We have had Conferences in the mission this past week. President Perkins (the soon to be new Area President) came to visit and to instruct us. The current President (President Hallstrom) you may recall was called as a new member of the Presidency of the Seventy this last General Conference.
President Perkins shared some good instruction while here. The General Authorities always do, of course. But there was one thing in particular that he shared which we thought would be interesting to share with all of you -- how senior missionaries are called.
It goes something like this.
Mission Presidents communicate with Salt Lake City and request needed missionaries. In the case of seniors, they include in their request the specific skills needed and what specific responsibilities are to be assigned to the couple in that mission. Those requests are then directed to specific Church Departments, based on what the need is. For example, a need for welfare missionaries is directed to the Welfare Department, a need for Humanitarian missionaries is directed to the Humanitarian Department, etc.
When couples complete an application to serve a mission, copies of that application are also directed to each department. When a particular application seems to match a mission need, the department will ask for that couple on behalf of the requesting mission. Usually, several departments request each senior couple.
The request is then assigned a priority level, with the need deemed to be best met by that couple being given priority one, and so on. Once prioritized, the application is then sent for review by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and the chairman of the missionary committee. Each missionary application (all of them, seniors and young missionaries alike) then appear one at a time on a computer screen.
President Perkins was given the opportunity to witness this part of the process. Elder Hales was the one assigned on this particular occasion. President Perkins watched as Elder Hales looked at each application on the screen, one at a time. Sometimes he would look at personal information, other times he would just look at the picture. Elder Hales told him that if he can look into the eyes of the candidate (even if it is only a picture) he can see into their soul.
Elder Hales would then quickly announce where the Lord wanted that person to serve. Usually, the mission thus assigned will be somewhere on the list of priorities, but not always.
As he was sitting there, President Perkins offered a quick silent prayer asking the Lord to help him receive a personal testimony of this process. Soon, a name of a young missionary appeared on the screen. To President Perkins mind immediately came the words, "Lubbock Texas Mission." He said that he didn't even know that we had a Lubbock Texas Mission! A second or less later, Elder Hales announced, "Lubbock Texas Mission."
Soon another name appeared on the screen, and the thought came, "Toyko North Mission" immediately followed by Elder Hales assignment of that missionary to that mission.
President Perkins then shared his testimony that he knew people were called to serve where the Lord wants them to serve. And it is always to the best place for them to be. Sister Caldwell and I have felt the verity of our own assignment and know that we were asked by the Lord to serve in Mongolia.
It is not always easy, but it is always worth it. We have had some difficulties since arriving here. If you have been following our blog, you know of some of them (a broken arm, more work than we can keep track of, language frustrations, etc.). We have been taught that where the Lord gives much He expects much. But the reverse is also true. Where He expects much, he gives much. The blessings which our children and grandchildren have received alone, have been more than enough to make this worth any sacrifice we might be making. The blessings we have received ourselves, have been astounding, but seem like only 'icing on the cake'.
We continue to encourage all of you to set a goal to serve as senior missionaries. You are desperately needed. There is work to do here in the mission field that the younger missionaries, as terrific as they are, can not do.
And, yes, if you don't go, the work will still go on. It may be a bit more challenging for those who do go as they try to make up the slack, but it will go on. But those who do go, will be the ones to receive the blessings. Blessings that are more than we have the words or space to describe here.
And you're never too young to set such goals and to begin working toward them. Today is a great time to start!
Page Two.
A new senior couple just arrived here in Mongolia: Elder and Sister Stevens. I first met them in the parking lot. He looked very familiar to me as I started talking to him. We had been told they were coming from California but at this point I had my doubts. So I said, "You're from California, right?" He answered, "Yes." I said, "Well, there's a man in Utah who's last name is also Stevens who looks a lot like you." He asked, "In what city?" and I said, "West Valley City." He said, "Oh, that's my identical twin brother!"
