Saturday, August 31, 2013

          Tears flowed and hearts were full in the temple today as special occasions took place:  Families were sealed together for the eternities as loved ones witnessed parents and children at the altar and felt the Spirit witness of truth; A beaming bride and groom descended the stairs holding hands and white flowers and opened the doors of the temple to be greeted by family and friends; Newly called missionaries and first-time attendees experienced the blessings of being in the temple for the first time; Baptisms and other ordinances were performed for deceased family members and the gates of Heaven were opened to them.  It was a glorious day for so many and we were blessed to be able to witness and participate.

          Well, this is a change of pace—sorry if it is a rough transition.  The security in our building has increased significantly since last month’s thefts.  We have to unlock three doors before we get into our apartment.  The main doors are locked all the time now except for a short time during the day to accommodate groups that are staying overnight.  A guard stands at the doors at all times and checks people who go in and out.  The doors to our section of the building are also now locked whereas they used to be open all the time.   So, if we lose or forget our key—we are in big trouble.  It does make us feel safer, however, to have these extra precautions.

          Have a wonderful Sabbath Day.  And “Welcome, September!!”

Friday, August 30, 2013

          The fire alarm went off again about 7:30 p.m.  It is so extremely loud and piercing, but we don’t change clothes and leave the building.  It happens often enough that we just put on our Boze headphones and wait it out.  There are lots of families staying here and sometimes the alarms get tripped—at least that is what we assume.  We hope there isn’t ever really a fire or we would be “toast.”

          Another Fast Sunday is here which means another month has turned over.  September will bring fall to all of you and we would love pictures of your fall events, colorful leaves, and pumpkin fun.  There seem to be no seasons here and every day is just like the last one.  We have just been through winter but wonder if the next “season” will be any different.  It’s just as well because fall would make me homesick and long for cinnamon-flavored baking. 

          We would love to hear about your Labor Day fun—even if it was just harvesting the last of the gardens and cleaning up the yards.  We send our love!!!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

          Today offered a variety of responsibilities that made it interesting and fulfilling.  There were more people in the temple today and four buses are parked in the parking lot tonight, so tomorrow will start out busy and continue that way through Saturday afternoon. 

          Glade is reading “The History of the Church in the Fullness of Times” which is a 740-page 8½ x 11-inch size book for Religion 341-343.  He purchased it at the Distribution Center for about $1 and felt guilty that that was all he had to pay.  It is in Spanish, of course, and he loves it.  He reads with a dictionary in his lap and a notebook next to him and is expanding his vocabulary.   We read together in Spanish from a conference talk in the evenings which is helping my pronunciation as well as understanding.  Along with each of you, we are reading the Doctrine and Covenants (SS Course) and feel how important it is to recognize the thin tendrils of pride that seep into our lives unnoticed and can become large fissures if the tide is not stemmed.      Pride will probably be a bigger downfall for many of Heavenly Father’s children than what we consider the “big sins.”  Every day should include something to help us remember our purpose and ponder on Lehi’s Dream to keep us holding to the rod and headed towards salvation.

          It was much warmer today and humid so we walked just before dark.  Glade went earlier to the bakery only to find that our favorite bread was sold out!  He did get banana bread and some white rolls.  It’s a good thing that they bake every day—we will be there tomorrow much earlier.  Their wonderful bread is our “staff of life” and we eat it every day.  It’s whole-grain and has flax seed in it.  It almost tastes too delicious to be healthy, but it looks healthy!! 

          I hope you all have a fun “date-night” tomorrow!  It’s Friday already.    

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

          It was another hot chocolate kind of day with unbelievably cool weather again this evening.  It must come with the rain storms which were plentiful again.  I actually did make hot chocolate yesterday— first time—and it hit the spot!   We just needed a fireplace!  (Not really—it isn’t that cool!)

          Glade was all better and went to the temple today.  Attendance has been down this last week and there was one morning session each day that was cancelled because there were no patrons.  It should pick up on the week-end.   

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

          Glade was plagued with a stomach bug yesterday after church and most of today, so he stayed at home while I started the early schedule by myself.  He is doing much better tonight and actually walked with me.  He will be back at it tomorrow.  We were supposed to attend a dinner for the High Priest Group Leadership tonight at one of the members’ homes.  This morning he called and cancelled.  Maybe they will plan it for another time.

            When we went out to walk about 6:30 tonight, it was actually quite cool.  It was amazing!  Of course, the walk warmed us right up, but it was pretty unbelievable to have it feel so cool.  It has been cloudy, thundery, and rainy all day.  

