June 21, 2009

June 21, 2009

Hi everyone,

Life as senior missionaries is continuing. It is all good. Today is Father’s Day. I have thought about all of our sons and in-laws and what great fathers they are. We feel very blessed. Spencer appreciates the phone calls and emails and ecards. I gave him breakfast in bed this morning. I also found a great hand-crafted clock in the shape of Guatemala with an image of the ruins in Tikal and volcanoes in the background. I had been saving it for Fathers’ Day. We also had a great dinner with flautas after church today. It has been a good day.

Last Sunday night we had our FHE with the Ramirez family. The baby that Spencer had given a blessing to was remarkably better. He only had about four spots left. Also, the Aleve seems to be relieving most of the pain Gladys was having. She still has limited range of motion and inflammation, but at least the pain has decreased. The family had promised to be at church today. But we went by yesterday and Anderson (the 3 year old) was really sick. Gladys said if he wasn’t better this morning, she would take him to the hospital. With the family living so far from the church, the kids didn’t come without their mom. Sigh.

The flu epidemic has hit Guatemala. The government closed all grade schools and high schools for two weeks. Last week will have to be made up at the end of the school year in November. This week would have been a normal, middle of the year, one week break. CUNORI still had classes last week—the directive didn’t affect universities or other public gatherings (like church). We will still have our English classes with the faculty this week, but no students. We do have our night classes, as well. There haven’t been any cases of type A flu in Chiquimula, but we have had some in Zacapa (about 20 minutes north of here). We are being really, really compulsive about hand washing and hand sanitizing. There is a lot of illness here—but it is mostly the families that live right down on the river and drink the river water. Since the rains have started, more contaminants have been in the water.

Yes—you read right! The rains have finally started! It is amazing how much nicer it is when we have a refreshing rain. It is even cool at night. Some days it feels sultry, but usually by evening we have a shower and it is great again. They were a month late getting here this year, so we are really happy for the moisture.

Tuesday, we have Zone Conference. They are now being held here in Chiquimula instead of Zacapa. This works much better for us, since we have classes until 9 AM. Now we are only a few minutes late. Previously, we were about an hour late after catching a bus to Zacapa.

Next week-end we are having Branch Conference in Esquipulas. Miraculously, I took my cell phone to the church meetings today. The mission president called us. Spencer went out to take the call. He became the link to let the Branch President know the mission president would be there for conference next week. The Branch President didn’t know anything about it (a counselor in the mission presidency was supposed to tell him). So at least with the phone calls back and forth this morning, President Lajpop could tell people (who had stayed for RS and Priesthood) about the Saturday meetings. We will make phone calls and spend an extra day there this week so that we can rally some of the members (we hope).

Tere’s little girl Sofi (picture about two weeks ago) sat down hard about 10 days ago when Tere was cleaning at another house. She couldn’t walk and Tere had to carry her to our house that Thursday. Friday she took her to the doctor. She had a fracture on the back side of her knee, so now she is in a cast. Tere carried her to the bus and came to church with her today. That is impressive and great dedication. It has been a blessing that the boys are out of school, so Sofi can stay home with them and Tere doesn’t have to carry her to every house she cleans.

Thanks, Tim for getting the new pump ordered and installed into the well at the cabin. We feel reassured having you there to keep an eye on things. The new propane tank will be delivered on Thursday the 25th, so everything should be in working order again. Thank goodness.

I wish I could be there when Janae’s family comes to Arizona. And I wish I could be there for Gibson’s baptism. I really miss the family events and gatherings.

However, I’m here following the call of the prophet and I love being here. I have been anxious to serve missions to the Lamanites since I was 12 years old and I received my Patriarchal Blessing. This is a dream come true. I love the people here and the opportunity to be of service.

We love all of you. We pray for those of you who have extra challenges in your lives. I pray that you will be guided to the solutions. These are tough economic times. My heart hurts for you. Love and nurture each other for us. It is hard to express our concern when we are so far away.

Love,
Mom/Dad/Jeanine/Spencer