That twin brother and I had worked together many years ago to take a group of 14 Venture age scouts on a boating trip to Lake Powell (that was before such trips were discouraged). We had lived in the same ward and had become fairly good friends, though I haven't seen him for a couple of years, now. He used to work part time at the True Value Hardware store in West Valley after he retired from his career and I would see him there and visit once in a while when he wasn't too busy.
I remember, now, that he had mentioned a twin brother, but never gave it much thought. Now we have traveled half way around the world to meet him.
Go figure.
.
.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Down Under
Just a couple of quick notes about Ulaanbaatar.
Before we leave winter entirely behind us (by the way, it has been warmer here than in Utah -- by quite a bit -- 80 degrees today!), we thought we'd show you how some of the men keep warm on the coldest nights.
There are manholes scattered around everywhere here. Men who we would refer to as homeless will sometimes crawl into those holes in the ground at night during the winter, in order to keep warm. It actually is quite a bit warmer down there. Attempts have been made to keep them out by locking down some of the manh
ole covers or by placing heavy pieces of concrete on them. But them usually manage to find at least a few they can still get into.
And we also thought you might like to see a picture or two of one of the main sidewalks near our apartment. They certainly are not all this bad, but they do seem to have problems maintaining things here. Many of the sidewalks around are topped with ceramic tile, though even they are not kept in really good repair, either.
One of these next posts, we will show you some of the better parts of our fair city!
Before we leave winter entirely behind us (by the way, it has been warmer here than in Utah -- by quite a bit -- 80 degrees today!), we thought we'd show you how some of the men keep warm on the coldest nights.
There are manholes scattered around everywhere here. Men who we would refer to as homeless will sometimes crawl into those holes in the ground at night during the winter, in order to keep warm. It actually is quite a bit warmer down there. Attempts have been made to keep them out by locking down some of the manh
ole covers or by placing heavy pieces of concrete on them. But them usually manage to find at least a few they can still get into.And we also thought you might like to see a picture or two of one of the main sidewalks near our apartment. They certainly are not all this bad, but they do seem to have problems maintaining things here. Many of the sidewalks around are topped with ceramic tile, though even they are not kept in really good repair, either.
One of these next posts, we will show you some of the better parts of our fair city!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Humanitarian Efforts - Page 3
There are no pictures with this Post. None are needed. This is a very touching story, having to do with yet another humanitarian program being conducted by the Church here. Read on.
Another area in which the Church has been able to provide significant blessing to the people of Mongolia, has been in offering a program for addiction recovery. This program seems to attract mostly nonmembers but has touched many lives and many of those participants have eventually accepted the Gospel. Elder and Sister Hitchmough (originally from Canada), have been directing that program for the past 18 months or so but will soon be returning to their home in Canada.
At our weekly staff meeting yesterday, Elder Hitchmough gave his customary report of their efforts – as did all of us. First, he reported on the work being done as we all teach English (another area the Hitchmough’s have responsibility for). Then, he reported on the addiction recovery program.
He told us about the most recent meeting they had just held for addicts. Twenty seven gathered at this particular session - a full group and then some. It was also the last meeting for this particular series – a sort of graduation, if you will. It came time to start and he closed the door and began the meeting.
Within a few minutes, there came a knock at the door. Elder Hitchmough opened the door to find three men looking at him. He described them as large men who were swaying and smelling heavily of alcohol - obviously intoxicated. He wondered if he should let them in and then thought, ‘I’m not big enough to stop these guys anyway!’ and he opened the door.
They sat down in the room, and the instructor (a local Mongolian resident - someone who speaks the language must, of course, do the actual teaching here) started the normal process of having everyone tell about themselves and how they were doing. As she came to the first of the three intoxicated men, he was fast asleep and Elder Hitchmough found himself hoping that the instructor might just pass him by. She didn’t. She woke him and asked him to tell about himself.
