Matters According to Plan 7.30.2018
What a wonderful week we have had! We just returned from a 2-hour visit with our new friend Hugo and his mother (97) and brother Celestino. We had great conversations and promised to teach him the Plan of Salvation later in the week. Hugo is such a good man who has talked to young missionaries before. He has faith in God, prays regularly, is reading the Book of Mormon, and knows that any success or happiness he has had in life has come from God. Jim told him that he is needed as a leader in the soon-to-be Laredo Stake. Hugo said, “But I am not educated.” Jim explained that if the Lord calls a 14-year-old boy with three years of formal education to translate the Book of Mormon and restore His church to the earth, He can use any of us to help bring forth His kingdom. Hugo is really impressed with the young missionaries who work so hard and devote themselves to the Gospel, so I reminded him that it is the power of God, not 18 and 19 year-olds, who are teaching and converting people. I even sang “We’ll Bring the World His Truth” for him! When we told Hugo that we would teach him the Plan of Salvation next time, he said, “Good! I really need that. I wanted to ask, but I didn’t want to be rude.”
We also went to lunch today with the senior couple who is serving in Zapata, the Shaws. We love them! We are speaking in their branch in September. They are from Taylorsville, Utah. He was an elementary teacher in Granite and Jordan Districts. She is a cousin to Kris Parry, one of my friends from elementary through high school. Kris passed away from breast cancer about 13 years ago. We used to sing together, and she was in the Tabernacle Choir.
Yesterday we went to three different sacrament meetings. I had the opportunity to play the organ again in Rama (Branch) #1. I also taught singing time and sharing time in Primary. I taught two piano lessons, and we had YSA FHE. We helped teach the Restoration to Alma (a 60-something nurse) with some elders during the week and hoped she would come to church again, but she did not show up in 4th branch. I wrote her a note, inviting her to watch President Nelson’s conference talk on Revelation. She is looking for a charismatic personality to know which church to go to. We tried to tell her that she needs to ask God herself and get her answer from Him. The elders may be ready to give up on her and move on.
On Thursday we taught our second Institute lesson on chastity. We love these young people! So many of them will be leaving for BYUI and other colleges. Two brothers are going into the Air Force. One young woman is moving this week to San Antonio, then on to New Jersey. We will miss them all! A few are planning on missions. Seminary starts on August 15—every morning at 6:00!
We are trying to accelerate our Spanish learning! It makes my brain tired to listen to Spanish sacrament meetings and family home evenings. I bought a Spanish Himnos book—so we can learn the hymns. I’m trying to write and pray in Spanish and study grammar and vocabulary every day, besides doing several lessons in Duolingo.
We attended our first temple session in Spanish on Saturday. It was supposed to be an English session, but they did not have enough headsets for those who needed Spanish! So, I used a headset, even though I know the endowment. I love the San Antonio Temple. We were able to take two sets of sister missionaries and one other sister (Maria Gonzales—no English) in our car. Maria was sealed to her husband, who is dead. Another couple from our District was sealed and we got to attend that sealing, too. Our friends, the Orozcos, received their endowments after many years of waiting. Until last week when he got his legal papers, they could not get through the checkpoint. Hermana Orozco got her paperwork last month. It was very sweet and touching!
I went into the baptistry to watch our young people perform and proxy baptisms for family names that they had found. It was such a spiritual experience! I had never seen the priests do the baptisms for the dead, nor had I seen young people taking part in baptisms for their family names that they had researched themselves. One of our recently-returned missionaries was also watching, and I noticed that the young man being baptized had the same last name that she did. When he finished I asked her if it was her brother. Wiping away a tear she said, “Yes, he was doing the work for our grandfathers, so it was very special.” One of our YSAs, Ingrid, was there with the names of her grandparents. She was ecstatic. Ingrid is the one we are teaching temple prep, so she can get her endowment ASAP. She plans to leave on a mission when she graduates from Texas A&M in College Station this December. Saturday was an amazing experience in SanAntonio! We drove past the Alamo so that the Sisters could just see it for the first time.
How glorious is the Plan of Salvation! How blessed we are by our loving Heavenly Father to have temples that can unite us in families for eternity! As the first anniversary of my sister’s death passed yesterday, it punctuated the great promises and blessings of the temple! For Eternity—just think of that!
