JUNE .... Goodbye to Philippines and Hello back into Family live

 

 Leaving the Philippines and all of the wonderful Senior Couples and amazing Filipino people brought out many tender feelings.    We have such a great love for the people that we work along side of .... as well as for those special Filipinos that we were blest to associate with and work hand in hand.

Hunter Bell announced his engagement to Sage Rowley ... and
we are excited to have her become a part of the Bell Tribe.

Ashley Bell Peterson's Family photo .... Ashley was
a true life saver in so many ways to Annie during
the past year in Annie's tumultous life.   Helped
ready and sell the 176 North home, helped her
move to our home on 200 West in Brigham City.
She helped plan the wedding, and be Annie's
surrogate mother while we completed our mission
in the Philippines.    What a blessing she has been to both
Annie, and to Me!

This is our final evening in Manila, Philippines.    Dinner with the
other Senior Couples in the Area Welfare Department.    Love these
selfless, amazing Senior Couples.   They have shared and lightened
our burdens, and brought friendship and joy to our life while we served
in the Philippines.

Bishop & Sister Marquez in the Baguio, Pacdal Ward.    We traveled
so much that we were more often visiting other Wards and Branches throughtout
the Philippines.    It was nice to feel that Pacdal Ward was our 'Home Base', and
could plan on at least 1 meeting a month to be there with them.    Strong members,
sweet, humble .... doing all they can to keep the commandments and share
the light of the Gospel into the lives of others.

This is the Philippines Area Welfare office.  L to R in Rear: Elder & Sister
Browne, Sister Grimshaw, Elder & Sister Robinson, Elder & Sister Owen,
Elder & Sister McIver.  L to R in Front:  Jairus Perez - Area Welfare
Director,  Me & Elder Bell, and Mae anne Vicedo.   (Elder & Sister
Stroud have preceeded us in returning home.    Kenneth Lee,
Emergency Services & Wheelchair, not available.  Willie DaSalla,
Finance, not available.)

Last Sunday with Pacdal Ward in Baguio .... very precious
and strong saints.    Love them dearly! 

Our roommate in our Hotel the last few
nights before flying out.    These little
geikos are found throughout the
Philippines, and quite often have been our
roommates.

Is great to receive a big welcome home and to spend time with our
amazing children and grandchildren.    Love being with each and
every one of them.

Kenzie, Jake, Alexander, Oakley, and
MaKai.   Best Buddies!

Our precious family in our backyard to be together and
celebrate being home.  One day to unpack suitcases and then .....

Preparations and Wedding time for Annie and girls
to Bryce Brasher up at our Cabin in the Uinta Mountains. 
Annie found this special man who loves her and cherishes
the 2 little girls.    Annie & Bryce are so much alike and
love good things,

Matt arranged to bring the family back to Utah,
and had done an online application to become
a 'minister' so that he could perform the
marriage.   A little unorthodox, but for now
it was perfect.    They will be sealed in the
Temple when everything is approved and
correct to proceed.

This is MaKenzie Jo Ball, Annie's youngest
daughter - a look alike of Annie and of me (coloring
of hair, skin, and eyes) but a firecracker personality.
She has given her mother a 'run for the money' since
birth.

This is Oakley Ball ... ready for an 'Outdoors
Wedding' for the girls and to be able to be a
big part of Annie's & Bryce's Wedding.    It was
a beautiful day!

Our Annie, Our Amy, and our Ashley .... 3 muskateers!    Truly
I love these 3 daughters of mine.

Annie and her 'papa'.   She has always been 'daddy's little
sweetheart'.    They have been fishing buddies since she was
big enough to walk and hold a fishing pole.

Two Bryces.     Bryce Brasher - Annie's new husband and gentle
soul willing and wanting to be the instant father of 2 little
darling girls; and our Bryce Bell - our eldest son (and Annie's
eldest brother)  and owner
now of Plumbing Professionals, Inc.    These 2 Bryces have
the exact same birthday (Feb. 19th) but different years, and
they both have a passion for hunting, and cowboy music, and
adventure.     We love both of our Bryce B.s!   

Me (Holly) and Jenni Bell
(Matt's wife) in a quick moment
after the wedding before she
and Matt and boys take off
to travel to Yellowstone with
her family.    They flew back
to Alexandria Virginia after
spending 2 weeks here in Utah
with us.   

Carter and Grandpa ..... Big passion for fishing.    They have been
fishing in Mantua Reservoir since being home.    This is a 19 inch
rainbow trout that Carter caught .... nice fish, great Job, Carter.

Grandma likes to set up the pools in the backyard and
let the grandkids romp and play .... they have missed us
as much as we missed them.

This is Kole ... Ashley's second son. 
He is a sweet .... and busy , almost 2 year
old boy.    It took me 2 days to win him over
to grandma.... but boy am I glad that I did!

This is the back seat of the truck.    I have vowed to clean out my
closet from all of the old clothes that just do not fit anymore, and to
attempt to simplify my life a bit.   A few trips to the Deseret
Industries should allow these 'gently worn' clothes that I do not
fit into any more to be utilized by someone else who is smaller
than me and could use some usable clothing.          I love that we
can share those things that we really do not need anymore with others
in our communities that could use them.        In America, we have so
much that we take for granted or expect to have ......... in so many, many
other countries the people are poor and are lucky to have enough changes
of clothing to last from wash day to wash day.       I am humbled and
grateful to have been so richly blest to always have everything that I need,
and many of the wants of my life.            I hope that we can all be
more appreciative of what we have ..... and be more willing to share
with those who are less fortunate than us.