For thirteen years I wrote to my faculty every week. Monday Memos often were written later in the week when I got around to it. And so the tradition continues. . .
We love being here in Laredo! It is very fair to say our work here is different than the young missionaries who work long hours and physically challenge themselves to be out there teaching and finding every day until the sun is gone--all of that in very challenging weather (have I mentioned that Laredo is unrelentingly hot??!). We live in the same apartment complex as two sets of sisters, and we are constantly amazed at their commitment to give all they have to building up the kingdom of God. We, however, are old, slow, and have a hard time staying awake past 9:00.
Sunday we attended three branches (soon to be wards, we hope) and were exhausted by the mental exercise of understanding the Spanish. It is always inspiring, even when we are only getting a quarter of the message. We also had four sister missionaries come to dinner. We loved feeding them! Jim had to leave early for a general district priesthood meeting and then come pick me up to head off to YSA family home evening. The young people take turns teaching the FHE lessons, and we watch them grow and learn as they teach. This Sunday Papo (William) retaught and expanded on our Thursday Institute lesson on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage. During Thursday's lesson, Papo ended up teaching other young people the concept of exaltation, and that brought him an understanding that he continued to share in his lesson. He was only baptized in February, but he is quickly gaining a spiritual maturity that will ready him to be a leader in in Laredo. When young people join the church here, they often have to change everything in their lives to commit to Christ. It is inspiring.
Yesterday we got a call from a sister missionary who needed some help. While all the missionaries were at the church preparing for transfers, a woman showed up at the church wanting help getting to cross the border. (Living in a border town Is INTERESTING, to be sure!) So, Jim and I jumped in the car and headed over. It turned out to be nothing disconcerting, and we were happy to help. The woman had been living in California, but was heading home to El Salvador. While here she bought a truck and was trying to get across the border with temporary license plates. The temporary plates would expire while she was in Mexico, and though she had the paperwork, customs told her she would be detained without her real plates. She had no address here, so she had to find a way to express-ship the plates. She wanted us to witness that she had the original paperwork, so we took her to UPS and got the order arranged for her to pick up the new plates there when they arrive. She was a very nice woman who spoke English quite well and said she was learning Korean. So, that was our adventure yesterday--well, one of them, anyway.
We had a tire that was losing air since we drove it off the showroom floor. We were on our way to Texas, so filled it up a couple of times on our way, but, because it was a brand new car, we didn't worry too much until it started losing air very fast over the weekend. We had to fill it several times a day until the dealership here could order a new tire and finally get it replaced yesterday. It turns out that there had been a hole in the tire, and someone had plugged it! THEN-- Our newly replaced windshield caught a rock yesterday! So, the crack stretches across SLOWLY. Oh, my word!
Rio Bravo (without John Wayne): Rio Bravo is a small, poor suburb of Laredo, right on the Rio Grande. Every house is surrounded with tall, pad-locked fences and gates. Most houses are very old and poor stucco put-togethers. Every place has two to eight dogs of all sizes (skinny, scrawny, hungry), waiting to eat you up if you look at them. Partially-paved streets lead straight to the Rio, where border-patrol vehicles line the banks every few hundred feet. Rio Bravo police drive up and down between the chain-link fences. Sisters Paepke and Brown had an appointment to teach a member about Family History work, but they were not to go there alone, so we took them. The Sisters asked us to contact some other (YSA) members there while they went to their appointment. Somehow they had no qualms about this shady little town and were anxious to knock doors when they finished. I was not at all sure we should leave them for even a minute, but they shoo-ed us away with smiles on their faces. We went about finding the addresses we were given, despite dogs nipping at my heels and biting Jim's leg! We did talk to a couple of people, but were not able to find any of our contacts. When the sisters joined us later, they apologized for not warning us about dogs, and showed us how they carry doggie treats in their pockets. Still, it's not like people are on their front porches waving to passers-by! They are locked in their houses behind fences and gates. So, the only successful contact was the appointment the sisters had. The young man's mother had old Spanish genealogy that they were able to help put in the computer and get a very excited family started on Family Search.
