WE SANG TOGETHER AND SHOUTED FOR JOY

by: Norberto Betita

My best friend Letty and I were there as we sang together and with “all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7)” as we are called to participate in a grand council in heaven for the presentation of the eternal plan of happiness. Letty and I rejoiced together with the rest of the spirit children about the great plan of happiness. We started to crave for the opportunity to have a body of flesh and bones as the Father has, that we may be glorified also as our heavenly parents are. We longed to enjoy the glory of being born on earth and be tried and tested to prove our worth of the sacrifices that has to be done by a Savior which would eventually bring us back into the presence of the Father in a perfected and glorified state. We strongly supported the great plan of redemption and eternal happiness.

We were in presence when the war in heaven commenced and when the battle was finally won there again were heard shouts of joy. “And [we] heard a loud voice saying in heaven, now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of Christ: for the accuser…is cast down…(Revelation 12:10).” I and my friend Letty joined with the chorus of exultant gladness as we are ushered into the grand celebration and the eventual triumph of good over evil.

Letty and I were assigned to be born in the last dispensation of the fullness of times to help usher in the Second Coming of the Lord. We were honored to have been given such a rare opportunity, which many of the nobles and great ones were looking forward to be born in such a time. Yet we were told that it will be a time of deepest trials and great calamities. It will be a time when the work of salvation is going to be in its last stretch and more will be opposing the truth of the great plan of happiness and eternal salvation. There will be a great battle between good and evil that will be initiated and wedged by Satan and his cohorts. We were given perfect knowledge of all that is going to happen, and we express our willingness to be a part of it.

While in premortality we made plans and preparations for our journey into mortality. We wished to meet again and be united together. We knew however that our preparations will be quite impossible to attain considering that our premortal plans will all be forgotten as we are required to pass through the veil of forgetfulness. But we asked Heavenly Father to grant our wishes.

Our time eventually came to journey into mortality and cross the veil of forgetfulness to enter into the physical body prepared to accommodate our spirits into becoming a living soul. She left first and I bade her goodbye with the promise that I will meet her again on earth. Yet all those memories were gone as it came my part to pass the veil.

However, through the providence of God we meet again. It was of no coincidence that she would be attracted to me with my personality giving the impression of a straggler, while she is well-liked and trendy. By her widespread popularity in the campus, and the smartly expressions of her outside beauty, she appeared even hardest for me to get by. Yet again providence gave place for our roads to cross and my nasty assumptions of her personality and character all vanished. Then eventually with feelings mutual and hands clasped we entered the covenant of marriage. In due time we received the gospel message and our marital bond was sealed for time and all eternity. For some time our mortal understanding opened the memory of our wonderful plans made in premortality and we since worked for its attainment with a covenant and a promise to be true to each other in time and throughout all eternity. 

Today is her 66th year when she left her premortal existence and be born on earth to sojourn in this part of her journey to eternity. Indeed, such a mortal probation had been years, months and days of great sacrifices as had been called upon even while in premortality. We are grateful though that our mortal understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ had reminded us of our premortal life and that day when we sang together and shouted for joy sitting abreast in that grand council in heaven in expression of our submission to the great plan of happiness which Jesus Christ presented and approved by Heavenly Father.

In her was gone the worldly youthful attractiveness of long ago, replaced by the golden beauty that shines in glitters of loveliness, resultant of the refiner’s fire that confirmed and displayed her premortal prettiness. The mortal external beauty which was once adored by friends and admirers is now lined with wrinkles which is a symbol of an inner exquisite charm and comeliness that forms out of the boundless love and sacrifices, and a lifetime of service. The beauty in her wrinkles painted and made abstract by those long years of parenting and service in God’s kingdom will be enhanced as she endures the remaining lap of her journey in mortality, until the timeless origin of her premortal beauty blooms back with brilliant glow into eternity. 

I awaken at early dawn to sing for her a mañanita song, but I was choked by the thought of great gratitude for her eternal love that no words came out, but tears rolled. I instead hugged her tight as I uttered more meaningfully the enduring phrase which I made a daily routine for her---I LOVE YOU! As she sleeps back to complete her night’s rest, I opened her laptop and find for her an hour of beautiful birthday songs, while I arose and sit in front of my computer to write these thoughts on this her 66th year of mortal journey.

TO MY EVERDEAREST LETTY, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

THE RETURNED MISSIONARY’S QUEST FOR TEMPLE MARRIAGE

  

By: Norberto Betita

The returned missionary, Jovanni P. Graven

When he was young, Jovanni Paguican Graven together with his family trudged the road to church inactivity. His youthful itinerary was somewhere the length of a winding road. He was kind of lost. However, God did not want him to be forever walking the meandering way and so He commissioned good men to conduct a search and rescue. The family of thirteen---father, mother and eleven children--- was found and their faith revived and resuscitated. Since then three of his elder brothers served missions and were eventually married and sealed in the temple. Likewise his youthful journey changed and his direction was gradually focused into an eternal perspective. He began to do his best, slowly improving his scholastic capabilities while diligently doing his Aaronic Priesthood responsibilities. His high school academic performance brought him to the elite Special Science class. 

As soon as he graduated from high school, he started to dream of serving a mission. He served even most seriously in his Aaronic Priesthood assignments. He enrolled in college and in the Institute Program of the church. Aside from the regular institute classes he also enrolled in the Missionary Preparation class, determined to really serve as an ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ. He eventually was called as a full-time missionary assigned at the Olongapo Philippines Mission. During such span of time he had meet many people and new friends. Two years passed and he was honorably released. To him it was one of the best two years of his life, yet he was a little disturbed about what life would be after the mission. 

The couple at the Manila Philippines Temple-first date.

As a returned missionary he was faced with greater challenge as a result of the switch---from missionary life back to his natural habitat. He had been told of several missionaries returning home and eventually giving up church activity. He himself had known some of them. Yet he looked with confidence at the examples of his elder brothers. He had fixed his mind that his tag as an RM should not be construed as a Retired Mormon. He rather took it to mean Reinforced or Reinvigorated Mormon. Therefore, he tried to take more time in service to the church. Since his missionary release he had served in different capacities last of which was District executive secretary and Institute Teacher---Missionary preparation class. Most of his free times were spent in assisting full-time missionaries and rescuing the lost one. Despite being driven out by an inactive RM, he insisted to not give up on him. Hence, in all his relentless efforts to serve, his RM tag was added the meaning of Respected Mormon. 

Graduation pictures with parents.

