26 Feb. 2023 Week #22: Self Reliance Booth, Baptism, Elder Bednar; A great Saturday!
Dear Family and Friends,
Last Monday evening we had our Senior FHE. The sister that gave the lesson is an older Filipino Sister that has lived most of her life in Sandy, UT. She works in the office of the Cebu East Mission. She was raised in the Philippines. She was born here in Cebu and then raised in Manila. Her family migrated to the U.S. after high school. She went to college in the U.S. and married and lived there. However, she went on a mission as a young lady. She came back here to the Philippines and served in the third mission establish, Davao, on Mindinao. Manila mission 1967, then Cebu 1973, then Davao 1975. She gave some great insights into the LDS and U.S. history of the Philippines. There are now 23 missions. Davao Temple will be the 4th to be dedicated and should happen before we leave. The Urdaneta is soon to be finished. Anyway, she talked about how after WWII it was required in all schools to speak English. That was out of gratitude to the U.S. So many of her generation learned English well. When she served her mission they were only to teach those who could speak English. She was one of about 8 total missionaries who could speak in the native languages here anyway. About 98% of missionaries in the 3 missions were all from the U.S. The idea was to teach the middle to upper-class people to develop the church leaders of the future here. She and her companion tracted out a Filipino family that was really interested in hearing the gospel. She contacted her mission president about teaching them. He said no. She worked and worked on persuading him to let them teach. She was transferred out of Davao to Cagayan do Oro. These were the only two places safe for sisters in the Davao Mission. She finally got the mission president to okay teaching those who couldn’t speak English. Later she was transferred back to Davao. She went to that family and taught them, and they now have a long history of discipleship in the church. When she left, they now had 3 sets of sisters in Davao with one in each companionship that was Filipino and could teach in Tagalog or Cebuano. Later, after she returned to the U.S. her father came back and was called to head up raising money by the Filipinos for their part to pay for the announced Manila Temple. She spent the rest of her life in the U.S. She has four children, and sad for her none of them are active in the gospel. Her parents were strong members to their deaths. She hopes her children will come around and raise her grandkids in the church. She came as an example to her grandchildren.
In the 80’s a new leader was elected, kind of a dictator, and he made it so no English was taught in the schools. When he was finally ousted, many years later, you now had a generation that couldn’t speak English. It is interesting as we can communicate with the older people, and the educated youth quite well in English, but the people in their 30’s-50’s can’t speak much English unless they have good jobs. When the older people or the younger ones speak in church they usually speak in English and the others speak in Cebuano. The priests always bless the sacrament in English, but on Fast Sunday, the Elders blessing the Sacrament speak in Cebuano. Of course, there are several that are very good at both languages. Our Sunday School teacher, Henry, is really good at both and does an incredible job of teaching to all three groups, those who know both, those who know just Cebuano, and us, the 11 English Senior Service missionaries who don’t know any Cebuano.
On Wednesday Clyda did Sister Taylor’s nails in the afternoon, and then we took them with us out to Mabuhay Deseret Foundation. That was fun to have them along. It was good to see Natalie again and see how things are progressing with that building. It is slow because of lack of help building. They are still using a small, rented facility and are anxious to get this, their place, completed. It was evening when we came back to the city, so we went out to dinner at Italiani’s with the Taylors.
We spent the rest of the week in meetings, communicating, and preparing for presentations that we hope we will soon be doing. We have the material list for six projects into purchasing. It takes forever. We don’t want to keep harping on them. We want to let them do their job and stay out of their hair. Other couples say we need to contact them often to see where they are with our lists. That is not our style.
We also spent time preparing for Saturday’s WSR conference. We had a booth, where we showed a PowerPoint, and had sample documents for people to look at, and then give them our card, like a business card (which has my middle name as Brandy, and our address in Manila). We had about 400 attendees. Many Bishops and Branch Presidents were present and asking questions on how we can help them with their congregations. We had to be there at 7:00 a.m. It went until 3:30. It was a full day.
Then we attended a baptism at 5:00 and a Philippine Area Fireside broadcast with Elder Bednar at 6:00. He has been here in the Philippines for the past 8 days. It was a Q&A with him. The area presidency and their wives were present with Elder and Sister Bednar. They were the ones asking the questions. It was excellent.
We had Elder Espanoza and Elder Willis here for Taco Tuesday on Tuesday. They let us know about the Saturday baptism. It was fun to watch Elder Willis baptize this good sister. Then it was fun to watch him confirm her in church today. She was very emotional. She has a teenager daughter who joined the church a year ago. The youth in this ward, young men and young women are really good. There have been three young men baptized in the last couple months and a young sister and now this mother of a young lady. Pretty cool.
Today there were two couples at church who have come for a visit. They both served here about 4-5 years ago. One of the men had served here as a young man back in 69-70 and knew who Conrad Teichert was. When he saw my name tag, he asked if I had a brother or relative who served here. He didn’t personally serve with Conrad but knew about him. It was fun to visit with him. His name is Ron McMullin.
