Thursday, April 16, 2015

        

Beverly wrote most of the blog posts, but Glade wrote the following message for the final entry.

Anytime in my life when I have served the Lord in a calling I have felt His power and blessings helping me.  I have also felt the adversary’s power trying to dissuade me in my efforts.  These two opposing influences were so strong and clear to me while on the mission that I knew and was strengthened beyond any previous experience in my life that what I was doing was very important to the Lord and I was meant to be serving the faithful Honduran and Nicaraguan people in the temple.

There was not a day of the nearly five hundred we served in the temple that I didn’t feel physical pain.  On the worst days I was brought to my knees, “Father, I cannot do this today.  Please carry my load.”   Without exception, on those days I was given clear and immediate strength and presented with evident opportunities to spiritually raise and share a member’s experience as he provided the saving ordinances for his family.  The Lord’s power and nearness was a confirmation so evident that my relationship with Him has changed forever.  I knew that He was in charge and was directing the work.

I was asked to officiate approximately four hundred and fifty endowment sessions throughout the mission, most of them accompanied by Beverly.  Attendance in many of those was at or over capacity.  In some there were few attendees.  I lamented that those sessions with many unfilled seats left me feeling a void of the spirit. During one of these sessions, burdened with my thoughts, my mind for a brief moment saw every seat not occupied by a mortal participant occupied by a beautiful Latino from the other side, dressed in white, and a face of radiating joy.  The Lord had taught me an important lesson about the temple by using the “imagination of my thoughts” and “mounting them up as on wings of eagles” as described in D & C 124: 99.  After that experience the size of the session mattered not to me.  I felt the spirit of the work from every individual member and from those present spiritually but not seen, waiting for their work to be done. 

When we submitted our missionary papers to headquarters to receive our call to serve I indicated that on my first mission forty-eight years ago I had gained a love for the Latin American people.  Upon arriving in Tegucigalpa, Honduras and for the following twenty-three months I realized how deep that love and motivation was imbedded within me.  I felt the Lord empowering me to smile and speak with, and often embrace those with whom I worked, attended church, and associated with in other ways.  I was touched by the Spirit while studying the Gospel in Spanish in ways that I had not felt in English.  While serving this people in the temple I felt the Lord guiding and telling me that I was exactly where He wanted me to be, doing what he wanted me to do and doing it at the right time of my life.  This gave me peace and a purpose of being that had too often been absent in my life. Following the mission I am still strongly pulled to the scriptures and other words of the prophets translated into Spanish.

Beverly had no Spanish experience prior to our mission.  In fact, she indicated on her papers that she would prefer not to learn a foreign language.  We submitted to the Lord’s will and indicated we would serve where needed most. Understanding nothing, Beverly resisted the language initially and I soon learned that if I were to be her sole source of understandable communication I could not cloud our relationship by speaking to her in Spanish all of our time together in the interest of helping her learn.  Our individual challenges and our common commitment to the Lord and to each other brought us closer than at any other time of our marriage. Her qualities of hard work, determination, commitment, and faith were to me very inspiring motivators. As down as she would sometimes be after not understanding anyone day after day, she would always bounce back with a fierce determination, relentless in her study of the language, always greeting the participants in the temple with a kind smile and eyes that said unmistakably, “I care.” Just like our marriage our mission could not have succeeded without the hardships and our covenants made forty-five years ago at the altar of the temple.  We have never known a more humble and faithful people than those whom we served on this mission.  The Lord knew our needs and provided us the experiences to strengthen our faith and humility. This was necessary for our understanding and love of the people.

We are blessed with eight wonderful children.  Each has chosen faithful, gifted spouses with whom they have been sealed for eternity in a Holy temple. They have all been blessed with bright, healthy children and are raising them to serve the Lord. What a blessing and joy that is to us! We felt the strength and blessings of their prayers throughout our mission and were empowered to do our best. By their encouragement and support spiritually and physically they manifested their love for us and their love for the Lord. Our mission was an expression of our love and gratitude to the Lord for the blessing of our family and to our family for placing their faith in Him. He is our Savior and Redeemer and the light of our life.

Sunday, March 15, 2015--The Final Entry

     We reported to the High Council at 8:00 a.m. and felt a warm welcome.  We shared experiences and feelings about our mission and then were asked to bear our testimonies in Spanish.  I was grateful to be prepared for that! In the past I have heard many missionaries report to the Stake Council and it was so different to be on the “reporting” side rather than the “listening” side.  My nerves were all crazy. 

