Angels

Our Angels

Sweet Gals: Patricia Skidmore, Susanna Dixon, Kristi-Lynn Gibson, Rebecca Williams,Angela Bishop and Christina Heflin

How fun that you could all be together in Dallas, Texas. You are true nurturers to so many.  We love you very much and are amazed at your talents and goodness.    You are angels!!

top:  BYU-I Student, 2 friends of Emmi, and the Daniels Family (Mom Jennifer is hidden but in purple, and her 4 - Mia, Kaleb, Emmi and Brody.)

Scott and Jennifer Daniels have a wonderful family and are angels to their friends.  Scott was out on his Navy flight assignment, but Jennifer prepared an amazing Thanksgiving Dinner for 14.  We were so blessed to be with such wonderful people.  They are all angels.

Bishop Torres and wife Aurora

Bishop Torres has been a Bishop 4 different times for a total of 25 years.  He has also been a counselor in a Stake Presidency.  He loves and is always ministering to his members.  His wife is his faithful supporter.  They are truly angels. 

Wyatt Heflin - our newest teenager

Happy 13th Birthday, Wyatt.  You are a very thoughtful and kind friend to your fellow students and Deacons Quorum.  AND to your favorite roommate, Bryant.  You hold the keys of the ministering of angels....We love you.  

  The Aaronic Priesthood holds the keys of the ministering of angels:  D&C 13

Section 13

… near Harmony, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1829. The ordination was done by the hands of an angel who announced himself as John, the same that is called John the Baptist in the New Testament. The angel explained that he was acting under the direction of Peter, James, and John, the ancient Apostles….

1 Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron, which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; and this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness.

            What Does the Aaronic Priesthood Have to Do with the Ministering of Angels?                                 “In general, the blessings of spiritual companionship and communication are only available to those who are clean. … Through the Aaronic Priesthood ordinances of baptism and the sacrament, we are cleansed of our sins and promised that if we keep our covenants we will always have His Spirit to be with us…. So it is that those who hold the Aaronic Priesthood open the door for all Church members who worthily partake of the sacrament to enjoy the companionship of the Spirit of the Lord and the ministering of angels.”   Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The Aaronic Priesthood and the Sacrament,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 39.

 Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,”  Ensign November 2008, “My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” Moroni 7:36      (See Moroni 7:25–32 where Moroni wrote about the ministering of angels)

  

Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, and Elias all ministered to Joseph Smith as angels:  D&C 27:5–12

Section 27

… at Harmony, Pennsylvania, August 1830. In preparation for a religious service at which the sacrament of bread and wine was to be administered, Joseph set out to procure wine. He was met by a heavenly messenger and received this revelation, a portion of which was written at the time and the remainder in the September following….

 1 Listen to the voice of Jesus Christ, your Lord, your God, and your Redeemer, whose word is quick and powerful.

An angel shows Nephi the mother of the Son of God  1 Nephi 11: 14-21  

Today, 30 November, begins "Advent" – a period which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continues until midnight Dec. 24.

For centuries, this season has been set aside to solemnly prepare for observing the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and for "anticipating the fulfillment of His Promise to return in power and great glory."

The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants.  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “The Ministry of Angels,” Ensign, November 2008.

Could there be any stronger proof that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, than by studying and living His saving doctrines….

“Helping Others Find Faith in Christ” L. Tom Perry

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/12/helping-others-find-faith-in-christ?

Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. Without Christ, there can be no fulness of joy. Without His birth and His Atonement, we would have no Intercessor, no Advocate with the Father, and no Mediator who makes it possible for us to return to the presence of our loving Heavenly Father and live together as eternal families.

“The Reality of Christmas” Gary Stevenson

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/12/the-reality-of-christmas?

To Thee…Grateful Praise

Sunday, 23 November 2014

 We have been thinking of you all day, Colton.  Glad you are having a fun 3^rd birthday.  We miss you and are so thankful you remember us in your personal prayers.  Thanks.

We are also thankful for our #1 grandson, Elder Heflin.   Isn’t it a great feeling to work so hard – to have miracles combine – and to have been able to bring a Mom and her 5 children into the waters of baptism.  How blessed you are!

At this week of Thanksgiving, we wish to thank especially Brother (Bishop) Mitchell for all his work to care for our home – and for three sweet neighbors, Martha, Alma Rosa and Nichole – who keep an eye for us.  We are thankful for our children, grandchildren all, brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews, Hermana Finlinson, Hermana Stringfellow, Sister Stringfellow and Elder Heflin, and Dad.  We are thankful for all those friends far and wide; and our new friends, Ken and Colleen Smith, who love and help us in the work here.