Monday, July 30, 2018
Monday, July 23, 2018
Hugs and Kisses Matter
Hugs and Kisses Matter 7.22.18
We are learning that hugs and kisses are coming our way from every angle and getting used to giving them out as well!
This last week we had to say “good-bye” to Cameron and Dani and send them back to Utah. That was not as easy as it sounds! After a fun day at the Alamo, we took them to the San Antonio airport. Earlier we ate at the food court at Riverwalk—after a disappointing delay. After waiting for 40 minutes, the restaurant finally told us they did not have shrimp after all! That was only the first disappointing delay. Just as we parked at the airport, we got a text message that the flight would leave 40 minutes earlier than scheduled. Jim checked with the counter to make sure that all was well for the flight to Dallas and then on to SLC. Reassured that our “kids” would be taken care of, we left the airport and traveled on to Laredo. About a half hour into our journey, we got a call from Donny alerting us that Dani was panicking because of an announcement that the flight was over-booked. We tried to calm everyone that they had boarding passes with assigned seats. Finally, they were off to Dallas. The next thing we knew, we got a call from Denver where the plane had been diverted to pick up fuel after circling and circling the SLC airport. Weather was the culprit this time! Dani and Cam landed around 3 AM and the journey was over. Cam is not so sure he wants to come again!
We are the only senior missionary couple in Laredo, so it falls to us to inspect apartments. Mostly we make sure the smoke alarms work, spray for bugs, make sure all the essentials are working, check for emergency water and 24-hour kit, etc. Some missionaries are real neat-nics, but a few obviously came into the mission field never having had to clean up after themselves. They need a little lecture on keeping things neat and clean (especially with all these BUGS).
We taught Ingrid her first temple-prep class. She is an amazing young woman. She wants to receive her endowments before she goes back to school. Her family is not LDS, so she has to be a little sensitive about their needs. We are hoping nothing stops her from serving a mission because she REALLY wants to go. Her mother has had cancer in the past and is having a checkup in Mexico this week.
Besides our Institute lesson on “Chastity” that we taught on Thursday, we had to help out in the branches all day on Sunday. July is when everyone leaves Laredo for vacation somewhere NORTH. If you watch the news, you know that America’s SW is like hellfire. It was probably 113 degrees yesterday, according to our District President. WE just stay where it’s air-conditioned. I never do well in the heat—just too Scandinavian to live in the summer Laredo temperatures. People tell us that NEXT summer will be better. I remember how sick I got in the heat in Budapest—thought I was having heat stroke! We have had to minister to two missionaries who ended up in the hospital with heat issues. The lessons are: (1) Drink your water! (2) Replenish your electrolytes!
We have one person in the whole District (Lorraine Correa) who can play the organ/piano. The branch organizations sing along with a phone, and one of the buildings has an electronic-programmable piano. You can see why I am teaching piano lessons! I’m teaching two teenagers and the wife of a branch president. I hope we can get more pianists to serve here. Sister Correa fractured her shoulder last week, so I am on the organ for first branch for a few weeks. I already was filling in for primary chorister/organist for a couple of weeks—which was really FUN! I went to the nursery to sing with the one little boy who was there this week—a precocious, talkative two-year-old. He kept telling me he wanted to sing “The Skeleton Song.” He sang with me “Popcorn Popping,” “Once There Was a Snowman,” “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock,” “Pioneer Children,” etc., but kept requesting “The Skeleton Song.” (Because, he said, he really likes Halloween.) Finally, I said, “I don’t know that one, Clark. Why don’t you sing it for me?” He then sang a version of “Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones.” What a little character—SO smart!
Jim helped with the YSA service project on Saturday. It was clearing some property on a ranch a ways out of town. I was sick Saturday morning, so didn’t go—which was probably good because of the heat. He met the Gonzaleses who are about our age. I’ll post pictures of the cacti. Jim got to taste the fruit off one and brought home a bag of unripe lemons from the Gonzalez lemon orchard.
We are looking forward to the District Temple day on Saturday in San Antonio. We are grateful that Brother Orozco finally got his legalization papers and he and his wife will be riding with us to the temple. This experience is stretching us. We are building compassion and love for the good people here. We are working hard on our Spanish and can now pray en español! I really could understand FHE last night, given in Spanish by Sister Orozco. We love the gospel and you!
