Remembering

Just bringing in my clothes I hung out yesterday and remembering that I used to always hang out clothes before clothes dryers.  And remembering our Moms and all they did.  And remembering Geff's Mom as a wonderful missionary....

Rowene Robinson was born in Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on 11 July 1919.

Lived in Colonia Dublan and rode bus to Juarez for high school at the Academia Juarez .

Called to Serve in the Mexican Mission

Rowene is on second row, sixth from the left.

2-12 December 1940 Salt Lake Mission Home

Traveled to mission and arrived 27 December 1940

Served under Presidentes Lorenzo Anderson and A.L. Pierce

Hermanas Elisa Flores and Rowene Robinson:

 

“I labored in Mexico City, Puebla and Monterrey with wonderful companions….  The outstanding experience of my mission was gaining a solid personal testimony with which I have been fortified to this day”.

picture labeled "Get away from there, Bro. Romney"

picture labeled "Getting ready for Conference"

picture labeled "Conference at San Marcos"

A fun article from the Ensign:

“Las Colonias:  Once a Haven, Still a Home”  Ensign, August 1985,  LaVon Whetten

In the fall of 1879, Elder Moses Thatcher of the Quorum of the Twelve was sent to Mexico City to establish the Mexico Mission; on 25 January 1880, he dedicated the land to the spread of the gospel among the people and to the establishment of LDS colonies in the republic.

In January 1885 President John Taylor sent word to Saints in Arizona that a gathering place had been designated in the valley of the Casas Grandes River, in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The first party of colonizers left Snowflake, Arizona, on 9 February 1885. Within six weeks there were some three hundred fifty colonists camped on the banks of the Casas Grandes River.  The Mexican colonies were to be a refuge for many who had practiced plural marriage and would not abandon their families. But the colonies would also serve, President John Taylor said, as something much more enduring—a focal point for spreading the gospel in Mexico.

The outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910 forever changed the lives of the colonists. Although Church officials declared their intention to remain neutral, Saints were threatened and robbed, and some were even killed.  In 1912, the colonists were evacuated from Mexico. Housed in rude lumber sheds and temporary tent cities in El Paso and in Douglas, Arizona, they waited and hoped for a speedy return to their homes.  A few families returned within a short time. Under the leadership of Bishop Joseph C. Bentley, they weathered the next seven years of war-torn uncertainty. Because of their stalwartness, there was a nucleus of Saints in Mexico whom others could rejoin when the revolutionary violence had subsided….

Through the years the colonies have produced many leaders. Some of their surnames are known throughout the Church: Romney and Eyring (President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency and Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, were both born there), Taylor, Turley, Bowman, Brown, Hatch, and many others. The gospel also spread from the original colonists to native Mexicans, and to their children….“I feel that my children are safer both spiritually and physically in the colonies. I don’t have to spend a lot of time worrying about where they are or what they’re doing,” says Kelly Robinson. “Here it’s the popular thing to be good. For instance, nearly all of our young men (95 percent of the graduates from the Juarez Academy for the past five years) go on missions.”

Love you Mom.  What a wonderful example to all of us.

Happy Birthday, Greyson

Happy Birthday, Greyson!

Tomorrow is your Birthday!!

Are you excited to be 4 years old?

You are growing older so fast - next year you will even be 5!

Did you have a fun time playing with all your cousins at the Gibson Family Reunion?

Did Bella miss you while you were gone?

 (So Greyson, next time Gavin loses some ballgame and is sad, read this next part to him.  See if he can explain it to you:)

Hermana Kimberly Stringfellow 

(your Mom's cousin on her mission in Mesa, Arizona), said:

  “When you give it all to the Lord, amazing things happen.”

“The only way to win,

is to lose –

lose yourself in His work.” 

Here are some pictures for you.  We see these as we climb the 99 steps up to the cemetery every day.What is your favorite one?

just before stairs

middle of stairs

top of stairs

just before we enter cemetery

Three Cemetery Dogs - they are our friends:

The house for two of them is below a nice statue.  The younger dog always greets us outside the gate each morning because he sleeps somewhere else.

When we go to work we always see a lot of dogs.  They sleep a lot during the day, because they stay up all night and bark for each other.  Which are your favorites?

We know we are almost home when we pass Mr. Cool (above).  He never barks, he just leans there with his arms folded, smiling, and watching all the people go by.... 

Well, we hope you and your Mom and Dad and Ellie and Gavin and Bella have a really great day tomorrow - especially YOU!  It is your Birthday!! :)

We love you,

Grandma and Grandpa Gibson

Happy Birthday, Breann

Happy Birthday, Bree,

We are thinking of you and of your birthday 

Happy 7th Birthday, Breann

even though we have been very busy moving from one cemetery to another.  We forgot that the day after your birthday would be the Fourth of July because no one is talking about celebrating the Fourth here.  We did have a religious holiday on Monday – it was called Peter and Paul Day. It was a religious holiday and hardly anyone went to work so no one was on the micro and our day of work at the cemetery was very quiet.  And it is winter here and you are having summer!!   How funny is that…. 

Have fun celebrating and have a super, super year.  We will definitely be there to celebrate your special 8^th Birthday next year.  We love you very much.  You are a very talented, good and full of faith granddaughter!

Here are two thoughts from a talk given by a friend of your cousin, Riley to the 2015 graduating class of  Marana High.  They are:  Hold to your Faith and Be Good
His name is Tanner Morse and he quoted your cousin:

Faith is like a little seed....

Elder Heflin said,  "I knew that God gave me trials like this (having AML and a bone marrow transplant) for a reason. I was able to learn and grow from the experience, and I am incredibly thankful for that. Today I still have that same faith in God.  I put faith into action by making choices that allow God to flood my life with blessings.   Because of that,  I see His hand in my life every single day. I'm able to face any trial with optimism and hope because I know that if  I go and do what God wants me to do I'll find a way to overcome anything.  He wants me to be happy no matter what happens, and I can be happy no matter what happens.  It's all about accessing that faith to reach happiness.  Every day I teach this principle to others so that they can understand the circumstances they are in or the opposition they face.  I see the change that comes once we apply this in our lives, and it's the best thing in the world."

 Tanner Morse also gave an example of his second thought:   Be Good.

Speaking of The Wizard of Oz, Tanner said:   "Toward the end of the movie - Dorothy, the lion, the tin man, and the scarecrow are surrounded by the wicked witch and her guards. She tells them that the last one will see the first three go. The witch then proceeds to light her broom on fire and ignite the scarecrows arm.  At this critical moment, (and probably as a safety measure) there happens to be a bucket of water which Dorothy used to put out the arm of the scarecrow.   In the process, Dorothy unintentionally splashed water on the witch.  It was then, that The Wicked Witch of the West said:
‘Aah, you cursed brat!   Look what you've done!   I'm melting! I'm melting!        Oh, what a world, what a world!  Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness.'

"In the movie, the witch says this really fast which is why this profound phrase is easily overlooked.  Let me read the last half again:  'Oh what a world, what a world!  Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness.’
Then Tanner said,  "I believe that there is so much power in simply being good....I believe that one person can have a huge impact on the world today.  

Seek after all the good the world has to offer.  

Be the good the world has to offer.

Hold to your faith."

Here are some pictures we have taken lately.  Let us know your favorite in each category:  Doors, Flowers, Buildings, Cemetery 1, and Art on the 99 steps up to the cemetery.

DOORS:

Hostel Door entrance

Across the street from the Edwards Chapel

at the top of the street on our way to work (that is a real padlock)

Door to Pre-School

FLOWERS:

In Vina on Castle Hill

at the cemetery

at the cemetery

BUILDINGS:

Pink building on Pedro Montt

near the Registro Civil

El Mercurio (newspaper) Bldg.

CEMETERY 1:

Columns

Angel

ART on 99 steps:

at the bottom

at the top

Let us know your favorites.  

It was so fun to talk to all of you at the Family Reunion 2015 in St. George.

Enjoy the rest of the summer!!!

Love,

Grandpa and Grandma Gibson  

Happy Birthday, Susie

Happy Birthday, Susanna!!  Love you.

How is the 2015 Gibson Family Reunion going at the Dixon home in St. George, Utah?  Sounds like a fun day at Angels Landing, Cafe Rio and then the talent show. And three birthday cakes to handle the crew.  Thinking of you all but especially remembering our fun Sus.  YOU ARE EXTRAORDINARY!!!  Thanks for your love of history and for your thoughtful manner.  Thanks for your beautiful smile and willing heart.  Have an extraordinary year. 

Susie celebrates her birthday at the 2013 Lake Arrowhead Gibson Family Reunion

2008 Gibson Family Reunion at the Bishop Home in Colorado

The Ensign article by Matthew J. Grow in April 2007, “The extraordinary life of Parley P. Pratt” is right:  Parley Parker Pratt was extraordinary.

 “I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.”  Feeling the confirmation of the Holy Ghost, Parley wrote:  “I knew and comprehended that the book was true. … My joy was now full.”

