Author: Leisa

By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Specialist

“When I think about our ministry here I think about the reality that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees after Jesus’s birth,” said Rt. Rev. Dr. David Read, Episcopal Bishop of West Texas. “They had to flee to Egypt to avoid Harod.” The ministry that the Bishop is referring to is the Plaza de Paz Respite Center in San Antonio.  

The Respite Center opened as a collaborative effort between the Diocese of West Texas and the Southwestern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. According to Flor Saldivar, Director of Immigration and Refugee Ministries with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, “Plaza de Paz was a small pastoral project founded in 2021 when many migrants were just being dropped off at random parts of the city, in parks and parking lots. People were suffering. They were sitting outside in the heat.” 

So in July of 2021 a small shelter, Plaza de Paz, was opened. It provides day-time welcoming services for families and individuals seeking asylum. The services provided include meals, assistance with travel arrangements, personal hygiene care, emergency housing, and transportation within Bexar County to the airport or bus station.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was such a big part of making all of this happen,” Saldivar said. “On the first day the missionaries showed up and helped us establish the layout of the building. They helped us check people in and the sisters were playing with the children.” 

“We are so excited to be part of this interfaith ministry,” said Tish Rodriguez, San Antonio Regional Just Serve Coordinator for the Church of Jesus Christ. “Plaza de Paz is one of the premiere needs in our area. At first, people in our congregations started dropping things off, then they saw there was a bigger need. The need for showers and hygiene was huge.” 

Because the refugees didn’t have proper hygiene facilities the two faith groups got together and applied for a grant from the Church of Jesus Christ for a shower trailer. The grant was approved and at check for $87,000 was presented to the Plaza de Paz staff.   

In presenting the grant President James E. Mears, President of the San Antonio East Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ, said, “When we are baptized we make a covenant to morn with those who morn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.” 

Addressing the Plaza de Paz staff Mears remarked, “I have been so impressed with what you do here and have seen the Christlike service that you provide. You are certainly providing comfort to those who have needs.”

Read summed up the mission of Plaza de Paz saying, “So that’s the model for why we do this ministry for migrants and asylum seekers. It’s because Jesus and His family were refugees. So, as we serve these people who come here, we are serving Christ Himself.”  

by Ken Jarvis, San Antonio Region Media Specialist

Joey Choi grew up on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i. He was a big kid and enjoyed playing football.  In fact that’s what he thought he wanted to do after high school.  

He started his freshman year in high school on a positive note. He had a homeroom teacher who was very supportive of him. In fact, for a while, he thought he wanted to be a teacher and often helped his fellow students.  

In his senior year he struggled with a lot of high level courses. He talked a lot in class and his grades weren’t very good. “I barely had a C average,” Choi admitted. 

Then one day one of his teachers dropped a bomb. He looked Choi in the face and said, “Don’t go to college. You’ll never make it.”  For whatever reason what that teacher said struck home.  “For many years after that,” Choi recalled, “I was convinced that I was unable to go to college and succeed.”

Choi was always a very active Christian and a member of The  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He went on a two-year mission to Korea and enjoyed the work and the people very much. After he came home, he was self-conscious when everyone asked him where he was going to go to college. His plans were simple; get a job and travel back to Korea as often as possible.  

Then Choi got married and later a cousin who was working in San Antonio convinced them to move here in 2020. “I still lacked confidence in myself but my wife, Kristi, changed all that.” With his wife’s encouragement he started looking for a way to go to college. He decided to earn a BYU-Idaho online degree through BYU-Pathway Worldwide .

Fast forward to today. He now is a graduate with a degree in marriage and family studies. Choi was very grateful to find a program that helped him get a higher education online and for such a reduced cost.  “I love [BYU-Pathway]! It’s set up to help people succeed.”  

But Choi didn’t stop there. He is now enrolled to get an online graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, at Lamar University, in Beaumont, TX. He admits his father’s example influenced him to choose that field of study.

His father, Stewart Choi, is a well-known marriage and family therapist in Hawai’i. “For the longest time I was known as my dad’s son, and I hated that. I never wanted to be like my dad,” Choi admitted. “But I always wanted to help people and finally when I was in school and debating what I was going to do I realized that the best way I could help people and serve them was through counseling.” That was a humbling experience for Choi. “In the last year or two I’ve really learned to appreciate my Dad. To be frank, I just want to be like him.”  

In an address to the youth in Nairobi, Kenya, Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “In the Church, obtaining an education and getting knowledge are a religious responsibility. We educate our minds so that one day we can render service of worth to somebody else.”

