A referral

I found out the other day by looking at a picture on facebook that when I went to Utah a couple of years ago I gave a missionary referral to a temple square missionary and one of my referrals ended up in a baptism. It made me feel so good when I saw that. This young man does not know me and probably he never will but that is how the Lord works.

Wicked king Rehoboam

Today in primary gospel class, I learned that Rehoboam is the one responsible for the lost 10 tribes. In 1 Kings 12: 3-4 we learned that King Salomon had taxed the people heavily, and the people had grown weary of the tax burden. Salomon dies and his son Rehoboam becomes King who followed the unwise advice of his peers to be even place more heavy burdens and become even worst than his father. Because of this ONLY the tribes of Judah and Benjamin accepted him as their King. Another fellow by the name of Jeroboam led a revolt against Rehoboam and became King of the other ten tribes.
This is how the twelve tribes of Israel became divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Judah (Rehoboam) and the Kingdom of Israel ( Jeroboam) Amazing that all this took place because of one foolish king. And this leads to politics because this also applies to our leaders today.  How important it is for good men to run for office.

A Saturday to myself

The other day I was looking at young mothers showing pictures on facebook about their family life and for a moment I LONG for those times in my life. How precious they were and how I regret taking them for granted.


Today I am here by myself with a lot of time on my hands, the house is clean, there are no dead -lines or errands to run, no ballet for the girls, no soccer games to take Cristi to or basketball games to take  Mandy, or voice and guitar lessons for Bianca. No future plans to take trips to Mexico to visit  friends or family in El Salvador either.


Those days as a family are gone forever and that is why divorce is so hard because despite the fact those are  great memories to cherish those memories came with an expiration date as a family.  That is why I was feeling a little blue the other day. It is hard enough to be an empty nester but it is even harder when those wonderful memories didn't continue its natural course. I am sure it must be hard for Daniel too even though he does not express it. However we both ended up with amazing children and that on its own is a great blessing. We will forever be grateful for our dear children!


 A problem I deal with is that I wish I had married Daniel from the start when we were both single and that he would have been my only husband the way it supposed to be. I  hate to know I ended up with two husbands. As much as I want to block off and erase my happily married life for 22 years to what seemed to be a nice guy is impossible because so many things remind me of  those precious and glorious days as a Vanleeuwen. Is like I want to tell people don't judge me please, I don't know whose fault it was but I do know my Heavenly Father knows how much I loved my family and how much I wanted to make it all work for us and how I was willing to put up with verbal abuse if I had to, but my Savior knew better and gave me what I should have had in the first place.


Today I realized that perhaps my former life was like Joseph Smith and the lost pages. He learned his lesson for wanting something that wasn't mean to be in the first place. Now I have what I should have had to begin with. A wonderful husband by my side who loves me the way I am and one I can completely trust who will stay with me forever. On days like today when I have time to think about my life I only want to tell those young mothers out there. Don't complain about every trivial little thing but rather, enjoy your time together NOW while you can because one day you would wish that they had not grown up too fast! You have no idea how much I miss you girls!!

Activity day about preparing for General Conference

Today I gave the kids a packet to complete while they are watching General Conference. In it I outlined what we must do to prepare, nest, what to do during and last but not least, what to do after General Conference.


 Basically they are to pray for the leaders who will be speaking, they  need to pay close attention and take notes on the things they had prepared for us and lastly they are to continue re reading and discussing the talks with  their families for the following six months. We did some other activities and also went over the talks from April.


If we don't look at those talks ever again they will soon be forgotten. Some of the talks that stood out for me were:
 Our four minutes by Bishop Stevenson.
 Be grateful in any circumstance by elder Uchdorf, he said:" How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain."
How to protect our families from pornography sister Reeves said;  'the only thing that really need to be accomplished in the home are daily scripture study, prayer and weekly family home evening and the gospel is not weight it is wings it carries us."
 Defend your believes with courtesy but defend them by elder Holland,
 What he asks of each one of us is to be able and willing to take up to joyful burden of discipleship, by Rasband.
We best serve our father in Heaven by righteously influencing and serving others, by elder Scott, Obedience is taught by example and obedience is not weakness by elder Hales,
 I pray that we will not lose sight of the way by elder Zivic,
The willingness to see through another's eyes will transform corrupt communication into ministering grace, by elder Zwick,
 You are infinitely more precious to God than a tree and sometimes you have to stand alone by Andersen,
You hold in your hand the happiness of more people than you can imagine and righteousness must be chosen  and leave a priceless inheritance of hope by elder Eyring,
 Let your faith show by elder Nelson.
"We are not, and never need be alone" elder Bednar
 The eternally significant blessing of uniting our own families is almost beyond comprehension by elder Cook.
"Help wanted: Light and truth, serve as a mentor, listen to promptings, live the Gospel daily, so family history, become a missionary, rescuers, covenant keepers, true disciples step forward in righiousness" sister Burton
" Every child of God in mortality chose the Savior's plan. Trust that given the opportunity, they will do so again."

