Friday, January 31, 2014

          January has flown by and it’s hard to believe that a new month is here already.  Perhaps the severe weather so many have endured will ease now.

          On the back of the November Ensign is a quote by Pres. Monson given in the last Conference which gives great counsel and comfort—as does everything he shares with us. 

“May we ever strive to be close to our Heavenly Father.  To do so, we must pray to Him and listen to Him every day.  We truly need Him every hour, whether they be hours of sunshine or of rain.  May His promise ever be our watchword: ‘I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’” 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

          The pace was back to busy today with more excursions, and it should build through the next two days.  We love it when it is busy and we are just hustling to keep up. 

          Glade went to the fitness club again this morning and loves swimming outdoors.  This man needs the sun for survival, so I cheer whenever he gets it!  I had the chapel key again and had some much-needed piano time.  My mom used to tell me that she knew just how I felt by the way I played.  She was probably raising her eyebrows at me today!  The piano is in the chapel, of course; so the “lid had to stay in place” and reverence observed.  Anyone else for “practice, practice, practice”?  J

Wednesday, January 29. 2014

          It was quiet again today, but our ward had a temple night that made for an evening session.

          The temple experience is very personal to so many patrons.  You can feel their emotion in their body language and countenance and read it in their faces and tear-filled eyes.  Some are thrilled and beaming with joy as they participate.  Others are dealing with loss and the distance that separates them from loved ones who have not embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

          I still love the daily hugs from people I have never seen before.  Two cute little “older” ladies hugged and kissed me early in the day and the essence of one’s cologne lingered with me for hours—made me smile!

          May your challenges make you strong as you climb toward success.  May your faith in Christ and your family’s salvation be your greatest priorities.  What else matters?

           Sending you all our love!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

          This was one of the slowest days ever in the temple.  It seems to be either feast or famine—mostly feast, but the pace today was very slow.

          So, just for the sake of posting, I have one more little anecdote left in my pocket and this one is on me.

          You know how much CAYG (clean as you go) is a part of my routine, in particular, in the kitchen.  Last week I made a Jell-o salad for Glade with fruit cocktail, his favorite.  Our kitchen is great, but small with little counter space.  The fruit was drained and had been placed in a bowl.  The ice cubes and cold water were on the counter in a two-cup measuring cup.  The water had boiled and the black cherry powder had been stirred into it in the pan.  Well, I placed the pan in the sink to cool, and then decided to wipe up the counter, rinse out the strainer, and wash the spoon.  Having done that, my crazy mind’s eye caught sight of the pan in the sink.  So I proceeded to put soap on the brush and began to scrub the pan.  Then I noticed that it was really, really red and thought that it must not have been thoroughly dissolved!  Oh no!!  Big Oops!!  I washed the pan with the Jell-o still in it!!  Well, it got tossed and the second time around it was done right.  I decided to slow down a little and finish one thing at a time.  J

Monday, January 27, 2014

          Preparation day doesn’t give us any time to rest, but we did get groceries, do laundry, and attend FHE.  The week-ends always go by quickly and here we are—ready to go back to the temple already.  I have the key to the church tonight, so I will get piano time tomorrow—so excited!  It does me a world of good to have an expressive outlet.

          This is a boring post, but that’s what happens when a person writes every day—some days just don’t make the news!  Maybe that is good. J  Until tomorrow---

Sunday, January 26, 2014

          Glade had a leadership training meeting tonight from 5:00 until 7:00.  (He is the secretary for the High Priest Group.)  Afterward, we walked outside, in the dark, for about 45 minutes to get a little activity after a day of mostly sitting.  It was a little breezy but very pleasant.  There are awesome lamp posts all around the compound, so it didn’t seem that dark.  It is a beautiful view to look out over the city at night and see the light display showing just how big the city really is.  We have the landscape memorized but never get tired of seeing it.

          During part of Sacrament Meeting, the Seminary youth were asked to come and sit on the stand.  There were about 18 of them.  School starts Monday and the meeting was basically about Seminary and Institute and what the courses of study would be for this next year.  The bishop was firm in announcing that it would begin at 5:00 a.m.  I remember when we were walking a few months ago, that if we went out at 6:00 a.m. the kids were just leaving the chapel after Seminary.  So they have early-morning Seminary here, too; and the faithful just keep coming!

