Matters of Fulfilling our Potential TMM

TMM Becoming Matters

We hear the same story often, and we love it! People are searching for peace, for love, for belonging, and when they find it, they rejoice in the waters of baptism. Last Saturday we attended five baptisms. Rosa and her daughter Kim were baptized first. Rosa told us she is 41 years old and has sons who are 26 and 25. Kim is ten. Rosa was so thrilled to find the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it is giving her the confidence to become who she knows she can be. Raymundo is a retired cook who came to the gospel through Cindy—truly a missionary since her own baptism two or three months ago! (Another of Cindy’s friends was baptized this week.) Teddy and another man were baptized and exuded joy and gratitude. Teddy is YSA-age and told us as we drove him home what a great blessing it is to find the gospel. 

Sometimes trying to get all the ordinances done leads to a comedy of errors of sorts. Last Saturday was one of those days. After the first baptisms, someone started draining the font at the Stake Center. Panicked missionaries stopped the emptying and tried to refill the font, but the water was shut off. They began filling any large containers they could find from the hose outside and dumped them in. You just don’t realize how many gallons it takes to fill a font until you try to fill one this way! The Sisters were distraught. The Elders were doing their best to right the “wrong.” Finally we suggested that they call the missionaries at the other building (who were themselves preparing for two more baptisms) to see if we could move to the Los Presidentes building. Alas! The water was off in the other building, too! Finally Bishop Bahr came and got the stake building’s water flowing, and the other baptisms moved there. Some delays. Some frayed nerves. A happy ending and five very happy new converts.

I watched a Prager University video this week wherein Dennis Prager (a Jew) rejoiced in Christmas. He also said something that I have pondered all week—“I never ask what God can do for me. I ask what I can do for God!” What a wonderful way to look at things, especially this Christmas week! What can I do for Him and for His children? We are so grateful to be serving here in Laredo. It is teaching us a whole new understanding of Christ’s Atonement. He comes to us wherever we are and gives us everything we need to come to His Heavenly Home with the Father. Merry Christmas! 

TMM Gospel Blessings Matter

TMM Gospel Blessings Matter

A new convert had her three little children receive blessings on Sunday morning. Our seminary students turned in questions to be addressed by Elder Jimenez at the youth session of stake conference this Sunday. They will be singing “The Miracle” later at the general meeting. Sammy (54) proudly sports his new “Sunday clothes” that Elder Flanagan bought for him so that he could participate in Aaronic priesthood duties, and then with tears he expressed how much he learned at fast and testimony meeting and Sunday School. Johnny (about 40) insisted on pinky-promising all of us (Sisters, Elder F, Cameron, and me) that he would be at church on Sunday but missed it because he thought it was at night. It was wonderful to hear Johnny respond to the lesson on commandments, including the Word of Wisdom, positively and enthusiastically. Cameron was so excited to be with the missionaries to teach twice. He was caught up in the spirit of missionary work and loved the people, saying how much he would really miss being here. We have been teaching the Atonement (Gethsemane, Crucifixion, Resurrection) for two weeks—learning as much as the students did as we worked through the symbolism and tender mercies of God in all things. We were touched in every minute of testimonies on Sunday. In fact, every day we find reasons to be grateful for our years of learning and teaching the Gospel. We love our new converts, but we are aware of how blessed we are to have spent a life experiencing the blessings along the covenant path! As our hearts expand with love, our prayers of gratitude grow long.

The examples above strengthen our testimonies and commitment to Jesus Christ! The song “The Miracle” (I’m accompanying the Youth) takes my breath away. If you don’t know it, please listen on YouTube. It is a great way to sum up our year of studying the life and mission of our Savior. It is our testimony that His greatest miracle is the “one that rescues you and me.” We love you all and miss you (for six more months)!

Our sad little, bargain Texas Christmas tree was left by previous missionaries. Not wanting the expense of a new tree, but not wanting to limp through the season with a pre-lit tree that had no lights that worked in the middle section, we picked up some more lights and dressed the tree. We were amazed by the difference the new lights made (below)! Isn’t that true of our own lives, missing the splendor until more and more light is added? It was the LIGHT that resurrected this little symbol of Christ and His season of love.

The baptism picture is of the young mother (second from left) and the teenager with her boyfriend, who baptized her.

TMM Love Matters All Around

TMM—Love Matters All Around

Jim wanted to write our blog this time, but two weeks later… 

We came home from church two Sundays ago filled with the spirit. All the speakers were inspiring, including Brother Burwell from the stake high council. His talk was about yielding to the Master. He told of going deer hunting in the Texas brush when he heard a herd of wild pigs from his perch in the hunting tower. He waited, still and quiet, above them. As they emerged from the bushes, he set his sights on a medium-sized javelina of about 100 pounds that he thought would be good eating. As they came routing around below him, he pulled back his bow and bagged the wild beast. Texas’ wild pigs have stiff, dark hair and long snouts for digging. Brother Burwell explained that these are the same animals as those much nicer pigs raised by farmers—with a few differences. Domesticated pork donors have shorter noses, lighter hair, and more charming personalities. All because they have a master. The Master makes a difference to all of us.

Attending sacrament meeting in Laredo is an experience that reminds us how turning our lives to the Master changes all of us. Look around. Love is all around us.

Last Tuesday we drove four Sisters to Rio Bravo for their appointments. Two sisters went to find one of our YSAs, but went to the wrong house. They came back to the car, hurrying to get in before the dogs could take their pound of flesh, literally. As we headed out to find the other companionship, the Sisters were mad at themselves for not making an appointment at the “wrong house.” The man sitting outside of his trailer had said off-handedly that he would like them to teach him. The Sisters asked if we could go back and leave him a pamphlet. Elder Flanagan went up with them. It was dark. There were packs of dogs barking. The man was sitting outside with no shirt on, AND our Sisters are pretty cute. They talked to Johnny for a few minutes and came back with an appointment to teach him the next day. The appointment had to be changed to Thursday, and we couldn’t go, so a sister from the stake went with them. Johnny’s baptismal date is December 21! Jim and Cam went back with the Sisters to teach him. Cam LOVED that! Johnny had lived in Twin Falls and had talked with our YSA who lived next door. He was determined to buy Sunday clothes to go to church and cover his tattoos from his younger, wilder days, he says. (Most people at church DO have tattoos, including the sister who helped teach.) Now, do you really think it was an accident that we dropped those beautiful, determined young missionaries at the wrong house?

We love the holidays here in south Texas! Palm trees sway. People’s hearts soften. The Spirit is strong. We are so grateful for all of you, our call to the Texas-McAllen Mission, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Happy Thanksgiving!

TMM Matters of a New Life

TMM Every Little Bit Matters

Sammy received the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday. He asked that Jim give the ordination blessing, and it was beautiful. We all had tears in our eyes as he was made a priest, but it was Sammy who had tears running down his cheeks. As he shook hands around, he said, “I never imagined such a great blessing would come to me!” As we waited outside the Bishop’s office, Sammy told the story of his first encounter with the missionaries. He was going through a tough time three or four weeks ago and praying for help when there came a knock on the door. The Elders then explained what happened to them that day. They were guided by the spirit to knock on one door of an apartment complex. Just that one door. On the other side was Samuel Mackey, alone, praying for help in the name of Jesus Christ, though he never really went to any church in his life. And that is the beginning of Sammy’s new life!

At least seven people were baptized and confirmed in the Laredo Stake on Saturday. Those are just the ones we know. It is a very exciting time for the gathering. Sunday in the 4^th Ward, Elder Peterson (one of Sammy’s elders) gave an excellent talk about the apostasy. He told how one day in high school he was asked to take charge of a class when the teacher had an emergency. The first thing that happened was a student asked from the back of the room if he was going to take attendance. Elder P. shook his head and said he didn’t even know how. The student picked up his backpack and left. That’s what happens when no one has authority to keep things from chaos. I thought it was a perfect example of what happened when Jesus and His disciples were gone and along with them the authority. 

After his talk, the Elders and the Sisters sang “Army of Helaman.” I glanced down at two children right in front of us on the first row who had been coloring. They were on their knees, intent on their pictures when the song started. I wish I had snapped a picture, even though it was in sacrament meeting! Their little faces turned intently on the young missionaries and they stared up at them with glowing faces and shining eyes. One of them sang the words silently along with them. Yesterday was full of amazing moments like that! We also saw a friend we hadn’t seen since right after her baptism, months ago. We are so grateful Idalia was well enough to come! She was sitting with Cindy, recently baptized, who is her ministering sister. I love the gospel!

 The field is white, all ready to harvest...

TMM Blog: Sammy Matters

Three weeks ago we met Sammy. We started giving him rides to church meetings and talking to him about his life. We saw his countenance change, even from that first day when he showed me the Plan-of-Salvation pamphlet and told me he knew it was true—that it rang bells for him. Like many who hear of Heavenly Father’s Plan, I believe he was remembering rather than learning something completely new. He started reading the Book of Mormon every day and gave up substances willingly in exchange for gifts of the spirit. Saturday we gave him a ride to his baptism. Brother Bermuda was conducting his first baptism service and performing his first baptismal ordinance. The opening prayer was given by new member Laura Botello. The closing prayer was by Sister Bermuda, who nervously told me she had never been to a baptism since her own. But this is a story about Sammy. The Bermuda children and the Botello children gathered around the font. A couple of the Botellos said they wished they could be baptized again, and then after a few tries with the sacred words of the ordinance, Sammy was washed clean in the waters of baptism. We all rejoiced with him as Brother Bermuda welcomed him as our newest “brother in Christ.” 

Sunday we picked up Brother Samuel Mackey and drove to the church where Elder Flanagan had been asked to confirm him and ask him to receive the Holy Ghost. Sammy chose to sit with us during the testimony meeting, so we had a front-row seat to his growing testimony. I showed him how to follow the hymns by verse. Elder Flanagan gave him a beautiful blessing. Sammy took the sacrament for the first time as a member of Christ’s church. When Brother Petters opened testimonies with his own heartfelt thoughts, Sammy wiped tears and whispered, “Oh, I needed to hear those words.” Other beautiful testimonies also brought tears of gratitude. He was amazed at 8-year-old JJ’s sweet words and Sister Nigliazzo’s inspiring stories of God’s tender mercies. Our seminary students students in that ward gave strong and faith-filled witnesses. At the end Sammy said, “You know, this morning when I woke up, for the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged—not only to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but to Jesus Christ! It is the most wonderful feeling!” Then I was wiping away the tears. 

The little boy, one of the Bermudas’ children, wanted to know why you can’t wear shoes when you are being baptized. Sister Bermuda turned around and asked us. Elder Flanagan said, “Because we don’t want to get them wet!”

TMM Testimony Matters

TMM Testimony Matters

Today we gave Sammy a ride to church. It was his first visit. He has been meeting with the Elders for a week or so. We chatted on the way, and when we got out of the car, he showed me that he had his Book of Mormon and the “Plan of Salvation” pamphlet. He told me that he had read the pamphlet and it “set off bells.” I said, “It does just ring true, doesn’t it?” He assured me that he knew it was true. So many people say that when they hear the Plan taught. It is though they are remembering truths they had just forgotten as they passed through the veil to start their mortal journey. 

Another younger Samuel came to institute class on Thursday. We were teaching “The Savior’s Profound Influence” and “Come, Follow Me.” At the end of the lesson Samuel bore testimony of having learned many things that he knew were true. He plans to join the Marines. He has committed to be baptized next Saturday. We love being focused on teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Today we attended two testimony meetings where we heard our seminary students and an institute student bear testimony. Cristina joined the Church exactly one year ago while she was at Texas A&M in College Station. We love her so much! She bore a beautiful testimony about following the Spirit and trusting in the Lord’s plan for her. She is beautiful inside and out.

We watched a husband and wife receive the gift of the Holy Ghost today. They were married by the bishop just before they were baptized on Friday, with their little children looking on.

So many of our students are brilliant, intellectually and spiritually! Several seminary students attend early college courses. They are devoted to the gospel. They want to do what is right. They are humble and teachable, willing to follow the prophet and the Lord. 

On Saturday we are going to McAllen to a special meeting with Elder Soares. We will take some of the Sisters with us. We have many opportunities for spiritual experiences. We love Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. One thing I have been thinking about a lot this week (since General Conference, especially) is how brilliant the general authorities are—writers & thinkers, lawyers & judges, doctors & surgeons, teachers & professors, scientists & philosophers,  educated to high degrees with successful professional careers and experiences in the Church. And yet, with all their intellect, they get their testimonies the same way we do, through the Holy Ghost. They ask, they act in faith, they keep an eternal perspective, and they gain knowledge through searching divine sources like the scriptures. Pray. Serve. Love each other!

This is one of my favorite Laredo scenes. Across the street from the sisters’ apartments, right on the Rio Grande, under the palms, cows and horses graze. The birds follow them faithfully, picking up the crumbs and seeds that are left. There is a lesson in that. Thursday was 100 degrees in Laredo. Friday morning started early with temperatures in the 80s. By noon, however, it was 61. It made me happy! We were able to walk around the duck pond. The cold snap was refreshing.

Temple Matters TMM

TMM Blessings Matter

I did not think we were close to hearing the announcement we heard on Saturday night. I thought that we had years of work ahead in South Texas. But I thought wrong. The Lord is so compassionate to his saints who have been praying for a temple for forty years. When Laredo Stake was formed in December, we all hoped for a temple next. I forget the tender mercies He is always ready to extend to us. I forget how much He loves His people. I forget that He hears our prayers and prepares us for the great blessings He wants to give us. I forget that He never leaves us alone. I forget that everything is done in His time, not mine, and I am grateful. We wept at the announcement that a temple will now be built in McAllen, Texas. 

We are about two-and-a half hours away from McAllen. It is about a three-hour drive from Laredo to the San Antonio Temple. This is not, however, about the time it takes to get to the temple. The blessing here is for those who wait years for paperwork so that they can get past the checkpoints that go north from the border. Yes, I wish everyone would come legally to the United States, but I have come to know that God has prepared many good people to accept the gospel. Even Melchizedek Priesthood leaders and their families are not able to attend the temple in San Antonio with their wards, their children, and those they teach and love. Traveling south to McAllen is not checked. We are so excited for those who will be able to get to the temple and partake of the blessings there! We have come to love these people, no matter their legal status, and pray along with them for their temple blessings.

Continue to pray for us and the people of south Texas. God hears our prayers. We were reminded of that by our beloved Prophet on Saturday night. We love you all and pray for you.

TMM Connections Matter

Matters of Fiasco 10.01.19

When we met two weekends ago with senior couples in McAllen, we made arrangement with the Thompsons (who teach institute in Corpus Cristi) to join them in Corpus on Friday night for a theater production of the musical Matilda. At the veterans’ memorial with the wind blowing and the sunset glowing, Jim made arrangements online for tickets. Or so he thought! Through last week he repeatedly asked me to remind him to print the tickets. We left it until Friday morning after seminary, and Jim tried and tried to print the tickets. He is a little technology-challenged, so I finally took the computer and coaxed the new printer into action. When I picked up the tickets from the printer, however, alarms started going off in my head. What??!!?? The tickets were to see a Broadway touring company production of Matilda in WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA! Jim called the ticket company, but they stood firm on their “no refund/treat these like cash” policy. Jim was crushed but seemed willing to lose the $160. He contacted Thompsons to tell them that we would not be able to come and explained the ticket fiasco. I was not so willing to lose the money (duh!!)and insisted that he call American Express where he had charged the tickets to see if they could/would do anything to help us. They were great! The charge was removed. Thompsons called, saying to please come anyway because they would call (the HARBOR PLAYHOUSE in Corpus Cristi!!!!!) and get tickets. So, we went and enjoyed a community-theater production of the Ronald Dahl story.

The couples retreat was also wonderful as we listened to counsel from Presidente and Hermana Ocampo AND Elder and Sister Katcher. We had a chance to talk with Elder Katcher at dinner. I thought I remembered him from three years ago in Ankara, Turkey, as he spoke to Sean’s little ward conference. It was he! I had been so impressed with his talk about the Lord’s work. He said, “You may think it was your job that brought you here, but it was not. It was the hand of the Lord that brought you to Ankara, Turkey, and it was with the purpose of doing His work.” There are always connections in the Church!

We had four more baptisms this last Saturday in Laredo. One was Lucy, who enthusiastically accepted the gospel and was taught over the past three weeks by the young elders and Elder Flanagan. At church on Sunday it was easy to see more blessings ahead. Second Ward (Spanish) had twenty investigators there who are being taught by the missionaries! Today is transfer day, and we are losing about half of our young missionaries. Some elders (4) called yesterday and wanted to have lunch with us before they go. Elder Flanagan is kind of their hero (and cook), so he fixed them a good spaghetti dinner. Tomorrow we will do Waffle Wednesday to welcome the newbies. We love working with the young missionaries! They are amazing.

We love teaching every day! We love our students! We miss you all and autumn in Utah. Jim had to see a chiropractor for tingling in his arm and had his first chiro-adjustment yesterday. He probably has 18 more bone-crunching treatments. His numbers are all out of whack today, so include him in your prayers. We are in a cool snap—only 98 degrees yesterday! We love you all. You are in every prayer—and we pray a lot!

Matters of Belonging 9.18.19

TMM Blog 9.18.19

This morning in seminary we were continuing teaching the Sermon on the Mount: The Higher Law in Matthew 5:17-48. One of our wonderful young men, wide-eyed, asked if that (verses 27-28) meant that having bad thoughts was the same as adultery. We explained that we all have bad thoughts enter our minds, but that the principle is “If we choose to ENTERTAIN lustful thoughts or desires, it is like committing adultery in our hearts.” He is a senior, but he had never considered this truth. The rest of the lesson was about how to avoid entertaining lustful thoughts and desires. They were all with us at that point! I love having the students search the scriptures and write the principles.

I woke up at 3:30 (one of my usual times every night) to find that we had no water! We always have plenty of drinking water from bottles or the water station down the street, BUT we were horrified to have no hand-washing (even with sanitizer…), toilet-flushing, or showers. We take the simple things for granted, huh? We had water again about noon—we would NOT make very good pioneers!

We went to two baptisms on Saturday. One was the oldest daughter of a family that was previously baptized. She said said she would never be baptized. Somehow, though, the joy of her mother and the other children enticed her to keep listening to the missionaries and attending church meetings. The picture shows her with some of our wonderful young women (seminary students). Check out the picture and see if you can tell how she changed her mind and entered the waters of baptism:

The second picture is Veronica, who had been introduced to the gospel before she moved from California. She quickly prepared herself for baptism when the missionaries found her. She bore testimony at her baptism. There is such joy in finding Christ!

Matters of Line Upon line TMM 9.11.19

Matters of Line Upon Line TMM 9.11.19

Here it is 18 years since terrorists attacked the United States of America and changed history forever. We love this country and think it is worth fighting for! We know that this is truly a land choice above all others, chosen by God to be a haven for freedom where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored to the earth. We know that the Constitution is an inspired and holy document that shines hope and liberty here and in desolate places of darkness in the world. Without America and its rule of law, the world would be lost to the adversary. We stand with those who will raise the ensign of truth and liberty and thank God for all that America strives to be.

We attended our first Primary Sacrament Meeting presentation of the year on Sunday. Seventeen children, half of them itty-bitties sang with such faith and gusto that I could hardly sit in my seat without jumping right in to bear my testimony with theirs in song. The primary president was also the chorister, none-months pregnant, and full of joy. I came home and ordered the music to “I Will Be What I Believe.” That little group sang “A Child’s Prayer” like a heavenly chorus in two parts. It was a really sweet blessing. Now, from my description you might think that they were perfectly behaved littles, but you would be wrong—which made it all the more delightful! There was the four-year-old screaming the songs until his little body just gave out; the angel next to him glaring with her hands over her ears; the little boy who was turned around playing with the necklace on the girl behind him and her frustration, not knowing what to do—sing or slap him!; the newly-baptized boy who was completely lost in the words that must have floated above his head without ever quite landing; and the Sunbeam who rested his top teeth on the wooden rail and rolled his eyes the whole time. Oh, it was a real, true primary program.

Our dear new friend Cindy apologized before giving her first public prayer and then touched our hearts as she thanked Heavenly Father for the JOY. It brought tears to my eyes. She didn’t quite know how to end and just sat down. I’m sure the missionaries will continue to teach her about all the intricacies of prayer, but in the meantime, I could feel Heavenly Father welcoming His daughter back to the fold. Cindy was getting her patriarchal blessing last night. Sunday she attended the self-reliance devotional and signed up for two courses. She has found such joy in the gospel!

And speaking of JOY—we love this mission assignment! I remember once I encouraged my brother to become a teacher and coach, but he countered that he really had no interest in teaching anything but the gospel. It is one of the great blessings of my life to teach seminary and institute here in Laredo, Texas! We love you all. Happy birthday last week to the baby of our family, Macie Violet Flanagan, who turned four, and happy birthday this week to our precious granddaughter Preslie who turns seven. Thank you for your prayers and love. Right back at y’all!

Matters of Line Upon Line TMM 9.11.19

Matters of Line Upon Line

TMM 9.11.19

Here it is 18 years since terrorists attacked the United States of America and changed history forever. We love this country and think it is worth fighting for! We know that this is truly a land choice above all others, chosen by God to be a haven for freedom where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored to the earth. We know that the Constitution is an inspired and holy document that shines hope and liberty here and in desolate places of darkness in the world. Without America and its rule of law, the world would be lost to the adversary. We stand with those who will raise the ensign of truth and liberty and thank God for all that America strives to be.

We attended our first Primary Sacrament Meeting presentation of the year on Sunday. Seventeen children, half of them itty-bitties sang with such faith and gusto that I could hardly sit in my seat without jumping right in to bear my testimony with theirs in song. The primary president was also the chorister, none-months pregnant, and full of joy. I came home and ordered the music to “I Will Be What I Believe.” That little group sang “A Child’s Prayer” like a heavenly chorus in two parts. It was a really sweet blessing. Now, from my description you might think that they were perfectly behaved littles, but you would be wrong—which made it all the more delightful! There was the four-year-old screaming the songs until his little body just gave out; the angel next to him glaring with her hands over her ears; the little boy who was turned around playing with the necklace on the girl behind him and her frustration, not knowing what to do—sing or slap him!; the newly-baptized boy who was completely lost in the words that must have floated above his head without ever quite landing; and the Sunbeam who rested his top teeth on the wooden rail and rolled his eyes the whole time. Oh, it was a real, true primary program.

Our dear new friend Cindy apologized before giving her first public prayer and then touched our hearts as she thanked Heavenly Father for the JOY. It brought tears to my eyes. She didn’t quite know how to end and just sat down. I’m sure the missionaries will continue to teach her about all the intricacies of prayer, but in the meantime, I could feel Heavenly Father welcoming His daughter back to the fold. Cindy was getting her patriarchal blessing last night. Sunday she attended the self-reliance devotional and signed up for two courses. She has found such joy in the gospel!

And speaking of JOY—we love this mission assignment! I remember once I encouraged my brother to become a teacher and coach, but he countered that he really had no interest in teaching anything but the gospel. It is one of the great blessings of my life to teach seminary and institute here in Laredo, Texas! We love you all. Happy birthday this week to our precious granddaughter Preslie who turns seven. And HappyThank you for your prayers and love. Right back at y’all!

Family Matters on the Covenant Path

TMM Blog 9.5.19

It’s raining in Laredo! This is the first rain we have seen here in months, and everything was looking burned up. Seminary is so great—we hated to leave them for even one day as we flew home for the weekend in Utah. It was a wonderful weekend, celebrating Emma’s baptism with Brady’s cute little family. At the same time Steven’s family had the sacred experience of celebrating Kelsey and Robbie’s sealing in the San Diego Temple. We were disappointed that we could not be in both places, loving on both granddaughters, but it was a special day. We are so grateful that we are able to leave the mission in order to be present at such life-changing events. We love our family! It was also wonderful to attend sacrament/testimony meeting and touch bases with our many friends in our home ward.

We love teaching the New Testament and becoming closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We love Him and are grateful to serve him. One of the sweet fruits was to watch our YSAs support and love each other on social media. One young adult was having a very hard time and reached out in her struggle. The men were especially supportive to her—bearing testimony, reassuring her that she is loved, and lighting her way with messages of encouragement and caring. It was truly ministering to someone in need.

We love every day of our service. We have many, many blessings—including you. Thanks for your prayers. Eight more months!

TMM What Matters Most

TMM Blog 8.20.19 What Really Matters

Last Friday we went to the temple. We usually go with our stake on a Saturday, but when we called for our appointment, there were no places left. As I dressed for the session, I remembered that it had been the 50th anniversary of my endowment the day before. I still use the temple clothes that my Aunt Janet made for me. Fifty years of temple blessings, family blessings.

Since we were in San Antonio, we made our stop at COSTCO to pick up a few things and wander the isles. We call it “our walk.” It’s hard to pass up the samples, so we were excited when we got a sample of Nutzo—which is a nut and seed butter that we had come to the store to get! We started talking to the woman who was handing out the samples and explained that we loved the product and planned to pick up a few jars. She went on to give her speech about the healthy ingredients, etc. I told her that we always read the ingredients and were very aware of everything that we put into our bodies. She said that she could tell because we just glowed on the outside. Now, she may have just been doing her job and selling jars of nut butter, or maybe our healthy eating does have an effect on our physical appearance, or it could be that we had just spent two hours worshipping in the Lord’s house.

Saturday we went to three different baptismal services in Spanish. We are amazed at the number of good people who are prepared to find the gospel here in Laredo. All of them had sought out the missionaries, been taught as quickly as possible, and entered the baptismal waters within two weeks. So many humble people here are searching, and when they meet the elders or sisters, they just KNOW. We also see family chains join. The first becomes a member, others see the changes (yes, even in physical appearance), and want to know, too. A sister follows her sister and then brings another sister, her mother, her friends, her children. A father brings his children and wife. Grandparents bring their grandchildren. It is a blessing to be here and watch it happen!

We have a seminary class of about twenty fabulous teens! It is a joy to teach them every morning. We are blessed in many ways. Jim had to see a nephrologist, but got the good news last week that his kidneys are in much better shape than four years ago, when he was considered borderline for kidney failure. All of his “numbers” have improved as we have focused on our food. “Use food for your medicine, or you will be forced to use medicine for your food!” We are surviving the HEAT and looking forward to fall, when the temperatures may drop below 100. You are all in our prayers day and night! We love you to the moon and back. Happy birthday to our beautiful August birthday girls—Haylee, Emma, Kelsey, Zoey, Victoria, and Cassandra! We are such blessed grandparents. Miss you all, but we’ll be home for three days next weekend for Emma’s baptism!

Hero Missionaries Matter 8.13.19

Matters on THIS side of the Border 8.13.19

School bells ring! Are you listening? We are so excited to start early-morning seminary tomorrow! We have been moved to the north Laredo building, where we will have about 15-20 students daily. That will be quite different for us, and we will miss the students on the south end. When you are in one small stake, but it is stretched over a sprawling city of 250,000 people, it is almost impossible to teach a group of students in a close proximity to each other or one of the two church buildings. A new teacher has been called to teach the other group. Brother Lambert is a retired teacher/principal who most recently served in the TMM presidency. He will have to drive from the north to the south every morning, and we will have to drive from the south to the north! We will probably be passing each other on the Bob Bullock Loop!

This last weekend we welcomed Greg (YSA) and his mother Monica into the Church. They are amazing. (Picture) We are expecting 30 baptisms in Laredo this month. Jim is out teaching with the missionaries right now. It is exciting to see the church growing so fast.

Sunday we went to three wards. In 4th Ward (English) we heard John, a newly-returned missionary, and his mother speak. John served in Colombia. He told about heading off to a meeting when he and his companion spotted a fire on the mountain. They thought they had better warn people to evacuate and began hurrying from house to house, knocking on doors. People would not even listen to them, and, seeing that they were missionaries, closed doors in their faces with the excuse that they already had a church, etc. Finally, they grabbed yard hoses and began filling buckets. As the fire raged closer, people still refused to leave their houses and insisted that they were fine and the fire department would take care. Panicking, the missionaries dumped buckets of water on the fire and doused roofs with garden hoses. When fire trucks arrived, very few people had joined in the efforts to save the homes. As John and his companion hurried off to their appointment, they passed a man with a child on his shoulders. The man pointed to the elders and told his son, “See those two men? They are the heroes.” It was a truly a metaphor for the people who refuse to recognize the dangers of ignoring God’s watchmen on the towers. John said he wanted to be a hero for bringing souls to Christ in preparation for the Second Coming.

John spoke again at the seminary open-house later that day and at YSA FHE. Welcome home, Hero John! Jim and I also spoke at the seminary meeting. I also played the organ and accompanied a couple of our YSAs to sing “If the Savior Stood Beside Me.” I was relieved when it was over, but it WAS a great meeting.

Have I told you how grateful I am to live on the USA side of the border? We have many students who have family in Mexico, and they live in constant fear. One student was very upset this week because an aunt and uncle and their family were kidnapped last week in Nuevo Laredo, just across the river. Somehow they got free, and then her cousin was kidnapped. They still haven’t found him. I can not even explain what local news is like here. Terrifying.

We only have a little over nine months left in Laredo. It is a blessing to be here, to learn Spanish better, to go to church with humble new converts, to give rides to meetings to those with no transportation, to teach with the young missionaries, to learn and teach the gospel from all books of scripture and modern revelation, to bring music into meetings, and to depend on each other. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We love Him. We love you!

Pre-Weekly-Blog Story Path 8.12.19

Matters in our path TMM 8.7.19

It is miraculous how God sometimes teaches us small lessons by putting someone in our path and then prompting us to act. There is a teenage boy in our apartment complex who wanders around and sometimes asks us if he can wash our car for some money. Yesterday Jim took out some garbage, and met the boy in his path. The boy asked if Jim would go with him to the pawn shop on the corner and vouch for him so he could get money for his bike. Jim did not trust the boy, who seemed suspicious and dishonest, but told him he would need a note from the boy’s mother. Jim did not know anything about the boy—not even his name or which apartment was his.

The boy disappeared behind one of the buildings and returned in a couple of minutes with a questionable note on a scrap of paper with no signature. At the door Jim challenged him and asked if he could speak with the mother. The boy quickly countered that his mother was asleep and very sick with cancer, a huge tumor. They “needed the money from the bike for food because” the mother had not been able to work for two weeks. Jim told the boy that he didn’t believe him and would not help.

Now, we are ALMOST positive that the bike was stolen; the mother was not asleep or sick; that the boy wrote his own note; and that the money was not for food—but, this boy was put in our path. The test was not for the boy, but for us. Emily Freeman (Don’t Miss This!) and Dave Butler wear two bracelets. One says, “WWJD—What would Jesus do?” and the other, “HWLF—HE would love first.” We thought about this experience for a couple of minutes. Then we went to the store and bought a frozen lasagna. Jim went looking for the boy and the boy appeared. He seemed a little confused when Jim asked about the bike, and then took the dinner home with instructions from Elder Flanagan to cook it for his mother.

Matters of Time TMM

TMM Matters of Time

Time goes by so quickly here in Laredo! They say it is because we are older, and each day (or even year) of our life is a smaller and smaller part of life as time goes by. I suppose that is the truth. We have just less than ten months left of our 2-year mission. Our experiences and the people we love here have made it seem like home, and I no longer wake up wondering which home I am in. Ha.

On Sunday we had the opportunity of leading our YSA FHE. Usually they take turns giving the lesson and leading discussions, but two of the leaders were out-of-town and planning to cancel Family Home Evening. The Orozcos have been released as YSA advisors (do you think he has enough to do as a bishop???), and several young adults were very disappointed to think they would not be able to meet together. We were willing to support them in whatever they wanted to do, so at the last minute we showed the Don’t Miss This! video for last week and had them fill out the worksheet. We showed them how we study for Come, Follow Me at home by journaling our scriptures, reading, taking notes, filling out the worksheet, discussing, etc. If you haven’t watched the video for Acts 22-28, search it in YouTube. It was a great FHE for the group and for us. Then we fed them Keto “sandwiches” (grilled cheese/pizza—SO good) and left them playing scrabble and talking. (Nice to have Melchizedek priesthood amongst the YSA so we don’t have to stay so late.) We really love this group of young people!

We start early-morning seminary again next week! Right now they don’t have another teacher, so we may need to split up. I would drop Jim off at the Los Presidentes building and go to the Hillside building to teach. Not ideal, so we hope they can find someone in the stake. Another senior couple is coming to the mission next month (former seminary teacher), but they are on a leadership mission, not CES, and I really doubt we would be lucky enough to get a second couple in Laredo.

We are so grateful for Kelsey and Robbie’s upcoming sealing. We wish we could be there (in SanDiego) with you, but we already have tickets to SLC for Emma’s baptism on the same day. We are proud of both of these beautiful granddaughters.

One of the greatest blessings of this last year has been to study the Book of Mormon (twice a day with Cameron), church history, the Doctrine & Covenants, Saints, and the New Testament together. It has built our testimonies and helped us understand the many blessings we have through the Atonement of our Savior and the restored gospel. Love and miss you all!

Lessons Matter TMM 7.23.19

Happy birthday to our amazing oldest son Steven!

This morning I finished my study and journaling of the New Testament through Acts 15. I love that we are studying it, the Book of Mormon, and SAINTS (Church History) at the same time! It is an easy comparison that I’d never really, deeply realized without studying the three together. The Acts of the Apostles and early saints of Christ’s church are similar in every way to the early saints in the restored church and the Nephites, Lamanites, and Jaredites. It strengthens my testimony as I see how our Heavenly Father’s plan works through all time—the big picture. I really love the scriptures!

We had four investigators at institute this week. One of them is being baptized on Friday. We went to three baptisms on Saturday—all were some we had helped teach. It was a sweet experience to be part of it all. On Sunday we had five students at our missionary-prep class. Our YSA group is amazing. They started a Book-of-Mormon study group on Tuesdays and switched to Come, Follow Me on Sundays during FHE. Every activity builds fellowship and love within the group.

All of the baptisms we attended on Saturday are now members of the 4th Ward (English). As they were confirmed, the blessings reminded me again that we all must “receive” the Holy Ghost. It is not “we give you the Holy Ghost,” but that we are told to receive him. Brother Gutzman from the high council spoke. He struggled a bit with English, but the spirit was strong. Every meeting we go to is a blessing.

We are grateful for our call to teach! We cannot believe that our seminary classes start again in three weeks. It will be a gift to be able to teach the four gospels through December and then the Book of Mormon. The Church has correlated seminary and institute with the classes at home and at church. We love the scriptures and encourage you all to find yourself in the words of the Savior every day. We love you. Thank you for your prayers.

The Search Matters TMM 7.16.19

The Search Matters TMM 7.16.19

On Friday we were invited to help the Sisters teach Cindy at her home in Rio Bravo. The first thing she did was offer us coffee, then tea. Knowing that the lessons were on the Restoration and the Word of Wisdom, we just smiled and said, “No, thanks,” to the drinks and breakfast. Cindy is a single mom and grandmother in her early to mid thirties. The house was full of children, toddlers, and teens, but we crowded around the kitchen table while Cindy’s sister Jodie (a recent convert) fed the children. As the young Sisters struggled through the chaos to teach the lessons in a simple way, we tried to add our testimonies, explanations, or scripture as seemed necessary. Cindy is determined to be baptized this coming weekend, and the Sisters are teaching her every day to get her ready. Behind her a table was filled with Catholic icons and statues (very common here, whether the family is religious or not). As we went on, it became evident that Cindy knew very little about anything to do with the Bible, spiritual things, or Jesus Christ. Obviously not a reader, she struggled to read a simple scripture. She didn’t know what a prophet was—thinking it was something to do with business (profit). My point is that this is typical of investigators in Laredo and maybe anywhere else—they really want something to give meaning to their lives. They are searching to fill the emptiness. Cindy was feeling lost and tossed about in life when her sister Jodie joined the Church of Jesus Christ. When Cindy saw the positive changes in her sister, including a certain happiness, she sought the missionaries and told them she wanted to be baptized, too. Interesting, isn’t it? She wants to be baptized even though she knows little about the church or Christ. She says she absolutely can live the Word of Wisdom and will read the Book of Mormon. Seeking, seeking, seeking peace and purpose in her life. Jim went last night at her request to bless her new house. At church on Sunday Cindy sought us out to hug and kiss us—seeing us as having what she so desperately wants.

Saturday night I got a text from Sister Duarte asking me if I would “help” teach the young women of 4th Ward on Sunday about the temple.  I thought I would tell a story or experience, so when I got to the YW classroom, and they turned the time over to me, I was a bit surprised. Good thing I love to talk and have years of experience teaching! It turned out to be a wonderful experience! I had to stop myself when the hour was up. These girls are not our seminary group, and I was surprised how little they knew. We ALWAYS talked about the covenant path and the ordinances of the gospel. These girls (who all come from wonderful, active families) were excited to learn more about the temple, as they knew little. The stake had a Youth Conference, including a temple trip to San Antonio, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. One of the girls took a picture of the chalkboard when I finished—so thrilled with what she had learned. I loved teaching them!

Every weekend is filled with baptisms and chapels filled with seekers. It is a great blessing to be here in Laredo with these humble people. We know it is where we are supposed to be, doing what we are supposed to be doing. The 4th-Ward Bishop was released and a new bishopric called on Sunday. Bishop Alder (FBI) has a new assignment in Arizona. We believe that everyone who comes to the Laredo Stake is here for a reason. We are grateful to be part of the work. We love it here, despite the outrageous temperatures (about 110+ every day, and still 100 when we go to bed—thank heavens for AC!). We love the teens and young adults here. We love all of you. We love the gospel of Jesus Christ, His word in the scriptures, and all those who lead, serve, and build the Kingdom of God. Hugs and kisses! We’ll see some of you in August.

