Moon & the Bridge Builder

(7 years ago today.)
11-30-08

A few things to catch up on; first, the moon as seen in Russia will be very close to the same as what we see here in California. The same face of the moon always points towards the earth, we never see the back side of the moon except for pictures from space craft on the far side. There is some slight difference in viewing from how far north or south you are on the planet, or from when it first rises to when it is about to set. As it will give a change in angle that you are seeing the moon from. So that could be partly why it might appear different. There also could have been some climatic or natural happenings (clouds, Fires, etc.) or recent meteor(s) strikes (although I had not heard of any) to make it look different. 1

Sister Hansen, if you want to have a Fivel moment (ah la ‘Some Where Out There’), if you will look at the moon just as it is about to set, we will see it rising. We will be looking at the very same moon, at the same time. But only for a few minuets each day that it is visible.

Elder Hansen, where you are in Mexico, after the moon has been up for about 2 hours, we will see it rising. And when it is about to set for you, we will still observe it for another two hours. Thus we can be looking at the same moon at the same time for about 5 or 6 hours each day that it is visible. Plus contrary to popular belief, (that the moon only shines at night), the moon will shine just as much in the day time as in the night time (on an annual basis – longer in the daytime in summer, but longer at night time in the winter), depending on what phase it is in. A true “full moon” will rise at sundown, and at various other times of the day or night depending on the phase or part of the 29 day cycle that it is on.1

The sun is a different matter. In Russia we would be able to see the sun together at the same time on June 21 (the Summer Solstice) for 2 to 3 hours (your last few hours of the day, our first few hours). Most of the year, mid Aug. through early May, we would not be able to see the sun at the same time. It will be early May before we will see the sun together at the same time again (you will see the sun setting and we will see it rising for only a moment together, and gradually each day be able to see more of it together until it’s peak on June 21).

In Leon Mexico, on June 21 we probably will be able to see the sun rise together. But we will see it set about 2 hours later than you. Even in the depth of winter we will still have at least 4 hours a day, that we could both see the sun at the same time (if it is not foggy). But your sunrise will be at 3 to 4 hours ahead of ours. 2



On my mission, both my Dad and my Mom wrote to me every week. I did not know of one missionary whose father wrote every week, except for mine. Some had fathers who wrote once a month at best, to sporadic or not at all. Only a few of them had moms that wrote every week, but most moms only wrote once or twice a month. I remember Elder (name omitted) W being so amazed at my parent’s letters, especially my Dad’s, as his father never wrote him once (Elder W was a convert and the only member in his family). I mentioned this in my letters home, and my Dad started writing to Elder W also. Elder W was so impressed with his letters and told me later that one of the saddest parts of coming home was that he missed my Dad’s letters. So, yes, I have a glimpse of what letters from home mean (including all of your siblings).



Elder Hansen, I spoke with (name omitted) the son of your Mission Pres. ([He]  works at Church headquarters) and he said he was with Pres. & Sister C for Thanksgiving in Leon. He said his dad was very excited about the progress and programs in the Mission.


...


I spoke in (name omitted) C Ward this morning (on the Spiritual aspects of the Vineyard, and the “Big Picture” of the Welfare & Commercial Farms that the Church has, the Humanitarian efforts, etc.). The whole congregation was quite moved (even the squirrelly Deacons).

I then also spoke in our (name omitted) Ward 3rd hour (5th Sunday Presentation), along with Bro. P who did a great job (Bishop B was out of town). I spoke on “Salvation through Service”, and the conclusion of my talk I quoted this poem that I memorized as a teenager and used many times on my Mission:



The Bridge Builder


An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To chasm, vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a sullen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,
"You are wasting strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the ending day;
You never again must pass this way;
You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide --
Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head:
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm that has been naught to me
To that fair-haired youth may a pit-fall be,
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

Will Allen Dromgoole 3

As one fair haired youth, I had many bridges built for me throughout my life. Especially from the biggest “Bridge Builder” of them all, our Savior Jesus Christ. So, I am left with a debt so great, that I could never repay it all. It becomes my duty then, to do everything I can, no matter how long the day, or difficult the work, to tirelessly serve him who bought and paid with his very blood, all of my sins, weaknesses, short falls and blunders. That others could be brought to taste the sweetness of the fruit that I have tasted.

All of my love, Jamie





1. http://www.moonconnection.com/moon-same-side.phtml
2. http://www.worldtimebuddy.com/
3. http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237102