Whatever you are, be a good one!

Today's post is going to be inspired by a phrase I read from Abraham Lincoln who said: " Whatever you are,be a good one! and I may even add to that be not just a good one but an excellent one!! Daniel is like that.  He does his very best at whatever he is asked to do. People who come to the office have said how much for the better the Caribbean office is now from past years before he came as the DTA he is not perfect by any means but almost closed to that.


 As I follow his example I am also trying my best at anything I am asked to do too. I went to the temple today and had a good day. I was able to memorized a few things and worked hard at anything I was asked to do. One thing I know is that all it takes to enjoy something is to give it our all.

Teaching about setting goals

I taught at the Institute a class on setting goals. I told them  how there are short term goals and long term goals and even daily chores. All goals need to include spiritual as well as temporal things in our lives.  President Monson has declared to find time for our families, our jobs, for ourselves, our constant learning, our service in the community, but most of all, finding time for Christ.


  I showed the students the time capsule I made with the children in Primary and the things we sealed  inside like our testimony. I also show them my vision board and how it helps me remember the things that I want to accomplish in the future. It keeps me focus on the type of things I want to spend my time doing.


As I am writing this, a story from Steven R. Covey comes to mind as he shared at a time management seminar he used an illustration as he stood in front of the group of high-powered over achievers business students he said: “Okay, time for a quiz” and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the class yelled, “Yes.” The time management expert replied, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?” By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered. “Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, “Is this jar full?” “No!” the class shouted. Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?” One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!” “No,” the speaker replied, “that’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is, “If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all. What are the ‘big rocks’ in your life, time with loved ones, your faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you’ll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question, “What are the ‘big rocks’ in my life?” Then, put those in your jar first.”


I am grateful for that parable because it helped me step back and think about what my big rocks are that I need to put in my jar first.  Once I remembered what my big rocks are in my life it made it a lot easier for me to assign a priority to all of those tasks waiting to get done. Elder Ballard suggested that we take time to ponder the order of priorities to reach our desired goals.


Here’s an idea for all of us:  What if we go gather some rocks from outside, get a sharpie marker, and then get an empty jar – then we can write on each rock using the sharpie what we want the “big rocks” to be in our life.  Then we can place it on our bedside table or bathroom counter or somewhere we will be sure to see it each morning when we wake up.  That can serve as a daily reminder for how we should prioritize each day….big rocks always come first! I saw this example in Puerto Rico as I attended  a relief society activity. We wrote special attributes like love, charity, faith etc.


I am looking at my big rocks on my vision board today and have realized that there are some things for sure I am doing and some I am not. Example: Item number 1. Temple attendance yes! and not only that but I am also a temple worker on Thursdays. 2. Reading the scriptures, daily prayers and family home evenings Yes! except when we forget. LOL 3. Diet and Exercising, Yes! I even have hired a trainer and go to zumba in the evenings and I only prepare food from scratch, no more canned processed foods 4. Travel, Yes! This year alone I have gone to Chile, El Salvador, Utah three times, Idaho, Nebraska twice, New York twice, and Miami too many to count! 5.piano is one I am neglecting a little so I'll get to it this week. 6. writing my book is another one that needs my attention and I will continue another chapter today as Daniel has gone out of town. 7. learning French has not been a big priority for me, it is more like a hobby so I can work in the temple with French speaking patrons. 8. Investing yes! My father always said: save your money to invest for a rainy day either start a business or invest it in the stock market or on real estate. I haven't started a business, I don't know much about investing in the market but I do know how to buy and rent out properties. Not the ideal business but it is something for starters. 9. Family History is one I am  neglecting too and I only have it in my vision board because it is one item in my patriarchal blessing. And there you have folks, those are the nine big rocks in my life at the moment.

