5 March 2023 Week #23: Busy as can be!!
Dear Family and Friends,
Congratulations to the Cokeville Girls Basketball team on a great tournament and placing third at state. Too bad about losing by 1 in the semi-final game to the eventual state champion Upton Bobcats. However, great job coming back and whipping a team for third place that they had two close games with before. That shows a lot of character. It was fun to see the girls get after it. The boys had a good year also but losing in the third place game at state. Good luck to Mylie and the Mt. View Buffalos this week at state.
At last Monday’s meeting we were introduced to four ladies that represent a charitable organization called “Watts of Love”. The have small solar panel lights, that you can strap around your neck or head. You wear it like a necklace, in front or on your back during the day so it can charge. Then at night you can keep it around your neck or wear it around your head to give light to whatever you are working on. They want to team up with us to take it to the last mile communities and especially the school age kids. This will give them a light to do studies with or read in the evening. In those last mile villages where there is no electricity the kids have to use lanterns or flashlights. It is dark by 6:00-6:30 all year long. The flashlight batteries cost to buy or recharge and the lamps cost for fuel. “Watts of Love” will give them these small solar lights (with us paying for the lights, that is where we come in). Then, “Watts of Love” teaches them about the advantages of the light and how they can become better students with more study or reading and how they can save money to go to school after high school to get a better paying job. They stay in the community for a few days teaching and encouraging the parents and community along with the students. We will see how this goes.
We had the Sisters over for dinner that evening. That is always a good time. They are great young ladies.
We headed out to Danao on Tuesday morning. We stopped in at the Cebu East Mission Office to meet a couple that were going to be our escorts for the day. We picked up Elder Colipapa on the way. When we stopped at the mission office we met Sister L. She is the Filipino gal that taught us last week about the history of the church and the Filipinos. We have met her at two FHE’s now. It was just brief interaction, hello, and she taught the lesson two weeks ago. As I told you she was raised in Manila. Well, she said to us this time, “I thought I recognized your name. Did you have a relative that served a mission here back in 1969?” Of course we said, “Yes.” Then we told her about my cousin, Conrad. Well, that led to a few good stories. She knew he was an Assistant to the President because they lived in her ward. She was a Beehive then. She said, “All the young women in the ward were in love with Elder Teichert.” However, a Laurel, the oldest in the group told them he was hers. It was pretty funny and she was chuckling as she told us. That girl wanted him to leave one of his white shirts for her when he went home so she could always feel him close. I had to admit I had a chuckle too. She knew he had to be a good missionary. It was fun. Her last name is Lacanienta. Maybe Diane will see that name in one of Conrad’s journals. The family was a good strong family in the church.
We then went on up to Danao, took a small boat out to an island. It was only a ten-minute ride. We had met up with two other brethren from the ward up there. I thought we were going out to see if there was anything we could do to provide potable water for them on the island. Well, when we arrived, all that was talked about was building them a Child Development Center building. They have 21 children ages 3-5 for this center. They have 111 children in grades K-12 that ride small boats to the mainland every day to school. No water and no electricity. I thought how appropriate to have met “Watts of Love” just yesterday. We were there for more than an hour discussing all kinds of problems. Actually, they were discussing in Cebuano, while Clyda and I just listened, not knowing a thing that was going on. All I know is they need help in every way. It will be interesting to see what or if we do anything for them. When we work with groups like this they have to make a proposal and formulate a plan of how it can work and how they will make it work with us providing the materials. We will see what happens.
We then went to the closest McDonalds for lunch. The young missionaries had just finished District Meeting and were having lunch also. They had 8 missionaries, two sisters both from the Philippines, one Elder from Australia, 4 Elders from the U.S., one from Alpine, Utah, and 1 Elder from Naga, Philippines. As we introduced ourselves, he asked us if we had a relative that served a mission in Naga. Of course, that was fun to let him know that our nephew James Teichert had served there back in 2015-2017. He was a Deacon at the time. He was amazed at how athletic James was. He said they would do all kinds of sports on the missionaries P-Day. He couldn’t believe how far James could throw a football. They don’t play football over here, but James had taught the Elders and the young men how to play touch football. That was fun!
