Modern Apostles Testify of Christ

It was fun to capture this lovely shadow as we walked along the promenade in Belize City last week.

We ended our week by attending the Belize City District Conference.  The messages were inspiring about ministering and the powerful effect of the Book of Mormon in our lives.  Here the choir is singing a beautiful postlude hymn as the conference concludes.

Our members gathered from Corozal, Orange Walk and Belize City to attend the conference.  The  San Pedro branch on the island participated via internet transmission.

Before President and Sister Adams returned to El Salvador, they were happy to meet Rodrick and Margaret Cardinez.  The Cardinez's have touched many lives through their service in the educational system throughout the years in Belize City.

Our neighbor Olivia Pat, who's the librarian in Succotz, and her daughter Katia gave us beautifully embroidered appliqué mats that they made.

Last week, in conjunction with the Rome Italy Temple dedication, today's living Twelve Apostles  and First Presidency posed for this historic photo in the Visitor's Center adjacent to the temple. They stand in front of marble statues of the Christus and His first Twelve Apostles. President Russell M. Nelson (center), whom we sustain as God's prophet today, is flanked by his two counselors.

This is what President Nelson said as he posted this picture to his Facebook page:  More than 2,000 years ago, our Savior Jesus Christ ministered to the world, establishing His Church and His gospel. He called Apostles and gave them the decree to “go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”
In our day, the Lord’s Church has been restored. The Savior stands at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As modern-day Apostles of Jesus Christ, the message we share today is the same message that Apostles shared long ago—that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ.....

The Church Newsroom posted this video of the First Presidency and each of the Twelve Apostles sharing their testimony of Jesus Christ:  As special witnesses to the world of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shared their testimony of Christ by recording excerpts from the original document, "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles."   We enjoyed listening to each apostle as they spoke.

The Living Christ document was originally published on January 1, 2000.  It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ just over two thousand years ago.

In Succotz we live across the street from the school and community soccer field.  I always enjoy watching the different activities that go on from time to time. One afternoon I heard a lot of joyful laughter coming from the field.  I was happy to see the school children running around flying kites on this breezy March day.     

The Pope Hosts President Nelson in Rome

The Deseret News reported on a historic event that happened this weekend:  In the first-ever face-to-face discussion between the heads of two global churches, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church and President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met yesterday at the Vatican.  "The differences in doctrine are real and they're important," President Nelson said, "but they're not nearly as important as the things we have in common — our concern for human suffering, the importance of religious liberty for all of society, and the importance of building bridges of friendship instead of building walls of segregation." President Nelson was invited by the pope for a private audience in conjunction with his weekend trip to Italy where he will dedicate the Rome Italy Temple on Sunday.   (You can take a virtual tour of the Rome Italy Temple at the end of this blog post)

The above photos were released by the Vatican.

Our friends, William and Graciela Jimenez of nearby Benque Viejo, were recently sealed in the Guatemala City Temple. Already married civilly, William and Graciela traveled to the temple where they were "sealed" for time and eternity in a beautiful and sacred ceremony, and their three children were also sealed to them.  Those who are sealed in the temple have the assurance that their relationship will continue forever as they are true to their covenants.

We were privileged to teach the Jimenez family the six classes that prepared them for this most important step in their lives.

Zone conference was held this week for all the missionaries in Belize. President Adams flew in from El Salvador to preside at the conference.

It's always exciting to meet every six weeks with the other senior couples and missionaries of Belize to be trained and motivated by our mission president and his wife.

We joined with the other senior couples in preparing and serving the zone conference lunch.

As a unique treat this week, the senior couples along with President and Sister Adams visited Cahal Pech, a set of Mayan ruins situated on the hill overlooking the town of San Ignacio. (From left to right: the VandeMerwe's, Adams', Magnusson's, Jensen's)

Archaeologists first discovered the site in the 1950s but excavation didn’t begin until 1988. Researchers believe that Cahal Pech was occupied from 1200 B.C. to 900 A.D. and includes temples and residential structures.

