Before I Forget

We have been in Peru almost a week. Currently we are traveling to Piura for our visit with interpol. 

I wanted to tell about some of our experiences we had while traveling from SLC. 

At the airport in Salt Lake City, we were at the kiosk. It had been a while since we had traveled, and we have never traveled to Peru, so we were fumbling our way through the check in process. We were half way complete, we checked in Craig and were getting ready to check me in, when a lady came up right next to Craig - opposite of where I was standing next to him - and said, “Me next.”  

I was astounded and somewhat perturbed. I don’t remember what I said, but I was conscious of the badge I was wearing. She said she needed to check in, but couldn’t do it on her one. Craig continued checking me in and I asked her where she was going. I can’t remember what she said and she wandered off. Craig just shrugged. 

Later in security I brought it up again. I thought she was really bold trying to hit on him with me being right there - obviously still perturbed. He laughed a bit and said he thought she was thinking he worked there. He was in a suit and was wearing a badge. She didn’t take time to read the badge or notice everything and was just focused on getting help checking in. 

Traveling now days is a bit like self- checkout at Walmart. And it is not exactly intuitive. 

The same thing happened twice in stores in Peru. He had the shopping bags and I was in the store looking for items. He was approached by people showing him their receipts. The actual security guys were laughing at the misunderstanding. 

I guess he looks like he is there to help people, and he has a friendly face and is approachable. 

The thing is, he does have something that will help them. They just aren’t looking for what he (we) have. 

Dinner with Uncle Gary

It was so fun to meet together and catch up. I don’t think I’ve seen Uncle Gary since Aunt Renee’s funeral. That is too long. 

All the siblings in Salt Lake came. 

I love times like that. 

Craig was behind the camera. 

A happy evening. 

418 years ago

Today I found myself indexing records that were four hundred and seventeen and four hundred and eighteen years old. 

The style of writing was very different. Some e’s were backwards. The h’s went below the line. The s’s at the end of the word looped up line a footnote. 

It took me all morning to do a record of 51 names. I took frequent breaks. I was distracted a lot. I found it hard to stay motivated. 

But when I think that I was reading records that were older than the United States, I was flabbergasted and amazed. 

It is still a miracle that I could decipher as much as I could. 

Tunnels

We have meandered the tunnels under Temple Square. It's an adventure. Be sure to have a guide. A perk of being a missionary.

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

We are less than 10 minutes from the Tabernacle. So we have the opportunity to attend. We attended this past Sunday. The Sunday broadcast is from the Tabernacle, unless it is Summer (busy season) or December (the lights). So we found ourselves in the Tabernacle to listen to and be a part of the Sunday broadcast.

I took a picture of the program. We attended with the rest of the visa-waiters. A sweet couple is waiting  to get to India. He had a time of inactivity. He was deciding to get back to church. One of his favorite songs is "Climb Every Mountain" and he was thinking if the choir sang that song it would be a sign. The choir sang that song. Sunday they sang the song again, and it reminded him of his personal tender mercy. I love that.

A sweet reminder to us of the important things.

The official picture of the Choir.

My picture of the organ. We were pretty close, but the picture is always a bit farther away.

I was fascinated by the different colored lights. The lighting was dramatic and gorgeous. I love the pipes, they are so beautiful.

I love Mac Wilburg. He is a musical genius. I am intrigued by his directing style. It is flowing and artistic. I think it is hard to find the downbeat, but I am sure it is there. Practice would be helpful. I fell in love with Ryan Murphy a bit. He is more athletic in his directing. He reminded me of a sweet  sister in California that said she would dance for us as we sang in a choir. She was coaxing out of us what she wanted, a more lyrical feel. Brother Murphy danced a bit for the Choir. The music lives in him and flows from his body.

A fabulous day, I had to put it here to remember.

Sunday Meeting

Today was fast Sunday at our new branch. We meet in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building or the JSMB. We feel blessed to be able to be part of this part of town that we have just visited before. 

The first two people that got up were from Korea. I had to pay attention to understand their testimonies that they had written out. I looked over at Craig and asked if he was a bit home sick for Korea. 

This sister spoke about the temple in Seoul and when it was built. Craig was there when they announced that temple. She also spoke of the new temple announced in Pusan. Craig served there. 

He got up and bore a short Korean testimony. The words came back to him and he was able to once again testify in his first mission language of his love for Jesus Christ. 

The sweet couple were so happy to hear their language. 

We count this experience as a tender mercy from the Lord, and perhaps one reason for our visa delay. 

Singing in the MTC

We both sang in the devotionals on both Tuesdays. It was an amazing experience to sing with so many others. Our director was fabulous. He was so knowledgeable and fun to sing for. 

A surprising thing for me was how hard it was to not watch the screen while we were singing. It was right there bigger than life. The director told us multiple times to keep our eyes on him. If we looked other places, other than the music, it would distract the audience and call attention to us instead of the message. 

