From our Hymnbook, Hymn 293 the words:
Each life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own great mercy Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above Thru words and deeds of those who love.
This post is dedicated to Sofia Magallano a wonderful woman that touched our lives.
Each life that touches ours for good Reflects thine own great mercy Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above Thru words and deeds of those who love.
This post is dedicated to Sofia Magallano a wonderful woman that touched our lives.
Woman Of Great Faith
Sofia Arances Magallano
18 September 1926 - 04 June 2016
Sister Sofia Magallano a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints loved the gospel and loved to share it. “I want to read, read, read and learn all I can so I can share it with others” said 89 year old Sofia.
Anxious to share the gospel she went out with the sister missionaries on teaching appointments. She participated in teaching and shared her testimony.
Sofia loved to sing and one of her favourites was ‘I am a child of God’ which she sang in Cebuano.
Guihulngan, Negros, Oriental, Philippines Cebu Missionaries and Sofia on their way to a teaching appointment.
Sofia Arances Magallano
18 September 1926 - 04 June 2016
Sister Sofia Magallano a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints loved the gospel and loved to share it. “I want to read, read, read and learn all I can so I can share it with others” said 89 year old Sofia.
Anxious to share the gospel she went out with the sister missionaries on teaching appointments. She participated in teaching and shared her testimony.
Sofia loved to sing and one of her favourites was ‘I am a child of God’ which she sang in Cebuano.
Guihulngan, Negros, Oriental, Philippines Cebu Missionaries and Sofia on their way to a teaching appointment.
A widow for some years she looked forward to the day she could go to the temple and be sealed to her husband. With determination she planned for it, submitted a great number of names of her kindred dead including her husband and parents so they could receive the ordinances in the temple. As soon as she was able to, she attended the temple and was sealed to her late husband Feliciano Babor Magallano and to her parents, Balaurio Arances and Fausta Lumagbas
The journey to the Cebu temple was an eventful one. Departed her home in Guihulngan at seven thirty am and attended sacrament meeting in San Carlos had lunch with the senior couple at their apartment and then caught the ferry to Toledo Cebu. It was three thirty before what was to be the one o'clock sailing set out into the rough seas.
After a turbulent crossing with waves lapping over the sides, the ferry docked in Toledo at five pm. This meant that the drive to Cebu city would be in darkness and she would not get to see the beautiful countryside that she had not visited in eighty years. Not only was it dark but torrential rain and then thick fog as we travelled over the mountains.
Sister Sofia was content knowing where she was going and happily sang hymns as she sat in the back seat of the truck. This had a calming effect on all especially the driver and we were all thankful for her faith that we would arrive safely at the patron housing on the temple complex in Cebu City.
Dressed in white twice is one of the phrases you hear in the Philippines Cebu Mission.
For Sister Sofia Magallano this was a goal she set herself and happily achieved while blessing the lives of many as she did so. Sister Bulabon the wife of the Guihulngan Branch president pictured beside her on the day of her baptism was by her side all the way and was paramount in helping Sofia accomplish her dream.
A widow for some years she looked forward to the day she could go to the temple and be sealed to her husband. With determination she planned for it, submitted a great number of names of her kindred dead including her husband and parents so they could receive the ordinances in the temple. As soon as she was able to, she attended the temple and was sealed to her late husband Feliciano Babor Magallano and to her parents, Balaurio Arances and Fausta Lumagbas
The journey to the Cebu temple was an eventful one. Departed her home in Guihulngan at seven thirty am and attended sacrament meeting in San Carlos had lunch with the senior couple at their apartment and then caught the ferry to Toledo Cebu. It was three thirty before what was to be the one o'clock sailing set out into the rough seas.
After a turbulent crossing with waves lapping over the sides, the ferry docked in Toledo at five pm. This meant that the drive to Cebu city would be in darkness and she would not get to see the beautiful countryside that she had not visited in eighty years. Not only was it dark but torrential rain and then thick fog as we travelled over the mountains.
Sister Sofia was content knowing where she was going and happily sang hymns as she sat in the back seat of the truck. This had a calming effect on all especially the driver and we were all thankful for her faith that we would arrive safely at the patron housing on the temple complex in Cebu City.
Dressed in white twice is one of the phrases you hear in the Philippines Cebu Mission.
For Sister Sofia Magallano this was a goal she set herself and happily achieved while blessing the lives of many as she did so. Sister Bulabon the wife of the Guihulngan Branch president pictured beside her on the day of her baptism was by her side all the way and was paramount in helping Sofia accomplish her dream.
Sofia pictured here with senior couple elder and sister Dunne.
Was baptised 22nd.November 2014 by elder Echavez received her endowments and was sealed to her late husband Feliciano Magallano and to her parents Balaurio Arances and Fausta Lumagbas on December 15th. 2015
Cebu Philippines Temple
Was baptised 22nd.November 2014 by elder Echavez received her endowments and was sealed to her late husband Feliciano Magallano and to her parents Balaurio Arances and Fausta Lumagbas on December 15th. 2015
Cebu Philippines Temple
On her way home from Cebu to Guihulngan enjoyed her first McDonald's meal.
She was too shy to eat in the restaurant but was happy to have it in the truck as we waited to board the ferry.
A remarkable woman and a great example to all as she shows her determination to follow the Saviour Jesus Christ.
In a nutshell this is Sofia : From the Book of Mormon Alma 7:23-24
23. And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.
24. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
Sister missionaries had called to Sofia’s home a number of times during a particular week and on each occasion she was not home. When they finally caught up with her they discovered that she had been walking a great distance each day to visit a sick elderly sister from the branch.
Mosiah 4:26
And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.
Nanay Sofia a lady of great faith and works, she will be sadly missed by family, friends and all those that knew this remarkable woman.
Some of our full time Philippines Cebu missionaries that worked with and love Nanay Sofia;
Sis. Lupien, Sis. Mandid, Sis. Laurella, Sis. Juan, Sis. Bidel, Sis.Saclapus,
Sis. Alcos, Sis. Lefler, Sis. Peralta, Sis. Biolena, Sis. Avenila. Sis. Camingao, and
Sis. Lavelua.
But the story does not end here; Nanay Sofia’s granddaughter, Genisa Masuela Magallano is also a convert to the Church. Genisa had been baptized over a year previous to Sofia's baptism. At that time she was afraid to tell her grandmother about her new faith as Nanay Sofia was a very active member of the Pentecostal faith. One day when she was coming from a church activity she met her grandmother and was asked where she was coming from. When Genisa told her she just replied "so you are a Mormon now, well I go to my church each Sunday" Shortly after Genisa moved away to work and study in Cagayan De Oro.
Almost a year later when a friend posted a picture of a lady that was baptized in Guihulngan she could not believe it was her Lola. Gensia was pleased to hear about her grandmother and had planned to move from Cebu to live with her on Negros but sadly Sofia passed on before this could be realized.
Like her grandmother Genisa has a wonderful testimony and desire to share the gospel and has been called to serve in the Philippines Quezon City Mission
|
Our last Sunday in Guihulngan Branch Negros Oriental, said farewell to Sister Magallano, Philippines Quezon City Mission. before she departs to the Manila Missionary Training Center.