Parley was in the Richmond Jail when  guards in “dreadful blasphemies and filthy language” boasted of their participation in the Saints’ persecution, Joseph rebuked them in the name of Jesus Christ in a “voice of thunder”: “SILENCE, ye fiends of the infernal pit. … Cease such talk, or you or I die THIS INSTANT!” The “quailing guards … begged his pardon.”

Parley wrote, “Dignity and majesty have I seen but once, as it stood in chains, at midnight, in a dungeon in an obscure village of Missouri.” 

When on mission in England Elder Pratt founder and editor of the newspaper, the Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star. 

Author with most notable being:

A Voice of Warning (1837)

Key to the Science of Theology (1855)

Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1985

Poet:  50 hymns in first hymnal and 7 in the latest hymnal.   

Most known are:

The Morning Breaks

An Angel from on High

Come, Oh Thou King of Kings

 Jesus Once of Humble Birth

“The Church had only been organized for 21 years when Elder Parley P. Pratt, his wife, Phebe Soper, and Elder Rufus Allen arrived in Valparaíso, Chile, in 1851, as the first missionaries in South America. [Pratt’s biographers said, “Phoebe was more than eight months pregnant at this time and was enduring a sixty-four-day journey on the open sea.”]Their work was especially challenging, since none of the three spoke Spanish, and no Church literature had been translated into Spanish. Adding to these difficulties was the fact that the country was preoccupied with a civil war.  Although no permanent mission was established, it is significant that an apostle labored in this area so early in Church history.  Elder Pratt never lost his concern for the South American people.”                                                                                Feb 1975, Ensign, The South American Mission

Rey L. Pratt, Parley’s grandson, was nine when his family moved to Mexico to help settle Colonia Dublán, a Mormon colony in the northern state of Chihuahua. Rey grew up in Mexico, learning to appreciate its history and people.  He was also responsible for creating a new translation of the Book of Mormon into Spanish; he also translated many of the hymns of the church into Spanish. (The only other person who did a considerable amount of this work was Eduardo Balderas). He was privileged to go as translator in 1925 when the First Presidency sent Elder Melvin J. Ballard, and Rulon S. Wells to Argentina to officially open missionary work there. “From Footholds to Strongholds:  Spreading the Gospel Worldwide”  Ensign, June 1993, by Richard O. Cowen, professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University

And another descendant who grew up in the Southern Arizona Stake:  President Carl Barton Pratt, a Seventy called as the Mexico MTC President when in 2013 the Church-owned Benemerito de las Americas school became the New MTC.  He said of this occasion, “It’s an emotional thing for me to have this happening here, because I was born in Mexico and I’ve always loved it,” he said. “It’s a tremendous privilege and a blessing to be involved in all of this.”

1823
History does not begin with us. To deny our history is to deny ourselves. If we don't know our history, we have no roots and any wind can blow us away. Valparaiso has not been blown away by the wind, nor sunk by the waves, by floods or earthquakes because it has strong roots some of which are honored, remembered or lie here.

Happy Birthday, Gavin

So, Gavin, it seems you are still crazy as ever about sports.  Just remember that there are other important things in life too – like eating and breathing, oh yes, and family and church…, …and Birthdays!  We have really enjoyed seeing some of your recent exploits posted by your biggest fans - your parents.  And you are so versatile! 

Gavin is always shooting hoops night and day, loves baseball and football and is a super Arizona Fan! 

  Reminds me of me – being able to have young playing experiences in football, basketball and baseball.  And reminds me of your Uncle Brett – every spare second, he was out shooting hoops in our carport at Bluefield just like you in front of your house. Grandma’s younger brother Jim, also played those sports –  he was a pitcher for St. David HS, and recorded several “no hitters” there.  But you can’t play forever (just ask Uncle Vince!), and at some point you will have to hang up the cleats and become a Ref – I mean an Official – I mean a fan (or all of the above)!  And speaking of fans, the Copa (Cup) America is currently being played in Chile.  It is for all the countries from Mexico, Central and South America – in soccer (they call it “futbol” here).

  And yes, the fans are truly dedicated (just ask Uncle Will!).  For instance, tonight Chile played Bolivia in Santiago, and all today there were lots of street venders (sellers) selling all sorts of “fan” stuff – like hats, wigs, shirts, horns, bam sticks, etc.  Chile's colors are Red, White and Blue and the team is called "The Red" (El Rojo).

  As I write this, the game is playing, and even though we do not have a TV, we know what the score is (well, Chile’s score anyway) because every time Chile scores, we hear lots of horns, car horns, yelling and cheering from all the houses and apartments.  By the way, Chile won 5-0.  They are even having some of the games here in the Valparaiso Stadium (home of the “Santiago Wanderers” – a pro team that represents Valpo, but has the name Santiago!?)