He enrolled back to college a much better and more responsible student. While in his struggle to earn a college degree, he was in constant hassle as Priesthood leaders continue to jog his memory of a more important priority---TM. He does not want TM to mean Temporary Marriage or Time Marriage only, as it happened to several returned missionaries. All he ever wanted is to have the real TM---Temple Marriage. In his mind always rings the words of President Thomas S. Monson: “I would admonish you to maintain an eternal perspective. Make certain that the marriage in your future is a temple marriage. There is no scene so sweet, no time so sacred as that very special day of your marriage. Then and there you glimpse celestial joy. Be alert; do not permit temptation to rob you of this blessing.” Of course he did not aspire for a baroque wedding reception. But even then he needed finances even just for the trip to the temple for the two of them and perhaps for the parents of whosoever will be his choice. He could not find a better job that could provide such, so he just continued to pursue his education while at the same time dating and courting for a possible eternal partner and writing to some distant girlfriends. He took the advice to date as many as possible to be able to build friendship and find the one best prepared for him. He went into a relationship once, but it was short-lived for reason only the two of them knew. His eyes were misty as he told some friends of the breakup. He longed to date and court others, while the reminders from Priesthood leaders continued to intensify, especially after he graduated from college and was already with a job. 

Strengthening the bond at the temple while waiting
for the final moment.

Providence perhaps raised objections for him to find his possible eternal partner in his home province as for him to be constantly rejected by friends he wanted to court. One Sunday he told me he is leaving to visit a longtime friend he met during his mission in Olongapo City. I told him if ever he decides to be married to a woman far away he should come back as we are losing the best Priesthood holders because of marriages outside of our boundaries.

He first met Sister Jessica Roncal in his first area during his mission in Olongapo City. She was serving a part-time mission for two months while waiting for her mission call. He admitted that during each of their conversations he felt some interest on her that needed to be restrained considering that he is in the mission field. He felt sad as she left to serve at the Cauayan Philippines Mission. They met again when she returned on September 2012, but that was only for a short time because he went home the following month, October 2012. Since then and for more than two years, they never have any communication. Until one day in December 2014 while scouring for messages on Facebook, trying to heal a broken heart, he incidentally spotted a very familiar name---Jessica Roncal. He felt revitalized and rejuvenated. With intensified excitement he instantaneously sent a friend request. Yet he flagged after receiving no confirmation for several days. But at last in a week his request was confirmed. Communication exchanges then became a routine and mutual feelings filled the hearts.

Missionary memories

Jovanni and Jessica never failed to find time closer to each other notwithstanding the distance divided by seas, rivers and mountains, even during that long period that they did not personally meet. They just kept their friendship open and their hearts ever hoping. They both desired not to settle for less than a temple marriage. Their feelings remained true to the friendship, and they believed that for as long as they remain an acquaintance despite the distance, it matters not, there is hope. They did not give up. They must have been as optimistic as Savannah even to believe that “At the end of the day – I get to marry my best friend for eternity, so nothing else will make or break the happiness of that day.” During the last five months they shifted their contacts from Facebook messages to personal calls and texting. Finally they both decided to meet at the Manila Philippines Temple for their first ever personal dating.

During their short visit to the Manila Philippines Temple together on July 22, 2015, Jovanni and Jessica attended two endowment sessions. At the conclusion of the second session, while inside the Celestial Room, they jointly prayed with exceptional earnestness, petitioning Heavenly Father for a confirmation if they are really meant for each other. In the course of their quiet supplication tears wet the dry eyes and bosoms burned with tender feelings of calm and soothing assurance and affirmation that they indeed are the right and best partner for a temple marriage. They made it to their most sincere expectations! 

Showing his love of little children

Indeed, they are meant for eternity for while they were financially unprepared for the battle against the challenges of marital life, yet they trusted the prophet’s voice and counsel, “Honorable marriage is more important than wealth, position and status. As husband and wife, you can achieve your life’s goals together. As you sacrifice for each other and your children, the Lord will bless you, and your commitment to the Lord and your service in His kingdom will be enhanced” (President Ezra Taft Benson). President Thomas S. Monson once said, “Decisions determine destiny.” Immediately they made the decision to track the path to their eternal destiny. After a month of counting from their first date, during which time Jovanni was already employed, he unreservedly proposed and asked the question which a woman in love ever so anxiously awaited: “Will you marry me? Such proposal defies all other worldly expectations and dreams. The unequivocal proposal question carried with it the wisdom of the words of Elder Joseph W. Sitati which says, “Living prophets and apostles have counseled all who have the opportunity to enter into the covenant of eternal marriage to proceed in wisdom and faith. We should not put off the time of that sacred day because of worldly pursuits or hold our expectations of a suitable companion at a level that disqualifies every possible candidate.”

The returned missionary’s quest for temple marriage is now over. The long wait and unwavering hope of Jessica for her eternal partner to surface was granted. The day for them to finally enter the doors of the House of the Lord to kneel before the holy altar between the mirrors of eternity, and enter into the new and everlasting covenant of marriage for time and all eternity, had been finally set---Saturday, October 3, 2015. Now they both recognized the fact that, “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved” (William Jennings Bryan). They both worked for their mutual dreams to find its route to their destined future and they now found the way into their journey to eternity.

SHE DREAMED A CAREER IN LAW BUT FOUND MOTHERHOOD A PRIORITY

By: Norberto Betita

Kathleen Beth

Twenty seven years ago today, in July 26, 1988 she was given birth at the Grace Christian Clinic, our only child who was born in a private hospital. Immediately the first Sunday of August of the same year she was given a name and a blessing. The name Kathleen Beth was taken from a Family Home Evening Manual. Kathleen means pure while Beth means oath or covenant. Exactly on her eight birthday, July 26, 1996, She was baptized by her brother Robert Sherwin and I confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Early in her childhood she had exhibited her inherent intellectual ability. She finished her kindergarten at the Children’s Garden Learning Center only in a year having been accelerated from Kinder I to Kinder II. Before she turned five years old she was already in the first grade of elementary when the required age was seven. While many of her classmates had just started reading, she was already a fast reader. Like her elder siblings, she was self-reliant and independent in doing her school assignments, seeking our assistance only when she felt no longer able.

Even at a young age she had already shown a tough and persuasive personality. She is not easily intimidated even by boys her age. Once while in elementary she was told that her schoolmate got a crush on her. She immediately confronted the boy and whacks his head telling him that she did not like such a joke. She is a defender of anybody---boy or girl---who were subjected to bullying at school. During her elementary grades she already dreamed to be a lawyer. 

With her family and parents at Cebu Philippines Temple

In high school, she qualified and was admitted in the elite special science class of the Surigao del Norte National High School. She had been a consistent honor student. As a youth she was very active in the church and was enrolled in the Seminary. Her strong personality and leadership potential continued to be evident as she defended the feeble and frail among her youthful contemporaries and her groups both at church and school. She was not easily provoked, but she made sure that her aggressor knows she was always ready for confrontation. Even at home she always took her stand when she had valid reasons. She graduated fourth place in her batch of about one thousand students in the school year 2003-2004.

