Saturday, January 31, 2015

    January is usually such a long cold month; but this year, although the days have been cooler and the wind has blown wildly every day, it has flown by.  Staying busy with both the usual routine we follow every day and the added travel and hours of piano/viola practice have upped the pace and we are quickly sliding into February in just a couple of hours. 

    Glade and I took care of the 12:00 session today and it was packed.  Buses brought lots of youth as well and the baptistry and laundry were worked nearly to the max.  We also helped out by doing sealings which is always a treat and a time to reminisce.  I just love busy days.

    Good Night!  Sweet Dreams!  67 degrees, with wind and lots of clouds!  

Friday, January 30, 2015

     This was a routine day with nothing out of the ordinary to write about.  But I have been thinking about how blessed we are to live in the United States and how grateful I am for our freedom, for good medical and dental care, for opportunities to learn and develop skills and abilities, and for the means to achieve our goals.  It is hard to appreciate all we are blessed with until you see those who go without the things we take for granted.  I am humbled and so grateful!  

      May Heavenly Father bless each of you with answers to your prayers and with the things He knows you need.  Good Night!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

      Gina was here bright and early again today with a car full of sleeping children, a new string on her viola, and a smile on her face ready for another full and hectic day.  Again I practiced alone for the first hour, and then studied Spanish for an hour while she heard more auditions.  The hour we spent practicing together was pretty good, but we still have work to do.  It is a little stressful since playing the difficult passages well is so subjective and unpredictable.  True artists spend hours and hours daily to reach perfection and must learn how to overcome fatigue and inconsistency! 

The four kids brought breakfast with them to eat after waking and then passed the time taunting each other as kids tend to do and playing outside.  We cut the time getting back pretty close again and I was a little late.   Fatigue is starting to show in my countenance but she can’t practice tomorrow, so I will have a little time to exercise and catch up!

Have a great Friday tomorrow.  Wow, January has nearly melted away already.  Love you and Good Night!

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

    It was back to the music school today, but an hour earlier.  Gina had to help with the screening auditions for next year’s class and had to be there by 7:30 a.m.  After getting the building open, she left to do the screenings and I stayed to practice for an hour.  Then I waited for her for another hour.  When we were finally ready to practice together, she could not play her viola.  One of the strings had been getting worn and had started to fray.  After the first six measures of playing, it finally reached the point of no return and was so badly frayed that it was cutting her finger and she just couldn’t play. 

    When she orders things from the U.S. it takes at least two months to get them here.  She did not know where to get another string in Tegucigalpa but started making phone calls to people she thought might help her out.  Long story shorter, we were directed to a place right down in the heart of the city that might have one.  We were on the right street, but there was no address and we drove forever looking for “Axcess.”  After several false tries and turns, we finally found it.  At first the clerk said he didn’t have any viola strings, but did look again and found one—only one!!  Hooray!  So she bought it and we were on our way.  We had to pick up her children from her husband who brought them in his car and met us en route back to the temple. 

    It was a long morning with so much driving in the crowded city streets.  We passed two accidents where cars had rear-ended each other.  There are almost no stoplights and cars enter and exit by honking—or not—and nosing their way in front of someone whenever they think they can make it.  It reminded me of a cattle drive where the animals are driven together into a narrowing area like a chute—you could reach a hand out of either car window and shake hands with your neighbor.  It is a wonder that people get to and from their destinations in one piece day after day.  Shopping downtown, even for necessities, seems a nightmare and would keep me home and doing without!!  Except at the mall, the stores are small and the fronts are covered with bars and grids with only small spaces from which to do business.  Armed guards are everywhere and parking is difficult. 

    We made it back to my apartment with just enough time for me to hurry and get ready for the shift at the temple. 

    It’s time for sleep.  Good night, everyone!  Sending love your way-    

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

     Gina picked me up this morning about 7:45 so we could drive to the music school and practice with the piano and in the venue where the recital will be held on February 26.  Like most moms, she had all her kids with her and had several errands to run while we were “out and about” including taking her husband’s forgotten lunch to him and the Seminary and Institute Building across from the University. 

