Thursday, November 7, 2013

          We exercised this morning; I practiced the piano and polished the modulations for the choir numbers; Glade and I led another session together and enjoyed the new film again; we are still eating left-over chicken salad; more Nicaraguan members are here; we are doing our thank-full tree; and Glade  studied his talk.  Beautiful day!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

          The chapel key has been available for another week, so I am still playing the piano every day and loving it.  I’m so glad I brought Christmas music and it’s getting a workout it. 

          There is nothing new, but that’s okay.  The temple is a wonderful place to spend our days, The Gospel is true, the Lord loves us all, and life is good if we choose to see the good. 

This is the Christmas in the foyer of our Church.
I took this picture this morning when I went to practice so there was no one around.

 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

          Being back in the temple today was great; and although I needed quick reviews in Spanish, we felt at home and fell right back into step with our work.  We enjoyed the new film and hope you have all had a chance to see it.  We love the new schedule already; it was great to get home an hour earlier. 

          It felt like Idaho today—windy!!  Thanksgiving is on the horizon now and will come really fast, even though it is at the end of the month on Kevin’s and Damien’s birthday.  Is there snow in the forecast? 

          In Tegucigalpa it is 8:30 p.m., 72 degrees, partly cloudy, and very pleasant!

Monday, November 04, 2013

          Glade worked on his talk most of the day—along with setting up the DVD player in the lounge for our FHE tonight.  He bought “Legacy” from the Distribution Center (in Spanish, of course, but with English sub-titlesJ) so we could have a movie night.  It went great, but it always makes me cry.         

We served chicken salad sandwiches with grapes, apples, craisins, shredded cheese, and cashews on fresh bakery whole-grain roles; black cherry Jell-o with Glade’s favorite—fruit cocktail—set in individual cups and topped with “crème in a can;” and the rest of the chocolate, hazelnut “piroulines” left over from our last FHE.    We found Crystal Light at the grocery store, so that served as the drink and Glade picked up some chips on Saturday when he hiked down to De Prova and that completed the fare.  Our turn won’t come up again until early January.

The new film is now in our temple and tomorrow we will see it for the first time.  It will mean a change in our work schedule since it is several minutes longer than the original film.  The sessions had started every hour and a half but will now start every two hours with the first one at 8:00 a.m. and the last one at 6:00 p.m.  On Saturdays we will start earlier and the last session will start at 4:00 p.m.  

What it means is that each shift will be shortened by an hour and the start time on the early morning turn will be an hour later.  Yahoo!  It willmake our days about 7 ½ to 8 hours instead of 8 ½ to 9 hours.

During the break interesting work was done on the grounds.  The grassy areas around the chapel and the temple were weed-whipped so close to the ground that the areas were left brown and dead-looking.  We are hoping it was all for the good of the grass and that it will come back better than ever.

Several planters that had daisies, coleuses (plural according to the Internet) and a variety of other flowers were dug up and all the plants except for the trees were removed.  It made me so sad.  However, this morning on my walk I noticed right away that the areas had been planted full of poinsettias!   Maybe it is a seasonal gesture?  Anyway, they look really great.  I hope the former plants were taken to a nursery to receive TLC for a return to the grounds.   The coleuses were really not in good shape since they are a shade-loving plant and had been placed in full sun.  The other removed plants were beautiful, however.

That’s why the following pictures include poinsettias.  (Just a side note—there are actually poinsettia “trees” here!)

An odd angle, but it shows the poinsettias in front of the temple.

They are going to be so thick and beautiful in a few weeks!

I know, they are already beautiful, but I think they will get even better.

      These are men who have been working in the temple and this was their mode of                     transportation for the day.  This is typical of what we see, especially in the early
morning--trucks of all sorts and sizes filled with men and gear as they head off to
work at a variety of jobs.  (I mean by that--the locals going to work in the city,
not coming to the temple to work.) The roads aren't that good and are very windy.
It is a wonder they stay in the truck.  At least this one is nice and has a roll-bar.
Many are flatbeds with no sides and sometimes the workers ride on top of "stuff."  

The parking lot is wet but not because of the rain.  In the photo above this one
            you can see someone on the right with a broom of sorts working away.
        They scrub this parking lot more than I scrub my floors!  At the end of last
week they spent a couple of days working
with power-washers from a big tank on a truck and sccubbed
all the way through the lot!  It took hours.  