We are learning that hugs and kisses are coming our way from every angle and getting used to giving them out as well!
This last week we had to say “good-bye” to Cameron and Dani and send them back to Utah. That was not as easy as it sounds! After a fun day at the Alamo, we took them to the San Antonio airport. Earlier we ate at the food court at Riverwalk—after a disappointing delay. After waiting for 40 minutes, the restaurant finally told us they did not have shrimp after all! That was only the first disappointing delay. Just as we parked at the airport, we got a text message that the flight would leave 40 minutes earlier than scheduled. Jim checked with the counter to make sure that all was well for the flight to Dallas and then on to SLC. Reassured that our “kids” would be taken care of, we left the airport and traveled on to Laredo. About a half hour into our journey, we got a call from Donny alerting us that Dani was panicking because of an announcement that the flight was over-booked. We tried to calm everyone that they had boarding passes with assigned seats. Finally, they were off to Dallas. The next thing we knew, we got a call from Denver where the plane had been diverted to pick up fuel after circling and circling the SLC airport. Weather was the culprit this time! Dani and Cam landed around 3 AM and the journey was over. Cam is not so sure he wants to come again!
We are the only senior missionary couple in Laredo, so it falls to us to inspect apartments. Mostly we make sure the smoke alarms work, spray for bugs, make sure all the essentials are working, check for emergency water and 24-hour kit, etc. Some missionaries are real neat-nics, but a few obviously came into the mission field never having had to clean up after themselves. They need a little lecture on keeping things neat and clean (especially with all these BUGS).
We taught Ingrid her first temple-prep class. She is an amazing young woman. She wants to receive her endowments before she goes back to school. Her family is not LDS, so she has to be a little sensitive about their needs. We are hoping nothing stops her from serving a mission because she REALLY wants to go. Her mother has had cancer in the past and is having a checkup in Mexico this week.
Besides our Institute lesson on “Chastity” that we taught on Thursday, we had to help out in the branches all day on Sunday. July is when everyone leaves Laredo for vacation somewhere NORTH. If you watch the news, you know that America’s SW is like hellfire. It was probably 113 degrees yesterday, according to our District President. WE just stay where it’s air-conditioned. I never do well in the heat—just too Scandinavian to live in the summer Laredo temperatures. People tell us that NEXT summer will be better. I remember how sick I got in the heat in Budapest—thought I was having heat stroke! We have had to minister to two missionaries who ended up in the hospital with heat issues. The lessons are: (1) Drink your water! (2) Replenish your electrolytes!
We have one person in the whole District (Lorraine Correa) who can play the organ/piano. The branch organizations sing along with a phone, and one of the buildings has an electronic-programmable piano. You can see why I am teaching piano lessons! I’m teaching two teenagers and the wife of a branch president. I hope we can get more pianists to serve here. Sister Correa fractured her shoulder last week, so I am on the organ for first branch for a few weeks. I already was filling in for primary chorister/organist for a couple of weeks—which was really FUN! I went to the nursery to sing with the one little boy who was there this week—a precocious, talkative two-year-old. He kept telling me he wanted to sing “The Skeleton Song.” He sang with me “Popcorn Popping,” “Once There Was a Snowman,” “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock,” “Pioneer Children,” etc., but kept requesting “The Skeleton Song.” (Because, he said, he really likes Halloween.) Finally, I said, “I don’t know that one, Clark. Why don’t you sing it for me?” He then sang a version of “Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones.” What a little character—SO smart!
Jim helped with the YSA service project on Saturday. It was clearing some property on a ranch a ways out of town. I was sick Saturday morning, so didn’t go—which was probably good because of the heat. He met the Gonzaleses who are about our age. I’ll post pictures of the cacti. Jim got to taste the fruit off one and brought home a bag of unripe lemons from the Gonzalez lemon orchard.
We are looking forward to the District Temple day on Saturday in San Antonio. We are grateful that Brother Orozco finally got his legalization papers and he and his wife will be riding with us to the temple. This experience is stretching us. We are building compassion and love for the good people here. We are working hard on our Spanish and can now pray en español! I really could understand FHE last night, given in Spanish by Sister Orozco. We love the gospel and you!
