Strange How Things Happen

I have been thinking lately about how things happen in our lives.  Maybe that comes with getting old (er).  People that we have met, places we have lived, things we have seen and done.  Old friends who have now passed on.  Maybe I should have entitled this "How Time Flies".  We have had two old friends pass away within the last two days.  One day they are here and then they are gone - gone to a better place, but that is the hard part for us that are left behind.

A couple of days ago Don and I were in, what would be called, a minor automobile accident.  I hit my head pretty good and so off I went to Queens Hospital in Honolulu.  There they examined me and decided that  a CT scan was a good idea.  I had no damage from the accident, but low and behold, they found a "mass" in my brain.  It is probably a meningioma. New word for me, and one I never wanted to learn  - for sure.  They are usually non-malignant tumors, but can be very bothersome as they grow.  So, was the "accident" really an accident, or was it Heavenly Father's plan for me to find this growth.  Don and I believe it was a blessing and was meant to happen.

Am I scared - yes, very.  Am I nervous?  Of course.  But one thing that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that Heavenly Father has a plan for me, and whatever that is, I can face.   As Don said yesterday, "Faith Precedes the Miracle".  So I am going forth with faith that all will be well, whatever may come.

STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Here is another one that I wrote and never published.  Just didn't want to leave anyone out, but of course, I can't mention all the wonderful students we had the privilege of serving with at BYUH.  We still feel their love for us, even tho we have been home over a month now.  Enjoy.

We are so blessed to be able to mentor the students at BYUH.  It is our favorite thing to do here.  Last week as the sacrament was being prepared and passed, I noted that there were students from so many different countries - Japan, Kazakhstan, Brazil, India, USA, and more..  This University is a place where all nationalities reside in perfect harmony.  Don't we wish the world could be like that.

I was speaking with this young man from Uganda about his sandals. His name is Joseph Batte.  He proceeded to tell me that they were made handmade in Uganda from real skin.  I didn't want to ask what kind of skin.:-)   He is a young man who is never without a smile.  He brings joy to my life every time I have the privilege of seeing or speaking with him.  So positive, so joyful.  The light of the gospel just shines from his face.






This is our friend, Coney Pulla, and he is from India. He has always been so kind to us, always had a hug (Polynesian custom you know) for us and asked how we were and how things were going.  He has been chosen to go to Hong Kong and do a financial study for the Church for a whole semester.  He leaves next month and we will miss his beautiful smile and testimony.

Maxx from Kazakhstan, is quite a young man.  He served a mission to Russia and the Ukrain and speaks 7 languages.  He is engaged to a beautiful young lady from California.  What a wonderful combination they make.  His testimony if one of power and conviction.








It seems that all our friends are male, but that isn't right.  One of my favorite ladies is Lira Polo from the Phillipines.  She is our beloved Relief Society President right now and what a great job she is doing.  She served a mission in Hong Kong.  We always are blessed with a big hug from her.  It is amazing how these young people from all over the world become "Polynesian" once they get here.




The ones that have the hardest time with "hugs" are the Japanese guys.  They are taught to bow, not hug.   However, we notice after a few weeks or months, they are hugging just like the rest of the people.  Sometimes, they become the best huggers.

I could go on and on about how wonderful all these students are. I could put 120 pictures on this blog, but then you would really get tired.   They are definitely the Cream of the Crop and it is our privilege and blessing to be called their friends.  We will never forget them.

Maxwell

In my previous blog, I mentioned a young man from Africa who joined the Church in Russia.  In looking back at my journal.  I found this entry.  In that same week, we had heard Sherri Dew speak, hence, the comment.  She was wonderful, but I remember Maxwell!!

"But, even with these very famous speakers, the one that impressed me the most today was Maxwell.  Maxwell is a young African who told us his conversion story.  He was in Russia studying – he didn’t say what he was studying.  As he was walking down the street one day, two missionaries were standing on the corner.  They hailed him and his friend down and asked them if they would like to hear about the restored gospel.  Maxwell was very hungry and said no thanks. He just wanted to get somewhere to eat.  He did however take a card that they handed to him.

About two months later, he had a dream.  In this dream he saw these two missionaries and they were talking to him.  The dream was so real that when he awoke, he had to search for the card they had given him.  When he found the card and called them, he told them that he wanted to join their Church.  They told him that he had to have the lessons first.  Because of how dangerous it was for the missionaries to come to his home, he told them that he would come to them.  How many of you who served missions would like to have investigators come to you.   He said from the first day he met with the missionaries until now – three years later – he has not missed a day of Church.  His only desire was to be baptized. 

Maxwell comes from a long line of Catholics.  When he told his mother he was going to join the Church, she said ok, but his brother was not happy and desperately tried to talk him out of it.  He was told that if he joined the Church that he would be disowned and have to take complete care of himself, including his schooling in Russia.  After talking to the mission president, it was decided that he would not be baptized right then.  They were hoping that his family would soften their feelings about his baptism.

