Tender Mercies Matter TMM

TMM Promises Matter

A week and a half ago I was asked to play for Sylvia’s baptism. Like all of the baptisms we attend, it was a marvelous experience. Sylvia’s young-adult son has special needs (probably autism), and he wanted to be the one playing the piano. He tried to displace me on the bench as he pounded out a few handfuls of keys. I just smiled at him and teased a little bit about how he could certainly take my place. Some missionaries gathered him and his backpack and gently steered him away. The young man wandered during much of the service, making random sounds, but calmed during the baptism itself in the arms of kind, loving Elders. I was so impressed with the elders, who may have had a “special” person in their families, wards, or schools. They knew how to envelop and to show caring to this child of God. It was their way of welcoming not only his mother but her son into the kingdom of God. It reminded me of the kindnesses of young men to Cameron as he was going through school. When Cameron was on the HHS wrestling team, I was touched over and over by the loving actions of boys from all over the state, who did not know Cam but knew to treat him with respect, love, and generosity. Parents in the Church are doing a great job raising such compassionate men.

Sunday in the 1st Ward Mario Gonzales gave his farewell talk before leaving on his mission to Merida, Mexico. Mario is a third-generation Latter-Day Saint. His parents and grandparents also shared their testimonies. They were all thrilled to have him serve a mission, though it is difficult to send him into perilous circumstances. His younger brother gave an excellent talk on how missionaries are assigned to missions, and his teenage sister (ward chorister) bore her testimony. It was an inspirational meeting! The members here needed to see the example of strength and testimony that can happen through faithful church service over three generations. Not all of our young people have family support. So many of our students are the lone members in their families, and it is difficult for them to remain faithful, get up early for seminary, pay tithes and offerings, read scriptures and pray, and start faithful families of their own. Those families who make the effort to bring their families to church every week and teach the gospel in their homes are building a foundation for generations who will be prepared for the Second Coming. Thanks to new Bishop Orozco (and Sister Orozco) who have brought students to seminary every day, some feel that kind of support and testimony from their leaders.

As we left seminary on Tuesday morning, we were filled with the power of a glorious sunrise. Three of our seminary students were also thrilled at the sight and took several selfies and video to preserve the moment. In viewing that few seconds of video, they saw a “sign” in the heavens—a heart in the stunning clouds hovering over the church steeple. They think it really means something. I think it was a tender mercy sent to bless these faithful “jovenes” who attended early-morning seminary despite the early hour in a week of stress and finals. (Check out the picture!)

The Second Coming is a theme from the Prophet and apostles. President and Sister Nelson talk often about the gathering of Israel (missionary work) and the role of our young people in preparing the world for the Second Coming of the Savior. Elder Holland says he has never seen a prophet emphasize so strongly this theme and that it must mean something! President Torres (our mission president) stressed the responsibility we have to get ready and help others get ready for Jesus to come again. He teaches constantly about the signs. President Torres personally believes that this generation of young people will see the Second Coming, and that is why the Prophet teaches and advocates for this preparation all the time. Did you see the talks by the Nelsons about a recent trip where there were members of all tribes present? The literal gathering of Israel is definitely underway. Amazing! We have been warned.

In 4th Ward on Sunday the Primary sang “If I Were a Shepherd” by Stephanie K. Adams. She wrote it for her neighborhood children to sing as part of her personal “light-the-world” project. I had never heard it before, but it touched my heart with the beautiful music and the message. I looked it up when I got home and found the video and the free music download. She encourages us to use the song in our homes and at church. I especially love the final verse which says: “I’m not a shepherd; I’m not a traveling wise man. I’m not an angel. I love Him just the same. I’m a disciple. I choose to love and serve Him, to follow His commandments, to take upon His name. I’m a disciple. . .I’m a disciple. . .I’m a disciple!” That is my message this Christmastime. I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am His disciple!

Matters of the Season in the TMM

Matters in the TMM

A sweet Cameron story: When Jill and Cameron were here for Thanksgiving, we had some adventures in San Antonio from the River Walk cruise to Sea World to the Alamo, but our first stop is always the beautiful San Antonio temple. We love to pick up this and that at the distribution center while we are there. We were “shopping” along with a few others who were at the temple that day, and I overheard the clerks talking to a man there who was obviously a stake patriarch. As this brother went to leave, he came up to Cameron and asked if he could have a hug from “this celestial being.” Even though Cam didn’t have his “free hugs” t-shirt on, he was happy to oblige. With tears in his eyes this kind man hugged Cameron, saying that he could feel Cam’s spirit and that he was sure Cam was the most righteous person there. (Obviously he doesn’t have to get Cameron up in the mornings! Ha!)

What a marvelous week we had here in Laredo! The week culminated with three very beautiful testimony meetings. In the Spanish-speaking wards people line up to bear testimony. Literally. It was very touching, and the Spirit was strong. In second ward our good friend Brother Orozco was sustained as the new bishop. We will miss him as YSA advisor, but what a great bishop he will be! He was at seminary this morning to find out what youth he needed to work with to get them to seminary. He and his family will be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 29—the same day and place as Colton and Anne. Bishop Orozco only speaks Spanish, and we know he will have a tremendous influence on the youth, as he has had for many years with the young adults.

It was awesome to meet Elsa at 6th branch yesterday for her first church meeting. We watched her pay her tithing—really like the widow’s mite—determined to keep that commandment following the missionary lesson they had given this last week. She is scheduled to be baptized on Dec. 19, so we can be there. She loved the testimonies that were born and the spirit of the meeting and the people. Elder Flanagan is preparing to do the baptism in Spanish, as Elsa does not speak English. Elsa and Idalia parted ways, so Elsa is living in a church downtown where she is now a caretaker. Her home in Nuevo Laredo was broken into (literally, by smashing a hole in the wall), and everything was stolen. We are trying to help her find steady work here. Elsa says she used to watch the missionaries come and go in Mexico and wondered why they didn’t come to her, knowing in her heart that she needed what they had. Now she rejoices in finding the gospel of Jesus Christ!

In fourth ward Idalia was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was so excited. She wanted to know what was next. She was glad to hear that the ward Christmas dinner is on Saturday because she wants to “be involved in everything.” Her baptism was a trial. She was so afraid of the water, petrified about getting in and out of the font with legs that don’t work, and not knowing how it was all going to work to be immersed. The second attempt was successful, but there was some screaming and crying even as everyone worked to get her out of the font. She was faithful and determined, willing to do whatever it took to make her covenant with God.

The Sisters texted us to come and bring an investigator to church for the first time in 4th Ward (English). We met them at Josie’s apartment, and took her to church. In fact, those sisters had about ten first-time visitors there yesterday. Josie (65) is quite a character. She came to dinner with the Sisters and a pair of Elders, and when we took her home, she invited us in to see her Christmas wonderland. Her whole life is wrapped up in her “stuff.” She has lived quite a rough life. Her siblings are telling her not to listen to the “Mormons,” but that makes her more determined to hear the gospel. She is spending the holidays in San Antonio with family and friends. She came out of the three hours of meetings with questions for us about the temple. Although our assignment is to teach the young people here, we are grateful for the experiences to influence others with our testimonies and lifestyle.

The powerful testimonies that were shared in 4th Ward were a blessing to all of us. Sister Niggliazzo’s words were inspiring and really helped us teach our seminary lesson this morning on forgiveness (D&C 64). She is a beautiful, articulate mother, teacher, and attorney. Her husband was just released as 4th branch president to be a counselor in the stake presidency. She told about years of bad feelings toward her father who abandoned their family and disappeared when she was young. Her story has a happy ending, as she told of rescuing her father who was found wandering in NorthCarolina with no memory of his name, addictions, or past life. She was able to develop a sweet, forgiving relationship with him before he died this year. Others bore witness of the difference the gospel has made in their lives as they try to change their lives and focus on the Savior.

The Sisters asked for an invitation to dinner, and we were happy to have them come. We had ribs cooking in the crockpot when they informed us at our middle meeting that they had also invited the Elders. This week is transfers, so about half of our missionaries will be going somewhere else. We love to have missionaries to dinner, especially when we are losing some of these young friends this week. The more, the merrier, BUT we did not have enough food for six of us. Yay for the Instapot! We pulled out frozen chicken and fixed a second menu of crack chicken. (Hurray for ribs for us today!) So, we invited Josie and seven of us shared a meal. The yummy pecan pie was shared in tiny pieces with lots of whipped cream. If they can eat what we eat, they are welcome to share our meals!

Much love to all of you! May we all focus on the love of our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. May we take every opportunity to “Light the World” this Christmas season. Our prayer is to put aside the world and draw closer to God. Please pray for us. We are excited to come home for a few days at this fabulous time of year.

Front-Page News Matters

Front-Page News Matters

Yesterday was the long-awaited day for Laredoans! Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a generation of missionaries who have served here, and earnest investigators packed the Hillside Chapel to participate in the historic creation of Laredo’s first stake of Zion. It was thrilling! Elder McKay’s talk was moving and eloquent. Elder Villareal’s message was exciting. The testimonies of the new stake presidency were inspiring. The music by the choir was excellent. I guess that’s my quota of adjectives for the day… I will include pictures—they are worth a thousand words anyway.

As we move into DECEMBER (can you believe it?), we have put up our little Christmas tree and tried some recipes. Next thing we know, we will be boarding a plane for SLC.

I forgot to tell last week about our adventure—The Great Escape—from the IMAX theater. We enjoyed the film The Alamo, Fight for Freedom at the theater near the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. It was really better than three hours of John Wayne’s Alamo. It was a Keith Merrill film, very well-done. In our minds we were trying to figure out the exit that would get us closest to our parking lot, so we chose the far exit near the back of the building. It was a dirty stairwell, but a couple flights of cement stairs did not deter us. We followed the exit sign and let the door close behind us. When we got to the street doors, we were shocked to see signs that warned us in bold letters NOT to open the alarmed doors. We weighed the pros and cons of being arrested for illegal exit or going back up the stairs. As it happens, we are a group of rule keepers, and we trudged back up the blood-spattered stairwell (well. . . It might have been red paint, but I’m just not sure!). Oh, oh! The door was firmly locked behind us and were trapped. No choice—we had to charge the wired doors and hope we could outrun the cops amid the screaming alarms and stares of street people. We were so worried that we tried calling the theater to beg for help, but no human answered. Press forward! We were almost disappointed when there was no audible alarm. No one took any notice as we “calmly” walked away.

Missionary life goes on in sunny Laredo. Every day teaching is the best calling ever! Flowers continue to bloom and temperatures are back in the 80s. Christmas and cacti. We love the people here! Please pray for us to have the stamina to do what the Lord needs us to do here in south Texas. We love you all and can hardly wait to see you in three weeks. Stop by if you are in the Salt Lake area! Have a wonderful holiday season. Serve others. Love everyone. Sing Christmas songs. Pray. HE is the greatest gift!

Matters of Thanksgiving in the TMM

Matters of Giving Thanks TMM 11.27.18

What a blessed, wonderful week we have had! We picked up Cameron at the San Antonio airport on Monday and drove back to Laredo. On Tuesday we took him with us to District Meeting, and he was asked to give the prayer. All the elders and sisters made a big fuss over him, and Cameron was thrilled to meet the missionaries here. Jim took him and went to lunch with Idalia and Elsa, who also thought he was the bees’ knees. Cameron loved their soup and again was asked to pray. Late on Tuesday we picked up Jill at the Laredo airport.  The best thing about the week was to have Jill and Cameron with us!

Wednesday was sight-seeing day in Laredo, and we were shocked to see the new razor wire all along the river as well as extra border patrol and police. Every store and parking lot in the city was packed in preparation for the holiday season. I hate lines! We did not do much shopping except for last-minute dinner supplies for Thanksgiving.

We were happy to welcome four young elders for Thanksgiving dinner! Because we eat a very strict diet to control Jim’s diabetes, other ailments, and weight, we hoped they would like what we had fixed for our sugar-free, grain-free, fruit-free meal. The ketogenic food was a big hit because, luckily, we CAN eat whipped cream, butter, nuts, and our own style of rolls, sauces, and desserts. We counted our blessings again and again during the week. It is especially wonderful to be here in Laredo, serving the Lord.

We spent Friday and Saturday in beautiful San Antonio. Sea World was absolutely magical—decked in millions of holiday lights with traditional Christmas music dancing on the air. The animals (particularly the whales, dolphins, and penguins!) were breath-taking. We really loved our visit there. We always love the River Walk by boat, the history lessons of the Alamo, AND the weather. We met a few families who stopped us because of our missionary badges to say “Hello” and ask how our mission was going. Cam and Jim met a man with his son who had Down Syndrome. They had a joyous visit.

At the hotel on Saturday we shared the elevator with a grandmother holding her young granddaughter. The woman asked us if we had been there for the weekend meeting (looking at our badges). We assured her that we had, thinking she meant President Nelson and company. As it turned out, she meant a world conference of some kind for Christians, mostly from India and that area of the world. She told us that she and her family were there because great-grandma had fallen and broken her neck. They had gathered with her at the hospital and taken 5-generation pictures. Then she told us that the great-grandmother was Sophie, and would we please pray for her? And please pray that she will find Jesus so she won’t meet her Maker without faith. So, we added them all to our prayers this week. The power of a badge with Christ’s name on it!

Idalia and Elsa are still on-track for baptism on Dec. 8. Elsa has asked Jim to do the baptism, so he is learning the baptism prayer in Spanish—since she doesn’t speak English. This weekend is the long-awaited formation of the Laredo Stake! We are truly grateful to be here for this historic day. The Lord blesses us to be able to get up at 4:30 every morning and begin our day in prayer, scriptures, and lessons with our seminary students. Every day is filled with spiritual blessings. Please continue to pray for us and the people of Laredo. We love you all very much. See you soon for Christmas and Colton’s wedding.

Following the Prophet Matters

Following the Prophet Matters

This really wonderful week was topped by our trip to San Antonio to hear (and see from a distance and on-screen) the Prophet! We were staying less than a mile from the Alamodome, so we were able to walk alongside other Saints who had gathered from around Texas with their sweet families. Almost 24,000 filled the arena, with Laurels and priests on the floor closest to the Prophet. Through a tender mercy we arrived at the same time as other senior missionaries from McAllen and were able to sit together. We waited nearly two hours for the devotional to begin, so it was a blessing to share it with the Hunts and the Hunsakers (who were on their way home to Washington state). The other amazing blessing was that I got a text in the Dome from my cousin Susan, who lives in Austin, asking if we were in attendance. She asked where we were, and I replied, “Section 138.” She quickly messaged back that they were in Section 137, and we could see them when they stood. We moved into the foyer so that we could chat for a few minutes while people streamed into the meeting. It was a sweet blessing! Besides the beautiful choir music and the six absolutely stellar, inspirational talks, we were entranced by the sweet young fathers walking their babies and the patient young mothers wrestling with young children in the early evening of a long Sabbath day. Talks by Sister and Elder Ochoa, Sister and Elder Bednar, and Sister and President Nelson were faith-promoting! We were grateful to be able to walk back to the hotel and avoid the shuttles, the parking, and the traffic leaving the event.