Monday, August 26, 2013

          Yesterday just after Sacrament Meeting started, a young man came into the chapel and sat down next to the sister missionaries who were seated in front of us.  A few minutes later, three more men in their twenties came in and sat next to Glade and me—two on his side and one on mine.  Those sister missionaries just lit up with excitement you could feel to have these investigators show up for church.  We were singing the Sacrament song and Glade shared his kindle with the two on his right and I gave mine to the guy on my left so they could read the words and sing.  The guy next to me was so fascinated by the kindle that he didn’t get to sing much.  Of course, Glade chatted with them at length after the meeting and enjoyed it so much.  They stayed for all of the meetings.  There are four sister missionaries and four young men missionaries in our ward alone, and we get to see their work in action nearly every week.  It’s so great.

          Sister Cazier’s music class is going great.  She is teaching ward members how to conduct the music which means they learn about time, note value, and rhythm, and has started now to teach them piano basics.  She has provided each with a cardboard keyboard, a manual with great instructions, and teacher presentations.  She and her husband have purchased about 5-6 electric keyboards and they were all set up for students to practice on during the class.  They will donate those to the ward at the end of their mission.  Interest has been high and there were about 25-30 adults, teens, and a few young kids in the class on Sunday.  They are preparing for a Christmas program where they will play the chimes (that I talked about in an earlier post) as well as sing and play.  Glade is practicing with three other men in a quartet for the same program. 

          When these sweet people sing, they do so with great spirit, robust voices, and a tempo that keeps you on your toes.  You-all would just love it!! I wish the people at home could hear them and try to keep up.  We love it!

          We are heading to bed early and hope for good sleep.  We start the early shift in the morning J       

Sunday, August 25, 2013—GP

Stake Priesthood Meeting was held this afternoon at our chapel.  It was very good with the main theme being the importance of gaining an education, preparing for a career, and continued learning throughout life.  There are a surprising number of members here who have gained graduate and post graduate degrees including some BYU graduates.

At the close of the meeting the stake president called on us three North American temple missionaries to speak plus a returned missionary from Wyoming, who met and married a Honduran girl at the University of Wyoming.  They are living here for a year until they get the paperwork to live in The States.

I’m learning all about secretary work:  meeting minutes, agendas, reports etc. in Spanish with my calling with the High Priests.

Thanks for your prayers on our behalf.  You are always in ours.

Love, Dad

Saturday, August 24, 2013

          Big yellow school buses roared up the hill this morning during my walk and patrons dressed for a temple experience poured from the doors.  Glade walked to our closest grocery store and said upon his return that the grounds were also teeming with youth waiting to do baptisms.  It is such an awesome site to see so many participants and feel their anticipation and enthusiasm.  What a blessing this temple is to Central America and the activity bears testimony to the importance of the work.  The pace is quickening—you can feel it.

          The men and women meet together for a training/prayer meeting every day and then divide for separate instruction with the women remaining and the men going upstairs.  During the women’s meeting, we felt an EARTHQUAKE!  The sister sitting next to me and I looked at each other and I said—“What was that?”  (She speaks a little English.)  She said--with big rounded eyes, “Earthquake!”  The tremors came a couple of times but lasted only a few seconds.  It was very distinct and a little disconcerting.  Sister Cazier said when they served a mission in Guatemala, there were tremors nearly every day so not to worry.  J 

          Thanks to everyone who has commented on the blog.  Your love, positive sentiments, and encouragement are so appreciated.  It isn’t always possible to reply to all of them, but know that they are read and loved.  Thanks so much.

This is oneof the groups that came on a bus this morning.  I couldn't get closer because I was dressed for exercising and also didn't want them to see me taking their picture with no apparent reason.  They aren't centered very well in the picture but they are standing about six deep and are getting instructions from a leader.

Same group--different view.  It doesn't look like very many people, but they are all crowded together.  Those big buses hold a lot of people.  The group from the second bus were right on their heels.  It was a very busy day which made it a very wonderful day!

Friday, August 23, 2013

           A “trip to the beauty salon” right here in our apartment yielded a haircut and color cover-up for me (No, Glade didn’t do it. J)  I did a better job this time, but it took forever!  Can’t wait until Jenn can do it again and I’ll happily pay her whatever she asks!!

          Rain, rain, and more rain this afternoon made it feel wonderfully cozy in the temple.  There is supposed to be a bigger storm during the night.