          We have found our lives touched often with spiritual experiences that imprint Heavenly Father’s love for His children in our hearts.  I encouraged your dad to write in a personal journal on his computer since he has moved his “typing” spot from the dining room table where he could only sit for a short time, to his recliner where he can sit with a pillow in his back and type without pain.  It is good for each of us to look for and recognize how the Lord has blessed us either through our own experiences or the experiences of those around us.  Reading them later on can bring the feelings back fresh to our minds and strengthen our faith.  Journals can be a blessing to us. 

          

Saturday, January 25, 2014

          Windy!  Windy!  Windy!  The first six months we were here there was not a breath of a breeze, but for the last six weeks it has blown nearly every day.  It is such a small challenge and is not worthy of complaint—but it makes for some crazy-hair days! 

          By late afternoon the crowds of patrons had dwindled, the buses had loaded and left, and it was pretty quiet.  Glade and I were able to be participants for most of the afternoon and it was an enjoyable change of pace.

          We pray your Sabbath Day will be spiritually renewing and that you will head “Straightway” toward your goals!

Friday, January 24, 2014

          Tonight I ran across an article about emergency preparedness for local disasters.  There are many different ways to do 72 or 96-hour kits, and they should be designed considering your geographical area and the most likely type of disaster to occur where you live.  Your family’s personal needs must also be considered as well as seasonal needs.  The things you prepare must be portable and easily accessible.  One comment read: 

“Remember 3-3-3, is what I always say.

·         To keep you from dying in 3 HOURS from exposure, you need shelter and fire.

·         To keep you from dying in 3 DAYS from dehydration, you need water.

·         To keep you from dying in 3 WEEKS from starvation, you need food.”

Then the list of “other important things” comes next.

This “thought for the day” comes with the hope that you are each seriously preparing to care for your families in an emergency.  There are lots of resources available both from the Church and from your local communities.  It doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has “to be”!  It could be what saves you.  

Thursday, January 23, 2014

          Our day in the temple was great.  There is still a long stretch in front of us, but I’m sure when we leave here, we will miss this experience of being in the temple every day and all the new friends we have made.  We are striving to make the best of every day and enjoy it to the fullest.  It is a sad day for anyone to look back and wish they had embraced an experience instead of wishing the time away.

          Finally, I have earned my temple certification which includes proficiency in all the areas where we work and, of course, memorization of all the ordinances in Spanish.  When I first looked at the cards in Spanish ten months ago, I said “No way will that ever happen.”  I couldn’t even read or pronounce the words.  Well, it has taken a long time, but Heavenly Father has blessed me again and again; and the blessing given when I was set apart has come to pass.  Success was promised contingent upon my “faith and diligence” and it has not been easy.  The “diligence” part kept me working and the “faith” part kept my spirit hoping.  It is an amazing experience when my brain is not sure what I’m saying, but my mouth just keeps saying the words!  Conversation still eludes me, but the work I was sent here to do is being accomplished and I am so grateful.

          We can all do hard things!!  Good luck with the hard things in your life that you are working on!  With faith and diligence you can prevail!  Love to all!

Glade waiting for David (taxi driver) to take him to the fitness club

Just a broader view

Off on my walk!  The nurses came to the temple and when they got out of their car said, "You must be going incognito!"  I said--your are absolutely right!  

One of the vans loading for departure.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

          Another excursion brought Saints who filled the temple today, but it was not over-crowded—just pleasantly busy and very nice.

          There is nothing interesting to share tonight, but there are a couple of anecdotes I’ve kept in my back pocket for just such an occasion.  I’ll share one.

You (children) know how Glade is, about bumping his head on anything close by that might have any potential for danger.  Well, last week when we were shopping, we had to walk on a very narrow sidewalk to get from the mall to the Office Depot.  As usual, there were a “million” taxis around all trying to get our attention to see if we needed a ride.  One close driver called out to us “Taxi, taxi?”  Glade turned his head to call out “No thanks” and in so doing, missed seeing a metal sign posted right in the middle of the sidewalk; and he ran right into it, bruising his nose badly and breaking the skin.  Surprisingly, it didn’t break his nose, but it made him angry; and when two more taxi drivers in front of us on the sidewalk asked if we needed a ride, he just shouted at them “No!  We don’t!”  You know him, he doesn’t shout much.  Anyway, he has recovered nicely and the swelling wasn’t too bad.