He said his name was Batbold and kind of drifted off again. She paused for a moment but finally moved on to the next person. However, before that next participant could begin, Batbold raised his hand and asked for another chance to speak.
He explained that he was ‘ . . a member of this church’ but that he was having a very difficult time and needed help. He broke down in tears as he shared some of his feelings and what had brought him there.
The three were not sitting together but the second of the three men was already in tears as he explained that he was brother to the first man. He introduced himself as Batbaatar explaining that he too was a member of the Church. He, too, pleaded for help.
The third man was also a member of the Church. In fact, he told them that he had once been a branch president. He could barely remember the good feelings the Gospel had brought him (the touch of the Spirit) before this addiction had overtaken him, but he wanted those feelings back again. He, too, asked for help.
After the three men had first entered the room and sat down, Elder Hitchmough had begun writing notes as fast as he could, detailing information about these three new participants. As things settled for a moment, he looked at the paper he had hastily grabbed and on which he had been writing. He hadn't had time to pay much attention to what was on that paper, but found that it was the poem, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.” (Elder Hitchmough was having difficulty by this time in finishing his story.)
He shared the portion of that poem that happened to be right next to his notes:
“And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
“A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
[There was about a two minute pause here as Elder Hitchmough fought to gain control of his emotions again]
“But the Master comes
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.”
. . . . . . . . Myro Brooks Welch
Some things seem more worth sharing than others.
.
Another area in which the Church has been able to provide significant blessing to the people of Mongolia, has been in offering a program for addiction recovery. This program seems to attract mostly nonmembers but has touched many lives and many of those participants have eventually accepted the Gospel. Elder and Sister Hitchmough (originally from Canada), have been directing that program for the past 18 months or so but will soon be returning to their home in Canada.
At our weekly staff meeting yesterday, Elder Hitchmough gave his customary report of their efforts – as did all of us. First, he reported on the work being done as we all teach English (another area the Hitchmough’s have responsibility for). Then, he reported on the addiction recovery program.
He told us about the most recent meeting they had just held for addicts. Twenty seven gathered at this particular session - a full group and then some. It was also the last meeting for this particular series – a sort of graduation, if you will. It came time to start and he closed the door and began the meeting.
Within a few minutes, there came a knock at the door. Elder Hitchmough opened the door to find three men looking at him. He described them as large men who were swaying and smelling heavily of alcohol - obviously intoxicated. He wondered if he should let them in and then thought, ‘I’m not big enough to stop these guys anyway!’ and he opened the door.
They sat down in the room, and the instructor (a local Mongolian resident - someone who speaks the language must, of course, do the actual teaching here) started the normal process of having everyone tell about themselves and how they were doing. As she came to the first of the three intoxicated men, he was fast asleep and Elder Hitchmough found himself hoping that the instructor might just pass him by. She didn’t. She woke him and asked him to tell about himself.
He said his name was Batbold and kind of drifted off again. She paused for a moment but finally moved on to the next person. However, before that next participant could begin, Batbold raised his hand and asked for another chance to speak.
He explained that he was ‘ . . a member of this church’ but that he was having a very difficult time and needed help. He broke down in tears as he shared some of his feelings and what had brought him there.
The three were not sitting together but the second of the three men was already in tears as he explained that he was brother to the first man. He introduced himself as Batbaatar explaining that he too was a member of the Church. He, too, pleaded for help.
The third man was also a member of the Church. In fact, he told them that he had once been a branch president. He could barely remember the good feelings the Gospel had brought him (the touch of the Spirit) before this addiction had overtaken him, but he wanted those feelings back again. He, too, asked for help.
After the three men had first entered the room and sat down, Elder Hitchmough had begun writing notes as fast as he could, detailing information about these three new participants. As things settled for a moment, he looked at the paper he had hastily grabbed and on which he had been writing. He hadn't had time to pay much attention to what was on that paper, but found that it was the poem, “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.” (Elder Hitchmough was having difficulty by this time in finishing his story.)
