Clara Tillie and National Family Day Celebration!

It was National Family Week in the Philippines!

Congratulations Taylor and Anne, Blaine, Roger, Carter, and our co-grandparents, Rozanne and 

Roger!! A baby daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter!! Anne gave birth to Clara Tillie on Sept 20, 2012 in her patented fashion--quick and easy (I know, the word easy should never be used to describe a delivery, but I'm talking in relative terms).  If only her pregnancy could have been as uncomplicated. 

We got to Skype with them within a few hours of her birth, and Rozanne sent a picture immediately, so we got to feel as if we were there--well, actually, a far cry from being there, but . . . you know. And we have Skyped since and can see that though Anne will have her hands full with Carter (busy busy boy) and Clara, they all seem to be settling in to yet another little Cropper.  That’s an even dozen grand kids for us in case anyone is counting. For more information about Clara Tillie and pictures go to: mrscropper.blogspot.com

As the numbers grow and the list of birthdays expands, it would be easy and maybe forgivable to think of this as just another grand kid.  But we don’t.  Every life is a miracle.  Trite statement?  Yes, but true nonetheless. How can something that has occurred 6 or 7 billion times seem so unique, so mysterious, so personal?  I don’t know how that is, but I am grateful that we can revel in another miracle given to our very own family.

Elder with part of the band. Not too close sisters.

To acknowledge Clara’s birth, the entire Tanjay District held a celebration.  Actually, the whole of the Philippines celebrated all week—National Family Week—and the District decided to participate by having a parade and an all day open house.  There were lots of dignitaries invited.   I’m not sure any showed up, but the Branch members showed up in great numbers, and Amlan in particular was extremely well represented which made Pres. B. very proud and I think personally grateful.

The gathering pre-parade

Our little branch leads the way

On the national highway 400 strong!!

 Colina Family poster

The sister we baptized in action

Bais Branch poster

Of course I had to cry about the whole parade.  There were no floats, and only one vehicle, but there were banners, and family t-shirts, and most people dressed in white (the designated costume) and a marching band, complete with majorette and ‘’minors” with batons a-twirl from Tanjay Central High School and another from I don’t know where, in glorious Mardi Gras colors and lots of people marching and a cop to direct traffic.  It was full on awesome!!  Imagine, the District decides on a parade, and traffic is blocked, people come out to watch, and the band plays on.

What is a parade without majorettes

...and a band

Who knows families better than LDS

Even balloons and missionaries

After the parade, everyone gathered back at the District center for an open house where there were displays set up in every room and videos going and activities for the kids, and tours and a program and awards.  We learned about 72 hour kits and disaster preparedness, and saw demos on how to make virgin coconut oil by hand, and how to make soap from Kalamansi juice.  There was a family picture-taking booth built in the parking lot, with guess who taking pictures (actually he passed it off for much of the day, but his camera was in duty all day).

Elder Cropper and I were the concluding speakers at the end of the day and amazingly there were still people there!!  Most, 400 plus, stayed all day!  The district provided snacks mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and each branch fed their own people lunch, so that right there makes for a great activity.

The parade stretched with members to about a 1/2 kilometer long

Ya gotta love the youth

and more.....

It didn't rain on our parade but it sure rained at lunch time

and rained......and rained

Making virgin coconut oil

WHAT A GREAT EVENT!!  WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!

Welcome to this world Clara, where there are whole countries and small Districts, and individuals who still know and celebrate the value of strong families—a place where God gives his children the guidance of Prophets and Proclamations and, most important, parents.  Clara, yours are the best.  And we all celebrate, YOU.