FHE: What is our mission?

Today for family home evening we listen to a presentation by elder Gay. He talked about accomplished the work in a way that we ask ourselves what is our mission in this life? What does our Heavenly Father want us to do? Don't go to work and especially for the Church thinking that all you have is a job to do. Think of the impact you are making on the world around you. Also don't think that because you went to Harvard and were successful as a business man that you are better than anyone else because our Heavenly Father loves each one of us the same.

Be excited for your future!

 "Just because the past didn't turn out the way you wanted it to, doesn't mean your future can't be better than you've ever imagines. "  Unknown.

I want to start my post today with another blogger's Jara Golden, words. She wrote the following;

"I was asked an interesting series of questions a couple of months ago. More surprising to me than the topic of conversation, was the language used to describe the events in my life this woman wanted to gain clarity around.


Her initial message asked how I was able to be “so graceful in dealing with what happened?”


I asked if she meant my divorce.


She confirmed that she was asking about my divorce, and went on to say she was intrigued by how I’ve “handled it so well despite the circumstances”, and that she was interested in hearing how I got through such “heartbreak”.


I don’t think the conversation went quite as she had planned. Actually, I know it didn’t because she told me.


I shared this with her...


I didn’t “deal with what happened”, I CHOSE what happened, and DECIDED how I would RESPOND to a situation I had created, or at the very least allowed, rather than REACT to something that had “happened to me”. I never felt like I had to “deal” with anything.


As for how I was able “handle things well despite the circumstances”... what can I say? In one way or another I chose each and every one of the circumstances I was living with. If I was going to try and blame “them” for what was “happening to me” I may as well have been pointing the finger right back at myself. 


As I see it, an opportunity was created where two people could have opted to go along with society’s belief that the end of a marriage meant the end of a relationship, friendship, and partnership, or we could create our own set of beliefs in which we could allow ourselves and each other to be our most authentic selves and embrace that.


It didn’t happen over night, but I was able to see him as perfectly him, and he was able to see me as perfectly me. We stopped wishing for one another to be any different than we actually were in the present moment. We were able to take personal responsibility for the part we each played in the mess we had created, discuss the future, sometimes with tears in our eyes, with a certainty that the honesty, vulnerability, and authenticity we were now communicating with would be the foundation for the co-parenting relationship we wanted, the friendship we were restablishing, and the path that would lead us to the future we both wanted. Individually and together.


As for the “heartbreak”, it just wasn’t something I identified with.


I think I was heartbroken up until the point when we actually decided we were geting a divorce. Before the decision was made, I sat wishing and hoping that things would change, or that they would somehow be different, but I did nothing to make that happen. Once I took a stand for what I wanted and believed in, I realized this:


• Nothing around you will change until you do

• No one is coming to save you

• You’ve got to get up, go out, and do things for yourself


Gandhi said "be the change we wish to see in the world", not "hope", not "wish", BE.


At that time, my concern was to create peace, happiness, and stability for my children and I. Heartbreak was not a feeling or emotion that had any place in my day to day life. I wanted to feel happy, empowered, and like I could take on the world. 


Telling myself that I was anything other than those things, would once again have cast me as the victim of my story, stripping any hope of me being abe to create the changes I so desperately wanted to see in my life.


I had already spent years as the victim. Heartbroken, and wanting more from my relationship. It had finally become clear that neither of us was feeling fulfilled in the relationship we had created. So, we decided to divorce, and quite literally, love each other through it.


I met my ex-husband all over again while we were divorcing. 


I watched him struggle to find himself as a “single man”. I watched him find his own place to live, fall in love, and become the father I always knew he had wanted to be. Even now I see him creating a life he’s happy to live and creating the space for me to do the same.


Why would I want anything other than to see this man, the father of my children, and someone whom I love dearly, be anything but happy? What could I possibly gain from that? How would that enrich mine or my children's lives at all? What type of energy would I attract to myself if I wanted or wished anything but the absolute best for him?


My divorce didn’t break my heart, it didn’t break his either; it created an opportunity for us both to heal in ways that may not have been possible had we stayed together.


Nothing has any meaning except the meaning we assign it. 


I could have dealt with circumstances and heartbreak, but instead I chose to find a better way, a way that served my family and I... I chose to make deliberate choices so I could immediatly create the life I knew I was capable of creating... a life full of love, joy, abundance, honesty, and authenticity. 