Now for a spiritual thought from the Conference Ensign.  “Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will be in direct pro portion to the strength of our testimony and the depth of our conversion.”  --Elder Richard J. Maynes  “True conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know are true and keep the commandments, day after day, month after month.”  --Bonnie L. Oscarson 

May we ever be watchful of Satan’s tendrils snaking into our lives and make sure to grasp the Iron Rod and hold tight as the worldly environment we live in threatens our spiritual security.  

11:00 p.m. 64 degrees with wind and intermittent clouds.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

          The pace was a little slower today and we were happy to be back on the afternoon/evening shift.  I have always been a morning person, but it’s too hard to get good sleep with the pressure of having to get up early.  So—afternoons are good.

          It was haircut day and I cut Glade's and my own.  It is so scary to do my own, but it's better than not getting a cut!  We don't look too bad!

          Sister Starkey sent me a few photos that are included below. 

At one point on Saturday of last week there were eight buses here!

A father and son are napping on the concrete in front of this bus.

On the left are Pres. and Sister Amado; Brother and Sister Bassett are on the right.
This picture and the next two were taken at our Family Home Evening last night.

From the left:  Pres. Cazier, Brother and Sister Cruz

Pres. and Sister Ocampo on the left and yours truly--the Petersons--on the right.
Obviously, Glade and I didn't know we were being photographed :)  Oh, well---

 

Monday, January 20, 2014

          Glade went to the health club to swim and bike while I walked up and down the hill.  We opted out of going for groceries and spent most of the day reading, studying, and cleaning.    

I read the following excerpt from a book by Mary Ellen Edmonds written years ago, but still containing pertinent principles.  She is a nurse, has taught at BYU and the MTC, has been on the speaking circuit for Church events, etc. etc.  She is full of humor and I loved her thoughts on magnifying our talents... 

          “Sure, I took piano lessons.  Didn’t everyone?  I hated practicing; I wanted just to play.  But Mrs. Jones was quite insistent about all the scales and arpeggios, and my parents backed her up—she was, after all, one of the best piano teachers in town.  So I practiced, but not often with great, swelling feelings of joy.

            “I always thought that magnifying talents meant you practiced and practiced until you got really good at something—so good you could show off.  If you magnified your piano talent, you would soon play so well that people would be jealous of you, and your mother could leave the door open when you practiced—not the door of the living room where the piano was, but the front door.  Then everyone in the neighborhood would be able to hear, and they’d be amazed and thrilled.  Probably they’d comer and crowd onto the front lawn just to listen to your practicing because you were so good.

            “Mom and Dad never were able to leave the front door open when I practiced.  Alan Seegmiller’s parents could and did, and I remember hearing him play and wondering how in the world he could make his fingers do all that stuff.  My parents weren’t able to leave the front door open until my brother Richard came along.  He was the last of the eight of us, and for some reason it “took” for him.  He was playing Big Stuff—the fourteen-page, hubba-hubba things—and playing it well.  I used to ask him to play for my friends whenever they came over.  He could play without even looking at the book.  And Mom left the front door open.

            “Anyway, I thought magnifying talents was a very focused on-yourself kind of thing.  You got better and better and people began to notice and they asked you to play at funerals and weddings and the openings of new stores.  You would accompany people who sang or played the violin, but you could also do solo numbers.  Maybe you’d even get to a point where you’d charge someone two dollars to have you come and play for an event.          

“Sometimes I imagined myself as a person who had magnified her talents and was now approaching The Judgment Bar, having passed away in the prime of life.  At some check-in point I am asked if I have magnified my talents.  ‘Of course!’ I reply.  ‘Surely you’ve heard of me.’  Then they ask if I would like to show them.  Certainly.  This is no big deal.  I’ve been showing off my whole life.  They roll out the golden heavenly grand piano.  I ask all the angels or whoever is there to please be quiet and respectful.  And away I go.  A concert for the ages.  I bring everyone to tears!  They welcome me in with great enthusiasm.

