Six Months - Or 1/3 of the Mission is Complete

 A Small World and a Special Painting

This week brought us one of those unexpected little experiences that remind you how small and connected the world can feel—especially here in the Philippines.

Earlier in the week, Dad needed to visit the mission office to pick up a letter required for his Philippines driver’s license. While he was there, the mission secretary showed him some beautiful paintings. They had been created by a man visiting from another island with a group. He was selling his artwork to help cover the cost of their trip and to buy food while they were here.

The very first painting on top of the pile immediately caught Dad’s eye—it featured two sister missionaries walking together. Right away, it reminded him of Bethany and some of the photos she had sent home from her mission. Of course, he couldn’t resist buying it for her. In person, it’s even more beautiful than the photo shows. When we shared it with Bethany, she smiled and said the trees reminded her of her last area, Barra.

Later that same day, we had the opportunity to serve in the baptistry. While there, I struck up a conversation with a lovely sister leader. We quickly connected and had a wonderful visit. She shared a bit about her family’s inspiring history in the Church. They were among the very first members in their area—true pioneers of faith. Her parents and all twelve of her siblings were baptized together in 1979, and they’ve remained strong and active ever since. Remarkably, eight of the children served full-time missions! Her husband has served faithfully as a bishop and as a stake president for over ten years, and he now serves in the mission presidency. She herself has also held many leadership positions. It was clear to me that they are a beloved and respected example of faith and devotion in their community.

She also introduced me to her daughter, who serves in the stake Young Women organization. Naturally, we had a wonderful conversation about their upcoming girls’ camp. She shared how they plan to teach the young women practical survival skills—including how to cook an egg on a banana leaf!

As we were chatting, Dad came over and asked her if, by chance, she knew the artist behind those beautiful paintings. To our surprise, she said it was her husband! She introduced us to him. We arranged to meet them later at the patron house to take a picture together and possibly purchase another painting, as I had decided I would really love one for myself.

Unfortunately, Dad wasn’t feeling well when the time came, so I’m the only one in the picture with them. Still, it felt like such a small, sweet miracle to connect with these wonderful people through art, service, and shared faith.

The paintings I had admired were already sold, but this kind sister told me she would have her husband create a special painting just for me and bring it with them when they return in September. I’m already looking forward to seeing her again and can’t wait to see what he paints. Moments like this remind me how blessed we are to be here in Cebu, meeting so many inspiring and faithful people whose kindness and goodness leave a lasting impression on our hearts.

The Conversation Cone

One of the blessings we’ve experienced during our mission has been spending time with the other temple missionary couples. Over the weeks, we’ve enjoyed getting to know each other better, especially during our regular Friday night dinners. Most weeks, we go to the mall and find a familiar spot like Texas Roadhouse or Chili’s. It’s a nice way to relax, enjoy a meal, and visit with one another outside of our temple service.

One Friday evening, after finishing dinner, we were walking back to the van. We sisters were deep in conversation and must have stopped without realizing it. What we didn’t notice at the time was that we had paused right in front of a maintenance cone. We didn’t mean to stop there, but we were just caught up in talking.

When we finally noticed where we were standing, we had a good laugh. It was such a small thing, but it turned into a funny little memory.

These simple moments have added so much to our mission experience. Along with the spiritual blessings of temple service, we’re also grateful for the friendships and lighthearted moments we share with the other couples  

Our husbands thought it was the funniest thing and still tease us about it. Then dad thought he would be really funny so he bought key chains with a maintenance cone. Now we all have one attached to our purse so we can stop anytime and have a good conversation. It’s a great memory which includes Sister Memmott who along with her husband had to return home early. Brother Memmott was having some medical issues and preferred to have them addressed by his physician at home. We were so sad to see them go but glad he will get the treatment he needs and happy we could make some fun memories together.

Stepping out of my Comfort Zone

I know a mission is supposed to stretch us but I have been asked to do a few things that are way out of my comfort zone…

Teaching Piano Lessons

First, I am now teaching piano lessons to two cute girls. The mission secretary was teaching but she completed her mission and is now home so one of the other sisters took over her students. She already had students of her own so she asked me if I could help out. Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing but I felt bad that she had so many students so I said yes. They are the sweetest girls and they are lots of fun. I’ll do what I can to help them and pray they learn in spite of my lack of teaching knowledge. 

