Music in the church

Hi family--I will write just a short note since Spencer was pretty complete in his report. I have been fascinated to observe the music in the church. Most wards/branches don't have anyone to play the piano. The person conducting stands up--sings the first line so you can hear the pitch and the tune and then leads the song. In one branch we visited the "chorister" didn't know how to lead music so she sang the first line, then tapped on the hymn book while saying "uno, dos, tres" and everyone started singing. I wonder if they even have boom boxes to use the cd's the church puts out with the music. I haven't ever seen one used yet. I also wonder what they do when new music comes out each year in Primary for the Sacrament Meeting presentation. You have to have a lot of confidence to lead the music here! I'm impressed. One thing Spencer didn't talk about was the number of charlas (lessons) we taught on Saturday. He started out in the morning with a group of 30 new members and/or investigators to teach them about the temple. We also taught three kids classes. Then in the afternoon we taught together another class to adult women about the temple. When Spencer went to help with baptisms, I had another 30 women to teach about the temple. We took them to the temple waiting room to see the film "Mountain of the Lord" after our class. But in between we spent the entire day visiting and teaching the many, many sister who were here who didn't have recommends. We were teaching all day long and we were exhausted at night. All of the missionaries were exhausted that night. We performed more ordinances on Saturday than any other day since the temple opened (except on the anniversary Saturday where they had 11 sessions). Many missionaries worked a double shift and were in the temple going non-stop for about 12 hours. It fills your heart with joy to see the temple and the annex filled with people who love the Lord and want to be either in or near His House.

We love you all and miss you very much! Thank you for keeping touch via emails or phone calls!

16th of March 2014 Dear Loved Ones, I 'll try to pull up any creativity that I can find. I feel that I don't have much to work with. For example, I told Jeanine that some of the pictures I wanted to take, I couldn't because anywhere you looked, there was a baby "on the receiving end." Jeanine thought that was a little weird. But, oh well, that's the best that I can do. Every March the wards and stakes budget for a bus trip to the temple because the Relief Society Birthday is a BIG deal. Maybe you could compare it to a BYU Women's Conference. The temple is the place to be. Even if they are very old, or crippled, or just don't have a recommend to show, they come. Jeanine and I have the assignment to stay with those outside the temple. We teach the kids and/or orient new converts or non-members about the temple. On Saturday we had a children's class going [we were just finishing it up] and another group showed up. [There literally wasn't a spot available on the floor or on any chairs.] So I grabbed the visual aids and put the children on the steps going up to the next floor of our annex building. There was an adult up on the top and when Jeanine finished up the other class, she joined me and we taught from the bottom. We had them trapped! [or contained might be a better word :)] It was good. [When we finished with the lesson, we took the kids outside for the coloring activity to reinforce our lesson and have something to take home with them. It was a perfectly beautiful day outside. ] You can see the rows of micro buses in the background. There was a man around here that is a reporter for the church magazines. He will have something about the tradition here of going to the temple for the Relief Society birthday. I take pictures of people and buses hoping that I can help get something in the Liahona. I have a picture of a lady in a wheelchair who had been in a bus accident. She is so damaged that all she could talk about is wanting to die. [She lost one eye and is a complete invalid]. Very sad. Another interesting experience was visiting with a young mother and her mother-in-law, whose husband/son had been murdered. When we were here before it seemed that almost every family had someone in their extended family who had been murdered. It is a reality of life here. When wards send their youth for baptisms they are expected to send a team of brethren to perform the ordinances of baptisms and confirmations. That doesn't always happen. Recently I told them that I would love to perform the baptisms. They were very happy to have me volunteer. I'm getting to do lots of baptisms, which I like. It is really different when adult women come for baptisms. They aren't very flexible and you can't get them down, then their feet come out from under them and you can't get them back up! They you have to use psychology to get them to do it again. Lastly, tonight, I'm far from accomplished in the Spanish language, but I'm thrilled at some of the expressions that I can use to communicate with. Life is good. Hasta luego, Dad/Spencer/or some other name you give me when you're mad. PS: Check out the little boy tending his brother while his mother is in the temple. There was a little girl also with a tiny baby on her back, but we didn't get a picture of her.

Replying to a Post

FYI: For those who have received our posts and replied by hitting reply, you sent your comments to a "no reply" email address and they are in a black hole in cyberspace. If you want to reply to us, you must generate a new reply to jeanine.spencer@gmail.com. If you want to post a reply on the blog, go to the bottom of the page where it says "You are subscribed to email updates from Spencer and Jeanine" or something similar to that. Click on it and you will open the blog. At the bottom of our post you will see "No comments" or "2 comments" or something like that. Click on it and it will open a box so you can enter your comment. Then click on "Publish". It may ask you how you want to publish. When I comment on Carl and Linda's I just choose Google (if I remember correctly) and then I have to enter the scrambled numbers to prove I'm not a robot. Recently I learned that some have been just replying to the email sent by blogspot and we haven't seen any of those comments--which makes me sad! We love to receive comments and/or news. So send us emails or post to the blog. We love you and appreciate the interest you have shown just by following the blog!