          I worked with a young sister for a while this afternoon and thought she was valiant to spend her time serving in the temple at such a young age.  Later in the evening, she was visiting with Glade and a couple of other people at the escritorio.  It was surprising to learn that she is a dentist and is doing an internship here in Tegucigalpa which means her training is completed and she is working for a year in a public venue without pay.  She can only be about 25 years old, is shorter and smaller than I am, and has such a young-looking face.  She just doesn’t look like a dentist!  She has helped with the dental health service projects that bring people here from the U.S. and is preparing for another group coming in October.  She also helps the young missionaries out by doing their work for them in preparation for their missions.  She is serving so beautifully and at such a young age.  I really admire her and her goals.

          Jeff sent a link to the real mormonad that includes this scripture with that awesome picture of the daisy amidst the roses: 

“For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”(1 Samuel 16:7)

 https://www.lds.org/new-era/2011/09/mormonad-be-your-own-kind-of-beautiful?lang=eng.

Click on the link and it will take you to the picture and the scripture.  I loved this.  Jeff said the one he posted is actually a parody made by BYU's comedy group Divine Comedy.  Anyway, I still liked them both!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

          A few more conversations are taking place between me and the obreras, but they sound strange and aren’t really in one language or the other but rather in both.  It is pretty funny and we laugh and shrug our shoulders a lot.  However, I understand more all the time.  It was a busy day but low on the stress scale—perfect!! 

It has been windy here for the last couple of weeks—at least during the middle of the day.  The early mornings are beautiful, but by mid-day it feels like Idaho!  The evenings are usually beautiful again. 

          That is boring information, but today that’s all there is.  Life is good; we are healthy, happy, and working hard.  The Lord has blessed us abundantly and we are so grateful.       

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

          There was a little time to check out cards and study in the training room this afternoon and there were two of us taking advantage of that opportunity.  I asked the young woman if she would like me to help her study and she quickly agreed.  In visiting, I learned that she speaks some English, is a teacher who teaches Spanish half days, and had a missionary companion from Boise, ID!  She was so excited to hear that I was from Idaho.  Her goal is to save her money for a year and travel to the US—to Idaho—and visit her companion.  We laughed and chatted companionably for a few minute (of course, in a quiet and temple appropriate manner) and it was fun to help her practice and share some experiences.

          Glade met a young man who came today for the first time.  He has a mission call to Peru.  His father is an alcoholic and his mother has left the family for someone else; so he is alone in his Gospel pursuit, but so excited to serve a mission.  He was accompanied by faithful and supportive members from his ward who have stepped up to be “his family.”  It is always inspiring to watch people move forward in their faith despite opposition and obstacles.  He will be a great missionary.  

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

          Glade thought he would be extremely stiff and sore today after yesterday’s “play” but he didn’t fare too badly and walked off any stiffness early.  Having a week-end break was renewing and we were ready to return to our responsibilities in the temple today.

          We love seeing the families who come to be sealed together for the eternities.  The children are so precious and these experiences remind us anew of our purpose and why we are all here.

          Spanish flash cards are stacked up on my desk and as I go out the door each morning (or afternoon) to exercise, I grab a stack and practice as I walk.  There are also pages of brief phrases that get practice when there is time.  Maybe some of it will sink in and start making more sense.  I could really use more time each day to study.  

          We went to the Distribution Center here this morning and I found the August Ensign in English and scooped it right up.  I really miss having a hard copy; and even though I have read most of the August issue already on my kindle, I am reading it all again.  There is just something awesome about the touch of paper and how tangible it is.  Hope you are all reading these wonderful and inspiring magazines!  Love to you all!!

Monday, August 19, 2013

     (See  below for Glade's post about today's excursion.)

     My expertise failed me tonight, and I could not find a way to post images that are not photos.  So I had to print the page from my journal, take a picture of it with my phone, and insert it as an image so the effect I wanted is lost.  However, it gives you a little idea of what I planned to share.   

     The first paragraph below next to the picture says:  

Jeff led me to this mormonad after reading my post about being so obviously different.  Wow--it feels just like that.  Spot on, Jeff.  I do love daisies--they are bright, cheerful, and loved in my garden.  There is a lesson here for sure.  Thanks, Jeff.  J 

Add caption

Hermano Cruz said that this giant black scavenger that circles our domain is called a zopilote (soh pee loh` tay).   The man holding the bird gives a little more perspective as to size.   My original page was much better, but I just couldn't get the pictures to work on the blog.  The man is holding the bird--next to his head--by the wing which extends below his waist.  The head and body of the bird are near his upper leg.  Sorry it didn't work.   

