September 29, 2014

This week I had the opportunity of witnessing something very thought provoking.

The other day I found myself waiting for a bus in a placed called Don Torcuato.  We were there for over thirty minutes, waiting for a few other missionaries to arrive so we could head to another place called San Fernando together.  As we waited I observed something, like I said, peculiar, but very thought provoking. 

This specific bus stop that we were at is located on a very busy street in Don Torcuato.  There is two way traffic, three lanes on each side, and a large median or sidewalk sort of platform that divides the two sides.  On different occasions I have seen people use this sidewalk as a stage to sing, dance and even juggle. And at other times I've seen people there selling food, purses, jewelry, and passport pictures.  People here use what they can to their advantage.  When there aren't jobs available and there are mouths to feed, people in Argentina are forced to open up shop and become an entrepreneur of sorts.  

The other day I watched as two women used this area as their place of business. Although there are many different types of people here in Argentina that pass out business cards, offering different sorts of appealing products, law advice, information concerning upcoming events, hot deals and offers at the grocery store, all types of professional services, or even cards pertaining to religious practices and new churches that have recently opened their doors, it was more than obvious what services these two scantily clad women were offering. 

At each red light when the drivers were forced to stop their cars, the women left their stand and passed out cards to all of the male drivers in the street.  I watched as they made their way to each car, and EVERY driver accepted the cards.  

I watched as the men read the cards and realized what was being offered.

I watched as they looked up at the women, back down at the cards, back up at the women, back down at the cards, and weighed their options.

I watched as they all counted the cost. 

Even if we haven't been in a situation exactly like this, we have all been presented with situations that have offered choices, were we've been forced to weigh our options. 

Some might argue that as a missionary I should not have been paying attention to what was going on in front of me, but I did, and I feel like I was able to observe something very real, something heart breaking, but something valuable that taught an important lesson. Not all lessons can be learned just by reading Friend magazine. 

It was so hard to watch as these men were presented with such a difficult situation.  

It didn't seem as if a single one of them intended to drive to this specific street, get stopped at this specific street light, and receive another love letter from someone they had an intimate relationship with.  

Rather, they were driving to work, home from work, heading to other places, and it just so happened that at this moment one of Satan's most prized organizations was having an exhibition on main street.  

The light turned red and they were all caught in the trap.

I was mostly sad because of the fact that nearly every man that I observed in this situation either "didn't see it coming," or gladly accepted the temptation without putting up a fight. 

It made me think about what Sister Linda Reeves said in the last general conference,  "the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior’s atoning sacrifice for each one of us," is what will allow us to confront, dismiss, and much more easily avoid tempting situations that are inevitable in this life. 

I will I ever know if any of these men that were offered the services of these women were members of the LDS church, any church, or if they believed in God.  But I do know that they lacked this "internal filter" that comes from feasting on the words of God, to the degree that they become a real part of us. 

What purpose do the scriptures have if we just simply read them?

What purpose does General Conference have if we stay at home lying on the couch in sweat pants, playing with our I-Pads, and just every now and then we look up at our big screen TV and pay attention in fifteen second intervals? 

Even if you post an Instagram photo or a Tweet (#confrencewithmybesties) but the messages of the Lord's servants don't penetrate your heart and mind, nothing is gained at all!

Elder Donald L. Hallstom said, the voice of the prophet is "the Lord’s own voice (see D&C 1:38), (but his message) has little value unless we are willing to receive the word (see D&C 11:21) and then follow it. Simply stated, the purpose of general conference ...is fulfilled only if we are willing to act—if we are willing to change.

 

All of us will have occasion to find ourselves in a situation where we contemplate the wrong choice and maybe even then we will make the wrong choice. 

I've done it plenty of times.  We all will.  I guess that's just a part of life.

But I hope and pray that we can obtain a true love for the scriptures and always have "hunger" for the revelations of our Prophet and the leaders that guide us in these difficult times. 

I know if we obtain this "internal filter," if we are willing to receive the words of our leaders and if we are willing to constantly progress towards a better more Christlike version of ourselves, we will be much better prepared when we find ourselves in these difficult, trying situations where we fill inclined to count the costs--that aren't worth it. 

I'm beyond excited for General Conference this week.  I can proudly say that I have read and studied every talk from May 2014's General Conference, and I shamefully admit that it has been the first time that I have put much effort into studying the GF talks.  

BUT, after receiving immeasurable direction and guidance in these last six months, I have officially committed myself to studying these talks and messages for the rest of my life.  

We can't afford to not take advantage of them.

I hope you all have a great week. Prepare yourselves to receive the messages of the prophets this weekend and make an effort to allow the messages to become a part of you.  

I love you all and hope all is well where ever you find yourself. 