We have had a good time watching Mylies sad basketball games. Too bad for her two senior teammates who suffered severe injuries. We enjoyed watching some of the Cokeville regional games. Congratulations to the boys on second place and headed to state. Congratulations to the girls on taking first at regionals. It is fun to watch them get after it. They have some good young athletes, and they are working hard. They will do well at state.
Of course, it was pure joy watching Tel take first at state in wrestling. A freshman and state champion at 126 lbs. We were truly excited! Clyda was up and dancing and yelling and getting into it. I should have gotten her on a Marco Polo to share, but I was playing the matches through my phone onto the TV. CONGRATULATIONS TEL PARRY!! Now, be as good of a kid as you are a wrestler. This learning how to prepare for competition will make you a great missionary like your cousin, Connor. We are proud of you, Tel!!!
We are proud of Connor. It is so fun to get his weekly emails. He is doing a great job as a missionary. It is fun to feel the Spirit as we read of his activities and testimony. He is handling the rigors of missionary life with class. As a result, the Lord, whose work he is engaged in, is blessing him with many great experiences. Connor knows where his blessings are coming from and gives credit to his Savior.
This gospel is true. It is amazing to see it grow in the Philippines. So many people who have so little have the Spirit shine in their eyes. It is fun to visit with them. We had another wonderful session at the temple this week. Afterwards, while Clyda and I visited in the beautiful Celestial Room, we shared a new insight that we had never realized before. It was cool! Thanks to the new film for helping us understand something that should have been so plain before, and we didn’t realize it. I’m pretty good at receiving some revelation when it is spoken right out loud to me. If I have to gain it through the Spirit, I still have a lot of work to do. Thank goodness I have received some, like I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, and They live today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the Earth today, the Book of Mormon is true, and we have a living prophet and apostles on Earth today. It is magnificent and wonderful!!
Thank you, family, for getting together with each other when you can, supporting each other always, and loving each other and us. We love you and are grateful for you, our children, our siblings and our parents, of whom June is still with us on this Earth. We are grateful for the ministering angels on the other side of the veil, our parents, grandparents, Tillie and Clyde, and others who are helping us and are involved in this great work. We have been so blessed!!
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
P.S. I wish I could add pictures better, so they weren’t blurry. I will try to get some help.
Not necessarily in this order. 1-Us and the Tidwell’s at the Cebu Temple. 2-With the Taylors at Mabuhay Desseret with Natalie and her daughter. 3-One of me at our booth before it became crazy. 4-One with us telling about our display in front of the crowd. 5-One with us at our booth when it was crazy. 6-With the crowd, see if you can find us (looking for Waldo).
Week #22 2/20-2/26
Last Monday evening we had our Senior FHE. The sister that gave the lesson is an older Filipino Sister that has lived most of her life in Sandy, UT. She works in the office of the Cebu East Mission. She was raised in the Philippines. She was born here in Cebu and then raised in Manila. Her family migrated to the U.S. after high school. She went to college in the U.S. and married and lived there. However, she went on a mission as a young lady. She came back here to the Philippines and served in the third mission establish, Davao, on Mindinao. Manila mission 1967, then Cebu 1973, then Davao 1975. She gave some great insights into the LDS and U.S. history of the Philippines. There are now 23 missions. Davao Temple will be the 4th to be dedicated and should happen before we leave. The Urdaneta is soon to be finished. Anyway, she talked about how after WWII it was required in all schools to speak English. That was out of gratitude to the U.S. So many of her generation learned English well. When she served her mission they were only to teach those who could speak English. She was one of about 8 total missionaries who could speak in the native languages here anyway. About 98% of missionaries in the 3 missions were all from the U.S. The idea was to teach the middle to upper-class people to develop the church leaders of the future here. She and her companion tracted out a Filipino family that was really interested in hearing the gospel. She contacted her mission president about teaching them. He said no. She worked and worked on persuading him to let them teach. She was transferred out of Davao to Cagayan do Oro. These were the only two places safe for sisters in the Davao Mission. She finally got the mission president to okay teaching those who couldn’t speak English. Later she was transferred back to Davao. She went to that family and taught them, and they now have a long history of discipleship in the church. When she left, they now had 3 sets of sisters in Davao with one in each companionship that was Filipino and could teach in Tagalog or Cebuano. Later, after she returned to the U.S. her father came back and was called to head up raising money by the Filipinos for their part to pay for the announced Manila Temple. She spent the rest of her life in the U.S. She has four children, and sad for her none of them are active in the gospel. Her parents were strong members to their deaths. She hopes her children will come around and raise her grandkids in the church. She came as an example to her grandchildren.
In the 80’s a new leader was elected, kind of a dictator, and he made it so no English was taught in the schools. When he was finally ousted, many years later, you now had a generation that couldn’t speak English. It is interesting as we can communicate with the older people, and the educated youth quite well in English, but the people in their 30’s-50’s can’t speak much English unless they have good jobs. When the older people or the younger ones speak in church they usually speak in English and the others speak in Cebuano. The priests always bless the sacrament in English, but on Fast Sunday, the Elders blessing the Sacrament speak in Cebuano. Of course, there are several that are very good at both languages. Our Sunday School teacher, Henry, is really good at both and does an incredible job of teaching to all three groups, those who know both, those who know just Cebuano, and us, the 11 English Senior Service missionaries who don’t know any Cebuano.
