Home For Christmas

Home for Christmas

23 Dec 2012 08:00 AM PST

"What all of us long for in our hearts, at Christmastime and always, is to feel bound together in love with the sweet assurance that it can last forever. This is the promise of eternal life, which God has called His greatest gift to His children (see D&C 14:7)."

—Henry B. Eyring, "Home for Christmas", Liahona and Ensign
Topics: Christmas

Hi I'm Anna | (former )single mother, Love my country, convert, purpose in life, Family History work, Temple worker, Mormon.

Hi I'm Anna | single mother, Love my country, convert, purpose in life, Family History work, Temple worker, Mormon.

This is a post on mormon.org-- 

Merry Christmas Everyone

"Christmas and some of the cherished traditions of the season remind us that we, like the Wise Men of old, should seek the Christ and lay before Him the most precious of gifts: a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

—Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Curtains, Contentment, and Christmas", 2012 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, December 2012
Topics: Christmas

This Is Our Week In Photos

A Senior sister missionary made these Gingerbread cookies for us

President Hernandez baptized Tony B

Our Branch President and his family

Sister Hutchinson with her companion, Sister Alard, Spanish Hermanas.

Elder and Sister Walser with Sister Hutchinson before she left as she finished her mission in WKM. We are going to miss her!

Where a set of Elders (missionaries) live in Kenniwick,

Lots of Blessings Coming Our Way

Over Thanksgiving holiday we were was given a beautiful oak computer desk from Shannon. She had it in their home and were ready to clear it out of their basement family room. We just got it yesterday, the grandsons, Cody and Jordan brought it over. It is heavy!

Ron and I got the area cleaned and cleared out to put it next to the TV and his computer. Ron's old desk was pressed wood and was coming apart. So, we did a "switcharoo" with his computer desk and he is now using the one I had since he insisted I have the new one. It is lovely and so nice, the nicest I have ever had. I feel so blessed beyond words. Thank you again, Shannon. It is such a nice addition to our home.

Nice and Worth The Read-Priceless

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said:

"I love you and I wish you enough."

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom." They kissed and the daughter left.

The mother walked over to the window where I sat. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry.

I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?"

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is the next trip back will be for my funeral," she said.

When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, "I wish you enough." May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me, she shared the following, reciting it from memory,

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye."

She then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. A day to love them. And an entire life to forget them.

- Author Unknown

Grandpa Carlos

It isn't very often that I have dreams about my father, Carlos, aka Grandpa Carlos.
I was observing his work and the workmanship that he was doing teaching other people to know what he knew and his art. The interesting things is that I only saw the results of his work, and not really see him, but it was all about him and his work in a shop setting, the tools, machinery, and his inventions! His students spoke highly of him and praised him and knew he was my father.

It felt good and so real, it filled a need for me to feel his qualities and love for his work. I miss him and Mama. I know they are together busily helping and watching over us, their family; what a blessing.

Thanksgiving Past

The brothers were 8 an 6 in this photo in the front yard at my grandmother's neighbors house.

Charlie on that same Thanksgiving day in San Antonio in their homemade hot rod, with brother Bobby.

My mother, Elena, Charlie and Bobby Thanksgiving Day when I was four years old

This is me with my brother Bobby and cousin Bessie on the same day. It was our last Thanksgiving there before leaving San Antonio since we moved to Chicago that following spring. My brother was being silly and pretended to bite off the ends of the drumsticks to the turkey.

The following year found us homeless after a fire in our attic apartment. We lived with some other family until my parents bought a home in the suburbs. I remember we went to visit my Aunt Alice and her husband and son, and we ate baloney sandwiches for our Thanksgiving meal.

It occurred to me a short time ago that the reason we had sandwiches on Thanksgiving was because we didn't have a kitchen to prepared a turkey like in the years past. Aunt Alice lived in a rented room at that time, so that must have been why we had no big turkey feast that year. It didn't phase us, since the years after that were prosperous and we always had what we needed.

Thanksgiving 2012

We spent Thanksgiving at Shelly and Kevin's this year. Ronnie and Adrienne came down from Yakima along with Annie and Shannon's families for dinner. We baked a turkey and gravy and stuffing, The family filled in the rest. We had a feast. There was sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, carrots, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, home made rocky road fudge and plain fudge. banana cream pies, heavenly chocolate pie,and pumpkin pies and spiral cut ham, and turkey and yeast dinner rolls. We all ate more than we should have, and OD'd on L-tryptophan, with the turkey. Lol

Long days. . .

Long days bring that feeling of working hard even having meetings can make one get that "good tired feeling," as Tana calls it.

This morning I woke up around 5:30 and have a hard tine going back to sleep even for an hour. It catches up to me and I am nodding the rest of the day! I am ready to go to sleep at seven o'clock!

But, I hang in there and endure what we need to do. It is okay, I catch up on other days with a nap. Then when I wake up in the morning I have to stop and think what day it must be and hope for the best.

We had a great Zone conference today. Our first one in the mission. We sure enjoyed seeing all the missionaries in our region get together. There was a luncheon too and the food was great. Thanks to the Relief Society from our former Richland Stake. [I meant to mention before that our stake was divided and we are now the West Richland Stake since November 3.]It was especially uplifting to hear so many strong male voices sing, "Hark All Ye Nations" all at once. We could feel the Spirit so sweetly. It was heavenly. The missionaries just have that special glow!!!

It is so refreshing to see what all the missionaries do and the leadership qualities they learn no other way in such a condensed part of their young lives. Two years compared to their lifetimes is so short. But, they go out young men and come back as mature men! The sisters too are so poised and confident as their missions wind down.

The members love the missionaries and do anything and everything they can to accommodate us when we need it. The locals are so friendly and supportive wherever we go, whether it is to the store at Wal-Mart or Costco. People stop and ask us where we are from and Ron will talk to people around us to get to know them. A lot of Church members see us and know people we know from working at the Columbia River Temple.

We can feel the many prayers rendered in behalf of the missionaries. We thank you all for that too. Our former temple president, stopped to talk to us and shake our hands as we came into the temple. The workers are so cheerful when we see our friends we used to work with there on the Wednesday morning shift at the temple.

More notes and thoughts regarding the Zone Conference. We loved it, even if it is a little exhausting at times.

We are making tamales tomorrow for our visitors next week. Ron's brother, LeRoy, Val and Ben will be visiting from Oklahoma before Thanksgiving. We are excited to have them come, even if it is for one day and one night. They are spending the holiday with Val's family in Portland and will be driving over to see us since they are so close.

When Upon Life's Billows, Count Your Many Blessings

The only reason I will post this message is to give my posterity an insight of how it feels to have situations that I am not easily able to accept. Namely the results of the recent presidential election. To say that it was a disappointment for Mitt Romney to lose the bid for the presidency of the United States of America,is an understatement.

The State of Washington also passed two issues that have a total disagreement on social behavior. Gay marriage was legalized as well as the approval of the use of recreational marijuana to which we are diametrically opposed.

It feels like the world is going downhill at an escalated pace that one wonders what is to happen next? I described it last night before we went to sleep that "we will just have to lump it," which means accepting the majority, even though is was by less than one percentage, more like .5% that Mitt Romney lost the popular vote.

Life goes on, and I had a familiar thought and smile about how my mother used to think of the Governor of her state and say a swear word whenever his name came or was mentioned. I remember feeling that about one of our former governors too that it was difficult to think something good about him. However, one day I made up my mind to change my attitude and make my own life easier and find something good about the governor. I managed to do that and left those hard feelings behind me and got on with my life.

Now, I am not suggesting what anyone else needs to do to cope with the disappointment they may feel in regards to what just occurred yesterday. All I intend to do is to not think about it and move forward with my own thoughts and leave that kind of issue behind. Thinking of something good about the incumbent isn't how I will change my opinion in this case, but just to move on and stop worrying about something of which I have no control. Life is too short to sweat over it.

I am thankful to have the freedoms we still have and pray for our Church leaders who give us guidance and hope in Christ. Their message is worthy of our considerations.

Life goes on, regardless. Today is a new day, and I can make it what I choose to make it and leave it alone. . . and leave it at that.

1900 Census Sheds Some Light

Fidela Recio born in 1883, she was 17 in 1900. She died at age 90.





This evening I was researching my Family History and found an interesting entry that I had not heard of before as a profession listed next to three women in my Jose Maria Recio family group. All the men listed were listed as "farm laborer." The women were listed as doing "Mexican Drawn Work." The women were my great-grandfather, Feliciano's sisters, Basilia, Amada, and Fidela.

I read it but was not sure what it meant. I had never heard of it. So, I "googled" it. It is a decorative type of hand work. I found the explanation below.

The craft of drawn thread has been around a long time. It’s a kind of openwork on linen where you remove some of the threads from the base fabric then rearrange or decorate the remaining threads with stitchery. It’s used especially for doilies, table and dresser scarfs, place mats and anywhere a decorative cloth can be used.

These women are from the late 1880s and dressed of that era. They are holding frames from the Mexican Drawn Work.

