councilor in Branch Presidency).  We have already spoke about the Jandayan family in past blogs.  The great thing about this family they are full of faith and acceptance when they hear the truth.  The first week Bother Jandayan came to church he heard the lesson in Priesthood about tithing and paid his tithing that day.  The missionaries had not taught him that lesson yet.  They have also been using the Gospel Principle book to teach their family.  They have family scripture study matag adlaw (daily).  They take the gospel to all of their friends and neighbors.  I lent them our television we purchased to do fireside with and a zip drive with the sessions of General Conference in Cebuano.  That day they were showing General Conference to their parents and neighbors.  Their parents are now investigating the church and some friends also.

Jandayan Family

Baptism of Jandayan Family and Kim Racoma
Sister Cook and Sister Anderson

Jandayan Family with Sister Cook and Sister Anderson and on the far left side, Kim Racoma

The Jandayan's have 5 children. The three that got baptized are Jaquim 16, Jacob 14, & Jamaica 13. Kim Racoma is 10 years old and actually got baptized when he was 8 but…..no one filed the baptismal report so there was no record, so he had to be dunked again!  Have you ever seen so much white?  We love it!

Well on Saturday night the youth planned a Branch Family Home Evening at the church after Seminary.  There were many in attendance and fun was had by all.  If you ever want to go to fun FHE where all have the time of their life and do it with simple means and games that bring all members to interact with each other, you need to attend one in our branch!  The unity it creates is amazing. They were honoring the new members that were baptized that day.  Most of the branch was also in attendance at the baptism.

Joan Racoma executing a very fun game that kept them on their toes or they got caught.

We started the Self Reliance program in our branch today.  This program is known to most in the church as the Perpetual Education Fund.  We teach members of third world countries how to apply principles of spiritual and physical self reliance.  They learn in three basic areas. 

1. Education for Better Employment.  Basic principles of how they use education to help get a better job and improve living for your family.  This is the program that allows members to obtain low interest loans for schooling they would never have a chance to obtain without the program.  It also gives them a certificate from LDS Business College that in some case makes a 4 year schooling program into a 1 year schooling program.  For those who attend and get good grades they receive credits on the loan that make it possible to repay.  Meanwhile they learn to be responsible for commitment and are rewarded for doing so.

2.  My Job Search.  Teaches members skills to apply for work and use the skills they have to obtain better employment.  In some cases they just need help in preparing a resume and showing future employers the skills they have.  They have never been taught those skills so it is a great help for them.

3.  Starting and Growing My own Business.  Teaches basic principles of finance and how to do basic research yourself to know what business you should start and how to improve a business that is already in operation.  Many bushinesses in the Philippines are Ma and Pa tindahans (stores) that remind you of early America.  Those who apply basic principles and follow them can really become very successful in the world they live in and bless many lives at the same time.

Well that is enough for this week.

Just want to let you know we are living a dream.  Sometimes dreams are not always easy but these kind are always worth it.

I love the Lord and I come to know him more personally than any other time in my life as we do his work.

May the Lord Bless you with the rightous desires of you heart.

Elder Bell  (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)    

PS…for all of our animal loving grandkids...

Baby goat twins!  So cute!