Trip tp Plovdiv

On Saturday we took a trip to Plovdiv which is one of Europe’s oldest continually inhabited cities.  The journey there was beautiful as the hills are gradually changing from lush green to muted shades of yellow and amber.  

 Plovdiv is located in south-central Bulgaria; a crossroad between North, South, East and West. Many cultures have occupied this city at one time or another.  It was a Neolithic settlement, a Thracian hub, a Roman cultural & economic center, a part of the Byzantine Empire as well as the Ottoman Empire; just to name a few.  After many wars, border changes, treaties and conflicts on Sep 6, 1885 it was united once again with Bulgaria and is the second largest city in the country.

 The greatest attraction to the city is the Roman Theater built in the early 2nd century A.D. by the Roman Emperor Traianus.  After being uncovered, by chance, following a mud slide it was excavated from 1968-79 by the Bulgarian Conservation School. I suppose I should not have been surprised that the Romans were once in this area since they conquered most of the known world of their time. Visiting this authentic Roman structure was a great thrill.

 In high school I studied Latin in preparation for college exams.  No study of a foreign language is complete without also studying the culture; with which I became very fascinated.  Elder Segeberg accompanied me as we braved the steep stone staircases to explore the structure.  In those long ago days in Latin class never did I think I would explore an actual Roman structure, let alone one in Bulgaria.

 There are many other remnants of public buildings, shrines, baths, aqueducts and theaters as you walk along the cobblestone streets in Old Town.  Although we did not have time to see even a fraction of all that Plovdiv has to offer we enjoyed a wonderful day of appreciating culture and exploring a beautiful and historic area.  We look forward to more opportunities to explore other regions of Bulgaria during our time here.

 Love
Elder and Sister Segeberg

Autumn is in the air

 This was the first fall-like day that we have enjoyed. There was a slight breeze and the temperature was in the low sixties. After the hot summer we have had it feels wonderful.  All ready we are into October and the trees show no signs of changing to pretty colors.  I fear that they will just fall off and turn brown on the ground.  Either way we will miss the foliage on the trees that dress up the otherwise drab buildings that surround us. 

  In Sofia they have valued their green spaces and allowed for many parks and trees.  We are near the heart of the city but as we walk up the street to the office each day we are walking under a canopy of green. In fact, now as the days grown shorter we have discovered that the trees are obscuring the street lights.  When we arrived in March the evenings were also dark but there were no leaves on the trees yet.

We have been in Bulgaria for the better part of seven months (with only a three week gap when we returned to briefly to the Baltics.)  Now that our traveling has slacked off we have settled into a regular pattern of spending our days at the office.   

 I am primarily in charge of anything to do with missionaries arriving or departing as well as communications – mail, e-mail, supplies for missionaries and the office as well as various other duties as assigned. 

 

  

  Elder Segeberg seems to be a fireman; or at least he is always putting out fires.  If it isn’t a computer issue then it is a financial matter; reimbursing missionaries for travel and such, or correcting financial reports, etc.  Our days pass very quickly.  Often on Monday I feel as though I have everything under control and wonder what I will have to do all week and without fail more things materialize than I could have imagined.  Things seem to wait to show up until they are a crisis.  What I know about Word and Excel is a benefit every day. 

 

 All of the knowledge Elder Segeberg has about computers and problem solving keeps things running smoothly.  But we are happy to put the things that we have learned over the years in the business world to good use serving the Lord.  I always knew that there was something more valuable that I could be doing than contributing to the inefficiency of our financial culture.  Elder Segeberg knew that there was a better application for his computer skills and intellect than trying to force information into disinterested students.  In the mission field you have eager young men and young women who are enthusiastic to serve.  Their bright faces and infectious smiles are amazing!

  Although everyone is bound to have a down day every now and then, the only tears we have seen are in the eyes of those departing for home as they say farewell to a place and people they have grown to dearly love.  One burly young man was given the opportunity to share his feelings with the group today since he will be leaving for home in two weeks.  As he stood up he said, “Don’t expect to see tears because I was born with defective tear ducts, I never cry!”  What he meant was that he is not an emotional person.  Much to his surprise, before he had finished he had to wipe the tears from his eyes more than once.  Everyone was touched by this strong young man as he shared his deep feelings.  He will be dearly missed!  We have to remind ourselves that on the other side of the ocean there are loving arms that are eager for his return.