She took and passed the University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) and qualified for the course she intended to take---Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at UP-Cebu College, preparatory to her dream of a degree in law. 

With husband Jesle

In 2004 she enrolled and was admitted as “Iskolar ng Bayan” at the UP-Cebu College. At the same time she also enrolled at the Cebu Institute of Religion. During her years as a UP student she admitted that meeting the demands of her course was truly difficult. Sleepless night was normally a generic occurrence in her student life. She rendered deliberate efforts to burn the midnight candle making sure that there will be no extension of the required four years to complete the course. She tried her best to endure looking forward with eyes fixed far and high towards her youthful dream. On our part as parents it was also a struggle to meet her financial needs together with her sister who was also in a local college of Nursing. Yet we tried to make sure they are well supported even beyond our financial limits. 

True to her commitments, she graduated from the University of the Philippines-Cebu College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at age nineteen, successfully achieving the college degree exactly according to the four-year requirement of the course. Her initial triumph on the road to her dream of becoming a lawyer was about halfway through with prospects brilliant and clear. However, while trying to find employment opportunities to help finance her possible further studies in law, she met a guy from whose attraction love twinkles and its vivacities seemed to melt away all the energies, vim and vigor once sweltering in her youth. Love conquers all; it created a wall which temporarily obscured her youthful vision of the future. She married at an early age of twenty one to Jesle Araneta Pedrosa, forgetting her childhood dream. 

With parents and precious daughters

As her daughters Jelienne Zaffera and Zaina Viveca came into her life, her attention and focus is now firm in rearing and nurturing them. She knew that more than any other goals in life; beyond any worldly aspirations, motherhood defeats them all. She and her family were sealed at the Cebu Philippines Temple for time and all eternity.

Her young family was never free from the wiles of adversity, but she has since learned to take time and have courage to kneel and call home for the hands of God to pull her up when the going gets tough. She was never downed by the barriers and hurdles that are ever present on the extended lanes of her race. She leans not in her own personal capabilities, but trusts and stands with faith in that most powerful hand from on high to help her in the journey. She is still young as a mother and wife, and she understands that the path is not going to be easy, yet she has faith that for as long as she is true to her covenants and commitments to God and ever sincere in her family relationships, then the hands of the Almighty will be always at her elbow.

She was once employed by Smart Communications, Inc. and ECCP-European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. At present, while taking care of her daughters and husband, she took a home-based employment to supplement her partner’s earnings. She is presently employed as Project and Liaison Officer of Global-Link MP Events International, Inc. Although her present job sometimes requires her to be out for meetings and other event preparations, yet most of her working days and hours are spent with her children at home. She also voluntarily served in different capacities in the church. She was called as Ward Relief Society President and is presently serving as the Ward Young Women President

With siblings and parents

During her childhood she dreamed of a career in law, but as she experienced giving life to two precious daughters---her priceless gift of trust from God, she found motherhood a superior priority. I once told her that she still have much time to consider going back to her childhood dream of becoming a lawyer, but she seemed no longer interested. She felt comfortable and contented with having her precious children and husband by her side.

She is now celebrating her 27th birthday. As it is, the coming months will be moving fast to end another year. It is our hope and best wishes that she starts the new round of her life with greater faith and positive vision for the future, while conveying the wisdom and education of life’s wonders learned in the years foregoing as a guide in her battle with the present.

To our dearest daughter KATHLEEN BETH, it’s your birthday today and you are on for another year of growing, of learning, of striving, of struggling, and eventually succeeding. You are not meant to fail. You have a very bright prospect. Have courage to brave the winds of adversity that may obstruct your direction. Be ever faithful to God. We love you very much. May the gleaming rays of heavenly light beams brightly on your path and fill your days continually with joy and gladness now and in the coming years. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

WELCOME: ROHAN ASHLEI FRESH FROM PREMORTALITY

By: Norberto G. Betita

Rohan Ashlei and her first smile

After we were told that her mother Analiza was pregnant, our hearts jerked with excitement for a new addition to the family circle. For nine months we are filled with anticipation for her coming. We know she was sent from Heavenly Father to be a part of our growing family. She is our ninth grandchild, the fifth granddaughter. I was sitting with my granddaughters Keeshia and KayAn at church during the Sacrament Meeting when suddenly my cellphone, which I inadvertently forgot to off, rang sending us the news that she has finally come. Everybody’s excitement even intensified that immediately after the sacrament all the family went to the Maddona Maternity Hospital where she was given birth at exactly 10:10 AM, a 7.4 pounds bounding baby, beautiful and fair. Everybody welcomes ROHAN ASHLEI fresh from premortality and wants to take pictures with her even before her parents could have one with her. 

Her first stick of the tongue

Like all who had been born on earth she was one of those who sang together and with “all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job 38:7).” She knew the great plan of redemption and eternal happiness, for the spirit children of Heavenly Father to be placed on earth to obtain a body of flesh and bones as the father has, then to be tried and tested by obedience and faith. She was present at the grand council in heaven while the plan was presented and she strongly supported as the Lord Jesus Christ finally declared, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever Moses 4:2)”

While in the premortal world she started to crave and yearn for the opportunity to have a body of flesh and bones as the Father has, that she may be glorified also as our heavenly parents are. She longed to enjoy the glory of being born on earth and be tried and tested to prove her worth of the sacrifice that has to be done by a Savior which would eventually bring her back into the presence of the Father in a perfected and glorified state. She understood that she would be required to pass the veil of forgetfulness for her to forget all the premortal knowledge of her divine origin with the father. But the same moral agency that she exercised during that grand council will be given her in mortality. 

With her most excited brother Rulon Asher
who suggested her name

For her to have been born in this last dispensation of the fullness of times and to be able to usher in the Second Coming of the Lord is such an honor and a rare opportunity. President Ezra Taft Benson said of this generation: “You are not just ordinary young men and young women. You are choice spirits, many of you having been held back in reserve for almost 6,000 years to come forth in this day, at this time, when the temptations, responsibilities, and opportunities are the very greatest (A Message to the Rising Generation, October 1977).”

Rohan Ashlei is one of Heavenly Father’s trusted spirits in the premortal world prepared to come in these times and seasons when the world is in turmoil. God knows she has the capability to endure the challenges of her mortal journey and to assist in His work on earth. Her coming will be a time of deepest trials and great calamities. It will be a time when the work of salvation is going to be in its last stretch and more will be opposing the truth of the great plan of happiness and eternal salvation. There will be a great battle between good and evil that will be initiated by Satan. However, she was given the privilege to be born with goodly parents to rear and raise her strong to face her mortal contests. She was born in the covenant to one day be reminded of her eternal choice and to be faithful to “keep [her] second estate” that she “shall have glory added upon [her head] for ever and ever (Abraham 3:26)” and eventually receive the blessing of exaltation back into the realms of Heavenly Father’s eternal kingdom. 

With her ever excited grandma Letty who spent a
sleepless night to welcome her

Unfortunately, her first name Rohan is generally a boy’s name which implies “ascending”. It does not matter though because babies’ names are generally interchanged. Rohan could be a sociable woman who enjoys meeting and conversing with people. She has great concern for the plight of humanity.

Powerful and complete is what Ashlei meant; intellectually good and require several outlets for her energies. She can be a planner who wants others to carry out her plans. She can be bold, independent, inquisitive and interested in research. She can have a desire to inspire and lead. She can be generous, courageous and bold, action oriented, energetic and strong willed. She would want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts her to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of her creative talents.

Such meanings of her names are not to be her ultimate destiny. But it may serve her best as she builds the building blocks of her future life. Still she should be guided by the wisdom of King Solomon, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour than silver and gold (Proverbs 22:1).

Talking with her grandfather requesting him to write
an article of her birth

Indeed, how grateful we are to have her in the line of our posterity. She is a most welcomed addition. Surely she will have the unconditional love of her parents and sibling and our entire family circle. Her coming into the family on a Sabbath Day was timely. Our lesson in the Priesthood and Relief Society was about Marriage and Family---Ordained of God, by President Ezra Taft Benson. From the lesson I quote this counsel of President Benson: “The family is one of God’s greatest fortresses against the evils of our day. Help keep your family strong and close and worthy of our Father in Heaven’s blessings.” While President Benson wanted “their family to have “no empty chairs” in the eternities;” my undying wish as a father has always been and will ever be that my children and posterity are accounted for when the end comes. Rohan Ashlei will now be part of that wish. 

With grandma, and excited cousins Keeshia & Craig Kirby and brother

Today, July 19, 2015, is Rohan Ashlei’s day of birth---her first day in mortality. She really looks very fresh from premortality. Her hair was still wet and marks of blood from her mother’s womb are still noticeable. Yet when I saw her first smile, I could feel how happy she was to have finally come to her second estate and to be born with goodly parents and of course in the circle of unbounded family love. When I first saw her stick the tongue out in the presence of cousins and sibling, she is as if sending them a prank to watch out; she will be a much greater achiever.

She is like her father Robert Sherwin---curly-haired and fair-skinned. She has gotten some of the features of her only brother Rulon Asher, who suggested her name. But of course, and most of all, she has got the beauty of her ever loving mother Analiza. As grandparents it matters not to whom she has got the looks; she is a daughter of God; she is most welcomed and will be filled with our love

HAPPY DAY OF YOUR BIRTH ROHAN ASHLEI; YOU ARE A JOY AND A DELIGHT TO US; WE WELCOME YOU FRESH FROM PREMORTALITY!!!  

KEESHIA: STANDING FOR TRUTH AND RIGHT

By: Norberto Betita

Rather than be intimidated by the circumstances and influences bordering her life, she chooses to stand for truth and right. Her countenance reflects no enmity. Her smile hides no gloom. Her words express no malice or bitterness. Her mood shows no anger. Her confidence speaks no fear. Her eternal vision collides not with worldly aspirations. Yet even at this time of her youthful vim and vigor she is challenged perhaps far more greater than many of her peers. However, her conviction remains steadfast and her faith immovable as she keeps on standing for truth and right.

She turns fourteen this day, July 14, 2016. She expects no birthday feast, but greetings and hugs of love from people so dear to her heart. She was named, baptized and confirmed as KEESHIA BETITA PALMA by his father. Her name Keeshia is not common and was reported as rarely used. Although I do not believe in what the name imports, yet I found these meaningful equivalents: “extremes in fortune, health and spirituality; very versatile, idealistic and intuitive.” She is our second eldest living grandchild. She is full of hope and faith for the future notwithstanding the sorrows and pains, and the agony of a family divided. She walks the early heats of her race with impressive passion for success, leaving behind the miserable grief and depths of sorrow which she and her siblings suffered from being estranged of their father. She is happy and grateful to have been engulfed under the caring and loving arms within the extended family boundaries. In her youth she seemed to know and understand well that she has to pass through the refiner’s fire for all those unwanted and trifling experiences to melt away and for her to eventually shine bright as silver or gold, and lift her towards growth, refinement and progress.

She is very open to us and her maternal uncle and aunts. Her honesty and candidness makes of her even more lovable. Her happy disposition and optimistic outlook is so deserving of our support and love. She reared no ill-feeling against her father. Once after our family scripture study and prayer she asked us if we can ever forgive her daddy should he decides to seek for forgiveness. We told her that the Lord will forgive whom He will forgive, but of us we are required to forgive all men. She always has the courage to invite her father to church. On one occasion during our scheduled branch conference in the church she invited her father to attend. She was promised he will. When the sacrament meeting started I noticed that she was very uneasy looking back every now and then, until I saw tears in her eyes. But what glow her countenance showed as she saw her father came in. Recently she told me that she extended the same invitation for her father to attend church; when she was told that he had no money she chastised and reminded him that he received no blessing because of his disobedience.

She is now 16 and in her fourth year of high school life. The fondness of infantile days and the tenderness of childhood now swing into a transition of marvelous youthful beauty and teenage vigor and vitality. The exuberance of youth now looms as the childish liveliness fades. Yet the cheerfulness and high spirit which had been a beckon of childhood still gleams. The twinkle of such seemingly outsized but beautifully woven eyes even increased in beauty as the baby we once enjoyed to cuddle and huddle now turns into a glowing and blooming little lady.

Her early love of music fills the voids of her life. She sings beautifully and her angelic voice awakens my senses to a vision of a possible glorious career in singing for her. The beauty and brains and the love of music which is inherently in her person paint a transparent picture of brilliant expectations. Her hope for success is even magnified by her exceptional positive attitude towards the early trials and adversities she encountered in life. In her is found the faith and courage as to believe that, “There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue” (Thomas S. Monson).