“I have since learned that magnifying talents means something quite different.  It is illustrated by a woman I met once who had taught more than two hundred piano students.  Maybe that’s not a record, but it’s extremely impressive and in itself should assure her sainthood.  Now, think of her at come check-in point in a few years.  ‘Did you magnify your talents?’ they ask, and she replies in a genuine, humble way, ‘I really worked at it.’  Would you like to show us?’  ‘You mean here and now?’  ‘Yes, please.’  ‘All right.’  So they roll out two hundred golden heavenly grand pianos, and all those whom she has taught and helped are playing, and she’s just sitting on a lawn chair eating grapes.

“Part of magnifying talents is giving them away, investing in others and allowing them to be successful.  It includes not being threatened by the fact that eventually someone you have taught will play the piano or do something else better than you can.   

“The Doctrine and Covenants teaches this wonderful truth about magnifying talents: . . . ‘that every man may improve upon his talent, that every man may gain other talents, yea, even an hundred fold, to be cast into the Lord’s storehouse, to become the common property of the whole church—every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God’  (D&C 82:17-19) . . .

“The idea of magnifying talents takes me back to my childhood, when I would sit on the back porch with my little plastic magnifying glass.  I could see things through that glass that I couldn’t see with my naked eye.  I loved looking at my hands and dirt and leaves and grasshoppers—anything that would hold still long enough—and seeing them in a different way than usual.  That makes me wonder:  Can God see in us things we can’t see with our naked, natural eye?  When He speaks of magnifying us, is part of that His ability to find talents in us that we don’t know we have?  Does He give us experiences that help us increase and magnify our talents so that we have more to share?

“Many of our most important talents, which we seek to magnify in order to be of greater service, have nothing to do with pianos and violins and needles (those that sew or those that deliver medicine, depending on the need).   The hymn ‘More Holiness Give Me’ lists some of those greater talents, things like humility and empathy, meekness and patience, trust and joy, praise and purpose. . .”

It is in your hands to make your own analogies and personal applications, but know that you each have talents and gifts from God especially for you and especially for you to magnify and share!   Much Love!!!  J   

el blog de 19 de enero, 2014--GLP

         

The United States has a military base about two hours north of Tegucigalpa close to Comayagua.  I don’t think there are many military personnel stationed there and don’t know much about the base; however, there may be more going on now than at other times. Friday two Air Force and one Army servicemen came to the temple.  One spoke Russian and the other, Portuguese, learned from their missions. None of them spoke Spanish so I helped them through the session in English.  We occasionally get U.S. government employees down here on assignment coming to the temple, so we have to keep our English polished.

Arjeni, one of my security guard friends is no longer working here.  At least I know that the missionaries in his area are meeting with him and he has/is going to church. The two Elders in our ward are going to talk with the Elders who are teaching him and let me know how he is doing.

         Dad

Saturday, January 18, 2014

          Our day at the temple started at 5:30 and it was non-stop busy through our exit at 1:15 p.m.  The afternoon shift was busy, too; and Sister Starkey told me there were eight buses here at one time today.  It may not sound like a lot, but for our smaller temple it means “crowded”!  Our sleep issues create a deficit that builds throughout the week that we go early, so we are happy to have the next two days to rejuvenate and catch up. 

The weather is still cool.  Glade even wore a jacket out tonight when he took the trash and was glad to have it while he visited with the guards and others who were still on the grounds.   

Love to Family and Friends—we miss you all but know that we are where we are supposed to be.  We are growing and learning and are grateful for so many blessings.  

Friday, January 17, 2014

          The temple was very busy again today, and it makes me wonder how busy other temples are.  Tonight on our walk we saw several young missionaries who were meeting together for a district activity.  During the activity they share referrals and work in groups and have great success.  We visited with two sisters from our ward who were so excited about their work and so anxious to teach.  They are both North American and shared that they are still searching out people from referrals made at the temple dedication last March who haven’t been contacted yet.  They feel that the people here are so prepared for the Gospel, and their contacts—even street contacts—often result in home visits.  It is so exciting to see the work rolling forth.  The world needs the Gospel—and now!

