Dear Grandchildren (Nietos)

26 October 2014

Valparaíso (paraíso means paradise)

Dear Grandchildren (all 21.61),

Yes, Eve – “y” en español  means “and”.  And, No, we have not baptized anyone yet.  But, we have accepted Elder Heflin’s challenge; and this week have read  nightly a conference talk and chosen a goal from each talk for ourselves.  The district meetings the past two weeks have also talked about developing Christlike attributes, and we are working on having hope, being obedient, diligent and humble.

 

We cannot believe that Ellie and Clark will turn 5 this week.  Look at this picture of our two buddies born 1 day apart in Las Vegas. 

When we saw pictures of Ellie when the Bishop family was in Hawaii, we were amazed how long her hair is and how grown up she looked!!

 

Grandma told me the story of the night that Clark and Bryce were spending the night and sleeping on sleeping bags in our room.  Apparently, you were having a great time jumping on our bed and Grandma said, “I came in to tell you to hop in to your sleeping bags and go to sleep.  Bryce was not too happy about that.  He had such a hard time that there were a few tears  –  and I remember Clark saying, “Maybe we should sing a song.”  I said, “Clark, that is a great idea!  What is your favorite song?”  And Clark quickly said, “Wonderful to Me.”  I said, “I don’t think I know – Oh, wait a minute, do you mean, (and I began to sing): “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers  me.”  And you said, “Yes, that is it!”  So we sang all together, “I stand all amazed…..”  And Bryce and you hopped in and fell asleep….    That was a special experience for me.”

  So, Clark and Ellie, we love you and hope your 5^th birthday parties are terrific times!!!  Tell us what kind of cake you had and what you did.

When it is Grandpa’s turn to say our family prayer, he always says, “And  help our grandchildren be wise enough to listen to their parents.”   Every night after we have read our scriptures and said our prayers, we look at the pictures of all our “nietos” and are very thankful for all of you.  We are so proud of Elder Heflin – he will make a great trainer to his new “greenie”.  Grandma laughed when she saw all his poses with this beautiful earth and all its fall colors in Connecticut and when he compared getting his first “greenie” to train as similar to a mother’s feeling of responsibility with her new little baby that has just arrived.  What a responsibility!!  Then, we turn out our lights and look at this beautiful world and the hillside facing us with all streets lighting up and winding to and fro -  like the lights on a Christmas tree…. How beautiful!

Because of our work at the cemetery every day, and as we look out at the many lights of homes that need the gospel, we think of hymn #92  “…friends on earth and friends above….” who all need the gospel and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation.

As we read the General Conference talks, we particularly enjoyed these thoughts from the nine talks we have read this week.

Jörg Klebingat – “It’s a lie that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you and that the atonement is beyond your reach.”  Our goal is to “Joyfully” repent every day.

M. Russell Ballard – Be like the sons of Mosiah and listen to our “River Guides” (the apostles and prophets).  Our goal is to have conversión continuando… (work on Christlike attributes every day).

Tad Richards Callister – We remember his grandfather – Elder LeGrand Richards

Great-Grandpa Merrill, J.A. Kartchner, Elder LeGrand Richards, Great-Grandpa Gibson

– and our reading of Elder Callister’s book, “The Infinite Atonement” – and know Elder Callister speaks for the Lord. We reflected after reading that talk that when our children were about the age of our grandchildren now – that we began to truly find our children to be enjoyable.  We recalled dinner times, where we had Johnny Jump-ups and those who cleared the table and brought out the dessert, and where we had “meaningful conversation”.  Then you all took turns to wash and dry dishes, etc.  Jobs, jobs, jobs.   Parents, this is the time for truly enjoying your children!!  Our goal with Elder Callister’s talk was to ALWAYS have morning  prayer.  Elder Heflin is probably the best at this!  Grandchildren, if you are forgetting your morning prayers, tell your parents that as your prime gospel teachers, THEY can correct this!! 

How are all the nietos doing with reading PERSONAL scrips? (We know that family scrips are going pretty well….)  Are you keeping a journal of thoughts you have about a certain verse?  Do you know the name of Nephi’s horse?  [See bottom of this post for this answer – we learned this at the MTC!]

