Faith Triumphs Over Fear

Thoughts on 88 days of Quarantine.

Last week we had three meetings with Elder Rasband. One with the Area presidency, another with all the DTA and Managing Directors and the last one with all the Mission Presidents and their wives. Elder Rasband will continue to oversee the South America South Area. 

Elder Rasband shared the following scriptures with us: Proverbs 3:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” He said: You need to be hopeful and optimistic. Do the best you can with the current situation and know that this pandemic will pass. “We must be believing and have great faith.” 

With all the commotion around the world, he shared the following scripture found on 3 Nephi 11: 29 “ … he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” 

He told us that he has been studying all the different types of crisis of the past 200 years and read about one of those in D & C 121:7 “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.” He said: “We are all concern about our families but remember that faith will overcome fear.” Faith triumphs over fear!” 

Another scripture he shared was: D & C 68: 6 “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come. “ 

Toward the end, he shared a scripture found in Helaman 7: 7-9 and told us how Nephi is lamenting and wished he could have easier days. And then he read on Helaman 7: 9 “ But behold, I am consigned that these are my days, and that my soul shall be filled with sorrow because of this the wickedness of my brethren.”  “You may sit and wish that you had other days, happier moments, but for some reason known to God Almighty you were chosen for this very day! I have written a book about there are no such things as coincidences in the Kingdom of God.  You are called for this very day and it is going to get better.”

He concluded with what President Nelson says every Thursday. He said please give them a little message for me. Here is a message from our dear Prophet.  Tell them, I love them. This gospel is a gospel of love. Second message, he always says: Tell them, thank you! 

The third one is from Elder Rasband. “We need you at this time,” he said, “in this day in this pandemic in this crisis. We need you.”

We have been having issues with our internet over the weekend but managed to have our zoom meeting with Elder Rasband on Friday and for that we are grateful. 

Con amor,

Vero

Why I love reading my favorite Book

Thoughts on 87 days of quarantine.

Whenever I hear anyone, including myself, say, “I know the Book of Mormon is true,” I want to exclaim, “That’s nice, but it is not enough!” We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts,¹² that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God.

I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions.

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day.

The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.

The Book of Mormon shatters the false beliefs that happiness can be found in wickedness¹⁰ and that individual goodness is all that is required to return to the presence of God.¹¹

The Savior declared that the Book of Mormon contains “the fulness of [His] everlasting gospel.

Joseph Smith declared the Book of Mormon to be “the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion.”³² It is the only book that the Lord Himself has testified to be true.³³

Most books contained in libraries of the world were authored for contemporary readers. And they were generally written for profit, with royalties accruing from successful sales. Not so with the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon gives purpose to life by urging us to ponder the potential of eternal life and “never-ending happiness.

The Book of Mormon teaches true doctrine to dispel false religious traditions.

My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day.

The Book of Mormon both illuminates the teachings of the Master and exposes the tactics of the adversary.⁷

The full power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is contained in the Book of Mormon. Period!

The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere.

My dear brothers and sisters, I testify that the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God. It contains the answers to life’s most compelling questions.

Immersing ourselves regularly in the truths of the Book of Mormon can be a life-changing experience.

Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son. Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon.

Something powerful happens when a child of God seeks to know more about Him and His Beloved Son. Nowhere are those truths taught more clearly and powerfully than in the Book of Mormon.

When you read the Book of Mormon, concentrate on the principal figure in the book—from its first chapter to the last—the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God.

We need to feel, deep in “the inmost part” of our hearts,¹² that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God.

Interesting as these matters may be, study of the Book of Mormon is most rewarding when one focuses on its primary purpose—to testify of Jesus Christ. By comparison, all other issues are incidental.

The Book of Mormon makes the solemn declaration that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.

The Book of Mormon is the most important religious text to be revealed from God to man “since the writings of the New Testament were compiled nearly two millennia ago.”

The Book of Mormon is a gift from God to all humankind, and He has “commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.”

Read the Book of Mormon! It will bring you closer to the Lord and His loving power."

Russell M. Nelson

I learn something new each time I read the Book Of Mormon. Today I learned to not fear and to be brave.

