Monday, September 30, 2013

          The Home Evening assignment for tonight was to bring a picture of an ancestor and tell a family history story.  Thomas Grover was easy to find on the internet and Glade had Jeff send him his grand-parent stories from the histories he compiled.  Glade found a couple of stories and decided on the one about Hannah Evans.  She was the 74-year old grandma who tired early while commencing her walk across the planes.  There was no room in the wagon for her.  She stopped to rest, became separated from the group, and then they couldn’t find her.  They looked and looked for her and prayed for her, but it wasn’t until they reached the Salt Lake Valley that they found her—learning she had arrived three days earlier after catching a ride on a log-filled wagon.

(Oops, he didn’t tell that one after all.  He chose Clarissa Reed.  Maybe we’ll share her story excerpt tomorrow J)

I told about the rescue of the men in the Mississippi River by Thomas Grover from his flatboat and the resulting disaster after one of the angry men who was rescued spit tobacco juice into the eye of an unsuspecting ox whose chaotic response caused the sinking of the flatboat.  The family had just left Nauvoo and started their journey to the West.  The flatboat carried two yoke of oxen, two large covered wagons loaded with the Thomas Grover family belongings, and about 25 people.  No lives were lost, but the wagons, oxen, the people, and all their belongings were plunged into the slush-ice of the river.  The oxen drowned.  Their journey was delayed for four months until the spring of 1847.

There were so many things we could have talked about.  We read lots of histories and Thomas Grover’s alone could have taken an entire evening.  I am in awe of our faithful and courageous ancestors.  Family history stories make for a great read!!   

          Wow!  September is over already and we are so excited for General Conference.  It just doesn’t feel like conference time, but feels like the middle of summer instead.  Nonetheless, we are anxious and plan to have cinnamon rolls (or at least yummy muffins) and hot chocolate and sit in our “comfy” clothes to watch as usual, although it will be on a laptop.  (At least we have big screens, excellent picture quality, and it will be in English!!!!)  We will imagine all of you doing the same.  

Blog del domingo, 29 de septiembre, 2013—GP

Some time ago the High Priests Group Leader in our ward asked if I would serve as the secretary.  I’ve been busy with agendas, reports, minutes, and attendance.  It has helped me know the high priests.  I now know about 20 of them with 28 more to go.

One of them asked me to go with him to visit a new member who married a Honduran woman in the USA and moved here three years ago.  They joined the Church a year and a half ago.  However, he stopped coming 6 months ago and only speaks English.  He’s from Baltimore and loves the Ravens, the Orioles, and fishing.  We had a good visit.  I think he will come back.  Next visit we’re going fishing. [He is building the house on the hill in the last picture below.]

There are 6 full-time missionaries assigned to our ward, 4 Sisters, 2 Elders. They are currently teaching 19 families.  Nearly every week there are baptisms and Sunday confirmations.

Beverly was asked to do the piano accompanying for our ward conference today.  [They wanted someone really good!]  She came through as expected even though the piano only plays in Spanish!

We did our walk around the temple grounds this afternoon and saw a doble arcoiris.  [see picture]

Dexter, yaa-all have a great mission in Gieorgiah!   

Love, Papa y Abuelo

Couldn't quite capture the double rainbow, but it is there :) 

Two of the sister missionaries in our ward with a ward member.  The North American on the right is from Dallas.

From the back side of the temple on our walk

Still didn't do justice to the double rainbow, but beautiful anyway.

The bushes on the grounds are starting to bloom again.   This is our residence building.

Lots of crazy clouds tonight.

The house that Glade referred to is on the hill in the center of the photo between the two towers, but is too small to see.  

Saturday, September 28, 2013

          We loved being able to connect with Mike via skype and watch Dexter open his mission call this afternoon.  He will be a great missionary and we are excited for him and the experiences he is preparing for.  He will touch many lives with the blessings of the Gospel.

          The Women’s Broadcast was enrichment for the soul with great stories to help us remember the focus of keeping our covenants.  It was a great venue in which to get better acquainted with the new General Relief Society Presidency.  And it was a special treat to hear from Pres. Monson.  He never fails to deliver a feast with deep spiritual nourishment and sprinkles of humor.  How we love him.