Her oldest daughter just turned 13 and her next daughter turns 10 next week.  Here, when children reach the seventh grade, they are required to have a blood test every year before school starts to test for some disease that I can’t remember.  Since school starts up again next week, we stopped first at a pharmacy for the blood test (30 minutes) put gas in the car, and then proceeded on the 30-40-minute drive to the music school. 

After the fifth grade, students decide where to continue their schooling.  Those who choose the music school will keep up with their studies of math, science, language arts, etc., and add a concentrated music curriculum designed to prepare them for university studies after high school graduation.  All of their practicing has to be done at the school because they have homework in academic subjects every night and most can’t afford their own instruments.  Rebecca is attending school here.  The recital will only include a handful of performers and the audience will be made up of the music school students and a few teachers.

It was a fairly quiet day in the temple, but Glade and I were able to do our usual session together and also some sealings together.  It was a great day.

Hope you are all well and happy and striving toward your goals.

This is a picture of our temple presidency that was taken at yesterday's farewell dinner.
From left--Pres. and Sister Valle, Pres. and Sister Ocampa, Pres. and Sister Amado .

This is the whole group again

This is the grand piano at the music school where we practiced today.

The auditorium, which is in a building by itself, is quite small.

A tree designed with rows of small metal squares.

A building of classrooms 

The outside of the recital hall

The "crew" getting ready to head home about 11:15

The audience point of view.

   

Monday, January 26, 2015

         Yesterday was a national holiday called “Women’s Day” and the people at church were exchanging greetings wishing the sisters a Happy Woman’s Day.  Sometimes they pass out flower like Mother’s Day, but yesterday it was Hershey’s chocolate kisses!  What a treat—and they are soooo expensive here.

         Our day was packed full haircuts, hair color—only one left now—laundry, exercise, and a myriad of other preparation-day activities.  The FHE schedule said there would be a farewell dinner for Pres. and Sister Amado and we expected it would be at the regular time which is 6:00 p.m.  When Glade was in the laundry room, Sister Casceras told him—no, it is a luncheon that starts at noon!  Well, this was about ten minutes before noon!  Glade hurried to get ready, but I was not even close!!  Long story short—Latin time ruled and that gave me enough time to shower and get ready.  The luncheon actually started about 1:45!   Somehow there was a break-down in communication since we didn’t get the message—again!

         It’s a good thing we made the effort to get ready and attend because they included us in the farewell, too since we only have six weeks left. There were nearly twenty people there since the four engineers and one temple recorder also were invited.  Everyone took a turn sharing his or her sentiments and kindly expressed love and appreciation and it was all very, very nice.  The meal was prepared by someone outside the group and we were served potato salad, green salad, rice, grilled chicken breast, shish-kabobs with beef and veggies, drinks of blender-pureed watermelon and cantaloupe, Sprite, and a bowl of fruit.  Sister Ocampo wrote words to a special song, gave copies to everyone, and they all sang for us.  They also sang "Auld Lang Syne" in harmony in Spanish.    

         Of course it is bitter-sweet as we have begun making early preparations for leaving this beautiful experience.  The Christensen’s, the couple replacing us, will buy our printer and cell phone; and today we gave our Christmas tree, lights, and ornaments to Brother and Sister Gomez who don’t have a tree and actually want to take it home with them when they leave next year.  (We didn’t actually physically give it to them yet since it is still all lit up in our apartment, but the plans have been made.)  I gave a temple dress and lots of music to Gina (I probably posted that already—sorry) and we are clearing out the bookcase—at least making decisions.  But—tomorrow it is back to the temple and we are ready for another week and happy to be on the afternoon/evening shift!

         Two of the bookcase/TV stands in two of the lounges have “sprouted” termites!  One of the engineers came to our apartment this morning and asked if we had noticed any signs in our own furniture.  We have not, but we are right through the wall from the lounge where they were found.  The smell of bug spray was prevalent the rest of the day and I really hope it eradicated every last one of the little critters!