On Wednesday Clyda did Sister Taylor’s nails in the afternoon, and then we took them with us out to Mabuhay Deseret Foundation. That was fun to have them along. It was good to see Natalie again and see how things are progressing with that building. It is slow because of lack of help building. They are still using a small, rented facility and are anxious to get this, their place, completed. It was evening when we came back to the city, so we went out to dinner at Italiani’s with the Taylors.
We spent the rest of the week in meetings, communicating, and preparing for presentations that we hope we will soon be doing. We have the material list for six projects into purchasing. It takes forever. We don’t want to keep harping on them. We want to let them do their job and stay out of their hair. Other couples say we need to contact them often to see where they are with our lists. That is not our style.
We also spent time preparing for Saturday’s WSR conference. We had a booth, where we showed a PowerPoint, and had sample documents for people to look at, and then give them our card, like a business card (which has my middle name as Brandy, and our address in Manila). We had about 400 attendees. Many Bishops and Branch Presidents were present and asking questions on how we can help them with their congregations. We had to be there at 7:00 a.m. It went until 3:30. It was a full day.
Then we attended a baptism at 5:00 and a Philippine Area Fireside broadcast with Elder Bednar at 6:00. He has been here in the Philippines for the past 8 days. It was a Q&A with him. The area presidency and their wives were present with Elder and Sister Bednar. They were the ones asking the questions. It was excellent.
We had Elder Espanoza and Elder Willis here for Taco Tuesday on Tuesday. They let us know about the Saturday baptism. It was fun to watch Elder Willis baptize this good sister. Then it was fun to watch him confirm her in church today. She was very emotional. She has a teenager daughter who joined the church a year ago. The youth in this ward, young men and young women are really good. There have been three young men baptized in the last couple months and a young sister and now this mother of a young lady. Pretty cool.
Today there were two couples at church who have come for a visit. They both served here about 4-5 years ago. One of the men had served here as a young man back in 69-70 and knew who Conrad Teichert was. When he saw my name tag, he asked if I had a brother or relative who served here. He didn’t personally serve with Conrad but knew about him. It was fun to visit with him. His name is Ron McMullin.
We have had a good time watching Mylies sad basketball games. Too bad for her two senior teammates who suffered severe injuries. We enjoyed watching some of the Cokeville regional games. Congratulations to the boys on second place and headed to state. Congratulations to the girls on taking first at regionals. It is fun to watch them get after it. They have some good young athletes, and they are working hard. They will do well at state.
Of course, it was pure joy watching Tel take first at state in wrestling. A freshman and state champion at 126 lbs. We were truly excited! Clyda was up and dancing and yelling and getting into it. I should have gotten her on a Marco Polo to share, but I was playing the matches through my phone onto the TV. CONGRATULATIONS TEL PARRY!! Now, be as good of a kid as you are a wrestler. This learning how to prepare for competition will make you a great missionary like your cousin, Connor. We are proud of you, Tel!!!
We are proud of Connor. It is so fun to get his weekly emails. He is doing a great job as a missionary. It is fun to feel the Spirit as we read of his activities and testimony. He is handling the rigors of missionary life with class. As a result, the Lord, whose work he is engaged in, is blessing him with many great experiences. Connor knows where his blessings are coming from and gives credit to his Savior.
This gospel is true. It is amazing to see it grow in the Philippines. So many people who have so little have the Spirit shine in their eyes. It is fun to visit with them. We had another wonderful session at the temple this week. Afterwards, while Clyda and I visited in the beautiful Celestial Room, we shared a new insight that we had never realized before. It was cool! Thanks to the new film for helping us understand something that should have been so plain before, and we didn’t realize it. I’m pretty good at receiving some revelation when it is spoken right out loud to me. If I have to gain it through the Spirit, I still have a lot of work to do. Thank goodness I have received some, like I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, and They live today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the Earth today, the Book of Mormon is true, and we have a living prophet and apostles on Earth today. It is magnificent and wonderful!!
Thank you, family, for getting together with each other when you can, supporting each other always, and loving each other and us. We love you and are grateful for you, our children, our siblings and our parents, of whom June is still with us on this Earth. We are grateful for the ministering angels on the other side of the veil, our parents, grandparents, Tillie and Clyde, and others who are helping us and are involved in this great work. We have been so blessed!!
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
P.S. I wish I could add pictures better, so they weren’t blurry. I will try to get some help.
Not necessarily in this order. 1-Us and the Tidwell’s at the Cebu Temple. 2-With the Taylors at Mabuhay Desseret with Natalie and her daughter. 3-One of me at our booth before it became crazy. 4-One with us telling about our display in front of the crowd. 5-One with us at our booth when it was crazy. 6-With the crowd, see if you can find us (looking for Waldo).
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