We think serving here is like serving in a foreign country! We met one family at church this week who does not speak Spanish either. They are quite new here with his job, Mangusons, and she is primary president, and he is Sunday School president. They have a little boy. Everyone here speaks Spanish, even in the English wards. We had one new attendee at Institute who says he "lost" his Spanish on his Russian mission, but to everyone else English is his or her second language. So, we are working on Spanish and learning little by little.
Much love to all of you! Happy birthday, Donny!
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Monday, June 18, 2018
Missionary Matters
June 18, 2018
Dear Friends and Family,
We had a wonderful and interesting week here in southern Texas! Our calling here, of course, is to teach, and teach we did! We also connected on Hangout for the first time for a CES inservice on Wednesday night after a very interesting trip with sister missionaries to Hebbronville. Sisters Zidek and Libberton asked us to take them out to this typical little town about an hour away to give out some free Bibles that were requested on Mormon.org and contact some members who had not had any contact with the Church. There was only a burned out house at one of the addresses. At another, the man did not remember ever being baptized--but in his state, maybe he wouldn't have remembered his own name. We met one very sweet senior couple who just could not travel the distance to attend church, so now attend with the Methodists. It is very sad that people get kind of "lost" in the middle of nowhere and don't have a chance to grow in the gospel. We were very impressed with the Sisters who prayed and then marched like shepherds, trying to gather the sheep. They had a little FaceTime meeting with Cameron and prayed for his friend.
The little trip to Hebbronville was our second encounter of the week with the border patrol. We had to pass through a checkpoint. I really had no idea until then what the "checkpoints" were that were keeping some of our people from the temple. On Monday we went to a missionary apartment down by "the river," and decided to take a little drive to see the Rio. As we turned into the neighborhood and down an unsaved little road, a border-patrol vehicle pulled out and followed us. Here we were in a big SUV with dark windows. . . I guess we looked suspicious. We decided it wasn't worth being searched or questioned, and turned around. It could have been iffy if there were people waiting in the bushes!
We had a fun time buying little puzzles at the dollar store for our object lesson for Institute. Our third border-patrol encounter was at the church on Thursday night. As we set up for class, one of the members who is a border-patrol helicopter pilot came in to tell us that a threat had been called in against churches. He was there to lock all the doors and guard the front foyer. Oooo, that was a little scary. No incidents, thank goodness. We had 28 students, including our newly-baptized friend, an investigator with the sister missionaries, a young man who is being re-activated by sister missionaries, and our fabulous YSAs. It is a joy to teach them, be with them, and learn with them! Several are returned missionaries. They love and support each other.
On Friday we went to THE INCREDIBLES 2 and enjoyed some time walking that beautiful mall. We are loving walking daily at the community fitness center. On Saturday night we had another fiesta to celebrate Bro. Orozco' birthday with a "carne asada" --which is a barbecue with a Mexican flavor. The favorite activity is karaoke! The surprise songbird was Sister Paedke. WOW--she was amazing. Also, Bro. Orozco can really sing! He and his wife are the YSA advisors and comida preparers. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Sister Orozco now has all her documentation, and as soon as Brother Orozco's comes through, they will go to the temple in San Antonio.We are very excited for them.
I got to teach Relief Society on Sunday following Pres. Nelson's talk on 'Revelation" from April Conference. It was a special experience. I also gave my first missionary piano lesson to 14-yr-old David. The District owns some keyboards the kids can use for practice, and I give the lessons at the church for David. I invited him to come to the house, but his mother uses the Internet at the church during his lesson. I forget how little resources some of these people have. I offered our WiFi and a computer for her use here, but I think they may be more comfortable at the church. The "Los Presidentes" building is tiny, but beautiful. They have relocatable classrooms--which is where we will teach seminary. A renovation and expansion is planned for 2019. three large branches (soon to be wards) meet in this building--which is very near us. The Hillside Chapel is a large, regular-sized building. We like to attend and serve there, too, as one Spanish branch and one English branch meet at Hillside. Two Spanish and one English meet at Los Presidentes.