We then headed to a school to look at the facilities for their SPED program. That was fun and I think we can help out there. The director wants an indoor facility to help his students develop independent living skills, cooking, etc. They already have a covered roof for their tools where they are learning how to use drills, screwdrivers, hammers, etc. They have the space to extend from there and then enclose this independent living quarters. We were there for quite a while. Wednesday we went to the 3:00 temple session. We spent the rest of the day preparing for our presentations for two projects that we will be presenting tomorrow. One is helping a school, Cayos National High School by Iloilo, and the other one is the Tres Reyes Elementary Solar Project. We hope they will get approved.
Thursday was spent out at Mabuhay Deseret Foundation helping repackage 360 hygiene kits for patients and their partner. We joined 4 sister missionaries and two Elders that serve out in that area. There were also about 6 other ward members and friends. Later that day we spent a lot of time studying the Literacy programs that are being developed for both the schools and for Member Welfare Projects. This is something that really needs addressed. We are excited to help members implement this program on branch and ward levels. We don’t know how it will go.
On Friday we went with the Colipapas to visit a school where Sister Colipapa was the principal. It was her last school before she retired. LDSC had given them several items. It was neat to see some still being used. It was sad to see some things not being used. One thing LDSC had donated were several hundred books. They are in good condition and sitting on the metal shelves LDSC donated. However, I don’t know if the get used much. The book shelves were full. This is a big elementary school with 4,000 students. We were there for over an hour and not a single kid came into the library. I hope it was just my lack of communication skills that made me think that the library hardly ever gets used. The librarian wasn’t there, (on leave) but when I asked to see a list of the books that were currently checked out, she showed me a list of 5 books. That was sad and scary. I hope that isn’t correct that only 5 books are checked out at that time in a school of 4,000 students. WOW! However, I think there is only room for 5 more books to be put on the shelves.
On Saturday we spent the day with our boss, Jairus, who came down from Manila. We went to see the vendor, Henry, who is supplying 1,485 desks to the Gothong School. These are wooden desks. He has a group cutting, building, and painting desks. They will deliver 100 at a time. He has over a hundred built, but not a hundred painted yet. They will make the first delivery this week. Henry is our Gospel Doctrine teacher. He also has a small restaurant, and caters all the meals to the Patron Housing, Tuesday through Saturday lunch, at the Templex. He also is the vendor that got the bid for the Tres Reyes Solar Project. I needed to visit with him about the delivery if the project gets approved.
Later that day we attended a donation meeting for the Light the World campaign with our partner organizations. We LDSC, ran the campaign, then we gave them the money that was given to them by whichever items people chose to give to, like eye surgery, food packs, shelter repair kits, student books and supplies, nutrition programs, pre-natal vitamins, etc. Then the Church donated a bunch more money to help these three organizations do a lot more good. It was a white shirt and tie affair. Other than going to church and the temple it was the first time I have worn a white shirt on my mission. Those who aren’t in our ward said I dressed up nicely.
We have tried to see a few of the games. It has been so busy though we haven’t got all of them in. We have seen three of Mylie’s games, two of the Cokeville girls games, and one of the Cokeville boys games. We don’t know if we will get to see the rest or not. We have a busy week ahead. Also, the Bodily’s who had served a temple mission here a few years ago came back about three weeks ago for a second mission to serve in the temple. Well, he hasn’t been feeling very well, so they took him to the hospital on Saturday. He has to have heart surgery. He was in bad shape. Pretty scary.
We have had a wonderful Fast Sunday, Sabbath Day. Beautiful heart felt testimonies were shared. The pulpit keeps busy. One thing I really like, each Fast Sunday, the bishopric member conducting, and they say this came from Elder Oaks when he spent 3 years here (at the same time Elder Perry spent in Europe), anyway, the bishopric member asks us to please come and bear a testimony but do not exceed 3 minutes. It is a rare occasion that anyone ever exceeds 3 minutes, and they are good heartfelt testimonies. The gospel is true. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. He is our leader. President Nelson is his appointed prophet on the Earth at this time. Joseph Smth was and is a prophet. I have had the Holy Ghost bear witness to me of that many times. The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and is rolling forth. It is getting faster all the time. Like Bishop Bennion use to say, you’d better hang on, because it is going to pick up speed and if we don’t have a strong testimony we will fall off and later fulfill the scriptures where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for those who could see what they could have had and chose not to. “Let Us All Press On”!!