We are enjoying this marvelous opportunity!  Although we miss our family dearly, we know that this is where we belong at this time.

Love to All

Elder and Sister Segeberg

Patriarchal Blessings

This was a busy and eventful week  -- our visiting Patriarch was here for his yearly visit. Although there was opposition on every side, which reminded me of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:8 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair,” we were successful in the end.  In spite of windy weather, power failures, inoperable gates, cars that could not escape from the parking lot, wild taxi rides, and a bonk on the head, good prevailed.

Although obtacles abounded (time off from work, travel, etc) many faithful members were over-joyed to receive their patriarchal blessings. In 2 Nephi 2:11 it reminds us, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.”  Everyone involved would agree that opposition abounded. This is an opportunity that only comes around about once a year in our remote location.  However, when the joy was seen on the faces of those who had preservered to receive this counsel from the Lord, it was worth all of the difficulties.

In many aspects of our lives we encounter challenges.  On occasion it may be tempting to follow the path of least resistance.  However, by overcoming the challenges we are also richly blessed.  On the hymn, How Firm A Foundation we are reassured that all is well, even in times of difficulty when it says,

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never, forsake.  

I hope we all can persevere in the face of opposition – to overcome the bad and embrace the good. May the Lord be with you.

Love

Elder & Sister Segeberg          

Friends

Recently we were able to spend time with friends that we have not seen since 1992.  What a treat!  We met in Scotland in January of 1974 while we were stationed at a very small RAF facility in northern Scotland.  Since that time we have kept in touch as we each raised families and gained a few more age-related aches and pains.  However, the years melted away once we were reunited.  Reflecting on them after they left for the airport today, the verses from this hymn seemed appropriate:

 Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects Thy own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessing from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost Thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer Lord to Thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior’s name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise Thy goodness, Lord above.

(Text by Karen Lynn Davidson)

 These good friends have been there for us, when we most needed them. They befriended us when we were strangers in a foreign land, and became very close to us. They were there to help us and comfort us when our daughter Becky died at birth. Thank Heavenly Father for true friends.

 

 It through the actions of other people that we are often blessed by the Lord and charity is one of the gifts of the spirit. We seek charity that we may be that friend to help other.

In addition, one of the greatest tributes that the Savior can give is to call us “friends.”  We know that; He loves, with a perfect love, all of His Heavenly Father’s children. Yet for those who have been faithful in their service with Him, He reserves this special title. “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power” (D&C 84:77)

We pray that as we feel the warmth of the many friends that are sent our way to touch our hearts and strengthen us, we will be reminded that through faithful service we can be worthy to be called His friends as well. 

Love

Elder & Sister Segeberg

Positive attitude

Attitude is Everything  --Being a believer in that, I love the below speech give by Thomas S. Monson.

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to
see things or to behave or to respond to others makes all the
difference. To do the very best we can, and then to choose to be
happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can
bring peace and contentment. "Happiness is an attitude. We
either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The
amount of work is the same" (Francesca Reigler).

Charles Swindoll — author, educator and Christian pastor —
said this about attitude: "The longer I live, the more I realize the
impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important …
than the past, … than money, than circumstances, than failures,
than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is
more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make
or break a company, a church, a home." He continued, "The
remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the
attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our
past; we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain
way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do
is [to change] our attitude." He concluded, "I am convinced that
life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react
to it. … We are in charge of our attitudes."

We all know people who seem to "roll with the punches" so to
speak, who are pleasant and cheerful through almost any
challenge. Generally these are the people with whom we like to
spend our time, for they make us feel better about
circumstances and about ourselves. It seems that good things
gravitate to them, for they don't let less-than-ideal circumstances
stand in their way. They choose to find joy everywhere and to le
ave it behind them when they go.

We, too, can choose to have a positive attitude. We can't direct
the wind, but we can adjust the sails. In other words, we can
choose to be happy and positive, regardless of what comes our
way. The definition of an optimist, according to one man, is
"someone who isn't sure whether life is a tragedy or a comedy
but is tickled silly just to be in the play" (Robert Brault, at
www.robertbrault.com).

We know that some people are more talented than others. Some
are more educated. Regardless of where we fit in the scheme of
things, we all have the capacity to be great, for we are only
limited by how we choose, how resolute we are — in other
words, by our attitude. …

We have but one chance at this life. For maximum happiness,
peace and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude."