#24 "A Serious Entry" (By Grandma)

Dear Family,

As you know my blog entries are usually a bit tongue-in-cheek.  I’m not sure how that translates into other languages, but you all know what I mean.  That is how Pluperfect deals with life, a little bit off- kilter.  But for once I think I’ll send a serious entry.

We were saddened by the huge loss of life in this country this week.  It put a pallor over all of us.  How can this happen?  Why does it happen?  As I’m writing this, there are 100 caskets being put into the ground, flags are half-mast, families are mourning.

Our life here continues to be one of little ups and downs, bits and starts, joys and disappointments.  We often don’t know what the day will bring until it has come and gone.  But this week-end seemed to bring a huge renewal of spiritual energy, a reason why we are serving here, a witness that the Lord cares about all peoples, everywhere.

We knew that we’d have Elder Hamula, his wife and Reed Nielsen visiting our Branch from SLC.  We were to arrange a tour of Ephesus for them after the services.  Kent did the airport pick-up, made arrangements, and this morning went to see them off.  They are going to the next city this morning.

Our Sunday services were wonderful.  The Hamula’s spoke and so did Reed.  We’ve known Reed since he was one of our Jerusalem students 21 years ago.  They are basically touring to gather local histories of members of the church.  Sister Hamula spoke about “Where one or two are gathered in My name, there I will be also”.  It was so true of our little branch.  We can have 3-12 in attendance.  We had 12 Sunday, but that included a lot of “us” types.  She said she’d never been in such a small branch, but felt the Spirit of the Lord was there, and she teared up when we sang each song : “I Need Thee Every Hour”, “Love One Another”, etc.  (I’m the chorister.  I print the songs in English and Turkish)

Elder Hamula spoke about the Sabbath day and read promises from the scriptures about honoring the Sabbath Day.  Interestingly he did NOT mention “do this and don’t do that.”  But he said being in “holy” places and partaking of the Sacrament, and then following the words of the sacrament prayer was Honoring the Sabbath.  He also spoke about PEACE, and how only living the commandments and following the Savior would bring PEACE.  Of course that is so evident today.

Reed spoke about recording your life.  (He is in the Church History department of the Church and is here getting “local pioneer” stories from members.)  He said the only way we know anything about ancient prophets, God’s dealing with people, etc., is through written records. 

This time the sacrament was prepared by our newest local priesthood holder, and another local member.  Another local member did the real-time translation for our member who speaks no English. 

I provided refreshments:  baklava, nuts, and a cheezie curly thing.  The hotel provides water. 

The visiting afterwards was great.  The guests wanted to meet the local members and hear about their conversions.  Previously, I’ve written about the animator.  I was able to introduce him to Elder Hamula and tell him all about him.  The animator had just brought along another newspaper clipping of his awards and, low and behold, the clipping had a photo of Kent and me at his award ceremony.  His journey through the church is outstanding.  He carries with him a small journal that the missionary who taught him gave to him.  That missionary died in the mission field in a fall days before his baptism in the Ukraine. 

We toured Ephesus with the visitors.  That was a unique experience.  We had a local guide, as required by law, but Kent was also able to teach us and we read from the scriptures about Paul and his visits and letters to the saints in the area.  We sat amidst the ruins, looked out towards the Sea, and read aloud some of Paul’s words.  I had remembered that in the last conference President Monson had talked about Paul and listed six things he taught us. 

The day was full!

Well, it has been wonderful to have a renewal of spirit and energy here.  We have to remember “where one or two of us” is where we are right now.  It may stay like that, or it may expand.  We pray for expansion.  Kent now has a full Branch Presidency.  And that Branch Presidency now includes most of the Branch.  Like he says “there are more chiefs than followers”.  But these are great men with hugely diverse backgrounds.  And one speaks almost no English.  This week-end they’ll travel together by air to Istanbul for training meetings, including trainers from Russia. 

A sad note:  After we left the meeting, we saw a young family, husband, wife, and daughter, outside the hotel.  They had tried to find our meeting, but the hotel couldn’t direct them.  They were “investigators” and friends of one of our members.   They promised to come next week.  We hope so!!!!!  They looked like they were early 30’s. 

Well, if you are still reading this, we love all of you.  We hope your lives are going well.   And if you are so inclined, we’d love to get emails from you.

Love,

Mother