What Else?

Alrighty...get ready for a fun-filled week! Hahaha...well, mine was crazy. No photos, I forgot the camera at home...next week you shall get some.

Funny Experiences:
We went to go contact a reference that a member had given us, she told us that it was a family so we got super excited. We got there and it was a family of only women. Yes. It was kinda wierd, but we taught them and answered almost all of their questions. But, in the process of leaving one of the women asked if we knew an Elder Castillo and she proceeded to describe a white, English-speaking missionary who she saw in a dream tell her to listen to our message. We talked to her for a bit about the possible significance of such a dream and then she told us that sometimes she receives telephone numbers in her dreams. Bizarre, right? Well, it gets even better: this woman calls the numbers! She said that a few times the numbers have been for people that live in the U.S., a few times she has called other countries. She doesn't speak English, so she just calls and hangs up. I just found it amazing that she would call random numbers that actually work. 
We had a lesson with a 14 year-old girl this week. We talked about The Restoration and had a really good lesson. But, halfway through she looked at my companion and I and just said, "You both have beautiful eyes. I want my babies to have eyes like yours." She then proceeded to stare into our eyes in a very uncomfortable manner for an extended period of time. We kept teaching but who knows if she was listening. Shortly after she went into a tyrade about gay people and how the world is corrupt. I have NO idea why it happened, but I fell asleep. I was like completely sleeping. I was even dreaming! My companion and I left that house and just laughed so hard.
We had a Noche de Hermanamiento (like a Ward Night that happens once a week) on Wednesday night at the house of one of my favorite member families in Puerto. We had a great lesson by one of the nuevos (the greenies) and we sang some good hymns together. I thought that the evening was finished ans started to pack up my stuff when everyone just stared at me and said "What about the game? Are you not staying for the game?" I said that we would stay for a little bit longer, as we needed to go out and work. One of the Elders started giving instructions to some game that I had never heard of, then he told me that if I didn't understand I would soon catch on. We started playing. One has to get on all fours and meow like a cat and try and get another person to laugh before saying "Poor Kitty" three times. It was SO fun. I only lost once.

Quotes of the Week:
"I swear on the vocal chords of Josh Groban..." This was from a discussion that I had with another Elder. We went a little wild. Had lots of fun that night. Good times.
"How do you say...?" Response.....mumbling in random Miskitu... "But that doesn't make any sense, according to what I've studied..." This is the same kind of conversation that my companion and I have with members and other people when we practice our Miskitu with them. Very confusing and very tough at times. Totally worth it.

Lessons Learned:
The gift of tongues comes when a person needs it and desires it. Sure, that may sound completely common sense, but in my opinion one needs to experience it before they can truly understand it. This Sunday I had the opportunity to teach in Miskitu twice. It was really humilitating, but the people absolutely loved it and were so excited that I was trying so hard to communicate my message with them in their own language. It is a truly remarkable experience for me being able to learn another language and have to learn like most other gringos have to learn when they come to a Spanish-speaking country. I am learning to be more humble and to be an instrument in the hands of the lord. I am loving this opportunity but I'm also working hard to be worthy of this miracle.
I realized how many miracles I have been a part of in my life. I am a miracle, my life is a miracle. Dn't believe me, ask my poor mother. My mission is a miracle, my service here in Puerto is a miracle. I have witnessed so many miracles in my life it is impossible for me to say that God doesn't work miracles in my life. I am grateful for miracles and for the opportunity that I am always given to be part of miracles.

I know that miracles exist. I know that I am a Prince, a Divine Heir to the Kingdom of God. I know that our church is the True Church. I love my service here and am so excited to serve even more diligently and faithfully and serve these people here in their own tongue. I love you all and care about you. I wish you all a good week. Make good decision. Remember that you are all Princes and Princesses of a Divine Heritage.