As part of his Belize trip, President Adams also conducted training for the two district presidencies. From left to right: Cayo District President Amin Salazar, Mission President Eric Adams, Belize City District Presidency 1st Counselor Paul Woods, Belize City District President Hilberto Casanova, Elder Magnusson.

We've been patiently waiting for the opening of La Popular Bakery in the neighborhood where we were living in Belize City.  In our visit to the city this weekend for the district conference, we were elated that the bakery opened yesterday! 

The "Crocodile" (a pastry) appears to be a regular product.

Take a virtual tour of the Rome Italy temple.

Island Travels

We were on assignment this week once again to the town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. We paused to admire the beautiful coast at sunset. 

Returning from San Pedro we stopped at Caye Caulker to visit some church members. An island about one mile wide and five miles long--an hour by boat from Belize City--Caye Caulker was once a remote fishing village but now is a popular destination. It is the home to about 1,500 residents whose primary occupations are in tourism.   

Caye Caulker is smaller and quieter than Ambergris Caye and San Pedro Town. Mode of travel is limited to bicycle, a few golf carts, and lots of walking on the packed sand streets and lanes.

Elder Magnusson discusses our visit with our friend Frank Ross, elders quorum president of the San Pedro Branch, who resides on Caye Caulker. Frank conducts regular ministering visits with the church members who live on the island. 

  

As a way of training Primary leaders in the Maya Mopan Branch, I recently taught singing time to these children. To start our lesson, we read Matthew 5:16   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  What was the song we learned? Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, of course!

Elder Chiesa, originally from Uruguay, is a zone leader in our area. He recently was transferred to Belize from El Salvador, and so he just received his new badge in English. Elder Chiesa has made remarkable progress in learning English so he can communicate effectively in this country.  

No, we didn't attend a funeral. It was district conference this weekend and this gorgeous arrangement of native flowers graced the chapel.

Our church produced a new video this past week that is titled:  Migration: A Yearning for Home. Many species are innately drawn to return to their location of origin.  Are human beings different? And, where is home? Watch and see.

Visiting With Friends

As we pass by the children of Succotz, I enjoy giving them paper treasures that I keep in my purse.  Their reaction and smiles as they receive their simple gifts bring me much joy.  

If you want your own set of paper treasures in your purse, you can get the links off our family blog by clicking here.  

Last Sunday we were able  to attend  church in Santa Elena.   In Primary we learned about why we are baptized as we read John 3:5:   Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

After their lesson on baptism, the children enjoyed coloring a picture of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist.  They also learned the song, Baptism, which is featured in the video below.  

Children love to put together this 12-piece puzzle of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus that I also keep in my purse and take out when they have an opportunity to put it together. 

It's a small world after all.  While in Santa Elena we ran into Shane Walden of Rexburg, Idaho, a neighbor of our son-in-law's parents. He'd left sub-zero temperatures of Idaho to come to our 98 degree climate.

We've had the privilege of teaching the Jimenez family of Benque Viejo as they prepare to go to the Guatemala City Temple. Here they're reading from the Bible, 2 Chronicles 3:1-2, as we learn about the purpose of temples, ancient and modern. 

You can also see the video by clicking here

Lloyd Chi, one of our Pathway students, shows us the missionary badge he wore while a full-time missionary in Guatemala among the Kekchí-speaking people. Kekchí (or Q'eqchi'), an ancient Maya language, is still spoken by some in Belize. 

The Belize zone leaders and sister training leaders came to Belize City this week to receive training via telecommunication from our mission president in El Salvador. These strong young missionaries coordinate the work of their peers in this country. 

While in Belize City, Elder Magnusson enjoyed visiting again his good friend Aubrey Cadle. Aubrey is a veteran tour guide and expert in Belizean history and archeology.   

We were also so happy to be invited to the birthday party of our dear friend Margaret Cardinez. Margaret was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this past December. 

The flora of Belize is unique and beautiful, and always captures our attention!  We saw this unusual red flowering plant in Belize City.  The flower reminds me of a fuzzy red pipe cleaner.

Serving With All Our Heart in Succotz

On a morning walk on the road behind Succotz village--the day after Valentine's Day--we came across this shadow in the road. We looked closely at it, and loved it! 

