This and That for May

We have good neighbors and they probably have parties once a month but they keep the music at a good volume and turn it off by 10 p.m.  These neighbors seem to have family and friends parties with kids and we don't mind at all.

This boy greets us with "vecino!" and we don't know his name and he is a bit hard to understand.  Today he asked us to check if their blue ball was in our yard but we didn't see it.  We actually think that we returned it a few days ago.

We received Tyler's letter of instruction and Flat Stanley on May 5 and he received our letter and photos as well about April 29,  The mail service from the USA to Mexico and from Mexico to USA takes about the same amount of time.  That makes sense but what doesn't make sense is that it took about 4 weeks each way using airmail.

Something was eating our bananas and we thought it was a bird.  We heard some chirping outside the window and were surprised to see something else snacking on our bananas.  Can you see what it was?

We walk to Bancomer each month to deposit our rent into the landlord's account.  We were surprised two months ago because the front of the building was gone but they have now replaced it and are continuing with the remodeling.  Here are the "before" and "after" shots of the bank front.

Hna. Ninel Silva, a young temple ordinance worker, in front of the terraced gardens in front of the temple.  She loves to practice her English with us.

This lovely flower on a prickly vine guards our water pump.

Here is the "little laptop" that Mireya loaned to us.   We can now use the full sized keyboard and a large monitor.  This little guy works well and keeps us from the need to share a computer.

Celebrating the Tampico Temple Dedication

The Tampico Temple was dedicated on May 20, 2000 by President Thomas S. Monson.  We met together as temple ordinance workers on May 18, 2015 in the temple to participate together in a temple session.  We had 35 sisters and 15 men attend the session and only ordinance workers were invited.  Pte. Saldivar was asked to officiate in honor of his being the first Tampico Temple president. Afterwards, we went to the adjacent stake center's cultural hall to eat and visit.  Spouses were invited to the dinner and there was seating for 80 people but not all of the chairs were occupied--which means we didn't count how many were there.

Pedro Gonzales entertained us with a temple version of the "mañanitas" and we all sang with him plus he told stories and played the guitar.

We sat at this table and chatted with:  Hno. and Hna. Martinez; Hermana Reynoso

Hermanas Galvan, Truncoso; Arnano; Silva

We were among the first to leave at around 2 p.m. and could see others were going to stay for more entertainment.

Temple Grounds Tour

It is really quite pleasant to walk into the temple grounds each day and to see the flowering and colorful shrubs.    Looking at the temple from the south.

We've entered the temple gates.

The stairs lead to the front door on the west side of the temple

Front garden but looking south.

In front of the temple continuing north.

Turning right and looking east at the northwest corner.

Looking back to the south from the northwest corner.

At the northeast corner looking south.

 This is the back or east side of the temple

Gardens in the northeast corner of the temple lot.

More gardens and flowers on the east or back side.

Looking south from the northeast section.

Looking south and nearer to the east side of the temple.

 This is the south side looking west.

Expanded view of south side looking west.

Looking back east from the southwest corner of the temple.

 Walking out the front door of the temple looking west.

So we have made a picture tour of our walk around the temple. 

Ruben's Rice Bag

When Hno. Saldivar told us that Ruben Sacramento loved to sit in his hot car because it made his back feel so much better, we thought of ways that we might help him.  We decided to make a rice bag that he could warm in a microwave and put on his back.  Keeping in mind that Ruben is 87 years old, we designed it in such a way that we thought would be useful to Ruben.  We shopped for the hand towels and went to another store of matching thread.  We borrowed the temple's sewing machine and went to work to create what we thought would be a functioning gift to help Ruben.

We were pleased with our work and rather excited to take it to Ruben so he could try it out.  After we explained the bag to him and how it works, he tried it on and could work the straps ok.  He appreciated our thoughtfulness.  When we asked if we could heat it up in his microwave so he could actually feel the warmth, he simply said that they don't have a microwave and he wasn't sure why they would have one or how microwaves work.

We would be happy to buy a microwave for Ruben but we aren't sure if he would feel that it is useful.  He already struggles to pay his electricity bill from his pension money and instead of helping, we might unintentionally add to his financial burden.  Sometimes we forget how simply others live.

Dad Spoke in Church Today

Talk for Sacrament meeting 12 January 2014 – by Paul Crockett

The Temple

By way of introduction, I am Elder Paul Crockett and my wife is Sister Sherryl Crockett.  I served a mission as a young missionary in Monterrey.  Afterwards we were married and have raised 7 children – 2 boys and 5 girls.  All of them are married and we are the grandparents of 28 ½ grandchildren.  I retired in September after 31 years working for the Church in the finance area.  Six of those years were in the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.  We returned to Utah in 1989 and I have worked in the Welfare Department for the past 23 years. 

