9 April 2023 Week #28: Oh What a Joy to be with our Families
Dear Family and Friends,
Olivia and Quincy are here, and we are having a great time!!! We aren’t doing anything, and we are having a great time!!! It is so good to have them here, and we would feel the same way if any of you other children were here, we would be having a great time, whether we were doing something or not. We love all of you and miss you so much. It isn’t keeping us from doing our work. We only miss you because you are so great. It is only natural to miss those you love. This week though we won’t be doing any work. But we will get back after it when Olivia and Quincy leave. I promise! Also, Lynette Sharpe came with Livi. They arrived Friday morning at about 2:00 a.m. Oh what a joy! That is what I picture Heaven being like, oblivious to the surroundings, just focused on those beautiful ones you love. Let’s all get there. I have another saying from several apostles and general authorities that I love, “Holy Habits, Righteous Routines.” These are the small and simple things that will make it so we can “Lift Where We Stand.”
It is difficult to change your sleep patterns. Hats off to all the shift workers who work days for a while and then night shifts or swing shifts. It is really getting Quincy all mixed up and therefore her mother. We of course are 14 hours ahead of you. So now for them when it is our daytime it is supposed to be their nighttime. Quincy was pretty good today until about 5:00, then out she went. Of course, she will be up early in the night. It will be tough on Olivia as she just went to bed 4 hours later. Clyda just hasn’t got enough hugs yet, neither have I, and Quincy has been warmed up to us right from the get go. She is a goer. While Olivia colored Clyda’s hair I was the babysitter. I couldn’t keep Quincy out from under feet, so I took her out into the hallways. It is a 4-story building, and we live on the third floor. We went up and down stairs several times with me holding onto both hands. To do that I had to bend over some, even as short as I am. It about killed me. I’m sure I will be hurting big time tomorrow. We spent about 45 minutes and went up and down those stairs about 10 times. We also did the long hallways several times. She was good as long as she had my hand and was leading me.
As far as the work goes, we had our normal Monday meeting. In the afternoon we went to Mandaue to see Brother Colipapa. I had several questions for him, and I wanted to see some things at their stake center. Later that evening we had FHE at the Lahug Chapel. The Parkers and Sister Jepsen and Sister Lacaniata from Cebu East Mission were there. We also had the Welches, the Heaths, and Sister Garner from the Cebu Mission. Then the Taylors and the Koyles from the Cebu Temple Mission joined us. The Strongs from over on Bohol (Cebu East Mission), the Dickinsons from over at Toledo (Cebu Mission), and the Bodilys from the Cebu Temple Mission didn’t join us. Elder Bodily is doing great though. He is starting to do a couple hours a day at the temple. For FHE we glued Hymn book backs back onto the books. They were in terrible shape. We don’t know how long that Elmer’s glue will last. It was a good time even if they don’t hold up. The Taylor’s were in charge of the lesson. “For Such a Time as This” was the theme they chose referring to a talk given about Esther when her cousin Mordecai, who raised her, said this to her. The Taylors don’t believe it is by chance that we are serving now, but that it is in the Lord’s plan to have us here now. They wanted each of us to briefly tell our stories as to why we are on a mission now here in Cebu. It was pretty cool to hear about each different circumstance that has us here now. I am grateful we are here now. There are some challenging things for sure, but being around the Filipino people and these other wonderful missionaries is not a challenge. It is a highlight!! We live in a comfortable place with great people watching out for us and then great people to work with.
We spent a fair amount of Tuesday and Wednesday listening to all five sessions of General Conference. It was wonderful. We watched the sessions on the big screen at our office conference room. We had several emails to take care of. More schools asking for things. We are trying to get a turnover set up for Cayos National High School. Our main focus was on getting a PO for Tres Reyes so we could get going on getting materials and getting a date locked down for getting the Harrisons here from Orem to install the system. We had a few emails and calls but still no luck. The last email was on Wednesday morning when our purchaser said she would get me the PO. Then it didn’t happen. From Wednesday until next Tuesday they are on vacation. It is Holy Week here and it is an official holiday from Wednesday noon until next Tuesday. Yesterday, Friday, we took Olivia, Quincy, and Lynette on a drive to Mabuhay Deseret, the port area and the Robison Mall, the Ayala Mall and the Seaside Mall. They were all closed. There was hardly anyone on the roads. It was really weird, like some movie where the planet has been invaded and you are the only ones left. So, Good Friday, is the biggest holiday in the Philippines. The malls were all open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but not on Good Friday.
Back to Wednesday, we had Brother Colipapa take us to see Ruel the boatbuilder again. We had him sign a contract for two more boats. We paid 50% down, we will pay 30% more as needed for supplies, and then the final 20% when the boats are delivered. That is over on the other side of Lapu Lapu. It takes a good hour to get there. So, it was about a 3-hour deal.
