January 3, 2010
Dear family,
As Jeanine wrote last week, it has been a wonderful month; maybe one of the most memorable of my life. We should always look forward to more and better experiences because each is part of mortality and each has a role in our development and our progress. Yes, even the terrible ones. Example: I remember when Benjamin left his old car with us to go on a mission. There had been a divorce and funs were very scarce. I worked up a couple of thousand dollars to restore the car so as to have something to keep me going while I made the mission payments. On the way home from Mesa on New Year’s Eve the plug in the radiator of the car gave way and without water the engine burned up. Hard times followed. Yes each experience makes up our life on earth.
One more “preachy” thing: Do we understand the “atonement”? Christ has suffered for all. We may and must cleanse our garments in the blood of the lamb. He has not left us here to flounder and He will see us through. Enjoy the good and endure the struggles!
The temple was heavily used with record numbers of ordinances this month. School is out and many businesses are closed at Christmas time. There are a host of reasons. There were sometimes 500 people in that mid-sized temple. Can you imagine, lockers occupied and clothes baskets stacked everywhere, the halls jammed up, people standing to get their recommend scanned and get their number to come back later for a session, all functions of the temple in full force. It gives us an opportunity to do a variety of things that otherwise we might not be able to do. What beautiful people come to the temple. That high volume of participants gave us real opportunity to be trained and to learn. Here is a particular example: The morning shift was way overtime with a huge group waiting to start. The afternoon shift was arriving and still changing clothes. The supervisor came to me just when I thought that we could have a lunch break. He said that I was the only one in the temple that was available and I was needed to officiate in a session. I didn’t have Jeanine to sit by me and kick me in the back of the foot, but I was grateful to be needed and to be asked. It was overcrowded, which caused some adjustment and some delays. The overall temple recorder and coordinator was there participating (which I didn’t even know at first). Afterwards, he pulled me aside and told me of two mistakes I had made. I was embarrassed, but grateful for the instruction he gave me. It’s been wonderful training, all in Spanish. I don’t know where else we could get the opportunity. Now we’ll be back to every other weekend after the temple reopens January 19th.
[Note from Jeanine: I sat with the temple recorder on Wednesday and he shared with me the stats from Tuesday. There were 730 endowments; 63 for their own endowments; 19 sealings, 11 of them being families with children. There were sessions about every 20 minutes beginning about 6:30 AM. The evening shift workers didn’t get finished until 11:30 PM. The schedule says the last shift starts at 7:00 PM. But what can you do when saints are leaving in the wee hours of the morning to return to another country and want to do more temple work? It was overwhelming and marvelous. You have to experience to know how it truly felt.] OK back to Spencer:
Another extraordinary experience: One of those once in a lifetime things: Temple president, President Mask invited us to stay the 31st and the 1st with them. Saturday he was taking lots of senior missionaries from the Area Office on an outing down by Esquintla. It was to see some very impressing findings that he and others had become aware of. It is a large stone in a sugar cane field. It has been examined by archeologist. He is without a doubt one of the most knowledgeable people in the church about Book of Mormon evidences. He and a host of others are certain there is MUCH more evidence in Guatemala and southern Mexico than in the USA (in spite of what Rod Meldrum has to say). Without going into all of this background, I will just say that one of the twelve apostles is coming next month and has cleared his calendar to spend three days with Brother Mask to learn more about these Book of Mormon evidences that have been uncovered and visit some of the sites (some brought to light by him and some by others). His facts are very objective and well documented. The carved stone that we visited on Saturday explains about various tribes (“-ites”) and includes glyphs that when translated into Hebrew mean Lehi, Sariah, Zoram and Jacob (I think). If Rod Meldrum found even one thing like this, he’d be ecstatic. They are all over southern Mexico and Guatemala (especially the western coast).
