Email from Sister Bingham: February 11th

 February 11, 2024

Dear family -

 

The past 3 weeks we have attended stake conferences every Sunday..  Mabalacat with President Dulay.  Santa Ignacia with President Corpuz.  Tarlac with President Donato.  What a privilege it is to be gathered with so many faithful saints - fellow servants really.  The Filipino people are so beautiful - especially their children and their youth. They love to sing.  They also love to talk.  Both Michael & I both gave basically the same talk at each conference. I spoke on enduring to the end - well a 7 minute version on enduring to the end! And your dad spoke on missionaries.  Of course, there were changes each week as the spirit directed me to go a different way, or I felt things differently I guess..  I still get nervous to speak to that big of a group. I do like to share a little in Tagalog - but that makes me nervous as well, like what if what I want to say is not what I am saying! I always do so much better when the spirit is strong.  It takes a lot of preparation to be ready to deliver a message.  In this calling as a mission leader I am realizing how I need to continue to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for His example - but it is quite the high standard to reach for.  Being a lifetime disciple of Jesus Christ takes just that - a lifetime. There are many Christlike attributes I am striving to become. Being focused on our Savior, and inviting others to come to Him is so helpful as I continue to work on those attributes as well.

I wish I had the ability to really express what we are experiencing here. I can't even begin to capture everything. I try to get photos, but we are usually driving so fast and the pictures really don't capture the feelings anyway. But I will keep trying.

Love you my DEAR FAMILY! How can I even begin to express that. MOM

Here's the message from your dad to the missionaries this morning.  We love each of you!  I will try and get an email to you as well later today.  I need to take the time to write to you because I think of each of you so often.  I especially think of you when I am on my knees really praying.  I have done a lot of that here in the Philippines.  What a choice opportunity it is to feel so close to our Heavenly Father and to the Savior. (After typing that sentence I feel like I need to add - what a choice opportunity it is to have the blessing of the Gift of the Holy Ghost - I am so grateful for the priesthood power that is upon the earth at this time!)  What a blessing it is for Michael & I to do this together.  We are together ALL the time and so far we love it!  OR at least I do (guess I shouldn't speak for him.). It is funny how we end up thinking similarly in so many situations.  When we are speaking to missionaries or church members, I will share something that he was just thinking of or vice versa.  It happens a lot as I help him with the transfer board.  I have learned a lot about priesthood keys and my role.  It has been interesting for me to figure out what role I am really to play, but a great process for me to experience.

I am grateful that our internet has been restored!  That pretty much shuts Michael down on pday as he tries to read 180 emails from missionaries.

I adore all of our grandkids.  Each one of them is unique.  I love the pictures you share with us.  I also love any updates you have.

Any ideas that you want to share with us on - increasing a desire for righteousness would be much appreciated.  I think we will print out the living Christ and get it laminated for missionary apartments.  Oh - & maybe the declaration on the restoration.  They are both so beautiful.

oh how i LOVE you!  Hearing about Jean Richardson has made me miss home.  I have shed a few tears over not being able to visit with her in this life - but I trust in the Lord.  AND I will see her in the next.

- MOM