Putting Your Shoes On

 

 

 

 

 

 

Putting Your Shoes On

Elder Brock Minson as told by his Father

 

When Brock was about 14 and he just became a teacher I got him up one morning to go do fast offerings. In his words he said he went from 14 to 3 years old in about 3 seconds. He didn't think he had to do it anymore. He was hungry and tired and didn't want to do it. I looked at him and said, "the toughest part about doing your duty is getting your shoes on." I guess it stuck. I reminded him from time to time of that saying every time we had to go to a family reunion or going to a young men's activity or whatever and he would complain. I would say the toughest part about doing any job is getting your shoes on. Once you get there you will have a good time. In his farewell talk he used it as a fundamental principle of living the gospel. He said the toughest part about getting a testimony and living the gospel is getting your shoes on but when you do, you will feel more joy and experience, more happiness than you ever thought imaginable. Just put your shoes on and go to church, put your shoes on and serve others, put your shoes on and be  determined to live the way you know you should. It has been a life lesson that I never realized had such an effect on him growing up.

 

Elder Echo Hawk, Presidents and Sister Lopez and Pagaduan and the Escalante elders

Dinner at Dr. Marty's with Gay and the Pagaduans

Escalante District conference

We had a wonderful weekend!  We were asked to drive the Cebu Temple President, President  Pagaduan and his wife to the Escalante District Conference.  We picked the President and Sister Pagaduan up Saturday night from the Bacolod Airport and drove them to L'Fisher Hotel where we had a lovely dinner with them.  We had a lovely visit.  They are a very special couple.  They have seven children and 6 grandchildren.  They have four daughters and three sons, just like we do! Sister Pagaduan is such a friendly and gracious woman and we had such a wonderful evening. 

The next morning we drove to Escalante with them and enjoyed our visit as we drove.  The entire building was full of saints so much so they ran our of chairs and many stood the entire two hour meeting just thankful they could here an apostle of the Lord speak. President and Sister Pagaduan both spoke in conference along with Elder Echo Hawk of the area presidency.  Sister Pagaduan spoke about temples and the importance of visiting the temple and leaving our everyday cares and troubles behind while we worship in the temple of our God.  Elder Pagaduan spoke about missionary work and the miracle of service.  Finally, Elder Echo Hawk spoke and told of his conversion to the gospel as a young boy of fourteen. He never thought that as a consequence of that decision he would become a general authority and have the opportunity to sit at the feet of the prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson and be taught by him.  He spoke about the first meeting he attended with President Monson in the Salt Lake Temple and being introduced to share his testimony with the leaders of the church and the prophet that morning.  He spoke very fondly of the elders who taught his family, Elder Pearson and Elder Camphuysen, who changed his life and enabled him to serve the wonderful people of the church.  He said,

" When I was 14 years old, two missionaries, Lee Pearson and Boyd Camphuysen, taught my family the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and I was baptized. Two years later my priests quorum adviser, Richard Boren, challenged me to read the Book of Mormon. I accepted that challenge, and I read at least 10 pages every night until I finished.

On the title page I read that it is “written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel; and also to Jew and Gentile.” In the introduction to the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, it says that the Lamanites “are among the ancestors of the American Indians.” As I read the Book of Mormon, it seemed to me that it was about my American Indian ancestors. It tells the story of a people, a part of which were later described as “Lamanites,” who migrated from Jerusalem to a “land of promise” (1 Nephi 2:20) about 600 B.C. It is an account of God’s dealings with these ancient inhabitants located somewhere on the American continents. It includes an account of the ministry of Jesus Christ among them following His Resurrection. Passages in the Book of Mormon suggest that over time they were dispersed throughout the American continents and islands of the nearby seas (see Alma 63:9–10). Their prophets foretold that many multitudes of Gentiles would eventually come to this land of promise and the wrath of God would be upon the Lamanites and they would be scattered, smitten, and nearly destroyed (see 1 Nephi 13:10–14)".