Love to all of you! We love being here in Laredo and doing the Lord's work!
Dear Friends and Family,
We had a wonderful and interesting week here in southern Texas! Our calling here, of course, is to teach, and teach we did! We also connected on Hangout for the first time for a CES inservice on Wednesday night after a very interesting trip with sister missionaries to Hebbronville. Sisters Zidek and Libberton asked us to take them out to this typical little town about an hour away to give out some free Bibles that were requested on Mormon.org and contact some members who had not had any contact with the Church. There was only a burned out house at one of the addresses. At another, the man did not remember ever being baptized--but in his state, maybe he wouldn't have remembered his own name. We met one very sweet senior couple who just could not travel the distance to attend church, so now attend with the Methodists. It is very sad that people get kind of "lost" in the middle of nowhere and don't have a chance to grow in the gospel. We were very impressed with the Sisters who prayed and then marched like shepherds, trying to gather the sheep. They had a little FaceTime meeting with Cameron and prayed for his friend.
The little trip to Hebbronville was our second encounter of the week with the border patrol. We had to pass through a checkpoint. I really had no idea until then what the "checkpoints" were that were keeping some of our people from the temple. On Monday we went to a missionary apartment down by "the river," and decided to take a little drive to see the Rio. As we turned into the neighborhood and down an unsaved little road, a border-patrol vehicle pulled out and followed us. Here we were in a big SUV with dark windows. . . I guess we looked suspicious. We decided it wasn't worth being searched or questioned, and turned around. It could have been iffy if there were people waiting in the bushes!
We had a fun time buying little puzzles at the dollar store for our object lesson for Institute. Our third border-patrol encounter was at the church on Thursday night. As we set up for class, one of the members who is a border-patrol helicopter pilot came in to tell us that a threat had been called in against churches. He was there to lock all the doors and guard the front foyer. Oooo, that was a little scary. No incidents, thank goodness. We had 28 students, including our newly-baptized friend, an investigator with the sister missionaries, a young man who is being re-activated by sister missionaries, and our fabulous YSAs. It is a joy to teach them, be with them, and learn with them! Several are returned missionaries. They love and support each other.
On Friday we went to THE INCREDIBLES 2 and enjoyed some time walking that beautiful mall. We are loving walking daily at the community fitness center. On Saturday night we had another fiesta to celebrate Bro. Orozco' birthday with a "carne asada" --which is a barbecue with a Mexican flavor. The favorite activity is karaoke! The surprise songbird was Sister Paedke. WOW--she was amazing. Also, Bro. Orozco can really sing! He and his wife are the YSA advisors and comida preparers. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. Sister Orozco now has all her documentation, and as soon as Brother Orozco's comes through, they will go to the temple in San Antonio.We are very excited for them.
I got to teach Relief Society on Sunday following Pres. Nelson's talk on 'Revelation" from April Conference. It was a special experience. I also gave my first missionary piano lesson to 14-yr-old David. The District owns some keyboards the kids can use for practice, and I give the lessons at the church for David. I invited him to come to the house, but his mother uses the Internet at the church during his lesson. I forget how little resources some of these people have. I offered our WiFi and a computer for her use here, but I think they may be more comfortable at the church. The "Los Presidentes" building is tiny, but beautiful. They have relocatable classrooms--which is where we will teach seminary. A renovation and expansion is planned for 2019. three large branches (soon to be wards) meet in this building--which is very near us. The Hillside Chapel is a large, regular-sized building. We like to attend and serve there, too, as one Spanish branch and one English branch meet at Hillside. Two Spanish and one English meet at Los Presidentes.
Love to all of you! We love being here in Laredo and doing the Lord's work!