--GP--Here is the report on the “country club” excursion.  There were 25 of us who traveled by bus for an hour to the The Bosques de Zambrano.  We each paid about $5 for the bus ride and brought our own food but the entrance was free thanks to a temple worker who has several memberships for family and had accumulated thirty freebies.  It was closed today to everyone but us and it was great to have it to ourselves.

There were two large pools, one indoor and one 50 M with lanes and diving board outdoors.  The pools and water were great as was the view, set on the top of a mountain.  I should have spent most of my time there.  I was the only one in the pool at the time.  I miss my pool at home.  There were also indoor basketball and volleyball courts; run down and not maintained well.  I did a trip down memory lane, roughing it up, playing against the younger natives; and now my shoulder and knees are paying the price.  I also did a little tennis, and catch with a softball.  I learned today that I am old enough to be a temple worker.  I may not be able to get out of bed in the morning. 

We had a special “get to know you and testimony meeting” with those in attendance.  All except the four couples from the states are converts.  There were some very spiritual personal stories and testimonies expressed.

Bye, now, --got to go take some more Advil.

Love, Dad

Sunday, August 18, 2013--GP

     We have tried to have a regular schedule for Beverly to practice the piano.  More often than not when we were told someone would be in the church for the piano to be available, it was not.  Recently we found out that the early morning seminary which meets from 5-6 AM week days would make it accessible if she arrived by 5:45 a.m.  She has taken advantage of that a couple of times this week.

      Also, I was asked to be the High Priest Group Secretary and we meet every Sunday at 5:00 p.m. so she will have that day as well as an option.

      Tomorrow all temple workers including leadership have access to a country club in which one of the workers has a membership and many free passes.  Supposedly there will be swimming, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, etc.  We'll probably have many crippled and sore workers come Tuesday.

     Bev's contribution below:  

   

There was a commotion outside our window this evening.  When I went to
the window to see what was going on, this is what I saw--the dog had this poor cat treed!  Sorry it is not clear--the picture was taken through the screen on
our window.  The dog has not been around before, but this is one of the
cats that Sister Bassett has befriended and feeds every day.

This is one of the head guards who has come to the rescue.  I was so glad
becuase I was really worried about the cat and it was getting dark.
I checked later and the cat was no longer in the tree!!  

Saturday, August 17, 2013

         

          About 200 young adults were expected this afternoon at the temple to participate in everything!  I was busy helping so I don’t know exactly how many actually came, but the numbers were high and they did a lot of work.

          Glade has been working hard to prepare a part for the Sunday School lesson tomorrow.  Preparation is a little different in Spanish, but he is going to have it perfect by the time tomorrow rolls around!   

          Enjoy your Sabbath Day—hope it is restful.  We send our love—   

Friday, August 16, 2013

          Every day here is much the same and yet different from the others because of the people who come and the stories they are living.  It is such a beautiful thing to see them coming through the doors day after day to perform the saving ordinances for themselves and their families.  They are old and young, healthy and infirm, educated and not; eager and anxious; but each brings a spirit of anticipation and happiness as they participate in every aspect of temple work.  It is such a joy to feel their spirits and we love helping them. 

I was able to do something new today, so that was another step, although small, up the ladder in my progress.   

Thursday, August 15, 2013

          The only thing that was a little different in our routine today was that I got up early again and went to the church to play the piano after seminary which ends at 6:00 a.m.  It is too much to go every day because it makes the days so long, but I love having the choice and being able to play.  Thursday is my favorite day of the week, so it was a good time to go!!  9:56 p.m. and raining—

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

         

          It was a great day and we count our blessings often realizing that the Lord has blessed us beyond our understanding.  That knowledge gives us perspective as we start our long shifts.  Most people retire at our age, but we are finding ourselves working 8-9 hours a day five days a week and then scrambling to get everything else done on our day off.  I encourage each of you to stay healthy and fit so you will have the stamina required for “old age”!  Also—if you don’t speak Spanish, better learn J

          We are trying to eat canned peaches and it isn’t much fun—however, at least we can find peaches and “Miguel’s” aren’t too bad.  We did find some pricey Mott’s applesauce and brought home as much as we could carry.  It’s pretty good.  Speaking of food suggests a reminder about food storage and preparedness.  Following the Prophet’s counsel to be as self-reliant as possible may save us in the near future in our unstable world.  Just adding a little something each month will build your “store.”  Good luck!   Love to Everyone!!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

          This was a pretty routine day although I spent a lot of time in the laundry taking my turn.  It was rather pleasant and low stress.  I left now and then to help out in other areas and Glade and I did a session together, so there was lots of variety. 

