We thought this was the Monsoon rainy season, but in the last month it only rained lightly in the evenings.
One Sunday, we went to Branch Council mtg.
Branch President Ramos said in three weeks, we hope to have 100 attend at Branch Conference. (The usual amount to come to regular Sacrament Meetings was 70).
Elder Roberts said Why not 120?
President Ramos encouraged all to read the Book of Mormon alone and in our families. He said for all to do their Home and Visiting Teaching, and to encourage neighbors to come.
Sister Roberts said, we could have the Primary Children sing 2 songs, and tell their Nanay's and Tatay's (Moms and Dads), Gramas and Grampas (Lolas and Lolos) to come to Church to hear them sing.
We practiced singing in Primary,, I am a Child of God- page 2, in the Primary Songbook
https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/i-am-a-child-of-god?lang=eng
and Daddy's Homecoming. They sang ---I'm so glad when Papa (Daddy) Comes Home, pg. 210.
https://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/daddys-homecoming?lang=eng
One week, we walked down this road in San Fabian to a members home. Hmmm.... what is that at the end of the road?
We tried it out...
But.... over the other side,, it was a hanging bridge that about touched the water. Holding on tight, Elder Roberts said,,, let's try another way....
We saw some children using another way,,
Well, this is the other way,,, a little more safe...
We arrived at the member's home.
We had song and prayer. After reading the Book of Mormon with them, we encouraged them to come partake of the Sacrament on Sunday with the Branch and read the Book of Mormon.
On the way back, we passed rice paddies being planted.
Fully grown, it looks like this.
A family car.
The cactus on the corner is growing in a 5" round little tin can...
On one beautiful day.....
...we and 8 others were invited to a delicious lunch in San Fabian, at Sister Annie's pretty bowery dining room. She had Salt Lake City commemorative plates on the wall.
We visited the counselor of the Branch Presidency, Jaymon and his family. His sister is Joy. She shows us where members live.
They are resourceful, using a full-water bottle as the door-closer. 
Another day, we ventured on our own.
At one area, clear at the end of the road, we asked non-members about where the members lived.
The member was not home, but we still made friends with the neighborhood.
Elder Roberts gave candy,
And we gave pass along cards to the adults.
We made a referral with the member's wife.
We returned another day with the Sister Missionaries, and the children came out to greet us.
So, Sister Roberts taught Primary songs to the non-member children.
We invited their parents to come to Church, the children could learn many songs about Jesus Christ and fun songs. We watched men carry a very long bamboo pole.
Here is a truck we saw later with a huge load of long bamboo poles.
We stopped at Robinson's Supermarket to buy groceries. Just like everywhere, there are very nice stores like this, and some that are plain.
Elder Roberts bought some flowers for Sister Roberts, about $4.00 US.
We felt we should talk with the florist about our purpose as Sr. Couple Missionaries.
He said he has been searching for the right Church- even attending different ones. We gave a referral to the Missionaries.
That reminds us of someone else who wanted to know the truth about religions. It was Joseph Smith Jr.
Joseph Smith Jr. said in his own account, (I have just put in extracts of it):
…there was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement
on the subject of religion.
I was at this time in my fifteenth year.
...it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so
unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was
right and who was wrong.
I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter
and fifth verse:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him.
I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in
darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of
God.
So, I retired to the woods to make the attempt.
I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head
I saw two Personages, whose
brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air.
One of
them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This
is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
I asked the Personages which of all the sects was right—and which I
should join.
I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were
all wrong; and the Personage who addressed me said...
“they draw near to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, they
teach for doctrines the commandments of men, having a form of godliness, but
they deny the power thereof.”
We are grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith, for being the Prophet of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these Latterdays. We are so thankful for the Priesthood of God and all the blessings that our families receive from it .
In another barangay (neighborhood), we found members to teach, and made more referrals of cousins.
We practiced songs with the children...
I'm so glad when Papa comes home..
On the day of the the Branch Conference, 123 people attended ! Many prayers were answered.
Fathers and Mothers and babies came.
The Children sang Marvelously.
We testify that our Heavenly Father hears all prayers, and that his son, Jesus Christ is in charge of his Church in these latterdays.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
Elder and Sister Roberts
No comments:
Post a Comment