Happy 47th Anniversary Mom & Dad!
Love, Kevin, Beth, Jenny, Emily & Amanda
Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad amigos y familiares!
Oh, technology...isn't it wonderful. The following link is to a video we filmed on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate Christmas and Mom's birthday virtually with them. Caroling, a live nativity with a Christmas reading and birthday wishes (and cake) galore! It is 22 minutes long and is our way of "being with them".
A special thanks to Kevin for his editing of the project. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
The link: http://gallery.me.com/kbpack#100147 Choose the Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas movie and select the large option (it is the most recent update). Enjoy.
Oh, technology...isn't it wonderful. The following link is to a video we filmed on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate Christmas and Mom's birthday virtually with them. Caroling, a live nativity with a Christmas reading and birthday wishes (and cake) galore! It is 22 minutes long and is our way of "being with them".
A special thanks to Kevin for his editing of the project. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
The link: http://gallery.me.com/kbpack#100147 Choose the Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas movie and select the large option (it is the most recent update). Enjoy.
Happy Birthday!
Mom, best wishes for a very Happy Birthday on this Christmas Day. We will virtually celebrate with you. Enjoy your video. We love you!
 |
| December 25, 2008 |
Friday, December 24, 2010
December 24, 2010
They are calling it the children's Christmas party. Pink and blue balloons, loud radio music, a blow-up play castle and a pint-sized tub of ice cream for each child. We contributed a few bucks two weeks ago when they sold pizzetas and completos. Lots of kids and parents having a good time on the apartment playground Sunday afternoon. Maybe Santa will make an appearance later. Otherwise how will we know it's a Christmas party? But wait. . .Maria from Australia has on a little Santa hat with her sun dress. A dead giveaway. Feliz Navidad everyone!!
I'm at the little desk by the open window again trying to write, but my heart is not in it. My brother's heart is fighting for life in a hospital a million miles away and I am totally helpless to do anything but pray. Thank you for joining me. Steve collapsed Thursday night after the Tabernacle Choir Christmas broadcast, was rushed to the hospital, and has been in extremely critical condition in a drug induced coma, from which he may or may not awake. His life is in the balance. His heart has stopped several times since that first attack. I hope before I finish this in the next few days I have better news to report. Right now he is a very sick man getting the best care they can give, kept alive with machines, 18 IV's, and the prayers of many. His son Ryan is on a mission somewhere in Guatamala excited to call home for Christmas and talk to his dad. My heart goes out to him.
Last night we went to the mission office to call Delores on the office phone, our only line out, for the latest report. After we finished the call all five of the office elders crowded into our little mail room and proposed to fast for Steve today after their dinner appointments. They hugged me like sons; their eyes were as wet as ours; we love these young men; our hearts were touched and knit together in love. This morning the President's wife called to check. As people at church found out they too rallied round us. Literally. We were surrounded. We have no family here, but we have a great family here. They bear our burdens and share our grief. We feel such love for and from all of them.
The Christmas program in the branch consisted of my tie, Mom's YW lesson of Luke 2 and Christmas carols for one girl, and the Cerda family and I singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” in Sacrament meeting. The chorister didn't know the sacrament hymn, nor did 98 percent of the people so she sat down in tears half way through the second verse, leaving BJ playing on in puzzlement. What's a girl to do? The first counselor got up and finished the hymn; the chorister was ok for the closing hymn. Maybe this has happened before. Wish they'd put Mom in charge next year. I have marveled at her Christmas programs for the last 47 years. She works miracles and Emily is following in her footsteps.
Last night I played Santa's helper at the Los Libertedores Ward party. BJ had told her friend Bristella that I was Santa in the US and offered my services. The Primary President had a suit big enough. I had tried to buy one, but none fit. I found four stores on one street selling them from puppy size to almost big enough. I'll probably have one made for next year, or next week. They are cheap, ten to fifteen dollars, and Beth had sent the critical stuff for the face and head.
The ward program was sweet with all the children decked out in fine costumes of angels, shepherds, wise men, wooly lambs and spotted cows, and a real baby Jesus who played his part perfectly without a peep. They make the most beautiful costumes, good enough for the real stage-- no towel turbans and bathrobed shepherds, but silky, shiny wise men and the sweetest Mary you've ever seen rocking her baby and cooing him into tranquility. The stars in the heavens kept falling down but the show must go on and did to loud acclaim from an appreciative audience of parents and grandparents.
Santa was nervous and pretty much speechless, but the kids just lined up for their bag of candy. He said “Feliz Navidad. Te Amo” and they said “Gracias”. They didn't care if Santa was a foreigner; the parents loved it. Thursday he appears live at the mission wide Christmas party. I've got to get more Super 8 candy bars and gum filled Tip Pops; I gave mine all away after church today. They rushed me once the word got around that Santa from the US was attending church in Chile this morning.
The condo party has deteriorated into balloon popping and little kids crying, sure signs that it's about over. I guess Santa didn't get the memo. No one seemed to miss him.
In the stores and on the streets of downtown Maipu there are signs of Christmas, but the mall Santa looks like he got run over by a reindeer. In our neighborhood, some houses have a few lights, always blinking, and last night we saw a street with half a dozen houses in a row with icicle lights on the eaves, but other whole streets without a single light, only one nice manger scene in a yard with a decorated door. We have a pretty wreath with a red ribbon on our door. Inside, a small tree, a cute manger scene, and table décor of candles, red runner and placemats, etc. it's festive.
Here in the condo at night it looks like Las Vegas. The only non-blinkers are the gaudy red lights to our left. We have no balcony, hence no outside lights. Across the way the lead contender for Lights of the Year has all kinds of lights, tinsel, a tree, and fluffy cottony angels and dozens of golden stars hanging from the ceiling twirling in the breeze, as Santa descends from a cottony cloud. Amazing what you can do to decorate a 4 by 6 space. Get with it folks, only five more days 'till Christmas.
At church I seemed to be the only one wishing “Feliz Navidad”, but when I did people brightened up and laughed. Try it; you'll like it. It's not an anti religious thing here, just not a big tradition. Santa comes, leaves something, Christmas dinner, and life goes on. School is out for the summer. Let's go to the beach.
BJ and I hope to do just that next week for our Anniversary trip. We are told you can drive up and get a room without a reservation for the next two weeks, then it gets really crowded. Think we'll try it after we get our deliveries made. Can senior missionaries go swimming? We'll ask, but maybe not till after we get back.
A breakthrough. Bishop Rivera with whom we have lunch on Wednesdays speaks only Spanish and only to those who likewise speak Spanish. Therefore he does not speak to me. We've been going there for three months. His daughter teaches in an English speaking school here and for 5 years in Arizona. His wife wants to and tries to speak English. Not a lonely Anglo syllable from him. Until last night after his ward party and Santa (dressed down) was packing up to leave. Face to face he smiled, said “Merry Christmas” and hugged me!! The ice cracked a little. I think he understands the language of the heart. Maybe our language skills are better than we thought.
The fruity news. I didn't think I'd ever get through all the fruit we bought last week, but his morning I finished the last of it, except half a little pale green softball sized melon, like a honeydew, which I will lick up this evening. We have sliced and frozen sugared strawberries just in case we can't buy them all year. We had our first watermelon on Wednesday at Bristella's lunch.
Lunch is the main sit down meal of the day, served between 2 and 4 pm. Kids go home for lunch and don't go back to school. Missionaries eat with members virtually every day; members are expected to feed them, well; and they do. After lunch is prime proselyting time. Our missionaries aren't expected to do much missionary work outside the apartment before lunch, then work late into the night when people are at home relaxing. They told me on my mission that the Holy Ghost went to bed at 10:00 o'clock; guess He stays up later in Chile. Fits my internal clock.
I think Santa is about to show. Maria is clapping and calling the ninos to gather; they are chanting something and looking toward the front entrance. The kids last night called Santa with the same chant and song. Call louder. He can't hear you all the way from the North Pole. I think I hear his sleigh bells. Louder. Stronger. Keep trying.-------------------------
OK smart alec, take it all back. Santa showed all right, tacky beard and all, and did a wonderful job if Santa2 says so himself. The Committee had bought individual gifts for each child. Santa sat as names were called and kids great and small came forward for their gift and obligatory foto. Grateful kids hugged him; frightened babies protested having to sit on his lap; parents clapped. There was joy all around, except for two kids dragging their faces behind them who walked by our window (we were leaning out the bedroom window taking it all in.). I guess their parents opted out for whatever reasons. I'm guessing about 50 kids each got a nicely wrapped gift, Barbies, GI Joes, playground balls, fit the shaped pieces into the right hole thingys, dart games, nice stuff, age and gender appropriate—thoughtfully done. Santa spent a HAPPY half hour with the kids. Another first class event. Thanks to Maria, the condo mover and shaker. My apologies.
Maria waved at us, threw us kisses, came over to our window and talked. They had trouble getting a Santa; her son was going to do it and had a last minute conflict, but they found a neighbor. Guess who they have lined up for next year? You got it. Now I've got to get a suit made or brought from home. And, by then Santa will be able to speak to los ninos in their own language. Gladly. I'm looking forward to it. Real gifts; not candy canes and chew pops. Santa brightened my day. My heart is healed for a while. I want to be like him. Thanks Santa, and Maria, and our Dear Father for a sweet and tender mercy.
The blow up slide and palace are gone but the laughter and joy remain. Merry Christmas everyone. And to all a good night.
Friday, Dec. 24th at the office:
I was really frustrated and depressed for a couple of days, but then a miracle happened. A Christmas miracle. A missionary miracle. Thanks for all your faith and fasting and prayers. My brother, Steve, is awake, off the ventilator and most of the IV's and is talking. I hope to talk to him in person over the weekend and wish him A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. The doctors and nurses didn't give us much hope on Sunday, and Monday they did a complete reversal. He is not out of the woods, but is standing at the edge of the trees looking out at the meadow, getting ready to take the next step into the warm sunshine of LIFE! So far it appears that his mind and heart and other organs are working. With every miracle there is an element of mystery because we just can't explain everything. The doctors can't. I can't. You can't. I just accept it as a miracle without asking how or why. Thank God.
The mail tally for 8 weeks leading up to Christmas. . . .
• 58 Latinos and 1 Gringo got no mail, zero letters, 00 packages
• 17 Latinos and 4 Gringos got only one lousy letter/package
• 5 Latinos and 29 Gringos got between 2 to 5 items; this includes about 50 who came or left 1 week or 7 weeks ago
• 36 Gringos got from 6-14 the most any Latino got was 5
• 8 Gringos got from 15 -29 Two tied with 29 each and more on the way no doubt.
I don't know who gets email and some Chilean elders get their stuff delivered by family or friends who come to the temple, etc. One elder who arrived three days ago had a package and ten letters waiting here for him.
Yesterday was the all-mission all-day Christmas party, starting with homemade hot donuts, several hundred fried in two pans because we blew a fuse and couldn't find the breaker. A movie and a looooong area Presidency/General Authority talk about Joseph Smith and a ton of evidence that he was and did what he said he did and was. Very convincing, but the mind can only absorb as much as the seat can endure. Then a very nice lunch of roast beef, turkey, broccoli, mashed potatoes with a drop of “gravy”, and a table full of dessert choices. Well done. We all brought something not very worthwhile and left with something worth even less after the white elephant/silly Santa gift exchange. My Mississippi tee shirt was one of the favorites along with Michael Jackson and Minnie Mouse towels. I got a key chain. Mom's program was wonderful. Half the mission (85) was in the choir and the other half in the audience. She knows what she's doing and what she wants and how to get it out of people who don't really know what to do next and have never practiced together. She signals and animates and holds up signs and points and mimes and mouths her instructions and they are so enraptured watching her that it goes off without a hitch, except the violin player who had to improvise at times. At the end of a 12 hour party Santa finally came with a bag full of TipPops, photos, laughing, and 200 suckers later we finally went home and crashed.
Mom invited her (3) young women to our place (palace) for pizza, salad, pop and cheesecake. Of course she had decorations and candles and gifts. We picked them up at the church and chauffeured them to and from in our red chariot. They had a ball. We talked, sort of, laughed, ate, and had a grand time. We wonder what they thought of it all. We've never seen where or how they live, but I'm sure it's different from ours. After they washed their hands they came from the bathroom smelling the perfumed soap in the pump bottle. That gave us a little hint. We love them and they love us and we gladly gave and they gladly received the leftover pizza.
It's Christmas Eve. We're going to the King/President's house for Mexican after we Skype for an hour or two. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL , BUT WE ARE HAVING A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOPE YOU ALL WILL TOO. REJOICE!!
PS: Tomorrow I'm taking Mom out for her Birthday dinner at the fanciest restaurant I can find. Just hope it's not Mikey Dee's. We hear that lots of places are open on Christmas—for the money. We have turned down two dinner invites to do this. (Together Forever)
LOVE, MOM AND DAD
I'm at the little desk by the open window again trying to write, but my heart is not in it. My brother's heart is fighting for life in a hospital a million miles away and I am totally helpless to do anything but pray. Thank you for joining me. Steve collapsed Thursday night after the Tabernacle Choir Christmas broadcast, was rushed to the hospital, and has been in extremely critical condition in a drug induced coma, from which he may or may not awake. His life is in the balance. His heart has stopped several times since that first attack. I hope before I finish this in the next few days I have better news to report. Right now he is a very sick man getting the best care they can give, kept alive with machines, 18 IV's, and the prayers of many. His son Ryan is on a mission somewhere in Guatamala excited to call home for Christmas and talk to his dad. My heart goes out to him.
Last night we went to the mission office to call Delores on the office phone, our only line out, for the latest report. After we finished the call all five of the office elders crowded into our little mail room and proposed to fast for Steve today after their dinner appointments. They hugged me like sons; their eyes were as wet as ours; we love these young men; our hearts were touched and knit together in love. This morning the President's wife called to check. As people at church found out they too rallied round us. Literally. We were surrounded. We have no family here, but we have a great family here. They bear our burdens and share our grief. We feel such love for and from all of them.
The Christmas program in the branch consisted of my tie, Mom's YW lesson of Luke 2 and Christmas carols for one girl, and the Cerda family and I singing “Angels We Have Heard on High” in Sacrament meeting. The chorister didn't know the sacrament hymn, nor did 98 percent of the people so she sat down in tears half way through the second verse, leaving BJ playing on in puzzlement. What's a girl to do? The first counselor got up and finished the hymn; the chorister was ok for the closing hymn. Maybe this has happened before. Wish they'd put Mom in charge next year. I have marveled at her Christmas programs for the last 47 years. She works miracles and Emily is following in her footsteps.
Last night I played Santa's helper at the Los Libertedores Ward party. BJ had told her friend Bristella that I was Santa in the US and offered my services. The Primary President had a suit big enough. I had tried to buy one, but none fit. I found four stores on one street selling them from puppy size to almost big enough. I'll probably have one made for next year, or next week. They are cheap, ten to fifteen dollars, and Beth had sent the critical stuff for the face and head.
The ward program was sweet with all the children decked out in fine costumes of angels, shepherds, wise men, wooly lambs and spotted cows, and a real baby Jesus who played his part perfectly without a peep. They make the most beautiful costumes, good enough for the real stage-- no towel turbans and bathrobed shepherds, but silky, shiny wise men and the sweetest Mary you've ever seen rocking her baby and cooing him into tranquility. The stars in the heavens kept falling down but the show must go on and did to loud acclaim from an appreciative audience of parents and grandparents.
Santa was nervous and pretty much speechless, but the kids just lined up for their bag of candy. He said “Feliz Navidad. Te Amo” and they said “Gracias”. They didn't care if Santa was a foreigner; the parents loved it. Thursday he appears live at the mission wide Christmas party. I've got to get more Super 8 candy bars and gum filled Tip Pops; I gave mine all away after church today. They rushed me once the word got around that Santa from the US was attending church in Chile this morning.
The condo party has deteriorated into balloon popping and little kids crying, sure signs that it's about over. I guess Santa didn't get the memo. No one seemed to miss him.
In the stores and on the streets of downtown Maipu there are signs of Christmas, but the mall Santa looks like he got run over by a reindeer. In our neighborhood, some houses have a few lights, always blinking, and last night we saw a street with half a dozen houses in a row with icicle lights on the eaves, but other whole streets without a single light, only one nice manger scene in a yard with a decorated door. We have a pretty wreath with a red ribbon on our door. Inside, a small tree, a cute manger scene, and table décor of candles, red runner and placemats, etc. it's festive.
Here in the condo at night it looks like Las Vegas. The only non-blinkers are the gaudy red lights to our left. We have no balcony, hence no outside lights. Across the way the lead contender for Lights of the Year has all kinds of lights, tinsel, a tree, and fluffy cottony angels and dozens of golden stars hanging from the ceiling twirling in the breeze, as Santa descends from a cottony cloud. Amazing what you can do to decorate a 4 by 6 space. Get with it folks, only five more days 'till Christmas.
At church I seemed to be the only one wishing “Feliz Navidad”, but when I did people brightened up and laughed. Try it; you'll like it. It's not an anti religious thing here, just not a big tradition. Santa comes, leaves something, Christmas dinner, and life goes on. School is out for the summer. Let's go to the beach.
BJ and I hope to do just that next week for our Anniversary trip. We are told you can drive up and get a room without a reservation for the next two weeks, then it gets really crowded. Think we'll try it after we get our deliveries made. Can senior missionaries go swimming? We'll ask, but maybe not till after we get back.
A breakthrough. Bishop Rivera with whom we have lunch on Wednesdays speaks only Spanish and only to those who likewise speak Spanish. Therefore he does not speak to me. We've been going there for three months. His daughter teaches in an English speaking school here and for 5 years in Arizona. His wife wants to and tries to speak English. Not a lonely Anglo syllable from him. Until last night after his ward party and Santa (dressed down) was packing up to leave. Face to face he smiled, said “Merry Christmas” and hugged me!! The ice cracked a little. I think he understands the language of the heart. Maybe our language skills are better than we thought.
The fruity news. I didn't think I'd ever get through all the fruit we bought last week, but his morning I finished the last of it, except half a little pale green softball sized melon, like a honeydew, which I will lick up this evening. We have sliced and frozen sugared strawberries just in case we can't buy them all year. We had our first watermelon on Wednesday at Bristella's lunch.
Lunch is the main sit down meal of the day, served between 2 and 4 pm. Kids go home for lunch and don't go back to school. Missionaries eat with members virtually every day; members are expected to feed them, well; and they do. After lunch is prime proselyting time. Our missionaries aren't expected to do much missionary work outside the apartment before lunch, then work late into the night when people are at home relaxing. They told me on my mission that the Holy Ghost went to bed at 10:00 o'clock; guess He stays up later in Chile. Fits my internal clock.
I think Santa is about to show. Maria is clapping and calling the ninos to gather; they are chanting something and looking toward the front entrance. The kids last night called Santa with the same chant and song. Call louder. He can't hear you all the way from the North Pole. I think I hear his sleigh bells. Louder. Stronger. Keep trying.-------------------------
OK smart alec, take it all back. Santa showed all right, tacky beard and all, and did a wonderful job if Santa2 says so himself. The Committee had bought individual gifts for each child. Santa sat as names were called and kids great and small came forward for their gift and obligatory foto. Grateful kids hugged him; frightened babies protested having to sit on his lap; parents clapped. There was joy all around, except for two kids dragging their faces behind them who walked by our window (we were leaning out the bedroom window taking it all in.). I guess their parents opted out for whatever reasons. I'm guessing about 50 kids each got a nicely wrapped gift, Barbies, GI Joes, playground balls, fit the shaped pieces into the right hole thingys, dart games, nice stuff, age and gender appropriate—thoughtfully done. Santa spent a HAPPY half hour with the kids. Another first class event. Thanks to Maria, the condo mover and shaker. My apologies.
Maria waved at us, threw us kisses, came over to our window and talked. They had trouble getting a Santa; her son was going to do it and had a last minute conflict, but they found a neighbor. Guess who they have lined up for next year? You got it. Now I've got to get a suit made or brought from home. And, by then Santa will be able to speak to los ninos in their own language. Gladly. I'm looking forward to it. Real gifts; not candy canes and chew pops. Santa brightened my day. My heart is healed for a while. I want to be like him. Thanks Santa, and Maria, and our Dear Father for a sweet and tender mercy.
The blow up slide and palace are gone but the laughter and joy remain. Merry Christmas everyone. And to all a good night.
Friday, Dec. 24th at the office:
I was really frustrated and depressed for a couple of days, but then a miracle happened. A Christmas miracle. A missionary miracle. Thanks for all your faith and fasting and prayers. My brother, Steve, is awake, off the ventilator and most of the IV's and is talking. I hope to talk to him in person over the weekend and wish him A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. The doctors and nurses didn't give us much hope on Sunday, and Monday they did a complete reversal. He is not out of the woods, but is standing at the edge of the trees looking out at the meadow, getting ready to take the next step into the warm sunshine of LIFE! So far it appears that his mind and heart and other organs are working. With every miracle there is an element of mystery because we just can't explain everything. The doctors can't. I can't. You can't. I just accept it as a miracle without asking how or why. Thank God.
The mail tally for 8 weeks leading up to Christmas. . . .
• 58 Latinos and 1 Gringo got no mail, zero letters, 00 packages
• 17 Latinos and 4 Gringos got only one lousy letter/package
• 5 Latinos and 29 Gringos got between 2 to 5 items; this includes about 50 who came or left 1 week or 7 weeks ago
• 36 Gringos got from 6-14 the most any Latino got was 5
• 8 Gringos got from 15 -29 Two tied with 29 each and more on the way no doubt.
I don't know who gets email and some Chilean elders get their stuff delivered by family or friends who come to the temple, etc. One elder who arrived three days ago had a package and ten letters waiting here for him.
Yesterday was the all-mission all-day Christmas party, starting with homemade hot donuts, several hundred fried in two pans because we blew a fuse and couldn't find the breaker. A movie and a looooong area Presidency/General Authority talk about Joseph Smith and a ton of evidence that he was and did what he said he did and was. Very convincing, but the mind can only absorb as much as the seat can endure. Then a very nice lunch of roast beef, turkey, broccoli, mashed potatoes with a drop of “gravy”, and a table full of dessert choices. Well done. We all brought something not very worthwhile and left with something worth even less after the white elephant/silly Santa gift exchange. My Mississippi tee shirt was one of the favorites along with Michael Jackson and Minnie Mouse towels. I got a key chain. Mom's program was wonderful. Half the mission (85) was in the choir and the other half in the audience. She knows what she's doing and what she wants and how to get it out of people who don't really know what to do next and have never practiced together. She signals and animates and holds up signs and points and mimes and mouths her instructions and they are so enraptured watching her that it goes off without a hitch, except the violin player who had to improvise at times. At the end of a 12 hour party Santa finally came with a bag full of TipPops, photos, laughing, and 200 suckers later we finally went home and crashed.
Mom invited her (3) young women to our place (palace) for pizza, salad, pop and cheesecake. Of course she had decorations and candles and gifts. We picked them up at the church and chauffeured them to and from in our red chariot. They had a ball. We talked, sort of, laughed, ate, and had a grand time. We wonder what they thought of it all. We've never seen where or how they live, but I'm sure it's different from ours. After they washed their hands they came from the bathroom smelling the perfumed soap in the pump bottle. That gave us a little hint. We love them and they love us and we gladly gave and they gladly received the leftover pizza.
It's Christmas Eve. We're going to the King/President's house for Mexican after we Skype for an hour or two. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL , BUT WE ARE HAVING A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HOPE YOU ALL WILL TOO. REJOICE!!
PS: Tomorrow I'm taking Mom out for her Birthday dinner at the fanciest restaurant I can find. Just hope it's not Mikey Dee's. We hear that lots of places are open on Christmas—for the money. We have turned down two dinner invites to do this. (Together Forever)
LOVE, MOM AND DAD
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Prayer Request
Blair's youngest brother Steve collapsed Thursday evening from a possible massive heart attack. He is in critical condition though there has been some progress. We are prayerful and hopeful. Please join us in praying for Steve, Kathy, Ryan (who is serving a mission in Guatemala), Jessica, and all those caring for Steve at this time. Thanks!
December 16, 2010
Dec. 12, 2010- Imagine what it would feel like. Missionaries come to your home and teach you, your spouse and your young children that you can be together forever. Jesus Christ has made it possible. He has restored the authority to seal your family together on earth and in heaven for time and all eternity. There is a temple where this is done less than a day's drive away. WOW. Tell us more. This is the best news we've ever heard. Let's do it!
You and yours are baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The missionaries go home. In time the faithful father is ordained to the priesthood. Children grow and are baptized. All of you get on a bus and drive overnight 9 or 10 hours to the only temple for a thousand miles in any direction to be sealed together forever by the power of the Priesthood. Sweetness.
How can you ever adequately thank those missionaries? You will always remember them. You will love them as if they were part of your family. You will thank God every day for those boys and the parents who prepared and sent them to you. You will send your sons and daughters on missions in return.
Then the parents of one of those missionaries come to your country on a mission. They are serving in the same city where your family was sealed. Your ward is taking a bus full of people to that temple you love so much. Is it possible? Is there any way? Could we somehow find and meet HIS parents? Of course. Our missionary has continued to love us and teach us and be our eternal friend. We have his phone number and email. We have been in touch over the 26 years since he first knocked on our door. We call his parents, who don't speak Spanish or even recognize our names, and tell them when we will be at the temple. Can you please come to the temple so we can meet you and hug you and kiss your necks and thank you from the depths of our souls? Please? Please? Please?
NOW……….Imagine what it would feel like to be the parents of that missionary. On your p-day you dress and drive through the city traffic to the temple and pull into the visitor's parking space. From across the empty parking lot (it is Saturday and the Church Area Offices are closed) a woman and her teenage daughter run towards you waving and calling to you. Madre de Kevin! Madre de Kevin. So begins a day of joyous connection with three families your son taught and baptized and loves to this day. Some from each family have come 9 hours on the bus to the temple and will return tonight to be home in time for church in the morning.
They walk by faith and endure (the bus ride) to the end. You drove your car a few miles through the city in air conditioned comfort; they have no cars. All are faithful Latter-day Saints; one is a branch president (he is a hoot); one is the Relief Society President. Who knows how much service they have given over the years and how many others have come unto Christ by their influence.
They would have had a wonderful day at the temple without seeing you. They would probably understand that you are busy. They would have missed you; but you would have missed one of the highlights of your mission, indeed of your life. You are now welded, although not sealed, to those families for eternity as surely as if by priesthood ordinance. They are yours and you are theirs and all are God's. Hallelujah! Thank God for calling you to this place at this time. How great shall be your joy if you(r son) brings one or many souls unto Christ? How precious is a soul? What is it worth? When does your mission end? I have a feeling this one will stretch into eternity. We have tasted the fruit of the tree which is to be desired above all others. Heaven couldn't be much better than this.
Next day. We were so tired this morning, sunburned and worn completely out. After the day at the temple we went Christmas shopping at the mall along with a half million other Maipuians. Looks like a lot of kids are getting bikes this Christmas. Or else the three main mall stores, Fallabella, Paris, and Ripleys will be left holding a big inventory. We ate ice cream—a requirement when you go out on the street here; we bought some stuff; BJ found some outfits for her and gifts for her friends here. We came home and collapsed.
It's a good thing one of us has a conscience. I would have slept all day. BJ finally got me up in time to rush into Sacrament meeting late (11:35) just as the Stake President was releasing me and others and creating a new branch presidency. ABPC is now the official branch president with Erasmo and Pablo, two unmarried college student returned missionaries as counselors. Either would make a fine president, but I told BJ that which ever one gets married first will ascend to the office. I won't say this to them or neither of them will get married. They both have girlfriends and vague plans. . . someday. These changes are good, but the best is yet to come.
As BJ walked to the organ my two deacons on the sacrament bench turned around and gave me a big thumbs up. Across the way was their father, mother, brother, sister. On the stand were the older brothers--the new branch mission leader and one of the priests. The whole Cerda family is back! Maybe they were never gone, but we were afraid. Oh, ye of little faith. Next Sunday BJ and I with their family will sing Christmas music in church, maybe go caroling together. They are such dear friends. If God sent us here just to befriend them at this time I am satisfied with our mission. We want all of you to meet them, just like Kevin wanted us to meet his friends. This is a neat thing. We want to take them a family gift, maybe a game.
They live in the upstairs of a little Chilean double-house in a crowded, less than great neighborhood, all 9 of them. He works as a machinist, making metal parts on a lathe for who knows how little money, but they are all nicely dressed on Sunday and give no hint of not having (little Tommy just told me he uses the computer at school and at home). Typically, people do without cars and fine houses, but have the latest electronics and decent clothes. We comment often that they have what they really need to be happy. Family values and love and togetherness are evident all around. Ignore the other stuff.
After the hugging and the setting apart of the new leaders we had a baptism. A sweet older lady who has been in the Gospel Essentials class was baptized by Elder Madsen, a newbie from Oregon. His first baptism. Another sweetness. I was asked to be a testigo which I learned meant witness and required no speaking, just a nod of the head. I missed (not really) my turn to conduct the meeting. I learned how the Liahona is delivered without home mail service. Simple: South American printing center (Argentina) to distribution center (Santiago) to stake to branch to member. No addresses or postage necessary.
I can cobble together some simple sentences and spent two pleasant hours reading the Liahona in Spanish, but don't yet understand what is being said, even simple conversation. Yesterday at the temple grounds must have sounded like a comedy act. Don't overestimate our Spanish abilities, but each week when we go to Bristella's house for almuerzo (lunch) we can understand and participate a little more.
She is getting me a Santa Suit and I will do the act in their ward Saturday pm, IN SPANGLISH! Thanks to Beth I have the hair and whiskers. I'm also booked for the mission wide party on Dec.23rd. I hope word doesn't spread too far too fast. My Christmas tie was a big hit. I brought the red one with the cut-out Christmas tree. I told them my nietos did it. Everyone wanted to see and touch it. The boys all want one like it. Maybe for next year.
Another sweetness. Under a big white convention tent on the temple block the church has the most amazing display of Christmas craftsmanship. No cute table decorations, aprons or gift ideas. This is all Christ centered, 3-d sculpture. No idea how they put together such a stunning collection. Dozens of creches of every description from artists all over the world each on a lighted pedestal. World class art. A 60 foot long diorama of Chile, its peoples, places and customs. No paper mache and tempra paint. First class work in wood, ceramic and stone of every description, in different artistic styles, by native craftspeople, all to the same scale, obviously carefully coordinated and controlled, not willy nilly, do your own thing, show and tell. A national treasure apparently made just for this occasion. But the centerpiece: a U-shaped, walk-through, double room with about thirty 6x6 tables, each in turn showing and telling the story of Christ's birth from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, from prophecy to ministry. Again, scale model buildings, figures, landscapes, meticulously crafted from thousands of pieces, detailed down to the eyelashes. It was not obvious if this was the work of one artist or another coordinated masterpiece (I think it was this) done to perfection. Who did all this? Where? When? Were they paid or is it from thousands of hours of donated talent? Is it thus at every one of the 139 operating temples around the earth? What a marvelous witness for Christ by people who truly love Him, testifying mightily by the labor of their hands and minds. And they had cold water dispensers. The only place in Santiago. What a church we belong to. It never ceases to amaze me. Because it is early summer, although you wouldn't have known it by the cold front that moved through later in the day, the temple/church office/MTC/etc. complex is ablaze with color. It must be the thinning ozone layer above Chile that lets in special rays to produce such natural splendor and then spotlight it with such a unique quality of light. I hope my photos do it justice. This was the first time I had my camera with me at the temple grounds.
I ignored the sun to my discomfort today. We've been warned to wear sunscreen all the time, but I'm not in the habit. I wondered why there were so many bottles and tubes of spf50 in the storeroom. Why are these missionaries sunbathing so much? Not. It's a natural hazard. Mothers keep their babies under stroller, umbrella or blanket shade when they go out. I thought people wore long sleeves to keep warm, but I may have to join them, even wear a hat if I can find one I love. I usually can.
BJ is awake from her nap, so I'm going to pop some popcorn and make some peanut butter sandwiches. You'd expect that wouldn't you? It's Sunday night at the Packs.
Wednesday, pm at the church: I embarrassed BJ (again) in public, but this time she is obligated to forgive me. The amazing is compounding. The Christmas tie I brought is bright red with a green cutout Christmas tree making up the bottom half. It is eye catching-- just what BJ wants to avoid. We already stand out; white Americans in Sunday clothes with little black badges to help us remember our names, usually carrying boxes or pulling our little red trolley through the crowded streets of Maipu. She hates when I get out my camera and make like a tourist. This is why so many of my fotos are taken from inside the car.
So I wear the tie to town and people stare, heads swivel, smiles appear, kids point and laugh. Embarrassing? Hardly. Because within minutes we have had two amazing missionary moments, the kind you pray for. A little girl about 9 or 10 pulls her dad by the hand to intercept us and ask to have the missionaries come to their home, soon. They talk excitedly and say they are familiar with los mormones, and again ask for the missionaries. She seems especially excited, but he is too. I get him to write his name, address and phone. He does, but wants to say more. I wish we could understand every word. They seem filled with the spirit. We have to go.
We step into a store and while waiting for some sliced ham a nice looking woman introduces herself, Elizabeth, and asks what time our church starts. She knows where it is. Are you a miembro de la iglesia? No. She walks by the church every day and wants to ask, but the gate is locked and she never sees anyone. She is so glad she spotted my tie and our name tags. What time does it start? Other questions I don't understand. If you will write your name and number we will have the young missionaries call you and answer your questions. She seems to understand and agree, hugs BJ and happily goes her way. Us too. We're walking on clouds and nothing more is said about the tie drawing attention, at least by BJ.
When the mission pres saw it I told him these stories and that the tie was a referencia magnet. He said I should wear it every day. I will. This is too exciting. This is the mission experience I was hoping for. Now we pray for these people to receive the missionaries and the messages and the blessings. If they agree to be taught we're going with the elders. I know that not everyone does. I've been disappointed a few times in Mississippi, one time thinking we were going to baptize about 20 black college girls I visited with the missionaries. Nada, nunca, ninguno, ni uno ni dos.
By the way, in one of my first long emails I grossly over-exaggerated ( I seldom under-exaggerate; my father told me a million times not to stretch the truth.) the number of baptisms in this mission. I may have said the words hundreds and thousands. Reality is more like 5-15 per week mission wide. This month the goal is 70, a mission record, and we are on track to make that happen. The number 90 was used in our Monday staff meeting. Looks like a white Christmas in the forecast.
I doubt they have ever had snow on Christmas—it's like June and July and feelin' it. Watermelons appeared in the market ($6US) this week. Bristella is taking us to a better market on Saturday. Better quality produce; a little higher prices. She doesn't like the street vendors, and she is a professional cook. OK. Hope I can find a nice red and green sweet juicy Christmas watermelon. Is that weird or what?
Finally--- Here's how it feels, from one of the Temuco saints in an email to Kevin (used without permission):
Here's what Elizabeth Obreque said:
Hola Kevin; ayer conocí a tu mamá, sabes de lejos cuando la vi, le dije a Darlyn la hna. que esta allá parada tiene que ser la mamá de Kevín y miro al estacionamiento veo a tu papá, fue espectacular, tu mamá es muy muy muy especial, sentimos un gran espíritu de amor al abrazarnos, tus padres son igual a ti tiene mucho amor por los demás, tienes una familia fantástica, ellos están muy bien, se ven bien y están muy contento de estar en Chile ha y están esperando Marzo para verte. Tu mamá ya tiene dos arbolitos de Navidad armados y tu papá tiene clarito que el padre celestial sabe el porque esta Navidad no estará junto a Ustedes, tus padres son gigantes en el evangelio y es hermoso.
Cariños a toda la familia
TRANSLATION:
Hello Kevin: Yesterday I met your mother, guess what when I saw her from afar, I said to Darlyn, "the sister that is standing over there has to be Kevin's mother and I looked in the parking lot and I saw your father, it was spectacular. Your mother is very very very special, we felt a great spirit of love as we embraced. Your parents are like you, they have much love for others. You have a fantastic family. They are very well, they look good and are very happy to be in Chile and are waiting for March to see you. Your mother already has two Christmas trees decorated, and your father is sure that Heavenly Father knows him because this Christmas he will not be together with you all. Your parents are giants in the gospel and it is beautiful.
---------------
We love these people, but not more than we love you. This is a LOVELY experience. I have the best companion in the best mission in the (second) best country in the world. We are really into it now. It's almost four months since we left home. Can you believe it? Well, yea. But in a good way. Thanks for all your love and support. We got a great Christmas package from our dear family which we are dying to open on Christmas Morning. We will not be alone. You will all be with us and we with you.
With all the LOVE we can cram into these words and more that we cannot find words for. . . .
Mom and Dad
You and yours are baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The missionaries go home. In time the faithful father is ordained to the priesthood. Children grow and are baptized. All of you get on a bus and drive overnight 9 or 10 hours to the only temple for a thousand miles in any direction to be sealed together forever by the power of the Priesthood. Sweetness.
How can you ever adequately thank those missionaries? You will always remember them. You will love them as if they were part of your family. You will thank God every day for those boys and the parents who prepared and sent them to you. You will send your sons and daughters on missions in return.
Then the parents of one of those missionaries come to your country on a mission. They are serving in the same city where your family was sealed. Your ward is taking a bus full of people to that temple you love so much. Is it possible? Is there any way? Could we somehow find and meet HIS parents? Of course. Our missionary has continued to love us and teach us and be our eternal friend. We have his phone number and email. We have been in touch over the 26 years since he first knocked on our door. We call his parents, who don't speak Spanish or even recognize our names, and tell them when we will be at the temple. Can you please come to the temple so we can meet you and hug you and kiss your necks and thank you from the depths of our souls? Please? Please? Please?
NOW……….Imagine what it would feel like to be the parents of that missionary. On your p-day you dress and drive through the city traffic to the temple and pull into the visitor's parking space. From across the empty parking lot (it is Saturday and the Church Area Offices are closed) a woman and her teenage daughter run towards you waving and calling to you. Madre de Kevin! Madre de Kevin. So begins a day of joyous connection with three families your son taught and baptized and loves to this day. Some from each family have come 9 hours on the bus to the temple and will return tonight to be home in time for church in the morning.
They walk by faith and endure (the bus ride) to the end. You drove your car a few miles through the city in air conditioned comfort; they have no cars. All are faithful Latter-day Saints; one is a branch president (he is a hoot); one is the Relief Society President. Who knows how much service they have given over the years and how many others have come unto Christ by their influence.
They would have had a wonderful day at the temple without seeing you. They would probably understand that you are busy. They would have missed you; but you would have missed one of the highlights of your mission, indeed of your life. You are now welded, although not sealed, to those families for eternity as surely as if by priesthood ordinance. They are yours and you are theirs and all are God's. Hallelujah! Thank God for calling you to this place at this time. How great shall be your joy if you(r son) brings one or many souls unto Christ? How precious is a soul? What is it worth? When does your mission end? I have a feeling this one will stretch into eternity. We have tasted the fruit of the tree which is to be desired above all others. Heaven couldn't be much better than this.
Next day. We were so tired this morning, sunburned and worn completely out. After the day at the temple we went Christmas shopping at the mall along with a half million other Maipuians. Looks like a lot of kids are getting bikes this Christmas. Or else the three main mall stores, Fallabella, Paris, and Ripleys will be left holding a big inventory. We ate ice cream—a requirement when you go out on the street here; we bought some stuff; BJ found some outfits for her and gifts for her friends here. We came home and collapsed.
It's a good thing one of us has a conscience. I would have slept all day. BJ finally got me up in time to rush into Sacrament meeting late (11:35) just as the Stake President was releasing me and others and creating a new branch presidency. ABPC is now the official branch president with Erasmo and Pablo, two unmarried college student returned missionaries as counselors. Either would make a fine president, but I told BJ that which ever one gets married first will ascend to the office. I won't say this to them or neither of them will get married. They both have girlfriends and vague plans. . . someday. These changes are good, but the best is yet to come.
As BJ walked to the organ my two deacons on the sacrament bench turned around and gave me a big thumbs up. Across the way was their father, mother, brother, sister. On the stand were the older brothers--the new branch mission leader and one of the priests. The whole Cerda family is back! Maybe they were never gone, but we were afraid. Oh, ye of little faith. Next Sunday BJ and I with their family will sing Christmas music in church, maybe go caroling together. They are such dear friends. If God sent us here just to befriend them at this time I am satisfied with our mission. We want all of you to meet them, just like Kevin wanted us to meet his friends. This is a neat thing. We want to take them a family gift, maybe a game.
They live in the upstairs of a little Chilean double-house in a crowded, less than great neighborhood, all 9 of them. He works as a machinist, making metal parts on a lathe for who knows how little money, but they are all nicely dressed on Sunday and give no hint of not having (little Tommy just told me he uses the computer at school and at home). Typically, people do without cars and fine houses, but have the latest electronics and decent clothes. We comment often that they have what they really need to be happy. Family values and love and togetherness are evident all around. Ignore the other stuff.
After the hugging and the setting apart of the new leaders we had a baptism. A sweet older lady who has been in the Gospel Essentials class was baptized by Elder Madsen, a newbie from Oregon. His first baptism. Another sweetness. I was asked to be a testigo which I learned meant witness and required no speaking, just a nod of the head. I missed (not really) my turn to conduct the meeting. I learned how the Liahona is delivered without home mail service. Simple: South American printing center (Argentina) to distribution center (Santiago) to stake to branch to member. No addresses or postage necessary.
I can cobble together some simple sentences and spent two pleasant hours reading the Liahona in Spanish, but don't yet understand what is being said, even simple conversation. Yesterday at the temple grounds must have sounded like a comedy act. Don't overestimate our Spanish abilities, but each week when we go to Bristella's house for almuerzo (lunch) we can understand and participate a little more.
She is getting me a Santa Suit and I will do the act in their ward Saturday pm, IN SPANGLISH! Thanks to Beth I have the hair and whiskers. I'm also booked for the mission wide party on Dec.23rd. I hope word doesn't spread too far too fast. My Christmas tie was a big hit. I brought the red one with the cut-out Christmas tree. I told them my nietos did it. Everyone wanted to see and touch it. The boys all want one like it. Maybe for next year.
Another sweetness. Under a big white convention tent on the temple block the church has the most amazing display of Christmas craftsmanship. No cute table decorations, aprons or gift ideas. This is all Christ centered, 3-d sculpture. No idea how they put together such a stunning collection. Dozens of creches of every description from artists all over the world each on a lighted pedestal. World class art. A 60 foot long diorama of Chile, its peoples, places and customs. No paper mache and tempra paint. First class work in wood, ceramic and stone of every description, in different artistic styles, by native craftspeople, all to the same scale, obviously carefully coordinated and controlled, not willy nilly, do your own thing, show and tell. A national treasure apparently made just for this occasion. But the centerpiece: a U-shaped, walk-through, double room with about thirty 6x6 tables, each in turn showing and telling the story of Christ's birth from the Book of Mormon and the Bible, from prophecy to ministry. Again, scale model buildings, figures, landscapes, meticulously crafted from thousands of pieces, detailed down to the eyelashes. It was not obvious if this was the work of one artist or another coordinated masterpiece (I think it was this) done to perfection. Who did all this? Where? When? Were they paid or is it from thousands of hours of donated talent? Is it thus at every one of the 139 operating temples around the earth? What a marvelous witness for Christ by people who truly love Him, testifying mightily by the labor of their hands and minds. And they had cold water dispensers. The only place in Santiago. What a church we belong to. It never ceases to amaze me. Because it is early summer, although you wouldn't have known it by the cold front that moved through later in the day, the temple/church office/MTC/etc. complex is ablaze with color. It must be the thinning ozone layer above Chile that lets in special rays to produce such natural splendor and then spotlight it with such a unique quality of light. I hope my photos do it justice. This was the first time I had my camera with me at the temple grounds.
I ignored the sun to my discomfort today. We've been warned to wear sunscreen all the time, but I'm not in the habit. I wondered why there were so many bottles and tubes of spf50 in the storeroom. Why are these missionaries sunbathing so much? Not. It's a natural hazard. Mothers keep their babies under stroller, umbrella or blanket shade when they go out. I thought people wore long sleeves to keep warm, but I may have to join them, even wear a hat if I can find one I love. I usually can.
BJ is awake from her nap, so I'm going to pop some popcorn and make some peanut butter sandwiches. You'd expect that wouldn't you? It's Sunday night at the Packs.
Wednesday, pm at the church: I embarrassed BJ (again) in public, but this time she is obligated to forgive me. The amazing is compounding. The Christmas tie I brought is bright red with a green cutout Christmas tree making up the bottom half. It is eye catching-- just what BJ wants to avoid. We already stand out; white Americans in Sunday clothes with little black badges to help us remember our names, usually carrying boxes or pulling our little red trolley through the crowded streets of Maipu. She hates when I get out my camera and make like a tourist. This is why so many of my fotos are taken from inside the car.
So I wear the tie to town and people stare, heads swivel, smiles appear, kids point and laugh. Embarrassing? Hardly. Because within minutes we have had two amazing missionary moments, the kind you pray for. A little girl about 9 or 10 pulls her dad by the hand to intercept us and ask to have the missionaries come to their home, soon. They talk excitedly and say they are familiar with los mormones, and again ask for the missionaries. She seems especially excited, but he is too. I get him to write his name, address and phone. He does, but wants to say more. I wish we could understand every word. They seem filled with the spirit. We have to go.
We step into a store and while waiting for some sliced ham a nice looking woman introduces herself, Elizabeth, and asks what time our church starts. She knows where it is. Are you a miembro de la iglesia? No. She walks by the church every day and wants to ask, but the gate is locked and she never sees anyone. She is so glad she spotted my tie and our name tags. What time does it start? Other questions I don't understand. If you will write your name and number we will have the young missionaries call you and answer your questions. She seems to understand and agree, hugs BJ and happily goes her way. Us too. We're walking on clouds and nothing more is said about the tie drawing attention, at least by BJ.
When the mission pres saw it I told him these stories and that the tie was a referencia magnet. He said I should wear it every day. I will. This is too exciting. This is the mission experience I was hoping for. Now we pray for these people to receive the missionaries and the messages and the blessings. If they agree to be taught we're going with the elders. I know that not everyone does. I've been disappointed a few times in Mississippi, one time thinking we were going to baptize about 20 black college girls I visited with the missionaries. Nada, nunca, ninguno, ni uno ni dos.
By the way, in one of my first long emails I grossly over-exaggerated ( I seldom under-exaggerate; my father told me a million times not to stretch the truth.) the number of baptisms in this mission. I may have said the words hundreds and thousands. Reality is more like 5-15 per week mission wide. This month the goal is 70, a mission record, and we are on track to make that happen. The number 90 was used in our Monday staff meeting. Looks like a white Christmas in the forecast.
I doubt they have ever had snow on Christmas—it's like June and July and feelin' it. Watermelons appeared in the market ($6US) this week. Bristella is taking us to a better market on Saturday. Better quality produce; a little higher prices. She doesn't like the street vendors, and she is a professional cook. OK. Hope I can find a nice red and green sweet juicy Christmas watermelon. Is that weird or what?
Finally--- Here's how it feels, from one of the Temuco saints in an email to Kevin (used without permission):
Here's what Elizabeth Obreque said:
Hola Kevin; ayer conocí a tu mamá, sabes de lejos cuando la vi, le dije a Darlyn la hna. que esta allá parada tiene que ser la mamá de Kevín y miro al estacionamiento veo a tu papá, fue espectacular, tu mamá es muy muy muy especial, sentimos un gran espíritu de amor al abrazarnos, tus padres son igual a ti tiene mucho amor por los demás, tienes una familia fantástica, ellos están muy bien, se ven bien y están muy contento de estar en Chile ha y están esperando Marzo para verte. Tu mamá ya tiene dos arbolitos de Navidad armados y tu papá tiene clarito que el padre celestial sabe el porque esta Navidad no estará junto a Ustedes, tus padres son gigantes en el evangelio y es hermoso.
Cariños a toda la familia
TRANSLATION:
Hello Kevin: Yesterday I met your mother, guess what when I saw her from afar, I said to Darlyn, "the sister that is standing over there has to be Kevin's mother and I looked in the parking lot and I saw your father, it was spectacular. Your mother is very very very special, we felt a great spirit of love as we embraced. Your parents are like you, they have much love for others. You have a fantastic family. They are very well, they look good and are very happy to be in Chile and are waiting for March to see you. Your mother already has two Christmas trees decorated, and your father is sure that Heavenly Father knows him because this Christmas he will not be together with you all. Your parents are giants in the gospel and it is beautiful.
---------------
We love these people, but not more than we love you. This is a LOVELY experience. I have the best companion in the best mission in the (second) best country in the world. We are really into it now. It's almost four months since we left home. Can you believe it? Well, yea. But in a good way. Thanks for all your love and support. We got a great Christmas package from our dear family which we are dying to open on Christmas Morning. We will not be alone. You will all be with us and we with you.
With all the LOVE we can cram into these words and more that we cannot find words for. . . .
Mom and Dad
Friday, December 10, 2010
December 10, 2010
Dec. 5, 2010- It's a secret I'm sworn not to tell anybody; that's why I'm only telling you. Last night Pres. King called me after stake Pres. Nunez called him (about 10:30 pm), and this morning I told Acting Branch Pres. Contrares I knew the secret. He promptly sat me down in his office face to face and had a little heart to heart. I'm not sure what he said but he was serious about it. “Secreto, confidencial, mucho argullos, cuatro familias, cambios en la presidencia, dos hombres . . . presidentes futuros, y mas. Don't tell Erasmo, don't talk to Jorge, or Pablo or the Elders, or anyone. This is just between you and me.”
Taken all together I think the secret is that I am going to be released from the branch presidency and two men who could be future branch presidents will be called and trained by Acting Branch President Contrares of the high council, but no one knows who or when or how much this will stir the pot. Didn't I just suggest this in my last email? Somebody up there was listening or else I am really in tune with the spirit. Oh yea, I am not the stake president. Back off Blair.
I still get to teach the diaconos (and teachers and priests), except today, when only one joven showed up and Erasmo taught him with the help of Acting Branch Pres. Contrares with me in the bleachers watching and learning. I tried to make a comment, but my Spanish was corrected rather confrontationally so I held my peace. Anyway don't tell anyone our little secret until the stake presidency shows up again and makes the changes official. Thereafter, I am to be an “observer and consultant” to Acting Branch President Contrares, sort of an unofficial third counselor in the shadows. I think this is a new calling in the church, although many a bishop's wife has played the role. Check the new handbook for details. I'll do my best.
Still don't know why Pres. Cerda was released and no one is talking and the familia Cerda was “on vacation” today except Marcelo who attended branch council meeting. Oh, I learned what little Matilda's amazing primary program talk was about. She began: “We believe in God the Eternal Father. . . ” and finished at the end of the third Article of Faith. I can't get over how sweet and impressive it was. She truly is an angel straight from the presence of God. I can't see her without thinking of our precious Ella and all our dear grandchildren. Jesus once was a little child; a little child like you.
Today, at the urging of Acting Branch President Contrares I bore my testimony, the last one of the meeting. Whereupon, Acting Branch President Contrares announced the closing hymn and prayer--”Hermana Pack”--who gasped and sweated as she played through the hymn, then gave a very sweet, simple, completely understandable prayer—in Spanish. Everyone was thrilled—except her. She later told Acting Branch President Contrares (hereafter known as ABPC) that she needed a little more notice next time. She really felt pressured. He is an in your face kind of guy who is pushing us hard to speak only Spanish in the branch. We are trying, but when we talk to him and he doesn't understand, we shift to Spanglish and he hasn't complained. President King assures us we are doing as we should and don't need to feel any pressure to speak only Spanish. We'll keep studying and learning.
Tonight was the stake Evening of Excellence for young women, and it was at least the equal of last week's Relief Society Closing Social, only an hour longer. When you make the effort to bring decorations, food, crafts, class projects, Personal Progress books, the baby and the toddler and more on a bus an hour from the family casa you apparently don't want to waste the effort on a one or two hour meeting. Why not make it three or four ? Even with our car it was a 5 hour round trip—driving time 15 min.
It's Thursday pm at the branch for piano class. One new and one old student so far. Announced beginning times are just an approximation. The leader decides when to start, not the clock. Mom's teaching is amazing. She goes at it 100 percent as if everybody understands her; and they do, somehow. There is lots of laughter, which makes it enjoyable for all. No one seems put off by the language barrier. Besides the church piano/organ she had three teclados on a long table and goes from one student to another giving individual help as others practice. It's kind of a cacophony of sound, but it's working and more people are asking if they can join.
Black Friday in Chile seems to coincide with Immaculate Conception day. As we delivered the pouch into the city yesterday we commented on the light traffic. When we got to our stop in the middle of the university there was not a soul, or a car, in sight. We assumed they were all at mass. Not. After work we went to our two stores, Sodimac Home Center and Jumbo, which it really is. We found the people!! [and refried beans(2.50US), and taco shells,, and canned green beans($1.00US). JACKPOT] Thousands of them (people, not beans). The aisles were jammed. The 50% Christmas stuff was a tangled heap of bodies and scrambled merchandise. It took a half hour to find a parking place—as far as you could get from the store, and drivers were anything but patient. Usually they are more than willing to share your lane on the road. All of a sudden an oncoming will veer sharply into your lane and come straight at you. They never seem to collide, and all they are doing is skirting a pot hole or a bus for a few seconds. It's breathtaking. Mom's friend Bristella rode home with us after her piano lesson Monday and ragged me about my driving. Sometimes it's just as well not to understand everything people are saying.
Yippee!! The Cerda family is here for piano and basket (they drop the ball). They are happy and greeted us very warmly. Maybe they really were on vacation. We are told that sometimes people just close up shop for a few days or weeks or months even and take a vacation. Every time there has been a holiday the world here shuts down.
More about Immaculate Conception. Comparative Religions 101: according to Bruce R. McConkie (and me), Latter Day Saints believe in the Virgin Birth, but not in the Immaculate Conception; Catholics officially believe in both, and most people of these and other religions don't know the difference. A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and he shall be called the Son of God. (re: Isaiah and Nephi and Jacob). That is the Virgin Birth. No question; we believe. The immaculate conception has to do with the conception within Mary's mother's womb. The false doctrine that Adam and Eve's original sin was sexual (thus they would not have had children had they not partaken) and that all children are born in sin is behind the notion of immaculate conception.
False Reasoning: God had to prepare a way for a perfectly pure girl child to be born without sin who later in life could be the Mother of God. If Mary had been conceived normally she would have been a tainted vessel conceived in sin. Can you imagine the Son of God being born to an ordinary mortal? Therefore her mother somehow conceived baby Mary without sin (sex?) and Mary was different from all other children: therefore we(Catholics) worship her with as much or more reverence as we worship Jesus. The Mother of God and the Son of God were special creations. Worship both. Now go look for this in the scriptures, just don't waste a lot of time doing it. That's not where the idea came from. The early church councils and subsequent popes and people decided these things. You see why they believe that infant baptism is necessary? False Doctrine.
The Doctrine of Christ: Little children are alive in Christ and need no repentance or baptism because they cannot sin. As children approach the age of eight they become accountable for their sins and need baptism for the remission of their sins, past and future. Men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression. Become as a child: meek, submissive, full of faith. Jesus is the Son of God the Eternal Father, born of the virgin (not capitalized or worshiped, but loved) Mary. Worship the Father in the name of the Son. Have faith in Christ; believe that He is; believe that He loves you; believe that He has atoned for your sins as well as Adam's. Repent and be baptized in the same manner and by the same authority by which Christ himself was baptized. Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Endure to the end with lifelong faith and repentance and worship and faithful obedience to the all laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and YE SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WHICH IS THE GREATEST OF ALL THE GIFTS OF GOD. Your sins are forgiven. Exaltation is your birthright. Father has made this possible for His children because He loves them. You are His child; He loves you; you will be like Him someday. Now go look in the scriptures for these True Doctrines.
VIRGIN BIRTH? YES. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION? NO NEED. That's the sermon for the day. I just wish I could preach it in Spanish. Unto what was I called and ordained? To preach the gospel and invite people to come unto Christ. Oh, that I were an angel and could have the wish of my heart. Someday. . .
On the lighter side—the other day we went to the Bank of Chile to pay our rent. We deposit it into our dueno's (owner's) account and it must be done at his bank. The line for the general public was 63 people long before we arrived. It probably had been that way all day and as closing time, 2:00pm, approached it grew much longer. Well, we waited our turn. And waited. And waited. And waited. Two solid hours. I amused myself by reading shirts and caps: three Chile soccer shirts AND — Body Glove, Sweet Dreams, Ripcord, Everlast, Izod, Surfrider, Longhorns, Cabella, Head, Faith Rocks, Adidas, True Denim, Santa Barbara California, Glamour, it's me, One Way, Hard Spirit, Nike, Tobasco, Australia, Unlimited, Brooks, Hollister, Live by your own rules, and a 2001 winner of the ???engineering award of ??? company. I'm easily entertained. Others brought books, magazines, ear buds, and lots of phones.
Know what happens when I eat too much fruit? Apparently, nothing. I'm eating all the cherries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and bananas as I want and no adverse affects—knock on wood please. I don't know if I'll tire of them eventually, but for now I am in hog heaven. I loved to climb my Grandma McFarland's apricot tree above the chicken house and gorge on juicy ripe apricots. We had canned apricots and juice all year. I've missed it in Mississippi. I hope it lasts all year here. They seem to be able to plant one crop right after the other. They are still pulling onions and potatoes from later plantings. In the corner of the field is a little patch left for seed.
That's it for today. We love you all and thank you for your support. We feel your love and prayers and pray for you every day. We want this mission to bless all of us and many more, here and there.
LUV MOM AND DAD
Taken all together I think the secret is that I am going to be released from the branch presidency and two men who could be future branch presidents will be called and trained by Acting Branch President Contrares of the high council, but no one knows who or when or how much this will stir the pot. Didn't I just suggest this in my last email? Somebody up there was listening or else I am really in tune with the spirit. Oh yea, I am not the stake president. Back off Blair.
I still get to teach the diaconos (and teachers and priests), except today, when only one joven showed up and Erasmo taught him with the help of Acting Branch Pres. Contrares with me in the bleachers watching and learning. I tried to make a comment, but my Spanish was corrected rather confrontationally so I held my peace. Anyway don't tell anyone our little secret until the stake presidency shows up again and makes the changes official. Thereafter, I am to be an “observer and consultant” to Acting Branch President Contrares, sort of an unofficial third counselor in the shadows. I think this is a new calling in the church, although many a bishop's wife has played the role. Check the new handbook for details. I'll do my best.
Still don't know why Pres. Cerda was released and no one is talking and the familia Cerda was “on vacation” today except Marcelo who attended branch council meeting. Oh, I learned what little Matilda's amazing primary program talk was about. She began: “We believe in God the Eternal Father. . . ” and finished at the end of the third Article of Faith. I can't get over how sweet and impressive it was. She truly is an angel straight from the presence of God. I can't see her without thinking of our precious Ella and all our dear grandchildren. Jesus once was a little child; a little child like you.
Today, at the urging of Acting Branch President Contrares I bore my testimony, the last one of the meeting. Whereupon, Acting Branch President Contrares announced the closing hymn and prayer--”Hermana Pack”--who gasped and sweated as she played through the hymn, then gave a very sweet, simple, completely understandable prayer—in Spanish. Everyone was thrilled—except her. She later told Acting Branch President Contrares (hereafter known as ABPC) that she needed a little more notice next time. She really felt pressured. He is an in your face kind of guy who is pushing us hard to speak only Spanish in the branch. We are trying, but when we talk to him and he doesn't understand, we shift to Spanglish and he hasn't complained. President King assures us we are doing as we should and don't need to feel any pressure to speak only Spanish. We'll keep studying and learning.
Tonight was the stake Evening of Excellence for young women, and it was at least the equal of last week's Relief Society Closing Social, only an hour longer. When you make the effort to bring decorations, food, crafts, class projects, Personal Progress books, the baby and the toddler and more on a bus an hour from the family casa you apparently don't want to waste the effort on a one or two hour meeting. Why not make it three or four ? Even with our car it was a 5 hour round trip—driving time 15 min.
It's Thursday pm at the branch for piano class. One new and one old student so far. Announced beginning times are just an approximation. The leader decides when to start, not the clock. Mom's teaching is amazing. She goes at it 100 percent as if everybody understands her; and they do, somehow. There is lots of laughter, which makes it enjoyable for all. No one seems put off by the language barrier. Besides the church piano/organ she had three teclados on a long table and goes from one student to another giving individual help as others practice. It's kind of a cacophony of sound, but it's working and more people are asking if they can join.
Black Friday in Chile seems to coincide with Immaculate Conception day. As we delivered the pouch into the city yesterday we commented on the light traffic. When we got to our stop in the middle of the university there was not a soul, or a car, in sight. We assumed they were all at mass. Not. After work we went to our two stores, Sodimac Home Center and Jumbo, which it really is. We found the people!! [and refried beans(2.50US), and taco shells,, and canned green beans($1.00US). JACKPOT] Thousands of them (people, not beans). The aisles were jammed. The 50% Christmas stuff was a tangled heap of bodies and scrambled merchandise. It took a half hour to find a parking place—as far as you could get from the store, and drivers were anything but patient. Usually they are more than willing to share your lane on the road. All of a sudden an oncoming will veer sharply into your lane and come straight at you. They never seem to collide, and all they are doing is skirting a pot hole or a bus for a few seconds. It's breathtaking. Mom's friend Bristella rode home with us after her piano lesson Monday and ragged me about my driving. Sometimes it's just as well not to understand everything people are saying.
Yippee!! The Cerda family is here for piano and basket (they drop the ball). They are happy and greeted us very warmly. Maybe they really were on vacation. We are told that sometimes people just close up shop for a few days or weeks or months even and take a vacation. Every time there has been a holiday the world here shuts down.
More about Immaculate Conception. Comparative Religions 101: according to Bruce R. McConkie (and me), Latter Day Saints believe in the Virgin Birth, but not in the Immaculate Conception; Catholics officially believe in both, and most people of these and other religions don't know the difference. A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and he shall be called the Son of God. (re: Isaiah and Nephi and Jacob). That is the Virgin Birth. No question; we believe. The immaculate conception has to do with the conception within Mary's mother's womb. The false doctrine that Adam and Eve's original sin was sexual (thus they would not have had children had they not partaken) and that all children are born in sin is behind the notion of immaculate conception.
False Reasoning: God had to prepare a way for a perfectly pure girl child to be born without sin who later in life could be the Mother of God. If Mary had been conceived normally she would have been a tainted vessel conceived in sin. Can you imagine the Son of God being born to an ordinary mortal? Therefore her mother somehow conceived baby Mary without sin (sex?) and Mary was different from all other children: therefore we(Catholics) worship her with as much or more reverence as we worship Jesus. The Mother of God and the Son of God were special creations. Worship both. Now go look for this in the scriptures, just don't waste a lot of time doing it. That's not where the idea came from. The early church councils and subsequent popes and people decided these things. You see why they believe that infant baptism is necessary? False Doctrine.
The Doctrine of Christ: Little children are alive in Christ and need no repentance or baptism because they cannot sin. As children approach the age of eight they become accountable for their sins and need baptism for the remission of their sins, past and future. Men will be punished for their own sins and not for Adam's transgression. Become as a child: meek, submissive, full of faith. Jesus is the Son of God the Eternal Father, born of the virgin (not capitalized or worshiped, but loved) Mary. Worship the Father in the name of the Son. Have faith in Christ; believe that He is; believe that He loves you; believe that He has atoned for your sins as well as Adam's. Repent and be baptized in the same manner and by the same authority by which Christ himself was baptized. Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Endure to the end with lifelong faith and repentance and worship and faithful obedience to the all laws and ordinances of the Gospel, and YE SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE WHICH IS THE GREATEST OF ALL THE GIFTS OF GOD. Your sins are forgiven. Exaltation is your birthright. Father has made this possible for His children because He loves them. You are His child; He loves you; you will be like Him someday. Now go look in the scriptures for these True Doctrines.
VIRGIN BIRTH? YES. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION? NO NEED. That's the sermon for the day. I just wish I could preach it in Spanish. Unto what was I called and ordained? To preach the gospel and invite people to come unto Christ. Oh, that I were an angel and could have the wish of my heart. Someday. . .
On the lighter side—the other day we went to the Bank of Chile to pay our rent. We deposit it into our dueno's (owner's) account and it must be done at his bank. The line for the general public was 63 people long before we arrived. It probably had been that way all day and as closing time, 2:00pm, approached it grew much longer. Well, we waited our turn. And waited. And waited. And waited. Two solid hours. I amused myself by reading shirts and caps: three Chile soccer shirts AND — Body Glove, Sweet Dreams, Ripcord, Everlast, Izod, Surfrider, Longhorns, Cabella, Head, Faith Rocks, Adidas, True Denim, Santa Barbara California, Glamour, it's me, One Way, Hard Spirit, Nike, Tobasco, Australia, Unlimited, Brooks, Hollister, Live by your own rules, and a 2001 winner of the ???engineering award of ??? company. I'm easily entertained. Others brought books, magazines, ear buds, and lots of phones.
Know what happens when I eat too much fruit? Apparently, nothing. I'm eating all the cherries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and bananas as I want and no adverse affects—knock on wood please. I don't know if I'll tire of them eventually, but for now I am in hog heaven. I loved to climb my Grandma McFarland's apricot tree above the chicken house and gorge on juicy ripe apricots. We had canned apricots and juice all year. I've missed it in Mississippi. I hope it lasts all year here. They seem to be able to plant one crop right after the other. They are still pulling onions and potatoes from later plantings. In the corner of the field is a little patch left for seed.
That's it for today. We love you all and thank you for your support. We feel your love and prayers and pray for you every day. We want this mission to bless all of us and many more, here and there.
LUV MOM AND DAD
Friday, December 3, 2010
December 3, 2010
Wed., Dec. 1, 2010- Eureka!! We found it. We saw it. We're going there some day-- in March with whomever comes to visit, if it's still warm enough. It's the WORLD'S LARGEST SWIMMING POOL, and it's no gimmick. It is beautiful. But let me back up a bit.
Yesterday we took a micro-vacation with the blessing of President King. We had a change in zone meeting schedule which allowed us to end our pouch route on the coast, so we wanted to stay out there a few hours and drive from San Antonio north to Algarrobo (or some such name). Just Monday morn in our staff meeting the Pres. had said he did not want us to use our own car and gas to take the pouch. OUR OWN CAR? You heard right. Let me back up a bit.
On Sat. we wrote a check for and took possession of a car, which someday will be our very own. We still have no legal right to enter into contracts or own anything, although they don't hesitate to take our cash and Visa card. We drove the car home from the money side of town to Maipu where a 1997 Mazda 626 looks like a luxury model. That nite we drove it to the stake Relief Society Closing Social (more later) and to the branch and a stake meeting on Sunday. We had to leave it on the street overnight Sat. and Sun., but it was still there Monday. Rejoice with us.
So the Pres. said don't take your car on the pouch run. I immediately asked for an exception (you know me, eh?), explaining our desire for a few hours of tourist time. He agreed that we needed that and with assurance that we could legally drive it, we loaded it with the stuff to deliver to the coast and set off Tuesday on a working vacation. We spent about four hours sightseeing through ancient and modern seaside towns, stunning vistas, white beaches, black rocks, sea lions, tide pools, a sack lunch watching the waves and smelling the sea breeze. We were back in Northern California heaven only warmer. (Two weeks ago I bought “lunch” there for Elder Dorius and me. For $24 we got two ½ cup shrimp, and I do mean SHRIMPy, salads.) Algarrobo is a real tourist magnet; lots of tall beachside condos and hotels, rental cabanas, nice houses, beautiful beaches, very up to date and modern, with a brand new super highway direct from Santiago to it. We went back that way. One hour instead of three by the scenic route.
So we had finished our trip at the top of a hill, turned around to start back, and there between the condos/hotels and the ocean we saw THE WORLD'S LARGEST SWIMMING POOL. It looks to be several acres, is the azure blue of all backyard pools, shaped like a blue lagoon. It's named “something” Lagoon. It is a man made, seawater filled, beachside, swimming pool, just yards from the Pacific. It appears you can sit in the pool and pretend you are in the ocean, without the waves and seaweed and creepy crawly things; or you can hop out, take a few steps toward Viet Nam and ride the surf, fish, beach comb, tide-pool, sunbathe, as you wish. We are going back. This time I'll ask for an exception to the swimming restrictions. The Pres. and his family are going there in about three weeks. After he sets the precedent how can he refuse? I've got him right where I want him. (Know why the people here have such beautiful tans? The ozone layer is very thin from here to the South Pole. Look it up.)
Sounds like we are on a vacation mission doesn't it? We work long and hard. When we first got our call and Pres. Jones (gone home) called us on the phone we talked about traveling, sightseeing, touristing. There is latitude for some of that for senior couples, and Pres. King is favorable toward our taking some vacation time with our family when they come. In the meantime, a three hour, micro-vacation now and then will suffice. It was refreshing, and we needed a break.
Other news—Monday the office elders caught our mission office burglar on the property with the legal papers from the mission truck in hand, which he threw in the bushes as he tried to beat a hasty escape. Not so fast buddy. Six elders of varying size and states of health chased him for several blocks, the fastest one barefoot. He went to his own house and locked himself in a closet—with a padlock on the inside—good planning, but dumb move. (Send this one to Leno for his Stupid Criminals bit.) The elders “house arrested” him; the cops came and rousted him out, cuffed him and carted his sorry remains off to jail where he is getting free room and board for a while. I wonder if they read him his Miranda rights. I doubt it. On the office wall hangs an enlarged photo of six pumped up missionary heroes gathered round the green and white police car with the perp (alleged) in the back seat. The screen saver on the office computer I use is his mug shot through the car window. He appears unhappy about something. What is that you are shouting? I can't heeear youuu.
No sign of our stolen computer (see Sept. 16 post) and other purloined property, but he has been seen on the church property and in the building at strange times (11:30 pm, asking for the pastor to baptize his son) by several people. He's been had, but denies everything. One of the caribineros told him he better keep his mouth shut—you've been had, son. Two green clad caribs came to the office and returned the truck papers after I haltingly convinced them that the vehicle belonged to the church and was parked in the back. They didn't question me—no podemos hablar each other's language. It appears our guy may be part of a large gang of thieves. If they search his premises they will likely find other contraband, although the street market operates in a flash and he may not keep the hot stuff longer than a few minutes. On the rich side of town the cops recently broke such a gang who were preying on the fine people of those high altitude neighborhoods. Equal opportunity crime. It just pays better the higher up the hill you go. Hopefully this time it didn't pay well.
Sunday we were stunned when the whole stake presidency showed up and unexpectedly released our friend, our benefactor, our branch president. We couldn't understand the proffered explanations, but were led to believe after the meeting that he has a new calling yet to be announced. No new presidency was called and a high counsel person was assigned temporarily to preside. It's very unsettling to us and to the rest of the branch. I don't see anyone who can replace him. I'm guessing the stake will import a president from the adjacent ward. Maybe they should realign the boundaries and give the branch some Priesthood. Strange business from my vantage point down here at the bottom of the totem pole. Maybe they will release me and just let me pretend to teach the deacons. I don't see that I'm very valuable in the presidency. I'm kind of a rubber stamp. Tomorrow at piano class we may learn more if we can decipher the dirt. Pres Cerda's wife is one of BJ's students. She then goes home and teaches her teenage son who is catching on very fast.
Oh yea, the Relief Society Closing Social was wonderful. Every event we go to is better than the last. The cultural hall was filled with Christmas stuff, food and décor, a table from each ward and branch showing off the sisters' finest creations. Before we got to sample the goodies, and they were GOOD, we had a chapel meeting in which the graduating high school Young Women were each recognized, presented with an armful of carnations, and seated on the stand where they were led by their YW leader and greeted by their Relief Society President. The Stake Pres. spoke to them with apparent humor—we missed the punch lines. It was very impressive and touching, not only to us. There was a big crowd (I counted over 160), and such a neat experience. Why didn't our home stake think of that? Taking notes, Pres. Kev? In the “gym” (they play basketball outside on the soccer court) there was much eating and some of the cutest food-decorations you've ever seen. We got in the punch lines there, all right. Pineapples, cherries, strawberries, watermelons, kiwi fruits make great Christmas eye candy. Edible decorations. If you can catch up with my photos you'll see samples.
Imagine: ummmmummmm good. So was our Thanksgiving feast. We had a full house of 10 missionaries, and ten full bellies after eating turkey (they are appearing in the stores for Christmas, about $2US/lb), dressing (a blessed box of StoveTop with our own additions including grated zucchini instead of celery), mashed potatoes, gravy (the three Latino elders had never had gravy and it's really hard to describe it to the uninitiated. They lapped it up.), asparagus (a spring vegetable abundant here for sale at the stoplight,$1US/lb), zucchini casserole, jello/fruit salad, home made dinner rolls (by Sister Dorius), baked cheese cake (by Elder Cummings from Doug and Delores' ward), cinnamon rolls ( by Elder Maldanado from Concepcion Chile), chocolate cake (courtesy of Beth, Betty Crocker and Betty Jane). Fotos by Elder Pack.
We love having a car. It gives us wings. We can't drive it on the toll freeways because it's not in our name and we can't buy a toll beeper and there is an $80 fine for driving through the toll zones without paying. We would pay if we could, but WE HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHTS, yet. We are hoping we'll get our visas (no caps) in two or three weeks and an all-day wait in line at the visa office. We wait in a lot of lines, and here we are December 1st and our bills are due again. Another three days of lines.
We were going to a notary today to sign a bill of sale with our signatures and finger prints and that infernal ID NUMBER WE DON'T HAVE, but we couldn't do it. We went for Chinese Monday. Shopping Tuesday. To the Correo daily (10-13 packages arriving daily for Christmas). We drive about Maipu and the countryside but not in the city until we can “obten tu tag”. There are no parking stalls available at our building, and besides WE DON'T HAVE OUR R.U.T. NUMBER and COULDN'T SIGN A CONTRACT, and WE DON'T OWN OUR APARTMENT, and ONLY OWNERS CAN GET A STALL, so we park at the office and on the street. Lots of people do, in the daytime. When we went out to our car Sunday morning it was the only one in sight. I guess all the others got stolen. The elders say we can use “their” parking space at the apartment on weekends. That solves most of our needs. Now there are three cars at our branch meetings. The ward in our building has dozens of cars. Poor little ol' us.
Actually, we are doing well. No need to feel sorry for us. We are having a great adventure in the service of God. We will do whatever little helpful things we can for the few people we know and will trust the harvest to the Master of the Vineyard. We are laborers, digging, dunging, pruning, burning—the harvest will come later and will be sweet. (Today, cherries 80cents/lb, apricots 60cents/lb, huge juicy peaches the same, cukes 40cents today at a feria we hadn't been to before). I look forward to seeing these people again in 50 or 60 years. That will be sweeter than all the fruit in all the ferias in Chile. I am a fruit nut. No nuts on the market until late summer, fall. I haven't fallen in love with any Chilean food yet (except the bread and cheese), but we do most of our own feeding at home and McDonald's.
A bushel of missionary blessings these days. I have lost and forgotten my keys, both our phones, a bag of groceries, a sack of tools, and some other things I've forgotten I forgot or lost. In the last two days we have found/ recovered all of the things I remember losing. I don't remember well, I don't hear well, I don't see well, and I don't smell so good either. The most amazing recoveries are that I left the groceries in the trunk overnight with the lid up; and that I went back to the hardware store two days later trying to explain that I thought I left one of my purchases at the checkout counter. Three customer service ladies tracked down the clerk who waited on me; she had put my bag under her cash register awaiting my return! And I got back every item I paid for, with a free bouquet of smiles. I couldn't thank them enough. Not all Maipuians are thieves or suspicious of Northamericans.
We also got lost in downtown Santiago (in the mission truck) for a couple of hours, but no panic. We could see the tall building we were aiming for miles away and made our way to it, right across from the US Embassy in case we ever need to know. Actually we will need to know whenever we get our ID NUMBER and sign a contract for the car. The seller is a drug enforcement agent there.
Did you know that all Indians walk single file? At least the one I saw did. Judge not. I'm afraid I have generalized a lot about Chile and its people, procedures and customs. Forgive me. Please go back to my previous words and remove all the prejudice you find. I'll try to do better.
We love you all. We love the Lord. We love Chile. We love being (tired) missionaries (we're going to re-retire after this).
Now it's Thursday, at the church. Only one student showed up, so I am in the Salon Sacramental (chapel) with BJ and him. I forgot my power adapter and am running on battery. This is a test.
Sergio is a twenty-something non-member coworker of the (former) branch president. He looks kind of hippyish, but is the nicest guy you can image and speaks some English. We are in semi-darkness because I have no key for the closet with the light switches. With the car we can bring the three teclados (keyboards) we have in our apartment and use the church piano/organ and a key board locked in another closet and have 5 students at a time. Now that Mom has taken the group through the basic music terms, how to conduct, and beginner piano she wants to break them into one-on-one lessons. Good idea, but it will take more time. It will be good when they get good enough that they can borrow a keyboard to practice on at home. Sister Cerda does for her and her sons. This requires a contract signed by the teacher, the student, and the bishop. Just in case someone forgets that it is borrowed and decides to “borrow” it.
Just did a count of hymn books: 17 in the chapel, 1 in YW, 1 in RS, 2 in Priesthood, 5 with covers intact. Lots of people carry their own little ones. They really sing out, piano or no, books or no. BJ is finishing her lesson, so I'll see you later. I'm going to work on foto captions at home. We're giving Sergio a ride to his job; just learned he is a college educated chef and works a second job as a mechanic. With his English and our Spanish we get along well. He went to an “Institute” which is a two or two and a half year school compared with the university which is four or more years. I wish I knew more about the school system here. On the way at a school we pass we saw students and parents all dressed up with big bundles of flowers in their arms. Sergio tells us it's a graduation. Nice.
Friday, Dec. 3rd at the office. Just checked the email and there is a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT from Amanda. I won't tell anyone whether she is having a boy or a girl, but the grandparents know and are thrilled. She sent us an email after her ultrasound yesterday and everything is all right. The baby looks perfect, but he has a little thingy. . . .oh drats! I let it slip didn't I? She and we and her kids are all excited. Grandparents are looking forward to the SKYPED birth and can't wait to meet baby boy Scott. Don't know yet what name he might get. We'll let Amanda and David announce that when they choose. I hope they don't mind me giving a little hint that HE'S A BOY ALL RIGHT! I'm going to send this as is without permission from anyone. Sometimes forgiveness is easier to get than permission. Now don't anyone use that as an excuse for sinning.
We sure do love and miss our families. We love to see your fuzzy faces on skype and to read your precious words on paper or email. It isn't the real thing, but it helps.
LUV TO ALL KISSES TO TODOS AND HUGS TAMBIEN—JUST SEND THEM ALL BACK OK? WE'LL SEND MORE.
Yesterday we took a micro-vacation with the blessing of President King. We had a change in zone meeting schedule which allowed us to end our pouch route on the coast, so we wanted to stay out there a few hours and drive from San Antonio north to Algarrobo (or some such name). Just Monday morn in our staff meeting the Pres. had said he did not want us to use our own car and gas to take the pouch. OUR OWN CAR? You heard right. Let me back up a bit.
On Sat. we wrote a check for and took possession of a car, which someday will be our very own. We still have no legal right to enter into contracts or own anything, although they don't hesitate to take our cash and Visa card. We drove the car home from the money side of town to Maipu where a 1997 Mazda 626 looks like a luxury model. That nite we drove it to the stake Relief Society Closing Social (more later) and to the branch and a stake meeting on Sunday. We had to leave it on the street overnight Sat. and Sun., but it was still there Monday. Rejoice with us.
So the Pres. said don't take your car on the pouch run. I immediately asked for an exception (you know me, eh?), explaining our desire for a few hours of tourist time. He agreed that we needed that and with assurance that we could legally drive it, we loaded it with the stuff to deliver to the coast and set off Tuesday on a working vacation. We spent about four hours sightseeing through ancient and modern seaside towns, stunning vistas, white beaches, black rocks, sea lions, tide pools, a sack lunch watching the waves and smelling the sea breeze. We were back in Northern California heaven only warmer. (Two weeks ago I bought “lunch” there for Elder Dorius and me. For $24 we got two ½ cup shrimp, and I do mean SHRIMPy, salads.) Algarrobo is a real tourist magnet; lots of tall beachside condos and hotels, rental cabanas, nice houses, beautiful beaches, very up to date and modern, with a brand new super highway direct from Santiago to it. We went back that way. One hour instead of three by the scenic route.
So we had finished our trip at the top of a hill, turned around to start back, and there between the condos/hotels and the ocean we saw THE WORLD'S LARGEST SWIMMING POOL. It looks to be several acres, is the azure blue of all backyard pools, shaped like a blue lagoon. It's named “something” Lagoon. It is a man made, seawater filled, beachside, swimming pool, just yards from the Pacific. It appears you can sit in the pool and pretend you are in the ocean, without the waves and seaweed and creepy crawly things; or you can hop out, take a few steps toward Viet Nam and ride the surf, fish, beach comb, tide-pool, sunbathe, as you wish. We are going back. This time I'll ask for an exception to the swimming restrictions. The Pres. and his family are going there in about three weeks. After he sets the precedent how can he refuse? I've got him right where I want him. (Know why the people here have such beautiful tans? The ozone layer is very thin from here to the South Pole. Look it up.)
Sounds like we are on a vacation mission doesn't it? We work long and hard. When we first got our call and Pres. Jones (gone home) called us on the phone we talked about traveling, sightseeing, touristing. There is latitude for some of that for senior couples, and Pres. King is favorable toward our taking some vacation time with our family when they come. In the meantime, a three hour, micro-vacation now and then will suffice. It was refreshing, and we needed a break.
Other news—Monday the office elders caught our mission office burglar on the property with the legal papers from the mission truck in hand, which he threw in the bushes as he tried to beat a hasty escape. Not so fast buddy. Six elders of varying size and states of health chased him for several blocks, the fastest one barefoot. He went to his own house and locked himself in a closet—with a padlock on the inside—good planning, but dumb move. (Send this one to Leno for his Stupid Criminals bit.) The elders “house arrested” him; the cops came and rousted him out, cuffed him and carted his sorry remains off to jail where he is getting free room and board for a while. I wonder if they read him his Miranda rights. I doubt it. On the office wall hangs an enlarged photo of six pumped up missionary heroes gathered round the green and white police car with the perp (alleged) in the back seat. The screen saver on the office computer I use is his mug shot through the car window. He appears unhappy about something. What is that you are shouting? I can't heeear youuu.
No sign of our stolen computer (see Sept. 16 post) and other purloined property, but he has been seen on the church property and in the building at strange times (11:30 pm, asking for the pastor to baptize his son) by several people. He's been had, but denies everything. One of the caribineros told him he better keep his mouth shut—you've been had, son. Two green clad caribs came to the office and returned the truck papers after I haltingly convinced them that the vehicle belonged to the church and was parked in the back. They didn't question me—no podemos hablar each other's language. It appears our guy may be part of a large gang of thieves. If they search his premises they will likely find other contraband, although the street market operates in a flash and he may not keep the hot stuff longer than a few minutes. On the rich side of town the cops recently broke such a gang who were preying on the fine people of those high altitude neighborhoods. Equal opportunity crime. It just pays better the higher up the hill you go. Hopefully this time it didn't pay well.
Sunday we were stunned when the whole stake presidency showed up and unexpectedly released our friend, our benefactor, our branch president. We couldn't understand the proffered explanations, but were led to believe after the meeting that he has a new calling yet to be announced. No new presidency was called and a high counsel person was assigned temporarily to preside. It's very unsettling to us and to the rest of the branch. I don't see anyone who can replace him. I'm guessing the stake will import a president from the adjacent ward. Maybe they should realign the boundaries and give the branch some Priesthood. Strange business from my vantage point down here at the bottom of the totem pole. Maybe they will release me and just let me pretend to teach the deacons. I don't see that I'm very valuable in the presidency. I'm kind of a rubber stamp. Tomorrow at piano class we may learn more if we can decipher the dirt. Pres Cerda's wife is one of BJ's students. She then goes home and teaches her teenage son who is catching on very fast.
Oh yea, the Relief Society Closing Social was wonderful. Every event we go to is better than the last. The cultural hall was filled with Christmas stuff, food and décor, a table from each ward and branch showing off the sisters' finest creations. Before we got to sample the goodies, and they were GOOD, we had a chapel meeting in which the graduating high school Young Women were each recognized, presented with an armful of carnations, and seated on the stand where they were led by their YW leader and greeted by their Relief Society President. The Stake Pres. spoke to them with apparent humor—we missed the punch lines. It was very impressive and touching, not only to us. There was a big crowd (I counted over 160), and such a neat experience. Why didn't our home stake think of that? Taking notes, Pres. Kev? In the “gym” (they play basketball outside on the soccer court) there was much eating and some of the cutest food-decorations you've ever seen. We got in the punch lines there, all right. Pineapples, cherries, strawberries, watermelons, kiwi fruits make great Christmas eye candy. Edible decorations. If you can catch up with my photos you'll see samples.
Imagine: ummmmummmm good. So was our Thanksgiving feast. We had a full house of 10 missionaries, and ten full bellies after eating turkey (they are appearing in the stores for Christmas, about $2US/lb), dressing (a blessed box of StoveTop with our own additions including grated zucchini instead of celery), mashed potatoes, gravy (the three Latino elders had never had gravy and it's really hard to describe it to the uninitiated. They lapped it up.), asparagus (a spring vegetable abundant here for sale at the stoplight,$1US/lb), zucchini casserole, jello/fruit salad, home made dinner rolls (by Sister Dorius), baked cheese cake (by Elder Cummings from Doug and Delores' ward), cinnamon rolls ( by Elder Maldanado from Concepcion Chile), chocolate cake (courtesy of Beth, Betty Crocker and Betty Jane). Fotos by Elder Pack.
We love having a car. It gives us wings. We can't drive it on the toll freeways because it's not in our name and we can't buy a toll beeper and there is an $80 fine for driving through the toll zones without paying. We would pay if we could, but WE HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHTS, yet. We are hoping we'll get our visas (no caps) in two or three weeks and an all-day wait in line at the visa office. We wait in a lot of lines, and here we are December 1st and our bills are due again. Another three days of lines.
We were going to a notary today to sign a bill of sale with our signatures and finger prints and that infernal ID NUMBER WE DON'T HAVE, but we couldn't do it. We went for Chinese Monday. Shopping Tuesday. To the Correo daily (10-13 packages arriving daily for Christmas). We drive about Maipu and the countryside but not in the city until we can “obten tu tag”. There are no parking stalls available at our building, and besides WE DON'T HAVE OUR R.U.T. NUMBER and COULDN'T SIGN A CONTRACT, and WE DON'T OWN OUR APARTMENT, and ONLY OWNERS CAN GET A STALL, so we park at the office and on the street. Lots of people do, in the daytime. When we went out to our car Sunday morning it was the only one in sight. I guess all the others got stolen. The elders say we can use “their” parking space at the apartment on weekends. That solves most of our needs. Now there are three cars at our branch meetings. The ward in our building has dozens of cars. Poor little ol' us.
Actually, we are doing well. No need to feel sorry for us. We are having a great adventure in the service of God. We will do whatever little helpful things we can for the few people we know and will trust the harvest to the Master of the Vineyard. We are laborers, digging, dunging, pruning, burning—the harvest will come later and will be sweet. (Today, cherries 80cents/lb, apricots 60cents/lb, huge juicy peaches the same, cukes 40cents today at a feria we hadn't been to before). I look forward to seeing these people again in 50 or 60 years. That will be sweeter than all the fruit in all the ferias in Chile. I am a fruit nut. No nuts on the market until late summer, fall. I haven't fallen in love with any Chilean food yet (except the bread and cheese), but we do most of our own feeding at home and McDonald's.
A bushel of missionary blessings these days. I have lost and forgotten my keys, both our phones, a bag of groceries, a sack of tools, and some other things I've forgotten I forgot or lost. In the last two days we have found/ recovered all of the things I remember losing. I don't remember well, I don't hear well, I don't see well, and I don't smell so good either. The most amazing recoveries are that I left the groceries in the trunk overnight with the lid up; and that I went back to the hardware store two days later trying to explain that I thought I left one of my purchases at the checkout counter. Three customer service ladies tracked down the clerk who waited on me; she had put my bag under her cash register awaiting my return! And I got back every item I paid for, with a free bouquet of smiles. I couldn't thank them enough. Not all Maipuians are thieves or suspicious of Northamericans.
We also got lost in downtown Santiago (in the mission truck) for a couple of hours, but no panic. We could see the tall building we were aiming for miles away and made our way to it, right across from the US Embassy in case we ever need to know. Actually we will need to know whenever we get our ID NUMBER and sign a contract for the car. The seller is a drug enforcement agent there.
Did you know that all Indians walk single file? At least the one I saw did. Judge not. I'm afraid I have generalized a lot about Chile and its people, procedures and customs. Forgive me. Please go back to my previous words and remove all the prejudice you find. I'll try to do better.
We love you all. We love the Lord. We love Chile. We love being (tired) missionaries (we're going to re-retire after this).
Now it's Thursday, at the church. Only one student showed up, so I am in the Salon Sacramental (chapel) with BJ and him. I forgot my power adapter and am running on battery. This is a test.
Sergio is a twenty-something non-member coworker of the (former) branch president. He looks kind of hippyish, but is the nicest guy you can image and speaks some English. We are in semi-darkness because I have no key for the closet with the light switches. With the car we can bring the three teclados (keyboards) we have in our apartment and use the church piano/organ and a key board locked in another closet and have 5 students at a time. Now that Mom has taken the group through the basic music terms, how to conduct, and beginner piano she wants to break them into one-on-one lessons. Good idea, but it will take more time. It will be good when they get good enough that they can borrow a keyboard to practice on at home. Sister Cerda does for her and her sons. This requires a contract signed by the teacher, the student, and the bishop. Just in case someone forgets that it is borrowed and decides to “borrow” it.
Just did a count of hymn books: 17 in the chapel, 1 in YW, 1 in RS, 2 in Priesthood, 5 with covers intact. Lots of people carry their own little ones. They really sing out, piano or no, books or no. BJ is finishing her lesson, so I'll see you later. I'm going to work on foto captions at home. We're giving Sergio a ride to his job; just learned he is a college educated chef and works a second job as a mechanic. With his English and our Spanish we get along well. He went to an “Institute” which is a two or two and a half year school compared with the university which is four or more years. I wish I knew more about the school system here. On the way at a school we pass we saw students and parents all dressed up with big bundles of flowers in their arms. Sergio tells us it's a graduation. Nice.
Friday, Dec. 3rd at the office. Just checked the email and there is a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT from Amanda. I won't tell anyone whether she is having a boy or a girl, but the grandparents know and are thrilled. She sent us an email after her ultrasound yesterday and everything is all right. The baby looks perfect, but he has a little thingy. . . .oh drats! I let it slip didn't I? She and we and her kids are all excited. Grandparents are looking forward to the SKYPED birth and can't wait to meet baby boy Scott. Don't know yet what name he might get. We'll let Amanda and David announce that when they choose. I hope they don't mind me giving a little hint that HE'S A BOY ALL RIGHT! I'm going to send this as is without permission from anyone. Sometimes forgiveness is easier to get than permission. Now don't anyone use that as an excuse for sinning.
We sure do love and miss our families. We love to see your fuzzy faces on skype and to read your precious words on paper or email. It isn't the real thing, but it helps.
LUV TO ALL KISSES TO TODOS AND HUGS TAMBIEN—JUST SEND THEM ALL BACK OK? WE'LL SEND MORE.
Thanksgiving 2010
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| Griffeth (Farmington), Lopez (Columbia), Maldanado (Chile), Barlow (Las Vegas), Acosta (Uruguay) |
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| Two at the "kids" table |
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| Pot Meal Satisfaction - Acosta, Lopez, Griffeth, Lopez, Barlow |
Our Car & Recent Travels to the Chilean Coast
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| Our very own car! A 1997 Mazda 626. |
Micro Vacation: San Antonio to Algarrabo
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