21 May 2023 Week #34: Work Work Work
Dear Family and Friends,
Thank you for all the well wishes to my wonderful wife on Mother’s Day. She really appreciated it and so did I.
Well, another week has passed and another high school sports season. Mylie and the Cokeville kids had a great track season. We are proud of all of them. Mylie placed first in state in the 3A pole vault and 8th in the 300 hurdles. Addison Barnes set a new state record in the 1A 300 hurdles shattering the old record and our school record. She ran 44.92. She also took first in the 100 hurdles and the high jump. She won the high jump with a jump of 5’3”. She set a school record in that event at 5’5” earlier in the season. She placed 2nd in the 100. She is quite an athlete and a good kid and teammate. Drake Plowman had 4 golds. He won the 800, 1600, and the 3200, and was on the 4x400. Bryli Groll took 2nd in the 400 with a time of 59.62. She won the 800, 1600 and 3200. She set new state records in the 1600 and 3200. She is a great kid also. I have really followed Drake and Bryli as I worked with them a lot in the past. They are both great kids and real leaders for the track kids. The girls team took second behind Saratoga 110-108. If one other girl would have thought enough about the team and had come out to make another relay team, then they could have won. Well, I’ve watched that through the years and don’t know what the answer is. But hopefully, I am learning from it that I need to try and help the team even when I can’t be the star. I need to do my part, “lift where I stand”. Thanks to all who helped us view and keep up with the results when we would get a few minutes here and there to check up on it. We are so proud of them. We pray that they will be better young men and young women than they are athletes.
It was fun in our “Come Follow Me” app today to hear of Elder Lyons choice to serve a mission first, before playing college football. He is in Norway serving. If you haven’t seen it, I would encourage you to look it up. He seems like a fine young man that has his head on straight. I’ve known about him for some time now. So, when that popped up today, it was cool. “The Lord needs valiant servants, to do his work in the latter days, to follow…”
Last Monday was a long day of meetings, we had our normal Monday meeting followed by the Friday meeting we didn’t have. We got the final approval on the Garcia Hernandez project and initial approval on a project for the 7th Forward Service Support Unit (Army). We were in meetings until the afternoon. A lot of great projects were presented. It is fun to see many different kinds. I’m grateful for all the good things that are happening for people here in the Philippines to help them have a better life.
We went to the Lahug School with Brother Colipapa to see if there is some way we can help solve their water problems. Both, attaining more water and then the sewage problem. We came away with a list of things for them and for us to do to get this done.
We had our weekly PPI with Kenneth. He confuses me more. I really realize just how bad I am at communicating. I ask a question and he gives me a 15-20 minute answer, and I don’t think he is answering the question I asked. I have got to get better at this communicating. And I know it is my problem because I am like this with most of these Filipinos. I was probably like this with most of my interactions with all of you. I am sorry.
That evening we had a nice FHE with the seniors. It is always good to get with them.
Tuesday was an office day. It takes a lot of time to record notes on the different interactions with people on projects long before you present a project for approval. Then we started the development of a few more projects. That evening we had Sister Garner and the Sister missionaries over for dinner, Taco Tuesday. Then Clyda went with them to Sister Garners apartment to make cookies. And like the wonderful wife she is, she brought back some cookie dough for me. I’m spoiled and loving it!! And I’ve got the pounds just to show how much I love it!
On Wednesday we caught an early flight to Iloilo. Elder and Sister Peters picked us up at the airport. We took the ferry across to the island of Guimaras where they live. We visited a fire station in Sibunag. Sibunag is one of five municipalities on the island. This fire station responded to a call when one of our young Filipino Elders got hit as he was riding his bike. He had been out on his mission only a couple of weeks. It wasn’t serious, but needed attention. He is okay and along with his companion they met us at the fire station when we arrived. We want to help the fire station with first aid supplies and equipment. Previously the Elder and his companion had returned to say thank you and share with the fire station a Book of Mormon. The cook at the fire station is LDS. The book was well received, and the captain made a post on facebook about receiving a very kind thank you gift from the Elders of a religious book. While we were there visiting with them, they asked if it would be okay if the young elders came by to share a devotional with them once a month. OF COURSE!! Pretty cool.