The Golden Link Between The Generations

Family photo taken at Anita Recio's funeral in 1988 with Tio Chano aka Feliciano Recio, Jr., her only brother. Carlos & Elena with David, Linda, Martha, Anna Maria, Robert, and Charlie. Westminster, CA cemetery.

This day, October 30, 2012, eight years ago marks the anniversary of my link to my parents. This is a photo of my Dad, aka Grandpa Carlos and his siblings and his mother, Maria. This photo was taken in the mid-1980s. I know I am (figuratively) the Golden Link between my family and that of my ancestors.

Thoughts from Parley P Pratt

This very profound thought surface last week when we were training at the MTC. It was very enlightening and wanted to share it here.

"An intelligent being, in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift which is possesses of God Himself.

"But these are possessed by man, in his rudimental state in a subordinate sense of the word. Or in other words, these attributes are in embryo, and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud, a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then by progress, produces the mature fruit after its own kind.
The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections, and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being.

"In the presence of such persons one feels to enjoy the light of their countenances, as the genial rays of a sunbeam. The very atmosphere diffuses a thrill, a warm glow of pure gladness and sympathy, to the heart and nerves of others who have kindred feelings, or sympathy of spirit. No matter if the parties are strangers, entirely unknown to each other in person or character; no matter if they have never spoken to each other, each will be apt to remark in his own mind, and perhaps explain when referring to the interview, “O what an atmosphere encircles that stranger! How my heart thrilled with pure and holy feelings in his presence! What confidence and sympathy he inspired! His countenance and spirit gave me more assurance than a thousand written recommendations or introductory letters."

"Such is the gift of the Holy Spirit, and such are the operations when received through the lawful channel, the divine, eternal Priesthood."

Parley P. Pratt, Key to Theology p. 101-103
Elder Pratt was an intellectual person but had a real depth in his observations of the Gospel. His style reminded me of Neal A Maxwell's writings.

Our First Day

Here we are so excited to get to our assignment at the MTC. We were housed on the MTC campus in an apartment on the main floor. Whahoo! No stairs to climb. We were so impressed with how we were encouraged and felt so welcomed. The feeling there was amazing. We loved it, the food was wonderful and lots of varieties and choices. We ate well, and never went hungry between meals.

We greeted a couple of Elders that Ron knew in Mexico. We took a snap shot and sent it to their parents. They loved that.

We were assigned our teachers and district. See the photo.

We were taught so much and had the opportunity to teach each other and gain the experience we would be having in the field.

Our focus was on "Preach My Gospel." It is so testimony strengthening to be assisting in bringing others to Jesus Christ. This is the greatest feeling to be a part of this work. "We Like it, We live it, We LOVE it."

Our official name tags.

Waxing Nostalgic Memories

Carlos and Elena 1948

Every once in a while I have a feeling come over me that I am loved so much and my parents are close by. A thought will trigger in my mind and heart and as I recall those thoughts, the memories flood my mid.

It happened today. It was so real and I was overcome with emotion and felt the LOVE my mother and dad feel for me as they did in life. A visit or phone call from them or to them would be similar to those tender feelings I felt today. It was a tender mercy and I am so thankful for those feelings.

It's Been A Dream Come to Reality

Family group with us as we were set apart by our Stake President today. We received a very nice blessing that will sustain us and help us as we teach and share the Gospel with the members and friends of the Church. We will be attending a Spanish speaking branch. We look forward to being involved with them and help any way we can.

Just a quick picture taken on our iPhone. We really need to get a better "official" photo of us now that we are set apart.

Called to Serve

Ron and I have received and accepted a call to serve in the Washington Kennewick Mission. We get to live at home this time. We will report to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 8, 2012 and will be there around 1 week. We will be in Utah a week or so before we go to the MTC.

Then we will come back up to Washington where we will have the opportunity to work with one of the Spanish speaking congregations here in the Tri-Cities. We will be working with mainly new members in leadership training and ministering to their temporal and spiritual needs.

We, as Senior couple missionaries do not go out proselytizing like the young missionaries. The young Elders will take it from there. We plan to serve for a year or so, then take some time off for some travel, then maybe go again. Perhaps to Mexico next time). Fun and exciting times ahead for us!

Our picture was taken by one of the office couples at the luncheon the other day. We have met the other Senior couples and we have already been able to become friends. This is already such a blessed experience. We love our mission President and Sister Greer. They are great leaders and examples and have so much love and make us feel so valued in the mission already. They let us know how much we are appreciated for whatever we do and know they love each of us as missionaries.

The new groups that just came in this week are amazing. They are ALL so eager to learn and contribute to the work here. It is so comforting to see them all so dedicated to the work. We are glad to be a part of this work and a blessing to be where we are at this time.

