Completed Two-Year Mission With Honor

Completed his 2-year missionary work, our youngest son, Elder Gilbor D. Camporazo prepared himself to go home after serving in the Butuan Philippines Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) of all trials, challenges while doing the proselyting, Gospel teaching and baptizing converts.

“Welcome back Tito,” quips Toto Bryan, one of Elder Camporazo’s favorite nephews, when I asked him if what is his reaction when his uncle Toto Jun comes home.

“Your son is about to leave the mission and (will) join you in a happy reunion,” wrote Butuan Philippines Mission President Mernard P. Donato to us as Elder Camporazo’s parents.

“You can be proud of the service he has rendered as a missionary,” concluded President Donato's letter sent to us through a postpaid mail.

In Crisis, God's Mindful of His People

Does miracle exist? This would be a tendency of anyone who is caught in critical situation when help is beyond reach to expect for a miracle to solve the situation when everyone is totally desperate and lives are endangered.

Ten thousand of people were reported missing and dead as the Super Typhoon "Yolanda" heavily hit the Eastern Visayas by her 275 kph gusty winds strength.

Typhoon "Yolanda" ravaged the place at around 12 noon. Public weather storm signal # 4 raised over the provinces of Samar and Leyte.

The city of Tacloban was hardest hit, leaving everything standing to topple down. All means of communication were paralyzed. The residents were totally devoid of foods, water and shelter.

At the height of typhoon's wrath, everyone in that area is on his knees praying and hoping for a miracle to happen.

'Nothing Compares to Serving a Mission'

Seeing a son leaving for a mission is very tough to bear for a father, especially if that son is assigned to the other part of the world. Nevertheless it is the amazing day! Blessings are innumerable. There is no reason to procrastinate it. It takes a lot of sacrifice.

Elder Minson is tightly hugged by his caring pa. Fulfilling this mission takes a lot of sacrifices of financial matters, staying away from a loved ones for 2 years, giving up studies, and bearing the language barriers, among others.

The members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are doing their best to build a city of Zion here on earth again. They have three-fold missions: to proclaim the gospel, to perfect the saints, and to redeem the dead.

Missionary work falls on the first mission, that is, proclaiming the gospel to every kindred, tongue and nations. Our youngest son, Gilbor Camporazo, Junior has accomplished this sometime in 2008. He was assigned to Butuan Philippines Mission, somewhere in Mindanao island.

Three Church Missionaries Reunited

english christian church

The three priesthood pillars of the Church, particularly here in La Carlota Philippines District were reunited upon the arrival of a missionary who recently completed his two-year fruitful missionary work in Angeles Mission

Marco, Gilbor Jr., and Archie

These rock missionaries were Gilbor I. Camporazo, Jr., Marco T. Memes, and Archie Oroceo all belong to La Carlota First Branch and they had a great reunion upon the arrival of the former fresh from his mission field and paid a personal visit to our home and followed by Marco.

Marco and Archie were referrals of Gilbor, Jr. to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He even baptized and fellowshipped them and set as an example for them by going out in a mission first. And later the two followed suit. Marco was ahead with Archie who followed in an interval of one year.

Mission Completion and Spiritual Reunion

In a simple meeting at home, they renewed their camaraderie and exchanged pleasantries as a successful Church missionaries who went home with spiritual pride and dignity with more souls brought back to the fold of the Heavenly Father through baptism, confirmation and bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Cebu Philippines Temple

The latest among the three who just went home from a missionary work is Archie Oroceo. He just arrived this afternoon fresh from his area of mission in Angeles.

While Marco Memes arrived earlier. He completed his missionary work at Olongapo. He arrived home without seeing his mother who passed away while he was on the mission field.

The first among the three to finish his missionary work too is Gilbor I Camporazo, Jr. After his mission, two years later he got married to the temple. And recently, he completed his computer programming NC IV course with flying colors being recognized the "Best in Programming," "Best in Web Design," and "Best in System Project".

Pillars of the Church

These three returned missionaries are the best assets to the Church particularly here in La Carlota first branch. Gilbor Junior is the District Clerk of La Carlota, while Marco Memes is the auxiliary president of the Young Men organization in the La Carlota first branch. While Archie Oroceo before he left to serve the mission, he was the branch missionary leader. His branch president will give him a better calling for him.