We went on to visit two schools. The big problem, need of water. We hope we can help. Usually, they have school from the end of June until the first of April. April and May are the hottest months and are considered summer here. In June the rainy season is supposed to start and that makes it so it isn’t quite so hot. However, since the pandemic, they just started school this last fall. They had been out for two years. Now they go this year until the first of July. A lot of schools are running out of water. They usually aren’t in school right now. It is a big problem. Many schools finish before noon and dismiss. We had a great time with the Peters and a young man Wren Potato (Spud). He is LDS and works with another charitable organization out of Utah, “Reaching Out Worldwide”. He is a good guy and wanting to help out. He is a Filipino with quite a story. He could be in the U.S. making a lot of money but chooses to stay here to help his people.
On Thursday we visited more schools. Watched a couple teachers teach using a TV, visited a TV supplier, where Bishop Dullete works, and spent some time with Bishop Penero. We rented a car and driver for that day. His sister-in-law is a member. He also knows Wren (Spud). That was fun to make that connection. At 4:30 we visited our last school. We were blindsided. We had set the appointment for after school, 9,000 students, like a college campus. Well, when we arrive, they have a huge welcome banner with bands playing like we had just won a state championship or something. It put us in a pickle, we haven’t helped them yet and they are heaping all kinds of praise on us and thanks for coming to visit and help their school. It was very awkward. A member of the church is the vice-president of their PTA and had put them up to all of this. They had a list a mile long. Granted, like all schools they need a lot of help, but they have a lot more than most, especially with programs, like a very good music and dance program. They sat us down in their outdoor gymnasium and entertained. They had a program posted up on the wall by a projector, and after the entertainment our names were listed to share a message. What? We are just coming to evaluate their situation to see what needs they have and if we can help or not. Well, we had an audience, and it is okay here to talk about Jesus. They pray at most schools before classes. So, after Clyda briefly shared what we do I decided to share some gospel. I mentioned our lay clergy, our tithing donation slips, all generous contributions, by wonderful people, and how there are four things to contribute to. First, tithing, I quoted Malachi 3:8-12, and told them that tithing blesses the individual’s life that contributes it and that is why they see the beautiful church buildings with our name on them. Then I taught about fast offerings, missionary funds, and humanitarian aid, which receives its contributions from many people like us who because of one reason or another can’t serve a mission, but they want to help make your lives better. Therefore, they are sacred funds, and those people are trusting us to use them wisely. I finished testifying of Jesus Christ as our Savior, his resurrection that makes it so we will all live again and his suffering in the garden so we can be forgiven of our sins if we are willing to repent and follow him. I told them we have a daughter and a grandson who are waiting in heaven for us and now it is our desire to try to live lives that will qualify us to return to live with them.
In the principal’s office later, we cut their list in half and told them to submit the rest and expect more cuts. We will see what we can do. WOW! I will do everything I know of to avoid that again. I just want to teach the gospel at the turnovers after we have given them something.
We arrived back in Cebu at about midnight. We slept in on Friday morning and then went to the templex to walk. It was hot and we were still tired, so we only did about half of our walk. After our morning routine we sprayed the base of all our walls to keep unwanted bugs away. We do this about every six weeks, and we do it when we can then leave for a while. We went to the hospital to get a sample of the kind of cloth they want us to make the kangaroo tubes out of. We got lost and had another adventure. After picking up the cloth we headed to the office to work. Clyda worked on our monthly reports, and I put the new contacts into our file. (If my computer dies, we are in trouble.) We came home, slid all the furniture back against the walls, opened the windows and turned on all three AC units. Clyda fixed a delicious stew for dinner, and we enjoyed a great stew as we watched some track events on the NFHS.
Saturday, back to the normal routine. After office work, we headed to Lapu Lapu to a food preservation discussion we were invited to. It was fun and interesting. Brother Colipapa had invited us. It was an hour drive. It was a good discussion in Cebuano, so we didn’t have a clue. Then they asked us to share. They understand English, probably not my English, but Clyda shared about our food storage, realizing they can’t do it that way but that it is important. We are trying to come up with ways to help them with this. I got another chance to bear my testimony, this time to members. Plus, Clyda got in on a little Pokemon with a 7-year-old boy named Brigham. His older sister is named Liahona, and his little sister is named Deseret.
