Dear families and friends,
Our life just keeps getting busier and the weeks are flying by! Although the weather is hot, it is also the rainy season--at least 4 or 5 times a week, it rains--usually at night, or whenever we have laundry hanging outside that is almost dry! The streets have become like rivers in many areas--it is still possible to walk to places, but we get wet. If we have to cancel a meeting or activity, we just reschedule it for the next day and it usually goes OK.
Our Outreach room at the church now has an air conditioner! Hallelujah!! And ceiling fans have been installed in the other rooms. Now we just need an electric piano that works--the one in the chapel has electrical problems and most days does not function, or it quits during a hymn. There is an older one in the Primary room that I use for piano lessons, and some weeks it gets carried upstairs to the chapel for meetings by strong young men. A new one has been ordered from Portugual because the current one cannot be fixed (many repairmen have tried already). One of the branch presidents in our building has a magic touch, or kick, actually. He gives the piano a bop with his foot just before church begins and it often will work throughout most of the meeting! Of course, he can't do that during the meeting because it would not be dignified....
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we will be on another island, San Nicolau, to distribute school kits and hygiene kits to the school districts there. The reason it takes three days is that the planes do not fly every day of the week--so we go on Monday and return on Wednesday with no flights on Tuesday. Oh well, we need a little vacation! We visited that island last year when we first came--it is very beautiful, lots of green mountains and beautiful beaches.
We are looking forward to General Conference--it will be shown live in the chapel in Portuguese for the members, but the missionaries like it in English (those that speak English), so we will probably have them (about 10 or 12) at our house to see it via our computer with a projector to show it on our living room wall. Of course we will have goodies to snack on. Times are 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. both days. You are very blessed to be able to see it at home or at the church or in SLC. We and all the missionaries cry when we first see the opening pictures of the Conference Center, the Choir, and the prophet and apostles.
Since school began last Monday, we have been very busy getting school kits to the branch presidents to give to needy members, and to other groups who help schools. The kits are in boxes in a warehouse downtown, and some days Larry has gone there three different times for different groups. We also received some stuffed animal toys and dolls(all new) from the Humanitarian Center in SLC, so we spent an afternoon with our Outreach Presidency delivering toys to some daycare centers in town and we stayed at one to play games with the little kids. It was lots of fun.
How were the birthdays, Joe and Marie? Our anniversary was also remembered by a little surprise party from our Outreach presidency--very sweet. 37 years seems like a very long time to them. It really is not that long!
We have a party for Relief Society and Elders Quorum tonight, an old-time dance (I don't know yet how old!) At least there will be good food!
We love each of you and pray for you every day.
Love and hugs, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Rains Can Delay, But Not Deter the Work of God
Dear families and friends,
Our rainy season has begun, but it is thus far not as much destruction as last year. It has rained 3 times in the past week, but in between it is sunny and warm.
Last Thursday and Friday we had planned to visit the island of Santo Antao by boat, and get a van and drive to the other end of the island to deliver school kits and hygiene kits from the Salt Lake Humanitarian Center. Our young adult committee of 3 and one of the church leaders would be going with us. Sadly, early that morning we got a phone call that the rain during the night had washed out the roads to that part of the island, so we should not come. The months of August, September and October are unsettled in weather, and yet they are the months when we travel to other islands for helping schools before and when they first begin. We will need to schedule another time to go, and hopefully it will work.
We will be traveling to the island of San Nicolau on the 27th--29th of September to visit two school districts for the same reason as above. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative. Access is by airplane (regular jet type), so we can get there, but then we have to drive a van around the island. It also requires three days of our time because the flights do not go every day, so we will have some time to be "tourists". We are friends with the welfare director on the island, so we will at least know someone to go around with, and we visited there last October and enjoyed our time.
Last Monday morning we attended an opening ceremony for activities, games, etc. at the prison. They schedule a week of sports and other activities at the end of summer. We were two of three invited guests and were seated on the stage area at the front of the big group. It was like sitting on thrones as a king and queen, and Larry was asked to give a talk (at the last minute). He talked a bit about religion in our and their lives, and how it is meant to be an everyday part of each of us. The exciting thing is that the other guest, a Naval official whom we had met before at other ceremonies, came up to us afterward and asked to make a time to talk together to answer some questions he had about our beliefs--he was very positive and seems to really want to know.
