KBell's : Mission Possible : Malipayon Pasko!

Malipayon Pasko Pamilya ug mga Amigo!

(Happy Christmas Family and Friends!)

Well, we had to hit the ground running this week. Fortunately the jet-lag is not as bad coming back this direction as it was going back your direction. We had to do apartment checks as soon as we got home so we hit that really hard on Tuesday and Wednesday.

This is the very dako (large), scary kaayo Santa that we came across in Sierra Bullones on our trip through the middle of the island to do apartment checks.

And the very tall tree in Carmen. This is beautiful at night.

All the apartments were in good shape (or I was in a charitable mood) as they all got great scores. Thursday we headed back to Cebu for a Senior Couples meeting. It was good to see all of fellow seniors and enjoy some down time with them.

Senior couples having dinner in the Mission Home

Oh my goodness! Look at that American food!

Oh my goodness! Look at that American food! It was so delicious and the company just so amazing. We had to say our goodbyes to the Bocks. They are from Austrailia and will be leaving the mission for home in just three weeks. They have served for 23 months and done so many wonderful things for the people in the Bogo area. We will miss them but we are also happy to have friends in Austrailia to go visit. They also told us they will be visiting America next Fall so maybe we can see them then as they are going to try and go to General Conference. We are hoping so….it made goodbyes easier hoping that this will be so.

Yesterday we had our Sagbayan Branch Christmas Party and it was quite a party! Elder Bell will fill you in on the details. But, I just wanted to shout out to some of our kids who helped with many gifts. They donated and put together much of the 75 gift bags we had put together for our branch members! We really appreciate our selfless, giving family! The gifts were very appreciated by our members.

Today, Christmas, Elder Bell had assigned us (as in he and I) to speak in Sacrament Meeting. So a few weeks ago I had this great idea to have a program including the scriptural reading of the nativity story from the Bible and Book of Mormon sprinkled with Christmas songs (Like 10 songs) so that I would not have to speak so long. It was all good on paper! Seriously, it was somewhat chaotic but all in all the members pulled it off pretty well. And the best part is that I really did not have to speak very long. I got brave and bore my testimony in Visayan (this is very scary for me). I am not sure how it all sounded but I am glad it is over. It helped me think about the true reason we celebrate this wonderful event. The birth of this most holy child set in motion the events that lead to His ministry and eventual sacrifice for me, a weak and lowly child of God, that allows me to see Him and again! This is why we celebrate….why we reflect…why we keep trying.

I love my Savior. I am so grateful for His redeeming sacrifice for me. I am so thankful for his enduring love and patience. I know He lives and for this very reason I am here today doing what I do in Bohol, Philippines. I love you all. Malipayon Pasko!!

Love you forever,

Sister Bell (Mamala to all)

Maayong Pasko sa karon adlaw (Merry Christmas today)

When you receive this your Christmas day will just be starting while ours is wrapping up. This is always a great time of the year. This year has been a great Christmas season for us. It was great to see our family for Thanksgiving and the week after. It was tugnaw kaayo (very cold) while in Utah and Wyoming. And very rainy upon arrival to Bohol. I am just grateful that we have such a great family and such great friends all over the world.

Well the Christmas party..... It stared for me at 5:00 AM. Come to find out I was 2 hours late for the dressing of the pig for the party. I arrived in time to get some great snap shots of the whole event.

Tatay Viodor dressing the pork

Brother Jandayan, Nanay Claudia and Cathleen Enad prepare meat for cooking

Lola Conchita preparing fire for cooking

Lola Conchita cooking pork

Now on to the party. We all gathered together at the church at 1:00 and started by watching a slide show or pictures from Sagbayan in 2016. It was great to look back over all the memories of things that have transpired with this group of people over the last year. At this time last year many of the leaders in our branch where not even members of the church. Now they are leading the Primary, Sunday School, Young Women's and Young Men organizations. My Branch Clerk also was not a member. It is amazing to see how the Lord has bless these people over this last year.

Then we stared the program after everyone was gathered around 2:30. Many presentations were given by members and nonmembers that were in attendance. The missionaries had about 15 or 20 investigators present and they participated right along with the rest of us.

Nanay Claudia & Daughters

Arc Umbang on the guitar

Then we started the minute-to-win-it games and fun was had by all. At this time the room was just in uproar as every one competing was cheered on.

Sister Gambi and others doing the 'Cookie face off' game.

Then it came time for the Budol Budol (large feast). Their was plenty for all and no one went home hungry.

Budol Budol

After that there was food and gifts donated by some of the members. The gifts were given to all members and investigators present at the end of the party. For people who do not have a lot of worldly possessions they sure reached down into the bottom of their hearts and gave to each other. No expensive toys or other item were part of the gifts. These a just the necessities of life that they are grateful to have.

Well to wrap it up for my part we have been greatly blessed to have such great family and also humble friends to share the Thanksgiving and Christmas season with. We are truly blessed.

I know the Savior was born and died for us. This truly is the greatest event to happen in the history of mankind. His birth truly gave hope and joy to all of us. May we always be thankful of the gift of His life and example.

Daghang Salamat (Much Thanks) to all of you.

Elder Bell (Tatay, LoLo, Amigo)

PS….

We just got finished with our Christmas celebration. We invited our Sagbayan missionaries and our zone leaders over for Christmas Dinner! We ate, played games and sang, celebrated Sister Andersons birthday and had a really memorable Christmas Day!