John B. Norman, president of the Guatemala City Temple, and his wife and matron of the temple, Christine Norman, came to Belize this weekend to visit our corner of their large temple district. The Normans are from Bountiful, Utah. This is their fourth mission since they both retired from their respective careers.
President and Sister Norman spoke in the Saturday and Sunday sessions of district conference. Also, Ismar Vallecillos (below, front row, left), Area Director of BYU-Idaho Pathway, spoke to our district members about the inspired, international university entrance program that gives members and non-members of our church the opportunity for an on-line college education at an affordable price.
Also, Brian K. Ashton (front row, second from the left), Second Counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke at conference. We were honored to have these inspiring men and women in our home for dinner, along with our friends, Elder and Sister Adams (back row).
Brother Ashton (below) teaches us in the Saturday evening session of conference in the Orange Walk chapel. Notice the ceiling fans twirling along with the air conditioning running. It still was a humid evening, yet the spirit of restored truth was a welcome warmth!
Three members of our missionary district are being transferred this weekend. Zone leader Elder Reyes (second from the right) from Belize City, Sister Arteaga (fourth from the right) from Corozal, and district leader Elder Richardson (second from the left) from Orange Walk now have the opportunity to serve in other areas of Belize or El Salvador. We grow to love these dear, hard-working missionaries!
This week, Elders Vera and Richardson from Orange Walk wanted to see the ruins at Altun Ha. It was a beautiful, green setting of this magnificent Mayan center.
We never grow tired of visiting the Mayan ruins near Belize City.
Belize experienced a torrential downpour on Sunday for about four hours. Streets were flooded with a foot deep of water. Luckily, we have six umbrellas for ourselves and friends!
The Belize City Branch Relief Society had a fun activity Saturday evening -- karaoke, laughs, and snacks-- we had a great time! I feel right at home with my Belizean sisters.
Tyler (center) was baptized today in a service attended by many of his friends both from school and church. His friend Luis (third from the right) performed the baptism. Seventeen-year-old Luis has the Aaronic Priesthood, the authority to perform the baptism of his friend. Luis is likely to be serving as a missionary in a year.
Elder Livingston and Elder Saunders are the missionaries in Belize City who taught Tyler the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why does the baptizer and the person being baptized wear white clothing for the baptism? It symbolizes the sacredness of this essential first step on our path back to our Heavenly Father. Jesus taught: "Except a man [or woman] be born of water and of the Spirit, he [she] cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
When we got home from youth camp a week ago we realized we didn't ever stop to get a picture of us with the other senior missionaries when we were together at camp. They are our dear friends whom we love serving with. We took this photo when we happened to be together Monday. (from the right - Elder & Sister Adams and Elder & Sister Flake) The Adams conclude their mission Sept 6-- we will miss them!
Belize Youth Camp 2018, with the theme Anchored in Christ, was an inspiring week for our youth, ages 12-18.
Boys came Monday-Wednesday, and the girls Wednesday-Saturday. The purposes of camp were to increase youth's faith in Jesus Christ, learn skills in how to avoid the influences of today's world, have fun, and meet new friends. From the feedback received, mission accomplished!
Enjoy a glimpse of this special time we had with our youth this past week.
Panel discussion of youth and leaders as they answered questions that were submitted anonymously.
Obstacle course
Treasure hunt
Self-defense class
Modesty fashion show for the young women reinforced being anchored in Christ
Young women crafts
Sports activities were a favorite. Our sportscasters for volleyball kept it humorous.
Corozal youth traveled over four hours to arrive at camp.
Scripture story skits
Sister Flake and Sister Castillo setting up camp
President Nefi Gomez of Orange Walk inspired youth with his life's experiences.
The young women love Sister Adams!
Elder Adams is a gifted leader of young men.
Singing hymns is an essential element of LDS worship services. So, we had a class on how to lead music.
The team of cooks was incredible! These gifted volunteers, all Church members from Cayo District, made over 1,500 meals during the six days over a camp stove and open fire.
Want happy campers? Make 'em showers!
This is the handout from the class, "We can have peace in Christ when we are anchored in Christ", from Mark, chapter 4, in the New Testament.
After this class we sang Master, the TempestIs Raging. (We sounded even better than this BYU chorus)
1. Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threat’ning
A grave in the angry deep?
Chorus
The winds and the waves shall obey thy will:
Peace, be still.
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, be still; peace, be still.
They all shall sweetly obey thy will:
Peace, peace, be still.
2. Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control! Chorus
3. Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, O blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore. Chorus
The handout from the class taught by Elder Flake (below), "Five Things that will Change You and Help You Change the World"-- the challenge given recently to the youth of the church by President Russell M. Nelson.
There were many hands that made camp successful. Our camp directors, Elder and Sister Adams, were responsible for making it all come together so well. Here, they receive a plaque of appreciation from Cayo district president Leovany Lopez on behalf of the LDS youth of Belize.
The branch presidents (leaders of our congregations) from our district meet regularly to plan and for training. This group from Belize City, Orange Walk, and Corozal met in the Orange Walk Chapel recently, with two missing. Elder Magnusson is blessed to associate with these dedicated servants of the Lord.
Elder Magnusson with President Lozano, President Gomez, President Peña, and President Woods.
Some of my favorite times during the missionaries' district council meetings is when we sing a hymn to open the meeting. Here we see the enthusiasm and unity that the elders have as we sing.
Enjoy this video from the week before as the elders and sisters (via Skype) sang Secreta Oración (Secret Prayer) in español.
Today in Primary I enjoyed being with the children as we learned the song, A Child's Prayer.
1. Heavenly Father, are you really there?
And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away,
But I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me."
Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.
I love the second verse as it answers the question of, "Heavenly Father, are you really there?":
2. Pray, He is there;
Speak, He is list'ning.
You are His child;
His love now surrounds you.
He hears your prayer;
He loves the children.
Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.
Enjoy this video of the interview with the author, Janice Kapp Perry, where she explains the fascinating story of when she wrote the words and music for "A Child's Prayer".
Is it time for Youth Camp yet? Almost! Friday we drove a load of equipment to Spanish Lookout where the camp will be. Elders Magnusson, Adams, and Flake put up the basketball hoop at the precise height in preparation for some fun playing time, among other activities and classes. Next week I'll share all about camp!