Con amor,

Vero

Good bye Handshake

Thoughts on 86 days of quarantine.

Words from historian Michael Zucherman.

“The Handshake, a popular greeting for centuries, died on June 8, according to epidemiologists in the New York Times. The cause was Covid-19, his wife, The Hug, confirmed. He was 1,519 years old.

Although his origins are somewhat murky, Mr. Handshake was believed to be born in fifth-century Greece to parents who needed to prove they weren't carrying a weapon. He grew up in Rome, where he appeared on coins and made a cameo as a display of trust in Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. 

He achieved wide popularity in the 17th century when the Quakers employed him as an egalitarian alternative to family rival Mr. Hat Tipping, according to National Geographic. The group used him in place of the then-common bow, curtsy or hat doffing in an effort to get rid of social rank. “In their place, [the] Friends put the practice of the handshake, extended to everyone regardless of station, as we do still,”        

Through the years, Mr. Handshake made many notable appearances. Many saw his work with President Anwar Sadat and Prime Minister Menachem Begin, in Jerusalem in 1977, as the pinnacle of his illustrious career.

He found particular success in the United States, where he became notable. Despite his success, Mr. Handshake's career was not without controversy. Feminists accused him of sexism for creating an uneven playing field between men and women. The latter often felt males used him as an intimidation tactic. Scientific studies tried to prove that Mr. Handshake was dirtier than a toilet seat.

His unpredictable personality did not help his reputation. He often appeared as limp, cold, sticky and clammy — known for leaving even close comrades hanging and feeling snubbed. Celebrity germophobes Howie Mandel and Larry David waged media campaigns against Mr. Handshake, hoping to derail his popularity.

Toward the end of his life, public opinion became divided on Mr. Handshake, and he experienced worldwide humiliation this past March. The coronavirus dealt an irreversible blow to his livelihood and reputation when he became the scapegoat for passing the germs between unsuspecting people. Indeed, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci, M.D., recently said that Mr. Handshake's death ‘will decrease the incidence of influenza dramatically in this country.’

"That's not true,” argued Ms. Hug. ‘All he ever wanted to do was bring everyone together, meet new people and seal deals.’ In addition to his wife, Mr. Handshake's survivors include his children, Bow, Fist Bump and High Five; and his grandson, Elbump (formerly known as Elbow Bump).”

I love this kind of humor. 

Con amor,

Vero 

I choose to write my own headlines

Thoughts on 85 days of quarantine.

"Sometimes I just want it to stop. Talk of COVOD-19  protests, looting, brutality, I lose my way. Become convinced that this "new normal" is real life.

But, then I meet an 87 year old who talks of living through Polio, diphtheria, Vietnam, protests, and yet is still enchanted with life. He seemed surprised when I said that 2020 must be especially challenging for him. "No," he said slowly looking me straight in the eyes, " I learn long time ago to not see the world through the printed headlines, I see the world through the people the surround me. Ii see the world with the realization that we love big. 

Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines. "Husband loves wife today." "Family drops everything to come to Grandma's bedside." He patted my hand, "Old man makes new friend." 

His words collide with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away. I ma left with a renewed spirit. My headline now reads, " woman overwhelmed by the spirit of kindness and the reminder that our capacity to love is never ending." Anonymous 

For me, today"s headline would read: "Zoom family meeting was delightful" 

Con amor,
Vero

Looking back

Thoughts on 84 days of Quarantine. A throwback Thursday post.

One question I have been asked is " What would you tell your 20 year old self"
These are the top ten things I would say:

#1 Your wealth in life will not be measured by your balance sheet because you cannot take it with you in the end. Choose your friends wisely. Life’s wealth is compromised of the friends and family you hold dear. Do what it takes to keep your relationship alive and well. Daniel and I have made friends we will treasure for a lifetime. 

#2 Happiness is found within. Over the years, I have had the opportunity of knowing people in a variety of circumstances. What has been more revealing is learning of the struggles and challenges that virtually everyone has endured or is currently experiencing. There are business failures, job losses, health crises, addictions, marriage struggles, wayward children, untimely deaths and so forth.

