March 7th letter from Spencer

Dear Family and Friends,
Last evening we arrived back home to our apartment from the capital after having a nice couple of days at the temple. We love to be there. The Masks (President and Sister) have been so nice to let us stay in their home on the nights we are at the temple. We look forward to staying with them all of “Semana Santa” (or “holy week” for all of you foreigners). That week the schools are out and many businesses are closed so families will come by the bus loads from all directions to attend the temple. It is a sight to behold. We have described the system—“take a token that tells which session you will be in and then go wait until the appointed hour.” In the US we sometimes think of the temple as a “lovely date” and afterwards we go eat at a nice restaurant.
It is quite different here. There seems to be more of a feeling of urgency as most of the family history has been brought with them to perform ordinances for ancestors. They bring names with them and various members of the family are engaged in all of the functions.
The housing program for the travelers is remarkable as well. The saints take care of their kids in shifts outside on the grounds or in one of the Casas de Huespedes—housing for temple patrons. The security has even been increased. When Jeanine and I walk a block back to the Mask’s home at night there is a guard that walks behind or with us and sees us inside the big iron doors. When we get to their gate and ring the bell, they can see us with a camera and then push the button to allow us through to the inner doors. All of the security is under the program of temple security. They are there 24/7. At one point the Guatemala temple was one of only two with armed security. They may have changed in recent years. The Masks have been instructed to drive the one block from their house into the temple parking lot in a nice car with tinted windows. Everything is opened with remote control and closes behind them. They have been asked to not walk to and from their house. Security is not taken lightly here.
“Delinquency” which actually means “organized crime” is out of control in Guatemala. I am appalled every day when I read the paper about the corruption in every area and on every level of government. But enough of that.
I’ve been thinking about what a mission is in our case and what it is in general for adult couples. It is different for each couple because each experience is unique. Each couple makes their own way based on all kinds of variables. In general, it’s always a form of service and there is always satisfaction and blessings that come from giving selfless service.
In our case, this has been the experience of a lifetime. We have enjoyed the rich cultural experiences, the language we have learned (you should hear Jeanine jabber away with people), the traveling to various areas, the teaching English, the role we have played in the branch, the help we have been able to provide people, the temple training we have gone through, the Mayan and Book of Mormon sites we have seen. Each one of those have added to what has been our experience. I think we love each other more and we know more about who we are and what our strengths and weaknesses are.
I also think that perhaps we will have started a stronger tradition of missionary work and temple service within the family. Even though we have been absent, no one has been adversely affected by our absence and the positive effects will be evident when our grandchildren become mission age (and choose to serve) and marriage age and our sons and daughters who become “empty nesters” and have a retirement income will chose to do the same. That’s my wish for all of you.
I love all of you, Dad/Spencer