With one college degree under his belt and well on his way to becoming a counselor what advice does Choi have for younger people? “It’s simple.  Just show up and care.”  

By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

“We may not always look where we are going, but we always go where we are looking” said Kacee Carlson, one of the speakers at Friday night’s Women’s Conference for the San Antonio North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we have a desire to grow closer to the Savior, and “Come Unto Jesus” we must be looking that way. Speakers at the conference addressed the theme of “Come Unto Jesus” and how we can draw closer to Him. Women and girls ages eight and up participated in this weekend’s conference.

“God doesn’t cause our trials, but He doesn’t waste them” said Carlson. She encouraged participants to gain a relationship with Christ so that they can draw upon His enabling grace in stressful times.

McCalle Wilkey, another speaker, shared advice from her friend’s journey coming to Christ, she said, “I had to learn and grow and that sometimes I would struggle and fall but that made me no worse or less deserving in God’s eyes. I think this mindset is what made all the difference because I learned it was a personal journey and not a perfection race. I am not competing with anyone for the last spot in the Celestial Kingdom. We can all get there together and there is plenty of space for us all in God’s Kingdom.”

The conference continued on Saturday morning as women and girls drilled, sanded and constructed 35 beds at Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has a motto that no kids sleep on the floor in their town.

There were a few delivery teams that went out yesterday and delivered beds to four children in the community. Darlene Westenskow, Relief Society President of the North Stake, said “Many sisters, in conjunction with the conference also donated bedding: pillows, sheets and comforters for future use of children in the community as well.”

Over 75 women and girls showed up to help with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace service opportunity. You can learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace here

By Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

“I get to think about all of the youth and how I can help them, so they can grow in all four areas (spiritual, social, physical and intellectual). In the council I get a chance to help be a part of that,” said Natalie Moulton, president of her 12-13 year old Young Women’s class in the Indian Springs congregation. The Lord’s way of leading His Church is through councils. Youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints start participating in councils at the age of 12 to help meet the needs of their peers. Youth Councils are held monthly all over the world.

“I hope they learn to how to identify the needs of others and ways that they can minister to them.” Said Jayce Warner, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric over the Deacons quorum (age 12-13 young men). “In Youth Council they “organize a plan to help those in need. I think that’s something that is a useful skill they can use throughout their life, especially in leadership positions within the Church.”

Sara Lange, president of the Young Women’s 14-15 year old class, speaking about the Youth Council said, “One of the older youth will lead the meeting and we will go around and we’ll talk about what we’re doing in our classes and quorums and what needs we have.”

Jack Lee, president of the Deacon’s quorum attended his first Youth Council. He said, “It helped me develop a sense of empathy for the situations. I know some people have a hard time getting a ride to activities, so feeling that empathy for them — has had a big impact on me.” 

As a result of discussions in Youth Council, Lange said, “We have been offering rides, saying ‘we have this activity, do you need a ride?’ Or ‘do you need a ride on Sunday?’” It’s that initiative that Warner hopes the youth will learn. He said, “We hope that they are able to notice those that need help and then develop a plan to act and provide them with the help that is needed.” 

It is just that initiative that led to a recent activity. Warner continued, “One of the Young Women knew about a sister in the ward who needed, and had asked for some help, with the fallen limbs on her property. She brought it up and asked the council what could be done to help her. From there we discussed how we could get the youth organized and to find out who else could use similar help.”

Lee was excited to help clear limbs, he said: “Doing the right thing gives me a good feeling.” He enjoyed planning the service activity. He said, “Some people couldn’t even get out of their driveways or access their garage because of the limbs that had been blocking their driveways. So we decided to get some yard tools and help clear that away. We’re trying to get as many helping hands as we can.” They were able to organize a lot of helping hands.

Leadership training and planning of activities is done in class and quorum presidency meetings. In Youth Councils deeper items are discussed such as the work of salvation and exaltation and how the ward, classes and quorums are meeting the needs of the youth. Efforts to reach out to youth who are less active or new members are also discussed. 

Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Church’s Twelve Apostles, taught that “revelation is scattered among us” (Ensign, April 2011). Councils allow members to gather that revelation as they carry out the Lord’s work. “Everyone can share ideas” says Moulton “and we can think and talk about different people and how we can benefit all of them.”

By Giles Lambertson, Area Media Specialist

(En español abajo)

Tragedy begets sorrow begets compassionate response. That summarizes how the terrible school shootings in Uvalde last May resulted in 22 pastel portraits being artfully created in a small town in Utah and distributed to surviving families in Uvalde.