I live it every day. Not by chance, by choice.


The woman I'm speaking of, may never see this message, but in the off chance you’ve ever wondered the same things she did, this is how I loved my way through my divorce."

Today as I was sitting at Stake Conference ( I can't believe how many people attend those in the DR Wow! )We managed to find parking and a some seats but the place got more and more crowded so Daniel gave up his seat for a little girl who was sitting on her mother's lap, because he is that considerate and thoughtful and plain wonderful. He is a gentleman, someone who cares about other people and not just him.

I couldn't help to think how fortunate I am to have found someone like him and hope someday his ex- and my ex- will realized how good we all have it. I like to think like this woman on her blog that our divorce didn't break us, it created an opportunity to become better people than if we had stayed together.

At least with Daniel, I will never hear someone tell me: "I love you, but I am not in love with you." Like when you love your dog but you are not in love with him. Hearing those words made me feel unworthy, sad and disappointed. That was a very low point in my life. 

Everyone has a story of disappointment they have had to face. Times when the thing they were praying for didn't happen. Times when they tried their best but didn't succeed. Times when things didn't go their way. It has happened to all people. But just because there have been disappointments in your past doesn't mean that the future isn't going to be amazing in fact, it's often just the opposite. 

Many times the disappointments we have face in the past have been leading us toward something a hundred times better in our future. Sometimes we simply needed to learn some lessons first so we will be ready to handle all the incredible things that are in store for us in the future. 

Going through hard times makes us more patient, and sensitive, and humble. Hard times help us discover the qualities we want to develop in ourselves, and without those qualities becoming a part of our character the future successes could turn us into a person we wouldn't really like being. So when the disappointments happen embrace them and recognize they are a gift that is helping prepare you for something better than you have ever imagined.

 Fast forward, today, I feel so loved and feel so much at peace. We can always find a positive way to view the things we are going through in life. After a beautiful and uplifting service we got home to start cooking everything from the milanesas to the salads and soup. It turned out a wonderful dinner and this is something I am now better at. Cooking was not my forte with my first marriage, neither keeping the house clean or keeping myself beautiful. Those three things I have to admit were lacking in my previous marriage but now I have learned to develop those qualities with my new life and loving every minute of it!

Love,
Vero

Liz's birthday

Today my sister Liz turned 49, she invited all her girls friends to a luncheon in her front porch. The best place to hold a party. If there is one thing I love about her house is her huge front room perfect to hold parties. What a neat design that I have not seen in any other home. So unique and practical. My sister Liz reminds me of mother Theresa, always giving, always patient with everyone. She is an amazing wife and mother. She is also a great example to me. She takes care of so many of us sisters and my mother. I don't know what I would do if she didn't watch over our assets in El Salvador.


One thing we discuss from time to time is how hard it must have been for our own mother to have been marginalized all her life as a single mother by choice. How hard it must have been to be considered less than desirable and to have our father not appreciate her. She no doubt loved him and cared for him but did he never cared enough to marry her? I never understood his position on not wanting to do the right thing.


I once saw an article that read: "Divorce can be disastrous. But where children are involved never getting married is far worse.' In an open letter to Sir Paul Coleridge, Kathy Gyngell wrote: "I salute you, I have nothing but admiration for your standing up, speaking out and lambasting contemporary casual attitudes to marriage, divorce and birth out of wedlock... Marriage everywhere is the bridge between bonds and kin relationships integral to the functioning and survival of human society. It defines social relationships, social and economic responsibilities. It establishes genealogical connections and confers "belonging" and social identity... No other set of relationships or connections whether through friendship, work, sport  or volunteering replicate the function of marriage."


Liz was fortunate to knew better and has stayed home raising her children. She loves being a mom. I admire her for that. She deserves to have a good life surrounded by a good husband and children. Happy birthday little sister. I wish we were celebrating together. Maybe next year when you turn the big 50!!

Time Capsule

Today was activity day making a time capsule and learning about our testimonies. I had  the children learn the five basic things about a testimony:1. God is our loving Father in Heaven. 2. His Son Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Redeemer. 3. Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and he was the instrument through which the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth and the Book of Mormon was translated. 4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Church on the earth today. 5. This Church is led by living prophet who received revelation.


