Happy Birthday, Preston

Happy 16^th Birthday on the 21st, Preston G. Heflin;

 Great name and heritage you have!  We love to hear your Mom’s reports on your activities and your busy life of church, seminary, school, friends and running.  Quite an impressive schedule you keep.  I remember (way back) when you used to want to sleep til noon every day…, and now here you are - doing early runs and early morning seminary!  We are very proud of your great attitude to get it all done right.  You have prepared well to be ordained a priest soon.  Then you will be able to bless the Sacrament and baptize.  The Aaronic Priesthood is the authority to perform these ordinances which are essential for us all to return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus. 

The final key element of the gospel of Christ is to endure to the end.  As a runner, you know the importance of enduring to the end.  Have you seen that MormonAd with a picture of a runner just a few feet away from the finish line – all bent over – with hands on knees – and gasping for breath?  …and the caption is “FINISH”.   I am so proud you are a finisher. 

Here are a few photos along the route of my weekly long run of 6 miles on P-Day.

  I don’t go very fast here – especially on the mile-long hill from our apartment down to the bay (and back), but I often think of you while I run/jog.  Keep up the good work! 

Last Wednesday night we experienced our first big terremoto (earthquake)!! First, we felt a “regular” (4.0 – 5.0) tremor.  No big deal – we’ve had these before.  But after the “normal” 20-30 seconds, it did not stop. 

The intensity increased and it went on for a good 2 minutes.  It was a long, rolling 2 minutes and a lot of swaying from our 10^th story apartment.  There have been many smaller tremors since, but none as big: 

§  Strongest quake in the world so far this year - 8.3. 

§  It was less than 100 miles NW of us, off the coast near Illapel. 

§  A 15-foot tsunami hit the immediate coastal area, taking at least 11 lives and doing much damage to Coquimbo – more to the north. 

§  Valpo had a 6-foot wave – no damage. 

We have downloaded an interesting “app” (Earthquake+  for our iPhone) which lists worldwide earthquakes in almost real time. 

It has confirmed that our area has had many 4.0 – 5.0 aftershocks, with the latest one being felt by us just after church today…! 

A few weeks ago, our mission had a visiting authority, Elder Viñas.

He taught the missionaries three ways to know you are/were a success on your mission:

        1.  You went.  You are here.  You are putting the rest of your life on hold and dedicating some time to the Lord.  Congratulations and thanks….

        2.  You yourself are truly converted to the gospel.  You “get it” and you will remain strong for the rest of your life.

        3.  You give your “all” in your efforts to build and strengthen the church as you work to baptize, retain and reactivate.

  

Your brother is setting a great example for you.  We love his thoughts on accountability:  Elder R. Heflin says:  “So, I'm preparing for the sacrament every single day by accounting in my prayers each night.  I go over things that I need to do and things that I need to stop after I take a good look at every day, and I focus on those things and commit to improve on them.   The pattern follows daily and all of a sudden progression becomes so much easier!    So I set some goals a few weeks ago and so far so good...."

Remember:  "What we DO and DON'T DO really matters...

There is no better pattern of life than following the pattern of Jesus Christ". Worldwide Devotional Sep 2015. Elder L. Whitney Clayton.

Happy Birthday, Eve

Dear Eve,

Happy Birthday tomorrow to our first teenage granddaughter!!  We love you.  Thanks for your cheery care for others. 
 You are an example of "bold humility" – That is the term used by Amy Nelson in her blogpost thattheymaybelight.  She is a friend of your Mom's Aunt Julie.  Here are some of her thoughts:

“A humble person is ‘…confident that you can do whatever the Lord requires of you if you rely on Him.’ (Preach My Gospel, p. 120)

“The great missionary Ammon is a great example of bold humility...He did not tout his own skills or strength, nor did he cower to the king’s wishes, and when it came time to testify about Lord’s power he didn’t hold back. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
He is not alone, the scriptures are filled to the brim with examples of humble and bold testimonies of Christ: Abinadi before King Noah, Nephi standing up to his brothers, Joseph Smith asking which church is true, and of course Jesus Christ never denying His identity and sacrificing all for it….
...you can be humble and not be afraid to be yourself. You can be humble whether you are quiet or expressive. You can be humble whether you are an introvert or an extrovert or somewhere in-between. You can be humble and like to speak in church. You can be humble and like to teach lessons. You can be humble and know that you are one of God’s chosen people. You can be humble and say that you are a Child of God. You can be humble and be confident. Each one of us is capable of being both bold and humble as we become more like Jesus Christ."

