Thankful to Be Missionaries

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.   We'll let the photos speak for themselves as they describe our lives and activities as senior missionaries serving in Belize. 

(Left) Jacob Ical recently baptized his son in the Succotz chapel. (Right) Missionaries in the Mayamopan Branch on Sunday. 

(Left) Leaders in the Benque Branch watch the Area Presidency conduct training via the internet on our laptop. (Right) A farmer in our village plants his field of corn.

We were able to celebrate our American tradition of Thanksgiving with these wonderful missionaries serving in Cayo. Elder and Sister Flake hosted our delicious meal.  

The four senior missionary couples met this week for training and to get to know each other.  We come from diverse backgrounds and places--Cincinnati Ohio, Alberta Canada, Southern California, and Hobble Creek Canyon Utah--yet we share in our love for serving and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We took some time out to visit the local Maya archeological site of Xunantunich, across the river from where we live. 

From left to right: Sister VandeMerwe, Sister Jensen, Sister Flake, Sister Magnusson.

Elder Flake, Elder VandeMerwe, Elder Jensen, Elder Magnusson

Xunantunich is a rather small cluster of temples and structures, but its tallest, imposing temple towers over the surrounding vegetation. The site was first visited by the British in the 1890's, and is believed to have reached its highest population and importance in AD 600-750.

This past week I posted on Facebook this video about the fires in our home state of California.  Youtube said this about the video:  "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined other groups to provide food, water, hygiene items and clothing to the victims of the Camp Fire that decimated the town of Paradise."

You can also see the video by clicking here.

When I posted the video, I got his response from our dear friends, the Stogners.  

"Our daughter and her family were living in Paradise when the fire storm ravaged their community. They fled with one car and little more than the clothes on their backs. Everything they left behind was reduced to ashes.

They came to us in Cedar City.  Our ward here has wrapped their arms around them, literally and figuratively, providing clothing, toys, personal items, comfort, and prayers.

Our hearts are full and our spirits rejoice in the goodness of our brothers and sisters in Christ!"

Feeling Deflated? Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One

Feeling deflated? Our tire certainly did on our road trip as it completely came apart on the Northern Highway, half way between Orange Walk and Belize City. Yes, missionaries change tires too, and we were soon back on the road again. In fact, in life it's expected that there will be bumps and "flats" along the way, each one giving us needed experience.

This was our scene as we drove away from Belize City after our flat tire incident.  You better believe we were counting our blessings all the way home to Succotz.  

Our flat tire blessings......

1. It happened on flat terrain
2. It didn’t happen on a curve
3. It happened during daylight
4. There was a cloud cover overhead, so it wasn’t blazing hot 
5. There was a cloud cover overhead, but it didn't rain 
6. There were weren't many passing cars as we worked on the highway's small shoulder
7. Our car was equipped with caution reflectors that we set out
8. We found the owners manual--in Spanish--that told us where to find the hidden jack, and how to position it
9. My companion can read Spanish
10. President Gomez (from Orange Walk Branch) just happened by as we were finishing up, recognized us on the side of the road, and stopped to offer his assistance
11. Caribbean Tire was 40 minutes away in Belize City
12. We were in and out of Caribbean Tire within an hour with a replacement tire and a grateful heart

On Tuesday, we welcomed Elder and Sister Jensen from Canada.  They'll be serving in the town of Dangriga, south of Belize City on the Caribbean coast.

Elders and Sisters VandeMerwe, Flake, Jensen, and Magnusson

Light the World is a world-wide Church initiative to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by giving service to others. The missionaries in Belmopan have just set up their Light the World poster where they are calendaring appointments to share this message with the community.

On Wednesday, we drove to Corozal to do some mission business.  It's always a joy to visit with the sisters who serve in Corozal Town, Sisters Quiroz and Steinhorst...

....and have our picture taken at our favorite Corozal seashore spot.

We counted our blessings this week as we pondered our safety with our tire mishap and on our long cross-country drive. This rendition of Count Your Blessings was sung at the October 4, 2014 Church's General Conference. It is well worth the time to watch the video and notice the sign language interpreter's signs and facial expressions that illustrate the true message of this hymn.   

You can also see the above video by clicking here

Count Your Blessings

Text: Johnson Oatman Jr.

Music: Edwin O. Excell

1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

CHORUS

Count your blessings;
 Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;
 See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;
 Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;
 See what God hath done.

2.  Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? 

Count your many blessings;  ev’ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

CHOURS

3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings; money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

CHORUS

4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

The Tabernacle Choir's web page wrote a blog post about the history of the hymn that was written  in 1897.  You can read the article by clicking here.