It was dark when we walked so the photos aren't very good.  This group is
packing up and preparing to leave with one sister giving very specific
instructions about strapping on her suitcase!
This mini-bus was parked alongside the big school buses earlier.
We could see that it had more comfortable seats.  Hooray for them!

The Elders in discussion--they were there for a long time . . .
Our chapel is in the background.  

Some of the missionaries preparing for their evening teaching.
Of course, I thought they should be home by dark, but they said it is a pretty
safe area and they can be out until 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

          Another cold front moved in and the expected high temperature for today was 68 degrees, the low—52 degrees; and the current temperature is 59 with a pretty good breeze.   It is probably colder than that here at the temple since we are so high and are usually a few degrees cooler.  I really needed a sweatshirt when we went out to walk tonight and couldn’t believe that it would ever be this cold in Honduras.  (Sorry—I have been accused of always talking about the weather; but it affects the day and adds variety to the sameness of our routine.)

          Glade and I led a session that was nearly all missionaries and it was great to see several pale faces and blond heads among the Latinos.  Some of them seem so very young and you can almost tell how long they have been in the field by their countenance and demeanor.  We just love them!!

          There is still a lot of traffic with buses coming and leaving at all hours bringing people for long day trips or overnight stays of two or three days.  Watching those leaving tonight climb onto a cold dark school bus knowing the seats were straight and hard made me so grateful that we only have to walk across the parking lot to our “comforts of home.”  These wonderful patrons have faith and they know sacrifice.  

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

          Glade has given up walking up and down the hill (for the most part) and walks back and forth across the flattest part of the parking lot and includes a lap around the back of the building.  Tonight, he felt like Forest Gump as little children started following him and joined in his walk.  About a half dozen kids ranging in age from about five to eight fell into step behind him and giggled and played as they followed him back and forth across the lot.  At one point he stopped, turned around suddenly and growled at them with his arms raised and scared them to pieces!  He laughed and so did they, and then they all took up their places and resumed the walk until parents called them away. 

          While walking we ran into one of the sister missionaries from Boise who was in our ward for six weeks and then transferred to an area about three hours away.  She was so happy to see us and introduced us to her new companion.  They will go back tomorrow and the chance meeting was rare.  These great young missionaries become our fast friends and we miss them when they leave—and of course, I worry about them.  But they were headed back on foot to the missionary apartment ahead of nightfall and darkness, so I was relieved.  

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

          Today we had our first ever interview with the temple president, who acts as our mission president; and I was grateful that the conversation was all in English.  Pres. Ocampo speaks pretty good English and likes to practice whenever he has the chance.  It went well since none of us had any concerns or complaints and all is well!

          Glade and I had a chance to do sealings today and it was a nice change of pace.  It is harder than it used to be to kneel for an extended period of time.  There were enough sisters to take turns, but Glade was at the altar for a long time and I kept waiting for him to keel over.  He did that once in Idaho Falls when we were doing sealings a long time ago; and after they passed smelling salts under his nose, he said he would never do that again!  It was pungent.

          Tomorrow, January will be half over.  May everyone’s efforts in moving “straight forward” and not procrastinating the important things we are seeking, be successful!  Love to everyone. 

Monday, January 13, 2014

          Today marks nine months since we left Idaho Falls to start our missionary service.  Looking back over that much time tells us that it is going fast and we want to make the most of every day.  Serving a mission has two sides—one embraces blessing after blessing, tender mercies from the Lord, taking on and learning new responsibilities, meeting new people and learning to love them, growing closer to Heavenly Father, understanding better the Plan of Salvation, and increasing faith and testimony.  For us, it has been wonderful to see how our relationship as a couple has grown and flourished as we have served together. 

          I just read an article that described the difficulties that missionaries have faced for which they were not prepared and did not anticipate—both the young elders and sisters as well as senior couples.  There is no reason to dwell on specifics, but to note only that it is hard, is full of challenges and change, and is definitely a testing and training ground.  We are happy that we are overcoming obstacles and can recognize progress!!  The social environment tends to glamorize all the good and lessen or overlook the challenges.  Perhaps that’s okay as long as each missionary is willing to work hard, sacrifice, and depend on the Lord.  Then the blessings will flow.

