Dear family and friends,
Another week has come and gone in paradise. We had a few good rains
but plenty hot in between. Sister Wheeler has agonized over a
decision to have someone here cut her hair. Finally, decided to try a
lady (very nice Jehovah Witness) named Lizma who has a shop in her
home just up our gap. After a few whacks and $25 Jan has spent the
remainder of the week trying to repair the damage. Oh well, I guess
we try someone else next time.
We taught another temple class lesson on the plan of salvation. We
have been three weeks teaching what is usually taught in one. There
are many misconceptions regarding many points of doctrine that people
have because of their backgrounds in other churches. We are really
enjoying teaching and are excited at the prospect of seeing some of
these people prepare and go to the temple in the next few months. We
hope to do the same in the Calliaqua branch later in the summer with a
goal of going to the temple sometime in October.
Annetta Tobierre, a single member in the Calliaqua branch, had a baby
this week. Her third child out of wedlock. It is amazing to us how
many people here have children outside of marriage. It is so socially
accepted here that it is a huge problem inside as well as outside of
the Church. There are very few of what we would term "traditional
families" with a father and mother in the home.
Our one faithful and dependable seminary teacher had a miscarriage a
couple of weeks ago and so we had the branch president call a man to
substitute for her for a couple of weeks. Because the regular teacher
is also the supervisor, we had intended to have him called full time
as he has a great teaching talent and has served a mission and seemed
to do a great job relating to and motivating the youth. He taught for
one week and we thought did a great job. Then, on Sunday, an 18 year
old boy who joined the Church 8 months ago but had recently been
mostly inactive, talked to the branch president and accused the
seminary substitute of very serious misconduct. A disciplinary
counsel will be held by the mission president. When terrible events
like this happen in one of these small branches, which struggle with
so many things anyway, it is devastating.
We are excited that the art for the Calliaqua branch has finally
arrived and we will be able to have it hung by branch conference on
May 9. It will make a big difference in the Calliaqua building
feeling like a chapel and meetinghouse. President Robertson was able
to get it through customs without a huge duty and is so excited.
We are loving our service and look forward to any updates from home.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
April 18,2010
Is spring there yet? We think of you often and last night as it
rained through the night we thought of spring showers at home and
wondered if the daffodils are on their way and if the fruit trees are
blossoming. Everything is green here again so we have made it through
the dry season. We love to listen to the talks recently given in
General Conference and are so grateful for the time we live. It is
wonderful to be able to send messages instantly and to be in touch
with what is happening at home and Church headquarters. We feel
somewhat isolated at times and then feel very humble to live when such
technology is available to us. Knowing that all the world will know
and see the Savior's second coming is more understandable at this time
than just a few decades ago. Thanks to all who keep us in your circle
and let us know of your goings and comings.
This week has been very full in so many different aspects. We have
celebrated two Elders birthdays and survived another transfer. We
received three new Elders and bid farewell to three who have found a
forever spot in our lives. We taught our first Temple class in the
Kingstown branch on Tuesday night. There is a possibility of 8 to 10
people going to the temple for their own endowment and sealings
mid-July. The air fare from here to the Dominican Republic, which is
the nearest temple, is about $750US each and many of these people work
for $1US to $3US dollars per hour. Because of the financial
sacrifice, many have had to wait for many years for this blessing in
their lives. We had a sad event mid-week, our beloved Seminary and
Institute teacher and coordinator had a miscarriage. We were very
hopeful that she would, by some miracle, be able to have this little
one born to them. We have no doubt that the Lord's will was done and
even though we don't know the end from the beginning, we know that
Sister Adams is very much loved by our Father in Heaven. Saturday was
a very full day. We had the baptism of five in the Calliaqua branch.
