Looking Beyond the Tumultuous . . .

At first glance  - it's very easy to see the turmoil, trouble and tumultuous country that is the nature currently of Honduras.  Many don't get beyond the issues that receive the greatest spotlight, and are more prevalent in the news!

But . . .

WE have been fortunate just recently to spend time with many people who have visited Honduras.  Served in Honduras in one capacity or another.  They all have in common a great love for the people, the culture and the various communities in which they were able to serve.

The more WE learn about Honduras . . .

The more excited we are, and the more we are sure this is where we need to be for the next three years.

We are actually eager to spend the next three years in this extraordinary place . . .

We anticipate . . .

There will be challenges . . .

There will be problems . . .

But we are excited to be involved in the work of sharing the gospel and supporting and directing the missionary work among these humble people who are so teachable.

What we are excited about . . .

On Sunday, March 17 - Honduras will soon dedicate the Church's newest temple.
     Area members who have had to travel 12 hours to the Guatamala City Temple are delighted to have their own temple much closer to where they live.  Temple trips come at a great cost to many - so this will enable many more to enjoy the eternal blessings of the temple.  Even those who aren't members of the church are pleased to have such a beautiful building in their country!

There are currently 3 missions in Honduras . . . the Tegucigalpa mission, the Comayaguela Mission, the San Pedro Sula mission.  AND a 4th is being created on July 1 - when the San Pedro Sula Mission will be divided into the San Pedro Sula East Mission and the San Pedro Sula West Mission.

What a blessing for the members there as the work continues to go forth!

Our sweet catracho language tutor from the MTC was so tender hearted when we shared our assigned destination and the dividing and creation of a new mission.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a strong presence in Honduras!
     The first branch was created in 1953, by 1990 there were nine Stakes and 10 Districts.  By the year 2000, 20 Stakes, 11 Districts, 127 wards, and 92 branches operated.  While active membership is somewhere between 15% and 20% of the members .  . . . you can see there is much work to be done in the way of reactivation and convert retention.  The number of Honduran members serving missions appears to have increased the last few years.  Right now the number of Americans serving in Honduras makes up about 1/3 of the missionary force.  Local leaders in the church are increasingly assuming almost all responsibility in administering in the congregations of Stakes, Wards, Districts and Branches.

On June 1, 1991 Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Twelve dedicated Honduras for the preaching of the gospel. The prayer of dedication was offered on a mountain called El Pecacho (The Peak). El Pecacho is a 5,000-foot mountain that towers above the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Also ascending the mountain were Elder Rex D. Pinegar, Elder Gardner H. Russell, and about fifty local leaders. In the prayer he ask the Lord that "the people might be receptive to the teachings of the Lord and that the land itself might be blessed to be prosperous and productive, and be preserved." Elder Nelson added: "I never set foot on any place in the Americas -- North, Central, or the South American continent but that I realize that somewhere along these precincts are the people who tread the paths of those of Book of Mormon history... Things will be better now that this dedication has taken place. I look forward to a re-committing of resources and faith on the part of the people to make the Church even stronger than ever before." 

 

And in other awesome info about Honduras . . .

(and why we can't wait to have an opportunity to become part of this culture for

three years :)

In Pre-columbian times, the Mayan culture flourished in Honduras for hundreds

of years.  You can visit many ruins that remain throughout the country. With some of the 

most famous at Copán.

The country is host to these items of particular interest . . .

630 species of Orchids

250 reptiles an amphibians

more than 700 bird species

and 

110 mammal species.

(If you know Kristin . . . you'll know why THIS is significant!!)

Honduras has . . .

rainforests

cloud forests

(which can rise up to nearly 3000 meters above sea level)

mangroves

(a type of foliage recognized by the prolific roots, home to many specific species

and a wealth of organic life)

savannahs

(grasslands with scattered trees - again home to specific animal life)

Mountain ranges with pine and oak trees,

gorgeous national parks.

Encompasses the . . .

Bay Islands - with their reefs, and wild life - 

bottle nose dolphins, manta rays, parrot fish . . .

Amongst all this,

we still anticipate the richest gift will be the people.

The people and the missionaries.

For more perspective on the missionary work in Honduras

we have discovered these sites:

Our Honduras Mission

Hola Honduras

Veirs Blog

Elder Olsen

Elder Cizmas

Hermana Flake

Honduran Adventura

Elder Ward

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More Water . . .

A continuance . . .

from the previous post, with the refreshing photo of the clean clear water.

Now that I've got you thinking . . .

I really had MUCH more to say,

as women are so near and dear to my heart.

Sometimes it's a difficult place to understand . . .