The artist is JR Johansen, who lives in Huntsville, Utah. His brother-in-law is Ross Davidson of Uvalde. In conversation following the May 24 tragedy, the two men came together on the idea of Johansen painting a portrait of each of the shooting victims to comfort sorrowing families.

“As we talked, it became apparent that each of us had received the same impression to try to help these bereaved families,” says Davidson, who has just been released after five years as Eagle Pass District president. The two men’s wives—Jolene Davidson and Deanna Johansen—are sisters.

Davidson contacted grieving family members in Uvalde and was assured that such portraits would be well-received. He then collected favorite family photos of victims and sent them to Johansen. The 22 portraits were completed near the end of 2022 and transported to Uvalde. 

At their home in Uvalde, the Davidsons and the artist privately hosted visits by individual family members in which Johansen personally presented his framed artwork. These visits occurred over two days, Jan. 26-27. “Tears were shed and smiles lit up faces,” says Brother Davidson.

The gifts, of course, were without cost to recipients, with frames being donated by a Layton, Utah, frame shop and other materials and transportation costs being absorbed by anonymous donors.

JR Johansen is a Vietnam War veteran who during the war was injured in an Agent Orange air-drop that went awry. His lungs were severely damaged in the incident and he later developed a heart problem. 

Many years later, Johansen began painting as a therapeutic activity, focusing on portraits of children with terminal illnesses. That led to requests for portraits of missionaries who lost their lives on their missions. To date, he has produced more than 500 portraits of children who died in a variety of circumstances.

“When I began painting,” Johansen says. “I realized I looked forward to getting up every morning to paint. There were days I didn’t feel good, but it was a positive thing for me because of some of the experiences I’ve had. It has helped me to be happy and I love it.” 

The Johansens also are members of the Church and, among other callings, served three missions in Nigeria.

KSL-TV in Salt Lake City aired a story about the artist and his donation to the Uvalde victim’s families which can be viewed here: Johansen’s Donation

**

Artista de Utah produce 22 retratos para consolar a las familias de la tragedia de Uvalde

La tragedia engendra dolor engendra una respuesta compasiva. Eso resume cómo los terribles tiroteos en la escuela en Uvalde en mayo pasado dieron como resultado que se crearan ingeniosamente 22 retratos en colores pastel en un pequeño pueblo de Utah y se distribuyeran a las familias sobrevivientes en Uvalde. 

El artista es JR Johansen, que vive en Huntsville, Utah. Su cuñado es Ross Davidson de Uvalde. En una conversación posterior a la tragedia del 24 de mayo, los dos hombres acordaron la idea de que Johansen pintara un retrato de cada una de las víctimas del tiroteo para consolar a las familias afligidas.

“Mientras hablábamos, se hizo evidente que cada uno de nosotros había recibido la misma impresión de tratar de ayudar a estas familias en duelo”, dice el hermano Davidson, quien acaba de ser relevado después de cinco años como presidente del distrito de Eagle Pass. Las esposas de los dos hombres, Jolene Davidson y Deanna Johansen, son hermanas. 

Se puso en contacto con familiares afligidos en Uvalde y le aseguraron que tales retratos serían bien recibidos. Luego recopiló fotos familiares favoritas de las víctimas y se las envió a Johansen. Los 22 retratos se completaron a fines de 2022 y se transportaron a Uvalde. 

En su casa en Uvalde, los Davidson y el artista organizaron visitas privadas de miembros individuales de la familia en las que Johansen presentó personalmente su obra de arte enmarcada. Estas visitas ocurrieron durante dos días, el 26 y 27 de enero. “Se derramaron lágrimas y las caras se iluminaron con sonrisas”, dice el hermano Davidson. 

Los obsequios, por supuesto, fueron sin costo para los destinatarios, con marcos donados por una tienda de marcos de Layton, Utah, y otros materiales y costos de transporte absorbidos por donantes anónimos. 

** 

JR Johansen es un veterano de la Guerra de Vietnam que durante la guerra resultó herido en un lanzamiento aéreo del Agente Naranja que salió mal. Sus pulmones y su corazón resultaron severamente dañados en el incidente. 

Muchos años después, comenzó a pintar como una actividad terapéutica, centrándose en retratos de niños con enfermedades terminales. Eso condujo a solicitudes de retratos de misioneros que murieron en sus misiones. Hasta la fecha, ha producido más de 500 retratos de niños que murieron en diversas circunstancias. 