Then, we met others at the Seaside Mall for the evening to celebrate Sister Garner’s midway date of her mission. It was a good meal and great company. After returning home, I watched a few track events until late.
We have had some incredible lightning and thunderstorms lately. One started shortly before church today. It was a down pour!! So, we drove to church. I think that was the first time. Church was very good. Sister Noble, wearing one of Clyda’s dresses gave a great talk about coming unto Christ. The sisters got soaked going to church and called Clyda asking for help. Clyda took them each a dress and they looked even prettier than normal in those dresses. The second speaker couldn’t make it to church because of the weather, so they asked the Koyle’s to share their testimonies. A little impromptu. They did great! There were quite a few visitors today. A Filipino born, from Toronto, Canada with his wife and folks. He had served in the Iloilo Mission from 2015-2017. We had a couple from close to Durango, Colorado. He had served here in Cebu in 2017-2019. He is here to set up a call center for a solar panel business. Then we had 5 young ladies who are just on a vacation together. I hope to visit with them more. The Heath’s invited them to dinner later today. Two girls from Gilbert, AZ, two from Farmington, UT, and one from Orem. The one from Orem and one from Farmington served missions together in Puerto Rico. That is all I got, and then it was time to go to Sunday School.
Once again in Sunday School we were encouraged to love our neighbors. I have a lot of work to do. Clyda is now at a meeting with the Stake Relief Society President and others to work out some details on this Kangaroo Project.
We are so proud of Connor and the wonderful work he is doing. We love his testimony. We are grateful he shares it each week in some kind of teaching to help us do better. It is wonderful to be involved in serving the Lord as missionaries far away at the same time as our oldest grandson. It makes it special that we are out at the same time. This gospel is true. We are led by a living prophet. Christ is at the head of this church. I think He is doing a great work with a whole bunch of us imperfect people that are trying. It is a pleasure to be on the winning team. I hope I can stay on the team. Holy Habits and Righteous Routines. “Lift Where You Stand”. 2 Nephi 25:26. Have a great week!!
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
Week #34 5/15-5/21
Thank you for all the well wishes to my wonderful wife on Mother’s Day. She really appreciated it and so did I.
Well, another week has passed and another high school sports season. Mylie and the Cokeville kids had a great track season. We are proud of all of them. Mylie placed first in state in the 3A pole vault and 8th in the 300 hurdles. Addison Barnes set a new state record in the 1A 300 hurdles shattering the old record and our school record. She ran 44.92. She also took first in the 100 hurdles and the high jump. She won the high jump with a jump of 5’3”. She set a school record in that event at 5’5” earlier in the season. She placed 2nd in the 100. She is quite an athlete and a good kid and teammate. Drake Plowman had 4 golds. He won the 800, 1600, and the 3200, and was on the 4x400. Bryli Groll took 2nd in the 400 with a time of 59.62. She won the 800, 1600 and 3200. She set new state records in the 1600 and 3200. She is a great kid also. I have really followed Drake and Bryli as I worked with them a lot in the past. They are both great kids and real leaders for the track kids. The girls team took second behind Saratoga 110-108. If one other girl would have thought enough about the team and had come out to make another relay team, then they could have won. Well, I’ve watched that through the years and don’t know what the answer is. But hopefully, I am learning from it that I need to try and help the team even when I can’t be the star. I need to do my part, “lift where I stand”. Thanks to all who helped us view and keep up with the results when we would get a few minutes here and there to check up on it. We are so proud of them. We pray that they will be better young men and young women than they are athletes.
It was fun in our “Come Follow Me” app today to hear of Elder Lyons choice to serve a mission first, before playing college football. He is in Norway serving. If you haven’t seen it, I would encourage you to look it up. He seems like a fine young man that has his head on straight. I’ve known about him for some time now. So, when that popped up today, it was cool. “The Lord needs valiant servants, to do his work in the latter days, to follow…”
Last Monday was a long day of meetings, we had our normal Monday meeting followed by the Friday meeting we didn’t have. We got the final approval on the Garcia Hernandez project and initial approval on a project for the 7th Forward Service Support Unit (Army). We were in meetings until the afternoon. A lot of great projects were presented. It is fun to see many different kinds. I’m grateful for all the good things that are happening for people here in the Philippines to help them have a better life.