          Glade watched the Broadcast with me on my laptop and then we went to the chapel so I could practice the piano for a little while.  Gina asked me to be the accompanist for our ward conference tomorrow so I had to prepare a prelude.  Our timing was good since great huge drops of rain started to fall as we walked home and turned into a gentle heavy rain.  

Friday, September 27, 2013

          One more day at home!  Started on an antibiotic which I hope will help.  Maybe I mentioned this already at some point, but you can buy antibiotics over-the-counter here at any pharmacy without a prescription.  The pharmacies are all enclosed in what looks like barred cages with guards all around.  You tell the pharmacist what you want, he/she goes into the enclosed area to retrieve your drug, and then brings it out to you.

          The temple closes at noon tomorrow to allow women to prepare for and attend the General Women’s Broadcast.  That means I won’t have to miss another shift since our shift won’t be happening.

          Love to all of you.  Girls, I will be thinking about each of you during the Broadcast.  Enjoy.  

Thursday, September, 26, 2013

          Sleep eluded me completely last night which didn’t help my efforts to feel well enough to get back to the temple.  Oh, well.  It’s time for bed again and with only a short “pick-me-up” snooze in the early afternoon, sleep had better be settling over me soon.  Glade gave me a blessing this morning so I should be on the mend very soon. 

          I took some time to get outside and walk in the sunshine and fresh air, spent more time reading scriptures, the Ensign, and studying Spanish.  Glade is helping me learn a couple of prayers but the words are slow to embed in my brain.  Repetition, repetition, repetition—that’s the secret, right?  (Sorry this is a boring post.)

          Glade went to the temple as usual and had a very pleasant day.  

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

          Another day was spent nurturing body and soul trying to bounce the bronchitis.  It isn’t the worst case on record, but it is bad enough to make it hard to be on my feet and working around other people for eight or nine hours at a time.  The Spanish study entrapped me and by the time I needed to get out and walk in the fresh air, it was 6:00 p.m. and dark outside.  It’s just too scary to walk down that big hill in the dark alone.  Oh, well—tomorrow for sure!

          We are so excited for General Conference in a little over a week and understand that the Priesthood session is to be broadcast live in new venues.  What a huge change.  And of course, I’m a big fan of the Women’s Broadcast.  I hope all eight of “my girls” will be able to watch it and take to heart the spiritual messages that will feel personal to each one.  Of course, I’ll have to see it in our apartment since the broadcast at the church will be in Spanish.   J  

          No rain for two days!  

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

          Guilt hung over me like a cloak today since I kept my cough at home and didn’t go to the temple.  I studied Spanish, read scriptures, and had to get outside for a while and take a walk.  It was pleasant about 6:00 p.m. and not too hot.  I wore my darkest sun glasses so no one would see me J

          The flowers on the grounds are beautiful and come and go in their own “season.”  They bloom as profusely as possible for new plantings, exhaust the life of the blossoms, remain bare for a few weeks, and then bloom again.  Many of them have come full circle since we’ve been here and are blooming again.  

It was getting dark when these were taken so they aren't as bright as they could be.

These are the bushes that look a little like the rhododendrons in Oregon.
They are new, however, and will be even more gorgeous when mature.

Monday, September 23, 2013

          We spent all day at home today and it was so nice to not have to go out for groceries or any other activities.  I am fighting a little bronchitis and cough, so didn’t go to church yesterday or to FHE tonight.  It was a good day to organize my Spanish notes and print-outs.  It was a great review and it is all done, but there wasn’t time left to memorize something specific.  Tomorrow!!  I’m getting more of it in my head, but speaking eludes me still. 

          Glade is watching a rebroadcast of the BYU football game from Friday night.  It is a clear full-screen picture on his laptop with sound loud and clear and his usual “Yeessssssssss!” or “oh nooooooo!” accompanying the plays.  It is just about half-time.  He really misses being in Provo with some of you for these fall football games. 

          There has been little or no water today for the apartment building, the temple, or the grounds.  No one has said what the problem is, but it meant no hand washing of delicate laundry or the last of the dishes.  We are glad to not have to shower and be ready for the early shift in the morning.  

