Past News: February 26, 2022

There is never enough time in our days! One things we are involved in is Humanitarian Donations from the Church. We are the representatives of the Church here in Albuquerque in the process that organizations go through to receive Humanitarian Donations from the Church. It has been eye opening to see all that the Church does to help alleviate need. AND there are so many amazing people and organizations who help the down trodden. It is such a blessing to meet them and witness all that they do!

We met with one organization to learn how the Church could assist as Afghan refugees arrive in Albuquerque. This was the beginning of a new grant for them. After we met with them, we got to work to figure out how much money would be involved. We then submitted the recommendation to our boss in SLC. It went up the chain and received approval. Now we are in the process of fulfilling it. There is cash involved and items from the Bishops’ Storehouse. We have worked with an organization that helps asylum seekers as they arrive here from El Paso, TX. We have ongoing involvement in the re-application of many other donation requests from other entities.  There is so much that the Church does just here in ABQ and multiply that by every city in the world and it is mind boggling! Our boss in Salt Lake City has been involved in a project to bring water and electricity to a Navajo reservation town in Utah. We are always looking for more opportunities to help here in our area. 

Another project we have been exploring and would like to get going is a project to video the oldest members of the Native American Pueblos and Reservations to record their stories before they are lost forever. Knowing who you are and the stories of your past help a person to face the challenges of life – strengthens emotional resilience and self-reliance. So that is part of the reason for our effort. Along those lines, Shelley has been able to create a family tree for one member of a Pueblo close by. 

 

We have visited several of the Native American communities. (I think it was one of our trips on a back road to one of them that did a number on our car. :-[ ) We've been invited to speak in several of the Native American units of the Church - their membership is so small that they welcome anyone they can get to speak :-) . When we went to speak in Alamo, a Navajo branch of the Church, the branch president invited us to his home for a late lunch after. Alamo is 2 ½ hours from ABQ so it was a welcome invitation.  His home is on a huge ranch. What an amazing place! It was a gathering place for ancient inhabitants. There is a huge rock outcrop on the property, probably 150 feet high, called Council Rock. It reminded us of King Benjamin’s gathering place where the people gathered to be taught. It is obvious that this was a going place in the past. The family has found hundreds of artifacts, including the stones for grinding corn, arrowheads, pieces of pottery and tools. It is located on a spring of water and there are tall trees all around (not that common in some parts of New Mexico). It is a beautiful place. We were blown away by it all.

 

Succeed In School Training

We haven't been very good about writing in our blog. I finally figured out how to get back in after so many months of being AWOL, so I will try to be more regular about posting.  Our weeks are always full to the brim and we are having wonderful blessings and opportunities. 

This last week we had visitors from Church Headquarters.  Two Seminary and Institute employees and a member of the Priesthood and Family Committee came to Albuquerque to train on a tool that has been approved for use on the Native American lands. It's called "Succeed in School". We have been working with a set of sister missionaries assigned to two of the Native American units in our mission as they learn how to use this tool to bless the people in these areas, Our Mission President and the Stake President over these areas joined in the training. It's actually a resource that can be accessed by anyone on the Gospel Library app under Life Help > Education.  But because it is being used on Native American lands, we can get this kind of support from Church Headquarters for implementing it here. It is exciting to be a part of this pioneering effort. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so many wonderful resources to bless the lives of God's children. The Lord and His Church are concerned about all aspects of our lives and thus have created resources to assist us in overcoming life's challenges. Being able to care for and overcome our own challenges allows us to reach out in love to serve others.  We can then better keep the second great commandment to love our neighbor as ourself.

