Happy Birthday, Hunter

21 February 2016                                                 Valparaíso, Chile

Dear Hunter,

Happy First Birthday to El Cazador – Hunter James Gibson – The Hunter.  So your hunt has just begun.  Who will you hunt?  Where will you hunt?  What will you seek?  Amazing changes have happened in your life already this year.  You have definitely had an impact.  

You grew your family by one, and tipped the voting majority to the boys’ side.  You have learned how to sleep (mostly), eat and walk.  You have become a seeker of toys under tables and sofas.  Later you will seek direction out of the scriptures.  Now you will start to get off of your baby food menu, and compete with Sadie and Colton at the big table.  You will learn how to run – chasing big brother and sister, then chasing a ball, then friends, then investigators, then a special girl…..  Hey, hold on!   Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves…. 

Just have a super birthday!!  We love you!!!

 We wanted to be there for some holding, hugging and snuggles.

Thanks to your Mom we have been able to see you grow this year.

Here is a fun FHE Activity for all the nietos – Star hunting:

The constellation Orion (the Hunter) ascending over Normandy, France, as seen by EarthSky Facebook friend Mohamed Laaifat.

 4 bright stars mark the Hunter's shoulders and knees:

(above and between his shoulders is a small triangle of stars representing his rather tiny head)

Betelgeuse and Bellatrix are his shoulders. 

Saiph and Rigel are his knees.

In the middle of the rectangle formed by these four stars are three stars on a slant, representing Orion's Belt

Then three smaller stars below form the Hunter's Sword

 Photo by EarthSky Facebook friend Marian McGaffney.

 The Orion Nebula (or M42) is the mid-part of Hunter's Sword.  It is the place where new stars are born. 

"As a general rule, the higher the constellation Orion is in the sky, the easier it is to see the Orion Nebula. Orion is due south and highest in the sky around midnight in middle December. The stars return to the same place in the sky some 4 minutes earlier each night, or 2 hours earlier each month. So look for Orion to be highest up around 10 p.m. in mid-January and 8 p.m. in mid-February." Feb 09, 2016 by Bruce McClure

Here is a treasured memory by Grandma Gibson of President Howard W. Hunter:

I had a special experience with what was taught in Lesson 2 of this years' Teachings of Presidents of the Church.  President Hunter served as President of the Church from June 5, 1994, to March 3, 1995.  In September of 1994, President Hunter came with his wife, Inis, to Arizona to preside over a Bi-Regional Conference in Tucson.  In that meeting we do remember his encouraging all those over 12 years of age to have a current temple recommend which changed the way we thought about the youth .

At the time I was serving as second counselor to Sister Pam Ingermanson in the Stake Relief Society Presidency.  We had the privilege to serve dinner to President Hunter and the priesthood leaders just after President Hunter spoke to them at our Stake Center.

Sister Ingermanson, knowing that we could not involve all the YW of the Stake to help with that meal, invited our daughters to help us. She outlined a plan so that each of our daughters would be able to have a one-time chance to serve at President Hunter's table - serving the meal (picking up the salad plate, serving the main plate, serving the dessert, refilling the water glass, bringing more rolls, etc). As that assigned daughter took her turn she would come in to the kitchen and report how it was to serve the Prophet.  How thrilling it was for all of us!!  I remember so clearly that at the end of the meal, I was at the sink and heard President Hunter's voice. He and his wife Inis had come in to thank us. He had a cane and was bent over, but his eyes and face shone.  As he shook my hand and said thank you, he looked directly in my eyes and I felt the Savior's love.  I will never forget that feeling!

The meeting was directly following in the chapel. It was there that he quoted those scriptures he often used. Those scriptures entered my heart with great power.  I could not stop crying and still remember the peace they brought:

"President Hunter spoke often about inner peace, teaching that a person can receive it only by turning to God - by trusting Him, exercising faith, and striving to do His will.  Such peace helped sustain him through many difficult times….  In situations like these, President Hunter trusted in this promise of peace from the Savior, which he often quoted: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27)....We can find this peace now in a world of conflict if we will but accept his great gift and his further invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matt. 11:28–29.)   Chapter 2, “My Peace I Give unto You" – section: From the Life of Howard W. Hunter

We know the scriptures are true.

1 Nephi 10:19   For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded to [you] by the power of the Holy Ghost….

Happy Birthday, Elder Heflin

3 February 2016                                                               Valparaíso, Chile

Dear Elder Heflin,

Happy Birthday to our charismatic and skillful missionary grandson, Elder RWH Heflin!!  We love you.  What a wonderful place to be on your 20^th !