It was difficult to not look at the screen. 

The second week, we were told by multiple people that the camera showed Craig sitting in the middle of young elders a lot. Like he was the star. I wish I had a picture. That would be fun to see. But we missed it, because we were being good and following directions. 

Our new home

This is us in our new apartment. 

We were greeted by a sweet sister who took us shopping so we would have food. We unpacked and put things away. 

Now we can smile. 

Hmmmm

Today was moving day. We are relieved. It was a bit of an anxious day. We had to pack up, meet deadlines (really not hard ones, but important ones.)

In out last class I told Craig he had a bad attitude. He retaliated by taking this picture. 

My sister, Willa, texted me, “No one likes a frowny face. Haha”

I look totally irritated. I don’t think I was. 

Hydration

The week we were packing up the house and cleaning I didn't drink enough water. We were working hard and I was super stressed. I didn't fill my water bottle and make sure I was drinking, like when I went to work. Basically my schedule was disrupted.

The result was the first week of the MTC I noticed my feet and ankles were swollen. I had forgotten my water bottle at Debbie's. So I focused on drinking water at meals and at breaks getting a drink from the fountain.

This past weekend, we met with my family and my sister brought my water bottle. I have an unnatural affection for this thing.

When our office went to  Sun Valley we got these flasks, water bottles, camel thermos thing. So with multiple identical items, we found stickers to mark our individual bottles. Because, yuck if we mixed them up. When I was in Challis, I found this cool wolf paw. Defiantly marked as mine.

Because we were working at an eye doctor's office, we put eyeball tattoos also.

This second week at the MTC, my bottle has traveled with me around during the day.

The extra effort of keeping hydrated, along with more effort at walking during the breaks has given me the desired results. My feet and ankles are back to their normal size.

Moral of the story, drink water. Even if it means more trips to the restroom.

Tender mercy

We dropped off our ministering licenses to be laminated. We headed to pick them up just as we were going to dinner. I wanted to say hi to a sweet elder who is there as a service missionary. I knew he was having a hard day. As I was saying hi to him and thank you.

We heard a loud gasp, and turned to look and saw a beautiful, tall sister missionary. She looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. She asked if we remembered her. I looked at her tag, and it took me a minute and then it all fell into place. 

She is Ashley Donaldson, part of Boaz's friend group, BANJO, from California. It was her and four boys while they were in middle school. She is the last one of the group to go on a mission.

I gave her a huge hug. She was in Craig's seminary class, and he gave her a huge hug also. She whispered in his ear that she really needed that today.

The timing for that to occur was spectacular. We were lounging in our room doing really nothing. Decided to head to dinner, but just as we got off the elevator decided to see if our laminating job was done. And there she was.

She towers over us. We were left with a definite glow that has lasted hours.

How do I explain this?

 Such a crazy, full, fun week. It will be impossible to tell all of what we have done.

So I think I will focus on impressions.

This mission thing is no joke. Craig and I have been very tired all week. Our experience started Monday. Ronda drove us down to Provo and we stopped by Josh's work to say hi and see where he works. I have to say I think he is so handsome. He looked so official and happy to be where he was. We love him and are so glad we get him.

Our chauffeur 

Being part of a huge group of missionaries is awesome. There were so many faces and names and stories to remember. I have constantly had to ask questions to remember what we were told the first day. They asked me to say the prayer in the first meeting. I choked up as I expressed gratitude to be numbered among such a company. After all the work and waiting and worrying, we had made it.

Waiting for out ten minute window to enter. 

Still hoping for Iquitos

We were divided up into districts. Our district has four couples. Our teacher is new. This is her third week. We have fallen in love with her. Her smile is infectious. She is so supportive of all of our weirdness, and the weirdness can be strong for sure. She is kind as she teaches people three times her age. She is patient as she shows some of us how to use Facebook and other technology. She is joyful as she testifies of Christ. She is knowledgeable as she teaches us from Preach My Gospel. I have come to adore her. We love Sister Nevarez.

The Nance’s, the Moon’s, the Miller’s and us. This is our district with Sister Nevárez. 

Our morning teacher is Brother Karras. He is kind as he deals with us as we wander into class a little late after breaks. He is watchful to make sure we can walk the distance to the field trips to view the amazing murals in the new building. He notices small little hurt feelings and focuses direction away to give space to recover. He laughs at our dumb jokes. He is patient as he teaches us how to use the Gospel Library Ap. He is knowledgeable as he teaches us from Preach My Gospel. He is a good sport as we show interest in his dating life. I have come to adore him.

The Large Group Meetings bring us all together where the Spirit is a consistent companion. We have loved the devotional with Steven J Lund. He brought his lovely wife and Brad Wilcox, his counselor in the Young Men's Presidency. 