These three would be a potential rock leaders of the Church. They have a strong testimony of the gospel. they have been trained as an effective missionary of the Church. And they have the will and power of the priesthood to edify members, to strengthen them, and to work with them an eye single to the glory of God.

Temple Marriage 

Carissa & Gilbor Junior

After fulfilling a mission, next mission is to get married to the temple. Gilbor, Jr. had already attained this. After 2 years of his mission, he got married to Cebu Philippine Temple sometime in November 2011 to Ma. Carissa Trenuela, an active member of La Castellana Branch, Negros Occidental, PH.

Now Marco and Archie have to achieve this too. Marriage is ordained of God and it should not be delayed or postponed. I know they know pretty well this everlasting covenant of marriage. And for sure they're working for it since they're returned missionaries many young female single adults are just waiting for their proposal.

More power and God bless to three of you!

Related post:

• Gilbor and Carissa Are Now One
• Temple Marriage of Gilbor and Carissa

Why We Should Fast and Pray?

Our youngest daughter, Geeree Camporazo, was one of the speakers in our Sacrament meeting this morning in the Church. It was her first time to speak before the members of La Carlota first Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Geeree Camporazo

As she began her talk, she greeted all father a happy father's day then she especially mentioned me for being a good father to her and I responded with a big smile from the pews while I was sitting with my wife and the others members of my family..

She shared about the importance of fasting and prayer and why we should do them. Fasting and prayer when combined can give added strength to those giving and receiving priesthood blessings according to her as she referred to the male members of the Church who have the authority of the Priesthood. The reason why the Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ in His time could perform a miracles because of their fasting and prayer.

David Archuleta Takes a Break for a Mission

courtesy of www.mmm-mag.com

2008 runner up American Idol David Archuleta, 21, who plays a Fil-Am singer in the TV5 soap Nandito here in the PH leaves the TV show for a missionary work as a form of spiritual sacrifice, as a form of being grateful for the Lord's goodness and blessings.

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or commonly known as Mormon, David Archuleta has left his TV show for a 2-year mission to serve the Lord as a test of his strong faith and obedience. Every young man and young woman in the Church upon reaching the missionary age of 19 to 25 shall go out for a mission for 24 months for the male and 18 months for the female..

Besides, he had already made a personal announcement sometime in December 2011 in his Utah concert saying that  it's the feeling that he felt that he need to do next in his life by taking a break for music for two years.

Missionary work is one of the 3-fold missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The scriptures are so clear that the word of God will be proclaimed to all nations, kindreds and tongues.

Sheehan and Austria: Job Well Done, Lord!

The Lady Missionaries

They walk two by two in every nook of the world. Who are they? They are the LDS missionaries who embark in serving at the Lord's vineyard for 18 months for the female and 2 years for the male members.

Missionary work plays a vital role in the spreading of the Gospel of the Lord in this dispensation of time. And missionary work is one of the three-fold missions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sister Sheehan of West Valley City, Utah, USA and Sister Austria of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines are missionaries. They heeded the call of the Lord of finding those lost sheep and bring them back to the Lord's fold.

Sheehan accepted the call for she wanted to follow the example of her friend who was also presently in a mission. She belong to Hunter ward back home in Hunter North Stake.

Miss You Sister Marilyn Adams

I was saddened by the announcement made by President G. Tobias in our meeting this Sunday on the death of Sister Marilyn Houtz Adams, a returned couple missionary assigned to our Church here in La Carlota City for a year and a half sometime in April 2009.

"Why I didn't know that?" I asked myself. When I went home, I checked right away my facebook account, just to find out that the last time I communicated with her was on December 18, 2011.

I went further tracing back our communications. It was on December 17, 2011 that I knew from one of her replies to a member of the Church, who greeted her merry christmas.

She wrote: "We are doing good. I just found out I have pancreas cancer and will start treatments of chemo on Dec 27. Hoping to shink the tumor so I can have surgery to remove it. Sorry I didn't get the Christmas card sent to the family! Merry Christmas"