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Matters of Immigration Added
Adding Matters 7.18.2018
We were inspecting sisters’ and elders’ apartments in the 106-degree temperatures. Two sets of sisters live about one block from the Rio Grande (the Mexican border). One day last week as the sisters were returning home, they were accosted by a small group of Mexicans who had crossed the border illegally at the end of their street. The people were pleading and yelling at them (in Spanish), “Hide us! Hide us! For God’s sake hide us now!” The Sisters told them that they were sorry, but missionaries were not allowed to do that. At that point the parking lot filled with police, border patrol, and ICE to take them into custody. Today as we inspected, we asked the missionaries one of the required questions, “Do you keep your door dead-bolted at all times when you are home?” They looked at me like “are you kidding?” and replied, “You BET we do—every minute!” As much as our hearts go out to those in need, people MUST respect our laws by entering this country legally. Stand in line. Cross at a point of entry (especially if you want to ask for asylum or keep your family together!). Do not endanger your life or the lives of children by crossing illegally. Yes, it takes a long time and a lot of paperwork and money to come to the United States, but you will be welcomed with open arms if you wait your turn and abide by the laws of this country from the beginning.
We were inspecting sisters’ and elders’ apartments in the 106-degree temperatures. Two sets of sisters live about one block from the Rio Grande (the Mexican border). One day last week as the sisters were returning home, they were accosted by a small group of Mexicans who had crossed the border illegally at the end of their street. The people were pleading and yelling at them (in Spanish), “Hide us! Hide us! For God’s sake hide us now!” The Sisters told them that they were sorry, but missionaries were not allowed to do that. At that point the parking lot filled with police, border patrol, and ICE to take them into custody. Today as we inspected, we asked the missionaries one of the required questions, “Do you keep your door dead-bolted at all times when you are home?” They looked at me like “are you kidding?” and replied, “You BET we do—every minute!” As much as our hearts go out to those in need, people MUST respect our laws by entering this country legally. Stand in line. Cross at a point of entry (especially if you want to ask for asylum or keep your family together!). Do not endanger your life or the lives of children by crossing illegally. Yes, it takes a long time and a lot of paperwork and money to come to the United States, but you will be welcomed with open arms if you wait your turn and abide by the laws of this country from the beginning.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Family Matters
Matters of Heart 7.17.2018
Deep in the heart of Texas you will find a busy border town called Laredo. The highways around the city are full of construction improvements, trying to keep up with the the burgeoning population. Police lights and border patrol keep watch day and night to keep the citizens safe from the evils of drugs, human trafficking, violence, and all kinds of crime. But, that is not really Laredo. The real Laredo is good people in the churches and community centers who are trying to make good lives for themselves and their families. The Latter-day Saints here are amazing examples of faithfulness, love of God, kindness, and generosity. We are so blessed to be part of the LDS people here who will watch this mission district become a stake of Zion.
It was a busy week! We met with Abel at the church on Monday. Let’s just say he was not an honest seeker of truth. It was still a good experience for us.
It was a blessing to have Cameron and Danielle here for the week. It was fun to pick them up in San Antonio and drive to the temple. We then did some sight-seeing and checked into our room at a beautiful resort. OOoops! The bathroom was flooded. We moved to another room. The carpets were wet. (This was a very exclusive, expensive resort—paid with Expedia points.) Our third room was perfect. Dani said she had never stayed anywhere that nice. She and Cam enjoyed the pool system, watched the hummingbirds, and admired the gorgeous landscape. We closed the day watching fireworks from our balcony, celebrating San Antonio’s 300th birthday. Tuesday we had such fun at Six Flags before driving back to Laredo!
Thursday we had the opportunity to teach lessons all afternoon for the District youth conference on the Plan of Salvation and Symbols of the Temple. Our institute class ended the day. We love teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
On Friday Elder F. and I had zone conference all morning with Presidente Torres. We met the couple who is serving in Zapata who came to the mission about the same time we did. We learned that we had a connection with Sister Shaw because she is the cousin of one of my best friends in grades 6 through 12, Kris Parry. We had a good time reminiscing about Kris, who passed away about 13 or 14 years ago from breast cancer. We plan to grow our new friendship with the Shaws and go soon to Zapata, which draws birdwatchers and fishermen from all over the world. There is a little branch of the church there, and we have been asked to speak (don’t worry—they have translators!).