So, today your grandpa was sustained and set apart as the clerk of the O’Higgins Barrio (Ward) and Brother Smith is now the 2^nd counselor in the bishopric.  Our work at the cemetery is 8-5 Monday through Friday, and now there will be many visits in the evenings for Dad and Brother Smith with the Bishop and his other counselor.  Grandpa is now jogging again.  His broken collarbone is healed.  He is keeping up daily with the “Clean Chrome Challenge”!!

  He washes the dishes and I cook.  Grandpa made a clothesline on our balcony and we hang our bath towel and his jog clothes out every day since inside the humidity keeps things cool and damp. 

We shop for the week every Saturday at Líder (a giant WalMart) in Viña

or Jumbo in Valparaíso.

We miss you all.  Love you all.  As we travel those speedy “Disneyland” buses, we see the vastness of the work to be done.  During the week we wear badges that have our name and the FamilySearch name, but we know we are still representing Jesus Christ and many inquire as to what we are doing.  There are so many wonderful people who need the gospel. 

Love,

Grandpa and Grandma Gibson

[Beuntohim is the name of Nephi’s horse because Nephi was always saying “Whoa, Beuntohim….” See 2 Ne 28:24,25,26,27, and 29].         

Elder Oaks said, “And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness (D&C 38:41).

SERVE, SACRIFICE, SUFFER

We are so impressed with our family missionaries. I can see it in their faces – they have changed hearts.  Here is what Hermana Finlinson spoke about of her final testimony in her last multizone conference, “But in those three minutes, I felt a kind of spirit that I had never before felt in my life.  It was so powerful.  It was the kind of feeling that God was telling me that he was happy with my mission and pleased with my efforts that I have given as his hands down here in Peru. 

 I really feel like that.  I don't regret anything.  I have been obedient and worked as hard and as best as I have been able to and will continue to do so for the next two months....I love my Savior so much.”

Alma 26:30 - And we [the sons of Mosiah] have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

Sister Stringfellow:  “THIS WEEK was incredible. It is amazing to see first hand how the work really is hastening!! I can̕̕̕t even believe that all of this happened. The gospel is SO TRUE and the atonement has the power to strength and truly CHANGE people's hearts and lives.
I am absolutely overflowing with a love for the gospel, for Christ, and for the people of my area....

I am continually being strengthened by the Lord physically, mentally, and spiritually, and I recognize that it all comes from HIM.

Hermana Stringfellow had her own kind of sacrifice and suffering because of exact obedience:

“10/14 Tuesday- Since a missionary can't be alone, we had to help drop off two more sisters this morning, one at 3am (going to Everett WA with Katie!), the other at 5am (going to Ogden UT with the newly rededicated temple!).... Hna Anderson (my comp) fell asleep on the couch and I stayed up to calm the nerves of Hna Duff. She cried because she was nervous to go on her mission. She is from Trinidad and has never been so far away from home before. WHAT AN EXHAUSTING MORNING. But like Elder Chi Wong said in conference, "the work to help others unto Christ is never too demanding." But wow, were we tired that day... and every day here...”

Hermana Finlinson,  Hermana and Sister Stringfellow, and Elder Heflin inspire us each week with their service, sacrifices and sufferings.  We are so thankful to be part of such a wonderful extended family.  We are thinking of Trigg and Brianna and love all of you so much.

Here is one part of Elder Heflin̕s email that inspired us to action:  “As for the whole experience watching Conference, it was great! I must have taken 20 pages of notes or so, and yeah I'll take a quick moment to brag about that. But it's for a good reason! I made a goal to spend 5 minutes every night to review all my notes from the mission and another 5 minutes to ponder them. I highly recommend it to anyone who did take notes, because it's been really neat to look back at the main message of each talk along with my personal thoughts.

 My favorite part, though, is creating an action plan to improve myself based on the remarks of the speakers.

So, taking Elder Heflin̕s advise and using Brett̕s method after conference ends to each night read one talk, we are setting a goal of improvement from each talk.  These young elders and sisters are so dedicated and we love them!!

Especially this week, we remember Darin on his birthday.  Thank you for all your hard work and all you do for your family.  We always are glad when your plane returns you home.  Enjoy your B-day in China, Darin!

And happy 4^th birthday on Wednesday, Drew.  We miss hearing your stories.  We are so glad we got to see your fireman outfit you will use for Halloween.

