The Road Not Taken

Hey Family,
      It was great to hear that dad and Jordan made it home safely (check editor's note below). I was expecting it would take them a few more days than it did, with a lot more challenges than they met, but the lesson learned from the ease of the experience is probably the one that is just right. 
      Lets see, what happened this week?  Wednesday we had a remarkable zone conference for the missionaries serving in Queensburgh, Chatsworth, kwadabeka, Clermont, Hillcrest/Kloof, Molweni, Umbhedula, Marion Hill, Imbali, Mpumalanga, and Pietermaritzburg (just in case you want to see where those places are.  It was such a rich zone conference.  It was President Von Stetten's last one as well.  There was a spiritual buffet to pick and pile from.  One remark that President made struck a chord with me.  He shared a poem written by a poet/writer whom I am fond of, Robert Frost.  I don’t remember the title, but it spoke about a fork in the road, and a decision to choose one path over the other. The principle President Stetten pulled from it and shared with us is that you cannot go back to that other path.  For us, at this time in the South Africa Durban mission we have chosen our path to follow the Savior’s admonition and serve his children.  It is a choice that leaves us unable to return to the other path (our previous lives), and ascends us to celestial heights.  Sometimes, that ascent is grueling.
      This week was difficult.  Despite the spiritual outpouring of the Zone Conference, the work in Pinetown is fighting back.  It just seems that people are facing opposition.  We are keeping our faith though, that all things will work out. We will keep doing what we know we ought to.
I love you guys,

      Elder Gold

Editor's Note:
      Landon's reference to a journey made by Steve and Jordan was of a 1000 mile road trip back home from Idaho in a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle.  Much preparation, speculation, and perhaps trepidation was made beforehand.  So, much to everyone's surprise, the only mishap was running out of gas in a vehicle whose gas gauge does not work.  Really, I believe it was sweet mercy that brought them safely home because, not two hours after arriving the old car, 'Herby-Kay,' groaned abruptly to a stop on it's maiden voyage as Jordan took it out for a spin with a friend.  Several things just fell apart and came undone forcing them to be towed home.  It is a good match for this old car to now have a teenage boy.  Both a work in progress, with the fine tuning of each being an ongoing task....for both will test each other and fix whatever may be broken.
      The above photo was taken of Jordan as a carefree child walking down a path to which he was brought.  It is not until most are teenagers that pathways become their own.  Their eyes may be wide in wonder to what the grand world will have for them just around the bend, and as we watch them from a distance we know it won't be long before they are out of site.  A prayer remains on the lips of all parents as their children venture out of sight, "Keep them safe, Oh Lord, and help them to choose the right path." 
      Robert Frost's poem is appropriate to all no matter where you are on your journey.  And as the old saying goes, "Live life without regrets!"....but, if you do look back and see that the 'Road Not Taken' was perhaps the better path, find another that will lead you closer to where that other one will go.  You may have to bushwhack!  Oh, that is alright,...for I know it well. 

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

                                     Robert Frost

Conversations

Momma & Dadio,

      It was so great to see you all yesterday. That is a sweet ultimatum with Jordan. I still carry your Duty to God. One of the proudest possessions I have (see editor's note below).
      So I was reading in the book of Alma this morning...Alma 17:2.  We mostly remember this scripture for its description of the character of the sons of Mosiah.  But, this morning I saw something much more profound.  It reads in the first few lines "... Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord;"
      I recognized that Almas' joy in his brethren "and most likely his love as well" was not found in their righteousness.  I believe we call it unconditional love.  There was no standard to meet to gain his love.  He just had it.  When he learned they were still righteous, his joy increased.
      What a pure heart, full of charity.  It really opened my eyes to see how I ought to be loving someone, whether it is investigators, less actives, or even my family.  Just a nice experience this morning.
Well, I love you all. Stay the course.
      Elder Landon Gold

Editor's Note:

      Twice a year we get to talk with Landon via phone, and when lucky enough we get to communicate through Skype seeing him almost in person.  What a wonderful Mother's Day gift.  The next time we will be able to talk will be at Christmas.  It is so strange to think that shortly after that next conversation he will be coming home.  Two years seems like an eternity when it begins yet, through heaven's sweet mercy, time does not stand still but rather rapidly flies by.