He also spoke of the similarity of the congregation he stood before with dark skin and black hair  here in the Philippines in comparison to the many Native American members of the church all over the United States and how vital a role they play to the growth of the gospel.  I felt so touched and inspired that I too have had the opportunity to serve the Native American youth and the Philippine youth during my lifetime.  What a marvelous work we have been blessed to do.  Later, I was able to shake Elder Echo Hawk's hand and marvel that I was shaking the hand of a general authority of God who has had many occasions to shake the hand of the prophet of God.  What a marvelous experience. 

What a wonderful meeting we enjoyed and then we were able to meet many of our participants and help two young men complete their renewal and original applications before driving the Pagaduans back to Bacolod.  After a short rest we took the Pagaduans to Dr. Marty's home for dinner with our friend Gay.  Gay and Marty have been friends with the Pagaduans for many years when they all lived here in Bacolod.  It was a joyous reunion.  I was so blessed to be able to share such a wonderful evening with the temple president and his wife and their good friends.  I love the temple and attending there, but knowing that I am blessed to be friends with the man who is the president of the Cebu Temple of the Lord and his sweet wife will make the experience even better as they want to socialize with us when we attend and have invited us to their home which is adjacent to the House of the Lord. How did we ever get so lucky to be blessed with these wonderful friends in our life.  We are truly blessed.

Lost wallet

Sept. 17, 2013

Today a woman came by the office selling snacks to help the orphan children to prepare for their Christmas.  I of course told her I would buy some and went to get my wallet out of my purse, only to find that my wallet was not there.  Our memories have gotten so much worse here in the Philippines and I had not memory of even recently using my wallet.  I must tell you that I felt physically sick. My heart was pounding so fast and my stomach knotted up.  I searched through the office only to find my lost thumb drive but no wallet.  Then I went and searched the car.  Dan said not to panic and that it was probably at home.  The young elders and sisters began arriving for their multi zone conference and so my heart was lifted in visiting with them.  We saw the wonderful sisters and elders (including Elder Minson) and shared the snacks I have purchased earlier.  After the missionaries went into their meeting we left immediately to go home and search for my wallet.  I was not really that concerned about the credit card or bank card and I know this is a cash society and most would not even pay any attention to the cards.  I only had P1000 in the wallet so that was not a real concern either.  My concern was I have no identification.  Both my AZ  and Philippine driver's license were gone.  That would mean I could not travel by plane anywhere and I would have no way to guarantee my identity here in a foreign country.

After searching everywhere I sat on the couch in stupor trying desperately to remember where I had used my wallet last and where it could have gone.  I sat in prayer until dinner and Dan asked me to pray.  In tears I pled with our Father to help me find my wallet and to bless my memory so that I would have an idea of where to look for it. After dinner, while I was washing the dishes a thought came to my mind that it could be in the truck we had driven to transport the new missionaries on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.  Wednesday evening when we were returning home from our responsibilities the rain began to fall and by the time we reached home it was raining very hard.  In the dark I rummaged through my purse to get my umbrella so I could unlock the gate and get into the house.  I have a vivid memory of the evening even though ten minutes earlier I could not have even recalled what we had done the day before.  Dan felt immediately at peace, but I of course,  worried most of the night about how we would be able to replace what I had lost her in a foreign country.  I pondered and prayed most of the night and just hoped that the wallet would be in the truck. 

In the morning we got to the office and were unable to get the truck keys because there was no one at the office.  Finally right at nine, the Anderson couple arrived and I went to ask for the keys. Sister Anderson gave me the both set of keys not know which was the right set and I went to look in the truck.  Dan walked up right then and took the keys from my hand.  He opened the truck and in only swift motion produced my wallet.  I was just flooded with tears of gratefulness.  God does hear and answer our prayers.  Several of the young sister missionaries had known of the situation and had prayed for me to be able to find the wallet and through the Lord's tender mercies I was able to not only remember where the wallet could be, but find it in the exact place I thought it would be after my tearful prayer at dinner. 

