FHE at the Hernandez Home (September 12, 2005)

    Maralea and I thought we’d take a little nap after our visit with the sisters, just for an hour or so.  Edward was to pick us up at 5:30 p.m.  We were absolutely dead to the world at 5:30 p.m. when Edward called to advise he was in the lobby.  It felt like it was about 2:30 a.m., but we got up, got dressed quickly, and ran to the lobby.  Edward took us to pick up Brad and Elder Greene, then to the church, where Brad was to purchase pizza ordered from Pizza Hut.  While there, we got to speak with “Chrissy” - an LDS Filipino mother with several of her children who was only too happy to talk with us about Brad.  She said she was excited to meet us - and had a little exchange with Brad in Tagalog.  Every moment where we could be present as Brad talked with the locals was just like something I wanted to freeze in time.  It was a wonderful thing to behold.

    Edward took us to the home of Medel and Melvin Hernandez where we were to have the FHE.  We arrived to find a rather large group having gathered.  Mhayet aka “Pink” had put up a poster that said: “Welcome Royals” and another with the FHE agenda.  It was really cool.  After our initial greetings, we had an opening song/prayer.  The meeting was conducted by Jojo, who served a mission in one of the southern provinces.  We met several other local young men who also recently returned from serving missions, along with Kenneth, recently baptized, and Edsel, scheduled for baptism this coming Saturday.  Also present was Olive Ramos, an investigator who had just committed to baptism for October 15th.  It was just awesome.  What a great gathering of people.  We played some “get to know you games” - and some games aimed at poking fun at Brad.  They had set up the room with Maralea and me sitting at the head, like “the Royal king and queen.”  Pink repeatedly told Maralea she looks “like a beauty queen” and kept asking me if I “have a brother for me.”  Pink had a nice lesson for the group, after which there was a session where everyone gave gifts to Brad and expressed their love for him.  Kenneth shared his testimony, and then Olive followed.  She was very sweet, talking about how Brad and Elder Greene came into her life at just the right time.  She spoke of how the gospel has changed her life, and how she wants to now get baptized before her presently scheduled October 15th date.  She cried as she expressed her love for the missionaries.  It was so sweet.  Another sister present, a young, beautiful 5'10" model, Lorie, said that Brad impressed her from the beginning because “he was his own person.”  She specifically mentioned the way he would wear his ties (short and fat), which made him different, but added that he always had a smile and was kind to everyone.  The men shared stories of Brad, and expressed their love for him.  He was being hugged all night long.  Brad was asked to say a few words.  He spoke of his love for the people, addressed things he learned as a missionary, and began to cry as he expressed love for all his parents had done to raise him right.  Pink later thanked us for raising up such a fine missionary, then asked Maralea and me to address the group.  Maralea cried as she expressed thanks to everyone.  She shared a sweet testimony, and I followed.  The only thing that came to my mind of love, and the gratitude I felt in my heart for the love they clearly had for our son, for taking care of him.  I likewise shared my testimony, and expressed my love to Elder Greene for being such a great companion to Brad.  Let’s see if I can remember everyone a the gathering: there was “Meticulous” Mamerto DeLeon (recently returned missionary), “Magnificent” Medel Hernandez, “Mindful” Mayet, Edsel, “Cute” Cherry, “Outrageous” Olive, “King” Kenneth, “Jovial” Jojo, “Modest” Melvin, “Lady” Lorie and “Effective” Edward - along with the rest of us Americans.

With our Angeles friends at FHE.  Back row (from left): Mike (me), Brad, Medel, Melvin, Jojo, Kenneth, Edsel, Mamerto, Edward.  Back row (from left): Lorie, Olive, Cherry, Pink, Maralea

Brad & Jojo

Brad with Melvin, Lorie and Olive

Brad with Maralea (sqinting - ha) and Pink

Brad and Elder Green with Olive

Elders Green and Brad with Edsel, Melvin and Mamerto

Elders Royal and Green with Kenneth, Cherry (front), Medel, Edsel and Mamerto (back, from left)

    When the meeting was finished, we had a lot of food to eat.  Then, the karaoke began.  They were singing for the rest of the night.  I went around taking pictures, getting things on videotape, and visiting with everyone one on one.  They had me sing “Uptown Girl” on the karaoke, which I did with Maralea and Brad at the end of the night.  That was a blast.  We were there a total of about four hours.  It was just an absolutely amazing evening.  I did not want it to end.  I had everyone sign the posters made by Pink, and the other poster used by Edward at the airport.  They all wanted to keep in touch with us by e-mail.  I told them how much I enjoy sending e-mails back and forth with them.  Pink gave me her cell number and asked that I call her later if we want to get together again.  We promised to be at Edsel’s baptism on Saturday - and I would love to have another gathering if we can manage it.  We all gave hugs, high fives, handshakes, and they followed us to the car as we prepared to leave.  Edward, a saint, just quietly remained with us the entire evening.  He probably was working on less sleep than us, but never complained.  We drove Brad and Elder Greene home, then I fell asleep as Edward took us back to the hotel.

Brad with Medel, Melvin Edsel and Marmento

Brad introduces me to Royal soda.  (See how sweaty we are in this picture?  Quite humid there.)

Medel, Brad and Marmento enjoying the karaoke

Maralea soaking it all in (the experience, and the humidity)

Pink and Kenneth entertain us with some karaoke!

The "Not Von Trapp Family Singers."  Medel with the mic, with Marmento and Edsel behind him

    How can I fully and fairly describe the beautiful events of today?  Our son has completed serving the Lord for two years, and does not want to leave.  He loves the people here, and is clearly loved by the people and those in his zone.  After our experiences yesterday, I could see why Brad would love it here so much.  The people are wonderful.  They have bright, beautiful spirits, and love to give of themselves.  They showered us with love and gifts, which were so sweet.  We gave them chocolates, and lots of hugs, smiles, and many thanks for loving our son.  They referred to us as the “perfect parents” raising the “perfect family.”  I suppose we probably look that way to them because of all the many struggles they must have with life.  It really highlights to me the great wonder of how the spirit has blessed us over the years as we have strived to live the gospel and make it the center of all we do.  I certainly think all that has become very apparent to Brad as he has served the people of this country.