          It was our P-day and we spent it cleaning, shopping, exercising, preparing for another week, and going to FHE.  Glade called David who took him in his taxi to the fitness center where he did his swimming and biking.  I hiked up and down the hill as usual.   David has a new car—not a new model, but new to him and definitely an upgrade.  It even has a seat belt for the front seat.  Then we called him again to take us to the Mall, Price Mart, and Office Depot.  We are stalked up now and ready for a new week.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

          Since the cleaning crew is coming tomorrow, we took our Christmas tree downstairs to our storage area.  It fit into the space just great and still left us plenty of space.  Glade carried it, decorations and all, right onto the elevator, through the doors and into the big closet.  It was the fastest Christmas “take-down” ever and it was great.  It did leave a big empty space in our living room, but there is a large artificial tree here that just filled it right up.

          We strolled around the temple grounds tonight as we often do on Sunday evenings and enjoyed the peace and tranquility.  It’s a great time to assess how we are doing and make plans for enjoying and improving our time here.  There is life after raising a family and some days I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that includes. 

There were a few other couples meandering as well and we met a Latin couple from Kentucky who are serving in Guatemala for six months as missionaries teaching marriage and family relations.  They were here in Tegucigalpa to speak at a fireside.  They looked really young, but they have twelve children and brought nine of them with them to Central America.  There is another aspect of missionary service we were not aware of.  Maybe our next mission will be for six months!  J --and in English!    

Saturday, January 11, 2014

          It was a beautiful day and seven buses left people here to do temple work.  Many of them were youth who came to do baptisms as a Tegucigalpa stake had a program of some kind called "Forty Days. . ."  After a morning meeting in the chapel next to the temple, they dispersed to the temple and truly did baptisms all day.  A huge group--it looked like about a hundred kids--organized themselves on the steps in front of the temple at one point and posed for a picture.  Of course my camera was in my apartment so I missed the moment, but they looked pretty impressive!  The sessions and other activities were busy and full as well.

Friday, January 10, 2014

          On this morning’s walk I heard a truck coming up the hill behind me.  It sounded and looked, from the front, like the one that brings the big blue water bottles for the temple and residence hall or the one with the open back that comes full of gardeners and groundskeepers.  However, it was neither but was filled with people coming to the temple in yet another mode of transportation!  Some of them were youth for baptisms.

          A message came to the temple tonight that Glade and I had been invited to a dinner for the stake choir at our chapel.  President Ocampo excused us early to attend.  It was a casual gathering but they had a very nice dinner with a salad, rice, bacon-wrapped chicken and a serving of pork all prepared by the stake president’s wife.  They served a typical dessert which is like our French toast, but is covered with cream.  Everyone is so kind to us and very considerate.

The  people who rode in the back of the truck are disembarking and
I couldn't believe how many of them fit into that rather small space.
They are not all shown in the photo.

Just another view of the back end of the truck.

Thursday, January 09, 2014

          The wind blew away but the misty rain remained, so I enjoyed my walk with an umbrella.  I noticed on my first round that the guard at the lower station had allowed two women onto the grounds who didn’t look like temple-going patrons.  They were casually dressed and had magnifying glasses hanging around their necks.  The first time I passed them they were walking slowly and really looking around—it could have been considered suspicious!

Finally, on the fourth round we stopped and the three of us chatted.  After the greeting in Spanish, I had to tell them, of course, that I didn’t speak Spanish and thought that would be the end of it, but low and behold the English came back to me—very good English.  One of the ladies was Latin, but the other looked North American and had no accent.  They each live in a housing development just north of the Temple. 

They were “birders” or bird watchers and told me all about the birds around the temple, including a rare North American bird they had sited atop “is that an angel up there?” to which I replied, “Yes, that’s the Angel Moroni.”  Obviously they weren’t members and didn’t know much about the Church.  We had a delightful conversation and they suggested several places of interest to visit while we are here.  They nearly fainted when I told them I had eight children!  Anyway, I wish I had been better prepared for my “missionary moment.”  It was a good first encounter and I hope they come back so we can visit again.  Paper and pen would have been nice to make note of all the bird names they gave me.  My memory is so short!