 

A Visit From Elder Neil L. Anderson

We have had an amazing two days of feasting. We have been blessed with a mission tour by Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Pieper, President of the Southwest Area and Elder Vest, Area Seventy for our area. The big take away for me is the importance of a firm foundation of faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, for ourselves and for our families. Our testimony of the Savior and His divinity and ability to atone for the sins of all the world will be our biggest test in the future. This was a big part of Elder Anderson’s message. He counseled us to start preparing now by spending time building our relationship with Christ first by studying very thoroughly the New Testament along with our study of the Book of Mormon. He invited us to start with 5 scriptures about Christ from the New Testament that you really believe and then memorize them. The 2nd thing is to keep a great love for the Book of Mormon because it testifies of Jesus Christ. It is full of amazing sermons about His atonement. He then invited us to find 5 scriptures in the Book of Mormon as well and memorize them. With efforts to memorize, our faith will be elevated. 

Elder Anderson warned us that we are going to have to do things we haven’t had to do before in order to stay strong and not slide off the path. We are living in a time that will require of all of us to build strong faith in Christ so that whatever surrounds us won’t pull us off the path. We need to be “converted to the Lord and united to the Church” (3 Nephi 28:23;)

This message of the importance of faith in Jesus Christ was reiterated by each of the speakers. 

Elder Vest spoke about an experience he and his wife had teaching an activity age group of children about the Atonement of Jesus Christ from Preach My Gospel pages 51 – 52. They then had them teach it to each other. Most of them had a very difficult time doing it. The same was true of the missionaries that came into his mission when he presided in the New York Syracuse Mission. They didn't know very much about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He asked the question: What do we and our children know most about? Do we know about Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Pokemon more than about Jesus Christ? Why is it important? Why does it matter? Because without Him we have and are nothing. And because every good thing comes from Him. Another reason is found in Helaman 5:12 "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.” This passionate love of Jesus Christ will protect us. 

He quoted from this scripture in Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach [the Lord’s words] diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” He gave a modern adaptation of that scripture: Thou shalt teach these things when thou drivest in the car, when thou eatest dinner, when thou art on social media. (he gave examples of normal and natural ways to do this - not preachy) He also quoted President Russell M. Nelson from last General Conference who said, “With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily “by the good word of God” can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshiping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.” (President Russell M. Nelson, "The Power of Spiritual Momentum", General Conference, April 2022)

Our Testimony is that Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. Without Him we would be doomed to misery. He is the source of all that is good and light and true. We are so blessed to be serving in His kingdom.

New Mexico Packs Blog Post 9

We've been busy every day. There is never enough time in the day! But I can't always explain all that keeps us busy. One thing is Humanitarian Donations. We are the representatives of the Church here in Albuquerque in the process that organizations go through to receive donations from the Church. It has been eye opening to see all that the Church does to help alleviate need. We met with Lutheran Family Services to learn how the Church could assist as Afghan refugees arrive in Albuquerque. This was the beginning of a new grant for them. After we met with them, we got to work to figure out how much money would be involved. We then submitted the recommendation to our boss in SLC. It went up the chain and received approval. Now we are in the process of fulfilling it. There is cash involved and items from the Bishops' Storehouse. We are also involved in the re-application of 4 or 5 other donation requests from other entities. There is so much that the Church does just here in ABQ and multiply that by every city in the world and it is amazing! Our boss has been involved in a project to bring water and electricity to a Navajo reservation town in Utah. We are looking for more opportunities to help here in our area. 

Another project we have been exploring and would like to get going is a project to video the oldest members of the Native American Pueblos and Reservations to record their stories before they are lost forever. Knowing who you are and the stories of your past help a person to face the challenges of life – strengthens emotional resilience. So that is part of the reason for our effort. 

 

We have visited several of the Native American communities. (I think it was one of our trips on a back road to one of them that did our car in. :-[ ) We were invited to speak in Alamo, a Navajo branch of the Church. The branch president invited us to his home for a late lunch after. Alamo is 2 ½ hours from ABQ so it was a welcome invitation.  His home is on a ranch owned by his father-in-law. His wife grew up there. What an amazing place! It was a gathering place for ancient inhabitants. There was a huge rock outcrop, probably 150 feet high, called Council Rock. It reminded us of King Benjamin's gathering place where the people gathered to be taught. It is obvious that this was a going place in the past. The family has found hundreds of artifacts, including the stones for grinding corn, arrowheads, pieces of pottery and tools. It is located on a spring of water and there are tall trees all around (not that common in this part of New Mexico). It is a beautiful place. We were blown away by it all.

                                       Native American Dancers from a New Mexico Pueblo

                                          at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque

We also had the opportunity to attend the meetings of the Swahili Branch of the Church here in ABQ. That was an amazing experience too! It's a small group but growing. There had been a baptism the day before so the lady was confirmed in church. It was all done by the Swahili members. There is a set of elders in the branch who, even though they received no MTC training in Swahili, were translating on the fly from Swahili to English and the other way around depending on who was speaking. They have picked it up after getting here and they were doing a great job. Talk about the Gift of Tongues! It was humbling to be there, the Spirit was strong.

 

We prepared and presented some training to Stake leaders in one stake and we are going to present in the Santa Fe Stake next Saturday in a leadership meeting associated with their Stake Conference. Preparing for those things takes time. We are trying to enlarge the vision of what Welfare and Self-Reliance is and how it can bless the lives of members and non-members. It includes but is way more than running self-reliance groups. I believe it is where the rubber meets the road in helping people change their circumstances and overcome the things that hold them back. I like to think that it is building Zion people prepared to meet the Savior.

 

Oh yes, one more thing. We had a fun visit from our daughter-in-law, Jessica's parents, Jim and Marilyn Barry, who are on a temple tour since they have been called to be the temple president and matron of the Provo Temple starting in September.. 

 

Well this is certainly long enough but I was trying to catch up on some of the exciting things we are experiencing. It is amazing how the Lord prepares the way for us – so many tender mercies. 

New Mexico Pack Blog Post 8

 I'm catching up a bit since it's been a while since we posted. Our weeks have been super busy. This post is for activities in the first week of March. We've been spending a lot of time training for our employment responsibilities. We're supposed to be able to help job seekers in the Albuquerque Coordinating Council area and even some stakes in the Southwest Area. Luckily there haven't been many needing our help yet but we had an appointment with one last week so we needed to be ready. Part of our training involves attending the various meetings available on the Church's employment site. It is a pretty amazing resource for anyone looking for a job or trying to improve their job situation. There are live meetings with trained professionals. They include resume writing, preparing for interviews, finding job leads, ask an expert, active job search groups, and starting a side business. We've had to attend all of those meetings to see what they're like. If anyone is interested in checking out the website, it is employment.churchofjesuschrist.org. It's a pretty amazing website.

We were also preparing a presentation that we gave last Saturday for the Bishops' Welfare Council meeting in the Santa Fe Stake. We presented along with the Development Counselor and the Family Services Counselor to teach about the resources available to Bishop's, Relief Society Presidents and Elders Quorum Presidents.

 

A week ago Friday we had two consultation meetings with organizations that are wanting to apply for new Humanitarian Donations. It is amazing the work that these organization do. It's a blessing for us to be able to see all these things from this perspective.

 

Shelley has been working on getting some new computers set up in the Employment Resource Center. One of them is one for her desk. They were sorely needed and it's taken a few phone calls to the tech people in Salt Lake but they are finally working. 

 

We went to the Santa Fe Stake Conference last weekend. Elder Lynn G Robbins was the visiting general authority and he gave some amazing talks! We visited with him after the meeting Saturday night and confirmed that he is John's 2^nd cousin once removed. We traveled in a snow storm on Sunday morning. It does snow here, especially in Santa Fe. We have experienced several. In fact, many mornings it is colder here than in Arvada.

