Grady and Karen's Philippines Cebu East Mission Experience: Crock Pot Brownies

For District Meeting Sister McNett made brownies in a crock pot. Just like the pioneers we improvise with the tools we have. This is not to say that pioneers made brownies in a crock pot, but almost certainly if they had had crock pots, chocolate and electricity, they would have. The brownies were a hit and are one way for us to show appreciation to the young missionaries.

Speaking of electricity, along with the many other blessings it brings to our lives, it powers the technology we can use to communicate with loved ones half a world away. Our grandson, Ian, played this year on the Stansbury High School varsity football team. Because of the internet and live streaming video, we were able to watch Ian play in the semi-final playoff game this week against Desert Hills. Even though this final game for Stansbury didn't end in their favor, we are sure proud of the team and how well they did this year. And we're proud of Ian working hard to make the varsity team. It is such a blessing to us to be able to stay in touch with family and friends back home. Even when the technology isn't working it reminds us to be grateful when it does.

This morning (Sunday) we drove with President and Sister Maughan to the Manduae Stake Conference. None of the church buildings in Mandaue Stake are big enough to accommodate the number of people attending so the general session was held in the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City. This is a large covered, air conditioned sports arena and works really well for holding large meetings like stake conference. We had heard about meetings here but had yet to attend one and were glad for the opportunity.

Elder Schmutz of the Philippine Area Presidency and Elder Adduru, an area seventy, were here to reorganize the Mandaue Stake Presidency. Each of the outgoing and incoming members of the stake presidency spoke along with Elder Adduru and Elder Schmutz. Elder Schmutz talked of the need for Priesthood Keys, where they originate and how they are passed along to a new stake president.

We were able to get a few pictures before the meeting started.