The spiritual gift of intelligence and wisdom remain discernible and profound and the quest for learning ever burning. As she entered high school she brought with her the same enthusiasm which afforded her a few honors during her elementary grades. She carried with her in remembrance the awards of her most honest toil as a continuing motivation for her to excel---(1) From the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines Vice Presidents Leadership Award; (2) Junior Chamber International Philippines in cooperation with the Department of Education and Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito – Youth Leadership Excellence Award; (3) JCI “Ang Batang Lider” – medal; (4) Schools Leadership Award – President Supreme Pupil Government – medal; (5) Deserving Pupil – medal; (6) DLC Championship Award – medal; (7) Cultural award – medal; (8) Band Majorette of the Year Award – medal; (9) Feature Writing, Second Place – medal; (10) DLC Bonokbonok Festival, first runner up – medal; (11) Science Investigatory Team, second Place – medal. She knows however, as she was taught that it is not the marks and honors, but the honest and diligent conscientious efforts which measures the true and real academic achievement. Her first year in high school afforded her the honor of being fourth in the Special Science Class curriculum.

She wakes up today with the same fervor as in any other day, grateful that God has given her another chapter in her life story. She knew she will still have to engage in continued battle along the road to her dreams. Yet she is determined to carry on and walk on in advancing rhythm, like her own band majorette experience of marching with precision and confidence. She knew that every step in her life is important and every misstep is an opportunity to bounce back for a greater leap up the road to success. She believes and has faith that if she continues to take a forward momentum in the uphill route to her goals, and venture to live her life in accord with her optimistic expectations, she will one day, out of the blue, unexpectedly see the summit of victory she deserves. She trusts that the hand of the Lord will always be right by her elbow as she calls home to her most loving Heavenly Father for direction and support.


She braved the raging sea and whistling winds of a threatening tropical storm during the youth temple trip---July 6-9, 2016. And while inside the Cebu Philippines Temple singing the hymns More Holiness Give Me, How Gentle God’s Commands, and I Know  That My Redeemer Lives for an opening exercises, she was privileged, together with the rest of the youth, to hear angels singing with them in perfect blend of choir voices as Heaven’s grateful acknowledgement for their sacrifices to come to the Holy House of the Lord to perform ordinances for those beyond the veil. At Sacrament meeting following the trip, she together with her sister KayAn and cousin Angelica bore tear-filled solemn testimony of such spiritual experience of infinite worth.

As grandparents how we wish to be blessed with added years of life to witness her eventual triumph in her fight against her personal goliaths. How we ever wanted to be a part of her race to victory. Our hearts yearn for that day when our dearly beloved Keeshia and her siblings will eventually find comfort after their grueling struggles. We can only hope. But I am grateful that I could write my thoughts for each of them as part of our family history designed for our coming posterity.

The birthday table is overflowing and brimming with a very special cuisine---LOVE--- which the family so abundantly laid, while the essentials in a birthday feast are scanty. However, more than all that money can buy, we wish that Heavenly father will bless Keeshia with added health and vigor, intelligence and wisdom in her quest for growth and development from this day and onwards. May the heavens bestow upon her an enduring faith to stay on, standing for truth and right . May it be so, is our earnest prayer.

FROM THE VERY DEPTHS OF OUR HEARTS WE EVER SO SINCERELY EXPRESS OUR GREETINGS FOR A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR EVER DEAREST KEESAY!

SHE FOUND HER FATE BY INSPIRATION

By: Norberto Betita

I found her name from the first names of two different young women in a magazine Lori and Lynne. I presented it to my wife and was accepted without objection. I later found however that such was a combination of a girl and a boy’s name. Lori is a baby girl’s name which means a symbol of honour and victory both in Spanish, American and English cultures, while Lynne is also a baby boy’s name. However, in English it meant an abbreviation of Lynnette who accompanied Sir Gareth on a knightly quest in Arthurian legend. The combination then finds a cohesive and correlated meaning for the story of Lynnette and Sir Gareth as one of honor and victory.

From such meaning I am reminded of the wonderful story of Gareth who served in the King’s kitchen only one month and a noble blooded Lynnette the concerned sister of Lyonors, a lady also noble, rich, and most beautiful who was imprisoned in her own castle guarded by four brave and strong knights who wanted that she marry one of them so that they can have her great wealth. Gareth by his insistence and after being tried was secretly made a knight by the King and Sir Lancelot. When Lynnete came seeking assistance from the King about her sister Lyonors, she requested for Sir Lancelot who was the most popular and strongest fighter among the knights of the King’s roundtable. But instead she was given Sir Gareth to help her. Sir Kay questioned the King’s wisdom to send a Kitchen boy, but Sir Gareth assured the King that he can beat them all. Lynnette was very mad and immediately left. Sir Gareth was instructed by the King to follow Lynnete. Sir Kay also followed, but he was thrown by Sir Gareth from his horse. Sir Gareth also saved a man from being killed by six men, but Lynnete still do not believed his capability to save her sister. She said repeatedly that she smelled the kitchen grease all the time. But Sir Gareth told her that her cruel words have put strength into his arm. Sir Gareth defeated all three of the strongest and bravest knights guarding the bridges to the entrance of the castle, but still he was labelled having the kitchen grease by Lynnette. When Sir Lancelot overtook them, he thought that Sir Gareth was an enemy and attacked him. The latter was defeated by the strength of Sir Lancelot. Sir Gareth fought the last guard and finally won the battle and saved the sister of Lynnette. In a great feast offered for them Sir Gareth and Lynnette sat side by side. Later they were married and eventually went to Camelot to live with King Arthur.

Lori Lynne has her own wonderful story of struggles, honours, triumphs and victories. She was our third child, born on July 11, 1984. She was lovely, fair-skinned and truly another delight for the family. Her birth was not that difficult for her mother. However, a month after she was born a very strong typhoon “Nitang” smashed Surigao City with devastating fury. We wrapped her with soft plastic as we evacuated at the ground floor of our rented dwelling for safety. But sea water surged inside with rushing speed as to immediately fill the room with waist deep water. We immediately get out of the room for safety and braved the rising water, penetrating rain and very strong winds. We did not even mind the whistling sound of flying GI sheets. We took refuge in a nearby strong and elevated house. The whole night we were wet except for the children. We did not have any sleep.

We feared lest she would be affected by the stress and trauma that she experienced plus the fact that she was breastfeeding from her mother who suffered much under the storms and the strains of the ordeals we have gone through the night. But she survived the possible effect of the strongest typhoon in her infancy.

She grew strong as a child. She has a fair white skin than all her siblings. During her elementary grades she possessed perfectly lined permanent teeth, but a classmate pushed her resulting to a broken front tooth and eventually a slightly deformed jaw.