We went to the Lahug School with Brother Colipapa to see if there is some way we can help solve their water problems. Both, attaining more water and then the sewage problem. We came away with a list of things for them and for us to do to get this done.
We had our weekly PPI with Kenneth. He confuses me more. I really realize just how bad I am at communicating. I ask a question and he gives me a 15-20 minute answer, and I don’t think he is answering the question I asked. I have got to get better at this communicating. And I know it is my problem because I am like this with most of these Filipinos. I was probably like this with most of my interactions with all of you. I am sorry.
That evening we had a nice FHE with the seniors. It is always good to get with them.
Tuesday was an office day. It takes a lot of time to record notes on the different interactions with people on projects long before you present a project for approval. Then we started the development of a few more projects. That evening we had Sister Garner and the Sister missionaries over for dinner, Taco Tuesday. Then Clyda went with them to Sister Garners apartment to make cookies. And like the wonderful wife she is, she brought back some cookie dough for me. I’m spoiled and loving it!! And I’ve got the pounds just to show how much I love it!
On Wednesday we caught an early flight to Iloilo. Elder and Sister Peters picked us up at the airport. We took the ferry across to the island of Guimaras where they live. We visited a fire station in Sibunag. Sibunag is one of five municipalities on the island. This fire station responded to a call when one of our young Filipino Elders got hit as he was riding his bike. He had been out on his mission only a couple of weeks. It wasn’t serious, but needed attention. He is okay and along with his companion they met us at the fire station when we arrived. We want to help the fire station with first aid supplies and equipment. Previously the Elder and his companion had returned to say thank you and share with the fire station a Book of Mormon. The cook at the fire station is LDS. The book was well received, and the captain made a post on facebook about receiving a very kind thank you gift from the Elders of a religious book. While we were there visiting with them, they asked if it would be okay if the young elders came by to share a devotional with them once a month. OF COURSE!! Pretty cool.
We went on to visit two schools. The big problem, need of water. We hope we can help. Usually, they have school from the end of June until the first of April. April and May are the hottest months and are considered summer here. In June the rainy season is supposed to start and that makes it so it isn’t quite so hot. However, since the pandemic, they just started school this last fall. They had been out for two years. Now they go this year until the first of July. A lot of schools are running out of water. They usually aren’t in school right now. It is a big problem. Many schools finish before noon and dismiss. We had a great time with the Peters and a young man Wren Potato (Spud). He is LDS and works with another charitable organization out of Utah, “Reaching Out Worldwide”. He is a good guy and wanting to help out. He is a Filipino with quite a story. He could be in the U.S. making a lot of money but chooses to stay here to help his people.
On Thursday we visited more schools. Watched a couple teachers teach using a TV, visited a TV supplier, where Bishop Dullete works, and spent some time with Bishop Penero. We rented a car and driver for that day. His sister-in-law is a member. He also knows Wren (Spud). That was fun to make that connection. At 4:30 we visited our last school. We were blindsided. We had set the appointment for after school, 9,000 students, like a college campus. Well, when we arrive, they have a huge welcome banner with bands playing like we had just won a state championship or something. It put us in a pickle, we haven’t helped them yet and they are heaping all kinds of praise on us and thanks for coming to visit and help their school. It was very awkward. A member of the church is the vice-president of their PTA and had put them up to all of this. They had a list a mile long. Granted, like all schools they need a lot of help, but they have a lot more than most, especially with programs, like a very good music and dance program. They sat us down in their outdoor gymnasium and entertained. They had a program posted up on the wall by a projector, and after the entertainment our names were listed to share a message. What? We are just coming to evaluate their situation to see what needs they have and if we can help or not. Well, we had an audience, and it is okay here to talk about Jesus. They pray at most schools before classes. So, after Clyda briefly shared what we do I decided to share some gospel. I mentioned our lay clergy, our tithing donation slips, all generous contributions, by wonderful people, and how there are four things to contribute to. First, tithing, I quoted Malachi 3:8-12, and told them that tithing blesses the individual’s life that contributes it and that is why they see the beautiful church buildings with our name on them. Then I taught about fast offerings, missionary funds, and humanitarian aid, which receives its contributions from many people like us who because of one reason or another can’t serve a mission, but they want to help make your lives better. Therefore, they are sacred funds, and those people are trusting us to use them wisely. I finished testifying of Jesus Christ as our Savior, his resurrection that makes it so we will all live again and his suffering in the garden so we can be forgiven of our sins if we are willing to repent and follow him. I told them we have a daughter and a grandson who are waiting in heaven for us and now it is our desire to try to live lives that will qualify us to return to live with them.
