Rikushpa Shamuni

Rikushpa Shamuni

Takishpa Shamuni

Takishpa Shamuni

25 December 2010

Merry Christmas

Feliz Navidad from tropical Ecuador
We have been invited to spend Christmas weekend at the beach, but we have chosen to stay home and receive your calls.

We are available on Skype: rnjhoward  or at our phone number: 316 854 2224  


New Year's weekend will find us at the beach for 5 days.


Our Christmas Card to you: http://www.cantos.org/rnjhoward/Navidad



"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And sudden there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Brickey - Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd



"In celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our thoughts turn to that sacred occasion when He was born "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). He promised: "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12). Truly, Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer who was "wounded for our transgressions ... and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

"Our prayer this Christmas season is that the light and testimony of the Savior's divine mission will come into our hearts and be reflected in our lives and in our homes.
May each of us be blessed, not only at this Christmas season, but also throughout the coming year. May our faith in Jesus Christ increase as we follow His example in all we do and say." (First Presidency Message, LDS)


24 December 2010

Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  We are grateful for our testimony that His resurrection breaks the bonds of death and brings us all home to our Father in Heaven.  We dedicate our celebration this year also to our beloved sister, Stanlie Gail (1 September 1946 to 24 December 2010).

She was a bright light, a shooting star, who cheered us all many times.

We are grateful to have shared time with her nearly every day for the past few months, and pray that her family may receive peace from the Holy Ghost, as our sister returns to the Father who sent her here to be with us for 64 years.



Our Christmas Message: www.cantos.org/rnjhoward/Navidad


(George Albert Smith was the Church President when Stanlie Gail was born)


George Albert Smith

George Albert Smith
"I thank [my Heavenly Father] for the knowledge that has been burned into my soul; I know that my Heavenly Father lives, I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, and that there is no other name under heaven whereby men and women may be exalted, but the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. I do know that he came into the world in this latter day, that he bestowed divine authority upon a humble boy who was seeking the truth, and the result of that has been the organization of the Church with which we are identified; and there is with it the power of God unto salvation to all those who believe. Knowing that as I know that I live, I bear you witness of it" (Conference Report, October 1927, p. 50).

09 December 2010

We need a little Christmas Now

Abraham LincolnThe best known American face in Ecuador could be Abraham Lincoln (penny and $5 bill).  The Ecuatorianos don't know how tall he was, nor howLincoln responded to the man who asked him, "how long should a man's legs be?'  He said, "long enough to reach the ground".  Maybe that is a good way to think of how long a life should be: long enough to return to the Heavenly Father who sent you here.  Lincoln lived 56 tough years.  We appreciate and remember him.


And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It is the life in your years.
Lincoln said of Thanksgiving: The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they can not fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God....
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.

We can't wait for anything.  We have to celebrate when we need the celebration, to quote another famous American, Mame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldyKvZdsOZM
Temple Missionaries, Guayaquil, December 2010
New Christy Minstrels version on 33 1/3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ6yFTHnwMg
Mame:
Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
All:
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.
Mame:
Haul out the holly;
Well, once I taught you all to live each living day.
All:
Fill up the stocking,
Young Patrick:
But Auntie Man, it's one week from Thanksgiving Day now.
All:
But we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.
Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
Agnes:
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;
Ito:
So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
All:
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.
For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy
"Happy ever after,"
Need a little Christmas now.
Need a little Christmas now.

02 December 2010

Warriors in God's Army

The Aguilar Family: faithful temple volunteers
"And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also." D&C 84:106.

Many families here have been strengthened in their relationships with each other and in their testimonies as they interact with the temple missionaries.  We have come to love and be loved here in Ecuador.

One shining example are Brother and Sister Aguilar. In the year since they joined the church they have come several days each week to volunteer in the baptistery. Besides growing close to the Temple Missionaries, they have also become strong in their own testimonies and ability to serve others.

Last night Hermano Aguilar had a dream that he was dressed as an ancient warrior in full armor.  He felt strong and confident and happy.  He then determined to reach out to the inactive members of his ward.  We told him that next Tuesday when he goes to the temple he will be clothed in the Garments of the Holy Priesthood, which will be a fulfillment of the prophecy embedded in his dream.  Then he will be a warrior in God's army:

"Behold, I have commanded my servant Joseph Smith, Jun., to say unto the strength of my house, even my warriors...those who have hearkened unto my words, I have prepared a blessing and an endowment for them, if they continue faithful. I have heard their prayers, and will accept their offering..." D&C 105:16-19.

They are very happy.