At church she is very active in her primary and youth activities. She attended and graduated from Seminary. After graduation from High School she followed her dream of becoming a nurse. We should have sent her to study at a university in Cebu city, but she chose to study in the local college. She graduated with a degree in Nursing. She took the licensure examinations but did not make it. She continually served at church and eventually found the Sir Gareth of her life in the person of Fraodel Reyes Preciosa, a returned missionary and a young man of humor who always prided that during his elementary grades he was always number ten which his mother appreciated not knowing that there were only ten pupils in the class. He was a Mechanic turned financial counsellor, like Gareth a kitchen boy turned knight. While Lynnette smelled kitchen grease from Gareth; Lori Lynne should have probably smelled mechanical grease from Fraodel.

After having found themselves committed and meant for each other, they finally decided to tie the knot and start the journey to their happily ever after. With the help of family and friends they travelled to Cebu City and kneeling on the altar between the mirrors of eternity, they received the ordinance of the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. There was no great feast offered, yet higher than the marital vows of Sir Gareth and Lynnette which was till death do they part; Fraodel and Lori Lynne were pronounced husband and wife for time and all eternity.

After more than a year of living in the king’s nest, they were blessed with a son. She stayed as a full time mother, while serving in the church as primary president of the branch. Her great love in teaching gospel lessons to the primary children inspired her to take on a new career outlook. She tried her fate and went back to college for a teaching course for a year. She enrolled for a review, but just when the classes had started her husband lost his job and they were left without any income. She had to stop while her husband was trying to find temporary work. In a short time her husband found a job and she prepared to take licensure examination for teachers without any formal review.

Finally she made it and she is now a licensed professional secondary school teacher, major in Science. Indeed, she found her fate by inspiration. She is now engaged temporarily in teaching at an elementary private school while still waiting for her professional license to be released soon, at which time she will start preparing to apply for a teaching position in a public school. God’s providential hand guided her to the noble profession He knows most appropriate for her---teaching, no greater call. And to prove it was right for her, Heavenly Father called her to an elevated responsibility as District Primary President to preside and oversee the teaching of gospel lessons to the children in the Primary Organization of the six units of the Surigao Philippines District of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter- Day Saints.

Today, July 11, 2015 is her 31st birthday, while enjoying her first month as a professional teacher. We are hoping and praying that she will continue to have the needed faith and courage to do whatever God had placed upon her shoulders apart from her responsibility to assist her husband in providing for their family needs. As God inspired her to find her fate, may He open the windows of heaven for blessings He deems necessary for Lori Lynne and her family today and in the years to come?

MAY OUR MOST SINCERE GREETINGS BE A DELIGHT TO YOUR HEART? HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUR DEAREST LORI LYNNE!!!

MY FATHER AND I

By: Norberto Betita

My father Millan Guhiting Betita

In the patriarchal order of heaven, fatherhood is a calling given to all men in mortality to train for a more glorious and divine responsibility in eternity. Our earthly family organization upon which the father is given the responsibility to preside, provide and protect is designed after the pattern of heavenly household in which Heavenly Father is the head. A righteous family is an eternal unit. As such our being a father is a most noble and sacred calling, and our most important accountability as fathers is our family. Whatever vocation we have in this life, “The greatest work [we] will ever do will be within the walls of [our] own home” (Harold B. Lee, Strengthening the Home[1973], 7). We are warned by a prophet of God that “No other success in life can compensate for failure in the home” (David O. McKay, in Conference Report, Apr. 1964, 5).

My father and I have both passed one common responsibility of fatherhood. During the most demanding days of our paternal routine, we mutually believed that there is no greater task that affords immeasurable joy and gladness than being a father to our children. 

I love my father, Millan Guhiting Betita. He may not be perfect as a husband and father. He may have some annoying and undesirable vices which to some may not be worthy of a father, but as a son I cherish every memory---bad or good of my father’s personality and his love for thirteen of us his children. He was born October 11, 1909 to Jose Betita and Nieves Guhiting. His father Jose was known in our small town as “Dalan” (road), because whenever he was heavily drunken with wine, he slept on the road. My father became an heir to such a vice although it was surprising to me that his elder brother did not as to even taste wine. He also is involved in gambling. In our small town there was no other past-time than a drinking spree with friends and neighbors, which sometimes result in quarreling between the same members of the group when already drunk. As a young boy I have been observant of these things.

My parents with my young family

My father is a good carpenter. His level of education equivalent to grade five was already highly educated during his time. He always took pride of his English speaking ability specially when drunk. Whenever he did not have carpentry work, he joined with my mother in selling fish at the Surigao market. He and our mother have to work together to provide for our daily subsistence.

I have the best memories of my father as an unruffled cool man when not drunken with wine. His sobriety is exceptional. When there are chores that should be done at home, he did it himself even if the children are available, such as fetching water, gathering and chopping firewoods and others until we came to the rescue. He did not want to disturb us, especially when we are doing our school assignments. He understood best the value of education in our lives. But he trained us to work. He would ask his friends to allow us to plant and harvest rice for a share. He taught us to peddle and market fish around our town. He wanted us to learn and understand that in order to survive and eat the bread of the laborer we have to sweat our brows.

Many times during my boyhood when we are on the seashore waiting for fishermen to dock he would tell me stories about his life. He told me about his being an expert horse rider. During his younger days he owned horses which he used for his mobility as a carpenter. He related to me some of his experiences during World War II and how difficult life has been during those times while they live in places of evacuation in the valleys and mountains, hiding from the Japanese Imperial Army. From the mountains he would ferry some of the fishermen into town during the night in order to go fishing, and he would come in the morning to fetch them back to the evacuation center. He told me of the great battle at Surigao Strait which is just right in front of our town, when General McArthur’s fleet and PT-boats bombarded and eventually sank the Japanese warship. He heard bombs and artillery fires. As a young boy, I loved those stories which he related sometimes together with my friends at the beach under the shadow of moonlight early in the night or before the crack of dawn.

Seldom did I hear him shout at us his children. I am not sure though during the time when he was a young father for I am the ninth of thirteen. I have gotten a hard whip of a stick from my mother as an act to discipline, but never once was I hit with a rod of discipline from my father, not even when he was drunk. I am both very grateful of my mother’s discipline and my father’s sobriety for they taught me lessons of good parenting.

My father and I are like chalk and cheese---he is a winebibber, never once did I taste wine; he gambles, I don’t---while a young boy I tried but as I grow up I realized it was not for me; he has thirteen children, I only have five; he is sober and cool, I am temperamental and disciplinarian, particularly during my younger days. I thought that to spare the rod is to spoil the child, but I later realized that it is so much better to spare the rod and love the child. As I became a parent myself, I came to realize that there were many lessons learned from my parents which eventually guided me in my own parental responsibilities.