Garfield 2^nd Ward Sacrament Meeting was at 11:00 at the Rigby South Stake Center and we each gave a 15-minute talk, ending with our testimonies in Spanish again.  Hugs and greetings from friends and family, ward and former ward members felt so good and we loved seeing so many familiar faces.  However, we knew very few families in our re-aligned ward.  There were a few people who used to be part of our ward who were included again in the new boundaries so that gave us a few more recognizable faces.

My sweet friend Clara, who helped take care of my kitties, came to church; and I so appreciated her support.  Loretta felt well enough to come with Alan, too, and it was wonderful to see her.  Becky and Elaine were also part of my email support and Marjory.  I love these friends for the time and effort they put in to keep in touch despite their very busy schedules and personal challenges.  Each one was a life-line!!   

Lunch at our house was awesome chaos!  It was exciting to have all of our children come home although we missed the rest of the Texas and Nevada families.     

We loved seeing other friends and family members including Grant, Mary, and Mandee; Sheryl came to Sacrament Meeting but couldn’t come to the house; Dean and Karen; Jordan and his wife and baby; sisters and nieces Stephanie, April, and Valerie; Max and Darla Lapioli—they brought us a Great Harvest cranberry orange bread loaf, stayed for lunch and visited, and she helped with the food clean-up; Faylene and four of her grandchildren; Shirleen—Meghan came to Sacrament Meeting with Ella, but couldn’t come to the house—Bryan and Bonnie who brought a favorite salad; and JoAnn and Camille who came from Salt Lake; so it was a lively houseful.

Christi June washed dishes and cleaned and wiped counters and did the lion’s share of the clean up after lunch and I so appreciated her help.  We took a few family photos and the kids all played outside in the spring-like weather again and expended their energy.  Then, one by one, guests and family began leaving.  Kevin and Barek had to make the nine-hour drive to Reno all in one stretch so Kevin could get home for work Monday morning.  Tracen and Melissa gathered children, packed up their necessities, made a space for Marc, and headed to Kaysville.  Mike and Christi headed to Boise with Damien and Dylan, and their three local kids went back to their apartments.  Last to leave on Sunday were Jeff and Emi and kids who piled into their van with all their “trip stuff” and headed back to Salem, Utah.

Emily and Scott had to trade time going back and forth to their house on Sunday because poor Amelia had a tummy bug and couldn’t be with us.   

Kristie stayed until Monday early morning and Justin left early Tuesday.  Scott picked them up early and took each of them to the airport on his way to work.  Alexis stayed until Wednesday so she could go out to dinner with us and Scott and Emily’s family for Glade’s birthday on Tuesday.  She and Emma left about noon.  Then the house was quiet and we could unwind and begin to decide what to do with the rest of our lives!!

This missionary experience was a great opportunity for personal growth and development as well as an opportunity to serve.  Our hearts and spirits have been changed by the things we learned, the sacrifices we made, the inspirational people we met in the temple, and those faithful saints who serve in the House of the Lord every day.  They are humble and their means are meager, but they are building mansions in Heaven as they follow the teachings of the Savior and keep His commandments.  They are filled with love and share it so easily.  It is not so easy for those with affluence to be humble and sometimes happiness is easier to find without all the “stuff” we acquire and then have to worry about and care for.  To simplify will bring blessings. 

It was a blessing for me to be able to serve with music.  There were no language barriers—at least none that weren’t overcome with focus and discernment—and the opportunity to play gave me a chance to share and offer something that was important to them.  I played for numberless choirs, individuals doing solos, Sacrament Meeting, Relief Society, duets, and special programs.  It was hard work to prepare to play in the recital with Gina, but well worth the effort.  It kept my skills honed and was a blessing to share the gift of music that Heavenly Father gave to each of us.  We loved playing together.  The greater the challenge, the greater the reward if one puts in the time and work to overcome.

Our marriage is stronger than ever as we shared the same space, the same routine, and many of the same friends and experiences.  We learned that we really were good at sharing a small apartment, house-keeping chores, and animated conversation about the events of our days.  When you leave behind your “former life” to serve a mission, the things that matter most come clearly to the forefront.  We bear testimony that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and has made exaltation and eternal life available to each of us if we choose to seek it.  Our Father in Heaven loves us deeply, provides for our growth and learning, and showers us and our families with blessings and tender mercies.  Our faith has grown as we learned to lean on Him so that we could fulfill His work.  Now we will rest and prepare to serve again where we are needed.   

The Missionaries--Released

Our awesome kids!
Back left:  Mike, Kevin, Justin, Tracen
Front left:  Kristie, Alexis, Jeff, Scott

Kids with Mom and Dad

From left:  Bonnie, Shirleen, Bev, and Max and little David in the background.

Far left:  Mary, Glade, Karen, Dean, and Grant

Clockwise from the back left:
Bryan, JoAnn, Camille, Daynah, Tony, Shirleen Bonnie, and Emily

Bev and Corey's mom Faylene

Alexis and Justin!