Ron and I both feel it is an honor and privilege to be Called to Serve, and 'bring the world His Truth. We have our setting apart on Sunday, September 23. We look forward to the next several days to get ready and drive down to Utah. See you all soon.

On An Errand For The Lord

Our Mission President, President Greer

Elder's on their way--

Ron, leaving on the Lord's errand to the Dalles,Oregon.

The transfers and moving missionaries is a major project every six weeks for them. Our mission president asked us if we could help with the transportation and needed man power to facilitate the moves. Ron's assignment was to tow the U-Haul with the luggage and bikes to the Dalles. I got a few snapshots of them before they left.

I stayed and went to the temple while Ron drove the missionaries. I was able to do some family work and felt a peace and had a sense of accomplishment.

Staying on the Right Track

God's iPad--Text messages

Our mission president has asked us if we could help out with some of the tasks as we are available to help.

We went to a meeting this morning at the mission office to get assignments for service needed with the transfers and process. Our assignment was to pick up an elder in Kennewick this afternoon.

We like being there and see President Greer in action. He has a huge responsibility and has some talents and able Assistants to make the mission work well. It is impressive to see the elders take charge and support their leader. It is refreshing to me to see these young men be so responsible in their callings.

Ron checked the address and how we should get there. We arranged to pick the elder up in East Kennewick at 5:30 to be at the mission home at 6:00. We seemed to get lost with the map and instructions according to how the map showed where to go.

It began to be evident that we were not getting to where we were supposed to be. We called the elder and he redirected us. I told Ron that he could probably direct us a faster way to get back. We took a freeway route and only got him there about twenty minutes later. It took us about 40 minutes to get there and only about 15 minutes to get to the mission home.

There is more than likely an easier way, one that is more direct as long as we choose to follow the right road to begin. What a lesson of life.

A Tribute to My Sweetheart, Ron

The things I observe you do

Endear me each day to you.

Even more as time goes by

It’s the little things, You go the extra mile.

You show you love me by doing little things with thought,

Or all the times you bring me beautiful flowers you have bought.

Roses, carnations, daisies or mums, Oh, My!

You attend me with my every need—or you massage my feet.

I love your sweet kisses, smiles and familiar wink,

You tell me often that you love me or wash the dishes in the sink.

You are also such a gentleman to open my doors,

And you take extra care to mop and sweep the floors.

We sometimes enjoy many of the same foods,

A cup of cottage cheese, or a bowl of beans just fresh out of the crock too.

We laugh, we tease and have fun,

And work each day to be unified and be one.

We have morning and evening couple's prayer,

And a day without reading scriptures together is rare.

I love you all the more or nudge you even once in a while when you snore. ; )

You are so patient, and always willing to go get something we forgot at the store—

You weed, water and tend the yard and garden.

Everything looks in tip-top shape and it is never a burden.

Ron, my Love--I love everything about you as you stand so tall,

To bless me, love me, and that’s not all,

You are so kind and caring to our children too,

They are all so pleased and happy for me and for you,

They tell us we are like “two peas in a pod,”

“A match made in Heaven," I'd say, "and such a wonderful blessing from God.”

Love, Anna xoxo's

A Simple Gesture, Cherished Memory

I must be on a roll here. This morning Ron was asked to take Shannon, Tom and three of the kids to the airport early. They are going to spend a week in Orlando on a family vacation to Disney World. What an adventure! Ron will go pick them up when they come back Sunday late in the evening.

We had breakfast when he came back. Ron fixed our meal of soft boiled eggs over a toasted waffle, with raspberry jam and whipped cream. We visited about his morning drive to the airport. It brought memories of the many times I flew into see my parents in California and my parents or just my Dad would be there at the airport waiting for me. I could depend on my Dad to be there at any hour of the day, no matter what, HE WAS THERE! I appreciated it then and even more now about Dad. I appreciate Ron too and his qualities that he has as well as the ones Carlos has and had.

I know my Dad (and Mother) still pray for me, us and our family. They are aware of what we do here on earth and very much interested in our lives today. I have a firm conviction that they are sometimes assigned as our Guardian Angels when we pray for help, which is why it is important to be specific in what we ask for so they can better serve us.

Remembering Carlos

Carlos, my Dad, and aka to those who remember him as Grandpa Carlos. *

This is Carlos as a young father, and entrepeneur. He was in sales and worked very hard and long hours in his profession. He sold Wear Ever aluminum cookware. His father suggested when he was younger to speak and enunciate his words. He encouraged him to take a Dale Carnegie course, "How to Win Friends and Influence People."