   

   We were able to meet Landon's latest companion, Elder Tshabane From The Southern part of

South Africa.  They were actually able to show us on a map where his home is and where the actual boundaries of the Durban Mission are.  This time around we Skyped from a laptop that

allowed more freedom to move around and show Landon things at home such as the garden we

are growing and the motorbikes the boys are working on.  The conversations were casual and the tears were much less.  So different from the first time we were able to talk after he had been away only three months.  I love how time dampens emotions and allows life to move forward, especially when that forward direction is about progress.  He really is on the other side of the world yet, he is also right next to us through the wonderful technology.

      Landon had mentioned about the 'Sweet ultimatum with Jordan and reference to Steve's Duty to God medallion that Landon carries with him.  Well, here is the story Steve wrote to Landon:

  I’ve got a Jordan-ism for you today. Yesterday Jordan was kinda hanging around me before he went to work – just kinda hanging out. So I decided to play the Eagle Scout Card – let me explain.
I pulled my Eagle badge out and explained the story that Grandpa Gold had bet me $20 when I was 12 years old that I could not have my eagle by the end of December 1972 (which would make me 13-1/2 years old.  I did some quick math and determined that I could and manage this, and I wanted the money so I took the bet.  December 26, 1972 rolled around and Dad asked me if I had my eagle.  I told him it was earned and would be given to me on Jan 20 when we had the Court of Honor.  He reminded me of the verbiage of the bet – that I had to “have” it by December 31.  January 5th rolled around and he asked me again to show him my eagle.  I could not – so he made me pay $20… So now – 41 years later – the money doesn’t really matter – but what a great story…
I then reminded Jordan of all the great times we had as father and son on all the scout outings we went on. He agreed and came up with quite a few wonderful memories.
 Then I pulled out 2 coins – a silver dollar and a brass coin that had words of how to be successful.  They were the coins that my dad always carried in his pocket which Grandma Gold gave to me at my dad’s funeral. They are very significant because of how I obtained them.  Jordan asked if that silver dollar was the one I stole when I was 8 to buy a dollars worth of candy at the corner store.  I told him it probably was.  Another great story.

Then I picked up my eagle badge once again and told Jordan there were 2 badges that were very precious to me – my Duty to God and this Eagle.  I told him how much it meant to me to be able to give you (Landon) my Duty to God award, and how much it meant to you as well.  I told him that someday he would be the guardian of this eagle badge, and he would be telling his son one of two stories.  Story number 1 goes something like this… “This eagle badge used to be your grandpa's – and when he died, I inherited it.  It means a lot to me because it reminds me of lots of neat experiences we shared camping and doing scout stuff.  Plus I never earned my eagle so it’s nice to have his.”  Story number 2 goes like this: “This eagle badge belonged to your grandpa.  He gave it to me the day I earned my eagle.  I love him a lot and  there’s a lot of cool stories I want to share with you.”
I told him that he gets to choose which version he likes the best. I’m giving him the tools and the motive to complete his eagle – however the motivation has to come from him.

      Isn't it true that 'We are the author's of our life.'  No one will create our personal history but ourselves.  As much as we may wish to credit or blame others for the roads we have journeyed they would not have been traveled if we were not willing to move our feet.  How many options do we have in the course of a day to better or lessen our future?  As I sit here at the computer I know my own life could be improved upon simply by having courage enough for self reflection and then acting on the assessment.  Here is one more tidbit to ponder:

 AGENCY

Agency!  A simple game of life.
The right to choose your mark,
It sets the pace and where you’ll go.
It’s your move and time to start.

The spin of a wheel or roll of the dice
Is not how you make your move.
In this game of life called “Agency”
How and where you go – It’s up to you.

Don’t think that cheating will move you ahead
For the Game Master can see it all.
The rule’s are rather simple, you see.
Good or Evil / Right or wrong. . . It’s your call.

The game guide is written to help you play
The way it’s suppose to go,
So you can benefit with happy results.
But it’s up to you to know.

Now if you are loosing, don’t blame the next guy.
It’s not his choices you have made.
You are the one to move the mark.
Only you determined how you have played.

This game will end when your earth life is done,
And the Game Master will give you your prize.
Will happiness be your ultimate reward?
Or will sorrow be you demise?