“Cuando comencé a pintar”, dice Johansen. “Me di cuenta de que tenía muchas ganas de levantarme todas las mañanas para pintar. Hubo días que no me sentí bien, pero fue algo positivo para mí por algunas de las experiencias que he tenido. Me ha ayudado a ser feliz y me encanta”.

Los Johansen también son miembros de la iglesia y, entre otros llamamientos, sirvieron en tres misiones en Nigeria.

By Giles Lambertson, Area Media Specialist

(En español abajo)

Eagle Pass District’s new presidency isn’t entirely new: President Brady Williams was first counselor in the previous leadership team. However, the presidency is a new mix of talent and life experience. 

President Williams accepted the mantle of leadership, he says, with a sense of urgency about building on a foundation already laid “to try to foster more love and caring and unity across the District, and to strengthen every one of our councils.”

The president cites passages in the Book of Mormon describing congregations of believers “who were not without problems but were described as the happiest of peoples. I want our District to strive to become Zion.”

Following is an introduction to the new District authorities:

PRESIDENT WILLIAMS is a native of Durango, Colo., one of several places he lived in his youth as a member of a U.S. Air Force family. He was the oldest of eight children—and a brother to other siblings, as well, because his parents through the years also adopted 10 children.

His parents—Danny and Brenda Williams—moved the family to Del Rio in 1987. From there, the president left in 1990 on a mission to the Colorado Denver Mission. His subsequent church callings include serving as bishop of the Uvalde Ward for six and a half years—his term being extended when the ward was moved to another stake in San Antonio. 

The 51-year-old District leader has been employed at Uvalde Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years, where he is a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He and a partner have a medical practice that includes exclusive contracts with Uvalde Memorial Hospital and Dimmit Regional Hospital in Carrizo Springs.

He and wife Amy have six children—three of whom have served missions in such places as Peru (Dallin), California (Aspen), and Missouri (Amber). Two sons, Chase and Michael, are currently serving missions in, respectively, the Honduras San Pedro Sula West Mission and Spain Madrid North Mission. The youngest child, Ashley, is yet in Uvalde High School.

DENNIS RUSSO, the presidency’s first counselor, speaks fluent Spanish as the son of Argentine parents. He and his wife Vicki have two sons—and five grandchildren. The couple is active in the Eagle Pass 1^st Branch.

The 56-year-old counselor has served in numerous callings through the years including 14 years as a branch president. As a youth, he served for two years in the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed four years in uniform. Then he switched uniforms and became a member of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he worked for 25 years before retiring.

KEVIN DEWEY, the presidency’s second counselor, is a native of Hillsboro, Ore. He first connected to this part of the country as a missionary in the Texas McAllen Mission. “I didn’t know it then, but it prepared me for my future wife and for living here in Del Rio.”

The 31-year-old presidency member met his wife Alejandra as a student at BYU-Idaho, from where he graduated with a bachelor of fine arts, specializing in user experience design. He was employed by FamilySearch for five years, where he says he learned to love family history and the worksurrounding it.

In 2020, he returned to Texas, this time with a family, taking a job in San Antonio. The next year, the couple was prompted to move to Del Rio, where Alejandra Dewey grew up. President Dewey was able to reconfigure his work so he could continue his career working remotely from their Del Rio home.

The Deweys have two boys—six-year-old Dale and four-year-old Jasper. Sister Dewey home-schools them and has started a non-profit organization on the side. “We love it here,” President Dewey says. The couple is active in the Del Rio 3rd Branch.

La nueva presidencia del distrito de Eagle Pass no es completamente nueva: el presidente Brady Williams fue el primer consejero en el equipo de liderazgo anterior. Sin embargo, la presidencia es una nueva mezcla de talento y experiencia de vida. 

El presidente Williams aceptó el manto de liderazgo, dice, con un sentido de urgencia sobre la construcción sobre una base ya establecida “para tratar de fomentar más amor, cuidado y unidad en todo el Distrito, y fortalecer cada uno de nuestros consejos”. 

El presidente cita pasajes del Libro de Mormón que describen congregaciones de creyentes “que no carecían de problemas, pero que se describían como los pueblos más felices. Quiero que nuestro Distrito se esfuerce por convertirse en Zion”. 

A continuación se presenta una presentación de las nuevas autoridades del Distrito: 

EL PRESIDENTE WILLIAMS es nativo de Durango, Colo., uno de varios lugares donde vivió en su juventud como miembro de una familia de la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU. Era el mayor de ocho hijos, y también hermano de otros hermanos, porque sus padres a lo largo de los años también adoptaron a 10 niños. 