          Another lady took time to help me with Spanish while the dryers were running and I decided I need to carry a paper and pen in my pocket to write down what people say.  My memory is short and if I can see the words, there is a reference point and it is so much easier to remember.  Just hearing doesn’t imprint and is often difficult to repeat until I can see the spelling.  I am definitely a visual learner.

          Glade and I walked together this morning—no birds!     

Monday, August 12, 2013

          School is still in session here which means that seminary is held in our church building every week-day morning from 5:00 to 6:00 a.m.  One of the sisters who teaches the class said if I arrived at the church before they all left, I could get in without a key and practice.  So this morning at 5:45 the door was open just like she said; and I went into the chapel, waited until class was over, and then had a wonderful hour of pouring expression into and out of the piano and it felt so great!!

          We did laundry early and I walked late.  Glade walked while I was practicing the piano.  You may or may not have seen the pictures of the broad-winged hawk posted a few days ago, but all during my walk thirteen of those giants soared overhead and were very intimidating. They circled low again and again and one swooped near enough for me to hear its wings push air!   I tried to get pictures, but the sun was so bright it was hard to see anything on the screen of my phone, so it was all a “shot in the sunlight” and they didn’t do justice to the “air show” those creatures gave.

          About noon we called our favorite taxi driver, Dave, and he took us to La Colonia (the grocery store) and the City Mall where we looked for a cable to connect a computer to the TV.  Glade wants to stream BYU football and would love it on the TV instead of just the computer.  We didn’t have any luck though—couldn’t find one anywhere.  Also unavailable were an extension cord and a power strip.  Oh well.  Maybe they will show up on one of our future outings.  We did find an ATM finally so we can keep paying the taxi driver and buying bread from our favorite bakery!

Glade says that without a point of reference--like Justin suggested--you just can't tell how big this bird is.  So use your imagination and picture it as the biggest bird you have every seen and imagine it with twelve giant friends!

Waiting in the rain for our taxi

On our way shopping

There was a Wendy's at the Mall and we decided to see if a frosty here tastes like the ones at home.  Glade didn't look at the size he was ordering and was obviously disappointed that it was a child's portion.  I shared mine with him, but next time he'll get the bigger size!!  They tasted great--just like home.

Sunday, August 11, 2013—GP—

          Hi all, Every speaker at the Regional Youth Conference yesterday, which Mom told you about, spoke of the youth doing family history and bringing their family names to the temple.  I’ve had the opportunity to organize and coordinate some of the baptism sessions and have seen many youth bring their family names, which they have individually researched, for the baptism and confirmation.  There have been times when a majority of the names done by a group of 20-30 youth were family names.  

One day this week, an elderly, handicapped sister brought a dozen family names to the temple.  She could not be baptized for them because of physical limitations, but had arranged for friends from her ward to help with the work from baptisms through sealings.  I was asked to coordinate the work and saw the love in her eyes for those ancestors and the truthfulness of the work being done as she stood watching at the baptismal font weeping.  Beverly and I were both able to help with her family names until the sealing which took place after our shift ended.  I felt like I spiritually knew her family when our morning was over.

Love you,

Dad

Saturday, August 10, 2013

          Somehow I have to figure out this sleep issue—another sleepless night (well-maybe thirty minutes this time) made for another challenging day.  Tonight just has to be better!!

          We left the temple just a little early so we could be ready when Gina picked us up for the youth conference.  It was quite a drive and ended up being in a different place than where we practiced a couple of days ago.  It was a fairly large stake center with lots of beautiful sunburst windows lining the sides of the chapel and cultural hall.  By the way, the church buildings here are not carpeted but are finished with tiles.  There were two long rows of ceiling fans running on high during the meeting.

          The practice started at 2:00 but most of the choir members were late.  That gave me a chance to practice.  The meeting was from 4:00 until 6:00.  This piano was “normal” and of much better quality than I had anticipated so that was wonderful.  The conductor was a sister I have seen in the temple several times, and recognizing each other right off made us both comfortable.  The choir consisted of a row of young children and a group of youth and adults.  They have sung together before and knew the songs well.  Everything went just great and it felt so good to accompany again.  I loved it.

          Pres. Packer’s son, who is a Seventy, was the main speaker and he was accompanied by Elder Carlos Amado, who happens to be a brother to one of the counselors in our temple presidency.  There were two other speakers and they all spoke in Spanish except one who had an interpreter standing at a microphone next to him.  Glade said he did a great job.  The building was packed all the way to the back with 600-700 youth and leaders and it appeared to be a very successful conference with most of the talks centered on helping the youth get involved with family history.  This was a regional youth conference and tomorrow, there will be a stake conference in the same building. 

          Hoping and praying for sleep—Good night!!    

Friday, August 9, 2013

          Another noisy thunderstorm rolled across Tegucigalpa early this evening and showered us with a little rain.  We have yet to see extended rain, but we love what little we get.  Glade did the walking for both of us today since I was with Gina getting a key to the chapel so I could practice the music and prepare for tomorrow’s youth conference.  Hope one practice is enough!

          She sent the music to me via email attachments and some of the pages didn’t copy very well.  I have been filling in lines and notes to make it more readable.  The score is small—thank goodness for piano glasses or I couldn’t read it.  The music is by Sally DeFord (sp?) and there are some very nice arrangements.  It will be interesting to see how this goes.  I have never accompanied on an electric piano before and I don’t think there is much capacity for expressive playing.  Of course, the kids’ singing is the highlight, but it would be nice to give them the best accompaniment possible!  Following in Spanish may present a new challenge, too.    

          Sleep was a little better last night, but Glade and I are both very tired.  He has residual effects from taking sleeping pills all week and I am just sleep deprived.  We will be ready for our day of rest for sure.  We only have one more day on the early schedule.  It’s pretty dark when we get up at 4:00 a.m.  (Saturdays only)

Thursday, August 8, 2013

          Everything was prepared and readied last night for today’s early morning routine.  Since we retired early there was no stress, no anxiety--but alas, no sleep either.  A relaxing shower and an hour’s reading didn’t do the trick either and sleep never came—none, all night.  Finally, at 4:30, I just got up and started to get ready.  It was a bit of a sleepy day, but so far survival has prevailed.  Now the challenge is to not nap!  Silly old people anyway. 

          The North American sister missionary nurses were in the temple this morning with about 15 or 20 sister missionaries who all did a session.  (The Elders came, too.)  Glade and I helped the nurses and one young English-speaking sister complete the session and it was so great. 

In visiting with the nurses after the session I learned that they have several 19-year-old sisters who have recently entered the mission and some of them are very fair-haired and blue-eyed.   They have great concerns for them and have seen the Lord watching over and protecting them.  They are so vulnerable, but they are needed to help do the work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world and I’m sure the Lord will take care of them. 

However, I really felt today how much all the missionaries need our prayers.  Some of them serving here have harrowing tales, but they just go by faith and guidance from the Spirit and keep doing the work.  Their guardian angels have got to be working over-time.  So when you say your prayers and ask for blessings to be with the missionaries, know that they are real people with great needs and your prayers are so important for them both in being able to teach and in being kept safe.  Sending love to all and prayers for safety to the travelers--

Sitting on top of the far left corner of the temple is one of the huge birds that circle the temple and surrounding areas every day.  There are about five of them.   I have been trying to get pictures, but they are too far away and there is no perspective as to how big they are.  I googled  a description on "birds of Honduras" and found the following picture that looks exactly like these birds when they fly over our heads when we are outside.

This bird is called a Broad-winged Hawk--a medium Raptor--and they have a wing span that appears to be about three or four feet at least.  However, they are "on the wing" so it is hard to tell, but they are huge.
They circle our walkinga path and the temple.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

          The shift coordinator for the women was a sweet cheerful lady with a twinkly smile and she took time to talk to me and wasn’t discouraged by the fact that she didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Spanish.  She was not in the least bit intimidating and we had a good chat.  I understood some of her Spanish and we expanded my vocabulary a little.  She could say a couple of words in English, so with arm and hand motions, facial expressions, and exaggerated pronunciation, we did great.  She told me to bring papel` (paper) y una pluma (and a pen) next miercoles (Wednesday) and we would “practicar el espanol” again.   She helped make it a great day--even after being on my feet for way too long! 