The McDowald family were baptized as well Kanecia, Jennifer, who was
baptized a month ago granddaughter. It was a great day!!! The
McDowald family is exceptional, Kashore and Nadine were married about
a month ago and Kashawna, 10 and Reon, 8 are very bright and are fun
to teach as they soak up everything about the gospel. Kanecia is very
bright also and reads the Book of Mormon to her grandmother. We
wondered if they would make it to Church today to be confirmed because
of the intensity of the rain during the night and early morning today,
Sunday. They all needed to find transportation, which is difficult on
a normal Sunday and even more so today. They all made it! If you
want it bad enough and have faith, all things are possible. After the
baptisms on Saturday, we had Literacy class. This is becoming an
exceptionally rewarding experience. To see eyes light up as they are
able to read not only words but sentences and then write what those
sentences mean to them. Bro. Samuel, "Tall Boy"- street name, wrote
this sentence with a little help with one word. "With Jesus Christ, I
can do anything." He ended class with such gratitude for being able
to progress. After Literacy class, we had Seminary. We started the
class and then Sis. James came late and gave a very well prepared
lesson. The Spirit was there and the doctrine of obedience is
liberating and sin brings bondage was well taught and received. After
Seminary, we had a Fireside which was presented by the missionaries.
The Elders did a great job of presenting the program of members
studying from Preach My Gospel and assisting the missionaries teach
their friends. The goal is to prepare members to be prepared to share
the gospel as missionaries do. We came home and collapsed. What a
great day!!! Today, we were guided to attend the branch that needed
us most. We helped counsel the branch president in Kingstown who to
call as another Seminary teacher. We were tempted to attend
Calliaqua's meetings because of the confirmations that were scheduled
for their Sacrament meeting. It was evident that we had been guided
to be where we were needed the most.
We are so grateful to be a part of the work here. We love the people
and it is so rewarding to watch them progress as they work hard and
strive to keep the commandments and make the gospel a part of
everything they do. May we all strive to live the Gospel more fully
everyday. The Book of Mormon is the key! It is the "Iron rod", hold
tight! "Live to have no regrets." Richard G. Scott
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheeler
rained through the night we thought of spring showers at home and
wondered if the daffodils are on their way and if the fruit trees are
blossoming. Everything is green here again so we have made it through
the dry season. We love to listen to the talks recently given in
General Conference and are so grateful for the time we live. It is
wonderful to be able to send messages instantly and to be in touch
with what is happening at home and Church headquarters. We feel
somewhat isolated at times and then feel very humble to live when such
technology is available to us. Knowing that all the world will know
and see the Savior's second coming is more understandable at this time
than just a few decades ago. Thanks to all who keep us in your circle
and let us know of your goings and comings.
This week has been very full in so many different aspects. We have
celebrated two Elders birthdays and survived another transfer. We
received three new Elders and bid farewell to three who have found a
forever spot in our lives. We taught our first Temple class in the
Kingstown branch on Tuesday night. There is a possibility of 8 to 10
people going to the temple for their own endowment and sealings
mid-July. The air fare from here to the Dominican Republic, which is
the nearest temple, is about $750US each and many of these people work
for $1US to $3US dollars per hour. Because of the financial
sacrifice, many have had to wait for many years for this blessing in
their lives. We had a sad event mid-week, our beloved Seminary and
Institute teacher and coordinator had a miscarriage. We were very
hopeful that she would, by some miracle, be able to have this little
one born to them. We have no doubt that the Lord's will was done and
even though we don't know the end from the beginning, we know that
Sister Adams is very much loved by our Father in Heaven. Saturday was
a very full day. We had the baptism of five in the Calliaqua branch.
The McDowald family were baptized as well Kanecia, Jennifer, who was
baptized a month ago granddaughter. It was a great day!!! The
McDowald family is exceptional, Kashore and Nadine were married about
a month ago and Kashawna, 10 and Reon, 8 are very bright and are fun
to teach as they soak up everything about the gospel. Kanecia is very
bright also and reads the Book of Mormon to her grandmother. We
wondered if they would make it to Church today to be confirmed because
of the intensity of the rain during the night and early morning today,
Sunday. They all needed to find transportation, which is difficult on
a normal Sunday and even more so today. They all made it! If you
want it bad enough and have faith, all things are possible. After the
baptisms on Saturday, we had Literacy class. This is becoming an
exceptionally rewarding experience. To see eyes light up as they are
able to read not only words but sentences and then write what those
sentences mean to them. Bro. Samuel, "Tall Boy"- street name, wrote
this sentence with a little help with one word. "With Jesus Christ, I
can do anything." He ended class with such gratitude for being able
to progress. After Literacy class, we had Seminary. We started the
class and then Sis. James came late and gave a very well prepared
lesson. The Spirit was there and the doctrine of obedience is
liberating and sin brings bondage was well taught and received. After
Seminary, we had a Fireside which was presented by the missionaries.
