Hi family,
We have been negligent in posting anything. I'll start with pictures, since that is what appeals most to some of you. I keep reminding Spencer he can just write a letter without pictures, but to no avail. In early April we had a big excursion come to the temple from the departmento of Huehuetenango. This area speaks Mam. They spent most of the day here at the temple, because it is such a long trip for them (about 5 hours). They left at 2 AM. As you know from previous posts, the older children tend the younger children--and do an excellent job of it! But I had to laugh because as I was leaving the temple about 1 PM, I could hear a toddler crying without even stopping for a breath. As I walked past a planter I saw him sitting on the sidewalk and I think his older brother was just plain tired of it because he stood by him to be sure he was safe, but he finally just reached out and kicked the sole of his shoe and told him to stop! I went back outside a little later and there two brothers and several other kids were playing on the temple lawn. I loved the women's and girls' clothes so I asked permission and took several pictures. I thought you might enjoy them as well.
The two brothers are in the center of the first picture. Now for the fun clothes:
The first pictures of this group are a grandmother and her grandchildren. Sweet, loving people. I love helping them here at the temple.
Now for a quick update on my health. I haven't been to the temple for over a week because I have a nasty virus. A doctor in our ward made a "house call" both Sunday and Monday. We did blood work and it is a virus--nasty cough and bronchitis, but it is improving now. He says to stay home for 3-4 more days to recuperate and to not spread it around. So I guess I'll return to the temple on Saturday of this week.
Also, yesterday I had the test done for h. pylori (a bacteria in the stomach) to determine if that is why my gastritis didn't get better with all the meds since the middle of December. Interesting. 0-40 is negative, 40-70 undetermined, over 70 is positive. My number was 153!! No wonder I have so much abdominal pain. I described it as feeling like someone kicked me in the gut. Dr. Province describes the gastritis pain as someone knifing you in the gut. Whatever. But now I'm on a regime with three different meds (including an antibiotic) for 10 days; then a different combination of meds for a month; then two weeks with no meds (which I had to endure the last two weeks) and we will repeat the test right before we come home. Hopefully it will be negative. La doctora says if we get that cleared up I will feel so-o-o-o much better than I have felt in a long time. Interestingly, there isn't an antibiotic known that will eliminate h-pylori by itself, it takes a combination of different drugs. She gave me a bag full of meds that would have cost a lot of money to take care of much of the treatment. If h-pyhlori goes untreated, there is a higher incidence of stomach cancer. So I am 100% compliant (as always) with the treatment. I am HAPPY to have a treatment plan and look forward to relief! Yeah!!! So, I'm a happy camper! Also, with lying around the last week with this crazy virus, I've had NO back pain, since I can keep my legs propped up and my lower back stretched, so that has been great!!
Sunday was good because I had the above mentioned visit from the doctor as well as a medical student (resident) who is a temple worker and received great medical care. Then a few hours later, the priesthood from the ward came with the sacrament. It had been three weeks since I had received it because of General Conference and being sick. So it was a wonderful Sabbath Day. Now I look forward to getting back to the temple!!
This morning when I was reading the Sunday School lesson (#15 I Am the Light of the World), a particular quote jumped out at me:
Elder John K. Carmack of the Seventy said: “Jesus explained, ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ (John 7:17). In other words, as you try it you can know it is true. This requires the faith to try, but it yields spiritual evidence. To the disciple who tries the experiment will come conviction, knowledge, and light” (Ensign, Nov. 1988, 26).
Of course, I immediately thought of Alma 32 and his unsurpassed explanation of the importance of planting the seed.
We teach our little children to pray, but it actually takes many years before they turn to pray in times of pain, heartache or even rejoicing. They have to experiment upon the word. The same can be true fasting. Sometimes that takes a crisis before someone immediately thinks of fasting on their own. Even something as frequent as partaking of the sacrament has to be experienced in a particular way. During this mission I have looked up the sacrament prayers and during the quiet time, I sometimes read them in Spanish and sometimes in English, but I have tried to reflect on whether or not I have taken upon me the name of Christ during the week and how I might do it better in the coming week.
I think that is true of temple ordinances as well. Most everyone I know was a little overwhelmed when they received their endowments. It takes attending many times before you begin to fully grasp the significance of the gift you have received. As we have been on this mission, I have been in the temple 5 days a week for about 6 hours. My understanding and love for every area is many times greater than ever before. As I listen or speak the words of the various ordinances: initiatory, sealings, endowments, I am so very grateful for our Heavenly Father’s Plan. A testimony of temple ordinances comes from attending frequently and prayerfully listening. It takes having a heart open to whisperings of the Spirit.
I’m grateful we aren’t expected to understand any principle on the first exposure—even the basic things, such as prayer. I’m thankful the Lord is patient with us as we struggle, question and ask the same questions more than once. I’m thankful, as a mother, I was able to teach my children and watch them grow as they planted the seeds for themselves and learned to do the Savior’s will until they knew it was from him—as was spoken of by the Apostle John (as cited in the quote from Sunday School).
I’m grateful I’ve had this missionary experience and have enjoyed the spirit and blessings of the temple on a daily basis.
.JPG)