Spiritual Matters TMM

Spiritual Matters TMM 7.10.19

Last week we (Jim, Cameron, and I) finished the Book of Mormon for the first time this year. The last time we finished it together was 12.29.18. Although we try to finish it 1-2 times every year for the last 45 years, doing it with Cameron by way of phone or Facebook is a very special experience. We immediately started again in I Nephi. Maybe it is age, experience, or life’s context, but we learn more each time we read. It is miraculous to me that we see within its pages counsel for our world this very day, even though we have read the same words over 60 times without “seeing” today’s counsel. It is truly a book of truth, preserved for us in these times. We also LOVE studying the New Testament almost every day as part of the “Come, Follow Me” program. With about eleven months left in our mission, we are grateful for the call to teach the Four Gospels again to seminary and institute (through December) and to teach the Book of Mormon, beginning in January of 2020. The scriptures are a great blessing and comfort to us. Cameron thanks Heavenly Father for the blessings of scriptures and the temple every time he prays. Maybe the rest of us need to be as grateful as he is!

On fast and testimony Sundays we usually attend Spanish wards because that is where our seminary students are, and we love to hear their faithful testimonies. Last Sunday, however, I was needed in the 1st Ward to play the organ for sacrament meeting, so we attended the two English-speaking wards. Though I grumbled a bit about missing our spiritual feast, we hurried from one building to the other so we could fill my assignment. Maybe it was because we didn’t have to exhaust ourselves trying to understand Spanish, but spiritual blessings flowed in the many testimonies that were shared. We were both overcome by the fervent, sweet witnesses that were born and wish we could recapture it for you. A couple of people had recently returned to activity in the Church. Powerful. That is a great work that missionaries are doing here—finding those ready to return. Another was a primary boy who told about his prayers to know if what he was doing was right. He was not getting an answer until his father told him, “It’s not how many times you pray; it’s how you pray.” He then received the confirmation, “Yes, it is right.” His dad then bore his testimony, adding to the blessings of the meeting. Every testimony touched our hearts and strengthened us.

We went to three baptisms on Sunday. Two were sons of a re-activated mom (again!) and one was a 17-year-old whose grandmother is a member. People here are humble and teachable. They find such joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ!

#4–The BEST Toy Story ever!

We would encourage EVERYONE to read INSIGHTS by Sheri Dew. It is about President Russell M. Nelson and his part in building the worldwide church. We just read the story of the attack in Mozambique and the miracles that accompanied it. We also loved the stories of how the Church came to Russia, China, Poland (Ashton!), and other places on the globe.

Friday we got to meet our new mission president and his family, Presidente Ocampo. Like Presidente Torres, Presidente Ocampo is from Honduras and is in his early 40s. His wife is a former teacher. They both speak English well and both graduated from BYU. Each family has four children and their oldest sons are serving missions in Brazil. Pres. Ocampo insists that all missionaries use Spanish all the time (except the couples—he says he will be more lenient with us).

We were able to go to the San Antonio Temple last Wednesday. That is always a spiritual blessing for us. We love you all! We will be home for a weekend when Emma gets baptized on August 31. It will be a quick trip, and we will probably fly back on Monday, Labor Day, our 47th anniversary, and Macie’s birthday. So grateful for you all and the spiritual blessings of serving in the Texas McAllen Mission!

Freedom Matters TMM

Last Sunday Jim was asked to give a fireside on the Declaration of Independence, a tribute to America on her birthday week. It was a great reminder of the specialness of this land, set apart and preserved for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He stressed the scriptures from the Doctrine & Covenants and the Book of Mormon as he talked about the Founding Fathers and their place in God’s plan, the promises that will come to the world because of this country, and the the three essential principles on which America is based: 1) the Rule of Law, 2) civic virtue, and 3) freedom. Our freedoms come not from the government, but from God. It was a great and stirring talk. We love this country! Please be careful in your choices. It is a priority to preserve the blessings given to us. Tonight, as we watch the “Salute to America,” we are stirred with patriotism and thank our Heavenly Father for all He has given us. Just a note about President Trump: We have heard so much said (hatefully) about him, and we understand that. He is, indeed, a pompous narcissist with a sometimes obnoxious way of communicating. However, do not dismiss the lessons of history. President Trump is a doer. He is the only thing standing between our beloved America and the clutches of socialism and destruction. Seek for truth. Do not fall for the messages of the haters and the fake news. Take time and effort to discern right from wrong. The Lord promises us in the Book of Mormon that we will be able to distinguish what is right if we listen to the spirit. (Look at President Nelson’s talk on revelation in April 2018.) Look at the preservation of good, freedom of religion, and rule of law before personality or arrogance. After all, most politicians are self-centered, power-hungry, and strangers to truth. In teaching the Doctrine & Covenants this year, our students (15-31 years old, converts and life-long members) were surprised to find assurance in the holy scriptures that America IS special—a land of promise—and founded under the guiding hand of God. ‘Nuf said.

We went to two baptisms this weekend—an 11-year-old girl, who brought with her her re-activated family, and an 8-year-old boy from an amazing, active family. Both were such joyous occasions! This morning we drove some sister missionaries to Rio Bravo where they taught a young, single mother who was introduced to the Church by her sister. Point: such great blessings in families are building the kingdom all over the earth! Congratulations to my niece Ashton Lewis who received her mission call this week to Warsaw, Poland. I know her grandma (my sister Barbara) is so proud of her!

We got to visit with my cousin Susan, her husband Doran, and my aunt Raeola last week. We had a lovely trip to Austin, and every minute was precious, full of love and memories.

Jim’s front dental bridge broke a few weeks ago, so he is sporting a temporary set of teeth while the new, thousands of dollars’ replacement is being crafted. Hmmm…that’s where old people’s money goes!

We love you all! Hope to come to Utah again in August for Emma’s baptism and maybe to San Diego for Kelsey and Robbie’s sealing. Blessings, blessings, blessings.