He shared the portion of that poem that happened to be right next to his notes:
“And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like the old violin.
“A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
[There was about a two minute pause here as Elder Hitchmough fought to gain control of his emotions again]
“But the Master comes
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.”
. . . . . . . . Myro Brooks Welch
Some things seem more worth sharing than others.
.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The First Mongolian Stake!
It was announced earlier today that the first Stake would soon be organized in Mongolia! That is wonderful news! The area now covered by the Ulaanbaatar District, will be split and become Ulaanbaatar East District and the Ulaanbaatar Stake.
It is difficult to envision all that this type of change entails. A new Stake Center will need to be built (a site has been selected); there are no High Priests in a District, so many who are now Elders will have to be ordained High Priests so that positions in Bishoprics, a Stake Presidency and an entire High Council can all be filled; and Stake leaders will also have to be called for the youth, Primary and Relief Society organizations.
Mission field areas also have no Patriarchs so a Patriarch will soon be ordained. Anyone in this mission will them be able to receive Patriarchal Blessings through him - something only young missionaries called from here to serve in areas of the world where Patriarchs, already exist have been able to receive until now. This Patriarch will potentially be a VERY busy man for awhile!
It also opens the door just a little bit wider to the possibility of a temple being built here in the near future.
The Church is growing in Mongolia!
It is difficult to envision all that this type of change entails. A new Stake Center will need to be built (a site has been selected); there are no High Priests in a District, so many who are now Elders will have to be ordained High Priests so that positions in Bishoprics, a Stake Presidency and an entire High Council can all be filled; and Stake leaders will also have to be called for the youth, Primary and Relief Society organizations.
Mission field areas also have no Patriarchs so a Patriarch will soon be ordained. Anyone in this mission will them be able to receive Patriarchal Blessings through him - something only young missionaries called from here to serve in areas of the world where Patriarchs, already exist have been able to receive until now. This Patriarch will potentially be a VERY busy man for awhile!
It also opens the door just a little bit wider to the possibility of a temple being built here in the near future.
The Church is growing in Mongolia!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Hong Kong - Part 4
Thought we had best work on finishing our Hong Kong trip report.
Following the wonderful experiences we had in the temple all week, we had some additional time to do a little bit of sightseeing. The group left Sunday morning after an early Sacrament Meeting arranged just for us. Their original departure date had been Monday, but they made some changes so that they could spend a little more time in Beijing as they made train connections there.
Our flight didn't leave until Tuesday morning, so we ended up with a day all to ourselves. Elder and Sister Gibbons (our area leaders over Employment who work out of Hong Kong where the area offices are) offered to take us to see a few things at the south end of Hong Kong Island -- a market called Stanley Market (one of the better known markets in Hong Kong) and Aberdeen, where there are lots of ships and small boats.
On the map, it looks farther than it is from Hong Kong harbor on the north of the island, to Stanley. You just take the bus straight through the mountain (there is a tunnel of course!) and you're there. The area is slightly less populated and very nice. We passed a place called 'Ocean Park'. We understand that it has an amusement area as well as an aquarium - the kind of place we would have liked to visit, had time allowed. Guess we'll have to come back some day!
Stanley market is quite a place. Again, the talent and artistry of these people are amazing. This is a discount type market but they have some wonderful treasures of art of various kinds as well as the expected tourist type trinkets. We could have spent most of a day there (and a lot of money!) if time had allowed. As it was, we did buy a couple of nice little souvenirs and had a good time looking around.
It is a very pretty area, as you can see.
This reminded Elder Caldwell very much of where he grew up as a child. The Puget Sound area of Washington state and the open ocean a few miles further west are very much like this area. Very green (a result of the ocean and the resulting moisture it brings) and the wonderful smell from the ocean breeze! The ocean seems to be a very relaxing place, for some reason.