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

          Glade walked to the nearest grocery store for our most needed items and carried them home.  It was hot and he wanted to go in the early afternoon, so I opted not to go but to eat lunch instead and exercise later when it cooled slightly.  As he was returning and had reached the start of the biggest hill in Tegucigalpa—which leads up to the temple grounds—Pres. Ocampo happened by and gave him a lift!

          As we were finishing the second round on our walk tonight, we were approached by Pres. Ocampo’s daughter, Gina.  She needed a piano player and wondered if I could play for a stake youth choir that will be singing Saturday for a youth conference.  She was supposed to play, but she teaches institute and her class is the same time as the conference.  So I said “of course” and she said there was a practice right now and could I possibly come.  So Glade and I hurried and changed into missionary clothes, and she drove us in her van with her four kids, Rebeca, Raquel, Moroni, and Nephi, to the church to practice.

          When we arrived, she found out that the practice ended at 7:00 instead of starting at 7:00 and the choir and director had just left on a bus.  I practiced through the songs anyway--which were lightly-inked copies from her printer--on an electric piano.  After we drove back to our house, she came upstairs with her two little boys to see if I could print the music from my printer.  Eventually it worked after I realized my printer selection had defaulted to my Photosmart at home and I had to change it to the new one.  So I should be set, except that the choir director said the stake president wants some song changes made.  Oh, well.  We’ll go with the flow I guess.

          It was an interesting evening.  We are not supposed to travel anywhere after dark, but here she was with her children driving through the downtown to get to this stake center.  The streets became narrow, as many of them do, and wound in a maze that had me dizzy.  There is definitely no grid laid out here by any city planners.  We saw and heard a little “night life” but we just kept talking (she speaks good English) and she just kept driving for about 20 or 30 minutes.  Her oldest daughter told Glade that it was in a dangerous part of town; but there we were, driving with the windows down through places I’m not sure I would go in the daylight!  But we arrived safely and pulled into the parking lot through a gate and parked in what looked to be a very secure area with high fences on three sides and cement covered walls several yards high on the mountain side of the lot.  This is just a way of life for people who live here and they seem to do just fine!

          These pictures are of Gina’s two little boys who loved playing with Glade’s pelota grande amarilla—his big yellow ball! 

 

This is Nephi, pronounced nef-ee

Here is Nephi with his broher Moroni, pronounced Moron-ee

Monday, August 05, 2013

          Our day started early with exercise, and this beautiful view greeted and accompanied us.  We put our laundry in before we started and were able to finish it before everyone else was lined up waiting for machines.  It was a major house-cleaning day with mopping floors and scrubbing down everything that was in need—which was just about everything.  It felt really great to get it all done. 

          The next order of business on our P-day was to figure out how to scan documents into our new printer/scanner and save them to the laptops.  We are still working on getting the Post Office Box set up in Miami—actually, that part is finished, but all of the paper work here needed to be finished.  We did lots of emailing, scanning, and talking on the telephone and think it is finally out of our hands and on the way to finalization.  When that happens, we will have a trial run to see how well it works.  We are pretty happy to have figured out all this stuff without help—it was a little frustrating and took more time than it would have for any of our kids, but we did it!!

          Home Evening is always interesting but also creates a little anxiety for me. Tonight I just did my part in English and kept it short.  Glade is good to translate, but sometimes it just makes me too obviously different.  Oh, well. 

          It’s time to wind down, prepare for our early shift which begins in the morning, and get to bed—and hopefully to sleep.  Love to all!!   

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!!

 

Sunday, August 3, 2013—GP—

Our Temple President, Roberto Ocampo, is 6’5,” very quiet, doesn’t smile much and is very humble.  He speaks just a little English when he has to.  I have not gotten to know him very well.  A couple of months after we got here he started coming out early to exercise but would only say “Buenos Dias.”  A week or two ago, he walked over to me while we were exercising and said he wanted to get better at English and learn to play the piano and asked that we might walk together and speak English.  I agreed to help with the first goal.  

One of my purposes to walk around the compound originally was to speak as much as I could to the natives to improve my Spanish.  Now there are three of my security guard friends plus our temple president who want me to speak English with them.  [hmmm, maybe they don’t like my Spanish?]  It has been fun to get to know him.  He is a couple of years younger than I.  He said this is the first time he has exercised regularly in his life, loves soccer, and used to play it.  

The first counselor is from the U.S. but has spent five missions south of the border.  The second counselor is from Guatemalan, served a fulltime mission in the state of Washington, and lived a couple of years in San Francisco a few years later as well.

Have a great week!