The water project is progressing through the government officials (they really are helpful), and after the rainy season, work will actually begin on providing hookups for families who do not have water in their homes. Some are too poor to pay the monthly charge, and some are living in new areas where pipes for water have not yet been laid. All of this should be taken care of through our project.
Two weeks ago an air conditioner was installed in the Institute room of our chapel where we hold Outreach activities. It is SO NICE to be able to cool off during our meetings--until this time we would be "bathed in perspiration"--not just us, but everyone here.
Most of our work in the past few weeks has been distributing school, hygiene, newborn kits to organizations who will give them to the individuals who need them. We do not give out the kits; schools, Red Cross, hospitals, etc. do this. Thus we are protected from mass groups of people gathering to get something; it works very well this way, and the people who need the kits can go to their local leaders to get them. School and hygiene kits for Church members are distributed through the branch presidents who know which persons are in need. The kits are just for those in need, not for every person.
A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned that the seminary age youth had gone to the big island for EFY. Late one of those nights, we got a phone message from their leader to "pray for the kids at EFY." So we did--many other leaders also received this message. When they returned at the end of the week, it was Testimony Sunday. Every youth bore testimony of the marvelous spiritual experience that happened when they prayed in deep faith for their friends there. Several youth said they felt a great peace and a light around them, and the Spirit was very strong, assuring them all that their friends would be all right. Apparently several kids had gotten sick suddenly and had to go to the hospital--not knowing the cause, and fearing for the safety of their friends, the ones who were not sick spent a long time in special prayer together, and said it was the greatest spiritual experience of their lives thus far. The sick ones were soon restored in time to come home at the end of the week.
Happy Birthday to Joe next Sunday and to Marie on Thursday the 23rd. It will also be our 37th wedding anniversary on the 20th. We went out for a special dinner last week to celebrate, not knowing if we would be traveling somewhere on that day.
Hope you all are happy and well. We pray for each one of you every day. Thank you for the letters you send us; we treasure them.
Love always Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister
Our rainy season has begun, but it is thus far not as much destruction as last year. It has rained 3 times in the past week, but in between it is sunny and warm.
Last Thursday and Friday we had planned to visit the island of Santo Antao by boat, and get a van and drive to the other end of the island to deliver school kits and hygiene kits from the Salt Lake Humanitarian Center. Our young adult committee of 3 and one of the church leaders would be going with us. Sadly, early that morning we got a phone call that the rain during the night had washed out the roads to that part of the island, so we should not come. The months of August, September and October are unsettled in weather, and yet they are the months when we travel to other islands for helping schools before and when they first begin. We will need to schedule another time to go, and hopefully it will work.
We will be traveling to the island of San Nicolau on the 27th--29th of September to visit two school districts for the same reason as above. Hopefully the weather will be more cooperative. Access is by airplane (regular jet type), so we can get there, but then we have to drive a van around the island. It also requires three days of our time because the flights do not go every day, so we will have some time to be "tourists". We are friends with the welfare director on the island, so we will at least know someone to go around with, and we visited there last October and enjoyed our time.
Last Monday morning we attended an opening ceremony for activities, games, etc. at the prison. They schedule a week of sports and other activities at the end of summer. We were two of three invited guests and were seated on the stage area at the front of the big group. It was like sitting on thrones as a king and queen, and Larry was asked to give a talk (at the last minute). He talked a bit about religion in our and their lives, and how it is meant to be an everyday part of each of us. The exciting thing is that the other guest, a Naval official whom we had met before at other ceremonies, came up to us afterward and asked to make a time to talk together to answer some questions he had about our beliefs--he was very positive and seems to really want to know.
The water project is progressing through the government officials (they really are helpful), and after the rainy season, work will actually begin on providing hookups for families who do not have water in their homes. Some are too poor to pay the monthly charge, and some are living in new areas where pipes for water have not yet been laid. All of this should be taken care of through our project.
Two weeks ago an air conditioner was installed in the Institute room of our chapel where we hold Outreach activities. It is SO NICE to be able to cool off during our meetings--until this time we would be "bathed in perspiration"--not just us, but everyone here.
Most of our work in the past few weeks has been distributing school, hygiene, newborn kits to organizations who will give them to the individuals who need them. We do not give out the kits; schools, Red Cross, hospitals, etc. do this. Thus we are protected from mass groups of people gathering to get something; it works very well this way, and the people who need the kits can go to their local leaders to get them. School and hygiene kits for Church members are distributed through the branch presidents who know which persons are in need. The kits are just for those in need, not for every person.