On Saturday our YSA had an activity at Lake Casa Blanca, and Dani and Cameron ended their day with ball games and a dip in the lake at sunset. Sunday was beautiful. Yesterday we took Cameron and Danielle back to San Antonio to meet their plane—but, first our trip to the Alamo and “the War for Texas.” “The War for Texas” is an interactive museum that concludes with a re-enactment of the battle of the Alamo. I couldn’t believe how much the “kids”—Cam takes exception with the title—really loved the experience. Jim and I did, too, but that didn’t surprise us.
We love it here in Texas, though I may never get used to the heat! We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bear testimony of His love for all of us. Please pray for us and the missionaries all over the world.
Deep in the heart of Texas you will find a busy border town called Laredo. The highways around the city are full of construction improvements, trying to keep up with the the burgeoning population. Police lights and border patrol keep watch day and night to keep the citizens safe from the evils of drugs, human trafficking, violence, and all kinds of crime. But, that is not really Laredo. The real Laredo is good people in the churches and community centers who are trying to make good lives for themselves and their families. The Latter-day Saints here are amazing examples of faithfulness, love of God, kindness, and generosity. We are so blessed to be part of the LDS people here who will watch this mission district become a stake of Zion.
It was a busy week! We met with Abel at the church on Monday. Let’s just say he was not an honest seeker of truth. It was still a good experience for us.
It was a blessing to have Cameron and Danielle here for the week. It was fun to pick them up in San Antonio and drive to the temple. We then did some sight-seeing and checked into our room at a beautiful resort. OOoops! The bathroom was flooded. We moved to another room. The carpets were wet. (This was a very exclusive, expensive resort—paid with Expedia points.) Our third room was perfect. Dani said she had never stayed anywhere that nice. She and Cam enjoyed the pool system, watched the hummingbirds, and admired the gorgeous landscape. We closed the day watching fireworks from our balcony, celebrating San Antonio’s 300th birthday. Tuesday we had such fun at Six Flags before driving back to Laredo!
Thursday we had the opportunity to teach lessons all afternoon for the District youth conference on the Plan of Salvation and Symbols of the Temple. Our institute class ended the day. We love teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
On Friday Elder F. and I had zone conference all morning with Presidente Torres. We met the couple who is serving in Zapata who came to the mission about the same time we did. We learned that we had a connection with Sister Shaw because she is the cousin of one of my best friends in grades 6 through 12, Kris Parry. We had a good time reminiscing about Kris, who passed away about 13 or 14 years ago from breast cancer. We plan to grow our new friendship with the Shaws and go soon to Zapata, which draws birdwatchers and fishermen from all over the world. There is a little branch of the church there, and we have been asked to speak (don’t worry—they have translators!).
On Saturday our YSA had an activity at Lake Casa Blanca, and Dani and Cameron ended their day with ball games and a dip in the lake at sunset. Sunday was beautiful. Yesterday we took Cameron and Danielle back to San Antonio to meet their plane—but, first our trip to the Alamo and “the War for Texas.” “The War for Texas” is an interactive museum that concludes with a re-enactment of the battle of the Alamo. I couldn’t believe how much the “kids”—Cam takes exception with the title—really loved the experience. Jim and I did, too, but that didn’t surprise us.
We love it here in Texas, though I may never get used to the heat! We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bear testimony of His love for all of us. Please pray for us and the missionaries all over the world.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
Conversion Matters
Matters of Conversion 7.08.18
Last night we attended the baptisms of three young women—22-year-old Michelle (single mother of three children, ages 4, 3, and 2) and her two nieces, Samantha (15) and Brandy (12). There was something so sweet about it! I could hardly stop the tears then and again today as they were confirmed. I watched the branch president’s beautiful wife (I am sure they are only in their 20s) love these three and care for the little children. Brandy just lit up today when she saw us there for them. So many of these people are so alone and just want someone to care.
Today we attended three sacrament meetings. The first two were in Spanish, and left us mentally exhausted, trying to understand the spirit of the messages, if not the literal meaning. We ARE coming closer with the Spanish. The meetings were wonderful and spiritual. We decided to go the the last meeting of the day, the 1:00 at Los Presidentes, and we were rewarded with a spiritual feast. First we saw Jovanna, a 17-year-old whom we met last Sunday at FHE. She doesn’t speak English and is here from Mexico for a few weeks to visit her sister. She was so thrilled to see us, kept hugging us, and brought us an invitation to a baby shower for her sister. (Our hearts are full!)