The children were to write their own testimonies and place them in the time capsule with another paper that talked about them. Such as: Full name, birthday, place of birth, color of hair, color of eyes, father's name, mother's name, how many brothers and sisters, how old, teacher's name, grade in school, favorite subject, favorite book, favorite food, favorite sport, things I enjoy doing, best friends, I would love to travel to, I want to be when I grow up, my favorite pet is, favorite song, favorite color, favorite candy,  when I grow up I want to live in, etc.


 I also did mine to be opened in 2019 five years from now to see how my life has changed in five years and I think I would like to do this every five years on our anniversary.

Breaking the habit

I was doing pretty good posting daily but all of the sudden one day came and went and another and another and forgot to get in my computer but today I decided to write in the mornings about my previous day than catching up at the end of every day so I don't forget to write a post.


This week  has been interesting because I started teaching at the Institute every Tuesday so on Monday I did some research on the subject of the Holy Spirit and found a very good talk by elder Bednar that was made into a you tube 3 part segments. I discovered as I was teaching that perhaps the person that learn the most is the teacher. I also discover that I love teaching the young adults.


Today I had the most amazing experience at the temple.  I felt the pure love of Christ in there. I was asked to be guide the missionaries looking for their respective dressing rooms when all of the sudden I felt this immense love for them and for all the goodness they bring. There was so much light in their eyes and such angels that I could cry. What a remarkable amazing young men and women to leave so much comfort behind in order to serve. I love our missionaries!

Getting ready for the Holidays

I live here in the Dominican Republic and since there is no Thanksgiving Holiday, everyone starts thinking about Christmas as early as September so that is exactly what I am doing. I love this time of the year. I love preparing to and buying gifts. I love  the reaction on people's faces when they open my gift. My list so far goes as follows:
Our neighbors and ex-pats: Cabrara, Corbitts, Kimballs, Madsens, Flakes, Antivilos, Cornishes, Woods, Lee, Martinez, Rappleyes, Taylors, villaseñors and Zivics.
Missionary couples and temple workers: Gardners, Jensens,  Almontes, Morales, etc. 
Peple in our ward: Bishop Rotellini, the Smarts, etc.
Visiting teaching ladies: Vero, Damaris, Virginia
Home teaching families: We just got them and I don't even know who they are, three total.
People at the office:  Grace, Ingrid, Katty, Elizabeth, Roxana, Diaz, Alvarado, Toro, etc
Family in Uruguay: Abuela Nela,Estela, Roberto, Sandra, Miguel Angel, Cecilia, Marcos y familia, Pamela y familia, Matias y familia etc.
My family abroad: Vane, Liz, Mari and my mom.
Our family: Andres, Gabriel, Pablo, Alejandro, Ani, Hernan, Vale, Mandy, Bianca, Cristi. 

I love giving presents. I love planning surprises and putting thought into the little details and making a gift really special. I have so much fun anticipating the other person’s excitement and reaction that giving is way more exciting for me than getting a present. Not that I don’t love, love, love getting a gift – I mean come on, who doesn’t?!? But I can honestly say that I have way more fun with the giving. My only problem is we got way too many people on our gift giving list and I can’t cut anyone off. I am going to be in Uruguay this Christmas so the least I can do is to get everyone a gift.

 This holiday season I will try putting extra thought into our gifts. Remember that they don’t have to cost money, in fact the most meaningful gifts typically don’t cost much at all! The most meaningful gifts are the ones that you put thought into making them personal and meaningful, like a handwritten card, or a digital photo frame with meaningful photos, or a handmade craft of some kind. Those are the gifts someone will hang on to long after the expensive gifts have worn out. I plan to make a book of meaningful stories to read at Christmas time. This is something the sister Andersen did and also Mary Antivilo did for their families. Shhh, but that should be kept a secret. I hope I get to give some little thing for each person this Christmas no matter how simple it is but that it would show I care about them enough to make the extra effort.

 

A poem for Laurie

Today was Garrett fox's funeral and burial. He was in the Army and died from an accident while on duty. I know his mother and sisters from when I lived on Diana way, both of our families lived on the same street and attended the same ward. Laurie and I both found ourselves as divorced single mothers so I can't think of a harder time for my dear friend than today. In remembrance of Garrett here is a poem I found on his obituary column I want to share:

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998

Vacation time means no posts

I post every day I am home or even near a computer but when I go on vacation I don't write on this blog because as much as I love to write on my blog that would be one more thing I should not be worried about when I am on vacation.