The Elders did a great job of presenting the program of members
studying from Preach My Gospel and assisting the missionaries teach
their friends. The goal is to prepare members to be prepared to share
the gospel as missionaries do. We came home and collapsed. What a
great day!!! Today, we were guided to attend the branch that needed
us most. We helped counsel the branch president in Kingstown who to
call as another Seminary teacher. We were tempted to attend
Calliaqua's meetings because of the confirmations that were scheduled
for their Sacrament meeting. It was evident that we had been guided
to be where we were needed the most.
We are so grateful to be a part of the work here. We love the people
and it is so rewarding to watch them progress as they work hard and
strive to keep the commandments and make the gospel a part of
everything they do. May we all strive to live the Gospel more fully
everyday. The Book of Mormon is the key! It is the "Iron rod", hold
tight! "Live to have no regrets." Richard G. Scott
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheeler
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 11,2010
.
The news from home has been very welcome through Easter week. We have
appreciated hearing from many of you and hearing about Conference.
Our district meeting was a review of the talks and what had made an
impact with each of us. It was so interesting to listen to what each
missionary had found a message just for him, or the people here in St.
Vincent, or his family. May we all cherish General Conference and
take the messages to heart and implement them so that we are prepared
for what will come. It is a blessing to know that we are being lead
by a prophet of God and that the warnings and blessings are there if
we are watchful and obedient.
Our focus this week has been interviewing those who may go to the
temple in the next few months. They must satisfy immigration, save
the money needed, as well as being worthy for a temple recommend. We
have had some wonderful experiences as we share a common goal. We
also have become acutely aware of the challenges involved for most of
them to make the trip to Santa Domingo. We realize how important it
is for us to prepare well and teach correct doctrine. We hope to
teach the doctrine more deeply this time as most of those who will be
attending the class have been through the temple prep class before.
We hope that there will be at least 11 ready to go in July. We have
heard some wonderful conversion stories as well as the great faith of
those facing hard challenges as we have visited them in their homes.
We know that the temple will bless all of their lives and help them
face their challenges with more faith and determination to be totally
obedient. We are excited about helping with this wonderful event. We
went to the Trumpet home this afternoon and blessed their baby. It
was a good experience. Sister Trumpet is the grandmother and a very
strong member of the Church. She lives in Canada part of the year and
has been here for the past several months. Her son is Seraph and has
not been active for many years. We have written about him in the past
and he has lived quite the life. His wife, Pat, is not a member and
has some interesting beliefs. They have Marvelous, who is their 3
year old son and now this new little baby boy who they named
Excellent. We have such tender feelings for Sister Trumpet who we can
see has faith in the promise, "When they are old they will not depart
from it."
That is it for another week. We have transfers this week and that is
always an interesting few days. Hope this week is a good one for all
of you.
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheeler
The news from home has been very welcome through Easter week. We have
appreciated hearing from many of you and hearing about Conference.
Our district meeting was a review of the talks and what had made an
impact with each of us. It was so interesting to listen to what each
missionary had found a message just for him, or the people here in St.
Vincent, or his family. May we all cherish General Conference and
take the messages to heart and implement them so that we are prepared
for what will come. It is a blessing to know that we are being lead
by a prophet of God and that the warnings and blessings are there if
we are watchful and obedient.