Carlos was able to communicate well with others, whether in business or friendship. Many people commented to me how personable he was and his ability to talk to them. He was comfortable in getting to know people with whom he met, new or past friends.

His father encouraged him to join Toastmasters. It is a club where people learn how to communicate in public speaking. He suggested I join, and at the time, son Hank was already a member of that club. I attended a few meetings and witnessed with my Dad some of Hank's competitions in Toastmaster. Had I joined there would have been three generations of Toastmasters in the family. I was busy and going to UVU and BYU so I didn't have the luxury of taking that on as well. I know Hank benefited from participation in Toastmasters.

* Sept 7, is the anniversary of Carlos' transition from mortality. I wanted to pay a short tribute to him today.

The Beauty of Nurturing the Spirit

Today Ron and I went to Rufus, Oregon for him to do some work at the trial variety plot. He just needed to weed the perimeter and clear the noxious weeds in the path of the border of the plot.

The weather was great, in the mid 70s. We had lunch and drove on home. It took about 2 hours to get there. We were there about two hours, then two hours back.

I used that drive time to read to Ron and enjoyed some biographical sketches of "Fathers of Faith "in the Church and their lives. Some of the stories were about Elder Grant Bangerter, Spencer W Kimball, Bruce R McConkie, C. Max Caldwell, Gordon B Hinckley. The accounts of their lives were some that were uncommon and written by their sons or daughters.

We loved these personal glimpses of their lives and how they taught by their example. Their examples were a testament of faithful, powerful priesthood holders. We read at night the lives of "Women of Character," Both books are uplifting and enlightening. They feed our spirits and helps us focus.

We are grateful for the time to get to prepare and grow spiritually in the meantime.

The Countdown--"Thirty Days Hath September"

The month of September is very significant for us. The first day of September we received our mission call. It made us realize the time we have to get ready and prepare for our time as missionaries. We sent off our acceptance letter to our mission call to the First Presidency. We said, "It is an honor to answer this call with full purpose of heart and dedicate ourselves to our Savior, Jesus Christ... it will be an honor to be called 'one of the Lord's missionaries to bring the world his truth."

It occurs to me that what do we do to in the meantime "to live in the world and not of it?" I understand now more than ever that it is to put aside the worldly entertainment, the talk shows on the radio, the political programs, etc. I have willingly made the choices to listen minimally to Rush Limbaugh. It is a big thing, but know that is what is right.

We listen to Conference talks instead of the radio and find more satisfaction in our days and know the words of the brethren are like listening to scripture. We love the messages and edify us at the same time.

It has helped us in our spiritual preparations. Our routine daily scripture study is an important part of our day. Our morning and evening couples prayers also add to our preparedness. We have developed that at least and have room to improve as we have instructions to read and study, "Preach My Gospel" and the MTC. We will spend a week of missionary training when we enter there.

We are willing to further the work in building the kingdom here in the vineyard around us. There will be many missionary moments to bear our testimonies and help strengthen the members where we serve. Our mission president, President Leonard Greer is anxiously waiting for us to be ready to serve.

Our president has already asked us to participate with the missionary transfers and changes in mid-September. We are also get to meet some of the other senior couples and attend the temple with them just before we head down to Utah. We will be set apart by then by our stake president, so when we go down to the MTC, we will be just like the younger missionaries. Official missionaries!

We don't know yet is we are speaking in Church yet. We should find out by Sunday what the bishop tells us about that. We will keep you posted.

A Great Start of the Week

A pleasant surprise to get a visit from my youngest sister, Linda, Nik,her husband and daughter, Mina. While I was visiting at Hank's Lori mentioned they were guesting Linda and her family for dinner.

They were up here to see one of their daughter's friends at BYU. Perfect timing. We had a wonderful visit. It was such a delight to get to be with them and feel of their goodness. We talked about our family ties and the talents their children have.

I am so grateful to have been able to see them, and will have them over to have dinner with some of the rest of the family and grandchildren. The heavens are pleased.

Steven R Covey Passes Away

This is a quote written in Bro Covey's obituary.

"Throughout his life, on most mornings, he would arise early, go to a place where he could be alone, and he would pray, meditate, and study the scriptures. This daily private victory, as he coined it, became the source of his security, guidance, wisdom, and power and he often told us kids that "if you will spend twenty minutes each day with the Savior of the world in private worship, you will spend eternity in his presence."

I am so glad I got over my "attitude" about Steven Covey. I listened to others and judged him unfairly without knowing his truth worth.

I have worked on being careful to form my own opinions and be Christ-like in understanding others.

National Guard assists Africa in effort to fight Kony

National Guard assists Africa in effort to fight Kony