           Good Night with Love--

(I took a video on my phone of our group singing and tried to insert it here, but it wouldn't show and wouldn't play.  I guess more lessons are needed!!)  Sorry.  Any suggestions?

Sunday, January 25, 2015

         It has been a cool day with wind and light rain showers.  The members of our ward came to Church in jackets and sweaters and were “freezing” although we hardly noticed the change and dressed as usual.  Our walk this evening, however, required an extra layer and the mist gave my hair a new look!

         Yesterday afternoon, Gina called and asked Glade to sing bass in a quartet for Sacrament Meeting today.  Gina, her husband who is the Bishop, and her mom who is the temple Matron, were the other singers and the Bishop planned to accompany them on the guitar.  He was a little concerned about that, but of course, said nothing.  

         I transposed Glade’s part down a minor third for him since the song was too high for the soprano, and he practiced here on the guitar he bought last year.  They practiced at the Church last evening and it went well.  The guitar accompaniment was soft broken chords and the number was very, very nice.  They sang “Oh How Lovely Was the Morning.”  Grandma Peterson was no doubt proud of Glade!

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

         

Saturday, January 24, 2015

         Glade injured his lower back a few days ago while doing some new “back exercises” and is trying to recover.  He let some activities go, like his trip to Casa Campo Thursday and anything strenuous, hoping to recover.  But it got the better of him this morning and he had to cut his stay at the temple short.  It will help that this is our long week-end—Saturday afternoon through Tuesday morning—so he will have some good recovery time.  It is feeling better tonight so he is certain to be on the mend.

         Another week has disappeared!  The work moves forward and people just keep coming to the temple.  A young adult sister in our ward came to the temple for the first time just before Christmas to do her own work and came today as a new worker.  It was inspiring to see her take this step.  She has taught Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society in our ward and is an excellent teacher.  She is a beautiful young woman and she and her younger adult sister live with their parents who are both temple workers.  There are many other young adult single sisters who work in the temple and I love having them for friends.  They just have a lot of energy and it is contagious.

         Enjoy your Sabbath day.  Hug the children.  Love to you all.  Good Night!  

Friday, January 23, 2015

     More people arrived on buses today and the sessions were full.  It will be busy again in the early morning hours and the work will be welcome.

     Our friends the Starkey’s who served here in the temple with us up until October, are leaving from their home in Kaysville, UT, for another mission on Monday of next week.  They are going to Guatemala.  I admire them for their devotion and commitment to serve Heavenly Father and His children.  They are valiant servants and have set a great example.

     Gina and I practiced today and we really have a lot of work to do to be ready for the recital she wants us to participate in.  The music is hard and it is challenging to listen and work together, but we are having a great time.  I just hope we can smooth out the rough parts in the next few weeks!  Wow!

     The weather is so pleasant and we forget that winter is happening in our world back home.  Coming home to March weather is going to be a bit of a shock!  We will enjoy every day of sunshine and warm temps while we are here.

     Good Night.  And love to everyone.

         

Thursday, January 22, 2015

      There is a temple worker who comes on Thursdays who speaks good English and works as a hotel desk clerk.  He loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Glade told him once that he would bring one for him for his lunch.  He did and it was a great hit.  He decided to make another one for him today and upon receiving the gift, the man told him that “it made his day”!  It’s a bit of a joke between them and Glade keeps trying to get him to try peanut butter and ketchup, but the thought turns his stomach just like it does mine.

      It is obvious there is nothing out of the ordinary to post tonight.  The good news is that we are three days down on the early week!  Even though we really like being in the temple in the mornings, the sleep issues just make it very hard.

      Our beautiful little Christmas tree is still up and we are both enjoying it—even Glade mentioned how much he likes the ambiance the lights and glitter give our little “home.”  Okay—enough already!

      Good night—Love and hugs to you-all!  

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

         It was a pretty slow day in the temple with a relaxing pace that was good for us as we approach the middle of the week.  This afternoon and evening we stayed busy to keep from sleeping and filled the time with exercise, a little cleaning, some laundry, study time, piano practice for me, and Home Teaching for Glade.  Now maybe we can sleep tonight!