I have been so sad and lonely of late and needed to know that my Heavenly Father was mindful of me and my needs and that he did indeed know me and was watching over me her in this place far from my home and family.  Oh, how blessed I feel and know that it was indeed an answer to prayer for us to be able to remember and thus find my wallet. 

I do not always share my feelings about the gospel of Jesus Christ, but do not doubt that I know my Father in Heaven loves me.  He hears and answers our prayers.  I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed restored to the earth and that through the prophet Joseph Smith the priesthood was returned to the earth.  I know that we have a living prophet who leads our church, Thomas S. Monson.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true scripture and another testament of our Savior's ministry.  I know that if I am faithful and endure to the end I will have my family with me throughout all eternity.  I know that it was through prayer that my mind was enlightened and my memory made keen.  I know that through the simple pleading for enlightenment and help that my Father in Heaven was indeed able to bless me in my time of need.  I know my Father in Heaven is my father and that my Savior Jesus Christ is my elder brother and they do indeed watch over me and my family while I am away from home.  I am indeed blessed with a wonderful family and look forward to our reunion.

Junnah Adventura and Elder Ballon departing missionaries

September Arrivals to Bacolod Mission

Newest Granddaughter

Kennedy Faith Pearson

Newest chapel in Cauayan

Senior Missionaries and Cobings

Elder and Sister Neff, Rassmusen, Chins, Sinemas and the Cobings

Seven month countdown

We have been in the Philippines now 15 months!  We have 7 months left of this missionary journey! I must say even though this has been very rewarding, it has been the hardest thing I have ever done.  Living in a third world country is rather difficult. I must say I have had many eye opening experiences.  Here is a sample of the weird things we see daily: a young man working diligently to safely secure his motorcycle helmet to the motorcycle rather than putting it on his head; a woman sitting side saddle on the back of her boyfriend's motorcycle holding a child size helmet on top of her head with both of her hands (it was too small so it did not fit, plus holding the helmet means she could not hold on to the driver); and drivers driving down the wrong side of the road (not an irregular occurrence). Traffic rules here are "just a suggestion" so says the Philippino's.  When we first came here we had to go to get a Philippine Driver's License.  The test was just a urine test!  Thank goodness we both passed! The man who gave us our licenses told us to "just fill in the blanks", which has been good advice.

Another weird thing is every house has two kitchens.  One is called a "dirty kitchen" because it is outdoors. In our house here though our dirty kitchen is just another kitchen with the oven in it so it doesn't heat up the main living area. When the owner of the house met us and gave us the tour I did not understand why it was called the dirty kitchen because It is just as clean as the rest of our house.  September is the beginning of the "ber months"! All the retail stores will have their Christmas music and displays up September first.  The first year we thought that must be a joke until we went to the grocery store and saw it for ourselves.  It is not just in Costco or in a special holiday section like in the U.S. but everywhere.  The cities put up their trees on the capital's gardens, the restaurants put up decorations and it is not unusual. 

Another interesting thing is there are holidays several times a month! They have "heroes day", the "assassination of Pres. Aquino day", different Catholic "Saints" holidays, "Black Christ Day", each city and province have their own festivals, and it goes on and on. in the last week the Institute has been closed two days for different holidays. We go into the office and we will be the only ones there working because it is another holiday.  Birthdays here are a big deal also.  Everyone brings food and lunch lasts all afternoon.  We are not very good at playing all afternoon and so we eat and go back to work.  Everyone here says we work "too" hard and "too" much. They think Americans are crazy to work so hard! We have told them we think we are slackers, because we are only in the office from 9:00am until about 2:00pm, Monday through Friday. In the afternoons we spend so much time running errands: grocery store, pay our bills (you have to go to each location to pay them because there is no mail or on line bill paying), have our car serviced, or help the young missionaries or other senior missionaries.  Then of course when we travel we may be gone for full weeks at a time, so I guess we are not really slackers. We remember the days when we would leave for work by 6:00 am and often not return until after dark prior to retirement.