This is one of those workers who just got out of the back of the pick-up and
is the elder who knew Kevin from his mission--Elder Mensilla. (sp?)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

One of the auxiliaries set up a very large artificial Christmas tree in the chapel foyer some time during the block today.  There are no decorations on it yet, but it looks pretty.  It feels strange, however, because it is 80+ degrees outside nearly every day and it certainly doesn’t feel like the Christmas season.  Everything is green and the flowers bloom perpetually.

The missionary and presidency couples who left for the two-week break have started returning and by tomorrow, everyone should be back.  It's nice to know there are other people around now.  Soon the buses will start bringing people doing temple excursions and the building will be full and bustling!!  

I met a woman in the building today between meetings who has been here doing detail painting work in the temple and was leaving today to fly back to Utah.  She does the detail painting in lots of temples.  She had just left her 25-year old daughter at the MTC the day before coming to Honduras.  She said there was such a big difference between all those little kids (the 18 and 19-year old missionaries!) and her daughter who had her Master’s degree, had studied abroad for a semester, and was a CPA.  She had done a foreign service project and thought that that was her mission, but the idea to go on a “regular” mission just kept after her until she decided she’d better go.  She will be serving in El Salvador and already speaks some Spanish.

Choir practice is still fun, but I’m going to take a pillow for the piano bench next time.  The practice lasted over two and a half hours!  They just keep going and going and going . . .   I don't think our ward or stake choirs at home would stay that long for a practice, but no one here seemed to mind or be in a hurry to leave.  The cute and energetic director kept them working hard, too!  

Fast and Testimony meeting was good today and I find that I am recognizing more words and phrases all the time if I really concentrate.  Don’t ask me to speak, however!

One of the counselors in the bishopric asked Glade today if he would give a 15-minute talk next Sunday in Sacrament Meeting on “The Blessings of Going to the Temple.”  He said if you have stories or ideas you would like to share, he would be happy to hear them and they might get retold here in Tegucigalpa!  He came home from Church and started getting his ideas together right away.  He likes preparing and giving talks, so even though this one will be in Spanish, he will enjoy the experience.

We love being here and know that the Lord’s blessings are flowing to us and our family.  We are so grateful to be here serving in this sacred temple in this beautiful country with these loving children of God who live here.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and it is filling the earth.  We are happy to assist people in the work of salvation that they are doing for their families. 

Thank you so much for your prayers, emails, and encouragement.  One of our most precious blessings is knowing that our children are temple worthy and are raising their families in righteousness and serving the Lord.  We love you so much and love you for loving and supporting each other.  You are all the best!!    

Blog 2 de noviembre,  2013    Part 4 of 4—GP—

The scriptures aptly describe how these eight guards have been touched by the Spirit to seek the truth.  They were placed here by their employment to protect the Lord’s Temple and the faithful members who come.  These members are a humble, and obedient people, poor in that which matters little but rich in that which matters most.  Many come at great sacrifice, traveling long distances with their families, arriving dressed in their best to be at the temple.

          The temple sits on top of one of the higher hills in Tegucigalpa, which is one of the most dangerous cities in the world.  Security here is serious business and the guards feel their responsibility keenly.  As these guards observe and get to know the faithful who come, they are being prepared by the Spirit to be guardians of their own salvation.  They read The Book of Mormon and hear the voices of their ancestor prophets testifying of Christ.  Missionary work is living as Christ taught.  The following scriptures tell the story.

Isaiah 52:7

          “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth.”

D &C 1:23

          “That the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.”

D &C 29:7

          “And you are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts.”

Blog 1 de noviembre, 2013—GP!     

Part  3 of 4    [#1 was Wed. #2 was Thurs.]

Arjeni is the guard who approached me about saying a prayer with the guards every morning.  He is reading the Book of Mormon, gave me his phone number and address, but prefers to meet with the missionaries here after work; and they are making plans to teach him.

Oscar is reading the Book of Mormon, drew me a detailed map to his house with his phone number, and is waiting for the missionaries to come.  One night a few weeks ago while I was between assignments in the temple, I felt like I needed to go to the guard station at that moment.  I hadn’t been able to deliver a Book of Mormon to Arjeni because of his schedule.  When I arrived, both Arjeni and Oscar were on duty together and asked me several important questions about the church.  This gave me an ideal opportunity to teach them between my temple duties.