“We share a message like no other.”

W. Christopher Waddell,  2nd Coun Presiding Bishopric,Worldwide Missionary Training, 20 Jan 2016

Your cousin, Elder Heflin, is now in Arlington, Massachusetts:

“I will cover Arlington, Lexington, and Medford - a bunch of super nice suburbs to Boston/Cambridge....My new comp, Elder Brockbank, is here for the Haitian speaking members....It's gonna get crazy these next 6 months though.  I mean, it's serious crunch time and Arlington very well could be my last stop, so now I gotta finish guns out! haha”

Here are some things we learned about Arlington:

Three widely recognized television shows have been filmed in Arlington: This Old House, Trading Spaces, and Made.
A History Channel special, Bible Battles, was filmed in Arlington.

History lesson about the area:
KING GEORGE sent about 700 British soldiers to the colonies. Britain's GENERAL GAGE had a secret plan: During the wee hours of April 19, 1775, he would send out regiments of British soldiers quartered in Boston. Their destinations were LEXINGTON, where they would capture Colonial leaders SAM ADAMS and JOHN HANCOCK, then CONCORD, where they would seize gunpowder.  But spies and friends of the Americans leaked word of Gage's plan. Two lanterns hanging from Boston's North Church informed the countryside that the British were going to attack by sea. A series of horseback riders — men such as PAUL REVERE, WILLIAM DAWES and DR. SAMUEL PRESCOTT — galloped off to warn the countryside that the REGULARS (British troops) were coming. It is a myth that Revere and other riders shouted, "The British are coming!" This warning would have confused a good many of the Americans living in the countryside who still considered themselves British. The REGULARS were known to be British soldiers. These COLONIAL MILITIAS had originally been organized to defend settlers from civil unrest and attacks by French or Native Americans. Selected members of the militia were called MINUTEMEN because they could be ready to fight in a minute's time.

On the night of April 18, 1775, the advance guard of nearly 240 British soldiers set off from Boston toward Concord, Massachusetts, in order to seize weapons and ammunition stockpiled there by American colonists. Paul Revere's famous midnight ride to alert colonists took him through MENOTOMY (from the Indian word for "swift running water"), now known as ARLINGTON. In the early morning of April 19th, eleven Old Men of Menotomy intercepted a British wagon convoy headed for Concord that morning and so seized "the first prisoners and stores to be taken as a result of forcible attack in the Revolution."

The British reached Lexington, where approximately 70 minutemen had gathered on the village green. Someone suddenly fired a shot—it’s uncertain which side—and a melee ensued. When the brief clash ended, eight Americans lay dead and at least an equal amount were injured, while one redcoat was wounded. The British continued on to nearby Concord, where that same day they encountered armed resistance from a group of patriots at the town’s North Bridge. Gunfire was exchanged, leaving two colonists and three redcoats dead. RALPH WALDO EMERSON in 1837 penned “CONCORD HYMN” for the dedication of a battle monument at the site of the North Bridge. The opening stanza is: “By the rude bridge that arched the flood/Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled/Here once the embattled farmers stood/And fired THE SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD.”

Later that day, when the British were forcing their way back from Concord and Lexington toward Boston and passed through Menotomy for the second time, it became "... the bloodiest half-mile of all the Battle Road." Menotomy's Minute Men under Captain Benjamin Locke were the first to answer Revere's midnight alarm. There were three Menotomy men who perished in the town that day: Jason Russell, Jason Winship, and Jabez Wyman. There was more bloodshed in Menotomy than in the battles of Lexington and Concord combined. Minutemen from surrounding towns converged on Menotomy to ambush the British on their retreat from Concord and Lexington. All in all, 25 colonials were killed in Menotomy (half of all Americans killed in the day's battles), as well as 40 British troops (more than half their fatalities).

Here are some pictures of us on our mission and things we see:

They are still working on this side of an apartment building

nk your mission is "hard". Is it all in the attitude? What is the hardest thing? Best thing??

Here is our note to Elder Heflin:  “There are missionaries – and then those that go on missions.”  Riley, you are one of those truly converted missionaries.  You have taught us much and we enjoy your talent in speaking and writing as we read the emails you send home.  It is a joy to serve at the same time as you. 

We do know that a mission is a blessing.  We are also working hard to be truly converted disciples of Jesus Christ.  As you teach others what you have learned in your life, you know these ideas are true:  3 skills you need to be successful in life, and 15 ways you can become more charismatic, by Mark Ford. 