With Love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Week #23 2/27-3/5
Congratulations to the Cokeville Girls Basketball team on a great tournament and placing third at state. Too bad about losing by 1 in the semi-final game to the eventual state champion Upton Bobcats. However, great job coming back and whipping a team for third place that they had two close games with before. That shows a lot of character. It was fun to see the girls get after it. The boys had a good year also but losing in the third place game at state. Good luck to Mylie and the Mt. View Buffalos this week at state.
At last Monday’s meeting we were introduced to four ladies that represent a charitable organization called “Watts of Love”. The have small solar panel lights, that you can strap around your neck or head. You wear it like a necklace, in front or on your back during the day so it can charge. Then at night you can keep it around your neck or wear it around your head to give light to whatever you are working on. They want to team up with us to take it to the last mile communities and especially the school age kids. This will give them a light to do studies with or read in the evening. In those last mile villages where there is no electricity the kids have to use lanterns or flashlights. It is dark by 6:00-6:30 all year long. The flashlight batteries cost to buy or recharge and the lamps cost for fuel. “Watts of Love” will give them these small solar lights (with us paying for the lights, that is where we come in). Then, “Watts of Love” teaches them about the advantages of the light and how they can become better students with more study or reading and how they can save money to go to school after high school to get a better paying job. They stay in the community for a few days teaching and encouraging the parents and community along with the students. We will see how this goes.
We had the Sisters over for dinner that evening. That is always a good time. They are great young ladies.
We headed out to Danao on Tuesday morning. We stopped in at the Cebu East Mission Office to meet a couple that were going to be our escorts for the day. We picked up Elder Colipapa on the way. When we stopped at the mission office we met Sister L. She is the Filipino gal that taught us last week about the history of the church and the Filipinos. We have met her at two FHE’s now. It was just brief interaction, hello, and she taught the lesson two weeks ago. As I told you she was raised in Manila. Well, she said to us this time, “I thought I recognized your name. Did you have a relative that served a mission here back in 1969?” Of course we said, “Yes.” Then we told her about my cousin, Conrad. Well, that led to a few good stories. She knew he was an Assistant to the President because they lived in her ward. She was a Beehive then. She said, “All the young women in the ward were in love with Elder Teichert.” However, a Laurel, the oldest in the group told them he was hers. It was pretty funny and she was chuckling as she told us. That girl wanted him to leave one of his white shirts for her when he went home so she could always feel him close. I had to admit I had a chuckle too. She knew he had to be a good missionary. It was fun. Her last name is Lacanienta. Maybe Diane will see that name in one of Conrad’s journals. The family was a good strong family in the church.
We then went on up to Danao, took a small boat out to an island. It was only a ten-minute ride. We had met up with two other brethren from the ward up there. I thought we were going out to see if there was anything we could do to provide potable water for them on the island. Well, when we arrived, all that was talked about was building them a Child Development Center building. They have 21 children ages 3-5 for this center. They have 111 children in grades K-12 that ride small boats to the mainland every day to school. No water and no electricity. I thought how appropriate to have met “Watts of Love” just yesterday. We were there for more than an hour discussing all kinds of problems. Actually, they were discussing in Cebuano, while Clyda and I just listened, not knowing a thing that was going on. All I know is they need help in every way. It will be interesting to see what or if we do anything for them. When we work with groups like this they have to make a proposal and formulate a plan of how it can work and how they will make it work with us providing the materials. We will see what happens.
We then went to the closest McDonalds for lunch. The young missionaries had just finished District Meeting and were having lunch also. They had 8 missionaries, two sisters both from the Philippines, one Elder from Australia, 4 Elders from the U.S., one from Alpine, Utah, and 1 Elder from Naga, Philippines. As we introduced ourselves, he asked us if we had a relative that served a mission in Naga. Of course, that was fun to let him know that our nephew James Teichert had served there back in 2015-2017. He was a Deacon at the time. He was amazed at how athletic James was. He said they would do all kinds of sports on the missionaries P-Day. He couldn’t believe how far James could throw a football. They don’t play football over here, but James had taught the Elders and the young men how to play touch football. That was fun!
