Family Matters: For Time and All Eternity

In 2021, we experienced much joy and challenges, moments of faith and moments of uncertainty, successes and failures, opportunities to exercise our faith, repent, make covenants and have spiritual experiences. We are grateful for the strength beyond our own and not giving up in our efforts to obey God and continue to progress in our covenant path.  We welcomed 2022 here at Morning Breaks Office, Bauang LU. I woke up at 6 in the morning and found Anatolin reading the scripture. We prepared our breakfast together and had our companionship study.  This year, we are both excited to study the Old Testament, one of the world's oldest collections of writings, yet it is another witness of the divinity of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Our goal is to find personal meaning in the Old Testament and come closer to Jesus Christ by finding Him in our readings and study. We know this is possible with His spiritual guidance, pondering more patiently, and seeking greater faith.  ...

We are looking forward to starting and completing our chosen course this fall semester. Child Development course is a theoretical, academically oriented course focusing on the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of the child from conception through adolescence. As parents ourselves and assisting and giving support to other children, we are excited to learn and  explore the influences of family, peers, and social institutions on the child's development.  We know that connecting the dots between what we learn and what we do takes creativity and even stepping outside our comfort zone.Our most favorite part is searching for daily opportunities at home and at work to apply what we learn.

Our family was very sick for days  and we had to be quarantined. From this experience, we realized isolation and loneliness can exacerbate anxiety and depression, and even impact our physical health. We learned that it's important to stay connected as best we can and reach out for support when we needed it. We needed reassurance, advice, or a sympathetic ear during this difficult time. Even if we were stuck at home, after the illness, we did our best to stick to the regular things we did to maintain a sense of normalcy and relieve at least some of the anxiety. With the right outlook and intentions, we can all ensure that kindness and charity spread throughout our communities even faster than the virus. We are so grateful for the Hernandos who have been so helpful to our family. They would check on us daily and give us food, essential oils, medication and assistance. The calls from our family members, their prayers and support have also helped us recover faster.  In...

Keeping our children in church was not always easy, but it was worth the effort! We have been doing it for years before this pandemic. From their very first Sunday for their naming and blessing to the ordaining of our youngest son as a deacon.  We went to church with all the bags packed, clothes buttoned up, shoes slipped on and all. As I observe, having one baby in church can be difficult for some. Fathers and mothers taking turns in taking out a crying or yelling child.  Having a baby, a toddler, a preschooler, and a first grader in church felt like a marathon and was exhausting. Stopping a baby from crawling out of the aisle, while another child needs reminder to sit still. It was noisy, messy, distracting, and so on. Whew!  Well, yes. I even can't imagine now how we managed to do them for about 16 years!Thanks to my diligent husband. For years before Sundays, he would usually see to it that everything was prepared. He gets the clothes mend...

Families are essential in Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We are part of a heavenly family and an earthly one. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:  “God is the designer of the family. He intended that the greatest of happiness, the most satisfying aspects of life, the deepest joys should come in our associations together and our concerns one for another as fathers and mothers and children” Temple and family history work unites families. Husbands and wives, parents and children can be sealed through sacred temple ordinances. The goal of this process is that “the whole chain of God’s family shall be welded together into one chain, and they shall all become the family of God and His Christ” (Joseph F. Smith, Millennial Star, Oct. 4, 1906, 629). Personal and family history work have been been a source of joy and peace in our family. We have personally felt the spiritual blessings of taking the names of our ancestors to the temple and performing proxy baptisms and sealings regular...

Call me old-fashioned, but I love hand-written letters! There is something special about sitting down and writing or reading a note meant for you. In our ever-growing tech savvy world, I think letter writing still holds an important component in our family communication. Emails, messengers, text messages have become a way of life but I still prefer written letters. Taking the time to send a thoughtful note shows you cherish a relationship and want to invest in it. My most favorite part is pausing long enough to say things that matter. To some young people, mail can seem outdated or boring; but for mature generations, it’s a tradition rich in sentiment.Our ancestors recognized the importance of writing letters, and so should we. With a simple notepad and few strokes of the pen, you have the power to encourage a loved one, inspire a friend or rekindle a romance.  Try doing it too! Research says it can actually make you happier. Steve Toepfer from Kent State University stu...

The Philippine Identification System ID, also known as the Philippine Identification Card, is the official national identity card for Filipino citizens worldwide and foreign permanent residents in the Philippines. Wikipedia    Purpose: Provide valid proof of identification for all citizens and resident aliens. Expiration: No expiration; 1 year and annually renewable for resident aliens Issued by: Philippines Eligibility: All ages; Philippine citizenship or permanent residency for non-citizens First issued: Pilot implementation: 2019 (selected regions); Full implementation: 2020 (5-year implementation)

We believe in stopping work and eating lunch. So for our lunch today, we tried something new! This 'Ensaladang Pako' or Fiddlehead Fern Salad has a crunchy bite to it with mini tomatoes. The sweet-vinegar dressing gives it a holistic flavor. Definitely not your ordinary salad! Have you ever thought that ferns can be eaten? No? Well, here in Adams, Ilocos Norte, this is a common salad dish served in local restaurants. So the next time you plan to visit here, look for Ensaladang Pako.  Fun Fact: The Municipality of Adams is a 5th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 2,189 people. Adams is composed of only one barangay: Adams Proper, the largest barangay by land area in the country.

In our advocacy and work at Parola Santuwaryo in helping and  protecting families, we sometimes come against the evil plans of the perpetrators and every manipulation of the enemy over our lives. We learn that the only way to fight the darkness around us is to light a fire within us because the greatest battle is against the darkness within. As mortals, it is common for us to constantly consider and pray for physical protection. Recently, however, we have come to more fervently pray for spiritual safety - we pray for continual strength for our family to live true to our covenants. In reality, whether we live a long or a short life on this earth is perhaps relatively of little consequence in the eternities. What really matters is our character, reflected in how we live. The only way for us to fulfill our eternal purpose is to make covenants with the Lord and keep them. As we understand the deeper meaning of the atonement, we can also comprehend clearly that Jesus Christ ...

