A cultural Celebration

Today was the Cultural Celebration to commemorate the 100 stake in the Philippines. Elder Bowen explained that a stake is taken from the old testament and it would be like a Dioses for Catholics. Every Stake is made up of wards or branches and those would be like a Parish in the Catholic Church. He went on to say that from those humble beginnings in 1962 to this day the Church has grown and keeps growing. Next Sunday the 101 Stake will be formed.

The evening was incredible! The youth were so lively and engaged and so incredibly sweet. Daniel and I love spending time with them before and after they performed because their energy and optimism is truly contagious.

We got a chance to say hello to Elder and sister Andersen and Elder Soares and his wife Rosana. We sat on the same row in the Theater. As we saw each group performed their number, you couldn't help too think what a wonderful world this is to have youth radiating so much light. I love it when you can look at a person and sense in their countenance that they are a good person with a good heart. The light within them shows by how they act.

Radiating light from within doesn't come as a result of power or position or money or even physical beauty. Radiating light from within comes from being a person of integrity who is trying to do the right things combined with a desire to serve selflessly. And when someone radiates light they are like a magnet that attracts others to them. What I love most about our youth here in the Philippines is how polite they are. They make eye contact with you and shake your hand or do the "mano" a tradition to show respect as they bring your hand to their forehead.

Those kids had practice, and practice and practice to the point that probably they were exhausted but still gave it their all as they performed. Thank you so much for being such good examples and for making us feel special.

Con amor,
Vero