Grandma's Tree

My Grandma, who lived with us after Grandpa died, was an insightful and remarkable person, often a spirited and lively lady who loved the Christmas season more than any other time of the year. Her blue eyes sparkled as she hobbled on her single crutch from one store to another, with me at her side, shopping for our Christmas tree, a job that was hers, and hers alone.

One bitter-cold Christmas Eve, I accompanied Grandma as she set out to find the perfect tree. Grandma was still on her crutch, frail and bent with very poor eyesight. We stood at our favorite sidewalk tree store surrounded by evergreens of all sizes and shapes.

I waited impatiently for Granma to pick her tree. “C’mon Granma, here’s a nice one.” I had led her to a healthy tree, lush and rich in branches, the kind Granma had selected for so many Christmases gone by. But Grandma pointed to a puny, undernourished stick of a pine. “That one!” she exclaimed. “Grandma, that’s terrible!” I protested. “Look, its branches are so sparse and meager, it’s crooked, feeble, weak and frail-looking.” 

“This one is just right, just right!” she repeated firmly. I shook my head but she bought it anyway.
Back at the house Mom and Dad were also astonished and bewildered at the choice of tree Grandma had selected. As grandma hobbled into the family room that night to decorate the tree she looked pale and admitted to feeling dizzy and announced that this year she would be watching us decorate it. How were we going to make this tree pretty, I honestly didn’t know. I just knew Christmas couldn’t be the same with this little stick-of-a-tree in our living room.

But Dad strung the colored lights impeccably. Mom used all her homemade decorations, hand painted wooden animals and tiny checker-gingham doll figures. The children gleefully fashioned brightly colored green and red popcorn balls. Just as we were finishing, Grandma awakened to see the finished tree and beamed in approval.

“You see?” she whispered and motioned me to sit next to her, “this tree is just right, Charlie, it’s one of God’s creations, too.” No matter how deprived and unwanted it may appear to be, look at what love and care can do.”

Mom and Dad lowered the house lights, and then joined us on the couch. For a few quiet moments we sat together, captivated by the warmth of the stick-of-a tree transformed into a brightly glowing Christmas symbol of charity. Even then I somehow knew this Christmas would always be special. And it was, it was grandma’s last Christmas, her last Christmas tree, her last lesson to me: “Look what love and care can do for the deprived and unwanted.” I have never forgotten this lesson.

Favorite story #3

Con amor,

Vero

The Cobbler and His Guest

There once lived in the city of Marseilles an old shoemaker, loved and honored by his neighbors, who affectionately called him "Father Martin"

One Christ-mas Eve, as he sat alone in his little shop reading of the visit of the Wise Men to the infant Jesus, and of the gifts they brought, he said to himself. "If tomorrow were the first Christ-mas, and if... Jesus were to be born in Marseilles this night, I know what I would give Him!" He rose from his stool and took from a shelf overhead two tiny shoes of softest snow white leather, with bright silver buckles. "I would give Him those, my finest work."

Replacing the shoes, he blew out the candle and retired to rest. Hardly had he closed his eyes, it seemed, when he heard a voice call his name..."Martin! Martin!"

Intuitively he felt a presence. Then the voice spoke again..."Martin, you have wished to see Me. Tomorrow I shall pass by your window. If you see Me, and bid Me enter, I shall be your guest at your table."

Father Martin did not sleep that night for joy. And before it was yet dawn he rose and swept and tidied up his little shop. He spread fresh sand upon the floor, and wreathed green boughs of fir along the rafters. On the spotless linen covered table he placed a loaf of white bread, a jar of honey, and a pitcher of milk, and over the fire he hung a pot of tea Then he took up his patient vigil at the window.

Presently he saw an old street sweeper pass by, blowing upon his thin, gnarled hands to warm them. "Poor fellow, he must be half frozen," thought Martin. Opening the door he called out to him, "Come in, my friend, and warm, and drink a cup of hot tea." And the man gratefully accepted the invitation.

An hour passed, and Martin saw a young, miserably clothed women carrying a baby. She paused wearily to rest in the shelter of his doorway. The heart of the old cobbler was touched. Quickly he flung open the door.

"Come in and warm while you rest," he said to her. "You do not look well," he remarked.

"I am going to the hospital. I hope they will take me in, and my baby boy," she explained. "My husband is at sea, and I am ill, without a soul."

