23 August 2015

Hi again.  Busy or slow, the weeks just seem to fly by.  I am writing this week on Sunday afternoon and it will be short as there isn't a lot to report.

We are reading from Ether in the Book of Mormon right now and will finish the entire book again in another week.  Those of you who desire can join with us in reading it again starting in September.  We will complete it again at the end of the year.  As usual, I have been greatly impressed with the messages contained in this marvelous revelation from God.  I was especially touched by 2nd Ether where Moroni talks about "this land of Promise".  I will add some short phrases beginning at verse 9:  "and now, we can behold the decrees of God concerning this land; that it is a land of promise; and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall serve God, or they shall be swept off when the fulness of his wrath shall come upon them. ....  For behold, this is a land which is choice above all other lands; wherefore he that doth possess it shall serve God or shall be swept off. ... And this cometh unto you, O yes Gentiles, that ye may know the decrees of God - that ye may repent and not continue in your iniquities. ... Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity and from all other nations under heaven if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ."

How can the judgements of God not be coming upon us given the terrible wickedness which is upon the face of our country?  Truly, these are perilous times and those who are watching and prepared will be saved at the last day.  We are interested to see what happens between now and September 13 the end of the Jewish month of Elul.

The Elder on the right is from Henderson, NV.  His parents
are both Filippino and met in Provo at BYU.  He was born
there.  He is a happy and pleasant young man.  Plays the
piano and always has a smile on his face.

We started our week with a trip to Bato in the Iriga district to attend church on Sunday.  This is a small branch but has a very nice church building.  Everywhere we go we are welcomed and viewed, I think, as some kind of special visitor.  We truly are not but they treat us like royalty and we love being out among them.  I always try to get some pictures of the missionaries when we are around them and this time is no different.  One of the Elders in Bato is quite new and is from Henderson, Nevada.  I am including a picture of him and his companion for the sake of his parents.





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Mom and Dad were baptized a month ago.  They have
5 boys.  He is a "Jeepney" driver.

The sisters day out.  You can see what they did.

Monday was a fun day for the "girls".  Sister Reeder planned a time with the 2 Senior Sisters and herself.  You can see from the pictures what they were doing.  I, on the other hand, stayed home and washed dishes, ironed my shirts and did an English test with one of the Elders close by.  The Brothers were actually invited to the Reeders mid afternoon to have lunch all together.  We always have fun getting together.

These Elders cooked main dishes of Filippino food.  This
plus two pots of rice was dinner.  Oh, we also had
birthday cake.

The rest of the week was all rolled together with birthdays, baking cake and cupcakes, dinner with friends and visiting Iriga for a District Priesthood training on Saturday. Yours truly was the main attraction again at this priesthood training.  I think we are finally starting to turn the corner on some of the issues regarding membership records.  I was so pleased with one of the clerks and branch presidents who have started using the forms to capture the information on two Aaronic Priesthood boys receiving the priesthood.  That is a big step and will go along way to resolving the issues.  I used them as an example of what they all need to be doing.

Birthday Elders on Wednesday.  Both the same day.

All the Elders who came to dinner on Wednesday.

Our friends over for dinner on Friday night.  The Gamil's.

Today, we were in Pamplona which is a small branch north of Naga about a half hour.  We were so warmly received again by everyone.  The branch president asked when we were going to move our memberships to their branch.  We didn't really have any  official business there today but went to visit and support them.  We love being with them and are always anxious to help them any way that we can.  Sometimes, just being there makes a difference, I think.





















We ended the week on a high note with the Gamils coming for dinner Friday night.

The trip to Iriga for training on Saturday.

The visit to Pamplona Branch to attend church and visit friends today.






We go into next week with a large day of English tests on Monday and then a regular week for the rest of the week.  We are doing well.  Still getting over colds and other little things but the Lord has been good to us.  We are learning a lot and doing great.

Until next week.