President Mask was just released as a seventy in October and became temple president the first of November. He has a manuscript, but as a general authority (even former) he can’t publish a book without the approval of the First Presidency. He also was told he can’t publish a book while he is serving as Temple President. So much of his information isn’t well publicized or known. Prior to going out we had the privilege of lots of personal tutoring. On Thursday we spent five hours sitting at the kitchen table going through all of his research and evidences. Then we spent a few more hours on Friday—as well as the outing on Saturday. He taught us about what the prophet Mormon actually tells us in the Book of Mormon and we reviewed place relationships, times, archeology and facts that match times and history of the Jaredites, Mulekites and Lehi’s family. Saturday he took us to a little known private museum in Santa Lucia where a plantation owner decided to preserve all of the artifacts he kept digging up as he plowed his fields. After reviewing things there, we went out to the field to see the actual rock and look at the carvings for ourselves. Aside from the wonders of what he taught us, the trip out there was a life time treat. How would one ever have found those things just running around the country alone? And what a thrilling opportunity to be personally hosted by someone with his knowledge and of his stature. We spent 3-4 days per week during the first part of December and Monday thru Saturday of last week.
Well, that is enough. I’m getting more verbose than Jeanine . We can’t have that now, can we?
Spencer,Dad, Elder Brown or whatever identification you want to associate with me
Monday, January 4
This is the rock Spencer wrote about!
We came at a good time because a new crop of sugar cane had recently been planted. Therefore, the plants were short and it was easier to find the rock. Sometimes this rock is hidden by sugar cane plants that 8' tall! That makes it a little bit challenging. I can't really point out the name glyphs in a picture this big, but I can when we get home. Imagine finding glyphs that mean "Lehi, Sariah, Zoram and one other name (I think Jacob or Joseph)" all on one rock on the western coastal area of Guatemala. It was a rare privilege to be here with lots of missionaries from the Area Office and the President of North Mission. All we can say is "Wow!"
The musuem in Santa Lucia
I'm not certain if Spencer is trying to hold these up or trying to be Samson and knock them down. This was the museum where a plantation owner decided to try to preserve the things he and his neighbors kept finding in their fields. He made casts and replicas of some things. The originals are in big museums or like the one we were most interested in, they are still in the fields because they are so big. There is a casting inside the museum of the rock we were most interested in.
Iguanas for our grandkids to enjoy!
OK, this post is especially for all of our grandkids. Personally, we thought the iguanas were ugly, but we knew you would like them. The really fascinating ones had crowns and beards (at least I think that is what they are called). Right by the museum where the stone carvings were located, was a place that breeds iguanas. Even if they are ugly, they are fun to see. I tried to get a picture of both a green and an orange one, but they kept moving really fast. Look how long their tails are. Did you know people eat iguanas here? They say the taste like really tender chicken. I don't think I'll go out of my way to try this delicacy.
Crowds at the temple
On the morning of December 30th at 7:00 AM we had crowds waiting to get into the temple. Some had been outside a l-o-n-g time. Inside it was shoulder to shoulder and you had to walk sideways in the halls. That day there were 730 endowments, including 63 new people; 19 sealings, including 11 families with children. The last session that night didn't start until 9 PM because people just kept coming. This is amazing for a mid-size temple. It was overwhelmingly awesome!
Temple Nativity
It looks like the Guatemala City temple and the Merida temple have the same nativity sets (just different stables). We loved seeing Dale and Marial at that temple and now you can see us at our temple. Fun to have siblings on missions at the same time.
Jeanine's Christmas letter
December 27, 2009
Dear Loved Ones,
This month has flown by and I haven’t had a moment to write a letter. So you are probably in for a long one! I told a lot about our boat trip down the Rio Dulce with the comments and pictures on the blog. So I won’t repeat that—other than to say it was a great, memorable birthday.
We were home only long enough to wash our clothes and repack our suitcases. We went to the temple early Wednesday morning on the bus. We were so busy in the temple I can’t begin to tell you. It was wonderful! We worked double shifts in the temple on Thursday and Friday and only one shift on Saturday before heading back to Chiquimula.
When the temple is really busy, Casa de Huespedes is really full and sometimes they can’t spare a room for us. The rooms hold 6-8+ people and it is crazy to give it to just two missionaries. But we have had an even better situation evolve. The new temple president and his wife arrived November 2nd. President Clate Mask was just released as a General Authority in October. He and his wife both served missions in Central America and overlapped Spencer. They have a house with five bedrooms and didn’t have anyone coming for Christmas, so they turned one of the bedrooms over to us. It is free, close and often comes with meals provided. Besides, it has been an opportunity to get to know them.
I have been hungry for friendships with women who speak English. I am soooooo thankful for Tuli—she has single-handedly filled the role for me beautifully. I don’t know what I would have done to stay sane, if it weren’t for her. But now, I have one new friend as well. That is a nice addition to my life.
