Photos and Stories

I sent Aunt Joyce (Lewis’ sister) the photos I have taken of some of you wearing Great Grandma Pettingill’s jewelry. You can see the photos on www.pettingillpages.shutterfly.com. I do not have photos of all of you children. If you wish to take a photo of yourselves and/or your children with some jewelry I would love to add it to this “collection”. They do not have to be stuffy photos. One of my favorites is of Adam clipping earrings high up on his ears.

Also, I do want to continue sending photos for birthdays but I do not have current photos. Please send me cute photos of everyone who will have a birthday! I would like the entire file (not reduced in size as for the web) so it will print well. Thank you.

It was a “performance” FHE this week. I read “The Embarrassing Tale of Little Miss Muffet” and Dad read two funny poems about marriage. One was several stanzas with variations of “I will always freely admit that I am right and she is wrong” or “she is free to believe anything that I believe”. The men all clapped. The other was from Ogden Nash and ended with…”When she is right, admit it. If you are right, “hush” up.” The brothers didn’t clap but the sisters smiled at that one. We also enjoyed singing, more poems, a skit and some impressive magic tricks. We had fun, hope you did too at your Family Home Evening.

Brother Call told a story from his mission. He is our oldest missionary; he was the youngest child born in a polygamous marriage in Mexico, was a Mexican citizen and called to serve his first mission in Mexico. He said that his life was threatened several times on his mission and told us about the scariest of those times. He and a new companion (of one week!) were on a bus traveling from one town to another. There was a town in between that did not care for the Mormon missionaries in a serious way. The bus was to have taken them to the far town but all of the rest of the passengers got off in the middle town and the bus driver refused to take only two the additional eight miles. So the missionaries got off and started to walk. When they were a little ways out of town a dozen men started following them. After a while they circled them and began hitting them with the flat sides of their machetes. Then a very drunk man in a black hat joined them with a pistol and started waving it around with the trigger cocked. He sent one of the men back to town to get two ropes and talked about hanging them from a very large tree at the side of the road. The guy with the gun was waving it in front of Elder Call’s face and saying very unkind things. He hit Elder Call in the head with the pistol hard enough to knock him out for a short time. They took all of their stuff and spilled it on the ground. The scriptures and branch records were scattered. All in all, it took a couple of hours of very real danger before they were able to get away and cross over the boundary of that town and into the next where the men were afraid to follow them. They found out later that the man in the black hat had previously killed three men. Yikes! I am grateful that we have not experienced any terror or real threats. And I trust it will stay that way. This happened probably 60 years ago.

We had a funny email exchange with one of our new bosses Brother Bennie Lilly:

Grandpa was talking about a monthly letter we receive from Salt Lake. This month we received it in English but the Spanish version was not our letter but the one directed to Central America.

• Bennie Lilly wrote back: Should we request the letter for the Caribbean in Spanish? I would be happy to do so for you, if you have not already done so.
• Grandpa replied: I think it would be good to have it in spanish. I think I have asked for it before but it only gets done on an "as asked" basis.
• I read that exchange in our emails and complained that Grandpa didn’t answer his question.
• So Grandpa sent this message: My wife let me know that I didnt answer your question. The answer is yes. It would be nice to have the letter in spanish. I guess I need to be more clear in my communications. thanks,
• Brother Lilly shot this back: Maybe it’s a man to man thing which your wife will never understand, but I understood you perfectly. You see, I have already requested a copy of the correct letter in Spanish! Occasionally it is great to get something over on the sisters (especially because it is so rare!). Talk to you soon.

Looks like our new boss is a master at interpersonal relations—he allows everyone to win.

Back when we were talking about how to hear the Holy Ghost in Sunday School, I took some notes that I think are helpful. President Packer said, “This burning in the bosom is not purely a physical sensation. It is more like a warm light shining within your being.” I think that is helpful because the phrase “burning in the bosom” is not the same for everyone. I like the phrase “feeling of comfort and serenity” because that is the most I get. I would like something much more dramatic so I don’t feel like I need to question my feelings…but it is sufficient. Usually the Lord gives us answers a piece at a time without the end in sight. That is hard for a person like me who is afraid to make the wrong decision but we get what we need even when we don’t get all that we want.

I also noticed something in D&C 130:19 that never stood out to me before. “And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.” We need diligence and obedience in order to increase our knowledge and intelligence. Sometimes we think we need to break free and do our own thing to increase knowledge and intelligence but No, we always need more diligence and obedience…not to keep us down but to allow us to increase our knowledge and intelligence so we can continue to progress. Obedience brings us more freedom, not less.