Jose is reading the book of Mormon but declined my offer to send the missionaries.  He has told me how important our early morning prayers are to him, feels badly if he misses them, and that the day seems to go much better for him.  I think he will eventually receive the gospel.

Alexis [not the same one I mentioned two days ago] is reading the Book of Mormon.  I asked him if he would be interested in learning from the missionaries.  He said that he already was, late at night, in the guard station at the bottom of the hill.  I was a little suspicious so I asked our Elders about it and they think it is the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Ah ha!  We’ll get him straightened out.

Juan Carlos is new to his position here but is reading the Book of Mormon and I’m getting to know him better.

Victor is reading the Book of Mormon but is a little cautious towards me.  I did notice him reading the Liahona as well.

Olvan is very quiet but sincere and is reading the Book of Mormon.

Arturo is the one Church member in the bunch.  I told him that all of his co-workers are reading the Book of Mormon.  I’m counting on his help.  How is this all happening?  To be continued [part 4] tomorrow.  –Glade

This is Bev now—This morning when I carried my Spanish study-sheets outside and started my walk, Glade was a little ahead of me and was deep in conversation with several men who were working to get everything finished in the temple.  He called me over and exclaimed that during their conversation, he learned that one of them, who is from Honduras, had served in the same mission as Kevin in Costa Rica!  His name was Hermano Mensilla and he remembered Kevin when they served in Limon` and knew that he had also worked in the office taking care of missionary travel, etc., etc.  They worked in the same branch in Limon`.  He said that Glade and Kevin looked just like each other!  What a coincidence!  We keep finding that it is a small world and we run into people all the time with whom we have some kind of connection.

Hope the “Spooks” skipped your houses last night and that the treats and adventures were fun!   Happy Novemb er!!

El jueves, 31 de octubre, 2013

When we arrived in Tegucigalpa last April, Beverly and I exited the compound for our early morning walks for a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, however the sidewalks outside the compound were broken and in terrible shape. Beverly twisted her ankle badly and was unable to walk for four weeks. 

I continued to make the loop and met Alexis.  He was a guard for a house being built just outside the temple compound. We saw each other daily and had many conversations.  He accepted and promised to read the Book of Mormon.  A few weeks later he gave me his address and agreed to meet with the missionaries.  His work changed and I lost track of him.  Yesterday I saw him on the street and he is meeting regularly with the missionaries.

About three months ago the Church changed security companies to guard the temple.  I had become friends with most of the guards employed by the initial security company.  The majority of them were members and I didn’t do well at finding out which ones were not.  The change brought in eight new guards.  Not long after they started working, one of them named Arjeni, approached me while I was out exercising and asked if I would say a prayer with them each morning.  This was a surprising opportunity, orchestrated by God’s hand, and I soon learned that seven were not members.

When I stop at one of the two guard stations for the prayer, they announce to those in the other station that it is time for prayer and leave the speaker on for them to hear.  After several days of having prayers with them, I learned their names and delivered to each one individually a Book of Mormon with his name and my testimony written inside.  Each one agreed to read it.  I have definitely felt the Spirit guiding me in this effort for those entrusted to protect the temple and the members!  The timing of the prayers, words to say, and the opportune teaching moments all have been brought clearly to my mind.

Clearly the individual progress after introduction to the Gospel is a process after an event.  I will post this continuation tomorrow.

El blog, el miercoles, 30 del octubre, 2013—GP!

We were surprised to receive this call to serve as “temple missionaries” rather than serving in leadership training and member activation or even proselytizing.  However, for our situation, it has turned out best.  We have safe, comfortable living conditions and a spiritual work environment where we feel regular spiritual confirmations of the truthfulness of the Plan of Exaltation.

The confinement due to security risks is hard for me.  The invariability of our daily routine is a stark contrast to my missionary experiences as a young man.   As far as introducing the Gospel to others, opportunities are almost non-existent.  However, we are blessed to experience with the faithful Hondurans and Nicaraguans the apex of their earthly spiritual progress as they receive the saving ordinances for themselves and their loved ones.  This culmination of their introduction to the Gospel by young missionaries of the past brings very strong spiritual affirmations to me of the purpose of life and the importance of bringing the gospel message to all of God’s children.