            8:40 p.m. overcast with sprinkles!   

Sunday, September 22, 2013

          Brother and Sister Starkey invited us last week to have dinner with them to day.  They invited another couple as well, a very young couple who met at a university in Wyoming just after he finished his mission.  She is Honduran and he is from Lovell, Wyoming.  She has a degree in Civil Engineering and he is preparing to go to dental school in The States after they get her paperwork in order so they can move.   

Meanwhile, he is attending school and studying his difficult prep courses in Spanish and they live with her parents.  She studied English for a year in the US on a scholarship and speaks it pretty well, but was “sent” by the committee to Wyoming instead of New York where she wanted to go for the English courses.  However, the bonus is that she met her husband there.  They are an adorable couple.  Brother Starkey had offered to give him a “father’s blessing” as he begins this school year since his father can’t do it for him.  So the blessing followed the meal and it was all very nice.

Glade accompanied Brother Torres to make High Priest visits tonight.  The visits were great, but he came home with several bug bites that are giving him fits.  He jumped in the shower to get some relief—I hope the bugs weren’t in his clothes because he put his suit away already.  

Enjoy September!  It will soon be winding down and will be time for pumpkins and cider by the fire!  Good night!!     

This was taken tonight at the Starkey's apartment after dinner.  From Left:
Brother and Sister Bassett, The Clarks, The Starkeys, and Glade

Sister Clark stepped out and took this photo so I could be one, too.  

Saturday, September 21, 2013

          Six buses brought people who nearly over-loaded the temple today.  The Recorder said, “Very busy, but very exciting!”  And so it was.

          When Glade went out to walk late this afternoon, he encountered two of his new-guard friends separately who each said, “Where have you been?  We wondered where you were all week and we missed you.  Our day always goes better when you pray with us.”  He had explained to them earlier that every third week we work mornings and he wouldn’t be available.  Obviously they forgot, but their comments were sincere although interesting.

          By the way, Cameron Preslar was married to a beautiful girl named Bianca yesterday, September 20, in the Idaho Falls Temple.  All of Terry and Shirleen’s children are married now, and they have officially joined the ranks of the “empty nesters.”

          May Sunday be spiritually renewing for us all. 

                    

Blog del viernes, 20 de septiembre, 2013—Glade’s Post

Since we work in the temple mornings this week, I did my” Angel Moroni  Rush” exercise this evening.  It was dark and a light rain was falling.  A temple excursion arrived today on two buses from a city four hours to the north near Guatemala called La Lima.

As usual, whole families come on these excursions.  The youth are doing baptisms or mingling outside taking pictures, parents are in sessions, kids under 12 years old are playing outside on the temple grounds, in the parking lot, and on the sidewalks and street leading up to the temple.  Babies and toddlers are in the hands of a parent outside while the other parent is in the session.  All are dressed in their “Sunday best.”  It’s really a delightful atmosphere!  The natives are all very friendly and I’ve really enjoyed talking to them on my “excursions”.

This evening two seven-year old boys were following me as I exercised, [think Forrest Gump], up and down the hill.  I talked to them as we walked.  After a few minutes of Spanish conversation, one of them asked where I was from and, upon hearing the USA, said, “Oh, then you speak English. So do I.”  From that moment on, he only spoke to me in English, for practice, which was quite good.  I asked him a lot of questions and he asked me questions way beyond his years.

His father speaks a “little” English but not his mother. They put him in a school to learn English “four years ago” so he could “speak English for his mission and maybe be called to the USA.”  [Every aspect of family life and preparation for the future has a gospel focus for this people!]  He asked if there are more people in Canada or the USA who speak English.  [He knew some French was spoken in Canada.]  He asked me my favorite place in Tegucigalpa. Upon hearing, “the temple”, he replied, very seriously, “Mine too, because that is the house of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.” This was the inspiring nature of our conversation for about fifteen minutes.

I was disappointed when our conversation ended.  After walking a mile with him, up and down the temple hill, we met his mother coming out of the temple.  She beamed brightly when I praised his English.  They went into the apartment building where they stay and where we live.  I’ll probably see them again tomorrow. 