Dance Performance

As we approach the temple shut down in August, we are sad to say we will saying goodbye to many of the temple workers we have grown to love and enjoy working with. The Davao temple on another island is nearing it’s completion and all the the temple workers from that area will be transferred to serve there.The temple presidency second counselor and his wife have been called to be the temple president and matron and two couples we work with are their counselors. There will be a total of 45 brothers and sisters leaving us to serve in the new temple. So as always there will be a huge party for them on August 11th and all the sisters on the third floor have been asked to do a dance performance.  I am so uncomfortable with this - I don’t think I’m much of a dancer but there is no way to get out of it.  The dance is called the chili cha-cha!!! I’m sure it will be recorded by many people and I’m not too excited about that either. But since there is nothing I can do about it, I’m trying to be positive and supportive. We’ll see how it goes!!!

Singing in the Stake Choir

Dad sang in the stake choir at our last stake conference here and he really enjoyed. The choir was amazing and they did such a good job.  The choir has been asked to sing at our next stake conference in October and they are already practicing since they will be singing nine different numbers. The choir director asked  dad if he could recruit the other temple missionaries because they would like all of us to join them. So, I will be singing in the stake choir. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute and not distract!!!

Miss you all 

We miss all of you and hope you are doing well. We would love to hear from you and hear about everything you are doing. We continue to enjoy serving in the temple - it is never dull and there is always something new and rewarding. Although, we are looking forward to the closure since we have a few trips planned where we will be visiting three other islands and doing all the fun tourist activities we can. 

We love you and miss you…

Love,

Sister Mom/Beth

 Medical/Dental Mission 2025

Week before last we had the opportunity to volunteer at the Medical/Dental Mission held at the stake center in the temple complex. 

They have been holding this mission for eight years now, offering dental and vision services. This year, medical services were added as well. The mission is sponsored by several charitable organizations that partner with members of the Church here in Cebu. At least 16 dentists flew in from the U.S., and several local dentists also participated. In addition, there were local medical professionals and optical specialists from the U.S. They reported being able to serve between 200 and 300 patients per day, with people beginning to line up as early as 4:30 to 5:00 a.m.

If someone didn’t get in to be seen, they had to come back the next day. The line didn’t carry over from the previous day, so patients had to try again each day until they were admitted. One of the sisters at the temple told us she arrived at 8:00 a.m. and wasn’t seen until around 2:30 p.m. The only individuals given priority were prospective missionaries, and they had to bring their mission medical and dental paperwork in order to move ahead in line.

We were asked to represent the temple missionaries and attended several meetings in preparation for the event. I was overwhelmed by the number of people they projected would come for services and wondered how they could possibly accommodate them all. But everything ran like clockwork—it was truly amazing to witness and be a part of.

The Sunday before Joe and the other senior Elders went and helped set up the equipment and get the building organized. 

We were supposed to work Monday afternoon and Wednesday - Friday mornings but Joe ended up having to sub for one of the other Elders at the temple so we didn’t work on Friday.  The first day we volunteered in Sterilization where we helped sterilize the dental instruments. 

We thought it was interesting that we only had to wear gloves in that room and it really didn’t seem like the most sterile place. But the next time we were there we noticed that the workers in sterilization were in gowns, hats and gloves. That seemed more appropriate. 

Our next assignment was in Optical where we were able to help give simple eye tests and help the patients figure out which prescription helped them the most. It was so interesting, they would put on glasses that had a dial on each side that they could adjust up or down until they found the prescription that worked best for them, then they would take the prescription to be filled. They could choose black or brown glassed and the appropriate lenses would be popped in and they would be good to go. It is estimated that well over a 1,000 pair of glasses were given out durning the week to adults and children. 

Our last assignment was Pharmacy. Here we handed out toothpaste and toothbrushes to the dental patients and pretty much anyone that asked for one. We also gave the dental patients pain killers and antibiotics according to the doctor’s instructions. Usually the dentist would bring the patient out and help us with filling the prescription. 

