September 15th

September 22, 2024

September 15th - 22nd

Here is what it is like when 6 old Americans ride on a jeepnie! Come to the Philippines and ride in a jeepnie!

We had a wonderful visit with the Maws. It was wonderful to meet them and to hug them and to cry a few tears with them. They are amazing people that we love and respect. I cannot really know what it must feel like to lose their only daughter as she was serving as a servant to the Lord. But after spending parts of 5 days with them, I have a greater empathy and charity. These days are spiritually defining moments for me. Brother and Sister Maw attended 2 different zone conferences, had dinner with us and the Baileys, visited the Tarlac Monasterio, attended the dedication in the name of Sister Taylor Maw of a nutrition and feeding center located in a school, and went to both Gerona Wards. We even have yours to visit, watch a few videos, and review pictures of Taylor.

The Filipinos LOVE God. We see it witnessed every day.

This is Romanito with Brother and Sister Maw (and with us). Romanito was their hired driver. He drove the Maws to Zone Conference, to the dedication of the nutrition center, and to church. He was very friendly and after interacting with the Maws - he is now interested in the church. Brother Maw got a Tagalog Book of Mormong and gave it to him. We were able to give Romanito's contact information to a couple of our missionaries. Elder Cox and Elder Lequigan. They gave me this message:

Magandang gabi po Elders and Sisters. We would like to share an experience that we had earlier today.

Elder Lequigan and I received a referral from Brother and Sister Maw. Before they left, Brother Maw gave their driver a Book of Mormon. They also gave the Sister Maw, "EVERYDAY" card to him. They were being good member missionaries and asked him for his number and address.

Then we received the referral and immediately contacted Brother Romanito Pausal. He chatted with us back and we set up an appointment with him.

When we got there, he had already read the first chapter in the Book of Mormon becuase he was so touched by Brother Maw's testimony. He was curious about the gospel of Jesus Christ and why their daughter would come all the way to the Philppines. Brother Romanito also expressed to us that Sister Maw's words on her card hit him with the spirit. He said that what she had said was true. Sister Maw witnessed the challengers and trials of the people she met and then watched the gospel of Jesus Christ change their lives.

That is what Brother Romanito wants for himself and his family. Elders and Sisters, we know that Sister Maw was there with us during that spiritual teaching. We know that she is still performing miracles on earth today. She is still seeing the gospel change lives EVERYDAY and she is watching over us EVERYDAY.

This is Brother Romanito. The referral from the Maws. We just had the most amazing teaching with him. He said that he became interested in the the gospel with the little card that the Maws gave him. The everyday card. Sister Maw is still preforming miracles on earth. The spirit was so strong. I wish they could've been there with us.

Here is the Everyday Card that the missionaries were referring to. It was taken from an email that Sister Maw sent her parents.

We are so proud of our grandchildren that have been attending the temple! They work so hard to get there to do baptisms. Holy habits and righteous routines bring blessings, strength and spiritual power.

Elder Tshuma arrived this morning. It has been delightful to visit him and hear about growing up in Zimbabwe. Our hearts have been touched as he shared about going to South Africa to be sealed as a family last year. 7 children in his family. His oldest sister served in Manchester England. He had an older brother that served in Uganda and one served in Ghana. He loved is Manilla MTC experience. To get to the Philippines from his home, he flew to Harare Zimbabew, then to Zambia, then to Ethiopia, then to HongKong, and then to Manilla. What a trip! It took 2 days.

We introduced Elder Tshuma to fast food. He chose JolliBees.

Elder Poquita, Elder Tshuma, and Elder Arquiola.

We attended a Stake Conference. They forgot to tell us that they decided to start it at 9 instead of 10. Good thing we were there early. I'm enjoying the prelude music its beautiful. Christmas has begun here - it starts in the ber months 🎄 we wish you were all here to witness the gathering of so many beautiful faithful fellow saints.

We met 3 cute basketball players after taking Elder Tshuma to his apartment.