 We left last Saturday September 6 early in the morning and came home today Friday September 12th. Exactly seven glorious days! We decided to go to Nebraska to attend baby Christopher Krone's baby blessing. It was another time to see family members and to support Ani and Spencer. It was a miracle we even made it to the blessing since we came in a few minutes late but the Lord was merciful and Daniel made it just in time to join in the circle. Spencer's parents came and some dear friends who are also very supportive and who had fellowshipped Spencer.


The next day on Monday we went to the zoo with Charlotte, Graeme and Sydney and Vale. Daniel and I had gone there before when we had visited Ani back when she live in Superior. On Tuesday Analia came to Omaha and got to visit with her and we went on Wednesday to Beatrice one last time to had dinner and to say good bye since we were going to leave the next day to Miami. It was great in Miami to spend some time with Alejandro and Lexi as always.


We left this morning to the airport to take the next flight to the DR. I love traveling with Daniel and to spend those days doing almost nothing. I discovered in this trip that this is the kind of vacation I look forward on doing. I like to see that he can sleep in and not worry about having some Dr. appointment or to see one of the houses or whatever we do when we go to Utah. I like visiting the kids but I hate all the commitments we encounter by going to Utah on vacation so I would remember this each time we decide where to go so you might guess by now, anywhere but Utah unless is absolutely necessary.

Job interview

It has been forever since I have gone to a job interview. Today I got up to see the Elementary school Principal at Carol Morgan and the Vice-Principal and her secretary. At any rate they were three ladies asking me questions about how I would handle a classroom.


 It turned out to be a test that I had not prepared for but somehow I think I did ok. One thing I noticed is that they were so young and needless to say, I felt old. One of the ladies even had a nose ring which I was a little surprised because that is such a conservative school.


 I felt like I could be their mother and that is when it dawn on me that the whole world in in the hands of people in their thirties, people who are very knowledgeable but with no experience but I have realized that as I get older and older those people we trust with anything from teachers, to lawyers to doctors are all younger than 54 but have managed to get in good positions. I still don't know what is my mission in life? I hope that for now is to be a good teacher.

Temple worker

Today I officially started as a temple worker in the Santo Domingo temple. That was one of the things I have on my vision board of something I wanted to do. I also will be teaching an Institute class every Tuesday.


The problem now is that Carol Morgan has offered me a job, something I should of have been doing but never went to talk to the Human Resource person until this year when I decided to take on so many other things. Bummer!!


 I love teaching and having a little extra cash does not hurt either. I love being productive and I know I will always be busy doing something. I am learning so many things as a temple worker that I don't want to miss out on this great opportunity so I am going to have to say no to Carol Morgan but hopefully they would keep me on their substitute list which is all I can do at this time.

Ladies Luncheons for September

Every month we hold an Ex-pat luncheon at one of the sister's  home and today it was the first of the schools' year luncheon and the one where we find out who has moved in. It turns out that four families are gone and three new ones have come in: One is the new President's wife, the other's husband works for the gold mine and the other's husband works for the Embassy. It was wonderful that we all shared a little about ourselves and we also brought a quote or something to share about one of the Conference talks. I shared my Elder Uchtdorf talk on being grateful and because I can't take any part out because it is all wonderful I am posting the whole talk.

Grateful in Any Circumstances

By President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

 

Have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

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10985_000_41uchtdorf Over the years, I have had the sacred opportunity to meet with many people whose sorrows seem to reach the very depths of their soul. In these moments, I have listened to my beloved brothers and sisters and grieved with them over their burdens. I have pondered what to say to them, and I have struggled to know how to comfort and support them in their trials.

Often their grief is caused by what seems to them as an ending. Some are facing the end of a cherished relationship, such as the death of a loved one or estrangement from a family member. Others feel they are facing the end of hope—the hope of being married or bearing children or overcoming an illness. Others may be facing the end of their faith, as confusing and conflicting voices in the world tempt them to question, even abandon, what they once knew to be true.

Sooner or later, I believe that all of us experience times when the very fabric of our world tears at the seams, leaving us feeling alone, frustrated, and adrift.

It can happen to anyone. No one is immune.

We Can Be Grateful

Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

We can be grateful!

It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.

As disciples of Christ, we are commanded to “thank the Lord [our] God in all things,”¹ to “sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving,”² and to “let [our] heart be full of thanks unto God.”³

Why does God command us to be grateful?