Each morning before the mission opened up they would have a prayer meeting and it was just amazing to look around at all the people willing to give of their time and talents to people who are in so much need of their services and deserve the help so much.

 Although many of the doctors and dentist were members of the church, many were not, many of the patients were members of the church but many were not. It was a wonderful thing to see so many people come together for the good of those who are in so much need. It was such a privilege to part of it in just a small way. As we sang the opening hymn (usually a Primary hymn) I couldn’t even sing, I was so overwhelmed by the goodness of it all. 

Little Did We Know

While we were volunteering at the Medical/Dental Mission, I received a text from Michael with a picture of their boys who were were serving in a different way but still serving the children of the Philippines. 🇵🇭 

Every now and then when the boys are out of school, Kori will take them to a place called Feed My Starving Children where they pack food boxes for children around the world who live in 3rd world countries. They just happened to be assigned to the Philippines table this time around.

What a blessing it is to the children here. Twice now Dad and I have encountered small children out begging for food. The first time was shortly after we arrived here and we were on our way home from the airport. We were stopped at a red light and two small children that couldn’t have been more than 4 or 5 (maybe younger) were going from car to car begging for food or money. It broke my heart, they were so small and I didn’t see a parent in sight. I couldn’t believe children so small would be out on their own like that. I thought about Ember and Vlady and I wanted to take those kids home and take care of them but of course that’s not possible. 

Another time we were out and again stopped at a red light and several children were going among the cars begging for food. What I didn’t know the last time was that someone makes small food bags and puts them in the console of the van for times like these. I was able to give most of the kids a small bag of food. They immediately ran to the curb and started shoving the food into their mouths. The poverty here is so heartbreaking but like the starfish story, even though we can’t help them all, we can help some of them.

But I want to bless you…

One day last week as we were walking to our apartment, I noticed a peso coin on the ground close to where a cute little girl was playing so I pointed it out to her so she could have it. She picked it up but then tried to hand it to me. When I told her it was for her and she could have it, she almost started to cry said, “but I want to bless you”. I looked at her mom to see if she would help me convince the little girl to keep the coin but she shrugged. So I took the coin back. What a sweet little girl she was and how sweet of her to want to bless us. 

Fun Encounter

This week we got to meet up with a couple more people Bethany knew from her mission. Bethany’s first area was Pakil,  where she met two different families who are wood carvers. The first was the Cajumban family. We actually have some of their carvings that Bethany sent home from her mission. They were here in Cebu for a wedding and to attend the temple.  They brought with them some of their carvings and we were able to purchase a nativity and an Easter tomb.  It was so fun to meet them. Brother Cajumban was a young man when Bethany was here and he baptized the first person Bethany taught. Bethany said he was quite shy and didn’t talk to her very much. 

Now he is not only a grown man with a family, he is also the Bishop of his ward.  His wife Hazel is the sweetest and I really enjoyed getting to know her.  

As we were visiting with them a new missionary came into the mission office and said she was also from Pakil and her family were also wood carvers. We figured she was probably around 5 years old when Bethany was there.  Bethany remembered her but she was too young to remember Bethany. 

Such a darling girl and it was so fun to meet everyone. 

Filipino Ways

I thought I would share some fun things about the Philippines. Here are a few sayings I have gotten used to hearing and grown to love:

I will go ahead - They say this when they are ending a conversation and ready to go. For instance when we are getting ready for preparation meeting and the person I’m visiting with is ready to go they will say “I will go ahead”. 

I will be the one - When something needs to be done and two or more people are offering to do it someone will say “I will be the one”. 

I am so much thankful - I love this, they say it when they pray or bear their testimony. 

But then there’s this…

So is there something different between just a new driver and a lady driver? I’m wondering what they are trying to say with this sign…🤣 I’ve seen quite a few of them and I don’t know whether to laugh or to be irritated. I’ll choose to laugh because I do think it is funny.

This is a long post, I hope you enjoyed it and made it to the end. We miss everyone so much and would love to hear from you and find out what’s happening at home. We continue to love serving in the temple and living in the Philippines even though we are still getting used to so many things. We have come along way, so that is a good thing.  We love you and look forward to hearing from you if you have a minute to drop us a line.

Love,

Mom/Beth