Our focus this week has been interviewing those who may go to the
temple in the next few months. They must satisfy immigration, save
the money needed, as well as being worthy for a temple recommend. We
have had some wonderful experiences as we share a common goal. We
also have become acutely aware of the challenges involved for most of
them to make the trip to Santa Domingo. We realize how important it
is for us to prepare well and teach correct doctrine. We hope to
teach the doctrine more deeply this time as most of those who will be
attending the class have been through the temple prep class before.
We hope that there will be at least 11 ready to go in July. We have
heard some wonderful conversion stories as well as the great faith of
those facing hard challenges as we have visited them in their homes.
We know that the temple will bless all of their lives and help them
face their challenges with more faith and determination to be totally
obedient. We are excited about helping with this wonderful event. We
went to the Trumpet home this afternoon and blessed their baby. It
was a good experience. Sister Trumpet is the grandmother and a very
strong member of the Church. She lives in Canada part of the year and
has been here for the past several months. Her son is Seraph and has
not been active for many years. We have written about him in the past
and he has lived quite the life. His wife, Pat, is not a member and
has some interesting beliefs. They have Marvelous, who is their 3
year old son and now this new little baby boy who they named
Excellent. We have such tender feelings for Sister Trumpet who we can
see has faith in the promise, "When they are old they will not depart
from it."
That is it for another week. We have transfers this week and that is
always an interesting few days. Hope this week is a good one for all
of you.
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheeler
Monday, April 5, 2010
April 4, 2010
,
What a week we have had! We hope that your Easter week has been
filled with good family memories and a spiritual feast with General
Conference and Easter. We had some homesickness that was quickly
replaced with being busy. We were so grateful to be able to enjoy
Conference live and we had a full Kingstown chapel on Sunday.
Our week began with preparations for the Zone conference. Pres. and
Sister Gamiette were to arrive on Monday night and because of his
tight schedule in St. Lucia they missed their flight. So, adjustments
were made and they arrived about noon on Tuesday. That made it so we
had some kick back time with the missionaries from Granada. The young
missionaries spent the morning street contacting and making visits.
We had a nice visit with the Rasmussens who are the senior couple in
Granada. We enjoy them a lot. Sister R has been having some trouble
with her feet so she isn't very mobile right now. We had a great
lunch after the Gamiettes and the Assistants to the President (AP)
arrived. The APs gave us great compliments on the food at St.
Vincent's Zone conference so that was rewarding. Pres. Gamiette gave
a masterful lesson on the oath and the covenant of the priesthood.
Great learning!!! We then went into interviews and branch councils
and again he taught doctrine for the challenges that we are facing.
He finished interviews about 11 pm and we got Pres. and Sis. Gamiette
to the hotel just before midnight. They had to be at the airport by
5:30 am Wednesday morning. Their schedule is just exhausting and
could be accomplished without the promise of "run and not be weary and
walk and not faint". They definitely were weary but were renewed with
a few hours sleep. We had another day at Immigration which went
relatively well. They complained about using a copy of the sponsors
letter even though he was with us. So he now has to fill out each
letter in its entirety for each one of us. It is getting to be an
expected thing that they will find something to complain about. We
had another lesson with the Providence family on Thursday evening and
that is always rewarding. It was also our wedding anniversary on
Friday and we had a great day. It started out with the normal chores
and then our landlady brought us some Easter buns mid morning. So we
had a lovely break with a beautiful view from our veranda and some
delightful Easter buns which are a tradition here along with flying
kites for Easter. We continued with the usual until evening and then
went to the French Veranda for dinner which was absolutely the best we
have had here. Great Caribbean Anniversary!!! Saturday was so
wonderful with all the Conference sessions and a baptism in between.
Arthur Lawrence was baptized. He is 17 years old and the son of
Marcia who was baptized a couple of weeks ago. A year ago, the priest
in the church they were attending wanted Arthur to become a priest and
go to theology college. He is a very bright young man and will be a
great asset to the Kingstown branch and to the mission field in a
couple of years. We were concerned that there would not be many
members come to Conference on Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised
when the Chapel was filled. Conference was such a spiritual feast; it
will be good to study the messages when they are available. We asked,
"Which was your favorite talk?" Everyone had a hard time saying
because they had several that were so good for them. Lots of talks
about family and teaching in the home. We were so glad to listen to
Elder Brad Foster's talk (even though it made us a little homesick).