Love,

Elder Puzey 

FHE Interview Kim Bert Puzey

Today for FHE we learned about my dad, Kim Bert Puzey.  We started our singing, "I Lived in Heaven."  I read the girls the following essay, written by my dad as a portion of the lesson:

Jeff and I were in the blue truck as we crossed over the Columbia River when we saw a woman standing on the bridge just as we were entering Oregon.

She had light red hair and was wearing a thin modest dress, both of which were blowing in the gentle breeze. There was a tiny satchel at her feet, and she had on a pair of flat walking shoes.

Afraid she was preparing to jump off the bridge; I quickly pulled to the side of the highway and carefully approached her.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Are you a Christian?” She asked.

Her question surprised me, but when I answered affirmatively, she looked heavenward, clasped her hands together, and as if praying said, “Blessing. Blessing. Thank you. Thank you.”

She then looked directly at me with her piercing green eyes, and as she strode toward me, extended her hand and, by way of introduction said, “I am Diane Johnson; Soldier in Almighty God’s Army.”

Enveloped in goose bumps, I was taken aback, but extended my hand and greeted her cordially.

Her face was deeply browned by the sun, making her eyes even more bright and penetrating. This was not a casual suntan, but of the type that one only sees on the faces of the homeless, lonely, and wandering.

When I asked about her circumstances, she said that she had been on the road from Kentucky for five weeks and was nearing her destination in Salt Lake City where she had secured a job.

She got in the truck between Jeff and I and we visited as I drove.

She said she would appreciate a ride to Pendleton which was about 35 miles from where she had been standing on the bridge, and although we weren’t going that far, it seemed like a reasonable request.

I noticed that her hair and dress were newly washed and clean. There was no odor that one would have expected from someone who had been on the road for weeks.

As we approached a truck stop I asked if she would like something to eat or drink, to which she eagerly agreed. When we stopped, she selected a banana, an apple, an orange, a sandwich, milk, and bottled water.

I smiled that she was so confident in what she presumed would be our generosity.

We got back in the truck and as we visited, she said she liked to stay in hotels and could use some money to get a room that night. This explained why she was clean.

She was so pleasant and filled with faith that it was easy for Jeff and me to then give her money for the room she would certainly be staying in later that night.

By way of unsolicited advice I told her it was illegal to hitchhike on the Interstate, to which she replied, “I wasn’t hitchhiking.”

I conceded that she had not been trying to ask for a ride, but said that even being a pedestrian was not lawful, to which she said, “I wasn’t walking.”

Not only was she incredibly brave and substantively faithful, she was unusually wise and surprisingly street smart.

As we were nearing her interim destination on the south side of town, she said, “Slow down now, and let me off right here.”

We bid her farewell, best wishes, and Godspeed as she took her satchel, groceries, and bottled drinks, and got out of the truck.

She stepped back from the vehicle and we drove away.

I gazed at her in amazement in the rearview mirror.

The sun was shining brightly behind her.

The wind was gently blowing her hair and dress.

The satchel and food were at her feet.

I smiled to myself and then at Jeff.

We got to feel like Christians and to have the blessing of meeting Diane Johnson; Soldier in Almighty God’s Army.

So this is what I have for you. Occasionally you may want to just stand still. You might be surprised at what happens next. 

Be clean.

Be brave.

Be confident.

Be faithful.

Be smart.

Be patient.

Remember Diane Johnson.

It was great to talk to Dad and learn from him. The girls loved this story.  

We ended with one of his favorite scriptures which is John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer' I have overcome the world."

Later this week we will enjoy Tres Leche Cake which is a favorite of Dad's.  I love this new little tradition.  

Fun day

Evelyn had a fun day with Dixon today.  They have been good buddies their whole life.  It's so nice to have good friends.

Rainy Days

It's been a rainy week so we moved our entertainment indoors.  We colored Easter eggs, watched movies, played games and did plenty of crafts! 

General Conference

I love General Conference Weekend.  It is like my favorite holiday!  We had so much fun just being together.  The girls did awesome listening.  I think I most enjoyed Elder Holland's talk.  I think I most needed to hear Elder Bednar's talk but really, most of the talks!  What a good time to resolve to be better. 

April Fools

We had a great April Fools Day dinner tonight.  I handed out menus to everyone in the family.  Each person made their selections (without having any idea what any of the things on the menu were).  They were then served what they ordered.  We used some pretty wacky dishes and utensils too.  What a fun memory.

Letter from McKenzie

McKenzie is full of kind words.  She leaves me notes all over the house.  This week I got this note on my pillow and this other she hand delivered.  Sometimes the notes will simply say, "Mom, are you going to write me back soon?  Love, McKenzie" I hope she always writes notes.  What a special way to express love!