  

Dixon Summer

  

We have learned a new meaning for “taco” since we have been in Chile.  We eat lunch with the workers at the cemetery, and in the lunchroom is a TV.  A few weeks ago, there was a trucker strike which totally blocked Route 68 between Santiago and Valparaíso.  The TV headlines said “…taco on ruta 68.”  So we learned from our buddies in the lunchroom that a “taco” is a traffic jam – the dictionary says “mess”. The next week after the trucker strike, there were a few rumors on Monday about a possible strike Tuesday by the bus drivers.  All looked pretty normal as we bussed to work early.  That all changed later in the morning.  They went on a one-day strike after the morning rush hour.  So basically they got everyone to work and then stranded them there.  That included us.  But not to worry, it all worked out fine. One of the workers at the cementerio gave us a ride in his car from Cerro Playa Ancha down to the “plan” (the flat part by the water), and we walked home from there.  Good bit of afternoon exercise.  It was only 3+ miles, but the last half was up-hill to our Cerro O’Higgins.

Our walk home took us past the library

 

past Plaza Victoria

 

We met a family who walked up our same cerro; and Dad treated with heldado at Marco Polo

What a Dad!!  "We usually take the micro, but...".  (2 sets of twins plus older brother and sister)

We would do anything for our family.  We love you!!

The Master of Ocean and Earth and Skies

Today we are soon leaving for a ward temple trip to Santiago.  There has been a drought in this area and our Stakes in Valparaíso have fasted and prayed for rain.  We had four good days of rain the first week of August and the area is still repairing areas from the storm.  The metro tracks are still closed between Valpo and Viña as they dig them out, the beaches in Viña need much repair.  The coastal road just after our turn to Cementerio3 is still closed. 

We sent this report to Grandpa Gibson of the rains:

9 August 2015                                                                         Valparaíso, Chile

Dear Dad,

Last week it rained.  It really rained – all week.  One day we took our regular bus to the cemetery.  When we left, all was quite normal, but as the bus got closer to the other side of the bay everything changed.  Dawn was just starting to break, and the whole city lost electricity. Even the traffic lights were out, and we could see no lights all up in the hills.

It was true!  As we arrived, there were only two others in the office and no electricity.

 One man had just come about 10 minutes earlier on another bus and a huge wave had pounded over the sea barrier and onto the road and the bus. He got wet to his knees and was talking very excitedly.  What?  He said the bus rocked back and forth as the wave hit them broadside, and he feared it would tip completely over.  The bus driver held onto the steering wheel for dear life (we rode his bus later, and heard him describe the action).  The bus door had been shut, but the force of the rogue wave blew it open and soaked our friend up to his knees as he sat in the bus.

 Here are some pictures of our trip back home:

Master, the tempest is raging!

 The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.

 It was an exciting day with 4 hours without electricity and 2 hours without water.   …a strange morning with only the sound of a loud, strong, whistling wind which kicked up 10+ foot high  waves in the bay, and turned it to a muddy brown while rearranging the beach sand.

Linger, O blessed Redeemer!

 Leave me alone no more,

 And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

 And rest on the blissful shore.

 The Master of ocean and earth and skies....

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, peace, be still.

Mary Ann Baker, ca. 1874 Text of  LDS Hymn,  “Master, The Tempest is Raging”

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).

The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

 

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24). The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles

Happy Birthday, Kristi-Lynn

Dear Kristi-Lynn,

Hope you are having a super birthday today.  We are thinking of you.  Geff's Dad would often in visits and in letters call our children "Treasures" - and that is what comes to mind today as we wish you a happy day.  You are a TREASURE!! - we are so blessed to have you as part of our family!!!  Thank you for being a great wife, mom and sister and daughter.  You truly are a terrific friend and still possessing all the attributes of a super missionary.  Thank you for FaceTiming and sending pictures so we can keep updated on everyone and especially seeing our newest grand baby, Hunter!  Love you Kris. 

Every day I wear the raincoat to work that you gave me the day we were in NYC

and heading out with promise of rain on our way to the United Nations tour.  It adds that fourth layer that I keep on the entire day!!  Thanks so much.  And thanks for giving us that NYC training so we can survive in Valparaiso!!  

And every day as we begin setting up, we are so thankful for the 5 clamps you brought with you for your "Christmas gift" visit.  Our table always needs extending to accommodate the books. That would be impossible without two of those clamps. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks!!!

 

The quote "Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime."  (by Dale Carnegie given by President Monson in his talk. "Love, the Essence of the Gospel"), in Spanish:  “Tal vez ustedes olviden para mañana las palabras amables que digan hoy, pero el que las reciba quizás las atesore toda una vida”.

"atesore" is from the verb "atesorar" with the meaning, "hoard".   What a wonderful verb to know!  That verb is in one form or another, all over Preach My Gospel and the scriptures.  Treasure, cherish....

