Domingo and 3 Augusto

We are home, waiting for the missionaries to come over for dinner. Elder Orgiz, one of our favorite people, is getting shipped out in the morning. We hope to take him to Iloilo, but we don't know where he will end up. We know he will be a spiritual giant wherever he goes. He is in tune with the Spirit and seeks revelation. He loves the people and visits and strengthens them. He will be missed, but the Lord needs him to go to another place and work there. Something/someone is prepared to hear him.

It has been a good Sabbath Day. We went to Hamtic. We are feeling better. I will keep struggling, but I do feel better and stronger.

Sister Sessions bore testimony today and it was great. There was another sister there, a little older sister like us, that bore here testimony in about four sentences. It was dang powerful. We really do not need to do a thankimony, travelog, or recitation on our trials and blessings . . . I have not been so moved by a testimony in a long time.

Porter was baptized early this morning, for Antique (1:15) We were able to see and listen because Chancey used technology to let us be there. We even got a chance to share a little testimony with Port. I am thankful for technology. Wish I could put it to better use.

I did a lot of thinking about baptism and the Holy Ghost. I wrote this and want to save it on the blog:

Baptisms, family baptisms particularly, naturally bring us to ponder God The Holy Ghost and His role in the Godhead. Parley P. Pratt described the “Armor of God” as not an exoskeleton layer that can be discarded when not in use, but as an internal strength which fortifies our faculties and enhances our God given gifts. Clearly, he was speaking of the Holy Ghost.

In that the Armor of God must be internalized, we begin at our baptism (young or old), to prepare ourselves. We prepare to face constant pressure from Lucifer. Preparation requires much time, which stands in total contrast to our desire for a quick fix and instant gratification.

Experience, prayer and study bring knowledge. We are taught that using knowledge to judge correctly is wisdom. The Armor of God (The Holy Spirit) enhances our ability to use our knowledge and wisdom to choose/judge correctly. By choosing and acting well, we do all that we can do to approach Exaltation. Our loving Savior does the rest, but we need to do our part . . . For me it is a long, long, long (maybe there are not enough longs to adequately portray enough time) process.

Alma tells us:

“And now, my beloved brethren, (Likening this to myself, ‘And now my children and grandchildren  and loved ones and friends’) I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear (respect and love) before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;

That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it (The Heavenly Gift), and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”  (Alma 34:37-8)

Thirty nine is cool too, but 40 is still a killer. . .

The Prophets, aged and modern, tell us the Holy Ghost is that for which we must constantly seek while here. He refines us and our thoughts and hearts. He loves the Savior, He loves the scriptures, He loves us, and loves to be with us when we are doing well and good and meeting in the name of the Lord, and He is our personal minister from the Godhead. I know this is true and share this written testimony in the name of Jesus Christ . . . Amen.

On the way home from Hamtic I took these photos from the Malandog Bridge. This little bay is filled with the fishing fleet during the monsoons/typhoons. It is too rough out to sea where they normally  anchor. There is a painting here . . .

The Malandog Bay and river inlet is where the natives believe ten (10) Bornean kings (Datus) landed on/discovered Panay Island many hundreds of years ago. The kings eventually traded a gold head dress to the natives for their land. Then the Spaniards came and all kinds of stuff broke loose and they all lost their lands. The Bornean King story is much more interesting.

The rains wash the dirt down the river and deposit silt. Hence the brown water. One can just make out the surf out back of the fleet.