When they began construction of the temple in Bountiful, about 20 years ago they noted that we were receiving an almost free gift – and they asked. What sacrifice could we make?  It would be our time – and we decided to attend the temple each week.  Having done that for nearly 20 years, when we sent in our request to serve a mission in May of last year, it was very natural that we were called to serve a temple mission, and specifically in the Tampico Temple for 23 months.   And here we are.

Yesterday, January 11^th was a very beautiful day at the Tampico temple.  There was more activity and ordinances performed than we have had for several weeks with Christmas and the New Year, etc.  A little after mid-day many youth from our stake arrived, and many from our Jardin ward, to do baptisms and confirmations for the dead.

The stake had invited all of us to try to attend the temple some time during the day.  In the last session brother Trejo received his endowment, accompanied by various members of his family and our ward. 

So – we come to various questions –

1.       Why does someone go to the temple?

2.       Why is the temple a special place?

3.       What do we hope to accomplish with the time we spend in temple ordinances – for the living, and especially for those who are dead – for many centuries?

In April 2001, Elder Russell M. Nelson of the twelve gave a talk in General Conference in which he dealt with various aspects related to attending the temple – so I’m going to use a lot of his talk in the time I have today.  The title of the talk is “Personal Preparation for Temple Blessings.”

It begins with the following:  “Inscribed on each temple are the words “Holiness to the Lord.”  That statement designates both the temple and its purposes as holy. Those who enter the temple are also to bear the attribute of holiness. ² It may be easier to ascribe holiness to a building than it is to a people. We can acquire holiness only by enduring and persistent personal effort. Through the ages, servants of the Lord have warned against unholiness. Jacob, brother of Nephi, wrote: “I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, [I] must … teach you the consequences of sin.”

The Temple

The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant—the heart of the plan of salvation—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house. Our efforts to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead all lead to the temple. Each holy temple stands as a symbol of our membership in the Church, ⁴ as a sign of our faith in life after death, and as a sacred step toward eternal glory for us and our families.

President Hinckley said that “these unique and wonderful buildings, and the ordinances administered therein, represent the ultimate in our worship. These ordinances become the most profound expressions of our theology.” ⁵

To enter the temple is a tremendous blessing. But first we must be worthy. We should not be rushed. We cannot cut corners of preparation and risk the breaking of covenants we were not prepared to make. That would be worse than not making them at all.

The Endowment

In the temple we receive an endowment, which is, literally speaking, a gift. In receiving this gift, we should understand its significance and the importance of keeping sacred covenants. Each temple ordinance “is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising.”

The temple endowment was given by revelation. Thus, it is best understood by revelation, prayerfully sought with a sincere heart. ⁷ President Brigham Young said, “Your endowment is, to receive all those ordinances in the house of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, … and gain your eternal exaltation.” 

Temple Recommend

Preparation also includes qualification for a temple recommend. Our Redeemer requires that His temples be protected from desecration. No unclean thing may enter His hallowed house. Yet anyone is welcome who prepares well. Each person applying for a recommend will be interviewed by a judge in Israel—the bishop—and by a stake president. They hold keys of priesthood authority and the responsibility to help us know when our preparation and timing are appropriate to enter the temple. Their interviews will assess several vital issues. They will ask if we obey the law of tithing, if we keep the Word of Wisdom, and if we sustain the authorities of the Church. They will ask if we are honest, if we are morally clean, and if we honor the power of procreation as a sacred trust from our Creator.

Why are these issues so crucial? Because they are spiritual separators. They help to determine if we truly live as children of the covenant, able to resist temptation from servants of sin. These interviews help to discern if we are willing to live in accord with the will of the true and living God or if our hearts are still set “upon riches and … vain things of the world.”

Such requirements are not difficult to understand. Because the temple is the house of the Lord, standards for admission are set by Him. One enters as His guest. To hold a temple recommend is a priceless privilege and a tangible sign of obedience to God and His prophets. 

One thing that I have thought about is a statement by President Monson, “When performance is measured, performance improves.  When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement increases.”  This is interesting considering that 35 years ago temple attendance and the number of ordinances performed was collected and reported to Ward and Stake leaders.  But about 30 years ago the stopped the collection and reporting of that information.  I believe that was done because the leaders of the Church wanted the people to go to the temple because they loved the temple rather than because that activity would be reported.  Thus there is an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their dedication to the gospel and their love of God through temple attendance.

In Moses 1:39 it says “Behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”  President Uchtdorf, a few months ago in the Ensign talked of the marvelous miracle and mystery that man is nothing – given the perspective that Moses received and the immensity of God’s creations.  And at the same time, because we are children of God, we are everything to Him.  He testified that God knows and loves each one of us – and I add my own testimony to that.

In the temple we are taught with symbols and the Spirit teaches each of us individually.  As Elder Maxwell said, “It is simply marvelous and marvelously simple.” It is miraculous how the Spirit teaches each one of us at the level where we are and teaches us that which we are prepared to learn.  I testify that it is so.

