Sunday, May 5, 2013  GP

Glade has been doing the Sunday posts.  It’s a good time for his input:

We are very happy to be here; a fifty yard walk to work each day, a comfortable apartment, very congenial and helpful co-workers in a most spiritual setting attended by the most humble, devout, and spiritual people I’ve known. I know the Lord sent us here to be taught by them rather than the reverse. The members have really taken the gospel into their hearts. Every Priesthood Meeting the Bishop takes the first 15 min. and asks individual brethren to call or visit individual who were not in attendance at sacrament Meeting that day [including the temple President] or anyone else who has been sick. The response is immediate and willing. I don’t know if this replaces or is an adjunct to home teaching??

They have made me a trainer for others to learn to officiate an endowment session. I guess that shows a great need for more workers to help.

My back still tells me “watch it”!!! if I have to stand still for a prolonged time or while I’m officiating initiatories with my arms extended in front.  However, it speaks in reverent tones because I’m in the temple.

          Last week in the evening as I was making my rounds exercising, the full-time Elders hailed me down and asked that I accompany them to teach a lesson to an investigator in 30 min.  So, I ran up the hill, showered, changed clothes, and ran down.  It was fun to teach with them and I will probably have that opportunity regularly.  The investigator we taught was at church today.

          Next week Tegucigalpa will be visited by 50 members of the Living Legends, a BYU talent group made up of “Lamanite” students at BYU who perform around the world.  It would be fun to see; however, the two performances are our nights to work in the temple. It was a similar group and tour where I first met Beverly 46 years ago.

          It was fast and testimony meeting today. I’ve never experienced a meeting where virtually every testimony—including the children—was straight out of the heart and shared as it should be.  

Mom wants and needs to play the piano.  I asked the Bishop about the opportunity and without missing a beat said he would leave a key to the building with the security guards at the compound entrance for us.  He is a great Bishop!

          Mom is extending a great effort into learning Spanish and soon she will be speaking to others. There have been numerous Hermanas who have told me they want to help her, are praying for her and one gave her a copy of El Libro de Mormon and wants to read it with her.  We love this people and the spirit they emanate! 

Love, Dad

BP  Just a little addendum:  These sweet people here in our ward show so much enthusiasm in everything from their greetings to us and each other to the way they sing and participate.  Relief Society was awesome!  (There is no piano for any of the auxiliaries so they sing a cappella.)  The conductor sang the first phrase to give them a pitch and hint about which song they would be singing, and then they all sang out with such spirit and volume that you would think they had just been liberated or that they were celebrating.  I would love for our American sisters to witness this exuberant singing.

From the temple grounds on our "soft walk" today

This fenced area is right below our apartment and Glade does his exer-tube work-out here.

View of new construction across the street from the temple

This is the road  that goes up to the temple where we walk every day.  At the bottom of the road you can see the security guard station which is manned 24/7.  The two-story tan building just beyond that is where the bakery is, a small LDS bookstore, a quick-mart and pharmacy,and other businesses to open soon.  It was right across the street from this building where I sprained my ankle.  This picture was taken near the chapel.

Another view of the same, but closer.  You can see the gated entrance and the "Garden Place" where the bakery is.  We love this bakery and it is the only place we have purchased bread since we have been here.
They call it whole wheat, but it has other grains and flax see in it as well--delicious.  We are so blessed. 

West side of the Temple just outside the Chapel

The same as above :) but a little crooked--

Just another view from our walk.  We are enjoying the sun while we can.  The rainy season starts next month.