All of His commandments are given to make blessings available to us. Commandments are opportunities to exercise our agency and to receive blessings. Our loving Heavenly Father knows that choosing to develop a spirit of gratitude will bring us true joy and great happiness.

Being Grateful for Things

But some might say, “What do I have to be grateful for when my world is falling apart?”

Perhaps focusing on what we are grateful for is the wrong approach. It is difficult to develop a spirit of gratitude if our thankfulness is only proportional to the number of blessings we can count. True, it is important to frequently “count our blessings”—and anyone who has tried this knows there are many—but I don’t believe the Lord expects us to be less thankful in times of trial than in times of abundance and ease. In fact, most of the scriptural references do not speak of gratitude for things but rather suggest an overall spirit or attitude of gratitude.

It is easy to be grateful for things when life seems to be going our way. But what then of those times when what we wish for seems to be far out of reach?

Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be.

There is an old story of a waiter who asked a customer whether he had enjoyed the meal. The guest replied that everything was fine, but it would have been better if they had served more bread. The next day, when the man returned, the waiter doubled the amount of bread, giving him four slices instead of two, but still the man was not happy. The next day, the waiter doubled the bread again, without success.

On the fourth day, the waiter was really determined to make the man happy. And so he took a nine-foot-long (3-m) loaf of bread, cut it in half, and with a smile, served that to the customer. The waiter could scarcely wait for the man’s reaction.

After the meal, the man looked up and said, “Good as always. But I see you’re back to giving only two slices of bread.”

Being Grateful in Our Circumstances

My dear brothers and sisters, the choice is ours. We can choose to limit our gratitude, based on the blessings we feel we lack. Or we can choose to be like Nephi, whose grateful heart never faltered. When his brothers tied him up on the ship—which he had built to take them to the promised land—his ankles and wrists were so sore “they had swollen exceedingly,” and a violent storm threatened to swallow him up in the depths of the sea. “Nevertheless,” Nephi said, “I did look unto my God, and I did praise him all the day long; and I did not murmur against the Lord because of mine afflictions.”⁴

We can choose to be like Job, who seemed to have everything but then lost it all. Yet Job responded by saying, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return … : the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”⁵

We can choose to be like the Mormon pioneers, who maintained a spirit of gratitude during their slow and painful trek toward the Great Salt Lake, even singing and dancing and glorying in the goodness of God.⁶ Many of us would have been inclined to withdraw, complain, and agonize about the difficulty of the journey.

We can choose to be like the Prophet Joseph Smith, who, while a prisoner in miserable conditions in Liberty Jail, penned these inspired words: “Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”⁷

We can choose to be grateful, no matter what.

This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer.

When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?

Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind.

 Gratitude as an Act of Faith

Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true.⁸ By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”⁹

True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.

In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, “good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.”¹⁰

It must have been this kind of testimony that transformed the Savior’s Apostles from fearful, doubting men into fearless, joyful emissaries of the Master. In the hours following His Crucifixion, they were consumed with despair and grief, unable to understand what had just happened. But one event changed all of that. Their Lord appeared to them and declared, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”¹¹

When the Apostles recognized the risen Christ—when they experienced the glorious Resurrection of their beloved Savior—they became different men. Nothing could keep them from fulfilling their mission. They accepted with courage and determination the torture, humiliation, and even death that would come to them because of their testimony.¹² They were not deterred from praising and serving their Lord. They changed the lives of people everywhere. They changed the world.

You do not need to see the Savior, as the Apostles did, to experience the same transformation. Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared.

We Are Not Made for Endings

In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings.

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless¹³ and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny.

The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They are merely interruptions—temporary pauses that one day will seem small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.

How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.

Those Who Are Grateful Will Be Made Glorious

Brothers and sisters, have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

Do we need any greater reason to let our hearts “be full of thanks unto God”?¹⁴

“Have we not great reason to rejoice?”¹⁵

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.¹⁶

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.”¹⁷

May we “live in thanksgiving daily”¹⁸—especially during the seemingly unexplainable endings that are part of mortality. May we allow our souls to expand in thankfulness toward our merciful Heavenly Father. May we ever and constantly raise our voices and show by word and deed our gratitude to our Father in Heaven and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. For this I pray, and leave you my testimony and blessing, in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ, amen.