We are all sisters, yet we are all so different.  Some of my most favorite women anywhere live lives so VERY different from each other.  My darling daughters, and daughters-in-law - have very different lives and challenges indeed.  Children, no children, working moms, stay at home moms, full time students . . . . one of my best friends is a divorced mom, trying to put food on the table, educate her children, trying to be a parent. Another is a single adult, no children, at home frequently by herself.

And I love them each . . . so much.  And I can't imagine the challenges that each of these women face, each day, each week - as they try to fulfill their role as women to the best of their abilities.

Even under the best of circumstances . . . it's a struggle . . . and many challenges exist.

I don't claim to be an expert on women . . . no . . .

They are far TOO complicated for that.  But I do work with many women, and I am related to MANY women, many friends are women, AND I am a woman . . .

And I do know something of our particular emotions we experience, as we try to accomplish all the many tasks that are expected of us in our various roles.  While we do experience joy and fulfillment, we also experience moments of frustration, inadequacy, monotony in daily life.

We sometimes feel under appreciated.  Frequently . . . feel under appreciated  . . .

One thing I do know is that righteous women are a blessing to all those whose lives they touch.  They lead, they strengthen, they build.  Each one who stands for truth and righteousness in their lives diminishes the influence of evil; something VERY important in the world today, as the influence of evil is sadly all about us.  As we strengthen and protect we are doing the work of our Father in Heaven.  The work he intended for us as women to do!

In further words of Elder Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

"Every sister who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come. Every sister who makes and keeps sacred covenants becomes an instrument in the hands of God."

Just as I love each one of the many important women in my life . . . our Heavenly Father loves each one of us!  He has a plan for each of us to achieve the highest blessings of eternity.  No matter our different, varied circumstances in this earthly life.



Elder Ballard gave us much council to help us as women understand our roles and gain strength and inspiration to lead and plant seeds of righteous influence.

Recognize that joy comes in moments.  There will be hard and frustrating, challenging times.  But there WILL be moments of joy.  Enjoy them as they come!  Author Anna Quinlan says it best, "treasure the doing a little more, and the getting it done a little less".

Don't over schedule . . . if we are not careful we will fill every minute . . .  classes, exercise, book clubs, scrapbooking, church callings, music, sports, the internet and favorite TV shows.  Families and relationships need time . . . make time to talk and to listen . . . . to families, husbands, friends, each other.  Be sure to laugh a little and play a little everyday. 

And this one . . . remember from the last post . . .  

 
WATER CANNOT BE DRAWN FROM AN EMPTY WELL 

"Sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don't allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."

 And fourth - pray, study and teach.  As we do those things that invite the spirit, we will be led by the spirit.  Which will show us in our hearts and in our minds, those things that we should do to find happiness as women in the world today.  

We have the opportunity to bless the lives of those we come in contact with every day.  As we lift and strengthen ourselves, we lift and strengthen others.  And by so doing diminish the influence of evil in the world around us.  Yep, I can see the great importance of women in the world today . . .

Can you??

For more thoughts . . . you can see the following articles - 

"Daughters of God"   "Here I Am, Send Me"

Continue Reading...

Water . . .

WATER CANNOT BE DRAWN FROM AN EMPTY WELL

"Sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don't allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it."

M. Russell Ballard, 

"Daughters of God," Ensign, May 2008, 110

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Let's Start at the Very Beginning . . .

Once upon a time we sold our favorite and lovely family home
in Alpine Utah.

A home where we raised our family of four children for 16 years.  Our oldest was in Junior High School when we moved to Alpine from Sandy Utah.  Our youngest was 4 years old.  But as our children grew and matured each of them had wonderful opportunities that took them away from home.  Marriage, jobs, schooling . . . and not just away from home, but three out of our four children moved across the country.  And of course, taking our two precious grand babies with them!

One day we asked ourselves why we were maintaining this large place with just the two of us there most of the time.  Not only was it time consuming but it was becoming nearly impossible as we found ourselves traveling to visit family in far off places.  We loved our comfortable home but decided to make a 180 degree turn in our lives and begin to simplify our way of life.

The bottom line is we did sell our home, as has been blogged about recently.  And we did simplify and purchase a lovely and comfortable townhouse with cash from the sale of our home.  We had our own reasons for making this huge change of direction in our lives.  Little did we know . . .

Little did we know . . .

that our Heavenly Father (who we believe knows all things) had a different opportunity in mind for us and he was just putting us on the path . . . to missionary service in Honduras.

Let me back up just a bit -

In the middle of November, last year, unexpectedly we received a phone call from the office of Elder Quentin L. Cook.  For our friends not acquainted with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Cook is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,  a governing body of the Church, and  called to be prophets, seers, and revelators, and special witnesses of Jesus Christ.