JoAnn, Shirleen, Beverly

The good-bye.  Christi is going home to Boise
and son Drake is going back to Rexburg to BYU-I

Christi June and Kristie Ranae

Christi, Mike, and Kristie--more goodbyes

And All is Well.

  

Friday, P.S. 

Friday’s post included a paragraph that came up in “white out” so the following paragraph is what should be in that space. 

Kristie wanted a trip to The Caramel Tree in Rigby where there were more treats, so Alexis drove and we took Justin with us.  I had dressed for my appointment with the Stake President and they dropped me there to meet Glade afterward.  We had been released as temple ordinance workers in Honduras by our temple president.  And today at 3:00 p.m. we were released as missionaries; it was harder than I had imagined it would be to take off my missionary name tag.

Now for Saturday’s post.

Saturday, March 14, 2015 

Saturday just before noon Justin, Kristie, and I went with Tracen and Melissa and their sweet kids to Sam’s Club to get food for Sunday lunch.  We bought fruits, veggies, meat, cheese, bread, cookies, and condiments.  

Just as we were getting back home, a van pulled into the driveway behind us carrying three sisters, and cousins to my kids:  Stephanie, April, and Valerie who came from Nampa, Twin Falls area, and Logan respectively.  They had planned a “girl’s week-end out” to come see us, spend the night and go to Church with us.  They brought fun and laughter with them and helped out so much with the food, preparing multiple veggie platters, meat and cheese platters, and fruit platters.  Valerie made Glade’s birthday angel food cake, April made cookie-pudding salad, and Stephanie cut up a fresh pineapple.  They were amazing.

The weather was unusually warm and calm.  It was a beautiful day and made for wonderful out-door play time.  The four-wheeler stayed busy with dads and kids getting lots of rides.  The trampoline was filled with little kids and the basketball court held lots of players.  Some of yesterday’s photos show these kids loving the outdoors. 

Mike and Christi June stayed in Chester Friday night and celebrated her mom’s birthday with her.  Then they drove to our house and were also here when we finished the shopping as were Damien, Dylan, and Drake.  Later, Tony—Daynah’s new husband of six-months whom we had not yet met—and Daynah came, and Dustin and Megan and boys as well.  Now, we really had a houseful!

Kristie Ranae made Glade a German chocolate cake from scratch wanting to make it special for him--also for his birthday; and Emi made a wonderful home-made frosting for it.  It was delicious.  Justin made more brownies for Sunday, Emily made dozens of her wonderful chocolate chip cookies, Emi made another grocery run to Broulim’s, and Christi June made a late-night run for more ice cream.

Then, everyone found a place to sleep.  In my frame of mind I couldn’t organize the arrangements, but they all did just fine making do with whatever space they could find.  The sheets and towels were clean and they brought their own pillows, so all was well.  It felt so good to have a houseful and have everyone here, although we really missed Kim and her kids, Corey and his kids, and Sasha and Lola.  But we’ll see them soon.

Perfect Picture of Emi and Christi
They were both such a great help.

Ahh---the racquetball court is back in business.
Is that Tracen and Drake?

Dustin watching the action.

James wishes these guys would change games and play out doors!
From left:  Keegan, Dylan, James, Marc, and Ethan.

Drake and Tracen

Justin and Valerie

Kevin and Kristie

Mike and Christi

Waiting for the game to begin.

Daynah and Toni

Damien and Megan

Scott and Emily

Glade and Scott--pizza!  Yummmm.

Aden and Cael--Love those look alike shirts.

Kristie and Stephanie

Melissa and Tracen

April

Clockwise starting with Stephanie on the floor,
Kristie, Valerie, Kevin, Drake, Melissa, and Tracen

Grandma Christi with Cael and cars

Mike and Christi

Beverly, Stephanie, Valerie, April, and Kristie
I'm short again--in Honduras, I was often taller than a lot of the sisters.

The end of the day lounge and chat.  From left:
April, Stephanie, Alexis, Kristie, Valerie, Justin, Drake, Melissa, Emily, and Kevin.

Cousins and Forever Friends--April, Valerie, Stephanie, Kristie

Beverly and Tracen

Pizza!  Kevin, Drake, Tracen, and Melissa

Beverly and April

That's a peaceful walk--where are the kids?

Eloise and Melissa--Cute new outfit!

Barek and Kevin--always a goofy face.

Bear, Kevin, and Kristie

Friday, March 13, 2015

     We were greeted last night by thoughtful gifts arranged on the kitchen island from our kids: 

·       A gift basket with some favorite treats from Tracen and Melissa filled with Great Harvest bread, a jar of strawberry jam, a “bear” full of honey, our favorite breakfast cereal, Peanut M & M’s for Glade and Jr. Mints for me;

·       A big pan of “Peterson brownies” compliments of Justin, of course;

·       A beautiful purple and yellow flower arrangement from Kristie and Justin with gorgeous yellow mums and light blue snap dragons, and pretty color-tipped mini carnations;

·       And a bound book of our missionary blog—Volume One, The First Year—from all the kids, put together by Alexis.  It is beautiful!

     Scott and Emily led the “cleaning” crews (their kids and mine J) and had everything in the house and yards looking warm and welcoming.  Scott arranged to get the plumbing problems all fixed and spent enormous amounts of time getting all the logistical things taken care of.  I’m sure he is celebrating our home-coming more than anyone else as he feels the weight of our responsibilities transfer from him back to us—although he has to be on call until we get our feet on the ground! 

     Alexis came home on Tuesday and helped Emily clean out corners, wash sheets and towels, and make beds; and by Thursday, Justin and Kristie were on the scene vacuuming and baking and doing laundry.  The first meals were all planned and groceries filled the fridge and cupboards when we arrived.

     Tracen and Melissa and kids arrived on Thursday as well bearing their gifts and bringing Marc with them, which was a happy if unexpected early arrival for him; and Tracen’s family settled in downstairs.

     Melissa, Alexis, Kristie, Emily and I went to Dress Barn this morning for a girls’ “time-out for shopping” event where everyone found something fun and I found something to wear to church on Sunday! The store clerks were enjoying the run right along with all of us and said they wanted a shopping spree with there own "sisters."       
     When we returned, Kevin was home and had brought Barek, too.  They drove all the way from Reno but broke up the trip and stayed overnight in Elco Thursday, went swimming in the hotel pool for fun Friday morning, and were in the yard playing when we returned from shopping.  

     By Friday night, Jeff and Emi and family came on the scene with their hugs and kisses, pillows and blankets, and helping hands.  Emi cleaned and vacuumed the courthouse, made a trip for extra groceries and did so much to help out.  Rachel, James, Louisa, and David gave us a super welcome and then made themselves right at home and we were so happy to see them again. 

     Kristie wanted a trip to The Caramel Tree in Rigby where there were more treats and Alexis drove us, including Justin, to get them.  I had dressed for a meeting with the Stake President and they dropped me there to meet Glade afterward.  We had been released as temple ordinance workers in Honduras by our temple president.  And today at 3:00 p.m. we were released as missionaries.  It was harder than I had imagined it would be to take off my missionary name tag.

     Soon after getting home, the doorbell rang and when I answered it, saw Leland Edwards standing on the step with his hands filled with four 2-liter bottles of root beer and two big tubs of vanilla ice cream.  What a thoughtful gesture from a kind man.  He smiled and said “Welcome home; we’re glad you’re back.”  It was a perfect treat and the family finished most of it after dinner since no dessert had been planned.
     The first several photos below show our front yard without the shrubs, bushes, and tree that lined both sides of the driveway, the entire front of the house, and the center front lawn planting.  You could hardly see the house and could not see cars when they pulled into the driveway because the tams were so tall.  It looks so bare now, but the change is good.  

This will soon be full of flowers!

This will also house flowers!

There will be lots of work to fill these beds, but oh the flowers we'll have now!

Eloise and Emma

Growing-up Grover

Eloise and Grover being outdoors as do most kids.

Trampoline fun:  David, Eloise, Grover, and Amelia

Darling kids right at home in their own chairs!  Eloise and Grover

The lawn will soon be green.  Barek, Eloise, Kevin, Scott, and Glade

Barek--at home with creative play in the dirt.

Amelia taking her mom Emily for a ride!!  Lookin' good.

Time our for tuckered kids--Barek and Kevin

Basketball it is with April, Kevin, Bear, and Stephanie.
Some how it looks like fall with all of those leaves!

Rachel, David, and Jeff on the left and
James on the right.  Ready to Ride!

Rachael, David, and Dad-Jeff

Kristie, Alexis, Emma

Sweet Emma

Family Fun!!  Melissa and Eloise; Tracen and Grover

Rachel--still going!

Kevin and Bear.  At first Barek wanted nothing to do with
driving this "machine" but it didn't take long for him
to warm up to the ride and cruise across the lawn!!

Marc and his game cronies--Dylan and Ethan

Alexis and -- Oops, Emma closed her eyes.

Cute friends, brother and sister again--Eloise and Grover

More yard games

David and Dad-Jeff

Adding to the game!

Keegan and Aunt Kristie

Keegan and Mom-Emily

Cute Aden loving swing time

Aden's big brother Cael with a chocolate chip cookie!