"Poor child!" cried Father Martin. "You must eat something while you are getting warm. No, Then let me give a cup of milk to the little one. Ah! What a bright, pretty fellow he is! Why, you have put no shoes on him!"

"I have no shoes for him," sighed the mother sadly. "Then he shall have this lovely pair I finished yesterday." And Father Martin took down from the shelf the soft little snow white shoes he had admired the evening before. He slipped them on the child's feet...they fit perfectly. And shortly the poor young mother left, two shoes in her hand and tearful with gratitude.

And Father Martin resumed his post at the window. Hour after hour went by, and although many people passed his window, and many needy souls shared his hospitality, the expected Guest did not appear.

"It was only a dream," he sighed, with a heavy heart. "I did not believe; but he has not come."

Suddenly, so it seemed to his weary eyes, the room was flooded with a strange light. And to the cobbler's astonished vision there appeared before him, one by one, the poor street sweeper, the sick mother and her child, and all the people whom he had aided during the day. And each smiled at him and said. "Have you not seen me? Did I not sit at your table?" Then they vanished.

At last, out of the silence, Father Martin heard again the gentle voice repeating the old familiar words. "Whosoever shall receive one such in My name, receiveth Me...for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was athirst, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in...verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto Me."

Favorite Christmas story #2

con amor,

Vero

The Christmas Orange

The Christmas Orange 

Jake was nine years old and for as long as he could remember he lived within the walls of an orphanage. He was one of ten children supported by what meager contributions the orphan home could obtain in donations from local townspeople.

Throughout the year there was very little to eat, but at Christmas there always seemed to be a little bit more than usual. The orphanage seemed a bit warmer and there was time for holiday enjoyment. But most importantly there was the Christmas orange! Christmas was the only time of year that such a rare treat was provided and it was treasured by each child. They each enjoyed their very own orange and prized it as they slowly savored each juicy section. It was truly the light of their Christmas and the best gift of the season. Jake had been looking forward to his Christmas orange all year long! 

On Christmas Eve, Jake somehow managed to track mud from his shoes onto the new carpet in the orphanage. He didn’t even notice it had happened. But it was too late and there was nothing he could do to avoid punishment.  Jake would not be allowed his Christmas orange! It was the only gift he would have received from the harsh world he lived in. Now, after a year of waiting, it would be denied to him. 

Tearfully Jake pleaded that he be forgiven, but to no avail. He felt hopeless and totally rejected. Jake cried into his pillow all that night and spent Christmas Day feeling empty and alone. He felt that the other children didn’t want to be with a boy who had received such a cruel punishment. Perhaps they feared he would ruin their only day of happiness. Maybe, he reasoned, the gulf between him and his friends existed because they feared he would ask for a little of their oranges. Jake spent the day upstairs, alone, in the unheated dormitory. Huddled under his only blanket, he read about a family on an island. Jake wouldn’t mind spending the rest of his life on an isolated island, if he could only have a real family that cared about him. 

Bedtime came but Jake couldn’t sleep. How could he say his prayers? How could there be a God in Heaven that would allow a little soul such as he, to suffer so much all by himself? Silently he sobbed as he prayed for the future of mankind, that God might end the suffering in the world, both for himself and all others like him. As Jake climbed back into bed from the cold, hard floor, a soft hand touched his shoulder, startling him momentarily. He was surprised when an object was silently placed in his hands. The giver disappeared into the darkness, leaving Jake with what, he did not immediately know! 

Looking closely at the object in his hand in the dim light, he saw what looked like an orange! Not a regular orange, smooth and shiny, but a very special orange. Inside a patched together peel were segments of nine other oranges. Together they made one whole orange for Jake! The nine other children in the orphanage had each donated one segment of their own precious orange to make a whole orange for Jake. Sharing what we truly value is the true spirit of Christmas. Our Heavenly Father gave us His Beloved Son. May we like the children in the orphanage find ways to share His love with others less blessed. 

Favorite Christmas story #1

 Con amor,

Vero

Call your parents

Call your parents to tell them how much you love them! 

On December 11^thcalling your parents was the light the world thing to do. While I was busy traveling. I called my sister to see if my mom was there so I could talk to her but she had gone over to Tia Estrella’s. Life the past few months has been a reminder that I am growing older as our children are hitting the 40 -year old mark or closed to turning 40. However, in all our focus to deal with seeing our own children and grandchildren grow older we have honestly lost sight of the fact that our own mothers are also growing old. Both our fathers have passed. 

