Aurora Branch, Roxas District Fireside

Elder Balaich invited us to speak at a fireside he had planned for the Aurora Branch. There was a great turnout and we had fun. The activity started with a game (our bridge building game that we often do at our trainers/new missionary training). Elder Balaich divided up the branch into 6 groups and gave each group a package of drinking straws and a roll of tape. The object was to see who could build the highest and strongest tower. Once completed the groups had to test the strength by adding hymnbooks to the tower. Some toppled over but some held many, many books!
After that I spoke on What's Important. Actually we did an object lesson, where everyone participated and we evaluated a bunch of really great things--whittling it down to what is truly important such as faith, family and friends.
President followed with a talk about serving our fellowman through fast offerings and other acts of service. He spoke about some Saints in Africa that fast for 2 days because they only eat one meal a day and how the give more money in fast offerings than they use in the area. Those same members walk for miles to church without wearing shoes. Sometimes filipinos complain of being so poor but really compared to those in Africa they have it really good.
We left when they started showing an hour long movie and serving refreshments because President had to meet some missionaries in the office that evening. We loved mingling with the saints in Aurora Branch. Great job Elder Balaich and brand new companion--Elder Horlucas!

A great young couple joined the church in Tumauni (about an hours drive from Aurora) and later moved to Aurora. While in Tumauni they got to know Elder Isaac Brown from Utah. When they had this darling little boy they named him Isaac after Elder Brown! He is just a beautiful baby!

These Relief Society sisters were busy figuring out their strategy.

The single adults became a team.

This Lolo (grandpa) worked with some of the young men.

The younger couple in the foreground are Isaac's parents.

Mom, dad and two sons decided to work together as a family.

Miss Personality "Anne" loves Elder Balaich and the camera. Everywhere I went she followed me and got in most of the shots I took!

Here teams tested the endurance of their towers. Were were amazed at how many hymnbooks some of them could hold! Winners got some chocolate sent from the US by Elder Balaich's family. Can you believe he was willing to share chocolate?