The countryside is beautiful around Succotz. The bush is cleared to make way for farms and an occasional small dwelling. A couple of months ago we accompanied the sisters as they taught a man who lives in this remote house.  

A landmark in the town of San Ignacio is the Hawksworth Bridge. Imported from England and erected in 1949, this single-lane suspension bridge connects the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena.

This week, six excellent missionaries departed Belize to return to serve in El Salvador. Here we wait with them in the airport to bid a sad farewell. But, soon their replacements arrived and we were happy again!

Elder Pendleton (right) and Elder Zavala (left) chat with a local artist in Benque Viejo who has been commissioned to paint the Belizean flag on a sign post on one of the main roads.

With our missionaries of the San Ignacio district. Elders Chiesa (left), Elder Pendleton-district leader (middle), and his companion, Elder Zavala, are new to the district.

An Apostle Teaches the Missionaries

Elder D. Todd Christofferson, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, visited Central America this week and spoke to the over 400 missionaries serving in the three missions in El Salvador.  Our missionaries gathered to Belize City to listen to Elder Christofferson via the internet.

As we watched Elder Christofferson speak to us on the television screen, we noticed the painting above us on the wall. It is of Jesus Christ ordaining His ancient apostles. Why must God's restored church have living apostles?  Find the answer in the New Testament, Ephesians 4:11-14. 

Since the meeting was conducted in Spanish, Elder Magnusson sat behind and translated for Elder and Sister VandeMerwe. The missionaries grabbed a lunch bag as they left the meeting to return to their areas.

Not all of our work is spiritual, but it all is important! Here Elder Magnusson makes some needed repairs and preparation of the house in Benque Viejo that will soon be re-occupied by missionaries.

The house looks out over the Town Hall of this historic area on the border with Guatemala.

As Sister Kruyer and Sister Donakey taught a member how to do family history on the computer, I occupied and played with her adorable son.

The missionaries of Dangriga, Belmopan, and Maya Mopan are trained by their district leader, Elder Hicken.

After the district meeting, we took Elder Pendleton and Elder Winget to lunch at a new rotisserie chicken restaurant in Belmopan.  The chicken was just as good as Costco's.

Leaving the Cayo district towards Belmopan reminds me of my California roots and the city of Twentynine Palms.

Smiling in Succotz

We are starting our 4th month of living in Succotz, a couple miles from the border with Guatemala. Succotz is hilly, with rocky roads, and the people are amazingly friendly.

As we walk around the village, I love to hand this picture to some of the children as we pass by. (Our young friend, Mcklein, demonstrates smiling very well!)

The words to the Primary song, Smiles, is printed on the back.  I remember singing this song as a Primary child at church many years ago.  It is fun to see the children's faces light up when they turn the frowny face upside down.  

Smiles

by Daniel Taylor

1. If you chance to meet a frown,

Do not let it stay.

Quickly turn it upside down

And smile that frown away.

2. No one likes a frowning face.

Change it for a smile.

Make the world a better place

By smiling all the while.

Speaking of smiles, Maria M. in Santa Elena was baptized on Saturday.  Most of our chapels have indoor baptismal fonts; Santa Elena Branch chapel does not. So, an outdoor, portable font was used.  Sister missionaries Thompson and Holdsworth had the opportunity of teaching Maria the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Inside the chapel, while we waited for all to gather, we watched a video portraying Jesus' baptism. After the service, the baptismal font was drained, dismantled, and put away.

This short video depicting Jesus' baptism--narrated by young children--shares our Biblical teaching of this important step in our lives.

You can also see the video by clicking here

District meeting this week in the Cayo District. From right to left-- Bullet Tree elders, Succotz sisters, and Santa Elena sisters. Absent are the zone leaders of San Ignacio who were working in Belmopan.

As cold, ice, and snow drifts grip much of the United States, Belize dropped to a "low" 58 degrees the other morning. We're smiling as we enjoy the reprieve from the heat!

This bottom picture could be someone from Succotz (village next to San Ignacio) in 58 º weather or someone from Chicago with wind chills at minus -50º.