Daniel’s mom is in good shape but she is turning 90 next year and is suffering from pain on her hip. We have been visiting Nela a few times. As we said good bye last time it hit me hard that our moms are growing old…it hit me almost by surprise, which is crazy because it’s not as if they have become old all at once. It has been happening slowly over the span of many years.  But because my own life has been going through so much transition moving around to far -away lands, I had somehow simply failed to notice just how much our own mothers were aging…and it made me feel a little sad.

Forty years ago, we saw our parents as these invincible adults. We saw our dads as these big strong men who worked hard, protected us, and just took care of things.  Our mom were the caretakers who were always there to make sure our needs were attended.  In my mind, they never got too old, it was like they were frozen in time.  All through my growing up they looked the same age to me.  Strong and energetic and young.  That is how they have always seemed to me.  Always, that is, until now. Now I see a cute little mom who is fragile and breakable who walks a little slower than she once did. A lot slower, I may add.  The realization is finally hitting me that one day down the road (and I pray that it is many more years down the road still) these two people who have been the absolute rock and foundation for our life may no longer be on this earth with us.

It’s a thought I simply cannot imagine without breaking into tears. I need to make more time to spend with my mom. I need to make it a priority to spend quality time with her.  I need to make sure I get her advice now on the things I should know for the future so I don’t waste my chance to get it while she is still here with me.  I need to ask her to tell me more stories about her own life and all the lessons she has learned that might someday be helpful to me.  I need to make sure I let her know how much I love her and what she means to me while she is still here to hear it in person.

On Facebook I wrote this post: 

From my mother, I learned dedication and the commitment to giving your all in everything you choose to do but most of all I learned from my mother to have trust in the Lord and His timing. I learned patience and tenderness by watching her wipe the tears or hold the hands of other people in distress. I learned the pure joy of service from the countless hours of hosting events, from bridal showers, to weddings, to baby showers, anniversary, birthday etc. She was the one people turned to for help. Over the years, I hope to have learned from her wisdom and grown into my best self by emulating her example. I am so lucky to have a mother like mine!

Even as I write this I can’t stop my eyes from welling up.  I am not ready for the day to come when our mothers are not present anymore.  I’m just not.  They have been our guides and our anchor.  Whenever I need advice or sympathy I always know I can call my mom, And I don’t want to imagine a day when I can no longer pick up the phone and do that or when I can knock on her door and have her  there to answer it. Yet it is a reality that I need to start to remember so that I don’t allow myself to take one moment I have with her for granted.

Thank you light the world for making a day special to call our parents. It is always a good reminder. 

Con amor,

Vero

Ilumina al mundo

I was asked to give a Christmas message in Spanish I was not feeling well that day but I am thankful that I was able to talk.     

 This is what I said:

Nos encontramos nuevamente en la tan esperada época del año en la cual recordamos el gran acontecimiento que se llevó a cabo en Belén hace más de veinte siglos, el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador Jesucristo.  

Para celebrar ese gran acontecimiento, voy a citar los consejos de nuestros lideres. Nunca estaremos en error si seguimos el ejemplo de ellos, tanto los que viven como los que se han ido. Todos nos han hablado de cosas pequeñas pero importantes consejos que tenemos que tomar en cuenta para realmente mantener el espíritu de la navidad. Hoy voy a citar a esos lideres que ya se nos fueron pero que han dejado un legado a seguir. 

El presidente Monson dijo: “Cuando tenemos el espíritu de la navidad recordamos a Aquel cuyo nacimiento conmemoramos en esta época del año. En Lucas 2:11 leemos: “nos ha nacido hoy, en la ciudad de David, un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor.” En nuestros días, el espíritu de dar regalos ocupa un lugar importante en la conmemoración de la Navidad. Me pregunto si no será de provecho que nos preguntemos: Que regalos querría el Señor que yo le diera a El?  Permitanme sugerir que a nuestro Padre Celestial le gustaría que cada uno de nosotros le entregase a El y a Su Hijo la dadiva de la obediencia. También creo que nos pediría que diéramos de nosotros mismos y que no fuésemos egoístas, ni buscapleitos tal como su amado hijo lo menciona en el libro de Mormón. 3 Nefi 11: 29-30 “Porque en verdad, en verdad os digo que aquel que tiene el espíritu de contención no es mío, sino es del diablo, que irrita los corazones de los hombres para que contiendan con ira unos con otros. He aquí esta no es mi doctrina, agitar con ira el corazón de los hombres el uno contra el otro; antes bien mi doctrina es que se acaben tales cosas.” En esta maravillosa dispensación del cumplimiento de los tiempos, nuestras oportunidades de amar y dar de nosotros mismos son en verdad ilimitadas. En estos días hay corazones que alegrar, palabras amables que decir, obras que realizar y almas que salvar.” 