This evening, we came home edified and strengthened by the girls at Parola Santuwaryo. We gave a Sunday lesson and showed to them this video. They shared the miracles in their life and one of them said the greatest miracle that ever happened to her was when she was rescued from her abuser. She has been quiet for years because she was scared. Her prayers were answered.  So many of us stretch our faces with smiles enough to mask the pain we hide. Inside, we feel empty, broken, doubtful,and even guilty for the way we feel. Through our Savior Jesus Christ, we can find lasting peace even amidst the shadows and storms of life.  As children of God, we can discover the power within us to find wholeness and help others heal, and experience for ourselves how good trumps evil. No matter what our disappointment or failure or loss may be, allowing ourselves to be healed and guided by the Master Healer will lift us out of darkness into His light.

The Philippines Area Special Devotional yesterday with President Steven J. Lund, Sister Rebecca Craven, President Taniela Wakolo, and President Steven R. Bangerter was another experience reminding us that the Spirit can be felt over technology. We went home with a greater faith and determination to help lay a foundation of this GREAT WORK. After our sacrament service at home, we discussed as a family ways we can incorporate this gathering of Israel in our everyday life.  In the afternoon, our elder children, Cerah and Ammon were excited to go out with us to assist in God's work. They learned that as they enlist themselves in the youth batallion, they also participate in the work of Salvation and Exaltation by  LIVING according to the teachings of Jesus Christ CARING for others in need INVITING all to receive the gospel UNITING families for eternity Despite this global pandemic, viewing this period as an exciting time and participating and living in the prophecy tha...

Father's Day is just around the corner, and many of us grew up with many different memories of our dads. Finding things to do for Father’s Day can be difficult. If you’re having a hard time thinking of something, try some of the ideas below. 1. Learn about his family tree. Tracing your father’s family tree can help you learn more about his family’s past and cultural heritage. 2. Share your favorite memories of your father. Sharing and saving your favorite memories of your dad or a father-figure in your life will keep your favorite memories fresh in your mind. It can also help him feel loved and appreciated. 3. Make a home-made gift. Taking the time to come up with a thoughtful gift you can make at a home will make the gift all the more meaningful. Or, if he enjoys doing crafts, make it a family activity. 4. Play games. Playing board games, card games, or even video games is the perfect way to bond as a family. Find a favorite game, and play it together to get in some go...

29 May 2021 Anatolin and I attended the Missionary Fireside tonight with our eldest daughter, Cerah Hennah. While Sister Peterson and President Peterson were sharing their message, it's as if God was talking to me directly. It was a revelatory moment.  As parents, we get frustrated especially during this pandemic when our children have irregular or abnormal activities. My husband and I grew up in the church. Recently, we would often ask each other how we could help our children have the same enthusiasm we had when we were in our youth, being anxiously engaged in missionary work, seminary and institute, personal prayer and scripture study, family council, family home evening, family history work and all. We have been a little more consistent doing those things as a family but we are sometimes unsure if our children just do things for the sake of doing them and just participate casually. But I was reminded today. Through the workings of the Spirit, the words o...

On May 9th,Kamaile and Addilyn woke up super early to set up this Mother's Day Spa. It's so sweet of them and all the other kids to remember the mothers and give them a special treat they deserve. We just realized the Hernandos love surprises as much as we do. Neuroscience tells us that surprises are an essential element to live a full, engaged, and happy life.  Undoubtedly, all the riches in the world do not come close to the happiness of having children and being a mother ❣️

This month 6 years ago, we won the ACE National Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Award in Cebu City.  We introduced online teaching and learning in 2008 (13 years ago) to small community who are up for a change and when internet in the Philippines was notoriously slow, unstable and expensive. Online learning has shown significant growth over the last decade, as the internet and education combine to provide people with the opportunity to gain new skills, much more since the COVID-19 outbreak. Online learning has become more centric in people’s lives. The pandemic has forced schools, universities, and companies to remote working and this booms the usage of online teaching and learning.  Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable. -William Pollard

In our gospel study this morning, we were reminded that marriage between a man and a woman is essential to Heavenly Father's plan for two reasons: Reason 1: The natures of male and female spirits complete and perfect each other, and therefore men and women are intended to progress together toward exaltation. Reason 2: By divine design, both a man and a woman are needed to bring children into mortality and to provide the best setting for the rearing and nurturing of children. We know that these truths about marriage and other doctrines and principles we learn in our daily scripture study and understanding how to recognize true manifestations of the Holy Spirit can protect us from Satan's deceptions and imitations.

Every moment together counts, so we make the most of our family time and turn bonding into a lifetime of funny, sweet stories and lasting memories.

Child abuse is wrongly or improperly treating a child in a way that causes injury or serious offense. It can take in many forms: -Physical abuse or neglect -Emotional abuse -Sexual abuse Family members can help stop abuse and protect and get help for those who have been injured. Children who have been abused need kind, caring attention from family members and others.  TO KEEP THE ABUSE SECRET OFTEN ALLOWS IT TO CONTINUE. Join our discussion at https://youtu.be/PMNveyJZkrE

It is so comforting to know that the  universal  bond  created  by  listening to  songs  and singing together can provide support as our children begin to explore the art of music and associate feelings of comfort, love, and  bonding  with music in general.

And because Cerah has recently received her earnings from her own YT channel, she bought herself a gift! Her glasses plus a gift to her mom, a GL-290 keyboard! 🥰