BP--The last two Sundays were supposed to be piano days for me since the High Priest Group Leadership meets at the Church at 5:00 p.m. for their weekly meeting and said it would be a good time to come to practice.  So, I gathered my music and we walked to the chapel only to be disappointed that no one came today and last week the building remained locked.  Practice withdrawal is terrible and I can feel my abilities slipping away.  Patience, Faith, and Hope--- 

Saturday, August 03, 2013

          A small group of people managed to mingle unnoticed with Church members from Nicaragua who were staying in our residence building and gain access.  They proceeded to take suitcases, backpacks and anything else they could get away with, load it all into a vehicle, and disappear.  It is so sad that they took money and clothes from humble people who had worked so hard to save enough money to get to the temple.  The security cameras picked up the action as they loaded the stolen items into the car, but there is no way that any of it will ever be recovered. 

We are not sure what that says about the security here, but no system with so many taxis, cars, buses, etc. coming and going all day and night is failsafe.  The guards check vehicles coming in and out, but we don’t know what criteria they use for entry.  Maybe it will have to be ramped up a bit.  We haven’t heard.

It is so touching to watch patrons in the temple as they participate in the ordinances when you can see how the experiences are being written on their hearts as emotions are shown and the tears flow.  You can tell how much it means to them to be there.

We stayed late tonight to help in the lavanderia.  Wet clothes can’t be left over Sunday and there were tons of baptismal clothes and towels.  It was a carefree unwind to a busy day.  Love to, and prayers for everyone.  Good night.    

Friday, August 2, 2013

          Sister Flores is a sweet sister who has worked in the temple doing housekeeping and cleaning.  She always takes time to do ordinance work as well while she is there.  She has two grown children who have moved from home and are not active in the Church.  Her husband passed away a few years ago and so she lives by herself.  She is still relatively young and I feel so bad that she has to be alone.

Her day starts with a bus ride into the city and then a taxi trip up to the temple.  Last week, the bus she was riding was stopped by a man who came onto the bus wielding a gun and threatening people.   He approached a woman and told her to give him everything she had or he would kill her.

I don’t know the rest of the details, but this experience left her so shaken that she has quit her job at the temple.  She is afraid to ride the bus and she can’t afford to take a taxi all the way from her home—which I understand is quite a distance away—to the temple.  She still plans to come to the temple as a patron when it feels safe, but I will really miss her.  She was so friendly and helpful to me and despite her challenges, always had a smile on her face and a song on her lips.  She tried to help me with Spanish all the time and always cheered my day.

We are so grateful to feel safe where we live since this city, country, and neighboring countries are so full of crime and have very little, if any, law enforcement.  Glade relieved one brother at the front desk last night who had to hurry home because it was dark and he had forgotten to leave the lights on in his house.  It makes his little home very vulnerable.  Many of the workers leave by dusk so they don’t have to travel home in the dark.  We pray a lot and pray for others as well as ourselves.  The work must go forward or how will things ever improve?  We are blessed to be a part of this great work.       

Thursday, August 1, 2013

          Just a note of interest:  My friend Marcia Warner wrote:  “Wonderful day at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.  [It was the] first day and first temple to show the new movie.  We had no idea until we were in the session.”

          Attendance at our temple has really been light this week.  There was always a session, but it was very quiet without the constant stream of patrons in and out and youth coming for baptisms.   It should pick up now that the week-end is here.  It was so peaceful and I had a chance to study in English as well as Spanish.  I even understood a request in Spanish from a sister who wanted me to go down to the laundry and find some sisters to help upstairs.  Once downstairs, I had to use my limited vocabulary to make the request (none of the sisters spoke English) and actually made a sentence.  Glade said later that I said it well enough for them to understand.  That was a milestone in bravery!

          One of the things I read was an article in the Liahona, which is also in the new Ensign—August—The First Presidency Message titled “Recognize, Remember, and Give Thanks” by Pres. Eyring. 

“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things” (D&C59:7) is a commandment that many often forget.  “How can we remember even a part of all God has done for us?  The Apostle John recorded what the Savior taught us about a gift of remembrance that comes through the gift of the Holy ghost:  ‘But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to our remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you’ (John 14:260).”

I loved this message (the whole article).  In this country we find ourselves giving thanks daily for so many blessings that are easy to take for granted in the United States—troubled as it is.  July has also been a time to be thankful for our pioneer heritage and those faithful family members who embraced the Gospel and made unbelievable sacrifices that have provided great blessings in our lives.  Love to All--