We are thankful for the Chilean people who are a very polite and industrious people.  We see it in the bus rides every day and are amazed at how well they handle life – especially watching all those setting up their blanket of wares on the sidewalk.  There is a handicap man who sometimes steps on our bus to sell mints at the stop before we get off, so we keep a coin for him.  On Friday coming home, the bus stopped to pick up a passenger – and right there on the sidewalk was an 8-foot alligator with swirling long tail and all.  It was all of sand – and so well done.  We had left our Iphone/camera at home so there we were just to appreciate and not record….  In front of the alligator was a small place to toss coins if you appreciated his work.   At the next stop, a young man with a guitar came in the front of the bus and immediately began singing (as he went to the back of the bus) a song about a forlorn lover who was just trying to survive.  He had a beautiful voice and at completion of his song and as we were coming to a stop, he announced that any donations would be appreciated; and he walked back up the aisle and left again at the front after having received a coin here and there.  Oftentimes, a young man during a stop light will step out into the street and begin juggling and hope to receive a token or two.  They work so hard, care for each other and are doing their best to provide for their families.

The most memorable book to capture this week was the one with a chunk eaten out by a rat.  As we completed the 1124 pages, we noted that on every document, there was still enough of the valuable information left to provide at least a name and burial date on each record.  What a blessing that that rat was not any more hungry!!

  

We are thankful for the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration and for the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. We are full of gratitude for our Savior and the opportunity we have to be here to serve Him. We are so glad that our loving Heavenly Father had a Plan!!

   

Here is a fun FHE which we did at the MTC:   Using Lesson 2 of Preach My Gospel, take one part of the Plan of Salvation and condense the doctrine down to two sentences.  Choose 1 scripture for each.  It is fun to do in teams and then get back with your family after 20 minutes.  Have one team member read the two sentences to your family; and the other read and explain why that scripture is important to you (example below – but don’t show them to your family before they study and come up with their own two sentences).

 Moses 1:8    

And it came to pass that Moses looked, and beheld the world upon which he was created; 

and Moses beheld the world and the ends thereof, and all the children of men which are, 

and which were created; of the same he greatly marveled and wondered.

Preach My Gospel   Lesson 2  “The Plan of Salvation”

1.  Pre-Earth Life

2.  The Creation

3.  Agency/Fall of Adam and Eve

4.  Our Life on Earth

5.  Atonement

6.  The Spirit World

7.  The Resurrection, Judgment and Immortality

8.  Kingdoms of Glory

1.  Pre-Earth Life:

God is the Father of our spirits.  We lived with Him in a pre-earth life as His spirits before we were born.

2.  The Creation:

Under the direction of the Father, Jesus Christ created the Earth as a place to live and gain experience.

3.  Agency/ Fall of Adam and Eve:

In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve their agency.  Satan tempted them and they CHOSE to eat the forbidden fruit.  They were cast out of God’s presence.

4.  Our Life on Earth:

We come to earth for two main purposes:  (1) to gain a physical body and (2) to prove ourselves.

This little flower grew in a crack on a path where we work fulfilling the measure of her creation.

5.  The Atonement is:

The triumph of Jesus Christ over (1) spiritual death – by his suffering to pay the penalty for our sins,

                                       and over (2) physical death – by his Resurrection.

Only through the gift of the Atonement can we return to live with God.

6.  The Spirit World:

At death, our spirits go to the Spirit World where our personality and our desires for good or evil

do not change.  We remain in the Spirit World until we are resurrected.

7.  The Resurrection, Judgment and Immortality:

When our bodies and spirits are reunited through the resurrection, we will be brought into God’s

presence to be judged.  We will be rewarded according to our works and our desires. 

ALL = immortal                      THOSE WHO OBEY = eternal life

8.  Kingdoms of Glory:

Celestial – those who have repented and received ordinances and kept covenants will be cleansed

by the Atonement of Christ and receive exaltation in the highest.

Terrestrial – those who do not accept fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ but live honorable lives.

Telestial – those who continue in their sins.

Vision of the Brother of Jared

By Betty Reynolds:  “…Betty Reynolds was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

[The painting] was presented to the church by Reynolds – for many years it hung in the 32^nd Ward Chapel in

Las Vegas.  When paintings were generally removed from LDS Chapels – Earl Brunner, former director

of the [Las Vegas] Family History Center, requested that it be brought here.

There are few artistic interpretations of the brother of Jared.  It is appropriate that it be displayed at the [FamilySearch] Library.” 

In the vision, the brother of Jared was shown “…all the inhabitants of the earth

which had been and also all that would be…”  Ether 3:25

La Costa

 The Misión de Chile Viña del Mar has only a few cities on the coast, but when you think about it, Chile is one big coast (Costa).  Here are our mission boundaries:

 

Viña del Mar has beaches and tourist attractions.  