We then headed to a school to look at the facilities for their SPED program. That was fun and I think we can help out there. The director wants an indoor facility to help his students develop independent living skills, cooking, etc. They already have a covered roof for their tools where they are learning how to use drills, screwdrivers, hammers, etc. They have the space to extend from there and then enclose this independent living quarters. We were there for quite a while. Wednesday we went to the 3:00 temple session. We spent the rest of the day preparing for our presentations for two projects that we will be presenting tomorrow. One is helping a school, Cayos National High School by Iloilo, and the other one is the Tres Reyes Elementary Solar Project. We hope they will get approved.
Thursday was spent out at Mabuhay Deseret Foundation helping repackage 360 hygiene kits for patients and their partner. We joined 4 sister missionaries and two Elders that serve out in that area. There were also about 6 other ward members and friends. Later that day we spent a lot of time studying the Literacy programs that are being developed for both the schools and for Member Welfare Projects. This is something that really needs addressed. We are excited to help members implement this program on branch and ward levels. We don’t know how it will go.
On Friday we went with the Colipapas to visit a school where Sister Colipapa was the principal. It was her last school before she retired. LDSC had given them several items. It was neat to see some still being used. It was sad to see some things not being used. One thing LDSC had donated were several hundred books. They are in good condition and sitting on the metal shelves LDSC donated. However, I don’t know if the get used much. The book shelves were full. This is a big elementary school with 4,000 students. We were there for over an hour and not a single kid came into the library. I hope it was just my lack of communication skills that made me think that the library hardly ever gets used. The librarian wasn’t there, (on leave) but when I asked to see a list of the books that were currently checked out, she showed me a list of 5 books. That was sad and scary. I hope that isn’t correct that only 5 books are checked out at that time in a school of 4,000 students. WOW! However, I think there is only room for 5 more books to be put on the shelves.
On Saturday we spent the day with our boss, Jairus, who came down from Manila. We went to see the vendor, Henry, who is supplying 1,485 desks to the Gothong School. These are wooden desks. He has a group cutting, building, and painting desks. They will deliver 100 at a time. He has over a hundred built, but not a hundred painted yet. They will make the first delivery this week. Henry is our Gospel Doctrine teacher. He also has a small restaurant, and caters all the meals to the Patron Housing, Tuesday through Saturday lunch, at the Templex. He also is the vendor that got the bid for the Tres Reyes Solar Project. I needed to visit with him about the delivery if the project gets approved.
Later that day we attended a donation meeting for the Light the World campaign with our partner organizations. We LDSC, ran the campaign, then we gave them the money that was given to them by whichever items people chose to give to, like eye surgery, food packs, shelter repair kits, student books and supplies, nutrition programs, pre-natal vitamins, etc. Then the Church donated a bunch more money to help these three organizations do a lot more good. It was a white shirt and tie affair. Other than going to church and the temple it was the first time I have worn a white shirt on my mission. Those who aren’t in our ward said I dressed up nicely.
We have tried to see a few of the games. It has been so busy though we haven’t got all of them in. We have seen three of Mylie’s games, two of the Cokeville girls games, and one of the Cokeville boys games. We don’t know if we will get to see the rest or not. We have a busy week ahead. Also, the Bodily’s who had served a temple mission here a few years ago came back about three weeks ago for a second mission to serve in the temple. Well, he hasn’t been feeling very well, so they took him to the hospital on Saturday. He has to have heart surgery. He was in bad shape. Pretty scary.
We have had a wonderful Fast Sunday, Sabbath Day. Beautiful heart felt testimonies were shared. The pulpit keeps busy. One thing I really like, each Fast Sunday, the bishopric member conducting, and they say this came from Elder Oaks when he spent 3 years here (at the same time Elder Perry spent in Europe), anyway, the bishopric member asks us to please come and bear a testimony but do not exceed 3 minutes. It is a rare occasion that anyone ever exceeds 3 minutes, and they are good heartfelt testimonies. The gospel is true. This is the Church of Jesus Christ. He is our leader. President Nelson is his appointed prophet on the Earth at this time. Joseph Smth was and is a prophet. I have had the Holy Ghost bear witness to me of that many times. The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and is rolling forth. It is getting faster all the time. Like Bishop Bennion use to say, you’d better hang on, because it is going to pick up speed and if we don’t have a strong testimony we will fall off and later fulfill the scriptures where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth for those who could see what they could have had and chose not to. “Let Us All Press On”!!
With Love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
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