 

                                            Shelley and the Albuquerque Temple in February

Now if you have endured and made it this far, I (Shelley) will tell you of the tender mercy I received that week. I was out for a walk one morning and walking past the row of garages in front of our apartment. There was a lady who has been working on cleaning out her garage for the last week. As I was walking past, she came up to me and asked if I could use a small desk and then added "that has a sewing machine in it". The sewing machine aspect caught my attention! I have been trying to figure out how I could get some mending and alterations done on some of my clothes. I thought maybe I should see about buying a cheap sewing machine, should I find a tailor, is there a place to rent them? I could go to one of the other senior missionaries and use hers but that wasn't likely to happen before she goes home. Anyway, this seemed to me to be an answer to a prayer. It's a 1960 vintage Singer so I'll have to try to figure out how it works. The drawers of the cabinet were full of sewing supplies and attachments for the machine. I continure to be amazed with all the blessings that come each day.

                                              Shelley at her "new" sewing machine!

 

We're continuing our participation in an Emotional Resilience group. We're supposed to share each week. This week was about addictions. Here is my share: "If you believe someone you love needs help but hasn't opened up to you, tell the person about your concern. Express your love, share your concerns, and tell of your desire to help. Even if the person rejects your offer to help, continue to show your love and don't give up. . . provide encouragement and support by acknowledging the progress your loved one is making as well as testifying that there is still hope and the Lord loves him or her." 

New Mexico Packs Blog Post 7

    Happy New Year!!

     Probably our most significant activity is with refugees from Afghanistan.  Several hundred refugees are expected in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces over the next several weeks.  The Church is joining other faiths in providing food, clothing, shelter, and job opportunities for these Afghan brothers and sisters and their families.  We are in the thick of it along with JustServe, the Church's website for announcing service opportunities.  Many abound right now and the response has been terrific.

     JustServe.org is very well organized and connected in New Mexico.  The people involved are so dedicated and enthusiastic about what they are doing, a pleasure to work with.  JustServe.org is all over the United States.  You go to JustServe.org, enter your Zip Code and up pops many ways to serve.

     Another activity we never knew much about is the Church's humanitarian effort.  Here in Albuquerque, the Church provides food, clothing, furniture, and other necessities to many local organizations who help those in need.  Humanitarian projects happen all over the country, and worldwide.

     We grow a little each day, gaining experience, meeting new people, learning a little at a time.  We find wonderful people of all faiths working to help people.  For all the ills in the world today, there are so many out doing good, helping their fellowman.  It's exhilarating to see.

     We celebrated Shelley's birthday in December with a visit to Albuquerque's River of Lights, a long walk-through light display of animals and other objects.  It's really spectacular.  It starts just after Thanksgiving and runs until New Year's Day.

River of Lights

     The full-time young missionaries are not left out of Christmas celebrations!  About 100 missionaries gathered at one of the Church buildings two days before Christmas for games and food!  The scene below is everyone in a huge circle playing games.  They had the largest "white elephant" game we've ever seen!

Mission Christmas party, December 23, 2021

     On Christmas Eve morning Shelley and I got up for an early morning walk and were greeted with this eerie sunrise scene.  The photo, as always, doesn't come close to capturing the beauty.

Sunrise over Albuquerque, December 24, 2021

A couple of nights before Christmas we were shopping at a grocery store, just minding our own business.  A family walked up to us recognizing our missionary name badges.  They were so nice, and then invited us over for breakfast on Christmas morning.  What fun it was!  Was this just a coincidence?  Well, they say a coincidence is a small miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous.  That's what happened to us!

In our little apartment on Christmas morning, December 25, 2021, headed for breakfast!

     The day after Christmas, Sunday, December 26, we decided to drive to Santa Fe for church.  After sitting down in the chapel we noticed some people a few rows in front of us who looked familiar from the back.  After the meeting was over we recognized friends from our home ward in Arvada.  They were in Santa Fe visiting relatives for Christmas.  We had a stirring visit!  Another one of those fun coincidences!