Far-away picture of Wulff Castle which is near to the famous  Viña del Mar Reloj de Flores (Flower Clock).

 Close-up picture of the Wulff Castle

Valparaíso is just south of Viña del Mar on the bay.  If you are a native of Valparaíso, you are known as a "Porteño" or one from the port.  Container ships to cruise ships to fishing boats use the puerto or port.  All the homes are stacked on the cerros or hills which rise steeply from the small flat city part.  

You can see some of the Andes with the port view.

When we head to Cementerio #3, we take a bus to Playa Ancha. It is the southern tip of the Valparaíso bay.  The bus ride is winding with hairpin curves and the waves heading toward the bay seem to pass crosswise across the southern tip. You have to see it to appreciate it!!

We first pass by the Chilean Navy and container ships to get there. 

Northern part of the bay and around the tip are Reñaca and then Concón.  We were only on one bus trip here to pick up supplies for the camera work.  Reñaca is first with a beach, sand dunes and white step-up condos; and Concón seems to be the preferred place for surfing.  

Concón

The bus stop was right by the beach so we walked down just in time to spot a visit from Uncle Don - or so it seemed he was dropping by to greet us....

We especially are thinking of Don this week as we remember him on his birthday.

Don, Dad and Geff 

Don at the top of the World Trade Center

Yesterday, we headed to the Santiago Temple with the O'Higgins Ward.  A brother and a young sister were receiving their endowments.  In December, Marcela will leave for a mission to the Salt Lake City Visitors Center.  It was a happy day and our first trip out of the mission since we flew into Santiago.  On the way we passed through a long tunnel. There a noticeable difference between the coastal grape vines and pine trees which gave way on the Santiago side to cactus, bushes and a warmer sun.  Our apartment is still cold and damp inside and still cooler outside than Santiago.  We must be missing Las Vegas!!  

Listening in Spanish and seeing a new presentation with watercolor type designs for the creation and hearing Spanish from both sides of the veil as I answered in English was interesting.  Dad spoke at the veil in Spanish.  We love the Temple!!  We had a nice visit with the MTC President outside on the grounds as the MTC is also on the complex.  

The evening before was a broadcast "Fortalizar La Familia" for the matrimonios (married couples) for the countries of Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Argentina.  The meeting was conducted by Elder Walter F. Gonzales and speaking were Elder Craig C. Christensen and his wife, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife, and Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife.  They were in Argentina.  The theme ("Strengthen the Family") taught that we can strengthen Zion by strengthening our marriages.  We will email you the beautiful messages we heard and more of the wonderful experiences in the Temple.  Dad admired Elder Christofferson's message, use of words, vocabulary and accent.  He wants and has the potential to have that accent!  Elder Nelson had a translator and involked a blessing that there be love in our families; and that our homes be places of peace and faith and spiritual strength.  

Be Done with Lesser Things....

So fun to FaceTime  with Tessa, Breann, Drew and Macy.  We loved the pictures you all and Brady, Logan and Clark made for us.  What great artists!!!  And we loved your sweet notes as well.  So glad you are working on your personal scripture reading….

 Here is a picture I did not draw, BUT I took it with my iphone just for you....

This is like the bus we ride

Just below the blue sky is the cemetery wall.  It's a walk after the bus ride....

.

Here are some more pictures to share with you from our bus/walking trip to the cemetery.

Thanks to people like Aunt Julie, all our work is to help someone.  This is what she said to us:  

“I am arbitrating images every night…So keep taking pics so indexing can be done for me to arbitrate! Full circle!  I’m enjoying/working on your labors!”  Julie

We enjoyed the choice of words (exercise, tools, buoyant peace, choose, decide) that 

Elder Richard G. Scott used in his October 2014 General Conference talk

 “Make the EXERCISE of Faith Your First Priority”

FOUR TOOLS:  Prayer, Scripture Study, Family Home Evening, Temple Attendance

He gave the promise of BUOYANT Peace...And quoted Sister Reeves' 3 powerful promises…AND  provided footnotes 6 and 9 with many powerful prophetic promises….READ THEM!!!

He said, “Don’t yield to Satan’s lie” (that you are too busy)   CHOOSE TO TAKE TIME/DECIDE

Also these choice words by Elder Allan F. Packer  “THE BOOK”

Don’t fight the change – EMBRACE IT!!  

Remember, “change is part of the great plan of happiness”!!

Hymn 324:  Rise up, O Saints of God!

[Be] done with lesser things.

Give heart and soul and mind and strength

To serve the King of Kings.