Oh, one additional picture. We just couldn't pass this up! Some of the restrooms in China are like the ones we found here at Stanley. Look closely. Yup! No 'sit down' facility such as we are so used to. One just sort of 'squats' as you hang on to the railing! Very nicely finished, mind you! Just a bit different than we are used to! Sister Caldwell just couldn't stop laughing when she found these!
Next time: Aberdeen - a fascinating look at life 'on' the water as well as 'water life'.
Following the wonderful experiences we had in the temple all week, we had some additional time to do a little bit of sightseeing. The group left Sunday morning after an early Sacrament Meeting arranged just for us. Their original departure date had been Monday, but they made some changes so that they could spend a little more time in Beijing as they made train connections there.
Our flight didn't leave until Tuesday morning, so we ended up with a day all to ourselves. Elder and Sister Gibbons (our area leaders over Employment who work out of Hong Kong where the area offices are) offered to take us to see a few things at the south end of Hong Kong Island -- a market called Stanley Market (one of the better known markets in Hong Kong) and Aberdeen, where there are lots of ships and small boats.
On the map, it looks farther than it is from Hong Kong harbor on the north of the island, to Stanley. You just take the bus straight through the mountain (there is a tunnel of course!) and you're there. The area is slightly less populated and very nice. We passed a place called 'Ocean Park'. We understand that it has an amusement area as well as an aquarium - the kind of place we would have liked to visit, had time allowed. Guess we'll have to come back some day!
Stanley market is quite a place. Again, the talent and artistry of these people are amazing. This is a discount type market but they have some wonderful treasures of art of various kinds as well as the expected tourist type trinkets. We could have spent most of a day there (and a lot of money!) if time had allowed. As it was, we did buy a couple of nice little souvenirs and had a good time looking around.
It is a very pretty area, as you can see.
This reminded Elder Caldwell very much of where he grew up as a child. The Puget Sound area of Washington state and the open ocean a few miles further west are very much like this area. Very green (a result of the ocean and the resulting moisture it brings) and the wonderful smell from the ocean breeze! The ocean seems to be a very relaxing place, for some reason.
Oh, one additional picture. We just couldn't pass this up! Some of the restrooms in China are like the ones we found here at Stanley. Look closely. Yup! No 'sit down' facility such as we are so used to. One just sort of 'squats' as you hang on to the railing! Very nicely finished, mind you! Just a bit different than we are used to! Sister Caldwell just couldn't stop laughing when she found these!Next time: Aberdeen - a fascinating look at life 'on' the water as well as 'water life'.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Conference Time - For Us!
Elder Caldwell: This weekend was conference time for us. Ya, we know. A little bit late. The mission president decided that it might be best to delay conference an additional week to avoid clashing with Easter. The saints here are having difficulty assimilating that concept and it was felt that it would be better for them to have last week strictly for Easter. Unfortunately, it was never mentioned in the branch we attended.
Just the same, we had a wonderful conference weekend yesterday and today! I had been somewhat curious about how it would be to see conference after the fact. We are somewhat spoiled to have always been able to see it as it happened. But it wasn't very much different as a recording! We really enjoyed it.
In fact, there are some advantages. When we found a talk we especially liked, we could either replay it immediately, or download the written version immediately, for further reading and study -- or both. No waiting for nearly a week for them to appear on the internet!
Personally, I found several of the talks that must have been written with just myself in mind. How did they know? I've really got some changing to do now! Two of the talks I particularly enjoyed was the wonderful and powerful remarks by Elder Holland concerning the Savior (which we know has since been made used by the Church to make a wonderful video -- see the Church website or Mormon Messages on the web). I don't know that I have ever heard a more powerful testimony of what the Savior has provided for us. That is one talk I intend to study closely.
I also enjoyed Elder Pearson's remarks in the Saturday afternoon session. Another talk to be closely studied.