However, he continued to go to Church and do all the things he needed to do.  After many months and there was no change in their feelings, it was decided that he would go ahead and be baptized.  Three years later he finds himself at BYUH, studying hospitality and hotel management.  He is serving in the Elders Quorum Presidency in his ward. 

He said that he was so amazed that he would find the Church in Russia, because in the area where he lived in Africa, the Church is very strong and many, many people belong to it, but he had never heard about it.  

His unwavering testimony was a testimony to me that many are called, but few are chosen.  He is one of the chosen ones. I know that He will someday be a strong leader of the Church in his country.  Don says that he can see him being a Church general authority some day.  

It is amazing to me that after hearing from such wonderful leaders in the Church that the one whose words I can hear and understand the most are those words of the testimony of a young black man from Africa who gave up everything he had to join the true Church.  I am a changed person today because of his testimony this morning.  I pray that when I waiver at all in anything regarding the Church, that I will remember Maxwell........"

As a PS to the story, just recently the missionaries in Africa found time to go to the village that Maxwell is from.  It was a very long journey and took a long time.  They taught his mother and his brother, and they are awaiting baptism.  Miracle of miracles.

Challenges of Life

This is a blog that I did not publish while we were on our mission.  Why, I didn't want anyone to know that I was having problems, so I kept it to myself.  Maybe now is the time to post it for me and for others who might have challenges in their lives at this time.  

Aloha to one and all from Hauula, Hi.

I sometimes wonder what is wrong with me.  When I am nowhere near a computer or my blog, I can think of the most wonderful things to post.  Thoughts about people I have met, talks I have heard, a special student from BYUH I admire because of where they have come from and where they are going -- on and on.  All spectacular blogging ideas. HOWEVER, when I finally sit down, none of that wonderful stuff seems to come to mind, hence you will have to put up with what does come today.

I have been having a "dizzy head" time for the last couple of weeks.  I am afraid that I am not very good at enduring.  I whine and cry and make all sorts of disparaging remarks about my "poor head and why me, why now".  There were a couple of days where Don had to lead me around just to get from place to place.  He is so patient and loving when that happens.

All of this has made me reflect on the challenges that come to one and all. No one is immune, no matter how much money we have, how popular we are, how handsome or beautiful or tall and thin we are.  It doesn't make any difference if you are a member of the Quorum of the Twelve or are the blood drive chairman in the ward, we all must be tested in this life.  It does seem that some are tested and tried more than others.  I ask myself, "Why is that".

Are those who were the most valiant in the preexistence, tested more than someone else?  Are those who will receive the highest degrees of celestial glory tested and challenged more than those who are "mere" Celestial Kingdom dwellers?  How about children who are born handicapped -- were they more or less valiant?  I believe they were more valiant and didn't have to withstand some of the mortal testing we go through.  I have a sister who was born with cerebral palsey.  She is surely sitting on the right hand of God right now.  She was an angel.  Was the handicap her challenge, or was that her blessing?

I love Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  Joseph is pleading with the Lord regarding the suffering of the saints.  I would think there were times that he just couldn't understand why the Lord would let such awful things happen to the Saints and to him.  He wanted to know "How Long".  Then this wonderful answer from our Heavenly Father,  "My son, peace be unto thy soul;  thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small  moment. (And then the promise he gives to him and to us) ." And then, if thou endure it will, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shall triumph over all thy foes.?"  Then I guess to make him and us feel better, he notes,  "Thou are not yet as Job..................."    He reminds him of all the blessings he does have.

Maybe I need to be a little more thankful of those many, many blessings that my Heavenly Father has given to me over lo, these many years.  When I am thinking that my trials are more than I can stand,  I need to sing that little song, "Count Your Many Blessings".  "Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done".

As this day comes to an end, I promise to be more grateful for ALL of the blessings that I have and to let my Heavenly Father know how grateful I am to him for being saved to come forth in this meridian of time, when the gospel has been restored and when I can know without a doubt that my Savior lives and that he died for all of my sins and shortcomings, even the shortcoming of being ungrateful when I am blessed beyond anything that I can even imagine.

My prayer this day is, that whatever comes our way, that we may be found up to the challenge.  May we all be found in the presence of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.  May they say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant............enter thou into the joy of thy lord".   Matthew 25:21

Tsunami Alert

Last evening I ready to take it easy after a very long day,  when Don came in a said, "There is a Tsunami Alert". Of course, I thought he was kidding since we were just in one a year ago on Kauai.  But he wasn't kidding and it became a very long night.

It is interesting the things that a person thinks about as being important in a situation like that.  I have a dear friend, Connie Lo, who is now in Hong Kong.  Her husband just graduated from BYUH.  Before she left she presented us with a framed quilt that she had quilted herself.  I know how much love went into this gift.  It is very precious to us.  It was among the important papers that went to higher ground.

Events like this and the flooding of the lower level of our home a few weeks ago, really put things into perspective as far as what is important.  

About three in the morning I was outside and being close to a hill and to the Church building many, many cars were parked on the street.  People were milling around visiting, waiting. At that time I spotted a young family with three little children walking toward me.  As they got close, I asked them if they needed a place to stay during the alert or if they needed to use the bathroom.  They hardly missed a step as they said, "We are going to the Church".  Even as I write that it brings goosebumps.  They were focused on the important things in life.  They were headed for safety -- the safety of the Gospel, the safety of the Church.  I can imagine how many prayers were sent heavenward during the long night.  