Great talk that made us glad that we have such a friends thanks to
Richard and Kathy Polatis. Another great week here in St. Vincent.
We have our challenges here which keeps life interesting...you've got
to love it.
We would have had more baptisms on Saturday if the investigators had
been able to fulfill the revised requirements. They must come to
church 3 Sundays in a row and read the Book of Mormon every day for 14
days. Can you say that you have done both of these? The Book of
Mormon is so important!!! Hope you all have a good week.
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheele
What a week we have had! We hope that your Easter week has been
filled with good family memories and a spiritual feast with General
Conference and Easter. We had some homesickness that was quickly
replaced with being busy. We were so grateful to be able to enjoy
Conference live and we had a full Kingstown chapel on Sunday.
Our week began with preparations for the Zone conference. Pres. and
Sister Gamiette were to arrive on Monday night and because of his
tight schedule in St. Lucia they missed their flight. So, adjustments
were made and they arrived about noon on Tuesday. That made it so we
had some kick back time with the missionaries from Granada. The young
missionaries spent the morning street contacting and making visits.
We had a nice visit with the Rasmussens who are the senior couple in
Granada. We enjoy them a lot. Sister R has been having some trouble
with her feet so she isn't very mobile right now. We had a great
lunch after the Gamiettes and the Assistants to the President (AP)
arrived. The APs gave us great compliments on the food at St.
Vincent's Zone conference so that was rewarding. Pres. Gamiette gave
a masterful lesson on the oath and the covenant of the priesthood.
Great learning!!! We then went into interviews and branch councils
and again he taught doctrine for the challenges that we are facing.
He finished interviews about 11 pm and we got Pres. and Sis. Gamiette
to the hotel just before midnight. They had to be at the airport by
5:30 am Wednesday morning. Their schedule is just exhausting and
could be accomplished without the promise of "run and not be weary and
walk and not faint". They definitely were weary but were renewed with
a few hours sleep. We had another day at Immigration which went
relatively well. They complained about using a copy of the sponsors
letter even though he was with us. So he now has to fill out each
letter in its entirety for each one of us. It is getting to be an
expected thing that they will find something to complain about. We
had another lesson with the Providence family on Thursday evening and
that is always rewarding. It was also our wedding anniversary on
Friday and we had a great day. It started out with the normal chores
and then our landlady brought us some Easter buns mid morning. So we
had a lovely break with a beautiful view from our veranda and some
delightful Easter buns which are a tradition here along with flying
kites for Easter. We continued with the usual until evening and then
went to the French Veranda for dinner which was absolutely the best we
have had here. Great Caribbean Anniversary!!! Saturday was so
wonderful with all the Conference sessions and a baptism in between.
Arthur Lawrence was baptized. He is 17 years old and the son of
Marcia who was baptized a couple of weeks ago. A year ago, the priest
in the church they were attending wanted Arthur to become a priest and
go to theology college. He is a very bright young man and will be a
great asset to the Kingstown branch and to the mission field in a
couple of years. We were concerned that there would not be many
members come to Conference on Sunday. We were pleasantly surprised
when the Chapel was filled. Conference was such a spiritual feast; it
will be good to study the messages when they are available. We asked,
"Which was your favorite talk?" Everyone had a hard time saying
because they had several that were so good for them. Lots of talks
about family and teaching in the home. We were so glad to listen to
Elder Brad Foster's talk (even though it made us a little homesick).
Great talk that made us glad that we have such a friends thanks to
Richard and Kathy Polatis. Another great week here in St. Vincent.
We have our challenges here which keeps life interesting...you've got
to love it.
We would have had more baptisms on Saturday if the investigators had
been able to fulfill the revised requirements. They must come to
church 3 Sundays in a row and read the Book of Mormon every day for 14
days. Can you say that you have done both of these? The Book of
Mormon is so important!!! Hope you all have a good week.
Much love,
Elder and Sister Wheele
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