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Pioneers Matter
This is my talk from Laredo 1st Branch today, June 10, 2018:
On our wall at home hangs a cover of a Church News from almost 20 years ago. It hangs there because our son Sean is in the cover photograph with a handcart and camera equipment. The unusual thing is that in the background is the dome of the “Savior on the Blood” Church in St. Petersburg, Russia. The headline says, “Handcarts across Siberia.” In honor of the Mormon pioneers who, at great sacrifice, crossed the American plains more than 150 years before, modern-day Russian Saints trekked across their own land. They were an example of the new kind of pioneer—one who sacrifices the World to leave behind the darkness and walk into the light.
One such pioneer was Igor, the president of a little branch in Gotchna. At his first introduction to Mormon missionaries, he was drowning in drink and a life without purpose. He embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and lost his government-supported job, his friends, and extended family. With faith he created his own business, traveled to Sweden to receive temple ordinances, and led his family in righteousness. As we stood with Igor, complaining of the rickety train which was stalled in the frozen Russian winter, it was Igor who dropped his head, folded his arms, and fervently prayed in faith for the Lord’s help. We quickly closed our eyes and felt the power of his pleadings. As he ended and we raised our heads, the train started, and we boarded for the trip back to St. Petersburg.
And now in Russia they look forward to a temple’s being built on Russian soil.
Elder Flanagan and I have talked many times about how you, our brothers and sisters in Laredo, are also pioneers—Saints who are willing to work, sacrifice, and covenant as you build a stake of Zion. We are blessed to be part of this exciting trek. We were asked to speak today about pioneers, and you were the first to come to mind.
For some reason, when I packed for our trip, I included one envelope of family histories. I am thankful for my own pioneer heritage—brave ancestors who faced pain and death in Europe, on the ocean’s waters, and across America’s wilderness. As in many pioneer stories, they left their properties and homes, unbelieving family, wealth, comfort, friends, and jobs, and pledged themselves to the building of God’s Kingdom above all else the world had to offer. My great-great-grandfather, Christopher Syverson Winger, was one of those valiant pioneers in the early restored church. Born in Norway in 1835, Christopher was a strong, handsome, and ambitious man. He apprenticed as a shoemaker. A young man, separated from home and family, he began to withdraw from his Lutheran religion and slipped into a worldly life, though he read the Bible and wished he could have lived in the days of Jesus and his apostles saying, “Oh, that I had lived in that day, then would I also have been faithful in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and even though I was brought before a judge and thrown into prison, I would have stood fast.” Little did he know that his future held just such a promise!
When two Mormon missionaries came to Drammen and stirred up much interest about a “new” church which proclaimed angels had visited the earth and given golden plates to a boy named Joseph Smith, Christopher listened. At his first hearing, he experienced a “heavenly feeling. It was as though a voice whispered to me that here was something which I must hear and investigate.” He traveled around Norway, securing jobs as he went and ending up as a factory worker with a Mormon who talked to him about the Gospel. Others warned him not to listen to these American ideas and tried to disparage those who would preach or join with such a group. Christopher, however, was drawn to Brother Frandsen (who was probably one of my husband’s ancestors!)and joined with him in a meeting where the Spirit was so strong, that Christopher cried and committed himself to baptism. He says that the Tempter tried to stop him, but he knew he should go ahead and be baptized and give his life to Christ.
At that time in Norway, Mormons were severely persecuted, and Christopher was choosing a difficult path. He was called as a traveling elder (missionary) and began to preach and baptize. This led to his imprisonment at least twice. He faced traveling on foot without purse or script in the freezing Scandinavian winters. Miracles saved him and strengthened him.
