Almost April...no kidding!

It's hard to believe that April is almost here...no kidding! In Chile, the day to play practical jokes (like April 1st in the US) is December 28 (Dia de los Inocentes). (A dark distortion of the tradition that dates from the first years of the CE was on that date when King Herod I the Great gave the order to kill all children under 2 years born in Bethlehem, in order to make sure that the announced Messiah, future king of Israel was killed.

March 29 marks a day when a young protester was killed and is called "Dia del Joven Combatiente". Unfortunately there are those (especially the young who did not experience the Pinochet dictatorship, but who refuse to let go, keeping contention alive in Chile). The country is still divided over this era. In the more dangerous areas many people are afraid to go out, so temple attendance was low. Providencia is a safe area, so protests at the municipalidad were small and relatively calm.

If you think the world is a mess, tune in to the semi-annual General Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City this Sat. and Sun. at 10 am and 2 pm, Utah time. Our leaders have wonderful messages to share, that can bring more peace and happiness to a troubled, divided world:
https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2019-general-conference?lang=eng
If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, we invite you to reserve free tickets for a tour of the Oakland Temple open house throughout the month of May, every day except Sundays. After the re-dedication June 16, it will be closed to the general public.
https://www.lds.org/temples/open-houses?lang=eng
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwBWSxlhHqxcJJtplkGVxwjXbrT

Chile has been undergoing a rapid process of modernization since 1980, though it is still a deeply traditional country. To generalize: compared to Anglo-Saxon societies, the family is extremely important, and has an overwhelming influence on the individual throughout life. Children and teenagers spend much more time with parents and relatives and spend vacations together. They are all very affectionate with each other, and the young tend to stay at home until they marry or have to move for work. Children, especially boys, are treated like little kings, and it is easy to spot a regalon, or spoiled child. Most Chileans work hard, enjoy their fiestas on weekends. Family name (there are about 10 or so powerful families) is very important in this socially stratified society. The importance of class is reflected in the number of words used to describe one's social position: cuico, pituco, esnob for upper-class people; roto, ordinario, flaite for the lower class. The middle class has grown with improved education and economic growth and the restoration of democracy since 1990,but it is still not enough to reach the top of the social ladder, it seems.

The Chilean Roman Catholic Church has been since the 16th century a powerful ally of the traditional elite. Although the Catholic church played a key role in opposing the Pinochet regime, when democracy was restored, it returned to its old role of defending conservative and traditional values. Divorce was legalized only in 2004, abortion is still illegal, you don't see "adult" magazines, etc.on the news stands, though women today have much better access to education, jobs, and politics.
Machismo is still prevalent, and goes beyond statistics and recent advancement for women (who still earn less and are less well-educated, especially among the poor). Piropos is the word for sexual harassment. Some married men can be very jealous and protective of their wives, and allow themselves freedom, but keep tabs on their wives: double standards! With many of the young, things are changing, fortunately. 
Our missionaries not only offer others a happier life, but return home more mature, with a new perspective on ideal families and love for others.

Elders Hartley and Beck from our Pocuro ward are teaching a lovely woman from Guayaquil, Ecuador (my last mission), having just had dinner with senior missionaries...many hands and testimonies can change lives! Blurry ideas turn into knowledge of truth.

The temple is a beacon of peace, and also the scene of much joy. The friends and family below are taking photos of a young couple just married for eternity.

Rose Maria Hoppe and Marcia Orellana love a good time, as do Daniela de Ferrari and Alejandra Canoles.

The talent and spirit was amazing at Pocuro ward's Relief Society Talent show birthday party. Most of the dances were 50's and 60's swing, country and rock 'n roll, as well as tango, performed by the women and young women. Relief Society is the largest and oldest women's organization in the world, and has a wonderful motto: "Charity Never Faileth."

Ximena Helguero, my Pathway student and friend, is in charge of RS activities. Guille Guerra is Primary President and in my English class. Marcia wears a headdress to signify her leadership of this amazing group of women.

Great dancers! Natalia in white also sang a beautiful song.

Something very tangible and positive is the enthusiasm and dedication of young missionaries. A group of 13 arrived from the Sao Paulo, Brasil training center last Sunday night, coming to serve in Chile. We helped make up beds so they could spend the night before going out to their first assignments. The three young men are from Argentina. The young women, ??

Book recommendation:
William Shakespeare's Othello is universal and powerful story of the quintessential outsider. A black man marries a white woman and is goaded into a jealous rage by an evil man (Iago). Tracy Chevalier chose the story of Othello and a school playground to set her insightful and poignant novel New Boy, which I especially recommend to parents, teachers, and young people old enough to understand the potential passion, bullying, jealousy, violence in "an intense, closed world where kids learn prejudice from parents and teachers, and take it out on one another." The children are at that awkward age, 11/ sixth graders, between childhood and full-blown adolescence where they are trying out grown-up attitudes without really understanding them. Each child in the novel cleverly parallels a character in Othello. The new boy is from Ghana, the son of a diplomat in Washington, DC, but the story is timeless and universal. It's themes are so relevant today. Unfortunately, even more so in still-stratified, social media- addicted societies with a growing number of immigrants, refugees, and outsiders.
One person can wreak havoc on a group. Fortunately one person with love, compassion, and determination, can be a powerful force for good. So, let us be the individuals who persevere, fight prejudice, stand up to injustice! Maria Prado is a dear friend here from Colombia, who spends much time doing temple work for us and for our ancestors. She has had to fight as an outsider (from Colombia) and as a black woman in Chile. We love her spirit!

I also love the spirit and talent of the women and young women of our Pocuro ward (above). As the latter go out and serve missions, they also learn to be more inclusive.

My ward in California passed an exciting milestone today, with new name and boundary changes after many years of shrinkage...so many wonderful people are forced to move out of the San Francisco Bay Area, as they cannot afford housing for their growing families. We have a wonderful new bishopric: Markus Covert, bishop; Rob Daines and Tyler Hales, counselors. How exciting to come home to change (not always easy, but invigorating and for our growth). Jesus Christ is at the head of his church. It is our task to listen to and understand his will and plans for us individually and as a church, directed by our beloved President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson.



We have been led and greatly blessed for the past 5 years by the leadership and wisdom of a wonderful bishop, Todd Miner, and counselors Shipp and Hales (and others). 

Introducing the Palo Alto Foothills Ward

If you think the world is falling apart and most of the news is bad, here are two recommendations: 
Tune in to the General Conference broadcasts of positive, inspiring messages by our church leaders, this Saturday and Sunday :https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2019-general-conference?lang=eng
If you live in the Oakland, CA area, you are invited to the open house (May) with tour of the Oakland Temple...areas which will be closed to the general public after the re-dedication in June.
for dates, times, and tickets to take a tour:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgxwBWSxlhHqxcJJtplkGVxwjXbrT