A quote by Gordon B. Hinckey

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to just be people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey…delays…sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling burst of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley

 

I was thinkg about this quote today because our investment in the Hotel Park City did not turned out to be what we expected. We have lost a lot of money now that we sold it but are thankful to be able to acquire something new in hopes this one turns out to be better for us. I am thankful for whatever we still have to invest at the City Creek development but most important, I am thankful for our good health.  

Thinking of Daniel

Today I feel inpired to write something about my husband Daniel. He has to travel to the rest of the Caribbean islands at times and that is when I realize how much I miss him. When you look into his eyes I see a man with integrity. What I love about Daniel is that I see a true self. Never lying or deceiving. I can honestly say he is all the way completely trustworthy. He is one I know who will always be loyal to me and that is one thing I find most precious from a husband.

He is wise like Solomon. At work he has to make decisions all the time dealing with people and issues using his sense of discernment and he is almost always right on.

He is brave like Jonathan. I love the fact that he is not afraid to do hard things. He welcomes any challanges and adverstiy with serenity fully understanding of the Lord being in charge.

He is obedient like Abraham. He has told story after story that even when he does not agree with what he is told to do, he does it anyway.

He is faithful like Joshua. I am a witness to his faith and devotion to the Lord and how he takes the Lord's business seriously.

Like Peter, Jesus is his closest friend. I know he has a testimony of Jesus and his atonement.

Daniel is willing to suffer for the cause of spreading the Gospel like Paul. He takes any opportunity to tell people about his work and bring a little light into their life.

My husband has the best job a person can ever have. He is working hard to build the Lord's  kingdom. His job is not like any ordinary job and that is why I don't just support what he does but I love what he does and I am 100% with him.  

Punta Cana directors' seminar

This year from May 22 to May 25 for the first time, Daniel had all the directors and their respective wife to attend a directors seminar at Dreams in Punta Cana. We started with a devotional by elder Andersen and then we went to check in at the Dreams resort. I came with the Rappleys since Daniel was very busy at work as usual. He got in much later just as we started the seminar in the afternoon. Kent Rappleye had the first presentation he does so well about Christopher Columbus.

The next day each department reported on their goals met as well as what needs to be accomplished.
Daniel has a chart that he uses to simplified work to be done. It was good to get to know each department and what they do. At this time sister Monson had passed away so we also had a chance to watch her funeral services. President Monson and sister Monson were together for 64 years. She never complain to her husband been away from home or wanted to be the center of attention. She was a very down to earth lady.

 Daniel was the last one to speak and shared what he had received from the Bishopric which is pretty much what it has been talked about for the past year. he read D&C: 88:73 " Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." and it looks like because of all the new changes, this is the time we live in where the work needs to be hasten.

A Welcome Home!

Mandy came home to the DR on April 22 2013. She had been serving a mini mission in Puerto Rico. It all started by attending a Mission President's seminar in October of 2012 when I felt a strong desire to ask President Alvarado and his wife if I could send my youngest daugher who was turning 21. She was waiting to turn 21 to go on her mission before the age for missionaries changed. I wanted her to skip a semester from school to instead have her be  immerse in service to the Lord.

 Every Monday she wrote us and we got to know how much good a mission does for our kids. I wish all youg men and youg women get to go on one. It changed Mandy's life. She has such a good heart and a good attitude so I knew she would love her mission.

Mandy wanted to do baptisms for the dead when she got home so that was about the first thing we did. We went to listen to sister Mahom on beauty and of having good possitive thoughts. Mandy  spoke in church on Sunday in Spanish and what a treat that was. I am so thankful for the tender mercies and for helping Mandy grow and mature. She is an amazing girl and we are proud of her.

The same week Mandy came home Rosita and John Behner were in town too. They had meetings with their Sai Baba followers and we tried to be good hosts.  I wished I could have taken them to the Bonao farm or to brother Almonte's cabin but they left too soon to do anything and they were busy with their friends too. I admire them for all the service they do. They have so much energy for their age. They are an amazing couple and great example of service.

Bianca's wish

Bianca has this wish to be a mother. She loves children and Joseph is so cute with kids but it has not happened yet. It is what our family is praying for. I would love to see my child hold a baby of her own. Last April I received the news that her doctor couldn't hear the heartbead of her baby. She was 8 weeks pregnant by that Monday April 15 when she heard the news.  I cried when I read the email she sent us. When I told Daniel, he said: "you better go to New York" and so I called Margie to see if I could get a body pass from her to fly jet blue ASAP and she found someone who had one so thanks to her, I got on the plane the next day to spent time with her and even went to the store and to the Manhattan temple the day before she had her D&C procedure done on Friday April 19. A very sad day for my sweet Bianca.