         Take care.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  Good Night!     

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

         David, our taxi driver was robbed.  Last Thursday after Glade’s swim at the fitness center, he didn’t show up to take Glade home, but sent Juan Carlos instead.  He is really good to send someone else if he can’t get there, and Glade just figured that he was across town and couldn’t get back soon enough to pick him up. 

However, on Monday when he took Glade at 6:30 a.m. he told him why he wasn’t able to pick him up on Thursday.  He had picked up a fare and had stopped at a gas station to get gas when the guy—someone he didn’t know and hadn’t given a ride to before—made him give up all his money.  The thief took it and fled.  David said that at least he wasn’t hurt and his taxi wasn’t stolen.  It was almost like—“It’s all in a day’s work!”  I felt really bad for him since it is hard to make ends meet on the income that taxi drivers make.

Sister Navas, who is the bread-maker's wife and our Relief Society President, has shared her flax seed whole wheat bread recipe with me and wants me to come make a couple of loaves with her so she can answer questions and show me how she does it.  I am so excited.  We really like this bread and it is the only bread we have eaten for the entire time we have been here.  

The early shift is a tough one to adjust to because of sleep issues and having to exercise in the afternoon.  By 2:00 a.m. I was wide awake and didn’t sleep a wink after that.  At least I didn’t have to wake up to the alarm since I wasn’t asleep!  Oh, well, one day down and only four to go.

Good Night and Sweet Dreams for all of us!!

     

Monday, January 19, 2015

         Brother and Sister Castañeda, faithful workers in the temple, hosted a going-away luncheon at their home today for Pres. and Sister Amado who will finish their service and leave two weeks from today for their home in Guatemala, and for us, too, since we are so close to finishing.  All of the couple missionaries and the temple presidency were invited.  They served us an appetizer of fresh fruit followed by a meal of sliced, cooked potatoes; vegetarian lasagna, meatloaf, a pork dish, fresh veggies, and bread.  It was followed by bananas for dessert cooked in brown sugar with a little cinnamon and vanilla.  Bananas are prolific here and they cook and serve them in all different ways from being thinly sliced and fried like potato slices for “banana  chips” to being baked, or cooked like they were today in sugar.  We ate, visited, and took pictures.  As we were leaving, the hostess gave each of the sisters fresh flowers from a bouquet.  They were so very kind to share their home and a meal with us and recognize the service. 

         As we drove through the streets of the city, I gazed again in amazement at the poverty evident at every turn, the menagerie of box-like homes built one against another that stretches up the sides of the hills, the crazy traffic that seems to make up the rules of the road as needed, and the jumble of telephone and electric wiring that dangles from the sides of buildings and is wrapped haphazardly in large coils and connected to the poles—perhaps for future use.  Lack of rules and regulations doesn’t keep life from happening, however, and they seem to do just fine!!

         This week we will be back on the morning schedule and back to the challenge of trying to get to sleep at night.  Glade often takes a sleeping pill, but I can’t bring myself to try one. 

         Hope all is well wherever you are!  Good Night and may God bless you.

         Here are a few pictures from our luncheon.

Brother and Sister Gomez
They lived in the United States for several  years and speak English although
they spoke Spanish in their home there and in their community.  All of their
children and grandchildren are still in California.
Notice the potted poinsettias growing in the large planters.  This photo was
taken outside of the house in a patio/garden area.  They grow so many things
here year-round that we can't because of the cold weather.  

Brother and Sister Casceras who oversee the Guesthouse and take care of all the overnight visitors.  They also work one shift in the temple during the week.

Brother and Sister Navas who are from La Seba which is in
Honduras about six hours North from Tegucigalpa.

The Garden spot at the Castañeda's house.

The dinner line.  The hostess is on the right in the white dress.

Pres. and Sister Valle are in the front right and left,
Pres. and Sister Amado are on the far right,
on the back left are the Castañeda's daughter and Sister Ocampo.