The speakers in the 4th branch (English-speaking) were from the Garcia Family. Jasmin just turned 14 this week. She is amazing. She told about the miracle that brought her family into the Church. About a year ago her dad picked her up from school for some reason, and as they drove home, they saw some elders riding bikes. They stopped, and the elders asked if they could stop by their house. The dad invited them to come that day because his family was having a difficult time. Both Dad and Jasmin said it truly was a miracle. Dad was already a member, inactive, but living a good life and keeping the Word of Wisdom. He just didn’t go to church because he didn’t want to force it on his wife and Jasmin. When the elders came, they expressed joy at being able to meet the Garcias, but said that they were leaving—transferred. Taking their place would be sister missionaries. Brother Garcia says that was also a miracle, a tender mercy, because his wife and daughter could meet with the missionaries even when he was not there. Today Sister Garcia is YW president. Brother Garcia is Elders’ Quorum president. Jasmin has changed her rebellious life and loves the Gospel and her fellow young women. Sister Garcia told the story of her difficult life—raised by grandparents rather than her addict parents; called home to take care of her six siblings when her mother became ill when she was about twelve; the death of her mother from brain cancer; being expected to parent her brothers and sisters when she was only a child; abuse, threats, and blame from her addict father; leaving home with the first boy who paid her any attention and finding him to be abusive; taking her new baby to a shelter for battered women; petitioned for custody of her siblings and kept them together for a few years—all before she turned 20. Her story is much like most of the converts in Laredo when they decide to change their lives and follow the Savior. Their lives before the church were unimaginable.
We have an appointment tomorrow morning to start teaching Abel Sanchez (see last week’s blog on miracles). When Jim called him to make the appointment, Abel was thrilled to hear his voice and anxious to meet and be taught. Tender mercies!
One of our incredible young single adults is planning to serve a mission as soon as she graduates from college in December. She is working to go to the temple to get her endowments before she goes back to Texas A&M in College Station in the fall. She wants to meet with us several times a week for the temple-prep lessons. We are blessed! We will get permission to teach her these lessons. She wants to road trip to Utah to receive these blessings. She has been a member for about a year and a half, the only member in her family. Her boyfriend served a mission in Brazil and is encouraging her to serve. The young people here—we love them so much already!
I have three piano students now—two seminary kids and the wife of one of the Spanish branch presidents. This is a blessing in my life!
The Lord knows each of us and loves us infinitely. He forgives us of our sins and weaknesses, no matter what they are. He paid the price long ago in Gethsemane and on the cross. It is true. The Restoration is true. The blessings are ours.
Last night we attended the baptisms of three young women—22-year-old Michelle (single mother of three children, ages 4, 3, and 2) and her two nieces, Samantha (15) and Brandy (12). There was something so sweet about it! I could hardly stop the tears then and again today as they were confirmed. I watched the branch president’s beautiful wife (I am sure they are only in their 20s) love these three and care for the little children. Brandy just lit up today when she saw us there for them. So many of these people are so alone and just want someone to care.
Today we attended three sacrament meetings. The first two were in Spanish, and left us mentally exhausted, trying to understand the spirit of the messages, if not the literal meaning. We ARE coming closer with the Spanish. The meetings were wonderful and spiritual. We decided to go the the last meeting of the day, the 1:00 at Los Presidentes, and we were rewarded with a spiritual feast. First we saw Jovanna, a 17-year-old whom we met last Sunday at FHE. She doesn’t speak English and is here from Mexico for a few weeks to visit her sister. She was so thrilled to see us, kept hugging us, and brought us an invitation to a baby shower for her sister. (Our hearts are full!)