It is most unusual to receive such a phone call . . . and we wondered at the purpose. Upon meeting with Elder Cook, we discovered we were in an exploratory interview for possible Mission Presidents.  (A Mission President presides over a mission and the missionaries serving therein.  He may also be the presiding priesthood leadership within the boundaries of the mission).  Elder Cook emphasized to us that we had been prayerfully selected by the First Presidency and all Twelve of the Quorum of the Twelve after careful consideration.  It was an amazing, reverent and spirit filled opportunity to be able to meet with Elder Cook and we felt very honored and humbled to be in his presence.  He was a most gracious apostle and representative of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

On December 12, 2012 - we once again received an unexpected phone call and request for meeting, this time from the office of President Henry B. Eyring,  First Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Once again, a very humbling experience to be in the presence of such a tender man and true representative of Jesus Christ.  He spent much time with us providing counsel after extending a calling to preside over a Spanish Speaking mission of the church with the location to be determined, beginning in July of 2013.

To provide more clarity on what kind of service was being asked . . .(1) according to current policy a mission president must be married.  Typically, his wife and any minor children accompany him on the mission.  Mission presidents are either retired or leave their vocation for three years to preside over their mission.  Mission presidents supervise a group of 60-200 missionaries and direct their missionary labors.  After his three-year term ends, a mission president generally returns to his vocation and service in his own home ward and stake.

Typically one-third of the (now) 405 mission presidents of the church (this includes the newly announced 58 new missions created just this year in response to the surge in missionary applications related to the announcement lowering the missionary age for service last Fall) are changed out annually, and once these callings have been extended and accepted, the information is published in the "Church News" with their assigned destinations.

Our destination is Honduras . . .

I'm sure we're in for an amazing experience  . . . you can read what I posted 

earlier about Honduras here.  

And now . . .

You know some more of the story.

And it is certain to be continued . . .

Continue Reading...

114 Days to Honduras

Wow . . . I'm having a little difficulty comprehending that in just 

114

days . . . we are moving to the middle of an amazingly different world.

The small country of Honduras.

Officially the Republic of Honduras.

Specifically . . .

the city of San Pedro Sula.

Honduras is bordered to the West by Guatemala, to the Southwest by El Salvador, to the Southeast by Nicaragua, to the South by the Pacific Ocean, and to the north by the Gulf of Honduras, a large inlet of the Caribbean Sea.

I'm sure you're thinking . . .

What on earth are WE thinking!!!  ??

Especially when I share the following information with you all . . .

I must admit I was a wee bit worried when I read this 

at travel . . . State . . . Gov

Tens of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Honduras each year for study, tourism, business, and volunteer work. However, crime and violence are serious problems throughout the country. Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world. San Pedro Sula is considered to be the world’s most violent city, with 159 murders for every 100,000 residents in 2011. These threats have increased substantially over the past several years, and incidents can occur anywhere. In January 2012, the Peace Corps withdrew its volunteers from the country to conduct an administrative review of the security situation.

Transnational criminal organizations conduct narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout the country and use violence to control drug trafficking routes and carry out other criminal activity. Other criminals, acting both individually and in gangs in Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, rapes, and other aggravated assaults.

 (Pico Bonito - dense National Forest  - home to large number of endangered species)

(San Pedro Sula)

U.S. citizens should be vigilant of their surroundings at all times, especially when entering or exiting their homes or hotels, cars, garages, schools, and workplaces. Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more persons. Avoid wearing jewelry and do not carry large sums of money or display cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables. Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras, and do not walk alone on beaches, historic ruins, or trails. Incidents of crime along roads, including carjacking and kidnapping, are common in Honduras. Motorists should avoid traveling at night and always drive with their doors locked to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.

I'm sure you're thinking . . .

What on earth are WE thinking!!!  ??

I think we'll be okay on the "travel in groups of two" we have that part figured out.  Avoid wearing jewelry  . . . don't really have any . . . but I may just have to stock up on the indigenous locally crafted earrings as I do love that sort of thing . . .

No chance we'll be carrying large sums of cash.

So I guess we'll have to be cautious AND smart . . .

so . . .

I guess you could say I experienced a few moments of anxiety.

Until I saw this . . .

and it took me about  . . .

5 seconds

to realize that I am going to love the people.  

I know it.

And I can hardly wait.

So stay tuned . . . because there is certainly

MUCH

more to come. 

Continue Reading...

Inspired by this today . . .

There is so much incivility in the world today. Because of the anonymity 

of the Internet, it is easier than ever to say toxic or grating things online. 

Shouldn’t we, the hopeful disciples of our gentle Christ, have a higher, 

more charitable standard? The scriptures teach,

“Let your speech be alway[s] with grace, seasoned with salt,

 that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).

I like the idea of our words being clear as a sunny sky and full of grace. Can you imagine what our families, wards, nations, and even the world would be like if we could adopt this simple principle?

-- Dieter F. Uchtdorf

AND . . .

you can read the rest of the story

here . . .

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