Today we had a meeting about the Character of Christ. Elder Bednar gave a talk that we reviewed and discussed. I love his definition of the character of Christ. Christ turns outward in love, compassion and empathy when the natural man turns inward in self-absorption, self-concern and selfishness. He said the natural man is like Cookie Monster, he wants what he wants right now.

Craig and I have enjoyed spending so much time together. We have loved focusing on the weightier matters. On day in class we were supposed to share with each other a Book of Mormon scripture. He decided to make it more interesting. He chose my scripture at random. It was a verse that I have never marked, and really had just read over as part of the narrative, not looking at it for insight. I read it and looked for something to say about it and found something that touched me.

The phrase that stood out to me was, "if ye had known me." How many times do we not take the time to know people. To make snap judgments and not appreciate what they are trying to do for us.

These are random memories and thoughts. All of them filled with light and love. We are so lucky to be able to be here and do what we are doing. We are loving this time.

Set apart

 Craig is once again, Elder Oswald, and I am Sister (Hermana) Oswald.

We love our Stake President. He is so amazing.

We were assured of the love of God for each of us. We were blessed with health, love for the people, and language ability. And so many tender moments.

Craig has the ability to sense others. He felt his mom and dad, my dad, and his brother Jeffery. The happiness they all had for this new adventure we are having.

Farewell Talk

 Mission Farewell Talk 2023

Who are we?

Why are we here?

Where are we going?

I’d like to talk about some of the answers to these questions by discussing some of my favorite songs and scriptures. 

Who are we?

Some of my earliest memories are of my Grandmother, affectionately called “Little Grandma” by my siblings and I. I’m not too sure how she liked her name, but we all adored her. I remember climbing up on her lap and sitting facing her. She would sing “I Am a Child of God” and I learned this wonderful song cradled in her lap. In turn I sang this song to my babies as a lullaby each night as I put them to bed. I believe I have known this song my whole life. It is the earliest song in my memory. This song teaches important eternal truths like: we are children of God, we are here in our lives on purpose, and we have a destination - returning Home to live with God again.

We are children of God and He loves us. Each Youth theme echoes this important truth. The young women begin by saying, “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.” The members of the Aaronic Priesthood begin by saying, “I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.” Each theme begins by stating we are loved by God, our Father.

Mormon interrupts his narrative in 3rd Nephi Chapter 5 to say, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”

We can each choose to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We can learn of Him and follow his ways. Our weekly family study reminds of this truth: as we study, we answer his invitation to Come, Follow Me.

Why are we here?

The young men themes, as I quoted earlier, states we have a work to do. What is our work?

We are to increase in Faith.

One of my favorite hymns is Master, the Tempest is Raging. This was one of my Dad’s favorite hymns. It references Mark 4:36-41. A good portion of the apostles were fishermen. They grew up on the Sea of Galilee. They knew all about boats. One night, in the middle of a storm, they were afraid their boat would sink. They woke the Master and He calmed the storm. 

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so afearful? how is it that ye have no bfaith?

We each have storms in the normal course of our lives. We can call the Master and He will help us find the calm. This can only be done through Faith. I love the build in the chorus. The steady march and tension of the list of troubles and the declaration that Jesus is the Master. And the sweet, descending resolution that speaks of faith and strength.

We are to enlist in the Lord’s work.

Another song that my Dad and I love is Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd. Sheep can wander alone or in groups, but I like to think of this song as searching out the lost one. We can help those we love and those around us as we minister to the one. 

Another favorite scripture is Jeremiah 16:16.

16 ¶ Behold, I will send for many afishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and 

after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Hunters seek out one at a time. Fishers seek out schools. At least the fishers of the Bible. They fished with nets that gathered in multitudes.

A favorite song that I discovered from Josh. He chose to learn a song to play as he took piano lessons. He found it because his dad sang it with some friends. I guess I paid more attention to my small kids than I did my husband. As I have grown to love this song, I am also reminded of President Packer and a talk he gave in October General Conference 2012. He entitled his talk, Atonement. He told of when he was assigned to visit Samoa. Going from one island to another they headed into a fierce storm. 

He said, “We arrived in the harbor at Mulifanua. There was one narrow passage we were to go through along the reef. A light on the hill above the beach and a second lower light marked the narrow passage. When a boat was maneuvered so that the two lights were one above the other, the boat would be lined up properly to pass through the dangerous rocks that lined the passage.”

The lower lights had not been lit. They labored all night, first trying to make the safe harbor in front of them and then giving up and heading to a different, easier location.

For those of you who don’t know the song being referenced, it’s Brightly Beams our Father’s Mercy. I love this song. The light of the Master is constant, but sometimes our little lower light is so helpful for safe passage through mortality. We may never know the multitudes that see our light as we align ourselves with Christ.