One thing that reminds me most as a young man was that every time my father was drunk, my mother or sister or brother would call and request me to go and fetch him. Once he was in altercation with a big and sober man, and he wanted to really fight although he was already groggy. Even my mother and elder brothers could not pacify him. One of my brothers directed me to go for him. I went and escorted him home without so much of an effort. That is one good thing about my father and I. We respected each other. Many times he would try me as a young man if I would truly stand on what I believe to be right. But I firmly believe what I stood for, especially as I learned from the scriptures that “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). And the scriptural warnings “Be not among winebibbers…: For the drunkard… shall come to poverty. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder” (Proverbs 23:20-21, 29-32). And he respected me even more. I treasured very much the fact that he believed in me.

My father and I have also many things in common---he loved his wife very much, I loved my wife as being the best thing that ever happened to me and ever will be; he loved me dearly as a son, and I as well loved my son so much; he loved his children unconditionally, I loved my children absolutely; he told me stories of his experiences, I told my children about my life; he taught his children to work hard, I taught my children about work as a ruling principle in life; he taught his children the value of education and supported them according to his limits, I sent my children through college even beyond my limits; he is loved by us his children, my children always loved my company; he is a poor father and he has every reason for it with thirteen children, and I too am poor with only five.

Despite his difficult life, he was not envious of his elder brother’s affluence. He refused to covet the fruits of his brother’s efforts. He told me that the very rich coconut plantation which contributed to his brother’s affluence should have been shared by them as an inheritance. But he knew that it was entirely the product of his brother’s labors and so he deserved to have it. Hence, he chose a tract of unplanted land, which he later sold because of the distance. Once his brother suggested that he be allowed to send one of the twin brother of our family to go to college and be a lawyer, but my father refused for reason that he did not want our family and his brother’s family to be disaffected and experience hostility out of jealousy. I love his belief that family relationship is more to be treasured than silver and gold.

In his later seniority he would love to visit his children and their families in the City together with my mother. Many times I would invite him to come and visit us, but he jokingly would tell me “there are no vitamins in your home”---referring to wine which ostensibly was giving him strength in old age. I would tell him you can have all types of drinks, except cola and wine and he would just laugh. During our visits with my parents I cherished the joy and gladness that I observed of them as they saw and embrace their posterity.

Once I shared to him the gospel of Jesus Christ. He and my mother were taught by American missionaries. In the course of our several appointments, he was challenged by the missionaries for baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For the first time in my life, I saw tears roll down from his eyes as he sincerely told us that much as he is willing, he could not do it without my mother---who is very much devoted to her faith. I shed many tears as well as the young missionaries. We respected very much his predicament and understood his sincere concern. His decision showed his great love for my mother. To me, a son, the love and concern of my father for my mother was of paramount importance than everything that he did for us.

He was ripened by age, but never at any time did his mental capacity declined. Physically stricken, he remained conscious of the bond that he had with his dearly beloved wife---our mother. He died on November 10, 1994 at the age of 85 leaving almost a hundred descendants---grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His fatherhood was to me exemplary notwithstanding his imperfections. Minus his vices which were distinctly a matter of personal choice, the rest about him is an epitome of the father that I wanted to be and for my son to emulate. His life to me is a schoolmaster.

On this day, Sunday, June 21, 2015, in time for the world’s celebration of FATHER’S DAY, I wrote this memoir of my father to pass on the wonderful legacy that he bequeathed to us his children and his posterity. The prophet Malachi recorded: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6). “…For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers—that they without us cannot be made perfect—neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (D&C 128:15). As it is further written, “…It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children…” (D&C 128:18). It is my hope that this will help weld the needed link that will connect our families together in the eternities.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO MY SON ROBERT SHERWIN; MY SONS-IN-LAW, JESLE AND FRAODEL; MY LIVING BROTHERS MANOLITO, CLEMENTE, MILLIAN, JR. AND ARNOLD; MY LIVING BROTHERS-IN-LAW ANACORITO, GUILLERMO AND JOSE!

SURIGAO YOUTH CULTURAL EVENT: THIS WE TESTIFY

by: Norberto Betita

The youth of the Surigao Philippines District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were filled with scheduled activities for their summer vacation. From the District Youth Conference---April 30-May 1-2--- to their weekly mutual, and young men camp---May 13-15---and young women camp---May 21-23, the youth enjoyed them all while on their vacation from the rigors of school works. In between these activities were scheduled practices for the planned cultural event which served as the culminating activity for summer 2015. The church had spent substantial amount for all these activities if only to edify and strengthen the youth and to rescue the lost ones. The youth were made to understand that each soul is precious in the sight of God. It matters not how much amount the church spends for as long as there is one---even only one rescued. The worth of “the one” is so precious that it cost the most precious blood of the only sinless man who ever lived on earth, even the only begotten Son of God. These activities are likewise aimed at developing the youth towards life’s balance both physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. 

For the Beauty of the Earth by Surigao 3rd branch youth

During the youth cultural event on May 30, 2015 with the theme: This We Testify, we were there as guest family performer to sing Together Forever Someday. We have never been in their regular practice, so I did not know the extent of their preparations. We were also in attendance to support members of our family who were regular participants in the cultural event. As the curtains started to open after the opening exercises, I began to be amazed. The stage preparation was very simple, but the beginning presentation, For the Beauty of the Earth sung by the 3rd Branch youth was to me grand. I do not easily appreciate performances unless it touches my heart. The youth were not as good singers as those I have seen on television and social media. Yet, the expressions that they gave of the song had touched the depths of my heart. I thought I need to see more, thinking that the rest might just be as bad as our unprepared family presentations. Then there follows another chorus, a duet, a solo, a medley and more. And, I sank, pretty sure that our family presentation will destroy the magnificent performances covering the whole program. I repented that I did not make real effort to prepare. Yet to retract would even make us mean. We have no choice but to perform our assigned part. 

Marriage for Eternity duet by Urim Arcon and Mary Jane Graven

The event was intended to represent our life’s journey from eternity to eternity. Fourteen beautiful songs and hymns were in the series, sequenced after the manner of our journey. In between each song and hymn are spoken words recorded in videos from voices of members. The songs and hymns included; For the Beauty of the Earth by 3rd Branch youth; Follow the Prophet by Taft Branch; What Child Is This by Washington Branch; A solo of Jesus No Ordinary Man by Angel Orillan; I stand all amazed by Branches 1,2 and 3; Praise the Man, a duet by Keeshia B. Palma and Angel Orillan in medley with 3rd Branch; For Our Day a duet by Shinehah Remion and KayAn B. Palma; Strength Beyond My Own a solo by Mharbi Edradan; We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet, an acapella solo by Urim Arcon; Marriage for Eternity, duet by Mary Jane Graven and Urim Arcon; Together Forever Someday by the Betita family; Priesthood Men by all young men; Walk Tall, You’re A Daughter of God by all young women; concluding with These Are the Days by a quartet from San Francisco Branch---Pearl Joy, Lindel, Hermchel and Ethel together with all young men and young women. Alternating on the piano are three youths---Shinehah Remion, Sidney Clark Ordonia, and Erika Preciosa performing with precision and expertise. 