Terrible epidemics swept Europe, and C.S.S. Winger was called by the Norwegian government to go to school to become a doctor, which he did for a year and a half until his call to missionary work won out and he returned to God’s work full time. He was falsely accused of crimes and thrown in prison for weeks, subsisting on bread and water. Released on Christmas Day, he walked through the snow until (it is his testimony that) God sent two good men who offered to transport him by sleigh for a small amount of money (which he had hidden in the toe of his boot), then on the deck of a steamer where he was snowed upon day and night, and into Stavanger. He writes, “Even the school children pursued me on the streets, and both myself and the Saints were exposed to mob violence, but the Lord strengthened us and many believed our testimonies.” Again he was arrested for preaching Mormonism, and thrown into a dank and dark cell. When Christopher was finally released, he traveled about by foot, preaching and baptizing. One of the men he baptized was a wealthy man who took many Saints with him to Zion. None of Christopher’s family would listen to him, and none joined the Church in this life. Persecution had become so great that Christopher S.S. Winger was finally granted permission to leave Norway and go to Denmark. He had no money and marched on-foot through all of Sweden. Elder Winger served among the Saints and traveled still, preaching and baptizing until in 1863 when he received permission to emigrate to Zion. He sailed on the B.S. Kimball from Liverpool, England, with 700 Saints bound for America. Many couples were wed aboard the ship, including Christopher and his beloved Ane Marie Salvesen, whom he had known since childhood. They “arrived happy and well at Salt Lake City in the early part of September 1863.” Christopher stayed faithful and stalwart all of his days. He served another mission to Scandinavia and one to Minnesota. He had three wives and 24 children. Through his trials and sacrifices, he remained a faithful pioneer and bore his testimony firmly all of his days. When we are faithful through hardships, the Lord is building us into strong servants.
I am grateful for all the gospel pioneers! Because of their examples and sacrifices, the Church was firmly established for me and for you. And now Elder Flanagan and I have been called to work with the Laredo Pioneers of 2018—to build a stake—to prepare us all for more temples—to teach our young people to be the leaders of southern Texas. Like those who crossed the plains, I bear witness that we do not have to do it alone. Our Heavenly Father will send angels to attend us. Those who have gone before us will watch over us in the Lord’s work. We pray for you and ask you to pray for us in this righteous work.
On our wall at home hangs a cover of a Church News from almost 20 years ago. It hangs there because our son Sean is in the cover photograph with a handcart and camera equipment. The unusual thing is that in the background is the dome of the “Savior on the Blood” Church in St. Petersburg, Russia. The headline says, “Handcarts across Siberia.” In honor of the Mormon pioneers who, at great sacrifice, crossed the American plains more than 150 years before, modern-day Russian Saints trekked across their own land. They were an example of the new kind of pioneer—one who sacrifices the World to leave behind the darkness and walk into the light.
One such pioneer was Igor, the president of a little branch in Gotchna. At his first introduction to Mormon missionaries, he was drowning in drink and a life without purpose. He embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and lost his government-supported job, his friends, and extended family. With faith he created his own business, traveled to Sweden to receive temple ordinances, and led his family in righteousness. As we stood with Igor, complaining of the rickety train which was stalled in the frozen Russian winter, it was Igor who dropped his head, folded his arms, and fervently prayed in faith for the Lord’s help. We quickly closed our eyes and felt the power of his pleadings. As he ended and we raised our heads, the train started, and we boarded for the trip back to St. Petersburg.
And now in Russia they look forward to a temple’s being built on Russian soil.
Elder Flanagan and I have talked many times about how you, our brothers and sisters in Laredo, are also pioneers—Saints who are willing to work, sacrifice, and covenant as you build a stake of Zion. We are blessed to be part of this exciting trek. We were asked to speak today about pioneers, and you were the first to come to mind.