In the principal’s office later, we cut their list in half and told them to submit the rest and expect more cuts. We will see what we can do. WOW! I will do everything I know of to avoid that again. I just want to teach the gospel at the turnovers after we have given them something.
We arrived back in Cebu at about midnight. We slept in on Friday morning and then went to the templex to walk. It was hot and we were still tired, so we only did about half of our walk. After our morning routine we sprayed the base of all our walls to keep unwanted bugs away. We do this about every six weeks, and we do it when we can then leave for a while. We went to the hospital to get a sample of the kind of cloth they want us to make the kangaroo tubes out of. We got lost and had another adventure. After picking up the cloth we headed to the office to work. Clyda worked on our monthly reports, and I put the new contacts into our file. (If my computer dies, we are in trouble.) We came home, slid all the furniture back against the walls, opened the windows and turned on all three AC units. Clyda fixed a delicious stew for dinner, and we enjoyed a great stew as we watched some track events on the NFHS.
Saturday, back to the normal routine. After office work, we headed to Lapu Lapu to a food preservation discussion we were invited to. It was fun and interesting. Brother Colipapa had invited us. It was an hour drive. It was a good discussion in Cebuano, so we didn’t have a clue. Then they asked us to share. They understand English, probably not my English, but Clyda shared about our food storage, realizing they can’t do it that way but that it is important. We are trying to come up with ways to help them with this. I got another chance to bear my testimony, this time to members. Plus, Clyda got in on a little Pokemon with a 7-year-old boy named Brigham. His older sister is named Liahona, and his little sister is named Deseret.
Then, we met others at the Seaside Mall for the evening to celebrate Sister Garner’s midway date of her mission. It was a good meal and great company. After returning home, I watched a few track events until late.
We have had some incredible lightning and thunderstorms lately. One started shortly before church today. It was a down pour!! So, we drove to church. I think that was the first time. Church was very good. Sister Noble, wearing one of Clyda’s dresses gave a great talk about coming unto Christ. The sisters got soaked going to church and called Clyda asking for help. Clyda took them each a dress and they looked even prettier than normal in those dresses. The second speaker couldn’t make it to church because of the weather, so they asked the Koyle’s to share their testimonies. A little impromptu. They did great! There were quite a few visitors today. A Filipino born, from Toronto, Canada with his wife and folks. He had served in the Iloilo Mission from 2015-2017. We had a couple from close to Durango, Colorado. He had served here in Cebu in 2017-2019. He is here to set up a call center for a solar panel business. Then we had 5 young ladies who are just on a vacation together. I hope to visit with them more. The Heath’s invited them to dinner later today. Two girls from Gilbert, AZ, two from Farmington, UT, and one from Orem. The one from Orem and one from Farmington served missions together in Puerto Rico. That is all I got, and then it was time to go to Sunday School.
Once again in Sunday School we were encouraged to love our neighbors. I have a lot of work to do. Clyda is now at a meeting with the Stake Relief Society President and others to work out some details on this Kangaroo Project.
We are so proud of Connor and the wonderful work he is doing. We love his testimony. We are grateful he shares it each week in some kind of teaching to help us do better. It is wonderful to be involved in serving the Lord as missionaries far away at the same time as our oldest grandson. It makes it special that we are out at the same time. This gospel is true. We are led by a living prophet. Christ is at the head of this church. I think He is doing a great work with a whole bunch of us imperfect people that are trying. It is a pleasure to be on the winning team. I hope I can stay on the team. Holy Habits and Righteous Routines. “Lift Where You Stand”. 2 Nephi 25:26. Have a great week!!
With love,
Dad and Mom
Grandpa and Grandma
Briant and Clyda
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