Thursday, October 15, 2015

BEN SNOW


At our mission farewell, I told the story of Ben Snow, and many people wanted me to write it down. I said I would put it on our blog, but I am just now getting around to it. I used the written story by Ben's Mom, Sue, to tell the story, and with her permission, I will now write it down with many of her own words.

Ben Snow, from Farmington, was serving a mission in Brazil. On February 3, 1995, he and his companion were on a bus returning from a Zone Conference when a truck loaded with steel re-bar struck the bus with such force that it literally sheared the front of the bus off. Before boarding the bus, Ben's companion, a native Brazilian, said, "Something bad is going to happen. I want to go home." Ben answered "We are." "No", Ben's companion said, "You don't understand. I want to go home to Sao Paulo." Ben's reply of "I know, but it will be alright." was said in such a way that it was confirmed he also knew of the impending danger and that he was completely at peace with it.

Ben and his companion boarded the bus for the all night ride back to the city where they were serving. His companion wasn't able to sleep as they traveled and actually saw the accident happen, while Ben slept peacefully beside him. The bus was turning left on a bend in the road when a truck traveling the opposite direction missed the turn and hit the bus. Steel re-bar from the truck shot through the bus like bullets, killing many of the passengers, but a shield of protection was miraculously placed around the two of them. The Brazilian Elder was thrown through the window next to him and landed on his feet in front of and facing the bus. Ben sat in his seat, still appearing to be asleep, as though nothing had happened. Ben died of a broken neck but he was protected, as his body was left whole.

For most of the time, Ben's Mother, Sue Snow, has been at peace, but in July of 2014, she was struggling. It was going to be Ben's 40th birthday and she was missing him so much. She prayed fervently for the peace that she needed to have restored to her. Two days later she received a package and letter in the mail. One of the missionaries, Elder Julio, who had shared an apartment with Ben and his companion, happened to be visiting in Brazil in the town where they had been serving when Ben died. He attended a fast and testimony meeting where a man expressed his testimony and shared how he had learned of the Church.

The man had been one of the people helping to clean up after the fatal accident. He came across a Bible and could not locate the owner, Ben Snow. He kept the book and read it from time to time. He saw a lot of references written in the margins that obviously referred to other scriptures, but they were not books in the Bible. He wondered where the book of “ Moroni" was located. He asked people until he finally was told that it was a reference from the Book of Mormon. He obtained the book, called the missionaries, and eventually joined the Church. Elder Julio, who was visiting, went up to the man after the meeting and told him that he knew who the Bible belonged to and would be happy to return it to the family.

In the mail, two days after praying for relief, the Snows received Ben's Bible with the enclosed story. They knew that their prayers had been heard and answered.

I also know that our prayers are heard and answered. My husband, Dean, and I had just received our mission call to the South America South Area office. We were called to be communication specialists working with social media. We were going to be finding stories about conversions and miracles in South America to publish on the social media sites. I had been praying to know how we were ever going to find these stories. Dean and I were attending the temple for our ward temple day and he had gone early with the youth and was going to do initiatory work until I arrived and we would meet in the cafeteria before attending the session.

I waited for him, but he was held up, so I decided to go ahead and eat and meet him in the session. As I sat down, my good friend, Sue Snow came through the food line and saw me sitting at a table. She was alone and she joined me. I told her of our call and what we would be doing. She said, "I have a story about a conversion and a miracle in South America," and she proceeded to tell me Ben's story. She said she had been waiting in the chapel of the temple that day to go through a session. When it was time to go into the session, she was prompted to wait for the next one and she followed the prompting and waited. After the session she went to the cafeteria and met me. We both knew why we were there that day, at that time.


The Gospel is true, and our loving Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

CAPILLA ABIERTO




 Our ward shared a Capilla Abierto (open chapel) with the other ward in our building. The members worked for several weeks to get ready by giving invitations to non member friends and also less active members of the wards. The less active members were visited in 
 person by priesthood leaders. The evening began at 5 p.m. When guests came to the church, they were instructed in the 

chapel and then the cultural hall by Sister Missionaries. Then the Senior Missionary couples took the groups to the baptismal room, where two missionaries in white taught about baptism by immersion and asked one of the members to bear their testimony. After that they were taken to the various auxiliary rooms, where they were taught by many different people. The young men and young women did an outstanding job telling about what they learned at church and about their activities and achievements. After taking them to all of the rooms, we finished in the Relief Society room, where Dean bore a beautiful testimony to each group after the Relief Society presentation. At the end, they were turned over to the missionaries to give out Books of Mormon and make referral appointments. They also had refreshments. Many non members came and showed a lot of interest in learning more about the Gospel. One man in our ward, who was baptized three weeks ago, brought his wife and twin baby sons. His wife had not wanted anything to do with his new religion, but at the end of the Capilla Abierto, she wanted to learn more. He said it was a miracle.

We are pictured with our Bishop, Bishop Hernandez, The Anderson's, who are in charge of Capilla Abiertos in our Area, and the Wallace's, who attend the other ward, Constitution.