As I reflect on the events of the night, I hope that we can always stay more focused on the important things of life  and not so much the urgent things of life.  We can all get caught up on the urgent in lieu of the most important thing--those things that can bring us safely home to our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to come to His safety.  

Aloha, Elder and Sister Glasgow

Thoughts of a crowded mind - Don would say, "Oh No" she's thinking again. That is scary.

I have been thinking a lot lately about missions as a whole.  When we have sons and daughters, one of the things we always think about is hoping and praying that they are worthy and willing to serve a mission for the Lord.  Growing up is hard, especially in these technological times. So much STUFF bombarding us all the time.  We don't think very much about ourselves being worthy and able to serve when the time comes.  We too must have kept ourselves spiritually fed, morally clean and physically able.

I have been thinking about the things I would have missed if we hadn't come on a mission.

• I would have never known a darling, black-haired girl from Mongolia who will remain in my heart forever.
• I would have never heard a young man, raised as a Muslim, bare his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and his love for our savior, Jesus Christ.
• I would have never known how much I would  love the Polynesian people.  They are so faithful and have such strong testimonies.
• I would have never tried quilting.  I am not saying I love quilting, but I have completed one and two more on the way.
• I would not know that I could do so many great things at my age.  I am still learning every day.  The brain is a miraculous thing.
• I would have never heard a young man from Africa tell his conversion story or how he met the missionaries in Russia.
• I would never have met kids and gotten to love them  from, Cambodia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Korea, Italy, Tonga, France,Viet Nam, Mainland China, Mongolia, Kiev Ukraine, India, and many more

• I would have never had an "adopted" Chinese Family  Connie and I served together at the Mission home.  She and her family are back in Hong Kong now. I miss them.
• I would have never known how much the Church needs senior missionaries.
• I would have never gotten to talk with soldiers who are in Hawaii on R&R and to thank them for their service.
• I would not of had the experience of seeing people of75 different nationalities work together in peace and harmony.  If the world would just use BYUH as a training ground there would be now wars.
• I would have never know that Fiji has 332 islands of which 110 are populated.
• I woudl have never known that in Samoa the men cook the food.  Go Samoa men!!

What a blessing at my age to still be learning and growing.  Well, that growing part could relate to dress size. :).  One thing they do over here is feed us.  There is always a reason to eat.  Eating is a celebration.  I wondered when we got here what are all the piled up picnic tables doing in that yard.  Now I know - family dinners all the time.  Even Halloween was a reason for a big family party and dinner outside in the driveway.  

There are always huge family camp outs at the beach with many, many tents and big canopys set up with lots of those tables I mentioned.  Sundays are fun, because you will see everyone dressed in their white shirts and ties and the ladies in dresses leaving the beach camp out to go worship the Lord on his day.

     Our "adopted" daughter, Connie Lo with framed quilt she made just for us.

Well, I know that I have bored you all to death by now.  Just so many wonderful things to share from our mission.  God Bless you one and all

Interesting people we meet.

Below is from a journal entry of June 16, 2010

We meet the most interesting people.  The other day there was a lady from Brazil who came into the place where we serve.   We got to talking and she was telling me how impressed she was with the young men and women that work at the PCC.  She wanted to know all about them.  After explaining that they were going to the University and working there to earn part of their money for their education, she said she would like her Grandson to be able to do that.  I then explained that most of them were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She thought that was wonderful and wanted to know how she would go about getting the process started.  I told her that when she got home to Brazil to contact one of the local LDS Churchs and they could probably send some young men or women to her home to explain how it all worked.  Now, we do not wear our missionary badges while serving at the PCC so we are not proselyting missionaries per se, but the work will go forth in spite of that.

The highlight of our week is always the time we spend as mentors to the students at BYUH.  In FHE this week (which by the way doesn't start until 9:30 p.m.- yawn) the lesson was on repentence.  It is always given by one of the students and they do an excellent job. He stressed the importance of learning to "forgive yourself".  It was excellent and I learned a lot.  Every Sunday all of the talks are given by the students.  About 70% of them are returned missionaries and each time I am so touched by their strong testimonies and the faith that the have.  Most of them are a very long way from their families, and sometimes do not see them for years, yet they push forward with faith, studying, praying, supporting each other and going on missions.  After the mission, they return to BYUH to graduate.  What a wonderul way to live - kids from over 75 countries living together in peace and love.  If only the world could see what goes on here. They love to have us as their  "Proxy" family.  They are just so kind and loving toward us and are always happy to see us, as we are them.  

As we were studying in Mosiah 2 yesterday, I was again struck by verses 21-23.

"I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess,to that god who has created you and has kept you and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another,

I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another -- I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

And behold all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he has said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and posper you". 

We testify that that is true.  We pray the Lord's choices blessings to be with each of you.  We love you and miss you.

Elder and Sister Glasgow