Family Matters TMM

What a wonderful week we had in Utah! Not all of our grandchildren were able to be there, but that is the only thing that could have made it better. All seven children were together, and we were able to get pictures for the first time in many years. Sean and his family are in-transit to live in Malaysia and only get to visit every 2-3 years. Our grandchildren are growing up, and not all could break away from their lives to join us. We love them, anyway.

Yesterday one of our young sister missionaries (Sister Yanez) asked if I would like to help her play prelude music, so I accompanied her on the piano (only a small electric one in that building) while she played the cello. We played from the Children’s songbook for about 20 minutes. It was a spiritual treat.

In the evening we met with the YSAs for Family Home Evening. Beto gave the lesson on President Oaks’ recent devotional talk to BYUH (June 11, 2019). It was a great lesson and discussion. In the discussion one of our YSAs told of an experience he had this week in hanging out with an old friend from high school. As they talked, William invited the other young man to attend YSA FHE. The young man replied that he could not because he was a satanist. William told him that was okay, but the man insisted that he would not because he was a satanist priest. William explained that he held the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the Melchizedek priesthood, which gives him great power. What shook William was that the other young man replied that they knew very well how powerful the priesthood of Christ was and that he knew that it was the true priesthood. That was shocking to William, who joined the Church two years ago. He then bore witness to all of us how very real the war for the souls of man is. It makes you think—these aren’t people who are deceived or naïve. They have chosen Satan’s side with full knowledge that the power of God is very real! So thankful for a living prophet of God! So thankful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We are thankful for this mission and for the opportunity of studying the New Testament (we are learning so much as we concentrate on the COME, FOLLOW ME lessons! We love it!), the Book of Mormon (daily study with Cameron—just finishing it for the first time this year; it is true!), the Doctrine & Covenants (it was a great experience to teach it every day and twice on Thursdays), and now to teach the brand-new course for SAINTS, The Standard of Truth. We love reading that book and teaching it to our institute class! We love you all and invite you study the scriptures, attend the temple, and pray. The time is near! Much love!

Good-Bye Matters at the TMM

TMM Change Matters 6.11.19
We just got back from a very busy weekend. When we go to San Antonio, we always head up to the temple—which sits atop the highest point in Texas hill country. When the temple is closed, the gates shut us out, but still it is worth the drive. It is a beautiful and peaceful place, and the spirit is strong.

Having Zoey and Cameron enjoy SeaWorld was a wonderful experience. We took them to the airport on Sunday after conference and watched Cam “take charge” of Zo. The Delta lady who helped us was delightful, and she gave Cameron a serious charge to take care of Zoey. She stressed to him how he was 31 and needed to be the one in charge. It was fun to watch him guide and guard Zoey through the security and to the gate. He assured everyone that it was “okay” because he would make sure she was fine. It was sweet. At Sunday’s conference session I had to be there early to practice with the choir, so Cameron excused himself and went to welcome people as they arrived. This was his third time here, so he knows and loves the people who know and love him. He introduced himself to the Torreses and anyone else—he’s a people person, for sure. He is a blessing!

I love Felicia Wood! I am so glad she let us share yesterday with her! I am excited for her to intern as an administrator in Granite at Matheson JHS. She will be an excellent administrator. Her background in mental health and counseling will help so many students. She has helped our family personally and many teachers and students in the eleven years we worked together at Copper Hills. Her husband was in a convention all day, but we got to eat supper together on the RiverWalk. Excellent day!

Cameron and Zoey were surprised that our conference sessions were in Spanish. They used earphones for interpretation, and had a completely new experience. I strained my brain for two hours and went home exhausted. President and Sister Torres spoke their “farewell.” We will miss them—they are amazing, brilliant, beautiful people who are full of the spirit and true missionaries. Today we gathered in McAllen for our mission conference and listened to Pres. Torres for the final time. He has spiritual insight and a way of teaching that sets us all on fire. He taught on the Restoration (which we have been teaching for two weeks)—all from the New Testament and Book of Mormon. Just as they move back home to Honduras, their oldest son graduated from HS and seminary and received his mission call to Brazil.

We are grateful for the call to serve here in the Texas McAllen Mission. We learn much every day as we read the scriptures, pray together, prepare lessons, listen to counsel, and study all these things. We love you all. Come unto Him every day.

Matters of Endings and Beginnings TMM

Matters of Endings and Beginnings TMM 6.3.19

I was watching the news about the border crisis and was once again reminded that we are having an unusual experience living on the border in these times. It was just announced on the news that a judge has thrown out the case to prevent the wall’s being built with defense money (ha, ha—de-fence money). One of our YSAs is a border patrol agent now on special assignment in McAllen. He was home for a couple of days and showed up at our Institute dinner. It was so interesting to talk to him about the children who are used to get people into the U.S., criminals who come under false pretenses, and the 1300 apprehensions every day. He tells about the true crisis we have at the border—a health crisis(we saw him at the hospital with illegal crossers every time we had to go with missionaries who were dehydrated or broken playing p-day sports), a humanitarian crisis (children used, trafficked, abused, and separated from their families by criminals), a legal crisis (“rule of law” is broken when it comes to our borders), a family crisis, and a crisis that strains our country’s resources (our taxes) in every way. Another newlywed young adult came to the dinner and reported that, though he loves Mexico (where he just lived for a few months to court and marry his sweetheart who he met at a YSA Conference in Texas), several towns south of the border have been emptied of all their population and are completely owned by the cartels. Scary. He is glad to be back at home in Laredo.

Although we missed three granddaughters’ graduations this year, we did attend graduation for United  South HS at the Sames Arena here in Texas. Our seminary class had two graduates at seminary graduation yesterday. The north class had three. It was a beautiful meeting, followed by a light dinner. Our seminary supervisor, Sister Vaca, is amazing! We are blessed to be teaching here in the new Laredo Stake. It is nice to sleep in for the next three months! We are excited for the new curriculum (New Testament until Christmas and then Book of Mormon). This summer we are teaching the new Institute course for Saints. Our Institute students took a vote, and overwhelmingly wanted Saints.

This next weekend is our stake conference, and I am playing for the choir. I haven’t practiced with them yet because the practices coincide with our missionary-prep class, but it should be a good experience. Laredo is sadly lacking  in musicians who play or sing. Texas is known for its marching bands, and that is the kind of experience they have with music here. Cameron and Zoey will be here—we are picking them up tomorrow in San Antonio and sending them back to Utah on Sunday night. We plan on Sea World tomorrow and other sights on Wednesday. It should be a fun week! Zoey has never flown, so this will be an adventure in itself—she and Cam together in the friendly skies on a non-stop to SA.

Our mission president (Torres—an amazing man) ends his three years here next week and takes his family back to Honduras. It must be difficult to leave, even to go back to family and church family there. Things always change, though, and life goes on. Endings. Beginnings. We have one more year here and look forward to serving. Love to you all. Thank you for your prayers, love, and support!