All three of these songs are “seldom-sung”, but each holds a place in my heart. I am grateful for music that carries truth straight to my heart.

In this theme, is another favorite scripture: Jacob 5:61 “61 Wherefore, go to, and call aservants, that we may blabor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may cprepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.”

I know this part of my talk is heavy on the missionary theme. I am very grateful to be able to focus on this again in my life.

Where are we going?

We opened with a Primary Song. I think it is fitting to close with one as well. My siblings and cousins sang Families Can Be Together Forever at my Grandfather’s funeral. Little Grandpa had been a constant in my young life. We lived next to him and Little Grandma. He had a large, lovely garden that we worked in and ate out of. This song was new to me. I was already in high school when it was written. Where else but children’s primary songs can we learn such profound truths spoken so simply.

We can go home to the Father that created us and be part of His family again. We can choose each day to practice for this destination. Each choice we make takes us closer or further away.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 14:7 we read, “7 And, if you akeep my commandments and bendure to the end you shall have ceternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

Today I have shared scriptures, songs, personal experiences, and expressed gratitude. Each of these invites the Holy Ghost. Frequently I struggle to speak and tears come when I feel the Holy Ghost. At times I have grown frustrated that it is so hard for me to speak when I feel him close. But I have come to understand that holy things are not easily spoken of. 

We say that we love Heavenly Father, and we should. He is our Father and this is his Plan. We say that we love Jesus Christ, and we should. “ . . . [He is] the Truth, the Way and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by [him].” (John 14:6) Today I want to say that I love the Holy Ghost. He teaches me truth, he reminds me what I know, and he whispers the love of God to my heart.

I know this is an end thing. But today, at the beginning, I want to bear my testimony in Spanish.

Last days of work

 I have enjoyed working at the Salmon River Vision Clinic. I have met some of my favorite people there. I am sure that I moved to Salmon to meet Terry Weeks. We have giggled everyday that she worked for over a year now. I also met Wendy Howell. She has been such a good mentor for me and taught me the ins and outs of tech-ing (prescreening the patients) and being an optician. I also met Bren Ward. She has been a cheerleader as I vacillated between faith and fear in serving this mission. She is remarkable and I have loved getting to know her as well.

I love the others as well, but those three ladies are my people.

I love the doctor and his wife. They took a chance on me. I told them when I was interviewing that we wanted to serve a mission when Boaz left on his mission. And they still hired me. This job has been a blessing to me, and I am grateful.

Another Hiccup

 Two weeks ago, Craig called me at work. He was noticeably upset and told me I had to come home. He needed me. He didn't tell me why.

I ran around the office closing out what I was doing and hurried home. The whole time I'm wondering if something happened to Josh, or Boaz, or Thea.

He had gotten a phone call from the Missionary Department. We had mailed our FBI report and the Post Office said they had delivered it October 28, at 5:08 pm. But the Missionary Department hadn't received it. They were waiting for those documents for over two months. Meanwhile, they had our passports and VISA application sitting there. 

The FBI report is only valid for one month, so even if they found it, it would have been expired. There was nothing to do, but restart the process. We went to the Sherriff's Office (DMV) and redid two sets of fingerprints each. The internet was down on our block, so we went to Craig's work and printed out the form we needed. We took it to the Post Office and sent it out as fast as it would go.

We knew the Missionary Department wouldn't receive it until Monday. One of the quirks about living in a small town in the middle of nowhere. And then we nervously puttered.

Our options were to restart our VISA and then wait in SLC Mission Home Mission. That would increase the cost of our mission, the housing would be about $900.00 more than we had budgeted for. The other option was to restart the whole process, which would delay us about six months. We can't do that because we have to be home for Boaz when he gets home from his mission. Our timeline as it is now is we will only be home for one month before Boaz gets  home.

Craig was talking to SLC, our sweet Stake President, and then our lovely Bishop. Before we even were aware we had a problem, he had decided to deposit the excess missionary donations in our ward into our mission account. We have at least twelve other missionaries from our ward, and he decided to put it in our account. The extra will help us afford the extra time in Salt Lake City.

I am now rather looking forward to seeing what will happen while we are SLC. I think something significant will happen while we serve there. 

We are still hoping to be able to go to Iquitos. The day after everything was resolved we got an email from our mission president in Iquitos. He was hopeful that our VISA process was going well and we would soon be on our way. There are three stakes in Iquitos and if they can get a fourth stake, they can qualify to apply for a temple. He wants us to work with the third stake, because their numbers are sliding and they won't divide until that stake begins to grow again.

We are super excited to be able to help work toward a temple.

Also, I have been saying that we will spend our 25th wedding anniversary on the Amazon. I still really want to do that. And I really want to go to Peru and fall in love with the people there.

We have faith that we will love both areas that we serve in, and the second area will still be Iquitos.