En mi país El Salvador tuvo una guerra civil en la década de los 80 pero algo bien interesante sucedió cada diciembre, tanto la guerrilla como el ejército mantuvieron una tregua de paz por la navidad y no pelearon, prometieron no luchar durante la época navideña y desde el 1 de diciembre al 6 de enero nunca se escucharon tiroteos no bombas estallar.

El Elder Hales dijo: La navidad es una época para compartir nuestros dones, fortalecer a los demás  y hacer nuestra parte en el reino de Dios. También es una época para expresar amor hacia los demás y dar testimonio del Salvador. Una forma en la que podemos compartir nuestro testimonio es tener la escena de la natividad en nuestro hogar para que sea un medio de iniciar conversaciones sobre el nacimiento del Señor…testifico que el Salvador vino en el meridiano de los tiempos y que vendrá otra vez. Doy testimonio de que Su Iglesia, restaurada en esa última dispensación antes de su segunda venida, es la obra maravillosa y un prodigio a la que nosotros Santos de los últimos días estamos consagrados. 

Cuando yo era pequeña lo más impresionante en la casa de mis padres en esta época era el nacimiento que se colocaba cada año con toda una ciudad completa que abarcaba una área bien grande debajo de una gradas de nuestra casa, nuestros amigos iban a nuestra casa para ver qué cosa nueva habíamos agregado al nacimiento. 

El presidente Hunter dió un discurso en el cual dijo: En esta navidad den por terminado un pleito alterado… Busquen a un amigo olvidado…dejen a un lado el recelo y reemplácelo con confianza…escriban una carta…compartan un tesoro especial …den una respuesta amorosa a quien no se lo espera…animen a la juventud…manifiesten su lealtad en palabras y hechos…guarden una promesa…busquen dar de su tiempo a los demás…apártense del rencor…perdonen a un enemigo…pidan perdón…traten de comprender y remuevan de su corazón el odio y el perjuicio…En esta navidad escuchen más…analicen vuestras exigencias para con otros…piensen primero en la otra persona…sean amables…sean gentiles…sonrían un poco más…no se tomen muy en serio y ríanse más…asistan a la iglesia…expresen gratitud, reciban con alegría a un forastero…alegren el corazón de un niño…regocíjense en lo bello y maravilloso de esta tierra…junte a su familia para compartir del espíritu navideño…en esta navidad renueve su fé…dele la bienvenida a un extraño…Dele animo al corazón de alguien decaído…envuelva menos regalos y cante las canciones navideños más…en esta navidad arrepientense de un pecado…envíen un regalo a alguien en forma anónima…visite a un amigo…ayude a un vecino quien tiene alguna necesidad…lea a sus hijos las narraciones navideñas... lea el libro de Lucas y memorise con ellos la natividad…expresen su amor en palabras una y otra vez. Si hacemos esto todo el mes de diciembre cuando lleguemos al 25 de diciembre habremos experimentado el verdadero espíritu de la navidad. 

Cuando estuvimos visitando Salt Lake un individuo se nos acercó mientras saliamos del auto para pedirnos dinero, nos conto una historia y sabiendo que ese cuento no era cierto de todas formas se lo dimos.  Lo hicimos porque pensé en lo bendecidos que somos y quien soy yo para juzgar?

Elder Packer dijo: La Navidad es el tiempo para pasar con la familia. El tiempo con la familia es sagrado. El plan de felicidad es un plan para familias. La familia es la organización básica en esta vida y la eternidad. Instamos a nuestros miembros a demostrar devoción a sus familias. Ruego que las familias de la Iglesia sean bendecidas, tanto los padres como los hijos. 