Physical activity has always been an important part of my life and in recent years has taken on a survival mode due to arthritis and associated back difficulties.  I left behind a swimming pool, racquetball court, bicycle, and treadmill and was introduced to a gated compound with eight security guards.  These guards work rotating twelve hour shifts at two stations.  One station is at the top of the hill, the other at the bottom.  They rotate assignments throughout the day, patrolling the temple grounds, our apartment building, and other parts of the compound.  They check every individual and vehicle which enters and have an elaborate camera system with monitors in both stations to see all areas, including inside the entrance to the temple. My physical “patrolling” two hours every day takes me from the upper guard station to the lower and back eight times then behind the apartment building where there is a wrought iron fence, a terraced series of ten foot rock and cement walls, a patio, and some grass.  Here I do a number of back strengthening exercises prescribed by my physical therapist.

Tomorrow I will tell how I have combined my compound exercise routine with a “compounding” desire to share the gospel.  

                                 Love Dad/Grandpa

This is Mom and Grandma Bev now, sending Halloween greetings and wishes for fun and extra safety tomorrow for everyone! 

Glade took the camera outside today and took a group of pictures that he liked.  Again, it shows the path we walk everyday and the areas where he finishes his exercises. 

On the way down the hill--guard station is small white square just above photo center

Approaching the top of the hill and nearing the temple--steps on the right

The near-empty parking lot with only a few maintenance crew cars

This is the far East end of our building.  The grass area goes around to the right and that is where Glade exercises.

This is the far West end of our building.  I love it that there are flowers in the terraced areas.
The garbage cans are behind the short gates.
You can see the outer security wall (with levels) just above this inside wall.

This is the patio behind our building that is just off from the eating area.
Glade hooks his resistance bands around the fence that separates the cement from the grass.

Another view of the walled-patio area in the back of our building.

Another view of the back area showing landscaping and security walls.

Glade couldn't resist taking just one more photo--I am doing mending and really wish I had my sewing machine!!
This hand-work takes forever and isn't nearly as secure.  At least I have a needle and thread to match.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

          We invited Elder and Sister Bassett to go to lunch with us down town.  They are the only other residents staying in the building and have not been out of town during the temple closing.  There is a new Wendy’s near the airport, which is also near La Colonia, and that was our choice.   The food was great and it wasn’t crowded.  We had no schedule and didn’t have to hurry so we wandered through the mall afterward and enjoyed the Christmas decorations that are going up everywhere.  Our last stop was for a few groceries and then we ventured into the rain to hail a taxi. 

          Studying Spanish is always hard in that it’s difficult to choose a focus.  There is so much to learn that it is mind boggling.  My approach is rather random even though I have tried to be organized.   Anyway, good study happened but being able to communicate is still “way out there some place”!

          We did our walking, of course; I played the piano at the church; and Glade played his new guitar a little.  It is making his fingers so sore that he can’t stay with it very long right now.  It will take a little time, but his calluses will come back!  

Monday, October 28, 2013

          One week of our break is over and even though we have kept busy, we already feel renewed.  I spent time today making more Spanish flashcards and they are ready for the morning walk.  Piano practice was great this morning and was filled with Christmas music!  It isn’t really too early—well, maybe just a little; but I don’t know how often the key to the Church will be available after this week, so it may be now or never.

          The recent Conference talks were so inspiring and I am grateful to have them readily available on the kindle.  I finally figured out how to use the highlight option and am making good use of it.  We ordered hard copies of the Ensign which will be sent in a bulk order to our ward.  There is just something important about having a real copy. 

          There are a few more pictures from our fun week-end trip added below.  Sorry if there are duplicates--I can't remember exactly which ones were posted yesterday.  The first six were taken in Copan.

These are funny little fruits that have a thick skin covered with large curled spines.  The fruit is rather tasty.  I can't remember what it is called, but we see them in our grocery stores and they are sold in the street markets.

The next few photos show the street vendors
in one of the little towns along the way back to San Pedro Sula

This LDS chapel is surrounded by security fencing just like all of the other Church buildings we have seen.

These last two were taken in a large and modern mall in San Pedro.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

          While we were gone our apartment was cleaned and painted and it was nice to have it all done before we got back.  Church was nice, but I still have to read the lessons and conference talks on my kindle to get my spiritual uplift.  There were more confirmations in Sacrament Meeting and two baby blessings. 

          Choir practice is really fun—probably because I feel like I am really contributing something.  Glade is coming to sing, too, since his meetings aren’t really happening on Sundays as planned, and interprets for me.

