My Large Cup Runneth Over

Maayong Buntag Mo!

This has been a very eventful week.  I would say this is what you go on a mission for.  It makes all the trials and hard work worth ever minute of it.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we traveled to Cebu Temple with two sisters from our branch who were planning on taking out their endowments.  We came home for one day and then headed back for a youth temple trip.

Well I am going to let Sister Bell tell you about the first part of the week and I will tell you about the youth temple trip we made on Friday and Saturday to the Cebu Temple.

We started the youth temple trip on friday morning at 6:00 am rounding up all 21 or us to go the temple.  Each of the participants came in for an interview to receive a limited use recommend for the temple.  It was Nindot Kaayo (very great) to talk with all the youth one on one and hear of their great testimonies. About 3/4 of them have been members for less than a year, some only a few weeks and many scattered over the year.  So we traveled to Tubigon in the Multi Cab to get on the ferry.

Ready to get on the Boat.

In arriving at the temple at approx. 11:00 we prepared to a 12:00 to 2:00 session of baptisms for the dead.  Well my councilors were planning on going and at the last minute did not end up going because of work. They informed us at the temple that only endowed members holding the priesthood could perform the baptisms.  That left just me. So I told them I would do all the baptisms if they could get temple workers to assist with other necessary duties.  This not like it is in Utah. The temple workers are very limited so groups are instructed to bring their own priesthood holders.

So I proceed to do 68 baptisms on that session.  We also had a session lined up for 6:00 to 8:00 pm. We preformed 108 baptisms in that session.  It was great to witness all of these youth humbly go down into the waters of baptism for those they could help on the other side.  It just doesn't get better than that.

That afternoon and the next day they spent time in the Family History Library. Elder and Sister Grey assisted them in setting up LDS accounts and start on their family tree.  One of the newest member brought names of her relatives to be baptized for.  She learned how to start the process to make that happen.

Elder Grey with Jamaica Jandayan starting the work for her family

  

Sister Grey with Jaiquin Jandayan

The couple that works in the family history library does a great job and they sure love working with such humble and thankful people they have met in the Cebu Temple.  They are a great blessing to the work of the Lord in Cebu.

A great shot as we are getting ready to depart.

Today in Sacrament meeting Sister Bertoldo spoke as she is leaving the mission field today.  Sister Cook sang a song with some of the members.  I could not hold back the tears as I started thinking about  her and Sister Ross leaving the mission field.  These missionaries hold such a special place on your heart as you serve with them.  As we have found in the past those who will come will also be very special also.

I leave you with my greatest love and feeling from my heart.  My cup runneth over does not describe the fullness of the love we feel from the Lord when we are actively engaged in his work.

Cebu Temple

Kita Kits sa sunod simana (See you next week) for the one of the most beautiful places sa kalibutan (the world).

With Love  Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo & Amigo)

Ayo Family and Friends!

It was a glorious week!  Nearly the entire week was spent at the Cebu Temple.  As Elder Bell said we were able to take Sister Claudia Enad with her daughters Cathlene (13) and Claudelyn (10) to the temple.  We also took Sister Analie Calunia so that she could take out her own endowments.  It was really so amazing.  Both of these Sisters and the girls have been baptized since we have been here so we have been with them through this entire journey so far.  Claudia's husband was killed in a construction accident 4 years ago and the minute she learned about eternal families she has wanted to go be sealed to him.  I am sure it was a bitter-sweet moment for her.  But, with the eternal perspective of temple sealings, there is great hope in the future.  Cathlene and Claudelyn were also sealed to their parents.  They all looked like angels.  

Cathlene, Claudia, Claudelyn

Claudia, Cathlene, and Claudelyn looking so beautiful!

Sister Claudia had been waiting and dreaming of this beautiful day for a long time and so she decided she would never have the opportunity again to let the girls have such a wonderful day.  She rented wedding gowns for all of them so they could feel like princesses for just one brief moment!  And they really did look like princesses!  It was very special for us just to be a small part of it!

Sister Analie

This is Sister Analie after the endowment session.  We love her so much.  She is married and has one daughter.  She and her daughter are members but we still have to work on her husband because she wants that forever family too.

It was a very special day for me to be able to be escort to both of these sweet women whom I so dearly love.  They are remarkable woman who love the Lord and show their faith by taking these monumental steps to be able to return to live with Him one day!

Another thing that we got accomplished this week is the paperwork finally submitted for Marjonilo to go on a mission.  It is no easy task here in the Peens to get through the medical part of the application.  It has tested my patience more than once and I suppose will do so again.  Nothing about the medical world here is orderly, or efficient.  But, we finally accomplished the task after only an 8 hour day of waiting on doctors last Monday!

And now the waiting begins for Marjonilo Seliote Viodor!

We love this young man!

Sister Morales

While we were getting checked in at the Patron house on Friday, we ran in to this dear old friend, Sister Morales who we served with last year.  She has since gone home from her mission but was in Cebu attending the temple as the Manila Temple is closed for cleaning currently.  What a joy to run in to her and get the best bear hug ever!  We love you Sister Morales!

Well, that was our week in a nut-shell!  It was wonderful and tiring!  If you have not heard yet, we will be in Utah for the next few weeks.  We have to come home for a trial that should have been settled some 8 years ago, but alas, it is a law suit that is just now going to trial.  We may or may not be able to write the weekly blog….it will be boring as we will be in court all day every day, but we will try.  We will not be able to get around to see all of you but if you see us on the streets of Hooper….don't be alarmed, it is really us and we are really still full-time missionaries.  We love you all and ask that you pray for us these next few weeks…that this law suit can be settled and we can return quickly to the work that is so much more important than the silly law-suit!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala)