Sunday, July 31, 2016
My Deacons Quorum
I am enjoying so much my calling as the Deacons Quorum advisor. Today I taught the boys about the baptismal covenant. They need so much for the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel to be taught to them in plainess. They lack the depth of Gospel knowledge that our children had, but they are eager to learn. I see so much potential in them to become great missionaries, faithful priesthood leaders, and good fathers. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to teach them. The spirit in our quorum this morning was so powerful and moving; it is a testament to the love Our Heavenly Father has for these young men.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Monday Devotional
One of the wonderful experiences I have here in Guatemala is meeting every Monday morning with the employees of the Church in the Area Office in a devotional to begin the week´s work. This morning we had the privilege of listening to Elder José Alonso of the Area Presidency. He spoke of the important role of women in the counsels of the Church and family in helping open the windows of heaven and ensure that the power of Godliness is manifest in our lives. He testified of the importance for those holding the Holy Priesthood of listening intently and receiving counsel from the sisters.
Elder Alonso shared an experience in his life when he was a young father and medical doctor working very long hours at the hospital including on Sundays and late in the evening. His only day off was on Thursday. On one occasion his young son asked him why he never went with the family to Church. He explained to the boy that he had to work very hard at the hospital, but that he did it all for him and the family. Later when he and his wife were discussing this concern of their son, his wife told him that he did not work that way for the benefit of the family, but did it because he wanted to. She counseled him that if he worked for the family, he would be with the family for Church. Elder Alonso testified that his wife´s counsel changed his life. He resolved that he would make the changes necessary in his job so that he could be with his family in these important times. The next day he asked to meet with his supervising doctor at the hospital, and the man asked him to wait for a few minutes as he had an appointment to talk with another doctor in the hospital at that time. After the other doctor departed, Elder Alonso went in to talk with his boss. The boss said before he heard what Elder Alonso wanted to discuss, he needed to ask him for some help. He explained that the other doctor had come to see him about a personal problem that made it difficult for him to work his Saturday shift, and he wanted to rearrange his schedule so that he worked on Sunday instead of Saturday. The boss asked Elder Alonso if he would be willing to rearrange his schedule so that he took his day off on Sunday. Elder Alonso said he would be glad to, of course. When his boss asked him what he had come to talk to him about, Elder Alonso just said he had come to invite him to lunch. He testified that when he listened to the counsel of his wife and determined to follow her counsel, the Lord opened the windows of heaven and made it possible for him to do His will.
I so enjoy rubbing shoulders with these wonderful latter-day saints in the area office. Each is temple worthy and faithful in the Church and the spirit in the Area Office is strong. These special devotionals every Monday morning are a great way to start the week.
Elder Alonso shared an experience in his life when he was a young father and medical doctor working very long hours at the hospital including on Sundays and late in the evening. His only day off was on Thursday. On one occasion his young son asked him why he never went with the family to Church. He explained to the boy that he had to work very hard at the hospital, but that he did it all for him and the family. Later when he and his wife were discussing this concern of their son, his wife told him that he did not work that way for the benefit of the family, but did it because he wanted to. She counseled him that if he worked for the family, he would be with the family for Church. Elder Alonso testified that his wife´s counsel changed his life. He resolved that he would make the changes necessary in his job so that he could be with his family in these important times. The next day he asked to meet with his supervising doctor at the hospital, and the man asked him to wait for a few minutes as he had an appointment to talk with another doctor in the hospital at that time. After the other doctor departed, Elder Alonso went in to talk with his boss. The boss said before he heard what Elder Alonso wanted to discuss, he needed to ask him for some help. He explained that the other doctor had come to see him about a personal problem that made it difficult for him to work his Saturday shift, and he wanted to rearrange his schedule so that he worked on Sunday instead of Saturday. The boss asked Elder Alonso if he would be willing to rearrange his schedule so that he took his day off on Sunday. Elder Alonso said he would be glad to, of course. When his boss asked him what he had come to talk to him about, Elder Alonso just said he had come to invite him to lunch. He testified that when he listened to the counsel of his wife and determined to follow her counsel, the Lord opened the windows of heaven and made it possible for him to do His will.
I so enjoy rubbing shoulders with these wonderful latter-day saints in the area office. Each is temple worthy and faithful in the Church and the spirit in the Area Office is strong. These special devotionals every Monday morning are a great way to start the week.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Funval
One of the most enjoyable assignments I have here in Guatemala is teaching Institute classes in a nearby educational institution called Funval. Returned missionaries get training there in English and many other disciplines to help them obtain good jobs. They are wonderful young saints with solid testimonies, and I love sharing the truths of the Book of Mormon with them. As part of my lesson for this evening, we will be discussing how Our Heavenly Father always prepares the way for us so that we may keep the commandments that He gives us. He loves us and wants us to be happy, and His commandments are designed to help us take advantage of the plan of redemption and find happiness in this life and in eternity. He wants us to succeed, and thus He carefully prepares the way for us, so that we may keep His commandments if we will trust in Him and give our best effort. I know this to be true, as I have experienced it again and again throughout my life. When we have God on our side preparing our way, nothing is impossible.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Our 4th of July Celebration on July 1st, 2016, Guatemala Army Day.
Yesterday we had a day off for a Guatemalan holiday called Army Day. So Sister Kari Sanford organized a picnic for the Senior Missionaries at the wonderful Church owned camp near Chimaltenango called Las Colinas. It is a spectacular property with first class facilities that beat anything I have seen in the States. We drove over with Elder and Sister Tony and Margo Reyna. Elder Reyna served with me in Colombia over 40 years ago. We also picked up Carol Mancilla who we knew from our days of serving as inner-city missionaries in Barrio Lucero in Salt Lake City. Her husband, Oscar, is a counselor in the bishopric in Barrio Lucero. She is here with her daughter visiting her home country of Guatemala for the summer (well, actually the winter here).
We had such a nice day at Las Colinas. We got to the camp about an hour ahead of the group, so we took a hike around the property. It turned out to be quite a hike as the terrain along the east side of the property is very steep. There was a nice trail that descended the steep hill to a stream (they call it the River Sidon, as all the features of the camp bear Book of Mormon names). It wound along the stream through the thick forest. It was a very pleasant place to hike. We found an obstacle or confidence course that they have constructed for the youth down in that ravine. We then had to climb back up the steep hill at the north end of the property and work our way back around to the south end where our camp was located. The separate camp sites, and there must have been seven or more spread around the property, have big pavilions with great barbecue facilities and tables. There are shower houses and restroom facilities and a large meeting hall as well. All the camps have large fields for soccer and activities, and the whole property, about 250 acres, is beautifully maintained and landscaped. We had a barbecue with shared sides of all types, a very nice meal. We then played games and visited. It was so nice to get away from the office for a day. We enjoyed our time with Carol and with the missionaries.
We had such a nice day at Las Colinas. We got to the camp about an hour ahead of the group, so we took a hike around the property. It turned out to be quite a hike as the terrain along the east side of the property is very steep. There was a nice trail that descended the steep hill to a stream (they call it the River Sidon, as all the features of the camp bear Book of Mormon names). It wound along the stream through the thick forest. It was a very pleasant place to hike. We found an obstacle or confidence course that they have constructed for the youth down in that ravine. We then had to climb back up the steep hill at the north end of the property and work our way back around to the south end where our camp was located. The separate camp sites, and there must have been seven or more spread around the property, have big pavilions with great barbecue facilities and tables. There are shower houses and restroom facilities and a large meeting hall as well. All the camps have large fields for soccer and activities, and the whole property, about 250 acres, is beautifully maintained and landscaped. We had a barbecue with shared sides of all types, a very nice meal. We then played games and visited. It was so nice to get away from the office for a day. We enjoyed our time with Carol and with the missionaries.
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