Sus padres, Danny y Brenda Williams, trasladaron a la familia a Del Rio en 1987. Desde allí, el presidente partió en 1990 en una misión a la Misión Colorado Denver. Sus siguientes llamamientos en la iglesia incluyen servir como obispo del Barrio Uvalde durante seis años y medio; su mandato se extendió cuando el barrio se trasladó a otra estaca en San Antonio. 

El líder del distrito de 51 años ha trabajado en Uvalde Memorial Hospital durante más de 20 años, donde es un enfermero anestesista registrado certificado. Él y un socio tienen una práctica médica que incluye contratos exclusivos con Uvalde Memorial Hospital y Dimmit Regional Hospital en Carrizo Springs. 

Él y su esposa Amy tienen seis hijos, tres de los cuales han servido en misiones en lugares como Perú (Dallin), California (Aspen) y Misuri (Amber). Dos hijos, Chase y Michael, actualmente están sirviendo en misiones, respectivamente, en la Misión Honduras San Pedro Sula Oeste y la Misión España Madrid Norte. La hija menor, Ashley, todavía está en la Escuela Secundaria Uvalde. 

DENNIS RUSSO, el primer consejero de la presidencia, habla español con fluidez como hijo de padres argentinos. Él y su esposa Vicki tienen dos hijos y cinco nietos. La pareja está activa en Eagle Pass 1st Branch. 

El consejero de 56 años ha prestado servicio en numerosos llamamientos a lo largo de los años, incluidos 14 años como presidente de rama. De joven sirvió durante dos años en la Misión Argentina Buenos Aires. 

Se alistó en el Cuerpo de Marines de los Estados Unidos y completó cuatro años en uniforme. Luego cambió de uniforme y se convirtió en miembro de la Patrulla Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos, donde trabajó durante 25 años antes de jubilarse. 

KEVIN DEWEY, el segundo consejero de la presidencia, es nativo de Hillsboro, Oregón. Primero se conectó con esta parte del país como misionero en la Misión Texas McAllen. “No lo sabía entonces, pero me preparó para mi futura esposa y para vivir aquí en Del Rio”. 

El miembro de la presidencia de 31 años conoció a su esposa Alejandra cuando era estudiante en BYU-Idaho, donde se graduó con una licenciatura en bellas artes, especializándose en diseño de experiencia de usuario. Fue empleado de FamilySearch durante cinco años, donde dice que aprendió a amar la historia familiar y el trabajo que la rodea. 

En 2020, regresó a Texas, esta vez con una familia, tomando un trabajo en San Antonio. Al año siguiente, la pareja decidió mudarse a Del Rio, donde creció Alejandra Dewey. El presidente Dewey pudo reconfigurar su trabajo para poder continuar su carrera trabajando de forma remota desde su casa en Del Rio. 

Los Dewey tienen dos hijos: Dale, de seis años, y Jasper, de cuatro. La hermana Dewey los educa en casa y ha iniciado una organización sin fines de lucro. “Nos encanta estar aquí”, dice el presidente Dewey. La pareja está activa en la sucursal 3 de Del Rio.

By Giles Lambertson, Area Media Specialist

(En español abajo)

Last weekend’s Eagle Pass District conference featured the sustaining of a new District presidency, and an appeal by the president of the Texas San Antonio Mission president for members to come together and strengthen the District.

Released as presiding District authorities were President Ross Davidson, 1^stCounselor Brady Williams, and 2^nd Counselor Brent Laub. Brother Davidson had served as District president since March 2018.

Succeeding him Sunday in that position was President Brady Williams, who is a member of the Uvalde Branch. Dennis Russo of the Eagle Pass 1^st Branch was sustained as 1^st counselor in the new presidency, with Kevin Dewey of the Del Rio 3^rd Branch as 2^nd counselor. Each of the new presidency members and their wives shared a testimony from the podium in the Del Rio church building. The proceeding was broadcast to all other District meeting places.

In his remarks following the sustaining of church officers, mission President Steven Fitzgerald called for a new awareness of the need to serve and honor one another. 

The president said it is irrelevant how long members have lived in the District, or their circumstances, or their future plans—their contributions to the work are needed. “We are here now. We all are asked to give our all while we are living here. It doesn’t matter if we are living in a stake or a district, a branch or a ward, we are here.”

He recalled former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley’s admonition that each member of the Church needs a friend, a responsibility and nourishing by the good word of God. “We are unified through the good word of God,” President Fitzgerald said. 