I saved the best for last (or first as you see the pictures)

This sister sat and observed everyone and everything. I don't think she has EVER worn shoes in her life. And when I visited I noted that she had very few teeth, and the ones that were there had visible decay. But the thing that truly touched my heart was to see her sit there WITHOUT ANY SHOES to wear, but a bag from the Distribution Center with SEVERAL PACKAGES OF GARMENTS, she clutched them to her chest most of the morning like she would never let go of them--she truly has her priorities straight and will someday have stars in her crown.

The women of the church and the Relief Society birthday celebrated in Xela

This month is the anniversary of the beginning of Relief Society in the church. In Xela (Quetzaltenango) the wards and stakes celebrate it by scheduling trips to the temple. Last year there were 420 women in the temple on one Saturday. Our endowment room normally holds 40. With folding chairs you can fit up to 60. For all of the sessions on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd the sessions have been reserved for sisters only. There will be a brother as a witness and if there are seats available perhaps 4 more may attend. Some of the workers (brothers) enter to assist when it is time for the prayer. This started last Saturday. Of course the moms bring the kids with them, so Spencer and I had HUGE classes. The thing that surprised and touched me was the number of women who got up very early, brought little ones and boarded the bus by 6 AM to come to the temple--but they weren't even going to be entering the temple. Some had tiny nursing babies who couldn't be separated from mom's "pecho" (as I was told) and others were just being reactivated or there were other reasons. They came to be with their sisters and enjoy the spirit of just being on the temple grounds and in the annex. We don't have a Visitors' Center. Some came to shop in the Distribution Center and just fellowship with other sisters. I was touched and overwhelmed by their spirits.

The kids coloring about Heavenly Father's Plan for Us after we finished our charla with them.

Notice the blue ribbon braided in her hair. Many sisters, including workers, braid white ribbons in their hair for while they are in the temple. Some of the beautiful sisters in the gospel who made long trips on bumpy roads to enjoy the spirit OUTSIDE of the temple. Notice their amazing "huipils" the hand-woven, hand embroidered tops these sisters are wearing. They are very expensive to buy, these women make their own and wear them most of their adult lives. They are so beautiful and so tipico! The crowded Dining Room and the crowded bus!

Our trip to Izapa and Tapachula, Mexico

Hi family and friends, Monday the 3rd we made a long but good trip over and into Mexico. The purpose of the trip was to leave Guatemala and return so that we would get our visas stamped and start a new 90 day period as a tourist. It seems that it takes about 90 days to obtain a temporary resident visa. The process hadn't been started soon enough when we arrived so they needed the window to start over. That having been said, we saw and did some very exciting things. On our trip towards Mexico we passed through some very high and beautiful mountain country. then when we dropped down out of the mountains into Mexico we crossed through an area where the rivers flow and there are plantations of coconut palm trees. The fruit of which is used to make coconut oil. Other agricultural production such as rubbe4r trees and sugar cane plantations was everywhere. The most exciting event was when we passed through a little town called Izapa and made our way to an obscure area where there are many stella, including the "Tree of life Stone" which is somewhat famous in the church is located. There is some controversy about it, but many church scholars believe it to be a representation of Lehi and Nephi's Tree of Life vision related in 1 Nephi chap. 8-11. We have a replica of it both in Prescott and at the cabin. [It has really deteriorated over the years and it protected only with a corrugated tin roof. The lady who lives by it says many "Mormones" come to visit.] This is a very unique and special sight in my opinion and one that most people would have to pay for a tour to come see. We then went on to Tapachula, Mexico. It was pretty hot there and this is only March! We went to Sam's Club and bought supplies; then we ate at a restaurant and returned to the border to begin the tedious process of getting all the right stamps to leave Mexico and enter Guatemala. We have shown pictures of the tuk-tuks--the little motorcycles with a canvas top for taxi rides. Well, at the border we saw a different version where the passengers sit in front of the motorcycle. The driver steers with his handle bars and that turns the carriage. I couldn't believe my eyes. I'll let Jeanine tell about our Saturday experiences. Tree of Life Stella More views of the stella at Izapa, Mexico. The load of boxes is being carried on a man's back. The different type of taxi-motos is shown in these two pictures. Pretty typical congestion in the roads as you make your way through towns. Highways don't have clearly marked paths thru town. You turn every which way and hope you find your way out of town on the other side.