Praise the Man duet by Angel Orillian and Keeshia B. Palma & 3rd Brach

Not a minute or two did I felt bored for in each performance I seemed to hear angels singing songs of praises to God. Each performance is unique and the performers particularly gifted. I am not sure though how our family performance of Together Forever Someday touched the audience. We were happy however that at the conclusion of the program we were congratulated for having a beautiful rendition of the song. Perhaps they felt compelled to express their compliments because performing before them on stage were the counselor of the mission presidency, the district president, the counselor of the district Relief Society, the district primary president, and the counselor in the district young women presidency and their children and grandchildren which composed our family. We are so grateful that we are given that special part to sing as a family of a song which convey the message of a hopeful promise that families can be together forever. 

For Our Day by Shinehah Remion
and KayAn B. Palma

Strength Beyond My Own by Mharbi Edradan

Splendidly impressive was my overall appraisal of the youth cultural event. Indeed, according to their theme---this we testify---the wonderful performances represented their sincere testimonies of the truth in the form of songs and hymns. 

What Child Is This by Washington Branch

The event could not have taken shape and show up should it not have been for the relentless and patient efforts of its overall director Donna Tandan Torres; the musical director Jennifer M. Remion; and the willing support of the young men and young women leaders in the branches and district and the priesthood leadership. The cooperation was notable. To them we collectively express our deep and heartfelt gratitude.

CRAIG KIRBY: HIS STRENGTH IS AS THE STRENGTH OF TEN

By: Norberto Betita

Each time his grandmother is out on travel, my grandson Craig Kirby usually sleeps beside me in our bedroom. He always enjoyed and loved our company as grandparents. He is very respectful of us and obedient, although like other children, he also has his own occasional tantrums. He is growing fast and physically strong; good looking and joyful. When bored, he sits in front of the computer for games. But he loves more the outside atmosphere, playing outdoor games with neighborhood friends. He reads the scriptures and prays with us and volunteers to give lessons for our family home evenings. He is such a good boy, although at times disturbed by the early challenges of his childhood. As his grandfather, I have every wish in my heart that I may be given enough time to live as to help guide him into his journey to the unknown future and help him discover the great potential that is in his person. I wish I will have more time for him as paternal substitute.

First honors grade V with Daddy Oliver

He was born on June 4, 2005 and today is his 10th birthday celebration. I awaken him and greeted him with a happy birthday hug and kiss. He said, “thank you, ‘lo.” I kind of sing for him “happy birthday, way manok (no chicken), hamok spaghetti, way sagol” (plenty of spaghetti, but no ingredients). He just laughed. Of course he never expects a sumptuous feast for his birthday. He knows and understands well our present circumstances. All he needs is for him to feel being loved by all in the family. The night before, his mother was kind of irritated as a result of his delayed enrolment. She complained of Craig Kirby’s welfare as being passed on like a ball from one player to another and was only done after she got a little mad. He was listening, and to comfort him the family jested of him as being like a ball tossed to and fro. He just smiled. In previous days, I observed him worried about his enrolment. Whenever he called his father and was promised it will be soon, he would immediately cut the call. I always assured him not to worry for if nobody cares, we as his grandparents will take responsibility.

With mommy Hazel

Earlier, he was most affected by the estrangement problem that he and his siblings experienced. He had to waste one full school year. However, he eventually regained courage and faith to face his adversity and went back to school with greater conviction and deeper determination. He ended up fourth in his class. After receiving his medal, he promised his mother that he would do better. With continued challenges that are crossing his way even in the early laps of his journey, I can only hope that he will have the needed continuing personal motivation to do better and excel. I do have great faith in his capabilities and intellectual capacity. I trust and have faith in his ability to handle his life as he runs through his personal challenges. How I really wanted to see him walk the isles of success.

As he now turns ten years old, my thoughts hark back the memory of the Poem “Sir Galahad” by Alfred Lord Tennyson:

“My strength is as the strength of ten
Because my heart is pure.” (lines 3–4, Sir Galahad, Wikipedia)

My wish today is for him to continue with his early love and faith in Jesus Christ as for him to grow in obedience and righteousness that by his pure heart, he may truly have the strength of ten to battle and win against his personal confrontations with adversity. He has been given the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide him through as he remain worthy of its influence. Then perhaps in the midst of his own tempestuous voyage, like Sir Galahad, he would a vision see and hear the still small voice utter:

“When down the stormy crescent goes,
A light before me swims,
Between dark stems the forest glows,
I hear a noise of hymns:
Then by some secret shrine I ride;
I hear a voice but none are there;” (lines 25–30)

As both his substitute father and grandfather, I am ever hopeful that he will, along his life’s trek, be able to fully comprehend and understand that the early dark moments of his life was not meant to bury him in the depths of despair and woe, but was to have him planted in the fertile garden of life to gain roots strong enough to hold him tight while facing continued winds of adversity along his path to glory. As Sir Galahad continues:

“As down dark tides the glory slides,
And star-like mingles with the stars.” (lines 47–48)

If one day, by chance, my tomorrow never comes, with this piece and writings I want him to know that he is one of my dearly beloved posterity whom I wanted to meet in a grand reunion someday. May he live his life as to qualify for the Lord’s promised glory. In this day of his birth I wish him the best that the future holds. May he grow ever stronger each day with continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a nobler vision to follow the tough and uphill trail to victory.

CRAIG KIRBY, my eldest grandson, what a boy you are! As I think of the best words to describe your boyhood in this your birthday, I have to stop and wipe my tears. You’re such a very good boy to me and to your grandma. Sometimes I wonder why at times you are a little stubborn to your parents, but to us you always take only a word to obey. You always give us your highest respect, that even for little things you always ask for our permission and authority. I see in you an innate intellectual and learning capacity. Given proper parental guidance you have the potential for greater personal success. It breaks my heart though that when the boredom of home becomes inevitable, I could not easily be with you where you wanted to go and relax. Good that your uncles are ever ready substitutes. How I wish I will have an extended life to help guide you through the most challenging journey of your life. We love you very much. We will stand by you throughout the remaining days of our lives. May you find joy and gladness in this your natal day celebration.

MY ELDEST GRANDSON CRAIG KIRBY, IN BEHALF OF THE BETITA FAMILY, I EXPRESS OUR WARMEST AND MOST SINCERE GREETINGS TO YOU ON THIS YOUR NATAL DAY. HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!