We returned to Chiquimula on Saturday the 12th and then went to Esquipulas for church early on the 13th. Spencer is very busy because he teaches the youth Sunday School class and he teaches Priesthood twice a month. I lead the singing, so I am a little more dispensable. We planned to return to Guatemala on Wednesday, but there were protesters randomly blockading roads so we made a quick decision and left Tuesday evening, thinking when it was dark, they probably would be smart enough to not stand out on the highway. We were right and we arrived in Guatemala about 9 PM to a dark, lonely terminal. It was sort of spooky. But it didn’t take long for Tuli and Cesar to arrive. We went to get a bite to eat with them and then went to the Mask’s for the night. Tuli and Cesar had also invited us.
So we worked double shifts three days and one shift on Saturday. I couldn’t handle that much strain on my back (it is tough to be leaning over to help/hear women at the veil who are more than a foot shorter than me) so I stayed in the city. Spencer (who is crazy and wonderful all at the same time) got home late Saturday night. Then he did the round trip to Esquipulas on Sunday and caught the 3:00 AM bus on Monday morning to arrive back at the temple in time for the shifts beginning at 6:30 AM.
I spent the weekend with Tuli. Saturday night was a special treat. Their son and his wife were hosting her extended family for their traditional party. We were invited and I met so many fun people. I unfortunately didn’t take my camera. They sang the traditional Posada songs on either side of the door so I got a little glimpse of that traditional activity (but it was just symbolic, not the whole blown affair). Then they had a nativity play. It was put on by the younger generation (young adults and kids). Cesar Hijo had pictures to project onto the wall for background for each part of the story. They had written a detailed script and it was great. Then the adults put on a play—this year they did “A Christmas Carol”. All the main characters had scripts, and then they had roles for improvised for Cesar, Tuli and me. Cesar and Tuli were townspeople interacting with Tiny Tim in an early scene. I was in the last scene when Scrooge woke up and I responded to his question that it was Christmas morning (while playing ball with another “kid”). It was a little intimidating because all of their hurried instructions to me were in rapid Spanish and Tuli wasn’t around to help me! (her scene had already gone out) Then they spontaneously added a line for me in the finale and with a flourish I announced that Christmas wasn’t about money, it is about the birth of Christ and being with your family! I gestured to all of them since they are all family. They loved it and someone told me I should be nominated for an Oscar. Then we had a yummy meal and followed that with Karoke singing. I was glad to beg off since I didn’t know the songs (which were all in Spanish). We went home at 11:30 but the party was still going strong. It was a warm, loving, loud family—just like home—only it was in Spanish. There was no alcohol served and it was completely focused on the family.
The next morning they dropped me off at church and picked me up after their services. It worked out great. I met some more senior missionaries from the area office—it was so nice to speak English once again. It was also great to see a fully functional ward. The speakers were good—they even had a high councilman there, the RS functioned just like in the states—music time, well prepared lesson, and everything. It was amazing—and very different from what we experience in Esquipulas Branch.
On Monday morning I went to the Mission Christmas Conference and Spencer worked a couple of hours at the temple and then joined us for lunch and the slide show and gifts. What a wonderful day. I sat with the young sisters and was engulfed in love. One sister from Honduras had hand crafted key chains for us. She used to be in our Zone. Then the gift for missionaries from President and Sister Alvarado was little missionary figurines (made by the same person who made your nativities). We received a ‘matrimonio misionero paraje” sitting a two stumps and the sister is dressed in typical Guatemalan clothes—only with blonde hair to represent us! It is priceless. Hermana Carmen was outside the Cultural Hall at lunch time to sell some of her scripture covers. I took Elder Lira out there (he serves in Esquipulas). He has the very cheapest economy scriptures for his mission. He is a convert. His mom died last December and only one brother is a member. I bought him covers to protect his scriptures. He was very touched. So was Hermana Carmen. As we were leaving, she gave me a miniature coin purse/key chain as a gift. I had previously made friends with her because I order leather scripture cases from her for Spencer and she likes me.
The next day, at lunch time, I found the Noriega’s in front of the MTC. They are the ones we have bought lots of ties and scripture cases from. Nate and Christena met them. I bought gifts for the Masks and Montenegros from them. I was eying a great bag that I loved. They put it in my package and said it was a Christmas gift from them! Right after that I went to the Nauvoo Bookstore (Deseret Book Store) and after making a small purchase there, she gave me a little 12” Christmas tree with one red bulb on top. It sort of reminded me of a Charlie Brown tree. But it was a Christmas gift from her. It was rather amazing. Everywhere I went people gave me presents! The Masks had a big can of Poppycock for us as well. What fun.