The kitchen of the host family

Left to right:  Brother and Sister Gomez, The Peterson's,
Pres. and Sister Amado standing, Brother and Sister Navas,
the Castañeda's in the front center (she was caught chewing--sorry)
Sister Ocampo and Brother Casceras back right.

Castañeda's, Amado's, Peterson's

Gomez's and Amado's

Sunday, January 18, 2015

         This has been a nice relaxing Sunday with plenty of time to study.  The second of the coordinators’ meetings was held this afternoon in the temple and Sister Valle asked me yesterday if I were going.  It was an inclusive gesture, but rather meaningless for me since all the instruction goes right over my head.  Besides, I have only been a coordinator a few times and that was when they surely were desperate  J

         Gina’s younger daughter Raquel played for Sacrament Meeting today and did very well.  She must be about ten years old.  The Mission President’s son, who looked to be about 14 and is most likely one of Gina’s students, played the Sacrament song.  It is exciting to see these young kids learning music and taking part in the meetings.  There aren’t very many, but each one who can learn and take part playing will be a blessing here. 

There were no chords or pedal available today for the electric piano in Relief Society, so they just sang as they always did before I came—without accompaniment—and their sweet voices blended together well.  They don’t always get the rhythm just right or the melody, but they love to sing.  There is one Young Adult sister who plays a little, but she must teach in an auxiliary since I don’t see her in Relief Society.  After all this time, there is still not much of the lesson that I can understand—words and a few phrases, yes, but not enough to “get the gist.”  Thank goodness for the written word in English.

A young man who is leaving in the morning to serve a mission in Mexico bore his testimony in Sacrament Meeting.  It was so different from the “farewells” we know at home.  He came up to the stand from the congregation and was only at the pulpit for two or three minutes.  Interesting.

Good Night!  Pleasant Dreams!  Have a great week! 

Saturday, January 17, 2015

         It always happens that a better day can follow even the hardest of days.  Today was much brighter and all was well!  There were lots of buses and lots of people anxious to get their family work done.  Glade felt much better and was back at work this afternoon although determined not to do the things that cause his setbacks J  I recognized that it is harder for me when he isn’t there, even if it is just for emotional support emanating from the other side of the temple.  There were loving and familiar faces and opportunities to extend the first acts of kindness to some sweet sisters who just brightened as if a light had come on inside of them.  Heavenly Father’s tender mercies continue to bless us and we feel the effects of your faith and prayers on our behalf.  Many, many thanks for them. 

         May you all be safe, happy, and enjoy a spiritual Sabbath Day!  Love to you all. 

Friday, January 16, 2015

          When Pres. Eyring told us in General Conference recently that he had prayed for a mountain to climb, I could hardly believe that he would do that.  Life seems challenging enough without praying for hardships.  He is a realm above me, obviously.  That said, we each have our own mountains to climb and some of them we probably inadvertently prayed for.  Our experience here has been a great blessing, but is not without hard days.  I promised myself that this blog would contain positive comments and not be a place to “whine” but that overlooks reality and the reality is that we still have some really hard days.  So this post is an exception to my positive plan.

         Glade has done over and above all the things he possibly could to keep his back feeling good enough to make it through his day.  There is no one who could be more committed to a cause or diligent in the striving.  However, the work-load compounds and after a few strain-filled days, he spent the day today at home resting his aching spine in the recliner.  Of course, he feels much better tonight and will return with vigor tomorrow to the temple, but setbacks like that are hard for him because he wants to be there doing what he is supposed to be doing!  He is such a good man.

         Isolation still fills many of my days and it marked this one as a hard one.  People are still so kind, but sometimes I just feel like a mis-fit when communication is so difficult.  I need a classroom setting with a teacher, a textbook, a “lecture,” a practice partner on my level, and an organized approach to learning this language.  My computer program lessons are getting harder and I can’t just whip through them anymore although I do lessons every single day.  There are so many things to remember and without verbal practice, retention is pretty bad.  And, time is limited with an eight-hour a day, five-day work-week.  :)

Okay, now I have vented and feel a little better.  I am looking forward to tomorrow when the day is new and the opportunity for a “happy day” rises with the sun.  It will be a great day!!