A couple of weeks ago, we mentioned that the seminary age youth had gone to the big island for EFY. Late one of those nights, we got a phone message from their leader to "pray for the kids at EFY." So we did--many other leaders also received this message. When they returned at the end of the week, it was Testimony Sunday. Every youth bore testimony of the marvelous spiritual experience that happened when they prayed in deep faith for their friends there. Several youth said they felt a great peace and a light around them, and the Spirit was very strong, assuring them all that their friends would be all right. Apparently several kids had gotten sick suddenly and had to go to the hospital--not knowing the cause, and fearing for the safety of their friends, the ones who were not sick spent a long time in special prayer together, and said it was the greatest spiritual experience of their lives thus far. The sick ones were soon restored in time to come home at the end of the week.
Happy Birthday to Joe next Sunday and to Marie on Thursday the 23rd. It will also be our 37th wedding anniversary on the 20th. We went out for a special dinner last week to celebrate, not knowing if we would be traveling somewhere on that day.
Hope you all are happy and well. We pray for each one of you every day. Thank you for the letters you send us; we treasure them.
Love always Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Kyiv, Ukraine Gets a Temple -- Our Son Matt Served His Mission There
Church News
Kyiv Ukraine Temple: Expressing love for a prophet
By Gerry AvantChurch News editor
Published: Sunday, Aug. 29, 2010
Related articles:President Monson dedicates Kyiv Ukraine Temple, first in former Soviet Union
Photo gallery
Spiritual pilgrimage accomplished through sacrifice and faith
Photo gallery: Preparing for the dedication
Missionary couple integral to Church history in Ukraine
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Primary Children Sing
Video: Kyiv Ukraine Temple Saints Speak
Kyiv Ukraine Temple fulfills 1991 prophecy
KYIV, UKRAINE
The love members in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple district feel for President Thomas S. Monson is, quite literally, beyond description. Even if there were no language barriers, many would have no difficulty expressing their feelings for President Monson’s legendary role in bringing the first temple to Eastern Europe in the vast area once under Soviet control.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson applies first dab of mortar to seal symbolic cornerstone prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf look on.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson hands trowel to President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, his second counselor, during cornerstone ceremony for the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Before leaving the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after presiding over dedicatory services Sunday, Aug. 12, President Thomas S. Monson pauses to say a final few words of farewell. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf is at right.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.
During a brief ceremony to seal the Kyiv temple’s symbolic cornerstone Sunday morning, he spoke of his interest as a young boy in geography. He said that he saw maps and read about places such as Ukraine and other countries and wondered if he would ever travel to them. He then commented that he assigned himself to dedicate the Kyiv temple, so he could come here. He barely mentioned his extensive travels to other parts of Eastern Europe.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson selected several youth from the audience to assist with the cornerstone ceremony prior to dedicating the Kyiv Ukraine Temple.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Iryna Nekrasova, who supervised the music for events pertaining to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, helps a youngster apply mortar to the temple's cornerstone.
Gerry Avant, Church News
At cornerstone ceremony prior to the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday morning, Aug. 29, are Elder William R. Walker, left; President Thomas S. Monson, President Dieter Uchtdorf, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, Sister Wendy Nelson, and Elder Russell M. Nelson.
On a hillside overlooking Dresden he offered a prayer of dedication on the German Democratic Republic (DDR) on April 27, 1975.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Vesna and Igor Gruppman are all smiles after leaving dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple Sunday afternoon. He was born in Kyiv (Kiev) and lived here until he was 16.
During the 1995 return to the hill, President Monson spoke about the occasion when he offered the prayer upon the DDR in 1975: “It was a cold, rainy day. I felt impressed that I should offer a dedicatory prayer, realizing that as the DDR had become a new nation with the division of Germany at the end of World War II it had never been formally dedicated. As I said the words, `May this be the dawning of a new day for the Church in this land,' we heard a rooster crow in the valley below. A church bell began to chime. Then I felt warmth on my hands and face. After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and saw that the clouds had parted and a ray of sunshine was streaming down on the spot where we were standing. Before we could return to our automobile, the clouds had gathered and it began to rain again” (Church News, Sept. 2, 1995, p.5).