The speakers in the 4th branch (English-speaking) were from the Garcia Family. Jasmin just turned 14 this week. She is amazing. She told about the miracle that brought her family into the Church. About a year ago her dad picked her up from school for some reason, and as they drove home, they saw some elders riding bikes. They stopped, and the elders asked if they could stop by their house. The dad invited them to come that day because his family was having a difficult time. Both Dad and Jasmin said it truly was a miracle. Dad was already a member, inactive, but living a good life and keeping the Word of Wisdom. He just didn’t go to church because he didn’t want to force it on his wife and Jasmin. When the elders came, they expressed joy at being able to meet the Garcias, but said that they were leaving—transferred. Taking their place would be sister missionaries. Brother Garcia says that was also a miracle, a tender mercy, because his wife and daughter could meet with the missionaries even when he was not there. Today Sister Garcia is YW president. Brother Garcia is Elders’ Quorum president. Jasmin has changed her rebellious life and loves the Gospel and her fellow young women. Sister Garcia told the story of her difficult life—raised by grandparents rather than her addict parents; called home to take care of her six siblings when her mother became ill when she was about twelve; the death of her mother from brain cancer; being expected to parent her brothers and sisters when she was only a child; abuse, threats, and blame from her addict father; leaving home with the first boy who paid her any attention and finding him to be abusive; taking her new baby to a shelter for battered women; petitioned for custody of her siblings and kept them together for a few years—all before she turned 20. Her story is much like most of the converts in Laredo when they decide to change their lives and follow the Savior. Their lives before the church were unimaginable.
We have an appointment tomorrow morning to start teaching Abel Sanchez (see last week’s blog on miracles). When Jim called him to make the appointment, Abel was thrilled to hear his voice and anxious to meet and be taught. Tender mercies!
One of our incredible young single adults is planning to serve a mission as soon as she graduates from college in December. She is working to go to the temple to get her endowments before she goes back to Texas A&M in College Station in the fall. She wants to meet with us several times a week for the temple-prep lessons. We are blessed! We will get permission to teach her these lessons. She wants to road trip to Utah to receive these blessings. She has been a member for about a year and a half, the only member in her family. Her boyfriend served a mission in Brazil and is encouraging her to serve. The young people here—we love them so much already!
I have three piano students now—two seminary kids and the wife of one of the Spanish branch presidents. This is a blessing in my life!
The Lord knows each of us and loves us infinitely. He forgives us of our sins and weaknesses, no matter what they are. He paid the price long ago in Gethsemane and on the cross. It is true. The Restoration is true. The blessings are ours.
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Milagros Matter
Milagros Matter 7.4.18
Dear Friends and Family,
This blog is for those of you who want to keep track of us on our mission in Laredo, but especially for our children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and their families, aunts and uncles and cousins. We hope you will gather your families every day and pray for us and the other missionaries all over the world. The people of Laredo are on-track to become a stake and could use your prayers, too! This is a tough, but interesting city. Like any border town, it has its challenges, and we believe that we were sent here to help strengthen the good people who are fighting to save their lives and the lives of people they love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Milagros" means "miracles." If we didn't believe the Lord's hand was in our lives before we came here (and we did!), we would believe it now. On Monday we met and helped the lady from El Salvador. I told you about her last week, but forgot to explain what brought her across our path. A friend in California told her to find an LDS church and go there to wait until someone came to help her. The church was full of young missionaries who called us to come help her so she could get back across the border. I do not know the end of her story--maybe I never will, but I do know that she crossed our path for a reason (or we crossed hers). One missionary mini-miracle.
On Thursday we were setting up our institute class to teach the lesson on the Proclamation to the World on the Family. A man appeared in the classroom door, curious as to what we were doing there. We explained our purpose, and he seemed disappointed that the class was for young adults. We invited him to stay anyway, but he declined. He said he had had an encounter with some elders, but did not relate to them well. Thursday he had been riding his bicycle past the church, saw our car, and came in. Abel Sanchez is in his mid-sixties, and looks like he could be Jim's brother--fair and freckled, a special-ed teacher, and former HS track runner. They hit it off, exchanged numbers and addresses, and made a date to meet later this week. I don't believe in coincidences. I do believe in milagros!
On Friday we met with Bro. Salmond, our seminary & institute director for some inservice. Later he and Jim went to visit possible seminary students for this fall. They came to one address on the list and found instead a man in his mid-sixties (again!) who invited them in and showed them his Book of Mormon, given to him by some elders who never came back. Before the Elders he met with some Sister missionaries whom he described as "beautiful--not like pretty, but beautiful from the inside out." They talked for a while, and Hugo Arriaga asked Jim if WE would teach him. Jim challenged him to read the Book of Mormon. They looked at Mormon 10:4, and talked about how he can pray and find out if it is true. Hugo says he prays every day from his heart, not like his church teaches him to pray. He asked if we would teach him when he gets back from vacation in two weeks! Another little miracle.