Three Skills You Need to Be Successful in Life

THINK WELL:
assess, analyze, and solve problems
create and follow a trend of thought
distinguish good ideas from bad ones
understand logic

SPEAK WELL:
express worthy thoughts concisely and clearly

WRITE WELL:
express worthy ideas concisely and clearly on paper

Friday, December 18, 2015 by Mark Ford

Mark Morgan Ford (also Mark Ford and Michael Masterson) is an American author, entrepreneur, publisher, real estate investor, filmmaker, art collector, and consultant to the direct marketing and publishing industries.

Ford is the author of essays and books on entrepreneurship, wealth-building, economics, and copywriting. He has also written a book of poetry and a book on word-use titled “Words that Work”.

Ford's business writing is published under the pen name Michael Masterson. His books, “Automatic Wealth” and “Ready, Fire, Aim”, were recognized on the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Best Sellers lists.

 15 Ways You Can Become More Charismatic:
1. Behave in a way that makes you likable.

    Direct the conversation away from yourself.
2. Be polite and patient.
3. Do exactly what you promised AND by the deadline you promised – or sooner.
4. Resist the urge to be more than you are.
5. Have others' best interests at heart.
6. Don't pretend to be able to do something well.
7. Be honest, ethical, and aboveboard.
8. Use persuasion, not power, to get people to do what's best for them.
9. Eat right. Exercise. Stay fit. Dress well. Be well-groomed.
10. Be "real." The best way to show you're a regular person is to be cordial, friendly, and to avoid pretensions of every sort.
11. Listen and pay attention to what others are saying.
12. Use how you are like someone as an anchor to create a connection.
13. Be accomplished yet humble.
14. Be productive.
15. Practice these skills sincerely.
Self-Made Millionaire: 15 Ways to Boost Your Charisma
By Mark Ford, founder, The Palm Beach Research Group
Wednesday, November 4, 2015

These are the answers Elder Heflin gave to his Mom’s questions: 

Do you think your mission is "hard"?
...Most missionaries that have a hard time are those who are not fully embracing their call.
…They feel like the mission is a sacrifice, not a blessing....

Is it all in the attitude?
....Hard things happen all the time....But that doesn't make a mission hard.  What makes a mission hard is yourself  haha. It's up to you I guess. You can look at everything as an opportunity to learn or as a burden. So, yes, it's all in the attitude....

.....I'm not saying that you have to be an optimist.  I'm saying that you need to do what it says in 2 NE 31:20. Faith, hope, love, diligence, obedience.  You should probably follow Moroni 7:45 too :) Charity is a huge difference maker.  And as you work to obtain these things (because I'm definitely still far from perfectly achieving any of that) you find a good attitude and overall joy in the mission. Overall I'd say that, when you reach that point, you begin to experience the blessings of consecration.  It's really neat how it works, and it's definitely knowledge and happiness that comes exclusively from the Spirit.  But you have to work at it.  It's a process of becoming.

What is the hardest thing? Best thing??
....I think the hardest thing in the mission is overcoming the weaknesses we have that hold us back from furthering our spiritual development... but the best thing is when we accomplish just that. The best thing about the mission is when, as a result of EVERYTHING I'm talking about, you experience a change from the inside. That's the coolest part about it all. -Elder Heflin

Feliz Año Nuevo 2016

31 December, 2015                                                                   Valparaíso, Chile

So maybe by way of reassuring ourselves that we are somewhere between hermits and party animals, we invited a few people over for New Year’s Eve at our apartment.  We had the Bishop and his family, the elders and one of their investigators, and Mabel, a member and our friend on the 2nd floor.

We all snacked and welcomed in the New Year with the “fuegos” – way big and famous fireworks along the whole bay coastline (Valpo/Viña/Reñaca/Concon).  Great view from our 10^th floor.  They ended with a grand finale in all red (the Chilean rojo), accompanied by cheering from every balcony in our building!  Because of the late (or early) hour, the elders stayed the night with us – with the previous OK from Presidente Diaz.

The Week Before Christmas

What a swirling and busy week.  Somewhere in there, Christmas happened – we think!

It is hard to think it is Christmas when it is summer!