Gerry Avant, Church News
A crowd gathers to watch the cornerstone ceremony for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple held Sunday morning, Aug. 29.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Lada Serdyuk participates in the Kyiv Ukraine Temple's cornerstone ceremony Sunday morning, Aug. 29.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson greets Colleen Biddulph. She served with her husband, Howard L. Biddulph, when he was called as the first president of the Ukraine Kiev Mission in 1992.
Latter-day Saints in other Eastern European nations also laid claim to the Freiberg temple as they began making visits.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson gives a wave as he returns to the Kyiv Ukraine Temple after conducting the ceremony for the symbolic sealing of the temple's cornerstone Sunday morning, Aug. 29.
Gerry Avant, Church News
President Thomas S. Monson takes a few moments to visit with members after dedicating the Kyiv temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.
“The Freiberg Germany Temple, once planned and built for the members of the German Democratic Republic, experienced a substantial extension of its district after the collapse of the communist government in the eastern countries of Europe (1989-92).
Gerry Avant, Church News
Members bid farewell to President Thomas S. Monson following dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple on Sunday, Aug. 29.
“As members from many parts of the eastern countries have a long trip connected with personal sacrifices, the trip for the members of Ukraine is by far longer and more strenuous, not to mention the material sacrifices. The first groups from Ukraine always arrived by bus, which was filled to capacity — a real 'old timer.' They had to pass two border checkpoints, and, at one time, their wait lasted eight hours.
Gerry Avant, Church News
Dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple, Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 2010.
“Life had been very hard to them. But their great faith, their humility, their love and willingness to learn touched the temple workers deeply. They never complained about their situation, nor felt sorry for themselves.
“For their young people, baptisms for the dead were arranged. When we saw a group of young women (about 15 years old) coming toward the temple on the morning of their arrival, we opened the door for them. But we watched them standing on the first step, close together as a group, with their heads bowed in solemn prayer. This was their attitude before they entered the temple for the first time in their young lives.
“When the hour of departure was near, the members turned around again and again to hug and thank the temple workers. Some of them stood crying at the outside wall, with their heads leaning against it and their arms stretched out wide, as if to embrace the temple and hold it tight” (Church News, Sept. 24, 1994, p. 7).
Members who gathered in Kyiv, Ukraine, for the dedication of the Kyiv Ukraine Temple recognized President Thomas S. Monson not only as President of the Church, the prophet of their day, but also as their friend. From the expressions on their faces it was obvious that they love him for the work he has done in their behalf, and are grateful that he came to dedicate “their own” temple.
© 2010 Deseret News Publishing Company
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Time Sure Flies!!
Dear family and friends,
How are you all? We are fine. We are looking forward to Ryan's baptism this Saturday--we will be thinking of him especially on that day.
The time goes by so fast each week--it has been two weeks since we wrote, and it does not seem that long--sorry!
We had a cultural night at Outreach on Friday, the 20th--native foods, music, dances, etc., and a professionally-made video of a tour of all the islands--very beautiful and interesting--it was fun to see the places where we have visited or are living, or may never get to visit. Our part in the food preparation was to make lots of rice--the leaders asked for 3 kilos, equal to 6 pounds. It made an awful lot, and most of it was still there at the end of the evening, so we sent some home with the young adults, and gave some to missionaries, and ate some for the next week. 6 pounds of rice filled a kettle a little bigger than a water bath canner!
We have had enough water, no real shortage for us, although we still conserve it. Our tank stays full enough, and it helps us to have the landlord living in the same building, so when he gets low on water, he calls the water truck to come and fill the tanks on the roof with a long fire hose taken to the roof of the building. Only one day has it rained thus far this year--it rained steadily all night a couple of Saturdays ago. When we got to church the next morning, some of the ceiling tiles upstairs near the chapel had fallen down and there was a big mess of broken tiles and water all over the floor. Young men quickly cleaned up the mess.
Today the maintenance workers installed an air conditioner in the Institute room (where we have Outreach, and other meetings). How nice it will be to have a cool spot. The chapel is cool enough, because of many ceiling fans and cross-ventilation windows. But everywhere else in the church is always too warm.
We had a tour of the church a couple of weeks ago, put on by the young adults. They did a super job, and we all invited many people, but sadly no visitors came. But the young people enjoyed giving the talks and displaying their assigned areas for the whole group of Outreach, so it was a fun evening anyway. It is always fun just to be all together.
We visited a day-care center in town where they have children who have cerebral palsy. We wanted to see how we could help them. Two little girls, about 6 and 10, must have felt our love for them, because they both hugged me and did not want to let go. It felt somewhat like hugging our grandchildren, whom we miss so very much!