New Mexico Packs Blog Post 6

    The Christmas Season is upon us in New Mexico too!  Practically all the communities have special events commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.  The Native American pueblos, which abound around Albuquerque and Northern New Mexico, have their "feast days", many coincide with Christmas celebrations.

     We recently traveled to Santa Fe, the state capitol, where we enjoyed an awesome New Mexico cuisine dinner that included green chili. It was dark when we left the restaurant. As we walked out the door, we were dazzled by the beautiful site! The central plaza was all lit up for Christmas.   

Santa Fe central plaza lit up for Christmas.

     Another fun Santa Fe treat was the blue corn and lavender doughnut we had from Whoo's Donuts. Very tasty. We also got to see the famous spiral staircase, built around 1880, at the Loretto Chapel near the plaza.  This staircase defies all engineering principles in that it has no center support.  Fascinating!

Loretto Chapel, spiral staircase with no central support.

     Afterward we enjoyed a chat with several members of the Santa Fe Stake.  Arriving at the stake center after dark we marched into the middle of the youth activity.  We somehow dodged flying frisbees and escaped unscathed.

     The last two Sundays we attended the Montaño Ward and the Tomé Branch, both Spanish speaking units.  John got to dust off his Spanish from 50 years ago.  Shelley concentrated but struggled to understand much of what was spoken in the testimony meeting.  The members were so friendly and inviting.  What great brothers and sisters.

     Later in the week we visited the Montaño Ward again.  A youth group was playing an interesting game in the cultural hall.  They set up a PVC frame and socked a ball around, kind of like 3D foursquare.  Pretty cool.

3-D Foursquare

     Did you know New Mexico is known for its sunrises and sunsets?  Last week we had a meeting out in Estancia, about 40 miles east of Albuquerque.  Sunset was dazzling to say the least!  We've never seen a sunset toward the south that went from east to west...until then!  The photo doesn't even come close to the beauty we beheld, God's artistry!

Near Estancia, New Mexico, December 7, 2021, looking south.

     At the Estancia chapel the members have set up a Hispanic Cultural Center that offers English classes and other assistance to anybody needing some help with anything.  It's a remarkable undertaking.

     Out running one morning, more balloons!

Five balloons.  Can you spot 'em?

     Tomorrow, December 13, eleven new young missionaries arrive in Albuquerque.  As part of the welcome, the mission prepares a welcome dinner.  Shelley is fixing pulled pork for sandwiches and baking "biscochito"  cookies.  Biscochitos are the New Mexico state cookie.  How many states have a state cookie?  It's like a shortbread cookie with crushed anise, zested orange peel, and coated with cinnamon sugar.  Mmmmmmmmm.  It's of Spanish origin and dates back hundreds of years.  I think New Mexico is about the only place you can get it.  You can buy them in grocery stores too.

Biscochitos, the New Mexico State Cookie, homemade by Shelley.

     We've been attending the Temple every week.  What a blessing to be on a mission in a city with a temple!

The Albuquerque New Mexico Temple.

     Tonight, December 12, the Albuquerque North Stake put on a Christmas music fireside.  Musical numbers were performed by the stake choir, the congregation and young missionaries from the New Mexico Albuquerque Mission.  A testimony was given by our mission president and a Christmas message by the stake president.  The whole evening was inspiring and testimony building.  Quite a few young missionaries performed, seemed almost professional.  One number was on the chapel pipe organ, a medley of rousing Christmas carols.  Reminded John of Richard Elliott of Tabernacle Choir fame.

     The whole evening tonight bolstered our testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our Lord and Savior.  If we trust in Him, He will guide and direct our paths for good.  This Christmas Season we invite all to join us to "Light the World with Love" as we celebrate the birth of The Savior.  We invite you to go to www.churchofjesuschrist.org and see the possibilities.  View the video "The Christ Child", so inspiring!

     Merry Christmas everybody!