SAN ISIDRO




 We spent a beautiful Spring day in San Isidro last week. After boarding the train 5 blocks from our apartment, we traveled along the river, catching glimpses of it every once in awhile. We saw some very pretty areas of Buenos Aires with lovely homes. In San Isidro, there is a nature reserve that is along the big river. We saw millions of lily pads and birds that look like Egrets. There were turtles, frogs and Iguanas and it was a great walk.
We visited several old homes that have been turned into museums. At one, there were many costumed people re-enacting several 
 scenes from long ago. The homes and grounds were just gorgeous and so well kept. One of them even had a large boxwood maze, and flowering trees hundreds of years old. We had a delicious lunch sitting outside across the square from the cathedral. There was a large fair in the square by the cathedral. We bought a stove for our railroad.
We ended the day at the Via Flaminia, an ice cream shop that is truly unique! They have awesome flavors of ice cream, and they pile it up on a cone with tools that look like trowels. They stretch it out and then dip it in chocolate, which hardens around
 
 it and helps keep it all together. It was so much fun to see if we could eat it before it melted all over the place. What a mess! And delicious!
We were with Hunters, Nielsens and Roths. Fun Day!




Wednesday, September 16, 2015

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE



September  12th was an International Day of Service. Our stake took on the project to paint a school, inside and out. It was quite far from the homes of our ward members and us. We took the train and then walked about 8 blocks. It was amazing! There were hundreds there to help and we were just the morning shift. A whole other group came in the afternoon. There were about 100 missionaries including seniors, young elders and sisters. Everyone had so much fun.  President Wu, our Stake President worked alongside everyone else. Also, Terry and Linda Spallino worked all day.   Brother Spallino is in charge of temporal affairs in the Area.
 
       Everyone got in on the act and a lot of paint was spread!
                                                 





FROM CATHEDRAL TO TEMPLE

Family Home Evening last week was held in the Cathedral that we walk past every day on our way to work. It is where the remains of St. Martin are entombed. The Cathedral is absolutely gorgeous and huge. We arrived early and were able to walk around and take some photos. Below is a photo of some of us who attended, the Nielsen's, Holtkamp's, Andersen's and Roth's. Others sat farther back. 
  The reason we were in the Cathedral was to attend a concert performed by some people from Wales that were touring. Their music was absolutely stunning. We had a great evening including dinner at Tomatilla's.

The next day was spent at the Buenos Aires Temple and was such a special day. We left home around 7 a.m. and didn't get back until around 4. The temple is out away from the city and takes awhile to get to because of all the traffic. We took the subway to one stop  and then walked a few blocks to a school, where a small bus picked us up and took us to the temple. There were about 12 of us who went, including several sisters who were temple              
workers. 

We did initiatory work when we first arrived. It was a beautiful experience listening to all the sacred promises in Castellano. 

Then we went through a session.  Dean and I were priveledged to be the witness couple. I was a bit nervous because everything would be done in Spanish.  I concentrated 
on the words more than I ever have so that I would always know right where we were and what I should be doing. I'm very grateful for all the time I have spent in the temple so that I knew the words and what to do.  I made it through just fine and can't wait to go back!

Sunday, September 6, 2015

THE REST OF THE STORY


 This is our La Boca Chapel, near the mouth of the big river that feeds into the ocean. La
 Boca means mouth. Dean taught his first lesson today in the Gospel Principles class for new members and investigators. He did a great job (I think, I am not sure of all he said, but he looked good!)


A few weeks ago I told about the Elder's miracle with finding a young woman who had read the Book of Mormon already and was ready to give up smoking and become a member of the Church. She knew the Book of Mormon was true when she read it.

Elder Johnson, on the right, is going home to Provo this week and is very sad to leave. He bore his testimony in church today and could hardly get through it. But a wonderful parting gift for him today was to perform the baptism of this great young woman.  She was so ready to join the fold. She has been coming to church and bearing her testimony. She answers questions like someone who has been a member for many years. After Elder Johnson baptized her, she came out of the water absolutely glowing. What a thrill for all of us to see.
 The other set of Elders in our ward have been teaching a young family, and they baptized the 4 children today. It was awesome!There is a girl who will be in Young Women's, a boy who will be a Deacon and a primary aged boy and girl. They were so happy.

The baptism was right after church. We weren't expecting it and the missionaries told everyone during Sunday School. The service was just like at home with the talks on baptism and confirmation, then the baptisms and lots of singing of hymns while they dressed. Then there was a talk from all the auxiliary leaders welcoming them into their various new classes. It was such a joyful meeting. I cried all the way from the opening song, I Am a Child of God, to the last song, Come Little Children. It was so touching. It's wonderful to be on a mission and see the Lord's work move forth throughout the world.
 


AREA CONFERENCE




 The last Sunday in August was our Area Conference. All of the Members in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay met in our Stake Centers to hear from our leaders. President Gonzalez, our Area President spoke first. And then we heard from two Apostles, Elder Cook and Elder Hale. They all spoke of the importance of families attending Sacrament Meeting together and going to the temple together. It was very inspiring. Our ward is the State Center (above) and we are sitting with several other Senior Missionary couples. The Andersons are from Boise, ID and the Licursis (across aisle) are from Cordova, Argentina. We love them all so much!