Doctrine and Covenants 84:85   ... treasure up in your minds continually the words of life,...and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

Treasure up continually...Missions are great blessings in allowing us to step back and just do that. The promise is there. Blessings and miracles come.  And the Book of Mormon becomes more of a treasure!

More treasures:

In the May Young Adult Devotional by Elder Lynn G. Robbins "Tasting the Light" [Gustar la luz] Elder Robbins uses the scripture in Alma 32:35...where Alma says to the people upon the hill Onidah "...after ye have TASTED [gustado] this light...

In his closing testimony Elder Robbins said he loves and CHERISHES [atesoro] the TASTE of the Book of Mormon.

Alma in speaking to his son Helaman spoke of his desires and experiences.

He said in Alma 36:24   ...that I might bring them to taste [probar] of the exceeding joy of which I did taste... And then in verse 26: ...Many have been born of God and have tasted [probado] as I have tasted...

And one more treasure from the talk "Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying", Dale G. Renlund, April  Conference 2015 of the story of the missionary named Curtis who after being discouraged with his companion and had a very "profound impression that Heavenly Father was saying to him,  "You know, Curtis, compared to me, the two of you aren’t all that different."

All we need to say is "You know, Curtis..." or “Sabes, Curtis..."  and we remember what a blessing it is to treasure continually the words of life and to each day taste the light.

 Love you all!!!!

Hasta Siempre

Hermana Kähnlein left this farewell to all the mission on her last mission blog post:

Hasta siempre…donde me mandes iré, con todos ustedes en nuestros corazones.

Hasta Siempre

Hasta Siempre:

Carol and Geff Gibson, Carolyn and Dale Schramm, 
el Presidente and Hermana Kähnlein, and Colleen and Ken Smith

 Querido Presidente y Hermana Kähnlein, gracias por sus ejemplos.

Thanks Elder and Hermana Smith for being great trainers.  We’ll carry on!!     

Elder and Hermana Schramm’s last assignment was to strengthen the District in Valparaíso to help make the new stake possible.  What a good feeling for them to see it actually happen as planned.

 Hasta Siempre:

Bishopric of the Barrio de O'Higgins  

el barrio misses los Smiths!!

Hasta Siempre:

99 Steps

Hasta Siempre:

Cementerio 1

                                               Hasta Siempre, Elder Perry:

“A good character is something you must make for yourself.  It cannot be inherited from parents. It cannot be created by having extraordinary advantages.  It isn't a gift of birth, wealth, talent or station.  It is the result of your own endeavor.  It is the reward that comes from living good principles and manifesting a virtuous and honorable life.” Elder L. Tom Perry, “The Tradition of a Balanced, Righteous Life,” January 15, 2010, at Utah Valley University

Hasta Siempre, President Packer:

Remember, if you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first in your lives, it will make no difference, in the end, what you have chosen instead.” 

President Boyd K. Packer citando a William Law (Clerigo ingles del SXVIII)

Transfers

Dear Family,

Our family missionaries have all transferred:  Elder Heflin is in Scituate, Rhode Island; Hermana Stringfellow “whitewashed” into a new area in Mesa, AZ; and Sister Stringfellow transferred to Allen, TX.  We just checked out Instagram on the Iphone instead of through our Ipad which is through the Pictacular App.  For the first time we saw (Brian Gibson’s) Faith getting her groove on, Dash eating from his truck!, Sadie swimming, Brenna streaming “Goodbye Summer 2015” pics, and Rock waving Paige’s USA flag with her holding the other end!!  And now Brad and Ronnie are transferring to Virginia and Maddie Gibson is off to Kansas having just gone to Fiji with her Dad to built six bathrooms for a remote village.  Wow!!  Another transfer!! So many fun family get-togethers and events!

 In the words of Sister Kate Stringfellow: “I really don't know how to express my thankfulness for these past few transfers.  I feel so much more happy in my life because I'm truly beginning to understand God's hand in my life in all things. Recognizing Him each day helps me to really see how blessed I am to be here – right now! – at this point in my life. To be with the people I'm with. To have the experiences I've had.  Good things and hard things in my life have blessed me so much to shape me into a better person.

Goodness, Heavenly Father is so good at that. 

I love my mission!.... Love y'all!!!!!!!”

New Apartment – we “transferred” from our cold apartment to the Smith’s warm apartment.

New Cemetery – we “transferred” from Cementerio 1 to Cementerio 3 (Playa Ancha).

We will miss all the wonderful people we met on our trek to Cementerio 1.

 On July 1^st and 2^nd, we moved all our camera operation from Cem 1 (Valpo’s original Cem) to Cem 3 (Valpo’s largest).  Juan Montalvan, a FamilySearch Peruvian working in Talca, Chile, spent two days with us to help with the inventory and set-up.

