A barn raising

 

John and Elise purchased this half-finished building with plans to finish it into a pickleball/sports court and an apartment.  It's a big job, and they are so ready to get it going.  With all the prep, they planned a big workday and invited family to come and help.  Milt was there with Isaac, Simeon, Peter, John and his boys, and Elise.  He called to say I should come over because they were having a good time, and I might like to see.  The fun part about it all was seeing my family work together.  They were up in the rafters, placing and securing for hours. They worked until dark and got so much done. There was a great feeling of accomplishment. I dare say, there was also a great feeling of love, support, belonging, and satisfaction in being needed, adding value, and recognizing the joy of family.

I got there with homemade buns. Elise had prepared a great lunch with bbq chicken for sandwiches, grapes, chips, and her girls had made chocolate chip cookies.  Kianna and her boys, Eddie and Ollie, came to enjoy lunch with us. Henry and Que were there with Peter, too.  It was a beautiful day to be working, and there was such a spirit of goodness.

I am so very grateful for the heritage of hard work we have been able to pass down through our family. To see a big project made easy with lots of real help was so satisfying. My boys have a fear of heights but that does not keep them from doing what needs to be done, and doing it well.  A sense of refuge and safety from an ever-changing world is what I feel when I am surrounded by my family.  I love seeing them choose each other and generously give their time and skills to help one another.

Airport mistake

 My embarrassing, naive effort at trying to be brave and travel on my own.  

Dumb Santiago choices. I was blessed and protected

Enjoyed a fantastic vacation to Vina Del Mar mission with Milt and Simeon.  They dropped me off at the international airport in Santiago and hustled on to meet their national flight, which was about to depart.  My flight was not scheduled to leave for another 8 hours.  As I tried to get into the airport, I was surrounded by enthusiastic cab drivers who only spoke Spanish. I tried to explain that I just needed to find the entrance and did not need a cab. One man who spoke some English offered to show me where to go.  He took me over to the escalator and asked which airline I was looking for.  When I told him Delta, he explained that they do not open until just a couple of hours before their only flight.  I had a similar issue flying out of Quito, Ecuador.   He started offering to get a cab so I could go downtown and see the sights.  

I volunteered that I was alone, my husband had taken an earlier flight, and I had never done anything like this before. I asked how much, and he said 260 pesos. I was unsure if I felt comfortable even considering. I want to get more confident on my own and less fearful of trying new things.  He said he would find an English-speaking driver.  I asked how much in US dollars.  He said $60. I looked it up on my phone but it was in Mexican pesos, and I felt flustered.  He just kept talking and rushing me with promises of being safe, getting back on time, and seeing beautiful places. I said ok and we got in the elevator together. In the elevator, he showed me a text from his young daughter and acted like a caring father. Just us two in the elevator. It opened at an empty parking garage. 

We got out, and he called a driver.  Within just a couple of minutes, a car pulled up and the driver jumped out, ready to help.  The driver asked if I spoke Spanish. When I answered no, he looked at the other guy with confusion. The first man assured him. They put my suitcase in the trunk and me in the back seat. Then both men got in the car and we started driving.  Every once in a while, the first man, who later said his name was Francesco, would point out that we were on the highway because it was faster or pointed to a landmark.  

Once when he turned to look back, I tried to get his picture.  He said, “You took a picture.”  I had tried, but it didn’t work, and I quickly told him so.  We arrived at the governor’s palace.  He and I got out. He told the driver to be available to pick us up in a bit.  He tried to act as a tour guide and tell me a little of the history of the leaders, the palace, and the more recent war.  He offered to take my picture, instructing me to open the phone and give it to him. I did. I tried to remember not to unlock it but just open the camera.  He did return it, and we did this several times.  I asked him to be in it with me, but he declined.

We went to a plaza with a similar routine of trying to explain buildings and taking photos of me. He got me into a museum I asked about by putting away his tag he had been wearing, saying he would wait outside while I explored. He was easy to find. He took a phone call on his phone, said it was his boss, and wondered what he was doing.  He took a picture of me to send to him. We then went to our third stop, a market.  

The market had fresh fish, which I followed him through with a few other stands to see.  He would explain something with my guessing what he was saying, then he would rush and say “Let’s go, let’s go”. We passed some security guards, and he pointed out that they are not police.

We then met the driver again and headed back to the airport.

Once at the airport, Francesco took my suitcase and rushed me to the ATM, where he offered to help me get money to pay him.  I got out my card, entered the PIN number. He did the rest very quickly, getting out 200 pesos.  He counted them out to me, put them in his pocket, and said to do it again.  I did.  He quickly chose all the responses. It put out another 200, which he grabbed immediately, folded, and put quickly in his pocket.  