We worked until noon on Wednesday and then came back home. We were in Esquipulas today and we will return to the temple early in the morning again. This week we will stay until it closes on Wednesday night and come back on Thursday to spend New Year’s here among the noisy fireworks!
At the Christmas Conference our Chiquimula district leader asked if we were going to be in Guat City or Chiquimula for Christmas because the district was thinking about doing an activity on Christmas Day. I told him to count us in because we would be back. He called me Wednesday as we were preparing to head back. I asked what the plans were and he said, “Well, we thought we would like to have a Christmas breakfast together (brief, squirmy pause) at your house!” I just started laughing and said that would be great! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it. So Thursday I shopped for breakfast foods and stood in a check out line for 45 minutes to have stuff for breakfast, as well as for our Christmas Eve meal with Tere’s (our housekeeper) family. Both were great. We had turkey and traditional American foods on Thursday night. Tere gave us two tamales as a gift from her, so we ate those on Christmas. We had a great Christmas Eve program. We had provided Christmas boxes and little gifts for Tere’s family, Gladys and Porfirio’s family and one other single parent family. It was a great Christmas.
Spencer bought me two really nice carved souvenirs from Guatemala (I love them!) and I bought him scripture cases. We also had lots of snack foods. The missionaries helped us eat those. We watched the “Joseph Smith Story” with the missionaries and then sent them home with turkey sandwiches, desserts and fruit salads as they headed out to start receiving their Christmas phone calls from home. That afternoon we started making phone calls to connect with our kids and mostly succeeded. We still have some calls to make.
The Sunday before Christmas we had a really cold snap hit us. It rained both in Chiquimula and in Guat City. It snowed in San Marcos, Guatemala (up in the mountains). I about froze in the City where it is much higher than here. Spencer caught a cold and has been living on cough drops all week long. He is doing much better now. Thank goodness.
It has been such a blessing to have this time in the temple. It is much easier to learn the ordinances in Spanish when you are there on consecutive days and not just every other weekend. I am now certified in everything except the last booth of preliminarios (initiatory). We have been able to be together leading many sessions and that feels comfortable now. Spencer teases because he told me to tap his foot if he forgets to stand up or sit down when he should. He told Cody he had a bloody bruise on the back of his leg from me kicking him. He is glad he has it straight now and doesn’t need any more prompting.
We have had incredible spiritual experiences and some humorous ones. The people have come from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and all over Guatemala. One very spiritual experience for me was helping a sister confined to a wheelchair. While I was helping her put her slippers back on, I was kneeling at her feet and struggling a little because of her deformed foot. Suddenly I noticed the white dress spread out around me where I knelt on the floor and the overwhelming feeling came from the Spirit telling me that I was truly doing the Lord’s work. I was serving as His hands as I knelt at the feet of one of His beloved daughters rendering a service.
Sister Mask asked that we make every sister feel special who comes to the temple. I have a goal of making eye contact with every sister in the session and smiling warmly at just her (with my eyes if I am in the front). They have really responded and look for me afterwards and give me hugs and kisses on the cheeks. They all call me “Hermanita” which literally means “little sister” [which seems strange when they are about 4’6-8” tall and I am 5’10”]. But in this culture it is used more as a term of endearment than a word denoting size or age. It is like saying “beloved sister”. It warms my heart every time I hear it.
One absolutely charming sister had sparkling black eyes in a face with at least 1000 wrinkles. She had to watch others closely and get some help. I helped her at the veil. She kept grabbing the Brothers’ hand in both of hers and just caressing it, instead of holding the position indicated. Then instead of putting her hand on his shoulder, she was hugging him and patting his back. He finally whispered “hombro” (shoulder) so I helped her again. To top it off, she was mostly deaf and there was no way I could speak softly and have her hear me. The sisters watching were just grinning at me when I turned around. It was priceless and beautiful. She was just radiating so much love and gratitude for being in the temple that she had to do a lot of extra touching a caressing than normal . I will never forget the love she radiated. I hope I radiate that much love to others.
We love you and miss you. I am sure Spencer will want to write more with observations from his perspective (I can’t imagine why!), so you will probably get another letter—if not now, then on New Year’s. Keep the faith. Read the scriptures. Love and support each other.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine
Dear Loved Ones,
This month has flown by and I haven’t had a moment to write a letter. So you are probably in for a long one! I told a lot about our boat trip down the Rio Dulce with the comments and pictures on the blog. So I won’t repeat that—other than to say it was a great, memorable birthday.
We were home only long enough to wash our clothes and repack our suitcases. We went to the temple early Wednesday morning on the bus. We were so busy in the temple I can’t begin to tell you. It was wonderful! We worked double shifts in the temple on Thursday and Friday and only one shift on Saturday before heading back to Chiquimula.
When the temple is really busy, Casa de Huespedes is really full and sometimes they can’t spare a room for us. The rooms hold 6-8+ people and it is crazy to give it to just two missionaries. But we have had an even better situation evolve. The new temple president and his wife arrived November 2nd. President Clate Mask was just released as a General Authority in October. He and his wife both served missions in Central America and overlapped Spencer. They have a house with five bedrooms and didn’t have anyone coming for Christmas, so they turned one of the bedrooms over to us. It is free, close and often comes with meals provided. Besides, it has been an opportunity to get to know them.
I have been hungry for friendships with women who speak English. I am soooooo thankful for Tuli—she has single-handedly filled the role for me beautifully. I don’t know what I would have done to stay sane, if it weren’t for her. But now, I have one new friend as well. That is a nice addition to my life.
We returned to Chiquimula on Saturday the 12th and then went to Esquipulas for church early on the 13th. Spencer is very busy because he teaches the youth Sunday School class and he teaches Priesthood twice a month. I lead the singing, so I am a little more dispensable. We planned to return to Guatemala on Wednesday, but there were protesters randomly blockading roads so we made a quick decision and left Tuesday evening, thinking when it was dark, they probably would be smart enough to not stand out on the highway. We were right and we arrived in Guatemala about 9 PM to a dark, lonely terminal. It was sort of spooky. But it didn’t take long for Tuli and Cesar to arrive. We went to get a bite to eat with them and then went to the Mask’s for the night. Tuli and Cesar had also invited us.
So we worked double shifts three days and one shift on Saturday. I couldn’t handle that much strain on my back (it is tough to be leaning over to help/hear women at the veil who are more than a foot shorter than me) so I stayed in the city. Spencer (who is crazy and wonderful all at the same time) got home late Saturday night. Then he did the round trip to Esquipulas on Sunday and caught the 3:00 AM bus on Monday morning to arrive back at the temple in time for the shifts beginning at 6:30 AM.
I spent the weekend with Tuli. Saturday night was a special treat. Their son and his wife were hosting her extended family for their traditional party. We were invited and I met so many fun people. I unfortunately didn’t take my camera. They sang the traditional Posada songs on either side of the door so I got a little glimpse of that traditional activity (but it was just symbolic, not the whole blown affair). Then they had a nativity play. It was put on by the younger generation (young adults and kids). Cesar Hijo had pictures to project onto the wall for background for each part of the story. They had written a detailed script and it was great. Then the adults put on a play—this year they did “A Christmas Carol”. All the main characters had scripts, and then they had roles for improvised for Cesar, Tuli and me. Cesar and Tuli were townspeople interacting with Tiny Tim in an early scene. I was in the last scene when Scrooge woke up and I responded to his question that it was Christmas morning (while playing ball with another “kid”). It was a little intimidating because all of their hurried instructions to me were in rapid Spanish and Tuli wasn’t around to help me! (her scene had already gone out) Then they spontaneously added a line for me in the finale and with a flourish I announced that Christmas wasn’t about money, it is about the birth of Christ and being with your family! I gestured to all of them since they are all family. They loved it and someone told me I should be nominated for an Oscar. Then we had a yummy meal and followed that with Karoke singing. I was glad to beg off since I didn’t know the songs (which were all in Spanish). We went home at 11:30 but the party was still going strong. It was a warm, loving, loud family—just like home—only it was in Spanish. There was no alcohol served and it was completely focused on the family.
The next morning they dropped me off at church and picked me up after their services. It worked out great. I met some more senior missionaries from the area office—it was so nice to speak English once again. It was also great to see a fully functional ward. The speakers were good—they even had a high councilman there, the RS functioned just like in the states—music time, well prepared lesson, and everything. It was amazing—and very different from what we experience in Esquipulas Branch.
On Monday morning I went to the Mission Christmas Conference and Spencer worked a couple of hours at the temple and then joined us for lunch and the slide show and gifts. What a wonderful day. I sat with the young sisters and was engulfed in love. One sister from Honduras had hand crafted key chains for us. She used to be in our Zone. Then the gift for missionaries from President and Sister Alvarado was little missionary figurines (made by the same person who made your nativities). We received a ‘matrimonio misionero paraje” sitting a two stumps and the sister is dressed in typical Guatemalan clothes—only with blonde hair to represent us! It is priceless. Hermana Carmen was outside the Cultural Hall at lunch time to sell some of her scripture covers. I took Elder Lira out there (he serves in Esquipulas). He has the very cheapest economy scriptures for his mission. He is a convert. His mom died last December and only one brother is a member. I bought him covers to protect his scriptures. He was very touched. So was Hermana Carmen. As we were leaving, she gave me a miniature coin purse/key chain as a gift. I had previously made friends with her because I order leather scripture cases from her for Spencer and she likes me.
The next day, at lunch time, I found the Noriega’s in front of the MTC. They are the ones we have bought lots of ties and scripture cases from. Nate and Christena met them. I bought gifts for the Masks and Montenegros from them. I was eying a great bag that I loved. They put it in my package and said it was a Christmas gift from them! Right after that I went to the Nauvoo Bookstore (Deseret Book Store) and after making a small purchase there, she gave me a little 12” Christmas tree with one red bulb on top. It sort of reminded me of a Charlie Brown tree. But it was a Christmas gift from her. It was rather amazing. Everywhere I went people gave me presents! The Masks had a big can of Poppycock for us as well. What fun.
We worked until noon on Wednesday and then came back home. We were in Esquipulas today and we will return to the temple early in the morning again. This week we will stay until it closes on Wednesday night and come back on Thursday to spend New Year’s here among the noisy fireworks!
At the Christmas Conference our Chiquimula district leader asked if we were going to be in Guat City or Chiquimula for Christmas because the district was thinking about doing an activity on Christmas Day. I told him to count us in because we would be back. He called me Wednesday as we were preparing to head back. I asked what the plans were and he said, “Well, we thought we would like to have a Christmas breakfast together (brief, squirmy pause) at your house!” I just started laughing and said that would be great! I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it. So Thursday I shopped for breakfast foods and stood in a check out line for 45 minutes to have stuff for breakfast, as well as for our Christmas Eve meal with Tere’s (our housekeeper) family. Both were great. We had turkey and traditional American foods on Thursday night. Tere gave us two tamales as a gift from her, so we ate those on Christmas. We had a great Christmas Eve program. We had provided Christmas boxes and little gifts for Tere’s family, Gladys and Porfirio’s family and one other single parent family. It was a great Christmas.
Spencer bought me two really nice carved souvenirs from Guatemala (I love them!) and I bought him scripture cases. We also had lots of snack foods. The missionaries helped us eat those. We watched the “Joseph Smith Story” with the missionaries and then sent them home with turkey sandwiches, desserts and fruit salads as they headed out to start receiving their Christmas phone calls from home. That afternoon we started making phone calls to connect with our kids and mostly succeeded. We still have some calls to make.
The Sunday before Christmas we had a really cold snap hit us. It rained both in Chiquimula and in Guat City. It snowed in San Marcos, Guatemala (up in the mountains). I about froze in the City where it is much higher than here. Spencer caught a cold and has been living on cough drops all week long. He is doing much better now. Thank goodness.
It has been such a blessing to have this time in the temple. It is much easier to learn the ordinances in Spanish when you are there on consecutive days and not just every other weekend. I am now certified in everything except the last booth of preliminarios (initiatory). We have been able to be together leading many sessions and that feels comfortable now. Spencer teases because he told me to tap his foot if he forgets to stand up or sit down when he should. He told Cody he had a bloody bruise on the back of his leg from me kicking him. He is glad he has it straight now and doesn’t need any more prompting.