Then there was President Monson's opening remarks, and Elder José A. Teixeira of the Seventy. And also . . . . ok so I liked them all!
Oh, and one more thing. The weather also doesn't seem to differentiate between the real thing and a recording. It snowed today, just like at real conference!
Sister Caldwell: I think we all have our favorite speakers, and sometimes our favorite topics. I don't think anyone could disagree Jeffery R. Holland's talk was very touching and inspiring.
One talk that really caused me to think was given by Henry B. Eyring. Close to the end of his talk he referred us to Alma 34. Alma is teaching the people to have faith, humble themselves, repent and pray. He then asked these "poor" people to go out and serve the needy (like, who did he think they were?) He actually asked them to give to others what they were hoping he would promise to give to them.
Being here in Mongolia has been quite an experience. We are seeing some of the truly poor of the world, but as they accept the gospel, they are so willing and even anxious to give to others what they are hoping the Lord might have chosen to bless them with. Now where does that leave us "wealthy" Americans? I think in that one short example I felt new direction and determination to serve and bless the "needy and the naked, and visit the sick and afflicted."
I also enjoyed the messages about attending the temple. Some were directed at the sacrifice it takes to get to the temple. We are seeing that first hand. It has caused us to appreciate and remember how much we love the blessings of the temple. I hope I will never take that blessing for granted.
Beyond the messages we enjoyed so much, I think we learned how much we appreciate the technology that has allowed us to be able to view conference at all. I think we are learning to appreciate a lot of things over here.
Just the same, we had a wonderful conference weekend yesterday and today! I had been somewhat curious about how it would be to see conference after the fact. We are somewhat spoiled to have always been able to see it as it happened. But it wasn't very much different as a recording! We really enjoyed it.
In fact, there are some advantages. When we found a talk we especially liked, we could either replay it immediately, or download the written version immediately, for further reading and study -- or both. No waiting for nearly a week for them to appear on the internet!
Personally, I found several of the talks that must have been written with just myself in mind. How did they know? I've really got some changing to do now! Two of the talks I particularly enjoyed was the wonderful and powerful remarks by Elder Holland concerning the Savior (which we know has since been made used by the Church to make a wonderful video -- see the Church website or Mormon Messages on the web). I don't know that I have ever heard a more powerful testimony of what the Savior has provided for us. That is one talk I intend to study closely.
I also enjoyed Elder Pearson's remarks in the Saturday afternoon session. Another talk to be closely studied.
Then there was President Monson's opening remarks, and Elder José A. Teixeira of the Seventy. And also . . . . ok so I liked them all!
Oh, and one more thing. The weather also doesn't seem to differentiate between the real thing and a recording. It snowed today, just like at real conference!
Sister Caldwell: I think we all have our favorite speakers, and sometimes our favorite topics. I don't think anyone could disagree Jeffery R. Holland's talk was very touching and inspiring.
One talk that really caused me to think was given by Henry B. Eyring. Close to the end of his talk he referred us to Alma 34. Alma is teaching the people to have faith, humble themselves, repent and pray. He then asked these "poor" people to go out and serve the needy (like, who did he think they were?) He actually asked them to give to others what they were hoping he would promise to give to them.
Being here in Mongolia has been quite an experience. We are seeing some of the truly poor of the world, but as they accept the gospel, they are so willing and even anxious to give to others what they are hoping the Lord might have chosen to bless them with. Now where does that leave us "wealthy" Americans? I think in that one short example I felt new direction and determination to serve and bless the "needy and the naked, and visit the sick and afflicted."
I also enjoyed the messages about attending the temple. Some were directed at the sacrifice it takes to get to the temple. We are seeing that first hand. It has caused us to appreciate and remember how much we love the blessings of the temple. I hope I will never take that blessing for granted.
Beyond the messages we enjoyed so much, I think we learned how much we appreciate the technology that has allowed us to be able to view conference at all. I think we are learning to appreciate a lot of things over here.
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