Brother Salmond (who is also a stake president in McAllen) said, "I thought I came here today to find seminary students, but now I know I came to help you find this man." We are not called as proselyting missionaries, but the Lord knew that we were the people that Abel and Hugo needed to meet. Who knows but what they may be one of the reasons we are serving in Laredo! The mission president has given us permission to teach them.
We have been in Laredo for a month now. Our eyes and hearts have been opened to many things. On this Independence Day, we are grateful to live in this blessed country. We are grateful for our Founding Fathers, imperfect human beings who were touched by God's hand to institute the beginnings of this great nation. Like the founding Fathers, we also give thanks for Joseph Smith, an imperfect man but true prophet of God. The two are inseparably connected.
The gospel is true. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and direct us. We love you all--you are the pieces of our lives. Thank you for your prayers. God bless America!
Dear Friends and Family,
This blog is for those of you who want to keep track of us on our mission in Laredo, but especially for our children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and their families, aunts and uncles and cousins. We hope you will gather your families every day and pray for us and the other missionaries all over the world. The people of Laredo are on-track to become a stake and could use your prayers, too! This is a tough, but interesting city. Like any border town, it has its challenges, and we believe that we were sent here to help strengthen the good people who are fighting to save their lives and the lives of people they love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Milagros" means "miracles." If we didn't believe the Lord's hand was in our lives before we came here (and we did!), we would believe it now. On Monday we met and helped the lady from El Salvador. I told you about her last week, but forgot to explain what brought her across our path. A friend in California told her to find an LDS church and go there to wait until someone came to help her. The church was full of young missionaries who called us to come help her so she could get back across the border. I do not know the end of her story--maybe I never will, but I do know that she crossed our path for a reason (or we crossed hers). One missionary mini-miracle.
On Thursday we were setting up our institute class to teach the lesson on the Proclamation to the World on the Family. A man appeared in the classroom door, curious as to what we were doing there. We explained our purpose, and he seemed disappointed that the class was for young adults. We invited him to stay anyway, but he declined. He said he had had an encounter with some elders, but did not relate to them well. Thursday he had been riding his bicycle past the church, saw our car, and came in. Abel Sanchez is in his mid-sixties, and looks like he could be Jim's brother--fair and freckled, a special-ed teacher, and former HS track runner. They hit it off, exchanged numbers and addresses, and made a date to meet later this week. I don't believe in coincidences. I do believe in milagros!
On Friday we met with Bro. Salmond, our seminary & institute director for some inservice. Later he and Jim went to visit possible seminary students for this fall. They came to one address on the list and found instead a man in his mid-sixties (again!) who invited them in and showed them his Book of Mormon, given to him by some elders who never came back. Before the Elders he met with some Sister missionaries whom he described as "beautiful--not like pretty, but beautiful from the inside out." They talked for a while, and Hugo Arriaga asked Jim if WE would teach him. Jim challenged him to read the Book of Mormon. They looked at Mormon 10:4, and talked about how he can pray and find out if it is true. Hugo says he prays every day from his heart, not like his church teaches him to pray. He asked if we would teach him when he gets back from vacation in two weeks! Another little miracle.
Brother Salmond (who is also a stake president in McAllen) said, "I thought I came here today to find seminary students, but now I know I came to help you find this man." We are not called as proselyting missionaries, but the Lord knew that we were the people that Abel and Hugo needed to meet. Who knows but what they may be one of the reasons we are serving in Laredo! The mission president has given us permission to teach them.
We have been in Laredo for a month now. Our eyes and hearts have been opened to many things. On this Independence Day, we are grateful to live in this blessed country. We are grateful for our Founding Fathers, imperfect human beings who were touched by God's hand to institute the beginnings of this great nation. Like the founding Fathers, we also give thanks for Joseph Smith, an imperfect man but true prophet of God. The two are inseparably connected.
The gospel is true. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and direct us. We love you all--you are the pieces of our lives. Thank you for your prayers. God bless America!
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