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!!!