Sending love and prayers to all of you!  Good Night!

Thursday, January 15, 2015

         Our travel plans and plane tickets arrived via email today, so we are resting easy knowing that we have a seat on the plane and will actually be able to return home on time—barring the unusual and unexpected.

         It was surprisingly cool today and felt good.  Glade went to swim and still loved being out in the sun—or the clouds, either one J

         Following is the last of the 15 suggestions to consider for New Year’s resolutions:

15. Emulate Jesus Christ

The best goals and resolutions lead Church members toward Jesus Christ. President Thomas S. Monson taught, “As we strive to place Christ at the center of our lives by learning His words, by following His teachings, and by walking in His path, He has promised to share with us the eternal life that He died to gain. There is no higher end than this, that we should choose to accept His discipline and become His disciples and do His work throughout our lives. Nothing else, no other choice we make, can make of us what He can.”

         What a great thought to end on.  After reading this list and realizing that the suggestions come from Conference talks, it is easy to see that most Conference talks provide counsel that we could apply to goal setting every six months.  Perhaps you are all doing this already! 

Have a great night—Hugs and Prayers for you as always! J

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

         There were missionaries in the temple again today and I helped a young sister from Arizona whom I met yesterday.  She has been on her mission for three months, has a native companion who speaks no English, and has no computer help for her language.  She is really struggling with the language and I had to break down everything she needed to say into single words and sometimes only a syllable or two at a time.  She could hardly repeat what I was saying to her.  But she kept smiling and kept trying and was getting it better by the end.  After the session I found her and gave her lots of hugs and encouragement.  There were two other English-speaking sister missionaries there from California although they looked Latin.  We are actually seeing fewer and fewer North American missionaries among all the Latin Americans although Glade met someone from Kentucky yesterday.  That’s unusual since most of them come from the Western United States.

         Number fourteen out of fifteen from the list follows:

14. Evaluate yourself honestly

As people improve their lives and become more committed disciples, constant self-evaluation helps the process continue. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave this helpful formula for self-evaluation:

“[H]ow can we shine the pure light of God’s truth into our souls and see ourselves as He sees us? May I suggest that the holy scriptures and the talks given at general conference are an effective mirror we can hold up for self-examination. As you hear or read the words of the ancient and modern prophets, refrain from thinking about how the words apply to someone else and ask the simple question: ‘Lord, is it I?'”

         Good night Everyone—Sending you love and prayers.  

Tuesday, January 13, 2014

         There is nothing new to write about.  It was a busy day, we are tired, and it is only our first day of the work-week.

         I am still studying my Spanish program on-line every day and it is getting harder.  That only makes sense, of course, but it really slows me down.  Older brains just don’t have good retention.  J

         Here is suggestion number thirteen and it is very good counsel.

         13. Maintain a clear vision

As Church members set new goals and resolve to become better, it’s important to keep the end goal in mind. Elder Carlos A. Godoy taught this important principle: “Making decisions that can impact our lives and those we love without having the broader vision of their consequences can bring some risks. However, if we project the possible consequences of these decisions into the future, we can see with greater clarity the best path to take in the present. Understanding who we are, why we are here, and what the Lord expects from us in this life will help give us the broader vision we need. … We have the scriptures, the temple, living prophets, our patriarchal blessings, inspired leaders, and, above all, the right to receive personal revelation to guide our decisions.”

         Good Night, Everyone and sweet dreams!

Monday, January 12, 2015

         It was Sister Ocampo’s birthday and Sister Valle asked me to make a dessert for Family Home Evening.  I made brownies and used the last of our supplies to make the pumpkin sheet cake with the intent of sharing the leftovers with Lupe’s family and the Navas family.  Lupe’s husband left for Tijuana today for another six weeks of work on the temple.  They loved the cake at Christmas and I thought it would cheer her up.  The Navas’s are going to share their bread recipe with us, so I wanted to share something with them, too.