Juan Montalvan, Elder Gibson and Patricio

  

Thanks Elder Poulsen and the mission truck!!

The first night we took him to a Peruvian Restaurant and he suggested we try the Loma Saltado and the drink Chicha Morada (made from ground Indian corn and manzanas [apples]).  Very good food and drink! In our letter to Dad we said, “I wonder if Hermana Paige had tried it!!...” and Vickie replied, “Yes, Paige ate/drank chicha morada in many forms.  She brought it home from Peru for us to try in drink form and also made some chicha morada flan….  For Father’s Day, Paige took Rock (and I tagged along) to a Peruvian restaurant where she ordered ceviche….I ordered the Loma Saltado – Muy Rico!!”

On the 4^th of July, we went back to Cem 1 to do a good cleaning of the office. Carol swept, dusted and polished their big desk; while I cleaned sticky, duct tape residue from the windows.  The panes covered an area about 8’ X 8’, and had been covered by some thick black plastic (with duct tape) to control the lighting for our cameras. 

Richard G. Scott, Ensign Oct 1995 “Trust in the Lord”:
I testify that when the Lord closes one important door in your life, He shows His continuing love and compassion by opening many other compensating doors through your exercise of faith. He will place in your path packets of spiritual sunlight to brighten your way.  They often come after the trial has been the greatest, as evidence of the compassion and love of an all-knowing Father. They point the way to greater happiness, more understanding, and strengthen your determination to accept and be obedient to His will.

A New Adventure!!!

All New in July

Posted by Hermana Kähnlein in her final blog post:

El 1º de julio la misión recibió un nuevo presidente. A partir de ahora y hasta julio de 2018 el Presidente y la Hermana Díaz estarán liderando a los misioneros desde Valparaíso hasta La Serena, es decir, liderando la gran Misión Chile Viña del Mar. Bienvenidos!!

(On the first of July the mission received a new president.  From now until July 2018 President and Sister Díaz will be leading the missionaries from Valparaíso to La Serena, that is, leading the great Mission of Chile Viña del Mar. Welcome!!) 

 New Mission President – 

Raúl Antonio Diaz Navarro and his wife Jean Grace Wall de Diaz.

 On the 4^th and 5^th of July, we had a special combined Stake/District Conference with presiding authority Elder Zeballos (70) and Elder Giuffra (Area 70).  They combined the two units, shook up some boundaries, and came out with two stakes. 

At the end of our meeting, you could hear from the street some loud cheering “Chi chi chi le le le Viva Chile”!  The Copa America 2015 final game was being played between  Chile and Argentina - and Chile had just WON!! (first time ever!)   At that moment, Elder Zeballos was speaking, and he said with a smile - knowing all understood exactly what the cheering really meant - “I see some are very excited about the new Stake!!!  A man has been chosen and called. Come tomorrow and see who he is!”

New Stake – Estaca de Valparaíso Oeste

We are now in the new Estaca de Valparaíso Oeste (West).  Presidente Leighton (a native Chileno) is in his mid 30's.  He has two children and his wife, Maria Jose, is expecting twins.  1st Coun is Jose Mosqueiras, and 2nd Coun is Jose Torres, our current Bishop.  Presidente Leighton was in our ward the following Sunday and we sustained the new stake clerk (from our ward), exec sec, and 6 or 7 new high councilors.  How fun to start a new stake!

 New Cemetery – Cementerio 1 to Cementerio 3 (Playa Ancha)

New Apartment – From 1006 to 1004 (across the hall, and into the sun)

New President of the Quorum of the Twelve – Russell M. Nelson

Russell M. Nelson is president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was set apart to this calling by President Thomas S. Monson Wednesday, July 15, 2015. As president of the Twelve, he is referred to as President Russell M. Nelson and succeeds the late President Boyd K. Packer, who died July 3, 2015.  It is the Church's practice that the senior member by date of assignment to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes quorum president.  The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is the second-highest presiding body in the government of the Church.  Its members serve under the direction of the First Presidency, a governing unit of three men — the president and two counselors.

In addition to their primary responsibility to be special witnesses of the name of Christ throughout the world, the apostles have heavy administrative responsibilities as they oversee the orderly progress and development of the global Church.

Welcome to the Mission!!  We have great respect for all mission presidents.  It is hard work!!  They serve diligently for 3 years. We are so grateful that President Diaz is “en la lid” with great enthusiasm.  We will try to be obedient, diligent missionaries!

Presidente and Hermana Diaz meeting office leaders

President Diaz is ready to go and "in the fight" (en la lid).