Monday, 21 December, 2015,  Presidente Diaz and his wife hosted a multi-zone Christmas P-Day for the southern part of the mission.  He gave an introductory talk/training, and then dedicated most the rest of the day to outside games on the futbol/basketball/parking area space outside the Viña Stake Center (which is right next to the Mission Office).  They played a big “duck, duck, goose” variation, water balloon volleyball (caught and tossed back by pairs with a towel), and dodge ball.  At one point the (dodge) ball bounced his way, and the Presidente returned it with a behind-the-back soccer kick, thus confirming his previous/younger life as a professional soccer player here in Chile.  Instant credibility!  He has yet (to our knowledge) to formally make any big deal of previous soccer exploits, but the word is out, and that matters a ton here in Chile.  After they were pretty much exhausted, the missionaries were treated to a big dinner.  Then Santa (one of the Assistants) showed up with bags of candy for all!  We enjoyed the great spirit of the day.  The Lord’s army of young missionaries carries a strong, animated, willing spirit to the fray!

Concierto de la Navidad

Saturday night, 19 December, 2015, from 8 – 10 pm we attended a Concierto de la Navidad in an open-air theater in the (semi) round on the beach at Viña.  Very professional.  Elder and Hermana Poulsen had auditioned all who wanted to be part of it, but they only chose the best 12 elders and best 12 hermanas.  Good crowd and great spirit.  The surf in the background added the sound of rhythmic rolling thunder.  They also had special numbers featuring a flute, violin, guitar, tall bongo-type drums, a ballerina hermana and a guest singer.  Performed on Fri, Sat and Sun evenings.  Have a Merry Christmas!

 Aquí esta el video del Concierto de la Navidad. Que lo Comparta con todos:)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpVYcmMPVLE

Happy Birthday, Brady

Hey, Brady!  Happy Birthday today!  Congratulations on reaching the ripe old age of 11 – finally out of Cubs, and into the 11-year-old Scouts.  And almost ready to get the Arrow of Light – amazing!  Way to stay busy and challenged.  Richard G. Scott (a nuclear scientist before he became an apostle) said, “Challenges help us become more like our Father in Heaven.”

So you should go for every new thing you can:  soccer + basketball + piano + hiking & camping + becoming “an expert” on the Book of Mormon + swimming + human relations + chess + learning a new language + knowing some of the world’s greatest art and classical music pieces + …!!  This list could be endlessssssssss….

So here you are at 11.  What will you do with the next year?  …with the next month?  …with the next week?  …with the next hour?  Will you waste your time with mindless video games? NO WAY!!!  Will you have fun going to an occasional movie (Star Wars, maybe?) – Of course!  We need balance in our lives.

So, Brady – just know that we are on your side.  We are part of the Brady Fan Club, and whatever you end up being, doing and achieving; we are cheering for you.  Love every minute.  Stand tall and smile!

President Diaz (our Mission President) recently told all his missionaries about his Five Keys to success in life: 

   1.  Charity for others.

   2.  Perseverance.

   3.  Valor (Bravery).

   4.  Confidence.

   5.  Having the Holy Ghost to always help us.

President Diaz is working with his team of missionaries and teaching them how to share the gospel.  He was a pro soccer player in Chile when he was young.  He hasn’t told his missionaries much about it yet.   Maybe he never will – he is quite modest.

Chileno men have their own way of giving abrazos (greetings).  First they shake hands, then they give two pats on the back (hugs), and then they shake hands again.  Here are Elder Pava and Pres Diaz giving abrazos.

Elder Pava is from Colombia.  He was our old District Leader and also our Zone Leader, and he wants to be a professional soccer player after his mission.  He used to RUN up and down the hills of Valparaiso from appointment to appointment – just to keep in shape.  His comps got into better shape too….

We thought you might be interested in a couple of soccer (futbol) things here in Chile.  Every day on the way to the cemetery, we pass by the stadium (estadio) named after a popular older professional footballer.  The Santiago Wanderers is a Chilean fútbol club based in Valparaíso which currently plays in the Primera División (first-tier), holding home games at Estadio Elías Figueroa Brander, which has a 23,000 capacity. It is commonly known as Estadio Playa Ancha.  Everyone from 2 – 99 is passionate for the green team.

Los Rojas (The Reds – Chilean National Selection team) won the 2015 Copa América (the main international football tournament for national teams in South America) that took place in Chile between 11 June and 4 July 2015.  Twelve teams competed which included two guests – Mexico and Jamaica. Uruguay were the defending champions, but were eliminated by the hosts (Chile) in the quarter-finals. Chile won their first title ever, by defeating Argentina in the final on a penalty shootout after a goalless draw. As winners, Chile qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.  And now they are starting the qualifying games for the 2018 World Cup in Russia! 

This poster is in our lunch room at the cemetery.  It is an old one for “The Reds” before the 2014 World Cup in Brasil (we say Brazil; they say Brasil), but we expect to soon see signs saying NOS VEMOS EN RUSIA! (See you in Russia!).