Come on. Let us play!  It’s a whole lot of fun.
The “Community Chest” is full.
The chance cards are there for the taking.
It’s your move.  It’s your move . . . GO!                 
                                        A.E.Gold  January 16th, 2000

      

It Was a Beautiful Baptism

Hello Family,

      So this week went pretty well.  We had two baptisms yesterday in the ward.  Laura (I talked about her mid-March), and Stan (name change for anonymity).  It was a beautiful baptismal service not because there were nice speakers (which there were), or because there were nice arrangements, but because of the spirit which was present.  The presence of the spirit really has been one of the things that sticks out the most.  I remember looking at Laura as she bore her testimony and seeing that light in her eyes and face which Alma spoke about in chapter 5.  I probably won’t forget seeing that.

      Well, the week has also been a tad discouraging and challenging.  Preach My Gospel councils us that even though people will receive a witness of the spirit, they still may choose not to accept your message.  We haven’t seen Oren in a while.  We don’t know where he is or what’s going on, and it seems to the extent that he is avoiding us.  It is quite frustrating and upsetting at times, and I feel such a concern for him and his welfare.  You've never worried till you really contemplate the pathway that might be taken of someone you know who chooses to veer off the straight and narrow.  We will continue praying and fasting and know that God will do what’s best.

      Well, I read all your emails, but I’m out of time, so know my love remains with all of you.

Elder Gold

 
Editor's Note:

  A week ago Landon sent a brief correspondence to inform us that, "We are no longer allowed to use flash sticks or memory devices in the church computers... which means no sending photos."  Not only will we be no longer receiving photos from his mission (until he is transferred or the rules change) but he also has been limited to 30 minutes of computer time once a week to write all of his emails.  This is just to let you all know ahead of time that the visual content will be lacking for a while.

The Pen

Dad,

      It’s May 4^th, 2013 and we came in from working not so long ago.  I sat this evening and decided I would write to you.  I’m using the Jinhao fountain pen you sent me.  I love it a lot.  I will share with you a very cool story about it in a few lines.  Maybe you are wondering why I’m writing this letter on the back of a ‘The Family-A Proclamation to the World’ handout.  The cool answer might be something like, “We are deep in the jungle and all we have is a tin of fish, a pen, and this paper,” but the real reason is because this proclamation means a lot to me.

      By the time you receive this letter I will have been away from home for one-year-three-months.  That’s a long time, but it has flown by too fast.  I love my mission.  Words will never describe how thankful I am to have this opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father.  What did I do to be so blessed as to have this privilege?  I feel I have learned a lot.  I also feel I have given a lot, but the feeling remains that I need to learn much more, and give much more.

      As I said, I want to share with you a story of a tender mercy the Lord showed me.  When I got your package a few weeks back I was excited to see this pen.  I remember you telling me in an email how you wrote in your mission journal with a similar pen.  Well, this pen not only represents a priceless gift from my father, but also is a link to you and your missionary service.  Sadly, the pen had no ink in it when I first got it.  However, after two weeks I found a store that sold pen ink for fountain pens.  I paid my nine dollars (80 rand) and went on my way.  It happened to be P-day, and when we got back to the boarding I excitedly set up everything ready to fill the pen.  I accomplished the filling and placed the pen on the table without the cap on.  I bent down to pick up something and heard a sound I did not want to hear.  The pen had rolled off the table and hit the ground.  Worse off, it landed on the tip, not only spraying a jet-stream of black ink everywhere, but bending the tip badly out of shape.  I picked up the pen and felt so sad, just as a young child would as he watches his balloon float upward farther and farther out of reach into the blue sky.

      I took the pen to the bathroom and examined it in the sink.  I was wondering, “Where in South Africa would I find another tip?”  I then took the pen apart and began to feel the bend.  I looked at it again and found the tip was in perfect shape.  No blemish, no crease?   I was amazed!  I know how it happened; Heavenly Father showed me a tender Mercy.  I did not ask, nor pray for him to fix the pen, but He knew what it meant to me.  Yes, a simple experience, but my testimony that He knows me and loves me grew a little more.

      We are having two more baptisms on Sunday.  Those are sweet experiences.  Oh, I also remembered something else I wanted to share:  I continue to be surprised at the whisperings of the Spirit.  All through my youth I heard people talk of the ‘Still Small Voice,’ yet I was always looking for a ‘burning in my bosom’ that would knock me on my keister.  I am surprised at how much of a still and small voice it really is; a voice that one feels more than hears.  The Spirit is there.  He is real.  We are not always there.  We need to tune in to feel his guidance and presence. 

I Love You,

            

      Elder Landon T. Gold