This was the first time I have made brownies since we have been here.  The richness of those two desserts made it really hard for me to eat much.  It didn’t take many tastes before I couldn’t bear to even lick the knife!  We just haven’t eaten sweets here and it has felt really good.  The people here don’t eat many sweets, so they can’t eat much of it either.  I also made corn muffins for the diabetic brother, and the whole plate was gone before the sweets!

During FHE the people in the expected excursion from Nicaragua arrived and have since settled with their families in to their rooms and are ready to rest for the night.  It will be busy tomorrow. 

At the end of our Home Evening we all shared in the job of taking down the lounge Christmas tree.  I noticed on my walk outside this morning that the Nativity has been taken down and all the poinsettias in the lower areas of the grounds are gone.  It makes me a little sad because they have been so beautiful!  The poinsettias around the temple are still blooming like crazy, however; and it would be so wonderful if they would leave them planted for a while longer.  –Not my call, thoughJ  I would be happy if they were still showing off their red glory clear until we leave!

Here is number twelve.  This one can be very difficult but is so important.

12. Forgive quickly

People who forgive others relieve themselves of heavy burdens that decrease happiness. Immediate forgiveness increases joy and strengthens relationships.

“Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life,” Elder Jörg Klebingat said. “Don’t hold grudges, don’t be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly, and don’t ever think that you are exempt from this commandment. Spiritual confidence increases when you know that the Lord knows that you bear no ill feelings toward another soul.”

         Love you all.  Have a great week.  It is 68 degrees with intermittent clouds and the usual breeze.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

         It was a restful Sunday and rather nice not to have extra practices and extra meetings.  Those people who work as coordinators in the temple had a meeting this afternoon in the temple chapel for more training.  It is always a challenge to get everyone “on the same page” and “up to speed” when they come on different days, occasionally miss training meetings in the temple when updates are given, and hear the message from different sources.  So training is being provided for them on two different Sunday afternoons by the Temple Presidency—today and next Sunday.

         Suggestion number eleven of fifteen follows:

11. Have Family Home Evening

As Church members strengthen their own testimonies, teaching family members gospel truths will increase their understanding and increase the influence of the Spirit in family members’ lives.

“Be cautious not to make your family home evening just an afterthought of a busy day,” Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “Decide that on Monday night your family will be together at home for the evening. Do not let employment demands, sports, extracurricular activities, homework, or anything else become more important than that time you spend together at home with your family. The structure of your evening is not as important as the time invested.”

          It is easy for us to forget that winter is happening in the United States; and according to the weather map, it looks cold everywhere right now.  It is never cold here—at least not for us—and we will have a rude awakening in a couple of months when we need to dress warm again.  However, I’m really excited to cozy up by my fireplace and drink hot chocolate to get warmed.   

         Love you all. Good Night.  And be happy!  

Saturday, January 10, 2015

         Ah—the week-end is here and as always we welcome a change in our routine.  We talked tonight about how we will adjust to being home in a few weeks where we do not have a set routine and where we will have lots of space to get lost in.  A blessing of our mission has been finding out that we can live happily together 24/7 in a small confined space doing the same things over and over again.  We know each other better, have become better friends, and have loved having our “work” day be on common ground sharing in the same experiences with the same people.  All of these things will most certainly bless us in the future.

         Suggestion number ten follows:

10. Repent daily

Repentance has some negative connotations, but daily repentance helps disciples of Christ become closer to the Savior.

“Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out,” Elder Jörg Klebingat said. “Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that are to be welcomed and applied daily according to the Great Physician’s orders. Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by making it your lifestyle of choice. … Keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow.”

         Have a beautiful Sabbath Day and may we all count our blessings.

Friday, January 09, 2015

         It was another exhausting but fulfilling day with a variety of responsibilities that kept us going strong.  The laundry can be a massive job, especially when the missionaries come in such large numbers like they did this week.  Each one gets clothing to wear in the session plus a packet; and it all has to be laundered, sorted, re-packeted, and made ready for the next group.

         Following is number nine on the improvement list. 

