Let Me Be the One!

Elder Brent H. Nielson

LaDawn said she wasn't in the mood to post to the blog, so she is doing some indexing and I decided I (Tom) would take a shot at an entry.  Today is Sunday, June 14th.  I think that is flag day in the US, but we are far far away from that right now.  It doesn't take long to be outside of the US to realize just how blessed we as Americans really are.  And yet, there is something about the pure humility and faith of the Filipino people that makes me wish that as Americans we could be more like them.  Hardworking, kind, faithful, spiritual and without guile.

Today we attended a Regional Broadcast from SLC.  Elder Brent H. Nielson who used to be the area president gave a masterful talk about a Filipino phrase that he came to know well while here for three years.  He first learned of it when some Filipino's were helping his wife Marcia get settled in their home.  They were changing some light bulbs for her and as she began to put the ladder back in the closet, one of the men said, "Sister Nielson, Let Me be the One!"  Meaning let me be the one to put that ladder away.  Elder Nielson went on to talk about the many experiences he had in the aftermath of the devastating typhoon Yolanda which ended up killing some 6,300 people.  This idea of Let Me be the One is a concept that Elder Nielson encouraged the Filipino people to continue to emulate.  Let me the one to take my family to the temple to be sealed.  Let me be the one to begin paying my tithing.  Let me be the one to prepare for and serve a mission.  I think this concept of Let me be the One is so powerful and something we can all incorporate more fully into our lives.

Elder Niel L. Andersen

Also speaking were Sister Rosemary Wixom (spoke on keeping of covenants and having strength beyond our own if we do so) and Elder Craig C. Christensen (Encouraged us to better prepare to partake of the sacrament.  He quoted Alma 7:14 which talks about faith coming after Repentance, Baptism and the Holy Ghost.  He point was that our faith can and needs to continue to grow and develop continually and that the sacrament can be an important part of that growth).  Elder Neil L. Anderson was the concluding speaker and much of what he said followed along a similar theme to that of Elder Nielson and Elder Christensen.  He also quoted Elder Oaks when he spoke in a conference in November.  His message was that the Filipino people need to strengthen the roots of their gospel tree.  Overall a wonderful broadcast!

We walked back home and had lunch and then as an afternoon treat made some delicious Root Beer Floats.  How appropriate that the Ice Cream brand here is "Magnolia".

Root Beer Floats!

Goodbye for now from the Pearl of the Orient!