We are blessed to know and love this faithful people, the Lord’s blessing upon them for that faith, and their gratitude for the missionaries who first brought them the Gospel sixty years ago.  My testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel has grown as we serve a people who “have little of what means little in the eternal realm and have a lot of what means a lot” as they work to provide the saving ordinances for their ancestors.  Love you all, Dad [and Mom]

Thursday, September 19, 2013

          Nothing new wrote a script on our life today.  Serving in the temple is what we do and we love being there and especially love the people.

          The buses that brought people here at the first of the week have all left tonight and everything is quiet.  We anticipate more coming in tomorrow, however, to bring people for the week-end.

          The intermittent rain that has fallen every afternoon in September turned into a stead heavy rain this afternoon that has lasted for hours.  We don’t know where all the water goes, but it seems to disappear magically by the next day.  It is hard on the exercise routine, however.  That is okay—I enjoy the break!

          8:10 and raining.  Good night J  

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

          It’s raining and 46 degrees in Rigby!  At least that’s what Glade’s computer says.  It’s 82 degrees and mostly cloudy with thunder and lightning in Tegucigalpa.  We are going to miss the season changes that are surely beginning to take place at home.  That will help ward off homesickness, but a few hints and reminders of fall and all the fun that goes with it are still okay.  Hope you all enjoy it.

          General Conference is nearly here and we are so looking forward to watching all the sessions.  The temple is closed during conference so we hope to get everything live on our computers.  We get a global BYU channel, but it will probably be in Spanish. 

          All is well!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

          There were lots of people coming to the temple for the first time again today and we loved watching them and taking care of them.  One of the young Spanish temple workers came up to me and said in sparse English that her brother was going through today for the first time and her whole family was there.  She was just beaming and so was he.

          There were kind and loving temple workers who made my day great with their support and encouragement.  Wish I could better live up to the perceived language expectations.

          Glade managed to get his walking in today, but it was too rainy and windy for me—poor excuse, I know.  Tomorrow will be better since I’ll look for a better window of time and jump right on it!    

Monday, September 16, 2013

          This day was packed full.  We walked and worked on Spanish phrases, did laundry, studied, went to La Colonia for groceries, had lunch at the City Mall next door, purchased more minutes on our cell phone, studied some more, did come cleaning, and went to family home evening. 

In the middle of all that, the cleaning group contracted to deep clean the residence building came by our apartment about 9:30 a.m. and said we were scheduled for a deep clean!  Well, what do you say to that?  So, two women and two men moved into our apartment with ladders, buckets, mops, a vacuum, and miscellaneous and sundry cleaning products and went to work.  They cleaned everything—took the pictures off the walls and wiped them down, used the ladders to reach vents and everything else that was on the very high ceilings, rolled up the carpet in the living room (it is a large area rug) and cleaned the floors, cleaned the mineral deposits in the bathroom, and moved more things than we wanted them to.  It felt a little invasive because I appreciate my privacy—but, oh well.  It smells and looks clean and nothing seems amiss.   

As soon as the laundry was finished, about an hour after the cleaners arrived, we left them to their work and called David, our taxi driver, and went downtown.  The City Mall is very nice and rather upscale.  We found a GNC and Glade purchased his Protein drink mix and more stretch bands.  We stopped at a Wendy’s to eat lunch and found that they had no chocolate frosty flavor today, and there was only one chicken dinner available.  We left and went to a place called Pollo (chicken) Tropical and had a nice meal.

Family Home Evening was good—I hope yours was, too.  We start the early shift in the morning, so we need an early bed time.  Good night, everyone. 

This boy is riding a motorized animal on wheels in the City Mall.  There were rows of
all kinds of animals and he and his brother were having a great time.

Glade is paying for our chicken dinners.

The next few pictures are just random photos taken
near the mall and La Colonia.

Notice the guard at the right.  He was carrying a pretty large weapon!

Another pictures of the guard.
Cars kept passing in front of us so I couldn't get the picture I wanted, but this will do :)

This is our taxi driver friend, David (Dah veed`).  He talks fast and loud and is pretty funny.  He and Glade have great talks.