         9. Increase your fast offering

When speaking about caring for the poor, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked Church members to be “as generous as circumstances permit” in their contributions.

“Cherish that sacred privilege [to fast] at least monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast offering and other humanitarian, educational, and missionary contributions,” he said. “I promise that God will be generous to you, and those who find relief at your hand will call your name blessed forever.”

“Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out.” —Elder Jörg Klebingat, Of the Seventy

Have a wonderful week-end.  Love you all!!  

Thursday, January 08, 2015

         The temple was full of people today and we were kept very busy.  The days are especially full when exercise and piano practice take a chunk of time every morning along with study and preparing for the temple shift.   The nap time first graders get would be a boon to old folks, too, but most often doesn’t get squeezed in.  Then we head out to work a full shift.  It’s all good and we are happy to have more than enough to do to fill our time. 

         We have made so many friends in the temple and they are starting to realize our time left here is short.  They are kind and generous in sharing their love and we will really miss them.

         Here is number eight on the list of fifteen recommendations that came from the October General Conference, 2014.

8. Have more meaningful prayer

Improving prayer habits can improve every facet of life. Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences.”

         Love and happiness to you all and success in the second week of the New Year!  Good Night!

Wednesday, January 07, 2015

         You would think we were in an Idaho spring with the way this fierce wind beats against us as we walk back and forth to the temple.  It seems there was no wind at all last year for months and months.  Not so for the last several weeks.  The people who live here don’t seem to mind, but I’m going through a lot of “extra hold” hairspray.

         Here is number seven.

7. Serve someone every day

The small acts of service we offer may seem insignificant, but Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught that when we do what we can, our offering will make a difference.

“A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city,” Elder Holland said. “He said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within her reach with whatever resources she had.”

          I really liked this one and was reminded of an education week speaker who told about choosing someone to lift every day.  Making a phone call, sending a note, giving a compliment, showing concern, giving empathy, sharing a burden, giving comfort, lending a helping hand, etc. were some of the things on the list.  

         Sister Bednar is also a wonderful example of discerning needs and then extending love through her personal ministry to others--observe and then serve.  There is nothing that can teach us more about the Savior and His love than giving service to others as He would.

         Hope everyone is well and happy, safe and warm!

Good Night and lots of love sent your way!  

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

         Glade was back to work today—coughing now and again, but feeling better.  There were lots of first-time participants who came with an excursion; and I loved helping them, making them feel comfortable, and reassuring them.  It is a beautiful experience.

         Following is item number six on the resolution list and Elder Scott does not mince words in his counsel.   

6. Improve personal scripture study

Prophets have repeatedly counseled that scripture study is essential to gaining a testimony and maintaining the companionship of the Spirit.

“Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures,” Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!”

         Good night everyone.  Hugs and love to you all. 

Monday, January 05, 2015

         We are preparing for the post-holiday routine that starts tomorrow.  No more days off until we finish on March 12.  At least we didn’t have to go to the grocery store today which made our time a little more relaxed.  Family Home Evening is still hard for me.  Not knowing enough of the language to participate makes me feel rather conspicuously out of place.  Everyone is kind, though, and I can sing the hymns.       

         Here is number five on the resolution list:

5. Be a better parent

Children are the future of our homes, the Church and the world. Therefore, the role of parents is of paramount importance.

“It is my firm conviction that there has never been a period in my many years of life when our Father in Heaven’s children have needed the guiding hand of faithful, devoted parents more,” Elder L. Tom Perry taught. “… We must find within ourselves that same determined spirit and overcome the challenges we face with the same spirit of sacrifice. We must instill in future generations an ever stronger reliance on the teachings of our Lord and Savior.”

         Our days of parenting young children are past so we decided to focus on being better grandparents.  However, we also believe that our responsibility as parents doesn’t end.  Enduring to the end in faith and righteousness and setting a good example are things all parents and grandparents can strive for.

         Love you all and miss you. 

         Tegucigalpa Honduras, 9:48 p.m., partly cloudy, 68degrees, and breezy!