Cuando las parjas se casan traen con ellos las tradiciones de sus propias famlias para perpetuar de una forma continua la celebracion de la Navidad. Entre mis amigos he visto que ellos hacen ciertas cosas cada diciembre. A mi en lo personal me encantan los calendarios y voy marcando la anticipacion de la navidad haciendo algo cada dia para recordarlo. Una de esas hermosas tradidones son la que cada año hacemos algo para iluminar al mundo. Hoy 12 de diciembre tocaba hacer algo creativo, ya sea una manualidad o escribir un poema. Yo escribi este poema en Ingles para formar la frace Merry Christmas. 

May this poem be an

Expression of gratitude as we 

Reflect on our many blessings 

Received throughout the past 

Year! We are grateful and want to

Commemorate Jesus Christ,

His birth, His life, and

Redeeming sacrifice for us. 

It’s great to see our children and 

Spouses live and teach

Their children principles of the gospel

Message that brings happiness 

And joy. Thanks for your love and 

Support. We love you! 

Estamos a 12 de diciembre y todavía hay muchas cosas por hacer. Yo tengo un testimonio de lo que Jesucristo significa para mi vida y la vida de cada uno de ustedes. Recordemos su nacimiento iluminando al mundo, en el nombre de Jesucristo,

Amen

Con amor,

Vero

Everybody deserves a Daniel!

Last week, Elder Soares sent Daniel an email asking for his permission to mention his name on his talk on Sunday. We knew of the story when Elder Soares broke his wrist. 

Daniel lived in Centerville at the time and offered to take Elder Soares to work each morning. For the next three months or so, Daniel drove to Bountiful to pick him up every morning and brought him home from work. How sweet of Elder Soares to think of Daniel as an example of service. 

Some years ago, I was incredibly skeptical about trusting someone again enough to marry again. But then ten years ago that changed. Ten years ago, I met Daniel who came very well recommended by people who I trusted and for the first time I knew this time, it would be different.

At our age, we were not going to have children of our own but we knew we would share grandchildren together which is about the same. We adore all our 22 grandchildren and counting. I knew that I had finally met the right man for me and the right man to be the future grandfather to my grandchildren.

I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to find that person. He is an incredible man, an amazing husband an awesome father to all our children and a granddaddy to all our grandchildren, they are now all his grandkids too in every sense of the word. 

This year Daniel and I celebrated ten years together. Daniel is the man who makes me look forward to my tomorrows. He is my sweetheart and my best friend and I feel so blessed that he came into my life.  

Anyone that has been married for at least ten years could tell you that marriage isn’t easy. No matter how amazing any two people are, being married is still going to present its challenges. 

Just the fact that men and women are so different alone is difficult but then you add to that living together, blending a family together, going through trials together, and everything else that marriage brings, well the fact is that having a good marriage takes work! It just does.

What makes all the work and the challenges you face worth it is knowing that this person you are married to is the love of your life and that there is no one in this world you would rather face challenges with, fight with, make up with, grow old with, and have waiting for you on the other side when your spirit leaves this world and moves on to the next. Knowing that makes every single bit of marriage worth it.

And in closing I want to say to my sweet husband Daniel – I LOVE YOU!!!  Forever and ever and ever…Everybody deserves somebody with a heart of gold who makes them look forward to tomorrow! Everybody deserves a Daniel! 

Con amor,

Vero

Welcome to our family sweet boy, Isaac!

How baby Isaac came to be ours. 

My ministering sister in the Philippines last year invited me along with two other friends to cook tamales at her home. While talking, I became aware of a situation from a friend of friend in Texas who was looking to place her baby for adoption. I told her to send me the text her friend  shared with her and I would think of someone who might be looking. 

I tried reaching out to someone I know but to no avail. She never answered me back and as I thought about who to call next, a clear voice spoke to me saying” What about Bianca? 

Contact was made and the rest is history. All the paperwork from the adoption agency, home studies, lawyers, etc. came into place in a speedy fashion but while the adoption was pending, Bianca and Joseph could not share photos of the baby's face to anyone for six months until they had met with a judge in Texas to obtain full custody and that happened last Friday December 6, 2019. A blessed day for our family! 

There are just little things that happened, little miracles that happened throughout the whole process which reminded me, and I hope you too, that Heavenly Father is really in the details and in charge of it all.

The peace that this incident of divine orchestration brought to Bianca and Joseph is a tender mercy and a true miracle. From the beginning both the birth mom and Bianca and Joseph knew Isaac was born to be part of our family.

Con amor,

Vero