Love,
Elder B 

. . .and I'm a Mormon

I love this, Gordon! Thanks for sharing. In Colorado, they show these as television commercials. While we were visiting, we went to church with Kirsten (Colorado Springs). A television reporter and camera crew came to the church to find out what members thought about the spots. Kirsten, who graduated from BYU in broadcast media, chatted with the reporter to help her set up a couple of interviews. Then they wanted her to speak on camera. She did and they used her comments and only one of the others she had set up for them.

and I'm a Mormon

FOLLOW THIS LINK--AND WATCH THE VIDEO- IT'S GREAT!!!!
http://mormon.org/me/2N0X-eng

Grandma's 1908 Poem

Grandma's 1908 Poem

Poetry by the Children of Mt. Pleasant – Printed circa 1908 by the Mt. Pleasant Pyramid. The original copy is from the archives of Betty G. Woodbury & restoration work has been done by David Gunderson. As you read these delightful verses, you will get a glimpse of an era gone by and you might find a verse written by one of your ancestors. Vivian Pritchett (who later married Raymond James Smith), a school girl in Mt. Pleasant at the time, was one of the authors. She is my grandmother.

Traitor

Myrna wrote: 
EllaDean, the article you sent, "Never Forgive a Traitor" is not true. Having said that, I still wonder about Hanoi Jane. Was she really so stupid that she did not know what was going on or was she a willing traitor? I think she was both--a traitor and stupid. Maybe she thought the U.S. would become communist and she would have a heads-up. I was 31 back when Jane Fonda made an anti-war tour of North Vietnam in 1972, during which, she actually did pose for photo ops with Communist troops and broadcast anti-American propaganda over Radio Hanoi. She also participated in a staged press conference with unwilling American POWs, the purpose of which was to "prove" that American prisoners weren't being mistreated by their Viet Cong captors. Later, when the then-released POWs described the very real torture and degradation they had suffered at the hands of the North Vietnamese, Fonda dismissed them as "hypocrites and liars." Her behavior at the time, considered treasonous by some, earned Fonda the nickname "Hanoi Jane" among the veterans and POWs of the Vietnam War. You are right that some of the internet story is not true but she did enough to earn a bad reputation. "She did enough to place her name in the trash bin of history," Mike McGrath, of the Nam-POWs organization, explained. "None of us need to make up stories on her."

I like the post on the following site: http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/janefonda/a/hanoi_jane_3.htm

From Tussing Elemetary‏

Gordon wrote: I have seen this one before.  However, I loved it this time maybe even more than the first time.

I have now sent it to all of the people on my list.  I hope they enjoy it as much the second time as well.

I needed to see it again.

Thank You Myrna,

Lots of love,

Gordon


Awesome.  I hope this sweeps our country and gets sung in all our schools.  The music teacher wrote the song and had all the third graders sing.  Enjoy -- great message.

From the third graders of Tussing Elementary, Colonial Heights, Virginia.

Naksa Familiki

Naksa! Hello (in Miskitu). Nakisma familiki? How are you my family?

I am HOME! Hahaha. Okay, I am in the place that makes me feel like I'm home. I feel super excited to be here again. I almost do not have any words to explain how great it feels to be back here on the coast with the wonderfully fantastic Miskitu people. This week I left Managua on Thursday morning and got to Puerto Cabezas close to noon. I got off the airplane and simply cried. I breathed in the sea air, heard people speaking in Miskitu and almost lost it. All last week my life felt like a dream, then when I got off the plane the reality hit. I'm back. I'm home (basically). Time to get to work. We had a zone meeting right after we got out of the airport and then went out to work. We still haven't divided my area and we need to do it rather quickly, for I really want to start finding families and people to get progressing so that we can start a baptizing MACHINE in April.

In the hope of making my letters better I have devised a new way of writing to you all. Hope you enjoy. It was...PURE REVELATION. Bahahaha.

Funny Experience: 
I was sitting eating my lunch (a cool burger) this afternoon when my zone leaders walked up to be with mail. I had a letter but I didn't recognize the address. It was from Provo, so I thought that it was from a friend from BYU. I was right, it was from a good friend from not only BYU, but from Franklin too! It was Crystal's wedding announcement. I was looking at it and almost everyone in the zone looked at it, enjoyed the photography and said, "what a cute couple!" SO, now a bunch of missionaries like MegRuth Photography and Jack and Crystal's cute wedding announcement.