Glade carried his clothing bag home from the temple tonight and I asked him what was in it since we just finished laundering all of our temple clothing.  He said it was his jacket because it smelled like smoke!  “Oh, oh, what did you do?”  “I started a fire in the comedor!”   “Oh, no—the microwave!”  “Yep!”  He is so funny.  He at least took the granola bar he was heating out of the foil wrap and placed it on a napkin; but the time he set was way too long and the napkin went up in smoke!  We keep our lunch snacks in the fridge and the granola bars that are already hard and crunchy get extra hard when cold, so he was just trying to soften it up a little.  He had to eat around the hole that was left in the middle of it!  He is in the shower now washing the smoke smell from his hair.  It wasn’t really too bad, but it’s bad if it is your own hair!   

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

          No news today except to share a lesson in perseverance.  Another landmark was reached as I was able to “certify” in two of the three remaining areas that I lacked.  In other words, I have memorized and “passed off” in Spanish two of the three parts for the last ordinance.  The one I’m still learning is long and it may be a while before it is mastered.  When I started reading the cards, or at least attempting to read them, in Idaho Falls last April, it felt like a total impossibility.  I couldn’t even pronounce the words.  It has taken a long time and hours and hours of practice, but success has actually happened!  I have a feeling that the words are imprinted upon my brain, never to be forgotten!  I’m grateful for the blessing that promised success and a way to achieve it:  “through faith and diligence”!  

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

          It might get a little hard to know what to write about now that the holidays are over and we are back in the routine of temple work.  There isn’t a lot of variety in what we do and the only thing unusual about today was the weather.  A cold front moved across the country and left wind and rain in its wake—plus the coolest temperatures here to date.  The wind nearly blew my umbrella away (plus my hair-do) as we walked across the parking lot.  Of course we love the cool weather, but it seems to be really hard for these sweet people who are so used to the heat.  We know some of you have had extremely cold temperatures. We hope you are keeping warm and are not having to deal with broken pipes, cars that won’t start, and icy roads.  Love you all.    

Monday, January 06, 2014

          Our Home Evening today was lunch at the home of a couple, Brother and Sister Castaneda, who work in the temple.  He is a retired banker and they are both faithful coordinators who work there several days a week.  They have a very nice home and opened it to about 25 temple workers to eat great food and socialize.   

Sister Starkey took the pictures below and shared them with us tonight.  I know you won't know any of the people, but it gives you a little flavor of our acquaintances. 

I wish you all the greatest of success with your commitments and resolves for the New Year!   Love to everyone!  J 

President Cazier and Glade--pensive mode!  :)

Brother and Sister Cruz on the left and Sister Cazier on the right.  The Cruz's are temple missionaries, too, but only serve
there on Wednesdays.  The rest of the time they are responsible for the housing for the excursions.  It is a huge job to
make sure the rooms are ready for the new overnight patrons and families, check everyone in and out, and do all the
trouble-shooting.  They have very big job.

Sister Pavon, Sister (oh-oh--forgot--maybe Berrios) and Sister Rodriquez.   I love these ladies--they are the best!!

Brother and Sister Fields--who live in Utah, but spend time here as well.  President Ocampo (temple president) is on the right and President and Sister Omado are in the right side background.

Their beautiful tree

Brother and Sister Martinez

Brother Bassett, the hostess--Sister Castaneda, and Sister Bassett

  

Sunday, January 05, 2014

          Only one ward meets in our building right now although we have heard rumors that a division is in the works; so our meeting schedule stayed the same—9:00 to 12:00—when the New Year rolled around.  There was another family confirmed today in Sacrament Meeting and it never ceases to touch my heart to see new people embracing the Gospel. 

The enthusiasm for bearing testimonies is great and the Bishop always has to stand near the end of the meeting and let people know that there is only time for those who are currently seated up in front to bear their testimonies.  Otherwise they would just keep coming and coming.   

I still play a keyboard for Relief Society every week and for the opening hymn in Sunday School if someone gets the keyboard set up in time.  I just hope I’m not displacing someone who needs the experience and opportunity to play.

Glade had a High Priest Group Meeting this afternoon in the residence building.  It has been quite a while since they met.  The Group Leader has been gone for a while and then was out of commission with the dengue fever for at least three weeks.