Life in Succotz

What a difference 42 years makes.  The picture on the left is of Elder Magnusson's 22nd birthday in Provo, Utah. The picture on the right is his 64th birthday in Succotz, Belize.

We continue to enjoy getting acquainted with the Cayo District.  The scenes from our Succotz walks are different than the scenes from our Belize City walks.  On one of our morning walks, we hiked to the top ridge of Succotz and looked down into the next valley toward Benque Viejo and beyond to the Guatemala border.

This spider web reminded me of my favorite childhood book, "Charlotte's Web."  Being a city gal, I'm still getting used to seeing farm animals roam the streets.

On another morning walk this pharmacy sign caught my eye when I read: "Drugs and Poisons"  ☠️

When I passed by the pharmacy shop, I immediately thought of my dad.  Although he passed away 12 years ago, I am happy to know that family relationships are eternal and I'll be with my father again.

Most everyone in our new area speaks both English and Spanish.  Even though everyone knows English, the adults prefer to talk in Spanish.  I understand poquito español from studying it in high school 45 years ago.  The children prefer to speak English which makes visiting with them very enjoyable for me.

Our new district of missionaries in San Ignacio is composed of happy, bright, and energetic young adults, who are committed to teaching the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Price (back row, far left) is a strong district leader.

As we visited a shop in the San Ignacio marketplace, we got on the subject with one of the shop's owner of why we're on our mission.  As we chatted, we bore our testimony of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We told the shop owner that she didn't have to take our word for it, but should study it herself and ask God, as we're counseled in James 1:5.

You can also see the video by clicking here.

What we see in the video:
Mormons, properly referred to as Latter-day Saints -- Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - often talk about “The Restoration.” And while you may be familiar with “The Reformation” as a period of great change within Christianity, “The Restoration” is something else entirely. It refers to the full modern-day return of the ancient Church of Jesus Christ. The one that Jesus himself organized as described in the New Testament. This restored organization is called The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Soon after He called His 12 apostles, Jesus organized His church in order to bring salvation to all God’s children. The new Church would teach men and women about the nature of God, what was necessary for them to do in order to become more like Him and return to Him.

Howler Monkeys, Parrots, and Stone Speak!

We visited the Yaxhá archaeological site about an hour's drive into Guatemala. A former Maya ceremonial center and city during the AD 250-600 period, it's impressive monuments and temples are shrouded under a canopy of trees, and continue to be excavated from the earth and bush to reveal its mysterious past.

Ascending these massive structures with the aide of modern stairs was still difficult, yet the panoramic view of adjacent lake and landscape made the climb worth it. 

A Guatemalan family, in their colorful dress, also was visiting Yaxhá. Their ancestors likely are the ancient builders and inhabitants of this city. 

Howler monkeys live in the forest, both in Yaxhá and across the river from Succotz. Listen to the howler monkey welcome us to this ancient city of Yaxhá.

You can also see the video by clicking here.

We're grateful to Elder and Sister Flake for taking us to Yaxhá. Forty massive stone stalae have been discovered here, depicting history and bearing ancient writings. Can you see the face of the warrior in the middle of the stone?

Reading the Book of Mormon, one readily visualizes the cities and way of life of this ancient people of Central America. Compare with Omni 1:20: "In the days of Mosiah, there was a large stone brought unto him with engravings on it; and he did interpret the engravings by the gift and power of God."

It was time for zone conference again this week. We're now 30 strong in Belize, young along with senior missionaries.

Sister VandeMerwe, our new registered nurse, with the aid of her husband, Elder VandeMerwe, administered flu shots at zone conference to keep us well this season, 

Missionaries practiced using the scriptures more in their teaching. Truly, "preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just...it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than...anything else." (Alma 31:5)

It was my turn to prepare the luncheon: American tacos, one of the missionaries' favorites!

Elder and Sister Flake transported the Cayo missionaries to and from zone conference in a van. They're an enthusiastic group, and love to serve the Lord and the people of their areas.

We will be blessed with another senior couple in two weeks. They'll be living in Dangriga. The Flakes and us, aided by Elders Flowers and Grey, moved more furniture to their apartment, boasting a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea.

Our first guests for dinner in our Succotz house-- the Valdez family. We met Lily Valdez in her yard yesterday on our early morning walk up and over the hill behind our house. Their oldest daughter Daisy (far left) is in her final preparation to be a school teacher.

In visiting the Ical family who also lives up the hill behind us, we met their parrot. Listen to how he even quotes scripture!

You can see the video by clicking here 

"Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."  Psalm 150:6