#3 Problems are the rule, not the exception, but we need to live in a manner of happiness despite those trials. We need to find comfort and move on beyond them. The trick is to live a purpose-driven life. Pastor Rick Warren wrote a bestseller on that topic. His point was simple. If you live your life solely for yourself, for good times and fun, our life will be shallow, empty, and unfulfilling. An abundant life is one that is lived for a purpose greater than oneself.

#4 Do something you love every day. Take time for you each day. It’s critical that you find time for yourself. For me, is doing yoga and meditating before I say my first prayer in the morning. Whenever for some reason I skip doing that, my day does not go as well. I’m convinced that having something to look forward to each day is a must to keep balance from all your must do tasks. Find something you love doing, cultivate it, and your life will be richer. I have known very unhappy people. I’ve found that the best cure for unhappiness is going out and doing something for someone else. 

#5 Kindness will win any argument and not only that but go out of your way to do nice things for other people even when they are not nice to you. Some of the most successful people I admire like Amy Anderson who wrote “what Awesome looks like” follows this rule to a tea, she believes in going out of your way to help other people which helped her business grow in the end. What is distinctive about Amy is that she genuinely enjoys doing things for others and has made it an integral part of her life.  

#6 Cultivate love for learning. That is self explanatory. “The ability to learn how to learn and learn to love learning will set you on a path for success/” David A. Bednar. 

  

#7 Scripture power. It’s worth paying a good deal of attention to what our scriptures tell us to do. What it says makes life better, happier, more fulfilling, and more abundant. Here is a little secret. Tithing is one commandment you can do 100%

#8 The best quality to have is virtue, “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise; think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) If you live up to this scripture you will enjoy the peace that Paul experience. The lessons taught in the scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ are meant for you, and for your happiness here and now. 

#9 Work hard because those who excel at whatever job they do really stand out. I would not worry too much about promotions or fixate on what comes next. Just do your best. That is what Daniel has always done at work. He simply does the very best he can and leaves the rest to the Lord. 

#10 Over all, have faith! When Daniel and I were first married, we were asked to move to the Dominican Republic. We had just purchased our dream home. The timing was terrible, and it made no sense at all. It was crazy, Mandy would have to move in the middle of her Senior year of High School. And yet we went. We left everything behind knowing that it would work out in the end and it did! 

Con amor,

Vero

  

I can't believe my baby is 38

Thought on 83 days of quarantine.

Where did the time go? 

I would give anything to go back for one day when my girls were little. They grew up too fast! Cristi was studios and always wanted to do well at everything she tried. Here is an excerpt of something she wrote on one of her blog posts. 

“When I was in my early years of grade school-  my mom went to parent teacher conference and the teacher reported being very "pleased" with my hard work and behavior in school. 

After a long pause she continued on with, "However, I am concerned with her stomach." Basically stating that at moments I seemed anxious or nervous... 

...and she was right.

My stomach often was in knots or had dancing butterflies whirling inside.

I was nervous.

I put a lot of pressure on myself to please my teacher and my parents... and well myself really. It hung over my head each and every day as I tried to do my work "perfectly." My mom recalls moments when I would be practicing my handwriting and would not get a certain letter to be just the way I wanted- I would end up erasing holes into my paper and then crumple it up and start over...and over...and over again.

I took school really seriously (a little to seriously- why didn't anyone tell me elementary grades didn't really count towards anything!) and therefore, I was slightly obsessive about it. Maybe a touch of OCD?

I was that kid that never had to be reminded to do my homework. I just did it. The consequence of not having it turned in was enough to make me never forget an assignment...EVER. I was a mother's dream.

Luckily,  that perfectionist little girl- the girl who felt like she had to do everything perfectly- is just a distant memory.

Today, I am much more free. I am okay to not have everything go as planned. I am okay with leaving a mess...a little too good at that one- I think. I am okay about coloring outside of the lines or making a mistake. And I am okay about not being perfect and pleasing everyone.

It was through expressive art journaling-  that I have found how to let go of controlling an outcome and just roll with what is.

It is what it is- is now my motto or in the words, ‘Do your best forget the rest.’

I will be introducing you my monthly challenge tomorrow...it involves making a mess...

But when does a little healthy dose of anxiety in children become a problem?”