          Last night just after we went to bed we heard a lot of commotion and loud noises.  The volume increased and started to sound like explosions or gunshots.  There are only a few people here and no guards in the building, so it was a little spooky.  We couldn’t see anything out our windows because they are on the back side of the building.  Finally, Glade went out to the big lounge where a couple of the men who are working on the temple restoration were gathered as well.  They went out onto the balcony and witnessed a huge fireworks display!  That was crazy.  This afternoon one of the guards told Glade that this goes on a lot and will really increase as it gets close to Christmas holiday time.  We were relieved to say the least.

          It’s very quiet here—and raining J  Good night!

Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26, 2013

           Thursday night we left Tegucigalpa on a plane!  My famous last words were to never leave from this world-renowned airport until we were headed to the US. in 2015.  However, it actually was more appealing than a bus ride to San Pedro Sula.  Elder and Sister John met us at the airport and took us to their apartment where we enjoyed a wonderful meal they had prepared, visited for hours like we were young again, and then spent the night.  This couple is from Fruit Heights, Utah, which is near Lagoon; and we found that we had so much in common and became friends very quickly.  They treated us so well and provided us with a wonderful respite from our daily routine, and we were so grateful!  We already want to do it again.

          Friday morning we left in their leased car and drove to Copan to see the ruins there.  It was a three-four hour drive on a windy, paved road, which was full of huge pot-holes that had to be dodged continually.   The lush green countryside was absolutely beautiful and was filled with trees, bushes, grasses, and plants whose names we didn’t know.  Occasionally, there were lots of skinny cattle grazing on either side of the road, and we saw several of those huge “vultures” I have sent pictures of before. 

We traveled through little towns that appeared here and there and finally arrived in the charming little touristy town of Copan.  The streets were cobblestone and were lined with quaint little shops filled with enticing wares. The town looked peaceful and inviting, clean and safe.  We checked into our hotel and then drove a short distance to the ruins.  We started with a picnic the Johns had packed for us and then headed out for the sight-seeing adventure.  The following information about Copan was on the Internet:       

Copan is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular cities of the ancient Mayan civilization which flourished during the 7^th century of our era.  When exploring the ruins you see a huge complex consisting of several plazas and many temples built on various levels.  It is full of rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs.  Forested mountains surround the valley and the setting is pristine in its beauty and serene in its peacefulness.  The jungle that surrounds Copan is lush, tall, and filled with the sounds of a variety of animals including monkeys and large colorful parrots. 

See:  www.copanruins.com for more information.

          We ate dinner in a restaurant called “Twisted Tanya’s” and spent the night in the Casa Gabriela Hotel.  After dinner we played “Five Crowns” with our new-found friends while we ate M & M’s and caramels.  It was much-needed recreation and we are deeply in debt to our hosts.  We had a wonderful time

We returned to San Pedro, did a little fun shopping in a beautiful mall, and then headed back to the airport for our return to Tegucigalpa. 

          There are lots of pictures included with this post, but you should be able to scroll through them fairly quickly.  It would be nice if you had a big screen on your laptop or computer so you could see just how beautiful this area was.  If I can’t get them all on tonight, I’ll just do some tomorrow!  Good night! 

Waiting at the scary airport!

At Wayne and LaRae John's apartment complex

These are those great big giant birds--we saw lots of them.

A beautiful flower at the entrance to the ruins

The John's and Glade heading to the ruins

At the ruins

This is what a mound of earth looks like before the buried structure is exposed.
Notice the rocks in the very front that indicate a wall is present.

It was undescribably beautiful and serene

Elder and Sistser John

The light brown shape on the underside of the tree branch (upper left quadrant) is an intricate wasps' nest.
It was a work of art, but I was rather glad we couldn't get any closer for a picture.  Wish is showed up better.

In several places there were orchids growing out of the tree trunk at random places.  

We were up really high!

Bricks/stones before and after placement

The pods at the base of this tree hold cocoa beans from which comes our favorite "fruit"--chocolate :)

Here are the pods in the tree still attached

This is our hotel entrance.

This must be the "green" room.  It had AC and was very nice except that there was no hot water so we showered in cold!

Learning to play a new card game!

Resident bug-catcher

The restaurant where we had dinner.  You can see the teal-framed signed above the door that says "Twisted Tonja's"

The street outside the restaurant and hotel

These cute kids were selling their corn-husk dolls and flowers.