Your Dad said it best about you when he said, “Gavin, our oldest, is such a great kid and a good example to his younger brother and sister.  He’s always willing to help out, and he may possibly love sports even more than I do—just a great kid!"  Thanks Gav, THAT is what is really important in life – just be a good person and care about others. 

So, Gavin, it is getting late, and it is important for us athletes to get good rest, so “Good night.  …and have a great 9^th B-Day tomorrow!”

Love, Grandpa

Happy Birthday, Vince

Happy Birthday tomorrow, Vince.

So, enjoy your day!!!  Will it include a trip to your favorite Mexican restaurant?  Which one will you choose? We are remembering our last trip to one of your favorites.

Summer is a fun time to have a birthday – Sports, Swimming, Scouting, Snow cones, Kettle corn (and Caramel, Caramel Cherry, White Cheddar, and….).  So much to do – and with you we know it will be a great time.  Love you very much and appreciate your service in patrolling the highways.  Thanks for being a great partner to Chris and a great Dad to your five.  The carabineros here are also doing a great job patrolling….

Here is a text to Angie when she was surprised to learn we had gone out to eat:

Mom:  We ate at a Mexican restaurant in Viña.  Dad had an enchilada and I had a chimichanga. Can you guess which is which? 

Angie: ...I'd say Mom's is on the left because there is more eaten (the faster eater).

Mom:  And you are wrong! Mom's chimichanga is on the right and Dad's enchilada is on the left.  Mine (the chimi) came late and I took the picture just after it came.... BUT I did finish first!
They tasted and were exactly the same (except folded differently)!

We are also remembering that Sonoran Supremo (?) we ate with you during ball practice last summer.  The Chileno thing to try here is the “Completo” which we have not yet tried.  It is a hot dog with a huge amount of mayo (1 to 1.5 inches of mayo) and guacamole.  The mission nurse suggests we not try street food as the mayo may have been out a little too long….   But we do like to sometimes pick up after a long day at work, a couple of empanadas where we get off the bus to head back home. The Napolitana empanada is a ham and cheese one and the Pino is more like a seasoned hamburger meat with half a hard-boiled egg and an olive (with pit).

Geff wrote this in his last letter to Grandpa: 

“So,  Q: 'What’s the happenings? (i.e. ¿Qué Pasa?)'  here in Valpo last week?  

A: 'Not much out of the ordinary.'  Everything went according to plan and according to schedule.  Like the Swiss trains.  We work such a 9 – 5 job.  But every so often we pinch ourselves and realize that this place is not what one would call “normal” at all.  So, what is different?  Thrill rides on the micro buses – the lack of road rage considering all the crazy moves – jugglers performing for traffic stopped at intersections...

- sidewalk vendors covering the sidewalks with their wares (everything) – the big street market that magically appears on Avenida Argentina every Wed and weekend – empanadas - all the creative murals on every available vertical surface – all the graffiti that covers all but a few of the most impressive murals which are recognized as such by their being spared  that graffiti layer – the oldness – the newness – the bay – the carabineros strolling the sidewalks just to keep everyone honest – the many barking (all night long) dogs - houses built on almost vertical hillsides - cool breezes and warm sun and thick fog – and the friendly and accommodating people.  We hear that there is a lot of robbery in certain parts, but we must never be in those spots.  We know we are feeling at home here, especially when we see these “happenings” and take it all for granted!...”.

But actually, this week we have had several protests.  The carabineros (Geff respectfully calls them “carbs”) have been out in extra force with streets blocked causing the buses to head up different streets to get us to the cemetery….

these vans/paddy wagons/water cannons have metal mesh grates protecting the windows and lights

We took a bus to Viña del Mar one Saturday to stroll up and around Cerro Castillo (Castle Hill).   One of the most impressive castles is the Palacio Brunet (also known as "Castillo Yarur") which was built in 1923 by Adolfo Brunet. It is now owned by the Carabineros de Chile (Chilean police) and is used as a reception center for important visitors because the presidential summer residence, Castillo Presidencial (Presidential Castle), is nearby.  You really are not able to see any of the Chilean Presidents’ home, but Elder Smith checked in with the gate guard to make sure we could take a picture of the unpretentious side street entrance which is shown top left below, and the other three are of Palacio Brunet.

  

So, Vince, you can sleep well, knowing that we are protected down here by your cousins the carbs.

...and in the famous words of Elder Heflin: "Thanks a ton!!"