One more thought, Domingo told us a story I liked. He said that he was visiting in Santiago where he served his mission and ended up talking with a young woman who, it turns out, was an infant when Domingo taught and converted her family to the Gospel. He asked about all of the family members and had a pleasant conversation. At the end she told him, “I am so happy to meet you, your name has always been spoken of reverently in our home.” All of you future missionaries, what a special honor it will be help a family come to Jesus Christ and be lovingly remembered for the gift of the Gospel you brought to them.


We love you all, Grandma and Grandpa Pettingill

Our View of Current Events from a Distant Land

Grandpa spends time on the internet reading about the economy (I read about more important stuff like digital scrapbooking.) He tells me about what he has read and this is my recent favorite. He found this quote in the Journal of Discourses by Brigham Young.

A smart young man had just returned from college, and at the table he wished to show his parents what extraordinary advancements he had made. "Why, father," says he, "you can hardly conceive of the advance I have made."

"Well, my son," says the father, "I am sure I am glad to hear you say so, and I trust you will make a great man." There happened to be two ducks on the table for dinner, and this young man proposed to give his father a specimen of his smartness.

"Now," he says, "you see there are only two ducks, don't you?"

"Yes," answered the father.

"Well, I can prove to you that there are three ducks."

"Can you," says the father, "that's quite extraordinary really; how can you do it?"

"Well," says the son, "I will show you. That's one?"

"Yes."

"And that's two?"

"Yes."

"Well, two and one make three, don't they?"

"Quite so," says the father, "it is very extraordinary, and to show how much I appreciate it, I will eat one of these ducks, and your mother will eat the other, and we will leave the third for you."

Some of our "financiers" have made this kind of discovery, but when it comes to the practical thing they, like the boy, have got to fall back on father's duck or mother's duck. This kind of proficiency may be all very well in its place, but then we have no place for it; we want to act honestly and begin right, and then carry it out right. Let the big co-op straighten itself out, and then the little co-ops do the same, and let us stick to one another and all act one with another, and lay aside our scheming; and let us have honest, honorable men, elders of Israel who have at heart the building up of God's kingdom, to do our business, who will act for the welfare of all. That is my doctrine on that point.—JD, 20:164-165, March 2, 1879.

This is just a pretty picture of what the interior of the Dominican Republic looks like--in the month of January.



My great friend, Sue Nelson sent me this copy of notes she took from President Uchdorf's conference talk last October 2008. It is no fun to go from prosperous times to less prosperous times but it can be good for us and we do have:

HOPE …

has the power to fill our lives with happiness

is a gift of the Spirit

is a hope that through the Atonement and the power of His resurrection we shall be raised to life eternal because of our faith in the Savior.

is a principle of promise as well as a commandment.

leads to peace, mercy, rejoicing, and gladness.

is the foundation of our faith and an anchor to our souls.

is like the beam of sunlight rising up and above the horizon of our present circumstances.

pierces the darkness with a brilliant dawn.

encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father.

is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us.

is believing and expecting our prayers will be answered.

is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance.

is confidence God will keep His promises to us in the present and the future.

In God, in his goodness, and his power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges.

upholds our faith when disobedience, disappointment, and procrastination erode faith.

braces our resolve and urges to care for our fellowmen when frustration and impatience challenge charity.

sustains us through despair.

teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us.

leads to good works.

In the depth of winter, we find within us an invincible summer

This kind of hope is both a principle of promise as well as a commandment, and, as with all commandments, we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope.

Things we hope FOR are often future events-

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever

Never tasting death again

Because of His infinite Atonement we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar

Residing forever in peace

Being surrounded by those we love

Knowing the meaning of ultimate joy as we progress in knowledge and in happiness

Having our lives exceed our grandest expectations

“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Things we hope IN sustain us in our daily walk through temptation, trial and sorrow-

The principles of the Gospel

Jesus Christ

The goodness of God

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit

Knowledge that prayers are heard and answered

The power of God

Things will “work together for our good” as we follow the counsel of God’s prophets.

Indeed, there are times when the darkness seems unbearable. This hope gives strength to those who feel threatened by enclosing walls of fear, doubt, and despair.

We grow in our ability to “abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” as we more perfectly live the Gospel.

And to all who suffer- to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely- I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in.

Never surrender.

Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.

Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart.

Elder Dieter Uchtdorf, Ensign, Nov, 2008, p. 21-24.

Lots of love from Grandma/Mom/Jeri

Second Vacation this Month!

We enjoyed another week’s vacation this month. Dan came without Jenny because she needed to be at work. We missed you Jenny. Beverly and Jessica took a week off from school for their own personal Spring Break. We enjoy a beautiful Spring here in the Dominican Republic during the winter months. Both the Walkers and Dan and Beverly and Jessica were blessed with great beach weather. It didn’t rain and spoil their sunbathing although it wouldn’t impact swimming much.