 Monday afternoon, following an expensive trip to Costco, we picked up Cameron at the airport. If you see the picture, be sure to notice the Christmasy, San Antonio-style wallpaper behind him. The “300” refers to the 300th anniversary of San Antonio. We are thrilled to have him here an. d excited to pick up Jill at the Laredo airport in a couple of hours. While I write this, Jim and Cam are laughing their way through game after game of UNO. I have a feeling that Cameron is winning handily time after time. Cam was able to go with us to District meeting today, where the missionaries warmly welcomed him and had him give the opening prayer. He also got to go to lunch with Idalia and Elsa, the investigators Jim is helping to teach.

The story of Idalia and Elsa is a sweet and inspirational story. Since Idalia is on dialysis and needs assistance, especially on those days, and Elsa is here from across the border because her husband is in a care facility, they met and became helpers to each other to meet their needs. They read the Book of Mormon to each other, marking and studying as they find answers to their prayers. Both have committed to baptism on Dec. 8. Join us in praying for them to be well enough to enter the waters and make the covenant. They are both very excited to have found the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Thursday we had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with other senior couples, Presidente and Hermana Torres, and McAllen missionaries in McAllen. We took some of our “keto” holiday favorites to share. It was such a great day! President Torres and Elder Valdez (who is 83!) sang some traditional Latino songs. I’ll post the short video. Finally we sat around in a circle to give expressions of thankfulness, and then had more pictures taken. We shared the five hours on the road with our friends Elder and Sister Shaw. It is always a blessing to be with them.

We are thankful to be here, in Laredo, in the Texas McAllen Mission, to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. We feel the urgency to share the “mensajes” and strengthen each other as Laredo becomes a stake, and we all prepare for the Savior to come again. We are thankful for our amazing seven children and 25 “nietos.” We have a blessed life! Thanks to all of you for your love, support, and prayers. Have  wonderful day of gratitude on Thursday. Feel God’s love and know that we are praying for you and thanking Him for you in our lives.

Excitement Matters in the TMM

TMM Excitement Matters

Elder Flanagan has had some marvelous experiences working with the young missionaries this week. He just returned from meeting with Idalia and her new friend and helper Elsa, so thankful for the strong spirit there as they teach and pray and bless these two women. Both recognize the spirit and are grateful for it. Elsa is temporarily living with Idalia, and they support and help each other. Idalia is on dialysis, waiting to be well enough to be baptized. Elsa is here in Laredo from Nuevo Laredo while her husband is in assisted living and unable to go back to her home because she could not get back across the border. She told Elder Flanagan that she often saw missionaries in Mexico visiting her neighbors and wished they would come to her because she knew they had something she needed. The two women are reading the Book of Mormon to each other.

The missionary sisters had a baptism Saturday and have a couple more on Thursday. They taught and baptized Mia and reactivated her family. It was so sweet to see the family at church together on Sunday. Mia is twelve and deaf. The next two baptisms are teenagers. It is a very exciting time in Laredo!

We didn’t get back from the temple in time for Mia’s baptism. We had a senior-missionary temple trip with our “senior” friends from the Texas McAllen Mission. It was a wonderful day! Five hours in the car with the Shaws helped us get to know them better and hear their faith-promoting stories from experiences in Zapata. We had lunch at the Olive Garden, where we were able to find a couple of delicious keto choices. Check out our picture. Yes, our mission president is very young—just turned 40. He and Sister Torres and their four children are in their third year here in Texas from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where he is a businessman and has been a leader in the Church since he was a teenager. He has learned English since he got here two-and-a-half years ago, and usually teaches and speaks in English even though everyone but us probably speaks Spanish fluently. Sister Torres is beautiful, as you can see, elegant, and brilliant. She also speaks English well. We learn a lot from President Torres!

We are getting better with Spanish! Sitting through Spanish meetings is getting easier. Our Spanish class and the work we do on our own in Duolingo and the books we use, are making us more comfortable with the language every day. We are thankful for this experience.

It is CHILLy this week in Laredo—jacket weather. We are having rain and fog with temperatures that drop into the 50s at night. We do not have to turn on heat yet, but we can see how it was possible for Laredo to get snow last year. We had to go to Target and get some jackets because we were not prepared for cold. Of course, people who live here think that it is freezing if the temperatures dip into the 70s.

We LOVE our teaching assignments! In institute the students teach each other and make every class a spiritual experience. We love our seminary students, too—they are brilliant and impressive young people. What a blessing it is to serve here!

Sunday we will be back in San Antonio to hear the Prophet, Elder Bednar, and Elder Ochoa. We will stay overnight in SA, so we can pick up Cameron at the airport the next day. We are very excited for this experience and then the creation of the Laredo Stake on Dec. 1-2.

Our hearts are so full this Thanksgiving time. We love you all. We miss you, but time goes so quickly, and we are truly blessed in so many ways. We are overwhelmed at the tender mercies of God. We are blessed with the best children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles and cousins—we love you all. We are thankful to the missionaries all over the world who are enlisted in this great work. We are thankful for every member who works to build the kingdom, and for those who have been prepared to accept the gospel. Happy Thanksgiving!

Matters from TMM

TMM Matters 11.5.18

On Friday Elder Flanagan went with the young missionaries to meet with an investigator. The Sisters had passed off the lady they were teaching because they had met with her in the hospital, but now that she was at home, she was out of their teaching area. Rules are rules, however. Two elders cannot teach a female investigator alone. So, Jim went with them to meet this sweet woman who wants to be baptized as soon as she is well enough. Idalia is on dialysis. They all went back later in the evening to give her a blessing with the friend who referred her to the missionaries. Brother Soto has referred several people—in fact, I met him at church, and he introduced us to the investigator who is his girlfriend. It is an exciting time to be a missionary in Laredo.

On Saturday morning I was asked to give a short talk on the theme at a RS enrichment activity for 4th branch. Before we started, I got a phone call from two of the elders in our zone. They wanted me to play the piano for a baptism, so I left after my talk and went to pick up Jim.

José came up out of the water grinning and with his arm raised in a victory shout. He then bore his testimony and told how he had put off being baptized while the missionaries kept telling him to pray, read, and listen for his answer. In his job as a rehab counselor, José saw many things that prompted him to search for God and His church. We talked to José after the service, and he told us how he had some experiences with the adversary trying to stop him from being baptized. He even had to pull off the road as his tongue and body twisted and he felt dark and alone. The experience made him determined to be baptized. His girlfriend and her sisters were also at the baptism, and we had a great experience talking to them. (I think the girlfriend may be a member.) One of the sisters had a little girl with her who she was babysitting—an eight-year-old who looked at Jim’s badge and asked him if his name was “Elder.” He explained to her that it was a title. She looked at the badge again and touched it, saying, “Oh, your name is Jesus!” Jim explained that he had, indeed, taken Jesus’ name upon him. Little Melia was quite fascinated by the whole church thing. She wanted me to teach her a song on the piano, so I taught her the first line of “I Am a Child of God.” She said, “Is this a kids’ church?” I nodded. “Oh, I thought it was like for college kids.” Funny. Sweet.

On Sunday, José was confirmed and bore his testimony again. It was wonderful and touching and inspiring.

Some of the Sisters texted us to see if we could pick up an investigator for the 1:00 meeting, so we got to meet Aliada, a sixteen-year-old (absolutely beautiful) who loves the church. Her mother will not let her join, but she lets her attend sometimes. We were so impressed with Ali! She bore her testimony! She told how she loved to come to church and how she felt so loved and at peace there. We had a great talk with her as we drove to church. The sisters have tried to find a way for Ali to come to seminary, but Mom again doesn’t want her to attend. She may have to wait until she is an adult, but she will join eventually.

Testimony meetings here are so filled with the Spirit! You have to wait in line to share. Every day here is a spiritual experience. We love teaching and learning on the covenant path! We pray for you day and night. We joyously have prayer and scriptures with Cam twice a day, so we can finish the Book of Mormon again by the end of the year, as President Nelson has asked us to do. We love the Book of Mormon!