Aaron, as you hit 7 on Thursday, we remember the fun times we had in Las Vegas.  Grandma still remembers the personal mission statement you made at the sleepover with Logan as you two prepare for your baptisms.  She said yours was the recognition that “happiness comes from within.”  You were so shocked that after you chose your personal mission statement – that you actually had to follow it....! And Logan had for his personal mission statement: “Be the Good.” We know you both (as well as Bryant coming up first) will be ready to be baptized in one year. 

Our current  job is at Valparaiso’s Cementerio No. 1, where we are recording – with cameras – their records from the mid 1800’s through the 1920’s  and on through the 50’s.  The first thing we do is to take a clean shoe brush, and dust off all the accumulated cob webs, dirt, etc.  Then comes the part of smoothing out wrinkled and rolled sheets to as flat as possible for recording.  It is just a labor of love – no other way to explain it.  It is slow work.  We only manage about 500 pages each day…, while at our training in SLC, they said that the goal (when doing clean books) should be about 1,000 pages per day.  

Here are a pictures of our getting to work.

 Here are a few pictures of our Saturday "Paseo" where we went to  the fish market, walked along the shore of Valparaiso and ate fish at the nice restaurant there.

 

The Smith's had grilled eel

 this grilled salmon was Dad's - I had grilled swordfish.

This article was quite interesting. 

 “The Mormon Church Is Building a Family Tree of the Entire Human Race”
October 15, 2014 The New Republic 
(in speaking of Granite Mountain) The mountain now holds parish records and old English manuscripts dating from the 1500s, including records from London, when civil registration began in 1837, and copies of jai pu, Chinese family records, which date back before AD 1.

Overall the data the Mormons have gathered is equivalent to thirty-two times the amount of information contained in the Library of Congress--and the church adds a new Library of Congress's worth of new data every year...

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119785/extensive-mormon-genealogy-offers-limited-vision-history

First Week in Chile

Saturday, 11 October 2014

Dear Dad,

We flew from Salt Lake City airport to the Santiago airport (SLC to SCL) with a stop in Atlanta to change planes….  So, our flight provided a delicious dinner and breakfast hosted by Delta Airlines.  We were presented with hot towels before going to sleep and upon waking for the morning arrival in Santiago.  After receiving our luggage and going through immigration and customs, we met President and Sister Kähnlein and his assistants.  We were happy to see some familiar faces (nametags)!!  The 6 Santiago MTC missionaries had already been picked up and they were waiting in a big bus.  Soon the flight arrived with 10 missionaries from the Mexico City MTC and we were off – the 16 new missionaries in the bus and we “seniors” in President’s car.  President served in the Arizona Tempe Mission, and Sister Kähnlein served in the Argentina Neuquén Mission (where Brett served).  President was converted at age 22 in Chile.  They have 4 children (ages 13 – 5), and they are a faithful young family.

 Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport

We all drove to Viña del Mar, stopped for a look at the city and then went to the famous flower clock for pictures.

Sister Kähnlein

At the clock, President greeted us, split us into companionships, gave us a copy of  El Libro de Mormón and his Mission Home address, and asked us to come there for lunch when we gave away the copy and had phone and address for a referral. 

So – we had our PMG training in the MTC  – we can do this!!   

After  several rejects, I sat down on a bench by a young man and first asked directions to the address.  “You know, I can’t go there until I speak to someone about this very special book…”.   He smiled and listened….  (While Luis and Geff were talking, a young girl approached and Carol stood and found she was his “novia” (girlfriend).  ¿Como se llama?   She was Carolina.  “Ah, me llamo Carol”.  She smiled.)  The intro to the BofM was read – the promise given – we testified –
phone and address taken –  and we were off – with success….!!

 After pizza for lunch we had Elder Call, the mission secretary, take care of us.  We asked – and yes, Anson Bowen Call of the Colonies is his direct ancestor…. Elder Bowen Call – now living in Bentonville, Arkansas, after his family left the colonies 5 years ago.  He made many calls – quipped that he gets his name “call” for that reason - and took us to get a notary to get our visa process started. 

We then were taken to our apartment where our luggage had already been delivered by the Elders.  The Smiths (fellow record preservation missionaries and living across the hall on the 10^th floor) had us all set up – flowers, stew and everything we would need.  With our luggage, the Elders had brought a sweet welcome note and treats in a colander from Sister Kähnlein.

