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!