It was hard to miss another family milestone today with the blessing of little Eloise Mara.  But we know that Heavenly Father is blessing our family each day and we are happy to be here doing the His work.

We send you all our love.  Have a great week!       

Saturday, January 4, 2014

          Today I met a young sister missionary who came into the temple alone.  She is from South Jordan, Utah, so I could talk to her in English.  She is a registered nurse who takes care of the missionaries in her mission and also a full-time proselyting missionary.  She flew from San Pedro Sula with another sister missionary who was ill.  The missionary was from Tegucigalpa and her parents met them at the airport and took her home leaving Sister Bennett on her own until her return flight at 6:00 p.m.

          They were late getting to this city because their original flight was cancelled and they had to wait for other arrangements.  Sister Bennett had planned to be in the temple for a few hours and enjoy doing ordinance work.  However, she ended up with only about 2 ½ hours from the time she got to the temple until her return flight boarded.  We found something for her to do and then I started getting nervous about how she was going to get to the airport and her time was running out.  The distance to the airport from the temple is short, but can take 45 minutes or more because of traffic congestion.

          When I asked her about her travel plans, she said she was told to get a taxi back to the airport for her flight back to San Pedro.  Well, the “mother” in me jumped into protective mode and I knew she just couldn’t walk down and hail a taxi.  It was getting dark and she was a North American female alone.  I told her to change her clothes while I went down to the office to see if they could get her a safe taxi.  When I explained the situation to Elder Gallo, he said it could take up to 50 minutes for him to get a taxi.  Well, that just wasn’t enough time.  However, a kind gentleman, a temple patron, at the counter overheard the conversation and said he had a car and could drive her to the airport!   What a life saver!  It was another miracle and testimony that Heavenly Father is watching out for His youthful armies who are spreading the Gospel, who move forward with faith—not fear—and trust in His care.    

Friday, January 3, 2014

          During the Christmas season in 2013 there was not an opportunity to watch or read “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens.  I love most versions, but my favorite is the one that features George C. Scott as Mr. Scrooge.  This story was mentioned in a great article in the December Ensign which stated an important observation from the story. 

“In A Christmas Carol, Jacob Marley is living a nightmare, bound in the chains he ‘forged in life . . . link by link.’ . . . Scrooge [said] that he was always a good man of business to which Marley vehemently replied:  ‘Business!’ cries Marley.  ‘Mankind was my business.  The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were, all, my business.  The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”  Mankind is our true business.  The Savior is the light that will motivate us to love our fellowmen as He does.  (See Ensign Dec. 2013 pg 39.)

May we lay up treasures in Heaven--(see Matthew 6:19).  

Thursday, January 2, 2014

           It was great to be back in the temple today and there was such a great spirit there.  The work was steady but not overwhelming like last week.  A young man, who had served a mission here and returned home to Utah in October, came back to Honduras with his parents to spend Christmas.  His mom said all of their other children were spending the holidays with their in-laws, so it was a good time to visit. 

He contacted some of the people he baptized and brought them to the temple this evening to do baptisms.  This was their first experience in the temple and they were very happy to be there.  There were no youth groups here today to join, so the missionary, his parents, and the converts made up their own group and did several baptisms.  It was fun to help his mom who spoke English, but not Spanish!

Well, 2014 is off and running!  Hope it was a great day for everyone!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

         

          Last night just before midnight, Glade and I went out onto one of the balconies and watched the city of Tegucigalpa light up with hundreds of colorful, noisy fireworks!  It was just like a beautiful Fourth of July presentation with the main event lasting about 15 minutes.  A thick haze formed and hung over the city and we could smell the smoke.  It was a great way to welcome 2014!

          Our hopes and aspirations for personal growth and development during the New Year have been penned and we have great expectations.  I have been very motivated by the recent Ensigns I have read since coming here.  The articles are inspired and we so need direction to navigate this world we live in.  Instead of telling you “everything I have learned” I would encourage each of you to immerse yourselves in the messages.  There is something personal in each issue for every reader that could be life changing.

          Happy New Year, everyone!  We love you, miss you, and pray for you!