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....

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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.      

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).