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

We Left our Nets

29 September 2014

Dear Family,

We had a terrific week at the MTC!!

Monday, a young elder sang, "Oh, That I Were an Angel."  THAT is my favorite missionary song because of Mom, Julie and Vickie performing it in the mission in Santiago.  It was SO beautiful! Then the MTC President's wife, Sister Nally read Matt 4:20 ..."they straightway left their nets, and followed Him." She said, "Don't worry about your home or your families.  They will be taken care of.  I can just stand here and promise you that.  Just reach out.  You are missionaries.  You put on your badge today.  It is your privilege and responsibility to represent Jesus Christ."  

And yesterday after being picked up by the Bishops and attending the Sacrament Meeting program with Tessa, Bree and Drew singing and speaking so amazingly well, we knew we were blessed.  All of you are terrific kids and we love you.  We also received the "Pictures in a Box" book made by Patty and Vance.  We love it!! So very perfect!!!  Thanks.  And by the way, Vance - have a great birthday on the 4th!  Thanks for you being a great Dad and Husband!!  Dear Sadie, we will reach Santiago, Chile, the morning of your birthday.  Have a great one!!  Way to go learning espanol!!  Your Mom was a great help to me in my understanding of verb conjugations.

Because the MTC has so many young elders and sisters, all Senior Missionary training was held at the Stadium Avenue Chapel.  Every morning they had to re-set up all their tables, chairs and computers, so the chapel could function as a ward building at night.  The chapel is at the top of the picture with 2M (Jacob Hamblin) just below the chapel which is where we sleep.  1M is the big building where we eat with all the young elders and sisters and our devotionals on Tuesday and Sunday are held at the big building 19M (Lorenzo Snow Bldg) at the bottom.

We had a great district of 4 couples and wonderful young trainers:  AM Sis Brown and Bro Hawkes and PM was Bros Gubler and Taylor.  Brother Taylor left on Thursday night to drive to California to get engaged.  He is on the right.

The best part of Tuesday was the Devotional.  Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke.  We found Hermana Stringfellow and her companion singing in the choir.  They sang the most beautiful version of "Oh, How Lovely Was the Morning" according to Elder Ballard!  It WAS beautiful and it was so great to see Kimmie having a great experience.  Can you find her in the picture below?

We've had Gospel Library App training, Word and Excel Training as well as Preach My Gospel.  The spirit is here and we are so happy to be serving our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

Love you all so much,
Elder and Hermana Gibson

Gentle Reminders

We enjoyed a visit from Mom and Dad this week. 

It was so fun to have them here. Happy Birthday Chrissie and thank you for bringing them part way. 

I promised Mom that I would share these links to quotes that I had posted in our hallway. 

You girls may have already come across these, but they are good reminders to me and might speak to you too.

http://www.thisisnick.com/2012/04/typography-fun-lds-general-conference.html

http://www.threelittlemonkeysstudio.com/?s=laundry

Helpful

Some "helpful" memories

Moms are always serving

It has been my privilege to serve the Heflin family for a time (with Dad & Vince of course).  But I noticed that it was mostly the Mom (me as a sub for Chris) that washed the clothes, fixed the dinner and reminded...  And it occurred to me that you girls are all spending your days serving - it is "your time to serve".  I would like to invite you to contribute to this blog with parenting ideas that are now meaningful to you.  Angie, after listening to a speaker at her RS meeting, came home inspired "to be a coach - not a ref."  And you girls all know that you grew up in a home probably with the parenting style of a "ref" many times.  What does a ref do - find faults and point them out and what does a coach do - he teaches you.  We tried to do our best and we tried "to not slam the door" too much - but to love and teach BUT...

Please use this blog to share with your sisters in your most important time right now.  I was "teaching" Preston, Wyatt, Brenna and Bryant to always be respectful, responsible, helpful and happy.  It was neat to me that the traits began with an "R" or an "H" and we were working on it so that by the time Riley and Chris came home, the quality would be mastered.

I invite you to share a sentence - a picture - a quote or a thought.  Sure love you all. 

Family

Our children love each other enough to get together in May and June.  We are especially thinking of you all as the birth of the Bishop baby is near.   The three baby goslings in our complex were hatched in May and the father has been protecting and the mother nurturing.  They even had a family reunion a few weeks later....

 Here are those babies in July....