We started to walk away when he stopped and said, “Oh, you need money to pay me”. We had a conversation, as best as I could, about how it was costing more than I expected.  He explained that the price he quoted was just for the taxi, and the extra money was a tip for the taxi, but I need to pay him for the tour.  

Again, he is rushing me, driving my suitcase.  I get the card out again before I can reason and simply do as I am told.  Luckily, the bank had a withdrawal limit and declined the request.  He quickly said something to the one man waiting and I followed him to the elevator to go to another ATM that was in a remote area. All the while, he keeps my suitcase. The next ATM did not work. Because he had said it was equal to $60, I had the cash ready to pay him. He had said no to any American dollars but said sadly that he would take the money.  I offered him $20. He said that was not much, so I tried another $20, but it had a ripped corner.  He said no to the damaged bill.  I offered 2 $10s.  He said it would do and would help him feed his family. 

He then rushed me to the Delta check-in, hugged me, and tried to get me to move forward quickly.  Again, I felt pushed. Or that he needed to get away quickly before I could consider what had just happened. 

Once I got to Atlanta, I checked my bank.  This little trip to downtown had cost me almost $500.

Some things I learned from this unfortunate adventure. 

1. Don’t ever admit I am alone, vulnerable, and gullible.

2. Don’t let someone rush me. Take time to research.  I should have figured out the exact exchange rate, asked for credentials as a taxi driver.  Considered other taxis. Agreed on the exact fee.

3. Never give away my phone to a stranger

4. Take charge of my own transactions and money. Insist that I be the one to get the money and choose to pay.

5. Be more suspicious and careful. Don't let strangers take pictures of you for someone on the phone.

6. Don’t be alone with someone. Be more aware of my surroundings.

Did what I could.

1. Took a picture of them.  I also did a Marco Polo to my family and got him in it, so someone would know where I was and who I was with.

2. I also texted Simeon to let him know what I was doing. He texted me the number for police in Chile.

3. Did not panic.

I have so many things I wish I had done.  Take my time to consider the options. Shop around for other taxis and fees. Check credentials.  Learn Spanish. Know the exchange rate. Stand my ground and be confident is making my own choice in my own time.

Today, as I spent time in the temple initiatory, I had an overwhelming feeling of love and protection.  I knew that I had been in great danger and God and his angels had guided and protected me.  I have no idea what the intentions of those men were, but they were not honest men.  I can’t help but wonder if my taking a picture in the car made me less of an easy target.  I have wondered if my seeming to cooperate kept him from getting irritated.  As I was checking into my gate, I found that my lock code had been tampered with.  I lost a lot of money, more than we spent on all our car rental, hostels, and food, but I did not lose any other personal items, including my freedom or physical well-being. Though I am a bit shook up when I think about what could have happened.  Today I realize that God is faithful. He keeps his promises. He blesses me as I keep sacred covenants, always remembering that I have taken his name upon me.  He protects me against the destroyer. Apparently, my work is not finished, and His plan for me includes continuing a happy life here in America with my family.

Chile!

 Surprisingly, especially to myself, we went to Chile.  Milt has done work in the high northern mountains of Chile at a copper mine.  It has never tempted me to join him.  Simeon has been working for him as an intern this summer. It just so happens that Simeon served his mission in the Chile Vina Del Mar mission.  Milt was invited to come do some work again, and it was the perfect excuse for the three of us to do a mission tour.

We each flew separately because of schedules and fares.  I went standby all by myself. . . and it worked.  I even got seated in Delta One after Atlanta.  Pure luxury.

We jumped right into sightseeing.  We rented a car and headed to visit mission stomping grounds. The countryside was beautiful. It was early Spring and a little cool at times.  We started at his old stake center where we met the mission leader and did a walking tour.

This old cemetery was so crowded and had stacked burial plots.  We also found this plaque in honor of Parley P. Pratt's infant son, who died here while Parley was serving a mission with his wife. Simeon is Parley's fourth great-grandson and they share the same middle name

We visited several families every day.  They were always warm, welcoming with a hug and a kiss, and they always fed us.  Generous with their hospitality and with an obvious love for Simeon.  It was so fun to catch a glimpse of mission life.  Milt and I do not speak Spanish, but we always felt welcomed. Simeon always shared a scripture, thought, and prayer as he said goodbye again to these people he loves so much.

 We enjoyed completos several times, empanadas, lunches with lots of beef and french fries, and chilean pastries.

Sunset on the beach was gorgeous.  Simeon found hostels for us each night, which brought its own adventure.  He also made sure they had parking, always involving backing into a small gated alley.  We always parked with doors locked and the steering wheel locked.

Another dear friend that we visited in his home, and then here at his workplace.

This was a beautiful hike past lime kilns up to this huge cross.