Quote of the Week:
"You're back? For how long?!" and "I'm not Psyduck!" (lengthy nighttime discussion about Pokemon)

Lesson Learned:
The Lord gives us the things that we really want and the things that we really need. Sometimes we need to have our faith tried a little to make sure that He can trust us more. Managua was more of a trial period for me, and now I have been returned to "Celestial Glory". Hahahaha. :) 
I was walking around my old/new area and visiting people that I had been teaching when I left, and I was able to see a lot of my converts in church, church activities, etc. It was fun seeing their faces light up and see how much I have meant to the people here in Puerto Cabezas; to see that I have actually affected people's lives.

Companion:
My companion is Elder Holman. He is from Colorado, is 20 years old, has a year on the mission, and is quite funny. He is a goof, and makes me laugh a lot. We are learning Miskitu together and are having a blast. Our Branch President is teaching us, as well as everyone in the city (by being patient and helping me learn vocabulary and need-to-know phrases). We are just focused on baptizing and learning the language right now, and with some time, we will start training the leaders of the church here how to teach the doctrine of the church. We are called to basically train others so that they can teach correct principles after we leave. 

Clarification:
There is a possibility that the Church could use us to translate things for them; however, in discussing the translation of the Book of Mormon with our Mission President we discovered that the Church is serious about this. They do a serious study of the need, they go and survey to see if there are peope qualified to translate such a text (whether they be members or not). Everntually they start a translation, but it takes awhile. Mom, the Book of Mormon had already been translated into Quechí and Quiché. Both. Hahaha.

Well, I love you. Each and every one of you. I know that this is the True Church. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and was written for our time. I know that miracles exist and that God is a God of miracles. I am one, I am living one too. I know that revelation is real and that we can be guided in every aspect of our lives if we embrace the Spirit and try to keep him with us.

Mai Latwansna (I love you),
Elder B

Florajen 3‏

Dr. Brenda Watson, president and founder of Renew Life Formulas, has a show on health on PBS. Of course, she sells her own products. BUT she did explain the problems with people, like me, who have acid reflux. I decided that what she said may be true and that, at least, I could try it myself. I went to Lloyd Olpin, Nephi Pharmacy, and he suggested I purchase Florajen 3. It is less expensive than the product sold by Watson. The medication contains lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-12 and bifidobacterium longum. The way the probiotic works is by helping the body digest some of the foods that cause the problem. It has to be refrigerated. Lloyd keeps his cooled and behind the counter but it might be different at different pharmacies.

At any rate, I have been taking two a day for two weeks and the reflux is much reduced. I am so thankful that I thought I would let those of you who have this problem know. Maybe it was a Eureka moment.

There’s a battle being waged in your intestinal tract, and the bacteria outnumber the cells ten-to-one. Fortunately, this is a good thing. Probiotics are the good bacteria that we all have and need for intestinal tract and bowel health. These beneficial bacteria keep the bowel walls healthy, make vitamins and block out many of the bad bacteria that can infect the intestines.Doctors often recommend probiotics during and after an antibiotic regimen to combat the loss of good bacteria killed by the antibiotic. Losing these good bacteria can cause diarrhea and expose one to bacterial superinfections. Following an antibiotic with a probiotic can help replenish the good bacteria in the bowels.  Patients with a history of bowel symptoms are often given probiotics to help restore the health of the bowel wall. The bacteria have also been shown to reduce the risk and severity of eczema in newborns and infants when obtained by having pregnant and breastfeeding mothers ingest probiotics, or direct supplementation to the child.

Patients who have received an excess of antibiotics for colds, ear infections, sinus problems or other conditions should consider probiotics to restore a normal ratio of good-to-bad bacteria. Patients who experience irritable bowel symptoms, diarrhea, frequent travelers or those who are prone to stomach/bowel infections should consider probiotic treatment as well. Adding large amounts of the helpful bacteria can crowd out potential pathogens, bad bacteria and viruses that might cause infections.