A couple of nights ago, 60 + high school kids went to EFY in Praia on the main island. They left at night, about 11 p.m., on a huge ferry boat, for a 12-hour ride to the destination. They will be gone for six days. They were all so excited and we are too. The cost of the boat ride and the week of EFY was very low and most of the kids paid it themselves. Airplane flights would have been way too expensive, and impossible for that many people. Hope nobody got seasick!!
One of our friends, a young man who took piano lessons from me, has now gone to Hong Kong for medical school; he left last week. Another friend, a young woman, also one of my piano students, left the first of August to study medicine in Brazil. It is exciting to see them have a dream and then be able to fulfill it--he had worked in the summer on one of the other islands with taking the 2010 census.
Birthdays this month are for Joe on the 19th, and Marie on the 23rd. Have a happy special day!
Davy and Marie and family have moved to Circle, Montana for Davy to teach math, grades 9-12. Matt is teaching 5th grade in Alpine. Grandchildren are all in school by now. We don't know very much news other than this, but we would sure like to hear some more!
We love each of you and pray for you every day. May the Lord's tender mercies be with each of you--He certainly does bless us in this way.
Love always,
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister
How are you all? We are fine. We are looking forward to Ryan's baptism this Saturday--we will be thinking of him especially on that day.
 |
| He is growing up so quickly! What a good looking young man. |
We had a cultural night at Outreach on Friday, the 20th--native foods, music, dances, etc., and a professionally-made video of a tour of all the islands--very beautiful and interesting--it was fun to see the places where we have visited or are living, or may never get to visit. Our part in the food preparation was to make lots of rice--the leaders asked for 3 kilos, equal to 6 pounds. It made an awful lot, and most of it was still there at the end of the evening, so we sent some home with the young adults, and gave some to missionaries, and ate some for the next week. 6 pounds of rice filled a kettle a little bigger than a water bath canner!
We have had enough water, no real shortage for us, although we still conserve it. Our tank stays full enough, and it helps us to have the landlord living in the same building, so when he gets low on water, he calls the water truck to come and fill the tanks on the roof with a long fire hose taken to the roof of the building. Only one day has it rained thus far this year--it rained steadily all night a couple of Saturdays ago. When we got to church the next morning, some of the ceiling tiles upstairs near the chapel had fallen down and there was a big mess of broken tiles and water all over the floor. Young men quickly cleaned up the mess.
Today the maintenance workers installed an air conditioner in the Institute room (where we have Outreach, and other meetings). How nice it will be to have a cool spot. The chapel is cool enough, because of many ceiling fans and cross-ventilation windows. But everywhere else in the church is always too warm.
We had a tour of the church a couple of weeks ago, put on by the young adults. They did a super job, and we all invited many people, but sadly no visitors came. But the young people enjoyed giving the talks and displaying their assigned areas for the whole group of Outreach, so it was a fun evening anyway. It is always fun just to be all together.
We visited a day-care center in town where they have children who have cerebral palsy. We wanted to see how we could help them. Two little girls, about 6 and 10, must have felt our love for them, because they both hugged me and did not want to let go. It felt somewhat like hugging our grandchildren, whom we miss so very much!
A couple of nights ago, 60 + high school kids went to EFY in Praia on the main island. They left at night, about 11 p.m., on a huge ferry boat, for a 12-hour ride to the destination. They will be gone for six days. They were all so excited and we are too. The cost of the boat ride and the week of EFY was very low and most of the kids paid it themselves. Airplane flights would have been way too expensive, and impossible for that many people. Hope nobody got seasick!!
One of our friends, a young man who took piano lessons from me, has now gone to Hong Kong for medical school; he left last week. Another friend, a young woman, also one of my piano students, left the first of August to study medicine in Brazil. It is exciting to see them have a dream and then be able to fulfill it--he had worked in the summer on one of the other islands with taking the 2010 census.
Birthdays this month are for Joe on the 19th, and Marie on the 23rd. Have a happy special day!
Davy and Marie and family have moved to Circle, Montana for Davy to teach math, grades 9-12. Matt is teaching 5th grade in Alpine. Grandchildren are all in school by now. We don't know very much news other than this, but we would sure like to hear some more!
We love each of you and pray for you every day. May the Lord's tender mercies be with each of you--He certainly does bless us in this way.
Love always,
Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister
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