Wednesday, we began our training with Elder and Sister Smith from Meridian, Idaho, who have been capturing images of Cemeteries Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in Viña and Valparaiso.  Our apartment is in Valparaiso to be closest to Cemetery No. 1 where there is 3-months or so of work left.  This was our first introduction to speedy micro bus drivers (pronounced 'meecro buse').  They are about half as big as a regular bus, and it is as if they think they are in race cars dodging around – like a Disneyland ride – so very fast and crazy.  Then a hike to a set of stairs to the top of the hill to begin our days’ work at the cemetery.  We left a little early that first day to go to “Líder” (a very large WalMart) for groceries and an ATM.

there are 99 steps to get to the cemetery from here in twists and turns....

It was most interesting to note that next to Cemeterio #1 (the old Catholic one) is the Cementerio de Disidentes.  Before this cemetery came to be, anyone who died who was not Catholic was thrown out to sea or into the river, as non-Catholics were not allowed to be buried anywhere in the city of Valparaiso.  Parley P. Pratt’s family came with him when he was sent to open South America for the gospel to be preached – and his son, Omner, was born in Valparaiso and lived only 39 days.  He is buried here and a plaque pays tribute to PPP.  So far, FamilySearch does not have permission to capture any images from that cemetery for some reason.

Friday we took the bus to “work” – and at 10:30 AM left work to take a bus to our ward chapel for District Development Meeting.  There we met the new district leader and two other companionships - all new as of the Wednesday “cambios” (transfers).  One of the Elders is from Snowflake, so we compared Flake history….  Others in the district are from Scottsdale, Argentina (1 from Buenos Aires, and 1 from Neuquén), Peru and Columbia (the DL).    After the DDM, we caught the bus across the street from the chapel and went back to work until 5:00.  Our new camera and full set-up has arrived, but a sturdy table is needed - which we should get on Monday.  More about the “work” part in future posts….

 Preparation Day is on Saturday for us, so we just got back from getting vegetables and fruit from the street market.  We still can’t believe the celery that is nearly 2 feet long. This place is much like San Diego, where all kinds of plants and trees flourish.  In one of the plazas there is a HUGE rubber tree that is larger than the biggest cottonwood you ever saw.  We look forward to the summer coming as our apartment is on the shady side and always cool (64-66 inside on a sunny day in the low 70s outside).  Yes, Bree, it IS chilly in Chile!!  There is no heating or AC in the apartments or houses in this temperate climate.  The cold apartment reminds Carol of Korea, and outside she sometimes feels like she is in Napoli… so, yes, we are having quite a hard time defining this place!

 Hope all is well with everyone there.  We feel your support, and we are excited to find out more about this great place.  Love you.

Geff and Carol

PS:  Happy B-Day to Angie on the 13^th!  Thanks for all your technical and bookkeeping support.  Your calm and thorough approach helps solve every crisis.  No wonder your neighbors and ward members praise you as Superwoman – raising 3 children alone during those long China trips that Darin has to make!  We love you, Ang.  (Mom noticed that you will be 44, Darin 44 and Drew 4 coming up....)  Have a fun day knowing you are loved.  Love, Dad and Mom

...with an eye single...

Saturday, 04 October 2014

Dear Family,

What a week!!   Sunday evening the Devotional was given by Elder and Sister Stephen B. Allen (Managing Director of the Missionary Department).   Sister Allen bore a sweet testimony, and then there was a group of 9 MTC Referral Missionary Trainers who sang a beautiful arrangement using the tune of “Homeward Bound” and the hymns “Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning” and “Oh My Father.”  WHOA!!! So powerful to combine those three, but the thing was that Elder Allen after hearing them perform, walked down and whispered something to them,  and then came up to present his talk.  At one point, he asked the group of 4 sisters and 5 brothers to sing it again.  After the first verse, he stopped them and then asked them to begin again and asked all in the 1M to just softly hum with them.  He spoke of Section 4 - what the Lord expects of a missionary.    Elder Allen said, “The Lord wants you to leave the other things of the world behind.  Don’t coast on this one – give the Lord everything you’ve got.  If your testimony isn’t very strong, use verse 7.  ASK – ACT!!” 

Then again, he asked the group to sing AND asked all of us to sing softly with them.  What a spirit that brought to have the entire 1M testify of that glorious day in the grove.  So powerful – we all left ready to serve with all our hearts, might, minds, and strength.  Below was about how the verses were used:

picture in our room at 2 M

Oh, how lovely was the morning,

Radiant beamed the sun above.