Probiotics can be taken once or twice a day for maintenance of good bowel health. For patients taking antibiotics, it is recommended to take at least one dosage between the antibiotic doses, and for a minimum of two weeks once the antibiotic is done. Those with chronic bowel problems or suffering from bowel symptoms, start by taking probiotics twice daily. If you plan to travel and want to avoid bowel infections, consider taking one dose at least twice a day starting several days prior to departure and continuing until back home. Unless instructed otherwise, take probiotics at the end of a meal. They should be swallowed with pure, non-chlorinated water. 

Temple Work for Carlock Family History

Myrna wrote: Thank you so much for the photo. I agree. We do let those on the other side determine whether or not they will accept the work. We just go ahead and do it. That is what I did. As you will note, we also did Howard's work. There are brothers and sisters and those great-great grandparents who all need their work done. Were you able to make out the outlines I copied from Ancestry.com? You can get a temporary trial (I think it is about 30 days) where you can start a tree and connect with others. That way you could look up Myrna's Tree. At any rate, they give you these little leaves at the side of the names on your tree and it opens the information to you that others have submitted. I am not suggesting that you join, because you can get a lot done in your free trial. I am a member and find it useful. I also use the newfamilysearch a LOT! I have a ton of work to do on many lines and will probably never live long enough to even make a dent.


Arbree is not a member. David Ray Trauntvein, my son and her husband, married a non-member. I keep praying that they will want to be active. Would you like me to connect you with her? She likes the genealogy that I do because she likes the history but she has not shown interest in the church, to date.

Do you do facebook? They are on facebook. So am I. I like it because it is a quick and easy way to connect to a large family. I have eight children--four sons and four daughters--and 32 (soon to be 33) grandchildren. All of them, except for David and Arbree, are temple endowed and sealed to their spouses. All of us love family history!

Mandi Bailey wrote: I got on to the ancestry site and it is very neat like you said. In order for me to connect with your tree I believe you have to long into ancestry and invite me to it or connect to it? My ancestry tree is baileyblock. There is alot of information on the carlocks and hohnstein side. I'm trying to figure out what will be the easiest way for the family to do the work, ive decided to give each brother and sister a line to do temple work for with there spouses and when the line is done I will give them another line. Its like weaving a basket with all these names. 

 

My mother is very interested in talking with you and she said she only new arbree as bre and that she was like 2-3yrs old when my mom was a teen. So she never really new her. My mothers email is debracarlock@yahoo.com Thanks again.

Sorina's Baptism Date Set

Kimberly wrote: Sorina’s baptism has been changed from the 19th.  We do not have the new date set for sure yet.  Possibly on Saturday, March 26th.  Getting a hold of the right people has been a challenge.  We will let you all know as soon as possible.

Ok, the new official word:

Saturday, March 26th, 10:30 am , Layton West Stake

1715 W 1600 N

We realize that not everyone can make that date, but we are happy when we all have a chance to get together.

The old date was:

Saturday, March, 19th 10am

4th Grade Hasler Class‏

Dear Trauntvein (she wrote--Trontvine),  Sorry I didn't get your first names.  Here is the main picture you requested with names.  I could not find the note of other pictures you requested.  If you remember them, please let me know.  Kathy


Myrna wrote: Bless your heart! You were so quick about it. My name is Myrna Trauntvein. My husband is Leonard Trauntvein.

I was interested in the photo of Mina Ericksen Pritchett as a baby. There were also a couple of other photos of her and her family groups that I would like. I didn't keep a list. Perhaps I will need to stop by once again.

I will not get the house photos sent until Monday. I work at Manti Temple Friday and Saturday. I have a brother-in-law in critical condition in Utah Valley, he had a stroke, and so I am working through time problems. But I will NOT forget.

Thank you!

Kathy wrote: Thank you Myrna.  Kathy