“Nos vemos” is a dicho (a saying), like in “Nos vemos mañana.”  (We’ll see each other tomorrow.)  That reminds us of another dicho that the missionaries use when they have to leave a discussion and go to another appointment.  It is “Tenemos que irnos.”  The funny thing about it is that before they say it, one of them quietly touches his ear lobe, and then softly touches his nose (ear-nose… it sounds like irnos, and it means, “Let’s wrap it up.”)

The young elders and hermanas work hard in our mission.  They study their scriptures every day, every day, every day!!!  They practice teaching and teach lessons every day, every day, every day!!!  Here are Hermana Alvarez and Elder Cherry setting up cameras for our District picture.  Look at their scriptures.  They have all kinds of tabs to help them find quotes and be great teachers.

  Doctrine and Covenants 88: 

77 And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.
78 Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand....

For the next four months we will be reading the Book of Mormon again and especially study four of the “Doctrines of the Kingdom”.

It has been especially wonderful to study about Jesus Christ at this time of year.  Reading, studying and pondering from  The Guide to the Scriptures is a great help which is now available to us.  

  This is what it said under the heading "Jesus Christ": 

                "Jesus Christ is the greatest being to be born on this earth.           

         His life is the perfect example of how all mankind should live."

He is ‘our Divine Volunteer’.

“In five of the most profound words ever uttered, He meekly said, “Here am I, send me.’ ” Linda K. Burton at the 2015 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional.

Happy Birthday, Bryant

Dear Bryant,

Happy 9^th Birthday on the 9^th of December!!!  That is a very special thing – like when your Mom was 21 on the 21^st of May, way back many years ago!

But what a super time of year to have a birthday – when everyone is excited and happy, and when all the lights go up.  Hey, Bryant, remember a couple of years ago when we were at your house around this time of year and you had your birthday, and your neighborhood all got together and put up a whole bunch of lights on your street?  That was awesome!  Did you guys do that this year too?  Did your Dad put that big reindeer on top of your roof?  Anyway Bryant, we noticed in all your pictures, that you always have a really great smile.  Like it lights everyone up!  Amazing how smiles spread so fast!  You are a “bright spirit” and we love you.  

So keep being A LIGHT TO YOUR FRIENDS.  

“You bright spirits could not have chosen a better time to be born, with more neighbors waiting and needing to be shown the gospel.  I know you have been properly placed because God did it....”

BYU Devotional, "All Hell is Moved" by Neal A. Maxwell who was a President of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 8 November 1977.

Chistmas is happening here even though it is about to be summer!

 

On Saturday we went shopping at Jumbo. But first we decided take the nearby ascensor up to see what we could see.

 

A new view of the bay

Then we shopped and came home and decorated our tree,

 set up our nativity

 and just last night Grandpa put up lights on our balcony.

 

That same Jesus, whose birthday we celebrate at Christmastime, is your Friend now and always, and He is the same Jesus whose love for you is never changing. He loves all children, and has need for their hope, their faith, their cheerfulness, and their clean and bright spirits to help light the way for those whose lives have been clouded by sadness.        

Friend , Christmas Message to Children of the Church in All the World from the First Presidency December 1974

  

There is a fun blog post on www.lds.org:

At a family home evening the Mom set the timer for one minute and asked her children to write down the answer to:

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Her 7-yr old daughter said the time was too short!  The Mom then set the timer for another minute and asked:

“What do you want to give for Christmas?”

Her 4-yr old son said he wants to give  “good stuff that people would like. Or stuff that could make you have a lot of powers.  Real powers.”

Then she asked the question: “What can you give of yourself this Christmas?”

And because of the answer from her 4-year old son, she said, “All of us can follow the example of the Savior in giving as He gave.  In doing so, we give ‘stuff that gives real power’ and see our own power grow as we become more like Him….”

    

“Give the good stuff this Christmas.    Give love.”

Blog: What Can You Give of Yourself This Christmas?, By Irinna Danielson December 4, 2015 

We enjoyed Elder Bednar’s talk at the Christmas Devotional about light and what they observed in the Americas the night Jesus was born:

Third Nephi chapter 1, verse 17 And they began to know that the Son of God must shortly appear....

18 For they knew that the prophets had testified of these things for many years, and that the sign which had been given was already at hand....

19 And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.

20 And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.

21 And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.

“Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.”  David A. Bednar

The Savior is bringing into our apartment - a warmth and  love, peace and joy.  Now that is real power!!

So, yes, we are enjoying our summer in Chile.