Mission Blog |
A dangerously acute account of 18 months in Nicaraguan Territory.
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Let’s go Fly a Kite….
With four pesos for plastic and reeds You can have your own set of wings With your feet on the ground, you’re a bird in flight With your fist holding tight to the string of a kite! I never knew that kite flying/making could be such a popular enterprise! Here in Nicaragua, “kites” are called “leschusas” and they are everywhere. The kids make them by cutting palm fronds into thin reeds and then attaching a plastic bag. It’s so fun to see the different shapes and types they make from such simple materials. I love watching all the kids try to get the kite in the air; it’s especially hilarious when there is no wind, so you just watch the kids run up and down the street. I told one little fella that maybe if he ran a little bit faster, he could get it up there. He had such faith in my words; he ran his little heart out. Poor thing, his kite was still grounded. In the words of Brother Ellsworth, bless his little gizzard. Time for trial of the week (what I really mean is the trial that I can explain in less than two paragraphs) so, here in Nicaragua the missionaries normally have a member in their area who they pay to make their lunch. Normally, we’re on our own for breakfast and dinner, but there was a missionary here in Chichigalpa who must’ve been a smooth talker because he got this same Hermana to give us breakfast too, for just a little bit more money! (Insert missionary shouting “yeah for rice and beans with egg! Anything is better than crackers”) the trial that I’m finally getting at is not the food (which is quite delicious) or the money we pay. It’s that this sweet family loves to listen to music. But more than anything, they love to listen to American music! Who knew that someone like One Direction could be such a temptation J it’s not that big of a deal for my companion or for them because they don’t understand the words, but I do. Even more, the words aren't even bad, but I definitely know that these songs aren't in harmony with the spirit of my calling. So, instead of singing along with Lorde “I’ve never seen a diamond in the flesh”, I politely ask if we can turn the music off for a little while…I know it may sound silly, but just know that the struggle is REAL!! (Especially for Naomi because she is such a fan of music) This past Sunday was a holiday for lots of people in Nicaragua, it was "the day of the dead". But for being such a dead day, there sure were a million live people bustling to and fro, visiting graves, family, screaming and praying at the cemeteries (I’m not sure if I've shared this with you, but the people here are CRAZY) Anyways, we contacted lots of people and talked with them about the Plan of Salvation. It was interesting to see the difficulty they had in accepting the happy message of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. They were obsessing with the deaths of their families. And just like that, I found this awesome quote from Elder James C. Talmage.. ”Death has come to be the universal heritage, it may claim its victim in infancy or youth, in the period of life’s prime, or its summons may be deferred until the shows of age have gathered upon the hoary head, it may befall us the result of accident or disease, by violence, or as we say, through natural causes; but come it must, as Satan well knows, and in this knowledge is his present but temporary triumph. But the purposes of God, as they ever have been and ever shall be, are infinitely superior to the deepest designs of men or devils, and the satanic machinations to make death inevitable, perpetual, and supreme were provided against even before the first man had been created in the fresh. The atonement to be wrought by Jesus the Christ was ordained to overcome death and to provide a means of ransom from the power of Satan." I feel like I should just say “Amen” to his words and call it a letter, but I would like to add my personal testimony that death is a necessary part of the Plan of Salvation. Once we've reached a certain point, we can progress no further, so we die. And yes, it’s sad. “But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ! (Mosiah 16:8) With lots of love, Hermana Beatty P.S. ha ha so will someone please explain to me this whole zombie thing?! Ha ha jk, jk
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November 2015
CategoriesAuthorhola! I'm Naomi and I love reading, my amazing family, and the color green. |