We bought a pretty green plant that we were not familiar with
and it wasn't labeled. We transplanted it into a pot on our deck, and a few days later, this gorgeous Gardenia bloomed! We are so excited. We could never grow such an exotic flower at home. It's just in the 50's and 60's here and doesn't feel too humid yet, but it is still the right climate for blooms such as these.

Our last Sunday walk was about 6 blocks from our apartment to the Buenos Aires Botanical Garden. What a treasure we found. It looks like a jungle and it's still winter! And it's free!


 There were several of these beautiful greenhouses and then the park was divided into different parts of the world. There was a section for Germany, England, France, China, The America's and many others. It featured waterfalls, bridges,




tons of statues, and benches everywhere to sit and enjoy. The pathways were all over the place and made of rocks, dirt, cement, cobblestones, etc. It was enchanting. We are so excited to see it when it is in bloom, which should be within a month or so.


We feel so blessed to be centrally located in the city. We are within walking distance to so many beautiful attractions and parks. It is fun to explore. We never tire of it. We love Argentina!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

MISSIONARY MIRACLE


 When we arrived at church Sunday, the missionaries were anxious to tell us about their miracle during the week. Two Elders were walking along the street and passed a young woman on a bench. One of them felt inspired to speak to her. They went back and he thought, "No, it was nothing" and they continued on their way. Then both of them had the impression they should go back and speak to her. They went back and saw that she was smoking and just assumed she wouldn't be interested. They continued on, and this time they both had a very strong impression to go back and speak to her. They did, and she said she would love to talk to them. They made an appointment to visit her in her home. They realized that she didn't live in their area, and they referred her to the Elders in the La Boca Ward (our ward).

Our Elders knocked on her door the next day and she welcomed them. When they told her of the Book of Mormon and offered her a copy, she said that she already had one. Someone had thrown it away and she had seen it in a box and picked it up AND READ IT! She had a testimony that it was true and she was ready to quit smoking and wanted to be baptized! She came to church Sunday and attended our Gospel Principles class. She spoke up many times during the lesson and sounded like she had been a member for years. It was amazing how much she knew and felt about the Gospel. It was a huge testimony builder for all of us and a reminder that we must always listen to the Spirit, and act upon it.

After the lesson, our Bishop called Dean to teach the Gospel Principles class and he gladly accepted. We had about 30 people in class that day. The missionaries are very successful in our area. He also asked us to organize, with the Wallaces and the other ward, a missionary open house.

The building above is a school down the street from the Bellgrano Chapel. The architecture is wonderful, with faces all around the building. The missionaries call it Hogwarts of Bellgrano. The photos below are inside the Institute building next to the Chapel. It is a gorgeous old home that has been repurposed as a school. The classrooms are in the  various rooms and there is a beautiful courtyard where they have BBQ's. The area missionaries celebrated the Fourth of July with a BBQ here.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

THE WORK GOES FORTH

 We go to "work" every day in downtown Buenos Aires. After riding the subway for about 20 minutes, we walk through the plaza of the "pink house" and then walk another 2 blocks. The pink house is like our white house, where the President of Argentina, Christina, works each day. It is not her residence, but a big government building. The plaza in front is very beautiful, but there are a lot of police and many demonstrations there. We are told to stay away when there are demonstrators around. We encountered a lot of demonstrators yesterday as we were leaving, but there was no place to go but through the crowd. The police had everything else blocked off. It was very peaceful.

Our office is one of two. The area office is presently being remodeled, and they have all of the staff split into two offices. The other office is about 10 minutes by subway in the
other direction. We will work in both, because the publishing staff that we work with is in one, and the only available desks are in the other. We will go to meetings and such at the other office, but work in the downtown location. It's good we are working in digital communications. We can do it anywhere remotely. We have worked from home a few days this week because we have been waiting for people to show up at our apartment to deliver or fix.
        The men that we are working with are wonderful. They speak excellent English for me and they have been so kind to help us with anything we need. Fernando left his office to take us downtown and introduce us around. He made sure we knew the way, and showed us a great place to eat on the way. It was then that we realized he had an ulterior motive. His darling wife works in our office and was waiting to have lunch with us.

     Dean and I sit side by side at desks across from Elder and Sister Wallace from Idaho Falls. They are the area auditors and they travel a lot. They check out a car each weekend and they take us to church. There isn't a subway going close to our chapel. Each of the eight senior missionary couples is assigned to a different ward. We have become members of the La Boca Ward. La Boca means "the mouth" and it is near the mouth of the huge river where it feeds into the ocean.
This is our chapel. The Wallace's ward meets in the same building and starts 1/2 hour before ours. They have Priesthood and Relief Society first and we have Sacrament Meeting first. They wait for us to take us home. Our first week was so sweet. Everyone welcomed us so warmly! One dear sister came up to me after Sacrament meeting and said she is an English teacher and will be happy to translate for me. When I came out of Gospel Principles, she was there to take me to Relief Society. I was able to understand more than I expected and it was a very spiritual day. Dean is amazing with his language skills and has taken such great care of us. He has arranged so many things from Internet to finance.I'm so proud of him.