He went on to encourage individual Church members to recognize in themselves their capacities and their limitations. Each member is adequate to fulfill a call from the Lord, he said, yet each member needs the help of others to truly magnify a call. He asked each member to remember his covenants with the Lord, to ask for help as needed, and to help others.

“We must help one another. There is a place for each one of us in this work of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Earlier in the meeting, Michael Villarreal, 2^nd counselor in the mission presidency, spoke about unity and love and the key role that service plays in developing each. “Faith truly grows when we serve one another, as we exercise our faith in Christ through service,” he said. 

He encouraged members to “believe Jesus Christ,” who admonishes us to lose ourselves in service and thereby find our true selves. President Villarreal quoted a hymn on the subject, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go.” One verse reads…

Perhaps today there are loving words,

which Jesus would have me speak.

There may be now in the paths of sin,

some wanderer whom I should seek.

O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,

tho dark and rugged the way,

my voice shall echo the message sweet.

I’ll say what you want me to say.

Saturday evening in the Del Rio church building, assembled leaders heard talks about branch councils—that is, mission, Young Women, Relief Society, and temple and family history councils—and how to improve them. 

President Benny Millar, 1^st counselor in the mission presidency, then likened the work of the four councils to four cylinders in an engine. He spoke at length about how to get branches “hitting on all cylinders.” 

He said the fuel for a branch engine is the collective faith and testimony of its members. Air needed to vitalize the fuel is love for one another in the branch. The spark that ignites the work is revelation. In addition, President Millarinvited branch council members to invite fulltime missionaries serving in the unit to turbocharge the work by bringing their pure love of God to it.

President Davidson was Saturday’s concluding speaker. He spoke of members receiving the fullness of blessings from our Father in Heaven by devotedly loving our Savior and living the principles of His gospel. By so doing, he said, we can build a kingdom of holy people. He also shared District membership data that showed areas where individuals and leaders have opportunities to hasten the work.

**

Una nueva presidencia de distrito, un nuevo llamado a la unidad y a la participación de los miembros

La conferencia del Distrito de Eagle Pass del fin de semana pasado presentó el mantenimiento de una nueva presidencia de Distrito y un llamado del presidente de la Misión Texas San Antonio para que los miembros se unan y fortalezcan el Distrito. 

Las autoridades distritales que presidieron fueron liberados: el presidente Ross Davidson, el primer consejero Brady Williams y el segundo consejero Brent Laub. El hermano Davidson se había desempeñado como presidente de Distrito desde marzo de 2018. 

Lo sucedió el domingo en ese cargo el presidente Brady Williams, quien es miembro de la Rama Uvalde. Dennis Russo de Eagle Pass 1st Branch fue sostenido como primer consejero en la nueva presidencia, con Kevin Dewey de Del Rio 3rd Branch como segundo consejero. Cada uno de los nuevos miembros de la presidencia y sus esposas compartieron un testimonio desde el podio en el edificio de la iglesia de Del Rio. El procedimiento se transmitió a todos los demás lugares de reunión del Distrito. 

** 

En sus comentarios posteriores al sostenimiento de los oficiales de la iglesia, el presidente de la misión, Steven Fitzgerald, pidió una nueva conciencia de la necesidad de servir y honrarse unos a otros. 

El presidente dijo que es irrelevante cuánto tiempo han vivido los miembros en el Distrito, o sus circunstancias, o sus planes futuros: se necesitan sus contribuciones al trabajo. “Estamos aquí ahora. A todos se nos pide que demos todo mientras vivamos aquí. No importa si vivimos en una estaca o un distrito, una rama o un barrio, estamos aquí”. 

Recordó la advertencia del ex presidente de la iglesia, Gordon B. Hinckley, de que cada miembro de la iglesia necesita un amigo, una responsabilidad y el alimento de la buena palabra de Dios. “Estamos unidos a través de la buena palabra de Dios”, dijo el presidente Fitzgerald. 

Continuó animando a los miembros individuales de la iglesia a reconocer en sí mismos sus capacidades y sus limitaciones. Cada miembro es adecuado para cumplir con un llamado del Señor, dijo, pero cada miembro necesita la ayuda de los demás para magnificar verdaderamente un llamado. Pidió a cada miembro que recordara sus convenios con el Señor, que pidiera ayuda según fuera necesario y que ayudara a los demás. 

“Debemos ayudarnos unos a otros. Hay un lugar para cada uno de nosotros en esta obra del evangelio de Jesucristo”. 

