Latest update from Chile

Dear Parent(s):

The security situation in Chile became more widespread over the weekend, but it was much less volatile this morning. Santiago is the epicenter of the protests, but they have been reported nationwide. The government rescinded the transit fare increase that triggered the demonstrations, but protests continue. 

All of our missionaries are safely in their apartments for the evening and are accounted for. They spent the day gathering extra food and water, preparing an emergency bag, and communicating with their families. If for some reason your missionary was unable to communicate with you today, please be assured— your son or daughter is safe and accounted for. I have relocated several missionaries to lower-risk areas over the past few days and continue to monitor their safety round the clock. I am in direct contact with each of our nine stake presidents who have organized their members to provide extra food and support. They love our missionaries and are caring for them as their own sons and daughters. I am also in regular communication with our area security team, our area presidency, the Missionary Department, and the other three mission presidents here in Santiago. We feel the Lord’s hand guiding us as we counsel together.

Most importantly, I am in regular communication with all of our missionaries throughout the day by phone and text.

Last night I was able to speak with all 185 of our missionaries on a conference call. We sang a hymn together and had a kneeling prayer as a mission. We felt peace and assurance that the Lord is watching over us. 

Sister Mitchell and I have appreciated your e-mail responses and words of encouragement. Unfortunately, I am unable to respond to you individually, but we appreciate your prayers and support.

May the Lord bless you,

J A S O N   J .  M I T C H E L L

Mission President | Chile Santiago West Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

From Daniel:

I’m doing fine. We’re in a calm part of the city out in the edges where everyone is more or less well-off and we have basically a moat and three bridges where bad guys could get in. The neighborhood got together and had guards in all the entrances and patrols in the streets. Nearby neighborhoods are taking similar precautions. The lady in the nearby store is our friend and says we can pass by at any hour to get food or water if things get more complicated. We live 2 houses down from a nice member family. All is well. We’re praying for a quick, peaceful resolution to the disturbances. I think it will be a good opportunity for teaching once we’re allowed back out…people will always be able to receive comfort from the gospel.

I’m safe, the Lord protects His missionaries. Pray for the people,
pray for peace.

ELDER ROSS

We are not overly concerned or losing sleep about this, and it’s likely that things will continue to wind down. But I want to remember that this is something we prayed about in October 2019.

Snapshots of the week

Dresses and lots of wedding details
A salamander in our sprinkler box
Live music by our friend Jesse; desserts, good food, and celebration.
Up to the challenge
One handed
Dalton’s is for special occasions.
The things you find when you help someone move

Not pictured:

My look of relief when I realized that “making” kids love the Pauline Epistles is not essential to being a good parent.

The happy bride in her dress.

Mark’s concerto performance.

The best apple crisp I have ever made.

The trophy Timothy earned by learning three concertos over three years.

The view of the Salt Lake valley from my car as I explored above the University of Utah while the boys had a class. The trees, dressed in their fall colors, and the sky changing to gray with an approaching winter storm offered the view I needed.

The cake our family made together that tasted so terrible we had to throw it away.

The letter from Daniel’s mission president assuring us all missionaries are safe in their apartments as there are riots going on.

A drive

A friend took me for a drive to see the Autumn leaves. Richard took me on a drive over the weekend to a different place but we did not remember to take pictures. This time with my friend, I also forgot my good camera, but took a few cell phone shots to remember what we saw.

We picked dried grasses, shrubs, and thistles to arrange in crockery in our homes. We explored a new trail on Guardsman Pass. We had ice cream for lunch in Heber Valley. Vermillion, coral, and maroon, burnt orange and tangerine, gold and lemon yellow leaves were like a colorful billowy quilt across the hills. Up close, I like the maples in coral and red, but the yellow Aspen leaves high above among the pines are glorious.

I don’t know why I don’t allow myself more opportunities like this. I can think of a small handful of places I have visited this year for my own enjoyment. This was one of them.

halves

The great cherry tree in my neighbor’s backyard, the focal point of my view out my kitchen window, suffers. One half of its leaves and branches wither, just as its owner did before his passing a few weeks ago. One half is still healthy enough to show green leaves. I have found inspiration in this tree over the years to keep going, enjoy the blossoms and red cherries, and endure long winters. Now, it reminds me of loss, and of the burden of living with half.

As eternal beings who are the offspring of God, something within us cannot be comfortable with halves. The Lord knows this about this, and has a plan to make us whole as we step forward with our fractured halves… of understanding, a partnership, ability, vision, purpose, joy, testimony, or strength.

One way he makes us whole is through the sacrament. Last Sunday, I heard the word “souls” in the sacrament prayer. We come to the sacrament table as souls, two halves of a whole: spirit and body. I learned that the emblems, blessed and sanctified, were for for the benefit of both my body and spirit. I learned that God is involved in the tangibles of toothache just as much as the imperceptible needs of the spirit, homesick for heaven, but not ready to be there.

Audacity

At age four I could mimic the life I wanted as I played wedding, house, and office. My closet was my kitchen; my neighbor, my groom. I dressed and held each doll differently, as any mother does. I kept lists of things to do, places to go, and rents paid.

At age fourteen, I took my first Zoology class and this steered me to science teaching. I was also voted “most likely to become a seminary teacher’ that year.

At age twenty-four, I had a Zoology degree, a husband, two babies, and a class of teenagers who showed up at my door for my seminary lesson at 6 am every school day.

At age thirty-four, our children were all with us, and I taught home school. I also played science teacher to dozens more at a community center.

At age forty-four, my heart stretches to embrace a child living across the world, and toward a soon-to-be new son holding my daughter’s hand. I teach mostly through encouragement, whether at home or at church. I know now that there are many ways to teach.

I had the audacity at age four to act out my future. There was no fear in my play, only hope and love. I need to take a lesson from my four-year-old self: if I can hope and love, it will be enough, because God is the one who planted these desires for family and influence inside of me. He is the one enabling me to accomplish His purposes. He knows which songs I love best, and has blessed me to be able to play them because he loves me.

My four-year-old self did not foresee an end to the little house life, nor that the children would challenge us deeply. Perhaps it’s that immature self inside of me that feels some defeat in reality. But this stretching and fatigue is not how the story will end. This is the part where it gets really interesting.

Tim’s First Homecoming Dance

The younger Timothy and I spent a lot of time each year picking out the perfect Halloween costume. Now, we spend time searching out the perfect color of tie and suit; we sift for the right fit for a shirt, and I have learned many elements of his signature style. He is wearing Mark’s shoes in these pictures because at the last minute, something about them called to his sensibilities, “dancing shoes.” Timothy is all about the details.