I don't know what she introduced the next month that involves making a mess but it sounds like fun. I am happy to report that Cristi is over her OCD tendencies and now wishes she wasn't so relaxed. 

This is what she wrote on her Instagram:

"Yesterday was my birthday and I literally had to do the math to remember how old I was turning and then double check with a calculator! I think I stopped counting years ago! 

You know you're getting old when you're mostly excited about slipping into bed early on your early on your birthday. 

As I reflect on the past few decades and take note of the emerging grey hairs and smile lines that come with each year. I like to think of them as the representation of living. Living life fully with an open heart inviting laugher AND sometimes tears. 

I reflect on moments where my heart was so full of love that it could burst and other moments so broken that I wasn't sure it could ever be pieced together again. 

This is living.

It's learning into all those beautiful, ugly, and in between moments. 

Cheers to another year where I hope to be more bold and more unapologetically me. 

38 descriptions for 38 years on this Earth:

Believer+lover of Christ+ Mother+ Wifey+ Therapist+ Podcaster+ Photographer+Salvadorian+ American+ Truth Seeker+ Cookie Connoisseur+ Nurturer+ Empath+ Mountain Lover+ Exercise Enthusiast+ Teacher+ Kitchen Dancer+ Child Advocate+ Light Seeker+ Cuddler+ Mediator+ Parent-Child Connector+ Life learner+ Dog Lover+ Anti-racist+ Creator+ Listener+ Feeler+ Questioner+ Optimist+ Extravert+ Empowerer+ Story Teller+ Crier+ Friend+ Sister+ Traveler+ Humanitarian."

This is what I wrote on Facebook:

I am the proud mother of Cristi Dame. Cristi is known for her integrity, gracious spirit, loyalty, courage, strong will and compassion. In school, she was known as a "boy magnet" for her megawatt smile and effortless beauty; the kind of beauty that shines from within and lights up the darkest of rooms. There is not a soul on earth she does not have a smile to offer or an interest in knowing. Everyone is a friend. She is stunning in every form and facet. Happy Birthday beautiful! 

Con amor,

Vero

Songs Sung and Unsung

Thought on 82 days of quarantine.


This is a video from a talk "Songs Sung and Unsung" by Elder Holland given at General Conference on April 2017. He explained, “In those moments when the melody of joy falter below our power of expression, we may have to stand silent for a time and simply listen to others, drawing strength from the splendor of the music around us. It is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same. 

It takes variety—sopranos and altos, baritones and bases—to make rich music… all God’s critters got a place in the choir. When we disparage our uniqueness or try to conform to fictitious stereotypes driven by an insatiable consumer culture and idealized beyond any possible realization by social media—we lose the richness of tone and timbre that God intended when He created a world of diversity… don’t demean your worth or denigrate your contribution. Above all, don’t abandon our role in the chorus. Why? Because you are unique; you are irreplaceable. The loss of even one voice diminishes every other singer in this great mortal choir of ours…

And someday I hope a great global chorus will harmonize across all racial and ethnic lines, declaring that guns, slurs, and vitriol are not the way to deal with human conflict. The declaration of heaven cry out to us that the only way complex societal issues can ever be satisfactorily resolved is by loving God and keeping His commandments, thus opening the door to the one lasting, salvific way to love each other as neighbors…

… Brothers and sisters, we live in a mortal world with many songs we cannot or do not yet sing. But I plead with each of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir, where we will be able to savor forever that most precious anthem of all—the song of redeeming love. 

Fortunately, the seats for this particular number are limitless. There is room for those who speak different languages, celebrate diverse cultures, and live in a host of locations. There is room for the single, for the married, for large families, and for the childless. There is room for those who once had questions regarding their faith and room for those who still do. There is room for those with differing sexual attractions. In short, there is place for everyone who loves God and honors His commandments as the Inviolable measuring rod for personal behavior, for if love of God is the melody of our shared harmony in it. With divine imperatives of love and faith, repentance for all who wish to be there. “Come as you are,” a loving Father says to each of us, but He adds, “ Don’t plan to stay as you are, We smile and remember that God is determined to make of us more than we thought we could be.”   

Con amor,
Vero