What Season and Time is it Anyway?

What a blessing to understand that there is a time and a season for all things. Whatever season we find ourselves in, we should make it the best, as it might soon transition to another season. Right now I love being a woman, a missionary, a mother to grown children, a grandmother, a teacher, a learner, a traveler, a member of many different groups of friends and activities, a daughter of God, me.

As I walk down our street, Pedro de Valdivia, and admire the bright new green leaves of every texture and shade, see the lavender wisteria and apple blossoms in the park, and calla lilies in someone's garden, and am convinced it is Spring.

 

but then I pop into the Lider, our main grocery store, and there are racks of Halloween costumes! It's confusing!

It's always time to see some art

I like these photos, entitled "El Color del Agua" of boys swimming, by Pablo Godoy. But then I think it should be summer.

 

To be in the water, submerged, confined, suspended, contained, is an intimate act like our essence or beginnings. A gift given us by nature.....children enjoying the water and heat bringing joy, cheer, gratitude.... To me this is summer!

Like many exhibits here, this monumental undertaking "The Fifth International Symposium of Sculpture: Restoration of cemetery Art", was not quite ready for opening day (but they gave me a mask and let me look anyway). Sculptors from Italy, Bulgaria, Brazil and more began carving huge blocks of carrera marble. I managed to keep the white dust out of my mouth and nose, and was relieved when the speck in my eye washed away as I looked at the indoor exhibit that was also a day late opening!

 

Providencia campus of the Universidad Autonoma de Chile is nearby and students here and at other universities and schools fill the neighborhood. 

There are currently 5 campuses of the University of Chile, oldest institution of higher learning in Chile, founded in 1842. There are 14 faculties, about 51,547 students (of which 32,440 are undergrads) in this public university, which ranks 1st in Chile, 8th in Latin America, 333rd in the world. 20 Chilean presidents have been students here, including Chile's Nobel Prize winners Gabriela Mistral and Pablo Neruda.
This week is also "Titulacion" time (graduation, granting of diplomas) at Chile's state and other universities. Yesterday flowers were being sold in front of university building son Pedro de Valdivia. In November (and perhaps other times) prospective students take exams to qualify for admission or to continue their university studies, so many have been preparing for months. I loved my own season as a student.

It's always the season for good music!
I attended a wonderful, free, mostly homage to Claude Debussy concert of University of Chile.

It is always time to eat (no matter the season!) And every 6 weeks is mission transfers for young missionaries, to new places and new companions. We will miss Sister Cheta.

We enjoyed our lunch with Sister Cheta (she moves out and joins another Argentinian this time) and Sister Horrocks (who will get a gringo companion this transfer).
and we love our dinners with fellow senior missionaries

Of course we should never take photos with our mouths full of yummy food (especially at our advanced age!)

We are sad to say good-bye to our beloved Atkins (on the left). Tom (who gave up his beard for a season!) has taken care of the mental health and Lorna the physical health of all of us missionaries young and older . They are not being replaced, which means only local medical advice or a call to SLC or to the area office in Buenos Aires....not the same!

Sisters de Schweinitz, Carmack, the Blacks, Downers, Sister Umber, Isaacsons; front: Schultzes and Atkins

The Atkins will begin a new mental health mission in SLC soon...a new season for these great people.

(All of the above took place on Monday, our preparation day!)

The highlight of the season for most members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is our twice a year General Conference attended at the Conference Center and also broadcast from Salt Lake City. We have been inspired by the messages of dedicated men and women who lead us (the 16,000,000  members) throughout the world.

It is the season for our wonderful, brilliant, funny, friendly, energetic 94 year old President Russell M. Nelson to lead us (he still skis, takes the stairs when others much younger take the elevator), according to the revelations he receives, to help us strengthen ourselves, our families, our service and ministering to all. In this season (era) of natural disasters, wars, fires,  unstable political situations, movement of people everywhere, we all need to develop temporal and spiritual strength and self-reliance, to do better, to be better. "Brownies are great, but we need to do more than bring brownies!" 

He announced the soon to begin construction of 12 new temples (including Cambodia, Cape Verde, Nigeria, Guam, Puerto Rico) and encouraged increased temple worthiness and attendance for those who have access to a temple. 

He and one of our 12 Apostles, Elder Holland, and their wives visited 8 cities, 3 continents in October, to find out the needs and to encourage and express love to thousands of people.

In this time of social media, he has asked us to Participate in a 10-day fast from social media and from any other negative or impure media. He  encouraged us to notice how the fast affects our priorities.  I hope my blog is not considered social media??!

I am so grateful to live today, and to understand (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) that "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven...a time to be born, a time to die,... a time to break down, a time to build up,...a time to weep, a time to laugh,...a time to mourn, a time to dance,...a time to keep and a time to cast away,...a time to keep silent, a time to speak."
(I think I have spoken/written more than you ever wanted to read, so I will wish you strength to overcome or manage your challenges, to love, laugh, and to reach out to those who need you).