For some reason, when I packed for our trip, I included one envelope of family histories. I am thankful for my own pioneer heritage—brave ancestors who faced pain and death in Europe, on the ocean’s waters, and across America’s wilderness. As in many pioneer stories, they left their properties and homes, unbelieving family, wealth, comfort, friends, and jobs, and pledged themselves to the building of God’s Kingdom above all else the world had to offer. My great-great-grandfather, Christopher Syverson Winger, was one of those valiant pioneers in the early restored church. Born in Norway in 1835, Christopher was a strong, handsome, and ambitious man. He apprenticed as a shoemaker. A young man, separated from home and family, he began to withdraw from his Lutheran religion and slipped into a worldly life, though he read the Bible and wished he could have lived in the days of Jesus and his apostles saying, “Oh, that I had lived in that day, then would I also have been faithful in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and even though I was brought before a judge and thrown into prison, I would have stood fast.” Little did he know that his future held just such a promise!
When two Mormon missionaries came to Drammen and stirred up much interest about a “new” church which proclaimed angels had visited the earth and given golden plates to a boy named Joseph Smith, Christopher listened. At his first hearing, he experienced a “heavenly feeling. It was as though a voice whispered to me that here was something which I must hear and investigate.” He traveled around Norway, securing jobs as he went and ending up as a factory worker with a Mormon who talked to him about the Gospel. Others warned him not to listen to these American ideas and tried to disparage those who would preach or join with such a group. Christopher, however, was drawn to Brother Frandsen (who was probably one of my husband’s ancestors!)and joined with him in a meeting where the Spirit was so strong, that Christopher cried and committed himself to baptism. He says that the Tempter tried to stop him, but he knew he should go ahead and be baptized and give his life to Christ.
At that time in Norway, Mormons were severely persecuted, and Christopher was choosing a difficult path. He was called as a traveling elder (missionary) and began to preach and baptize. This led to his imprisonment at least twice. He faced traveling on foot without purse or script in the freezing Scandinavian winters. Miracles saved him and strengthened him.
Terrible epidemics swept Europe, and C.S.S. Winger was called by the Norwegian government to go to school to become a doctor, which he did for a year and a half until his call to missionary work won out and he returned to God’s work full time. He was falsely accused of crimes and thrown in prison for weeks, subsisting on bread and water. Released on Christmas Day, he walked through the snow until (it is his testimony that) God sent two good men who offered to transport him by sleigh for a small amount of money (which he had hidden in the toe of his boot), then on the deck of a steamer where he was snowed upon day and night, and into Stavanger. He writes, “Even the school children pursued me on the streets, and both myself and the Saints were exposed to mob violence, but the Lord strengthened us and many believed our testimonies.” Again he was arrested for preaching Mormonism, and thrown into a dank and dark cell. When Christopher was finally released, he traveled about by foot, preaching and baptizing. One of the men he baptized was a wealthy man who took many Saints with him to Zion. None of Christopher’s family would listen to him, and none joined the Church in this life. Persecution had become so great that Christopher S.S. Winger was finally granted permission to leave Norway and go to Denmark. He had no money and marched on-foot through all of Sweden. Elder Winger served among the Saints and traveled still, preaching and baptizing until in 1863 when he received permission to emigrate to Zion. He sailed on the B.S. Kimball from Liverpool, England, with 700 Saints bound for America. Many couples were wed aboard the ship, including Christopher and his beloved Ane Marie Salvesen, whom he had known since childhood. They “arrived happy and well at Salt Lake City in the early part of September 1863.” Christopher stayed faithful and stalwart all of his days. He served another mission to Scandinavia and one to Minnesota. He had three wives and 24 children. Through his trials and sacrifices, he remained a faithful pioneer and bore his testimony firmly all of his days. When we are faithful through hardships, the Lord is building us into strong servants.
I am grateful for all the gospel pioneers! Because of their examples and sacrifices, the Church was firmly established for me and for you. And now Elder Flanagan and I have been called to work with the Laredo Pioneers of 2018—to build a stake—to prepare us all for more temples—to teach our young people to be the leaders of southern Texas. Like those who crossed the plains, I bear witness that we do not have to do it alone. Our Heavenly Father will send angels to attend us. Those who have gone before us will watch over us in the Lord’s work. We pray for you and ask you to pray for us in this righteous work.
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