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).