Charity Matters

Charity Matters 9.10.18

Yesterday was filled with wonderful experiences. We drove to Zapata (it’s about a 45-minute drive) in the rain. Our new friends, Joan and Randy Shaw welcomed us at the little chapel that was once a funeral home. We were early, so we drove over the bridge and did a little sight-seeing. The Shaws’ assignment in Zapata is to lead the church there. Elder Shaw is the branch president. Jim and I really enjoyed speaking to the congregation of about 30 saints. Several of the people were educators, so we had an instant connection. We spoke on charity, and I played a piano arrangement of “Love One Another.” It was a blessing to us and hopefully to them for us to be there. Isn’t it interesting how you can go anywhere in the world and immediately love the people you meet? We had lunch with the Shaws, checked Family Search and found how we are related to them, looked at Mexico from their apartment, checked out their garden, and planned to go back soon to tour the museum, check out the birds, and attend a cultural event of the historical society. Falcon Lake is very low right now despite the rain, so we will have to fish another time, Donny! 

We returned to Laredo in time to set up for the YSA Face-to-Face with Elder Cook and two of the historians who have worked on SAINTS for the last six years. It was not easy to figure out the technology, but missionaries soon arrived and got the TV set up. We never did get the live feed to work, but it was wonderful anyway. If you did not see it, go online and watch.

Thursday night we held a read-a-thon in preparation for the devotional. It was inspiring to watch the young adults gather and read together in English or Spanish. One young man had been baptized only the Saturday before. We had lots of food and ice cream and good company—hey, that’s just like in elementary school! The 700-page book is excellent, and even Jim and I learned some things. SAINTS, A Standard of Truth is the first of three volumes of a history of the Church. It is written in a narrative style that is very easy to read. It is free in the Gospel Library app or about $6 at the store, so put it on your book list!

I was asked to play for a family history workshop on Saturday, which gave us an excuse to stay and start some family stories (we went to the 52-Stories workshop). It was really fun. We are checking the “who I’m related to” on Family Search wherever we go. I am a 12th cousin, once-removed, of Joan Shaw, and both of the Shaws are related to Jim back 8 or 9 generations. Jim stopped at the family-history room one night when we were at the church for Institute and found out that he was related to Sister Natoli (she is from Alaska and her husband flies helicopter for border patrol), who was there working on family history.

Thursday we also got to feed four missionaries. We love the connection we have with the young sisters and elders! Thursdays are busy with piano lessons and Institute, but we love to feed people! I started another piano student on Monday.

Teaching seminary every morning is the bomb! We love these kids! It is  almost impossible to get the same students there every day of the week, but we would do it for even one of these choice young people. Because of the heat students have to choose early morning band, football, cross country, or seminary. We take it for granted when we have the convenience of release time, huh?

Friday we went to see the movie GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD. We love to find a clean movie that we can enjoy!

We are looking forward to coming home for a week in December and very excited to be there for Cassie’s and Colton’s weddings. Cameron is coming here for Thanksgiving, so we are also looking forward to that. Every day here is an adventure, a blessing, and a spiritual opportunity. We are grateful for the technology that lets us have face-to-face prayers and scriptures with Cameron and visits with others. We are truly blessed to have the health and energy to do this work. Please pray for us and for the people of Laredo. You are always in our thoughts and prayers! Much love!