Tr

El domingo blog, 15 de septiembre 2013—GP  

Today was Honduran Independence Day.  For the opening song in Sacrament Meeting, we all stood and sang the Honduran national anthem with just as much vigor and feeling as in the USA.  After that song we all sang “Happy Birthday, Corey.”  I haven’t heard many fireworks; just the usual rifle or AK 47 kind :} Wednesday was another national holiday:  Children’s Day.

Love you, all.  Dad

Saturday, September 14, 2013

         Dark clouds (not nearly as dark as those over Provo and Jeff’s house last Saturday, but dark for us) filled the sky and unleashed their load again this afternoon and we could hear the rain on the temple windows and bask in the sounds of thunder while we worked.    The atmosphere inside felt cozy and safe and the work continued unaffected as the storm pelted the world outside with the wind and rain. 

I was helping sisters at the end of the session and, hearing thunder again and feeling that cozy protectedness, recognized an analogy—nothing new, but the feelings were very strong.  The temple surrounded and shielded us from the storms outside.  We know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ can surround and protect us from the storms of sin and unrighteousness that fill our world and threaten not only our physical safety, but our spiritual safety as well.   Those worldly storms are battering the doors of the righteous every day; and if we don’t make every effort to protect ourselves and our families, we risk being swept away from safety and into darkness.  We know that Satan will work hard to sway the righteous away from the Gospel.  If he succeeds, his victory is great because God’s worked is stalled and His children lost.  He works hardest on the strongest and we must be ever watchful and prayerful.

Have a beautiful and spiritually renewing Sabbath.  As always, we send our love and prayers.

8:30 p.m. and raining beautiful rain.

Friday, September 13, 2013

          Is anyone suspicious?  Glade kept reminding me that it was Friday the 13^th, but the day is over and all is well.  We were able to come home a couple of hours early tonight and that gave Glade’s back some needed relief.

The following comments are excerpts from an article addressing forgiveness, compassion, charity, and the command to “judge not.”  The article was a perfect response to some of yesterday’s experiences and contains great wisdom.  It was written by Wallace Goddard in the Meridian Magazine. 

“We all offend and we all do it because we are human.  We all grieve heaven . . . and come short of the glory of God. My mortal, human imperfection is something I share with all my offenders.  In the poetic expression of Edward Sill, ‘These clumsy feet, still in the mire, Go crushing blossoms without end’ (Fool's Prayer).

I can enlarge the world's supply of pain by responding to humanness with my own provincial humanness.  Or I can move us toward the divine by responding with the divine.  I can respond with charity.

Charity is a choice--a choice with eternal consequences.  ‘If you don't like someone, the way he holds his spoon will make you furious; if you do like him, he can turn his plate over into your lap and you won't mind’ (Irving Becker).  We are commanded to pray with all the energy of heart for the blessed gift of charity (Moroni 7:47-48) so that we can swallow offenses without getting indigestion.

‘Behold what the scripture says--man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay’ (Mormon 8:20).  ‘Ye ought to say in your hearts--let God judge between me and thee’ (D&C 64:11).

Jesus has begged us to stay out of the judging business since we are so poorly suited for it. His metaphor of motes and beams provides physical hyperbole but spiritual understatement:  Humans can never see each other clearly. Nowhere do we see through glass more darkly than in our assessment of those who have annoyed us for years.  We do not see that even annoying family members come ‘trailing clouds of glory, from God, who is our home.’

So how should we react when we are pained by the thoughtless and selfish acts of another?  We should pray that God will heal our wounds and then fill us with Him so that we can ‘love [our] enemies, bless them that curse [us], do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us], and persecute [us]’ (Matthew 5:44).

His message is love.”

Thursday, September 12, 2013

          Four big yellow busses growled their way up the hill to the temple this morning while we were walking.  The picture below shows one of them stopped at the guard station so it can be cleared for entrance.

Obviously, it was a very busy day!  And—Glade had prayer with the guards again at about 6:15 a.m.

10:52 p.m. and time for sleep!

