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.