We have had incredible spiritual experiences and some humorous ones. The people have come from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and all over Guatemala. One very spiritual experience for me was helping a sister confined to a wheelchair. While I was helping her put her slippers back on, I was kneeling at her feet and struggling a little because of her deformed foot. Suddenly I noticed the white dress spread out around me where I knelt on the floor and the overwhelming feeling came from the Spirit telling me that I was truly doing the Lord’s work. I was serving as His hands as I knelt at the feet of one of His beloved daughters rendering a service.
Sister Mask asked that we make every sister feel special who comes to the temple. I have a goal of making eye contact with every sister in the session and smiling warmly at just her (with my eyes if I am in the front). They have really responded and look for me afterwards and give me hugs and kisses on the cheeks. They all call me “Hermanita” which literally means “little sister” [which seems strange when they are about 4’6-8” tall and I am 5’10”]. But in this culture it is used more as a term of endearment than a word denoting size or age. It is like saying “beloved sister”. It warms my heart every time I hear it.
One absolutely charming sister had sparkling black eyes in a face with at least 1000 wrinkles. She had to watch others closely and get some help. I helped her at the veil. She kept grabbing the Brothers’ hand in both of hers and just caressing it, instead of holding the position indicated. Then instead of putting her hand on his shoulder, she was hugging him and patting his back. He finally whispered “hombro” (shoulder) so I helped her again. To top it off, she was mostly deaf and there was no way I could speak softly and have her hear me. The sisters watching were just grinning at me when I turned around. It was priceless and beautiful. She was just radiating so much love and gratitude for being in the temple that she had to do a lot of extra touching a caressing than normal . I will never forget the love she radiated. I hope I radiate that much love to others.
We love you and miss you. I am sure Spencer will want to write more with observations from his perspective (I can’t imagine why!), so you will probably get another letter—if not now, then on New Year’s. Keep the faith. Read the scriptures. Love and support each other.
Love,
Mom/Jeanine
A party at the home of President & Hermana Mask
We were able to attend a farewell party for two couples who finished up at the temple on December 30th. It was fun to be with temple missionaries on a social basis. This has been an incredible month.
Christmas morning in our apartment
Christmas morning we had to get up early! But only because we wanted to open our presents prior to the Elders getting here for breakfast. Spencer gave me some great souvenirs and he received leather scripture cases. Most of the rest were goodies to share and a couple of calendars. It was a nice Christmas. But it wasn't the same as being home.
Merry Christmas to all of our loved ones:
This Christmas season is a time of reflection on our many blessings. We have had a wealth of wonderful experiences during the year of 2009 while continuing to serve as missionaries in Chiquimula and Esquipulas, Guatemala. Our primary responsibility has been to teach English classes at the CUNORI University in Chiquimula and in the church. We have made many wonderful friends and have been able to help many people increase their language skills in the English language.
Each Sunday and every other Saturday we are in Esquipulas where there is a very small branch of the church. We make regular visits to those who are less active and especially try to encourage brothers who have not yet received the Melchizedek Priesthood. Our visits have been well-received and we enjoy sharing gospel messages with them. This has also been an opportunity to make many friends. We also help with various responsibilities in the Branch, such as music, talks and teaching.
Every other Friday and Saturday we travel to Guatemala City on the bus and serve as temple workers for an evening and a morning shift. There is such a beautiful spirit in the temple. It provides a place and a time for us to reflect on why we love to serve the Lord in any capacity that is available. Our testimonies are strengthened and we feel blessed to be able to help the hundreds of saints who travel many hours by bus to come to the temple.
On occasion we are able to participate in other special events or undertakings. It is always a highlight when we are able to travel into the more remote villages and assist the groups of dentists who travel from the United States twice a year. They provide an invaluable service to these people. Their generosity is inspiring.
Our families and friends have been an ongoing resource for love and support. We miss you so very much, but we are glad to be serving here. We are thankful our families have been blessed in our absence. We pray for them every day. We know there are many challenges in life, but they are weathering the storms.
You are welcome to visit our blog at any time to look at pictures and/or read weekly (well, almost weekly) reports that we send to our families. spencerandjeanine.blogspot.com We love to hear from friends and loved ones—it helps us still feel connected to home. We pray that you will have a blessed and happy holiday season. Take time to reflect on the blessings we receive from our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is His birth and life we are celebrating. We owe everything to Him.
With love,
Spencer and Jeanine Brown
Mission Christmas Conference
Hermana Brown is shocked to be with Santa at the Christmas Conference. Fun day!
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