Our guests wanted to focus on the beach. That is always an excellent choice here. We first went to Juan Dolio, found pretty shells and coral and eased into the snorkeling. Then we decided the next day to drive further to Bayahibe which had been highly recommended. On the way we stopped in La Romana to visit El Artisano. This place originated with one man’s metal art which he sold to make a living. He began with tin cans and tin snips. He gradually built a factory and offered training to youth who needed to turn their lives around. He tells a tale of three boys the police brought to him because they were always getting into trouble. Two became highly skilled and still work in his factory. The other one didn’t want to work and went back to his old life. The factory enjoys working on special projects for the big hotels and for customers around the world. They will take your sketch and turn it into heavy metal art. The factory is on one side of the street and the store and school is on the other. They sell furniture and paintings and metal sculptures and all sorts of crafts. The school is open free of charge to the youth who live in the area. There are also art classes for adults. It is a lovely building with great stuff of many varieties. Lewis is tired of going there but I like it a lot. Beverly trying on a mask that is suitable for "Carnaval" - a big party in Latin American countries near the end of February.

We found what we thought was Bayahibe and lots of hotels but we had trouble finding access to the beach. Finally someone told us to drive to the end of a dirt road and turn right. We did and came to a very lovely beach. Turns out we were in Dominicus but we were very happy to be there. We could rent a beach umbrella and as many lounge chairs as we wanted and the water was as clear as on Catalina Island. It was beautiful. Dan had brought the book Inkheart so I enjoyed relaxing and reading in the shade. The rest of our group splashed and snorkeled and worked on their tans. It was a wonderful day. We decided that we wanted to come back so we looked around for a place to stay. We found a great all inclusive resort and decided to splurge but their reservation desk was closed. They told us to come back the next day and make a reservation when they opened at 9:00 AM. We called at 9:00 while were still traveling and they told us that they were full and had no room for us. Fortunately, we looked around and found a great apartment in Bayahibe we could rent for far less money. A German family has built a small apartment building, lives on the second floor and rents out the rest of the apartments to people on vacation. The restaurant right near the beach in Dominicus had surprisingly good food and we had a great time. At dinnertime we asked around and found the first restaurant built in Bayahibe. It sits on the shoreline with a nice dining room but also there are tables on the sand right next to the water. We watched the sun go down and the waitress spent time and patience talking to us about their community. They have lights shining on the water so we could see small fish swimming just a few feet away. The food was delicious and the setting was wonderful. And I didn't bring my camera. Agh! In Bayahibe and Dominicus we spent lots of time on the beach, took breaks to walk through the gift shops and eat and thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing time.

We also went to the Cueva Maravillosa. This is a very large cave, discovered by a Boy Scout troop early in the 19^th Century which contains Taino paintings. The Tainos were the original inhabitants who welcomed Christopher Columbus to the new world. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long until there was lots of conflict between the two groups and most of the Tainos were killed. We learned that their culture included the belief that the head of a dead person needed to be removed so the spirit could leave the body and be reincarnated. He told us that one group also buried the favorite wife (alive) when the husband was buried. Our guide explained the meaning of some of the symbols (many remain a mystery) and told us that the stalagmites and stalactites grow at the rate of one centimeter every 100 years. As they grow toward one another, some become columns. The cave is protected by the government and a private company has purchased the rights to give tours. They have built stairs, handrails, motion activated lighting and there is even an elevator to take you back to the surface after the tour. They added marble flooring in one huge cavern suitable for formal events. It is beautiful but the guide says that it fills a foot deep with water in heavy rain. It was cool and we could see tree roots snaking across the ceiling. Every once in a while a drip would fall on your head and the walkways were wet. We were told that a damp cave is a live cave and continues to grow. It is home to thousands of bats and was a very interesting place to visit.

Jessica was hit by a bad cold during her vacation but she was a brave soldier and still enjoyed her vacation. Thank you for coming Dan and Beverly. We are grateful that we had time to spend together and lovely places to see. We live in a beautiful world and are happy to be together and experience fun times. Is anyone else able to come?

Don't show the photo below to the children. This is not typical missionary behavior. (After they serve their first mission they will really appreciate their senior missions.)

We did hold a great fireside in Gazcue on Sunday evening. It was wonderful because Yrisenia, the Stake Specialist did such a good job of inviting all of the young people to come and prepared all of the priesthood leaders who spoke. Yea, one person has caught the vision and is doing all she can to help! We still have a long ways to go with other specialists.

The internet has not been functioning since the middle of last week. I hate to be cut off! When this goes up you will know we are connected to the world again. No. We are still frustrated with no internet, but came back to the office at night to blog.

Love, Grandma/Mom/Jeri