Busy week:  Besides our capturing work, we had District Meeting on Wednesday, a fun Relief Society activity with food and company with 12 hermanas in the Barrio de O’Higgins on Friday, a FamilySearch Fair at the Stake Center by the Barrio de Hontaneda with members and investigators on Saturday.  The High Priest presented in the chapel and all others in the cultural hall. 

Elders Quorum taught how to add pictures and stories to FamilySearch 

Young Men taught how to sign-up for FamilySearch

Young Women taught how to sign-up for indexing

Relief Society took pictures of how your ancestors looked

The Bishop and his family are in the big picture here.

Families had displays as well.

AND on Sunday Elder Webster baptized a happy young woman after the block of meetings.  

A great week!!  Many miracles!!!!

Shine as Lights in the World

President Monson referenced the scripture below in both his Priesthood talk and closing talk as he encouraged us to be an example of righteousness and become lights in the world.

  

Philippians 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Here are some righteous lights – our District in the Valparaiso Zone: 

Elder Webster from Snowflake with Flake relatives; Elder Pava, our District Leader, from Columbia; Elder Gardel from Neuquen, Argentina; Elder Solorzano from Peru; Hermana Michaelis, volleyball player from CA; and Hermana Zuelgaray from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Happy Birthday/Election Day, Patty!!  We sure love you.  You do shine as a light to your family and to those around  you.  We remember your ever present smile as a baby and toddler and still to this day.   Dad reminds me we used to call you “Practically Perfect Patty.”  That must have come from the movie, “Mary Poppins” who was practically perfect in every way…. My sister Jane is perfect too in every way!  I know she will have a fun birthday celebration on the 8th.  Thanks Brett for the mission sing-a-long by the cousins.  Yes,  glad to hear you all plan on that mission when you  have grown a foot or two!  Shine on! Shine on! Shine on bright and true! ...til the day is through....!!! 

Here is the family story about that song:  Great-Grandma Gibson, Rowene Robinson, was born in Colonia Dublan, Mexico.  Her mother, Ethel Taylor Robinson, was a talented pianist and had a beautiful alto voice. When Rowene was nine years old,  her mother was killed in a car accident. 

Rowene remembers that her Mother also read a lot to her children. One book of Bible stories was “Tell Me a True Story”.

 

Rowene also remembers this special night –  “Many evenings, when Daddy didn’t return from the farm until after dark, my Mom would read to us and teach us songs. One particular evening is indelibly impressed in my memory. Since we had no electricity in those days, we used coal oil lamps at night. One evening we were out of coal oil. Daddy was to bring some when he returned from work. When darkness fell and we were without light, Mother had a nice fire in our cook stove. She sat us children around the stove and opened the front door of the stove for light. There in the semi-darkness, with only the flickering light from the stove, she taught us the song 'My Light is but a little one; my light of faith and prayer. But lo it glows like God’s great sun, for it was lighted there.  Shine On, Shine On, Shine on bright and true.  Shine On, Shine On til the day is through.' I have fondly remembered this precious song throughout my life.”

Rowene inherited that love for music and participated in many musical productions. She attended B.Y.U. one year and enjoyed singing under Dr. Florence Jepperson Madson as director of our special Symphonic Chorus where they toured to various locations in Southern Utah and Nevada.
Her call to the Mexican Mission came in December of 1940. “The outstanding experience of my mission was gaining a solid personal testimony with which I have been fortified to this day.”

Thanks for the cute pictures of all the Trick or Treat’ers.  Halloween is celebrated here as well.  We find costumes and candy in the Lider and Jumbo.   For the possibility of treaters knocking on our door, we bought mini snickers – but will have to eat them all as noone rang our doorbell.  Oh well!!  We pretty much eat the same as at home – even “Great Value” Crunchy Peanut Butter – which we thought in Julie, Vickie, Grandma and Grandpa Gibson’s days in Santiago was unavailable!

 

Mostly though for this weekend, the Chileans celebrate “All Saints Day” and honor their families who have passed on by bringing flowers to the cemeteries.  The markets and streets have been filled with places to buy fresh flowers and many came to our cemetery bringing flowers.  This made it difficult to get much capturing done as the door would open so our lighting was not correct.  They would have their records checked and get the key for their spot. 

This record book believe it or not is still in current use.

 We are on the 10^th floor of a building that has the roof on 22.

  

We enjoyed a wonderful Fast Sunday Relief Society lesson today by the RS President.

  Dad was busy in meetings before and after church.  There is a ward temple trip to Santiago on the 15^th.  We senior missionaries are invited to go outside of the mission for that.        

 We are trying hard to be good missionaries....Love you all.