Another observation.  If someone wants to live the law of consecration, they can begin to live it now by increasing their donations to Fast Offerings!  There is no need to wait until they are commanded to do so.  They can demonstrate their love toward God and their fellowmen right now by increasing their Fast Offerings – because it is not a commandment like tithing.  There is no limitation.

So we have a lot of freedom to live more of the gospel than only that which our leaders assign us or call us to do.

So in closing – as a response to the questions I proposed at the beginning, I answer all 3 with the following:

1.        Why do we go to the temple?

a.       To become more holy, not because we already are holy, or saintly.

b.      To make covenants with the Lord, including sealings to our families for eternity.

c.       To learn more of life and eternity.

And as a final point.  Temple attendance is one of those miraculous activities in which we can live the gospel and demonstrate our faith - through which the Lord blesses us.  In the words of one leader with whom I spoke recently: “If the brothers and sisters will attend the temple frequently, the problems that they have to present to the Bishop will simply disappear.” 

It is my testimony that to the extent we demonstrate our faith through temple attendance the blessings of the Lord will flow into our lives.

I know that God lives and this is His work – in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

We are here!

Our home is very nice and comfortable and about a 15 minute walk from the Tampico Temple. We have unloaded our bags and are making ourselves at home here and just about remember which light switch goes with which light.  Today was our first day serving in the temple and we are tired.  We have spoken more Spanish today than we have in many years.  We were willing and we were needed so it was a good match.  On Saturdays, people get together and come in buses from different stakes so the temple is busy.  The temple is small but it has every needful thing.  

Brother and Sister Day are also serving in the temple.  They are a couple from Layton and have taken us under their wing.  Paul wore his first short sleeved white shirt in 30 years to walk to and from the temple where he changed to his regular long sleeved white shirt.  The weather is very nice and warm and Brother and Sister Day told us to plan on a trip to the beach a week from Monday.  Apparently Monday is a national holiday and usually our P-Day but a stake has arranged to bring a busload of people to the temple so we will be there.  Last Friday was the start of Mexico’s big  “Black Friday” weekend where shoppers go crazy with reduced prices and the shopping will continue through Monday.  

It is our first weekend here and we aren’t sure if the nighttime singing that we heard will happen each weekend.  We aren’t sure if these guys are drunk or they just can’t sing but a barking dog added a new note to their song as they continued their ballads this morning when we left our home to walk to the temple. 

We send our love to you and thank you for your support in our new adventure.

Our Journey South

Well, we have arrived in Tampico. We were in the Salt Lake Temple from Monday through Wednesday of this week for training along with 28 other temple missionaries who will serve in temples all over the world:  Hong Kong; Philippines; Boliva; Peru; Washington DC; Palmyra; Nauvoo; Tahiti; Canada; London.  Our training was in the Salt Lake Temple where we saw the temple training films, were able to ask any question that popped into our heads and had a rare historical tour of the Salt Lake Temple.  Then we were all off to our different temples.   

Our trip into Tampico via Houston only had one small hitch when the agent couldn't read Sherryl's visa number clearly.  So we ended up being the last to get through customs but finally made it.  As it happens, Sherryl remembered a small magnifying glass in her purse that she handed to the agent to help in the process.  So that's a tender mercy for sure!  I mean, how many of you have a magnifying glass in your purse?!  We were to be met at the airport by Brother Briones who is the 1st counselor in the temple presidency so we called him Brother Briones all evening only to find out today in the temple that we were actually picked up by President Soriano who is the Tempico Temple President.  Oops! 

Our granddaughter Marian and her husband Damon are living in our house in Farmington and taking care of it for us.  I have attached a photo of Marian and us in our official missionary name tags.

Day 4: Tampico. Here we come!

Mom and dad should be arriving this evening in Tampico. Here they are with all of their luggage, leaving the hotel. Their name tags are still in English, because using the temple as an MTC is so new that they haven't had time to get all the badges ordered yet. 

We stopped by the hotel to pick up Grandma's winter clothes, since they won't be needing them. The kids took Grandma up the elevator to the 15th floor, then down to the 2nd, then up to the 5th, then down to the 1st, then back to the 4th floor. They had a blast!! Grandma, was happy to be on solid ground again. It's amazing to think that it will be 2 years before we see them again, and how much things will change by then (and how much the kids will grow!).

Mission: Day 1

We now have name badges AND our passports AND our visas AND our airline etickets so now we just need to finish the training.  We spent the day in the Salt Lake Temple watching training videos plus we went on a session.  We had a lecture on security and they told us how to be safe--no matter what country we are in...like "walk with a purpose" and "vary your routine" and "if you drive, don't stop to help anyone" and don't take anything of sentimental value and if you are robbed--let them take whatever they want.  We are part of a group of about 26 people and each set of couples are going to a different temple to be ordinance workers.  We are finding "small world" stories--like the couple from Farmington NM who know Kay and Ellvert because they served in the Albuquerque Temple with them--they will serve in the Manhattan Temple.