The vehicle on the right is a taxi.  Many of the temple workers use taxis to get to the temple.
The speed bumps are new within the last couple of weeks.
They slow down all the traffice so the guards can get license plate numbers and stop everyone coming in.
 There are two more under the bus--right before the entrance--as well as these two inside the gates.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

          When Glade talked to the guards this morning about having prayer, they said, “Oh, we already had it, but we’ll have it again with you.”  So they had him pray, too; and he was accompanied by a revivalist type voice echoing sentiments of phrase and reiterating the elements of the prayer that he liked.  Interesting.

          On the last page of the August Ensign is an article with a great message call “Grace for Mother Duck and Me” by Rosie Kaufman.  I loved the little story and the powerful analogy that can bring peace and hope to our hearts.  “Sometimes we come up short, even when we have the best intentions and try our hardest.  However, the Savior’s grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before [Him]’ (Ether 12:27).  It comforts me to know that my shortcomings will not ruin my children and that they will be the recipients of love, peace, understanding, and grace from our Savior.  He ‘reaches my reaching’ and wants my family and me to succeed.  Our shortcomings will not prevail when we humble ourselves and stand with the Lord by our side.”

          A typical September rain washed our world again this afternoon.  

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

          Yesterday morning when Glade went outside to start his exercise walk, he was approached by one of the new guards who asked him if he would say a prayer with all of the guards early each morning.  He was so surprised by this request, especially since we assumed that they are not Church members.  He told them that he could have prayer with them on the mornings when we are not in the temple. 

          This morning when he went out to walk, here came the guard to meet him.  Together they walked down to the lower guard station and had prayer with six of them.  One was left at the upper station and they turned on the intercom so he could hear it, too.  Glade found out that one of them is a Church member but the others are not.  It could be interesting to see where this goes.

          Thanks so much for all of your prayers.  We love you!!

Monday, September 9, 2013

          Besides the usual P-day activities today we were required to go to the Immigration Office to procure our legal residency for a year.  Our passports allowed us to enter the country as tourists for about three months (I know—we have been here longer than that!).  Then we had to either return to the US or else get this temporary residency status.  It wasn’t too complicated—just time consuming.  It took four and a half hours from the time eight of us were supposed to leave here until we returned at 5:30.  The driver who picked us up was supposed to be here at 1:00 but didn’t show up until nearly 2:00.  We had to wait our turn in line which took another hour.  Then each person was processed individually.  All went well and they kept the service counter open until the last one of us finished.  We will have to do the same thing again a year from now.

          Sister Starkey had to present the FHE lesson alone tonight since her husband was ill.  She did great and even had us do a little bit of a “Charades” game.  I was posed to flee if threatened with participation, but it was all okay this time.  J  

          We live in very scary times.  Please check the six areas of your preparedness circle and read the Ensigns cover to cover.  Follow the counsel from the Prophet and cling to the words spoken at General Conference.  Seek for spiritual treasures, spiritual safety, and spiritual direction.  Put into daily practice what you learn.

          Love you all so much!!

This is a picture of the climate chart I tried to insert a couple of days ago.  I had to bring it up on my computer,
take a picture of it with my phone, send it back to the computer as a photo, and then it worked!  The purpose is to show you how little change there is in year-round temps (left) and humidity (right).
The only seasons here are "wet" and "dry" as shown in the center.  

Glade walked the long way around the temple this morning and took these updates of the little house
whose progress we have tracked with a few photos.  I like the pillar in the center.

This is the interior--not a whole lot of progress here yet, but it's coming.

Glade's friend--still on the job!

This is our group waiting at the Immigration Office.  Left: Glory Dias--a temple worker who happens to work at this office, President Omada, Brother Basset (seated wearing a black suit, glasses, and missionary tag) President and Sisiter Cazier.  

President and Sister Cazier, Second Counselor in the Temple Presidency, on their sixth foreign mission.
 He has worked in the CES Program all of his life.

Brother and Sister Bassett--Temple Missionaries from Lovel, Wyoming, on their fifth foreign mission.  

President and Sister Amado--First Counselor in the Temple Presidency, from Guatamala--also a CES person.

Gloria Dias is a temple worker and has worked in the Immigration Office for 12 years.  She helped us out a lot today.
 She knows all of us and speaks fairly good English.