 It was such an emotional drain for everyone. Bianca even showed me a little cute stuff  Easter bunny she had bought at the Grand Central store a few days earlier. I wanted so much to take all that pain away if I could. But what I appreciated the most was to watch how people around her were concerned and wanted to help. Someone loan them a car, another brought dinner,others sent flowers, many called etc. Even a simple how are you doing? feels good when you are going through grief. It will not take the sadness away but it will make you feel better knowing that people do care.

 On Saturday she even felt better to clean the apartment. I made chicken soup and lasagna. Bianca made some crapes on Sunday. We had to either take a taxi, the bus, train or subway to get anywhere because on top of it all, their car broke down and was at the repair shop. It was great to be at Church on Sunday and to watch Bishop Joseph Merkley, my son-in-law conduct the meeting. I cound't be more proud. I bought my ticket to come back on Sunday because the next Monday Mandy was getting home from her mini mission.

Quick stop in Miami

To go anywhere west of The Dominican Republic, we always need to stop in Miami so this year Daniel is going to be making a lot of stops there and whenever I have to go somewhere, I know that for a few hours I will be in the Miami airport or if it is a long wait of many hours, I will get to see my sister Mari and my mom or Alejandro and Lexi. Last time we were there during Easter and Vanessa was there also. Eric Allred came to dinner and Alejandro and Lexi and Lexi's sister and brother-in-law. It as geat!

Don't leave home without it!

This is the silliest thing I've done. I packed and thought of anyting I needed for my trip including my temple recommend so I placed it in a safe place so I would not forget it. I am there in Uruguay talking to Gabriel and Danae since Danae had left her temple recommend in another purse and there was no time to get it, I get to the temple and realized I don't have mine either. But by some miracle we got in just when the ceremony was about to start. All they needed was my full name and birhtdate.

 Earlier that day we had gone to the Courthouse where they had their civil marriage performed. In Uruguay the law only allows a civil marriage to be legal but the promises are all the same like to be a good provider and faithful husband, if I remember correctly. It was a beautiful day, busy with things Daniel needed to do downtown so he can now vote. In Uruguay is against the law not to vote  but Estela Caballero was there to explain that the reason he has not voted is that he resides in another country.

The ceremony was beautiful as they all are, and the party at night was amazing. The tradion is that all que guests arrive and visit with each other before the bride and the groom so the minute they walk in, everyone stands and they start with a dance. Afterwars everyone lines up ladies on one side and men on the other to have the last dance with the couple and that is when you greet them. In Mexico they even pin money to their chothes as each person dances with the bride and groom. The party lasted to the early morning around 4:am but we left around 2:am because we were a little tired from our long plane ride the night before. Being at a party for that long, you do get to talk to people and we sat next to some family members I had not met. There is a woman who knits this cute baby shoes that we have given to our grandchildren so I finally got to meet her. All this time we thought it was Daniel's mom who made them. she does make cute sweters. We got to spend the evening with all the cousins and even those who live in Brazil came to the wedding. I knew Estela but had not met her daughter Vanessa and her son Luciano and their spouses and children so that was nice.

This time around we went to a place called Santa Teresa that I called Santa Teresita all the time and I don't know why? but people kept asking, you mean Santa Teresa right? Well it was nice to look at the ruins there. We took a picture as if it was The Titanic. Then we went to a  beautiful Colonial town where I bought purses for all our 10 girls, daughters and daughters -in -law. We also went to La Paloma beach home and to some other place that is full of hippies. It was great to get on the jeep ride and to see something I would have seen right around the 70' like a site off woodstock. I will never forget the smell of marihuana on that jeep. The place is full of sea lions and it has a lighthouse that you can climb. The best part of going to Uruguay is to be with the family. I love Daniel's family. they are loving and caring people. His mother is so cute to talk to. She is so wise too. His brother Roberto and his wife Sandra are such hard workers, and his little brother Miguel Angel is also an angel. It was great to ge to know them a little better.

Cluster Meeting in Panama

For the first time I got to see the amazing Panama Canal and to experieced it, but crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean or the other way around. It is still incredible to me to know it was built by men over a century ago. I also never had realized how long it takes to go across, like five hours.

The meetings like always were fantastic. Bishop Stevenson and Gary Porter and Jorge Duran were in charge of the meetings. We learned of the beautiful blessings that come when you follow the teachings of our Heavenly Father and Jesus. How many programs in the Church have dramatically changed. The new way of teaching, the age for missionaries to serve, family history, the changes with PEF and the employment centers, etc. All these changes are to better serve others.

 One of the highlights was to see the Temple in Panama and to meet some very nice members there. I loved it, the meeting with the women was wonderful. It was inspired by a beautiful poem that is now made into a little book that gives people hope that what you do as small as it may seemed, matters.

All was done first class as usual. For gifts we received: flowers in our room and a basket with fruit and candy and water bottles,  leather "morrales type purses for all, a shirt for all the men "guayabera type", leather with fabric folders made in Guatemala with our names engraved for each and pens and markers. I gave each on of the ladies a little box made in la palma, El Salvador. something I like to do at the cluster meetings is to give the ladies a souvenir.