This family served us huge pieces of tres leches cake and then the grandma brought us a can of peaches and a can of cream to a treat for later.

Each visit was accompanied by an amazing story of conversion and love.  This get-together was one of Simeon's favorites with Gary and his story of miracles and true conversion.  

And another special family.  

Pictures of just a few of the families and sights we got to visit with Simeon.  His Spanish and people skills are amazing.  His love of Jesus Christ, His church, and His children is inspiring. Seeing all of this firsthand was a true blessing.  I am so proud of the man he is.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I went home after the fun visits.  Milt and Simeon went to the copper mine where they did work and training, and it was all so much better with Simeon helping as interpreter.  

New Tradition

 We started a new tradition of an adult dinner night.  We did it just after Christmas and had so much fun having a nice meal and being able to visit. We played a get-to-know-you question game that was fun and then did some virtual reality games with Elise and John's new gift.  

Obviously, we were missing half our adults.  It will be fun to see who will be here next time.  We had Elise, John, Peter, Rachel, Isaac, Kianna, and Debbie.  

Nebo Loop

 Milt got a mustang convertible, fixed it up and is having so much fun.  We enjoyed a beautiful drive along the Nebo Loop on our way to Murray.  The skies were overcast which made July 30 not so hot. Flowers were blooming. The rain seemed to always have just missed us and we got to enjoy the views from the tops of these mountains.

I loved being with Milt, seeing him enjoy his car and the drive, and being amazed at the view.  When he saw may pictures he was disappointed there weren't some good pictures of the car.  That will need to be a new goal for me.

Once we got to Murray he stayed busy offering rides to nieces and nephews.  Again, Milt loved sharing his new car.

Knoxville spring break

For a fun visit, we flew to Knoxville, TN to visit our loved ones there.  Dane, Erica, and Terry were so worth the trip.  We had so much fun. They spoiled us.

We flew Southwest with very tight restrictions on wearing a mask covering nose and chin.  People are flying again and this airlines had sold every seat.  No social distancing but we were able to make every flight and arrive in the right place with all our people and stuff.

We arrived in Nashville at 10:30 pm, rented a Ford Excursion and went looking for dinner in the fun district.  We walked along the streets with lots of people, lots of bars with their own live band and it was just fun to be out among people having fun. We found a place that was still serving food, had two bands and lots of 'happy' people.

We spent that first night at a hotel in Knoxville and then headed out to find our family.  Dane and Erica welcomed us with open arms to their family and their home.  This is where the real happy begins. We enjoyed a charcuterie board picnic lunch in the warm weather and green of Tennnessee.  They have a beautiful home that they are fixing up. They made room for all 4 of us and made it look so easy and natural to host us.

We got to visit Ijams quarry.  In this section it was a big water filled area.  It was only barely warm enough to be outside in a swimsuit but these brave kids just jumped right in and had fun swimming, doing cart wheels, and comparing bellies.  Erica is expecting Leo to make his debut in June.

Then we hiked to another section where we could see where the marble had been removed, stones cut from the mountain.

 

Look, its a bird!?

We had hoped to do more work in the "back 40" or in the house but time and weather had other ideas.  We couldn't even get this burn pile to burn with gas.  It had rained too much.

Sunday church was cancelled because of the rain. There were flash flood warnings and it was just better to stay home. 

It was actually pretty special to enjoy church together in their living room with our sacrament meeting on the laptop and then the sacrament with just us.

Dane and Simeon preparing the sacrament

We were able to wander the back woods. I miss being more spread out from neighbors.  So peaceful and full of natural beauty.

We explored downtown. We saw UT campus, the worlds fair park, and some fun city streets.

Viewed the city from a rooftop restaurant.

Brought our own special picnic lunch of ceviche.

This was a surprise in a tiny back alley of beautiful murals

The more I learn of Dolly Parton the more I admire her.  Such a sweet lady.

Milt and I

Debbie

Erica and Debbie

Erica, Dane and Terry

Debbie, Simeon, and me

We went to another part of Ijams and enjoyed a hike on the boardwalk and through the woods. Terry was full of energy and ran a good share of the way.

Debbie, Erica, Dane, Simeon, and Terry

Terry was done walking. He had warmed up to all of us and knew us by name.  He was willing to ride on Grandpa.  Simeon thought it looked fun and took a ride on Dane :)

We also drove around Cade's Cove and hiked to Abram's Falls. It was beautiful but a bit crowded.  Others enjoying the fine day and spring break.

We read books, played games, made food together, ate big delicious meals 3 times a day, slept well, sang, danced, had fun, worked and played with some of my all time favorite people.  Dane and Erica provided a perfect vacation for us.  I pray that they enjoyed it too.  They gave up work and time and energy - all invested in building relationships and memories. I am so very grateful.