I promised to myself that I would write entries in my personal journal. But since I don't feel like holding a pen, pouring my thoughts and feelings while writing them on a pad paper, i decided to just write them here in my blog.
Summary
just this june 12, we, the Latter-Day Saints, celebrated the cultural show to serve as sort of a closing event to the temple open house. it was also my country's independence day. the following day, Pres. Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Cebu Philippines Temple.
June 12
Every youth in Visayas and Mindanao were all waiting for this day. they were going to present their assigned dances in front of people from all over the world and their top audience? the prophet.. :)
they have been preparing for it for months. and the day finally came. they danced their hearts out, smiled a lot, made new friends, increased their confidence,etc.. from the looks on their faces i can tell just how happy they all were to have performed in front of so many people.. the coliseum itself has a capacity of 9,000 and it was PACKED. it was held at Cebu Coliseum and it started at 5pm and ended at 7pm. the show was telecasted live via satellite all over the Philippines.
the youth were the stars of the show but after that the medical team became the stars of the show. maybe you're wondering 'why is that so?' its because a lot of youth fainted because of dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue, headache etc.
im not trying to point fingers but some leaders are just sooo.. (i can't think of a word) they decided to place all the performers in an area with no windows and the place was so hot and there are about 3,000 young people in there. one concerned leader said "para silang nasa bartolina, i-transfer niyo yung ibang bata" but no! the ones in-charge didn't allow them because they still have a finale to perform.. and so a lot of youth suffered from that not-so-wise decision. some were even rushed to the hospital. since im in-charge of the medical team in my stake i was running everywhere. i didn't expect i'd be that busy on that night. oh well.. it's all in the day's work.
well that's what happened. and now im going to share to you about the feelings i felt when i saw Pres. Monson. it was undescribable. we were singing "We Thank Thee oh God for a Prophet" when he entered the coliseum. boy, i felt like i was the happiest and luckiest person that time. :) just by looking at him it made me feel so grateful. i can feel his presence all through out the show. the spirit was so strong i stopped singing because i can't hold my tears back. it was the best day of my life and i will never forget that. i plan on sharing this story to my future children and grandchildren that i saw a prophet of God in the flesh. Seeing him helped me strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ and the prophet Joseph Smith and the BOM. every single one in that audience felt it too... the aura just changed so rapidly when Pres. Monson entered and waved to us. what an unforgettable experience..
all in all it was still a success despite all the emergencies at the end of the show.. everyone was satisfied.. :)
June 13
i have three tickets to the temple dedication. 1 green, 2 yellow and its all in different time. green is 9am, 1st yellow is at 12noon, 3rd yellow is at 3pm. i decided to attend to all those schedules but then i was too late for 9am. i mean it wasn't starting yet when i get to lahug chapel but the place was full already. so i went back home. lester, and his family picked me and my sister up at talamban and we attended the 12noon dedication.. (saw lots of familiar things) me and my sister were supposed to stay at the chapel but the temple still has some vacant seats. so they decided to fill them up. the ones seated in front row at the chapel were transfered to the temple. luckily, we were part of that front row.. ^__^ so i attended the dedicatory service INSIDE THE TEMPLE :) it was another best day of my life! who knew i'd be there inside the temple? i mean originally i just have a green ticket to labangon stake center but i ended up attending it inside the temple. am i lucky or what?? hahaha :)
it was a great day.. the dedicatory prayer was great i just wished i had a good memory because i can't remember it all.. tsk.. but anyway i know that it was a great prayer because i felt good while listening to that prayer.. i just know i'd be part of that temple someday. :) im looking forward to my endowment and my temple marriage.. and sessions together with my eternal companion.. im hoping he'd find me soon so i can do all these things.. hehe.. :)
2 best days of my life so far.. :)