Last evening at 5:00, while Quincy was napping, I took Olivia and Lynette over to take a look inside the Cebu Temple. The last session usually ends at 5:00, they were starting another session. They did an extra session the day before also. All sessions this week were packed, and they had to turn people away. It was extremely busy at the temple this week. We talked to quite a few people who had come a long way. When Olivia and Lynette went in to see the women’s locker room, they got to go see the bride’s room. The ladies there said they had five weddings on Friday. There were people all over the Templex grounds. It was really cool.
General Conference was broadcast at the stake center today. We didn’t join in today because we had already seen all the sessions, but they showed all five sessions of conference at the Lahug Stake Center, in both English and Cebuano. Bring your treats and enjoy the marathon. A lot of people attended. A lot of people have some way to watch it, but a lot don’t.
Olivia was Clyda’s beautician today after exercising this morning, scripture study and breakfast. That was when I was babysitting Quincy. Then we showered and headed out. We went up the mountain to the Lake View Gardens and restaurant. We had a good day. We got back at about 4:00. At 5:45 I headed to the chapel for choir practice. Clyda stayed with Olivia while Olivia did Sister Garners hair. While I was going along the wall to practice, I passed the Apas Sister Missionaries as they were headed to an appointment. One of them is Sister Simmons from Park City. So, I had to ask if she knew any Bradys. Oh yes, Malia (sp) Brady, Vern’s daughter is one of her best friends. Of course, she called him Jay Brady. They are in the neighboring ward and live with our Sisters. She is in the most recent batch of missionaries. That was fun!
At choir practice, it went a lot better, Elder Heath surprised us all by playing the flute as part of the accompaniment. He was really good. We are preparing 9 numbers. We have 3 for each of three different sessions. We practiced today because we can’t tomorrow on Easter. Then we will have one more practice next Sunday. On the 22nd and 23rd is Stake Conference. We have some great numbers. I love the Spirit that accompanies the choir. Music is a powerful tool for good when it is inspired by the Lord. Then the Holy Ghost is present to bear witness of the truths taught in music. I love it!!
Today was a wonderful day at Church and with Olivia and Quincy. Our Sacrament Meeting was great with songs of the Resurrection and the Savior. Two great talks about the Saviors importance in our lives. One from a gentleman about our age. If we understand correctly, he and his wife only had one child, a son, later in life. He was a modern-day Alma the younger. He was addicted to drugs and making things miserable for the church. He finally, after much prayer and fasting by his folks and the church members here, came around. He repented and went on a mission when in his twenties. He is now serving in Madagascar. So, a powerful testimony on the Atonement, of repentance and forgiveness, and change. He is having a great mission. The Savior is real! This is his gospel! It is for us! Develop Holy Habits and Righteous Routines while you Lift Where You Stand.
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
Week #28 4/3-4/9
Olivia and Quincy are here, and we are having a great time!!! We aren’t doing anything, and we are having a great time!!! It is so good to have them here, and we would feel the same way if any of you other children were here, we would be having a great time, whether we were doing something or not. We love all of you and miss you so much. It isn’t keeping us from doing our work. We only miss you because you are so great. It is only natural to miss those you love. This week though we won’t be doing any work. But we will get back after it when Olivia and Quincy leave. I promise! Also, Lynette Sharpe came with Livi. They arrived Friday morning at about 2:00 a.m. Oh what a joy! That is what I picture Heaven being like, oblivious to the surroundings, just focused on those beautiful ones you love. Let’s all get there. I have another saying from several apostles and general authorities that I love, “Holy Habits, Righteous Routines.” These are the small and simple things that will make it so we can “Lift Where We Stand.”
It is difficult to change your sleep patterns. Hats off to all the shift workers who work days for a while and then night shifts or swing shifts. It is really getting Quincy all mixed up and therefore her mother. We of course are 14 hours ahead of you. So now for them when it is our daytime it is supposed to be their nighttime. Quincy was pretty good today until about 5:00, then out she went. Of course, she will be up early in the night. It will be tough on Olivia as she just went to bed 4 hours later. Clyda just hasn’t got enough hugs yet, neither have I, and Quincy has been warmed up to us right from the get go. She is a goer. While Olivia colored Clyda’s hair I was the babysitter. I couldn’t keep Quincy out from under feet, so I took her out into the hallways. It is a 4-story building, and we live on the third floor. We went up and down stairs several times with me holding onto both hands. To do that I had to bend over some, even as short as I am. It about killed me. I’m sure I will be hurting big time tomorrow. We spent about 45 minutes and went up and down those stairs about 10 times. We also did the long hallways several times. She was good as long as she had my hand and was leading me.
As far as the work goes, we had our normal Monday meeting. In the afternoon we went to Mandaue to see Brother Colipapa. I had several questions for him, and I wanted to see some things at their stake center. Later that evening we had FHE at the Lahug Chapel. The Parkers and Sister Jepsen and Sister Lacaniata from Cebu East Mission were there. We also had the Welches, the Heaths, and Sister Garner from the Cebu Mission. Then the Taylors and the Koyles from the Cebu Temple Mission joined us. The Strongs from over on Bohol (Cebu East Mission), the Dickinsons from over at Toledo (Cebu Mission), and the Bodilys from the Cebu Temple Mission didn’t join us. Elder Bodily is doing great though. He is starting to do a couple hours a day at the temple. For FHE we glued Hymn book backs back onto the books. They were in terrible shape. We don’t know how long that Elmer’s glue will last. It was a good time even if they don’t hold up. The Taylor’s were in charge of the lesson. “For Such a Time as This” was the theme they chose referring to a talk given about Esther when her cousin Mordecai, who raised her, said this to her. The Taylors don’t believe it is by chance that we are serving now, but that it is in the Lord’s plan to have us here now. They wanted each of us to briefly tell our stories as to why we are on a mission now here in Cebu. It was pretty cool to hear about each different circumstance that has us here now. I am grateful we are here now. There are some challenging things for sure, but being around the Filipino people and these other wonderful missionaries is not a challenge. It is a highlight!! We live in a comfortable place with great people watching out for us and then great people to work with.
We spent a fair amount of Tuesday and Wednesday listening to all five sessions of General Conference. It was wonderful. We watched the sessions on the big screen at our office conference room. We had several emails to take care of. More schools asking for things. We are trying to get a turnover set up for Cayos National High School. Our main focus was on getting a PO for Tres Reyes so we could get going on getting materials and getting a date locked down for getting the Harrisons here from Orem to install the system. We had a few emails and calls but still no luck. The last email was on Wednesday morning when our purchaser said she would get me the PO. Then it didn’t happen. From Wednesday until next Tuesday they are on vacation. It is Holy Week here and it is an official holiday from Wednesday noon until next Tuesday. Yesterday, Friday, we took Olivia, Quincy, and Lynette on a drive to Mabuhay Deseret, the port area and the Robison Mall, the Ayala Mall and the Seaside Mall. They were all closed. There was hardly anyone on the roads. It was really weird, like some movie where the planet has been invaded and you are the only ones left. So, Good Friday, is the biggest holiday in the Philippines. The malls were all open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but not on Good Friday.
Back to Wednesday, we had Brother Colipapa take us to see Ruel the boatbuilder again. We had him sign a contract for two more boats. We paid 50% down, we will pay 30% more as needed for supplies, and then the final 20% when the boats are delivered. That is over on the other side of Lapu Lapu. It takes a good hour to get there. So, it was about a 3-hour deal.
Last evening at 5:00, while Quincy was napping, I took Olivia and Lynette over to take a look inside the Cebu Temple. The last session usually ends at 5:00, they were starting another session. They did an extra session the day before also. All sessions this week were packed, and they had to turn people away. It was extremely busy at the temple this week. We talked to quite a few people who had come a long way. When Olivia and Lynette went in to see the women’s locker room, they got to go see the bride’s room. The ladies there said they had five weddings on Friday. There were people all over the Templex grounds. It was really cool.
General Conference was broadcast at the stake center today. We didn’t join in today because we had already seen all the sessions, but they showed all five sessions of conference at the Lahug Stake Center, in both English and Cebuano. Bring your treats and enjoy the marathon. A lot of people attended. A lot of people have some way to watch it, but a lot don’t.
Olivia was Clyda’s beautician today after exercising this morning, scripture study and breakfast. That was when I was babysitting Quincy. Then we showered and headed out. We went up the mountain to the Lake View Gardens and restaurant. We had a good day. We got back at about 4:00. At 5:45 I headed to the chapel for choir practice. Clyda stayed with Olivia while Olivia did Sister Garners hair. While I was going along the wall to practice, I passed the Apas Sister Missionaries as they were headed to an appointment. One of them is Sister Simmons from Park City. So, I had to ask if she knew any Bradys. Oh yes, Malia (sp) Brady, Vern’s daughter is one of her best friends. Of course, she called him Jay Brady. They are in the neighboring ward and live with our Sisters. She is in the most recent batch of missionaries. That was fun!
At choir practice, it went a lot better, Elder Heath surprised us all by playing the flute as part of the accompaniment. He was really good. We are preparing 9 numbers. We have 3 for each of three different sessions. We practiced today because we can’t tomorrow on Easter. Then we will have one more practice next Sunday. On the 22nd and 23rd is Stake Conference. We have some great numbers. I love the Spirit that accompanies the choir. Music is a powerful tool for good when it is inspired by the Lord. Then the Holy Ghost is present to bear witness of the truths taught in music. I love it!!
Today was a wonderful day at Church and with Olivia and Quincy. Our Sacrament Meeting was great with songs of the Resurrection and the Savior. Two great talks about the Saviors importance in our lives. One from a gentleman about our age. If we understand correctly, he and his wife only had one child, a son, later in life. He was a modern-day Alma the younger. He was addicted to drugs and making things miserable for the church. He finally, after much prayer and fasting by his folks and the church members here, came around. He repented and went on a mission when in his twenties. He is now serving in Madagascar. So, a powerful testimony on the Atonement, of repentance and forgiveness, and change. He is having a great mission. The Savior is real! This is his gospel! It is for us! Develop Holy Habits and Righteous Routines while you Lift Where You Stand.
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
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