Bees were humming, sweet birds singing,

Music ringing through the grove.

 

O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?

“Joseph, this is my Beloved;

Hear him!” Oh, how sweet the word!

Joseph’s humble prayer was answered,

And he listened to the Lord.

Oh, what rapture filled his bosom,

For he saw the living God,

Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.

Then it was required “movie night” for all the young elders and sisters and optional for senior missionaries, but we stayed to watch the movie “The Character of Christ” by Elder Bednar.  WOW!! How fun to see Elder Bednar be and talk about the “Cookie Monster”.  He “let his hair down!”  You would enjoy watching it.  It was given at the MTC on a year that Christmas was on a Sunday and he was there speaking to them.  Check it out…. [the character of Christ is that He turns “out” in compassion and service and love to others …when you and I would turn “in” to selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed selves].  

view from TRAX

Monday, we began our DCam (camera training) on the 5^th floor of the COB (Church Office Building).  Every morning a young driver would take us to the FrontRunner train in Provo and we would head to the SLC North Temple stop where we would catch a bus to check in at the front desk daily to get permission to head up to the 5^th floor for the Family History Dept.  Going home – depending on time, we would use the TRAX or a bus to get back to the FrontRunner and enjoy an hour trip back to our “home” at the MTC.  There are wonderful people there – all so talented and dedicated.  Sister Karma Tomlinson was so terrific; and two couples, the Waites and Hellings, and Brian, the brother who is the Area Manager for the West Hemisphere was awesome too.  Our Field Supervisor, Leonardo Carrera, who lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil, flew up with his family for conference – and we met him. We had time to be trained by Toby for blur and focus - and then Tony, who they say is the “best camera capture operator on the planet” helped us.  Thursday evening, we enjoyed dinner at The Garden with the Director of Imaging Operations and his wife, the Metcalfs, who are the parents of 10 children.  Friday, we saw where our hard drive comes in weekly, and the Mass Data Operations (MDO) area where the captured photos are analyzed and made to the point where they can be out for use. There was a wrap-up “test” using the Jeopardy Game format. 

oops, out of focus

There are currently 250+ digital cameras all over the world capturing images for later indexing for family history use.  90 couples are now serving and the rest have to be contracted out. They need a lot more Senior Missionaries!

The people on the FrontRunner were kind and fun.  We had pleasant conversations – especially interesting to talk with the brother who works in the purchasing dept of the COB, where he obtains interior furnishings for the temples all over the world.  One day we forgot our cell and who should be there but Cyndi Hardy’s daughter from our ward who was heading home to Provo from her day at the LDS Business School.  She let us borrow hers to call the Travel Office for a pick-up.

We were able to see the Williams before Becky and Ben left for New Mexico;

 and Friday evening, the Hunts, one of the South Carolina Mission’s office couples, took us to the SC Columbia Mission Reunion with the returning President and Sister Holm.  We could not have been more blessed to know so many wonderful young elders and sisters and couples and the McConkies and Holms.  “And what added more to our joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord” Alma 17:2.  We began in the cultural hall for visiting and food.  Then to the chapel to sing hymn #322 “Come All Ye Sons of God” – followed by our “Standing Quotes”.  It was as if we were at a Multi-Zone Conference with great instruction, strong spirit and great people.  Pres Holm got a bit serious and as it were, began the start of our Saturday General Conference instruction by speaking of “faith unto repentance” and saying,   “We were an obedient mission. …You look good in your casual clothes.  You look great!  But remember,  if you are casual in other ways, you may become a casualty.  Don’t become casual with your study of the gospel and your prayers... The highest form of selfishness is discouragement….The highest form of hypocrisy is to teach the gospel and not live it….” 

Today’s conference sessions all seemed to invite us to repent – so powerful to receive that invitation to work on our personal deficiencies from our prophets today.   We look forward to tomorrow; and then Monday, we leave this home of 2-weeks and arrive in Santiago, Chile, on 7 Oct. 

Have a great birthday, Sadie.  It’s a little scary to me to have that day come up for us, but to quote my favorite scripture: 

D&C 68:5-6 

“Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants.   Wherefore, be of good cheer,  and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living god, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.”

Love you all,

Dad and Mom