Anteriormente en la reunión, Michael Villarreal, segundo consejero de la presidencia de la misión, habló sobre la unidad y el amor y el papel clave que juega el servicio en el desarrollo de cada uno. “La fe realmente crece cuando nos servimos unos a otros, cuando ejercemos nuestra fe en Cristo a través del servicio”, dijo. 

Animó a los miembros a “creer en Jesucristo”, quien nos amonesta a perdernos en el servicio y así encontrarnos a nosotros mismos. El presidente Villarreal citó un himno sobre el tema, “Iré a donde tú quieras que vaya”. Un verso dice… 

Tal vez hoy hay palabras de amor, 

que Jesús me haría hablar. 

Puede haber ahora en los caminos del pecado, 

algún vagabundo a quien debería buscar. 

Oh Salvador, si quieres ser mi guía, 

aunque oscuro y escabroso el camino, 

mi voz hará eco del dulce mensaje. 

Diré lo que quieras que diga. 

** 

El sábado por la noche en el edificio de la iglesia de Del Rio, los líderes reunidos escucharon charlas sobre los consejos de rama—es decir, la misión, las Mujeres Jóvenes, la Sociedad de Socorro y los consejos de templo e historia familiar—y cómo mejorarlos. 

El presidente Benny Millar, primer consejero de la presidencia de la misión, comparó el trabajo de los cuatro consejos con los cuatro cilindros de un motor. Habló extensamente sobre cómo hacer que las ramas “golpeen a toda máquina”. 

Dijo que el combustible para el motor de una rama es la fe colectiva y el testimonio de sus miembros. El aire necesario para vitalizar el combustible es el amor mutuo en la rama. La chispa que enciende la obra es la revelación.Además, el presidente Millar invitó a los miembros del consejo de rama a invitar a misioneros de tiempo completo que prestan servicio en la unidad para potenciar la obra aportando su amor puro por Dios. 

El presidente Davidson fue el orador final del sábado. Habló de los miembros que reciben la plenitud de las bendiciones de nuestro Padre Celestial al amar devotamente a nuestro Salvador y vivir los principios de Su evangelio. Al hacerlo, dijo, podemos construir un reino de personas santas. También compartió datos de membresía del distrito que mostraban áreas donde las personas y los líderes tienen oportunidades para acelerar el trabajo.

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

Christmas is always more magical when seen through the eyes of a child. A toy and clothing drive, sponsored by the Center for Refugee Services, will bring some added joy and magic to the holiday season for many refugee children in the San Antonio area.

The refugee population in San Antonio has grown over the years. Following the fall of Kabul late last year, Afghan families streamed into San Antonio. 1,400 children from Afghanistan arrived, bringing the total of refugee children to over 2,200 since 2019. With the warm welcome they received, many refugees have convinced family, originally located elsewhere, to move to San Antonio.

This week, the Ninth Annual Toy Drive, sponsored by the Center for Refugee Services, was held. Due to the larger number of refugees and expected turnout, Jean Sherrill, assistant director for the Center, reached out to Sharon Christensen from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a bigger location. The Church’s meetinghouse on Huebner was used for the drive.

Volunteers from the Center, Worldwide Languages and members of the Church of Jesus Christ came together to help make the drive a success. Stations were set up with different volunteers given assignments. There were those who manned the donations being dropped off. Then there were clothing distribution stations, a stop to pick up toys and then a place to get everything wrapped. Some volunteers were “shopping guides” to help parents of the refugee children.

One mom in the area took her children with her to purchase toys and gifts for the refugee children about two weeks ago. She said her children were so excited to drop off the gifts when the toy drive finally arrived. Melinda Preator, from the Church of Jesus Christ said, “It was wonderful to help these families pick gifts for their children and pajamas, socks, and underwear for each person in their family. It was organized well and the recipient families were full of gratitude.” Generosity and gratitude are two of the characteristics which truly make the season bright! Thank you to all who helped bring cheer and happiness to so many refugee families in San Antonio.

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

A car load of blankets and warm clothing, donated by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the San Antonio area, along with donations from other faiths is headed to the border. The donation will hopefully help those seeking amnesty stay warm in the freezing temperatures. One load from area faiths arrived Thursday, with the load from the Church of Jesus Christ heading out shortly.

Trey Hermann, a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, has been working with the ranger staff and border patrol at Big Bend National Park. The acting Deputy Superintendent of the park, Rick Gupman, said that they are seeing an increase in amnesty seekers and refugees arriving in the park. With the expiration of Title 42, the border agents and park rangers are concerned with the anticipated increase in amnesty seekers arriving at the park’s border crossing from Boquillas. The problem comes with the dramatic shift in the weather hitting Texas this weekend. The freezing temperatures are very dangerous with the people that are crossing the river. They arrive soaking wet and very cold, seeking asylum.

The Church has been actively helping those seeking asylum as they travel through the San Antonio area.  Don Larson, Communications Director in the area said, “The majority of our support is to ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters as they make their way to their final destination.” Larson, who works with the Interfaith Coalition in San Antonio suggested members could help ahead of the freezing temperatures to gather donations.

Melinda Preator, Communications Director from the San Antonio North Stake, drove a car load of donations out to Fredericksburg to deliver them to Trey Hermann, who will get them to the rangers at Big Bend.

San Antonio’s Faith Based Initiative sent out an “Action Alert” ahead of the plummeting temperatures they have suggestions and opportunities to help locally on their Urgent Alert page.

by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist

The season is shinning brightly in Seguin with this year’s Stable Project. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s Seguin congregation is, once again, holding their light high during the Light the World initiative. 

For the second year in a row, the “Texas Giving Machine” built by the Seguin youth, is being employed for good. This year the emphasis has changed from helping outfit apartments for Afghan refugees to local charities. Last year, this group was responsible for furnishing 55 apartments for the refugees.

Jordan Johnson, age 17, who helped build the Giving Machine last year said: “This year, we’re helping two organizations. We’re helping Seguin Youth Services, the city’s youth center here in Seguin…. We’re also helping TruLight Ministries. Basically, we got a list of things that they need. We’re going to do the same thing we did last year. Whether it’s food items or clothing or gift cards.” 

They will collect the items that people purchase via the QR codes on their Giving Machine. Those items will then be distributed to the two organizations. Johnson said: “We will take it over there, and bond with the kids a little bit and just have fun.”

Wayne Felix, a member of the Seguin congregation, explained more about the two charities. He said the Seguin Youth Services “is an after school care facility, Monday thru Friday. It’s only run by three individuals. The first hour they pick them up from school and they do homework. They feed them dinner and do different activities until about 7 o’clock and then the kids go home….The other charity we’re working with is TrueLight Ministries. They’re a foster care facility, both short-term and long-term for 35 individuals.

Speaking of TruLight ministries, Johnson added “We’ve been up there a couple of times and we’ve played football and surveyed the area to see what we could do to help them. With Seguin Youth Services we did the same thing. We’re actually building a second Giving Machine over there to help both of those causes.” The second Giving Machine, which will be a bit shorter than the first, will function with QR codes too.

The Seguin congregation kicked off this year’s Light the World efforts by participating in Seguin’s Lighted Holiday Parade on December 1st. Their float featured the Texas Giving Machine, fog, music and a whole lot of participants clad in red Light the World t-shirts following behind and waving at the city’s spectators. The parade featured 93 entries all lit up to ring in the holiday season.

On Friday, the 2nd, they had a large presence at Seguin’s “Sip ‘n Stroll” event in their downtown square. The beautifully decorated square would make most Hallmark producers green with envy. There are booths of all kinds handing out hot chocolate as participants walk around. The Church in Seguin had a large outdoor nativity, a giant screen showing The Nativity video and of course, the Texas Giving Machine.

Those strolling around were encouraged to take one of the cards off of the Giving Machine, scan the QR code and purchase something for one of the local charities.

The Church’s Seguin congregation continued to usher in the season by hosting a “Night in Bethlehem” on the 3rd at their meetinghouse. The Giving Machine had a prominent place in the lobby. They began the evening with a concert by members of the Church and the community.

The community event featured dozens of nativity scenes. They had a large creche allowing children to dress up in costumes and participate in a live nativity and get pictures. There was a children’s area where they could play and touch several nativities and do Christmas crafts. Outside they had a life size nativity with benches.

People could go outside grab cocoa and sit and listen to music. They could also scan one of the QR codes and watch several different Christmas videos produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Giving Machine will travel tomorrow to the First United Bank in Seguin where it will be available to anyone who would like to donate to either of the charities. Can’t make it to Seguin? You can still support their efforts by scanning the QR code above.

Sister Doane, a missionary for the Church serving in the Texas San Antonio Mission had so much fun participating in this weekend’s Light the World activities. She said: “The focus of missionaries is to bring people closer to Jesus Christ. With the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to talk about Christ and to spread the light He brings and feel the spirit of Christmas, because the Spirit of Christmas is the Holy Spirit which is the Spirit of God. So it’s all about sharing messages and bringing people closer to Jesus Christ.”