Typical Saturday activities

These are some of the buses the saints ride in to come to the temple. Some come long distances and are exhausted when they arrive. Older siblings--in this case a nine year old--care for younger siblings while their parents are in the temple. This toddler was a busy little boy. We took a 25 cent piece out of his mouth and then a little later a colored pencil! We knew our lesson on prayer was successful when one girl asked for four extra copies of our handout so she could teach the lesson to her family at home. The kids loved being lions while Spencer was Daniel in the lions' den. The roars turned to purrs. And Daniel was safe!

Spencer's post, March 2nd 2014

Hi everybody, Just a couple of things. Yesterday I was able to help a couple of elderly men in the temple. One motioned to me in the dressing room before the session. He had his shirt and pants on--but they were wrong side out. I was able to help him get ready. The other little man only has limited use of one eye. I had met him earlier in the annex. He is very little--close to 5' tall. He says he doesn't want to die because it's too fun here--he is 94 years old! He is a pistol. When we arrived in the locker room he said he needed to pee. Two of us started taking off his temple clothes; he said to just take him immediately. There was no way he could stand up to the urinal with his ceremonial clothing, so we just hustled and got everything taken of. It was a group project. He was cracking jokes and entertaining everybody. I got him to the right place just in time. On the way to the sink I noticed that there was blood on his wrist--and in several places on my white shirt. I borrowed a shirt from the temple and continued my shift. I will have a warm feeling about that little guy forever. During the week day, there sometimes aren't many patrons here, so the temple workers act as patrons and everyone stays busy. Many times in the sealing room, we participate as husband, wife, son or daughter. I often think of Katy, Jackson and Jett being sealed in real life to their parents as if they were born under the covenant to their parents, with the same blessings. What a thrilling concept--and blessing. Friday, I baptized in the font. There were about 15 youth. We performed baptisms for over 200 names. I got a sore hip and a sore throat out of it. I also helped with the confirmations. I know this work is true. Love, Dad

Trip to Lake Atitlan

This is some of the terraced farming that is so common. When this was taken we were still in the mountains not too farm from Quetzaltenango.

We obviously gave a donation to this little lady who has no legs. She sits on and scoots around on a piece of rubber from an old tire. She was very happy to have her picture taken.

-- Outside of the store, this sign for this business stated it was a "Supermarket". Hmm, not what we normally think of...

Colorful street scenes in Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. The seated woman was weaving; I was shopping; and the cart vender was frying chicken. I'm always intrigued when the women carry heavy loads on their heads. You can also see a tuk-tuk going up the street. Very typical view of the main street in Panajachel. We also ran into six missionaries who were shopping on P-Day. Speaking of missionaries--last Sunday in Mazatenango a new elder was introduced in the ward--Elder Tenney. It was fun to then mention my brother, Elder Tenney who served there about 45 years ago. He is descended from Warren Reed Tenney, not Nathan Cram. He is from Gilbert. Later I realized I should have asked if he was Joe Tenney's son. It is a small world in the church. These were a group of boys in their "skivvies" on the dock at Lago Atilan. Spencer is in the boat and there is a volcano in the background. It is pretty impressive country. Arnold Frieberg used a scene from Lago Atilan for his painting of the Waters of Mormon with Alma baptizing. Guess what! We just felt an earthquake. It must have been strong somewhere--it lasted many seconds and we had aftershocks a couple of minutes later. Wow!

"Loves me, loves me not"

This has been an "interesting" week so far! On Monday we went to Lake Atitlan with all of the temple missionaries and the mission nurses from the Quetzaltenango Mission. We were excited to shop and see the beautiful scenery there. The plan was for all 24 of us to go out on our own and shop and eat and re congregate at the cars at 2:00 PM. That's what we did. We bought a few things then wandered down to the lake. We looked for the Meadows because we knew they wanted to go on a boat ride. We didn't see them but we were offered a ride to two of the closest towns for Q300. We only had 260 and he accepted it. We would be back in an hour and a half. So we set out. Once we were on the boat the driver wanted Q200 more. We didn't have it so he refused to take us to the 2nd stop. Most of the towns on the lake are not accessible by car--only by boat. It was a pretty little town where we went but we were frustrated to have been cheated. Of course our trip was shorter because we didn't get to go to the next little stop. When we returned we wandered around and couldn't find anyone else. We went back and sat on the curb about 1:40. When no one came Spencer said, "I'll bet they are out on the lake somewhere". Long story short, there was a last minute decision to take a boat across the lake to Santiago. Everyone hurried to the dock and started loading up. There were three decks and people were scattered around the boat. The temple president drove up the street in a taxi-moto and didn't see anyone else. They were already out on the lake when they realized we had been left behind. The president and Mortensons paid for most everyone. We were pretty sad and disappointed (and a little hurt). They returned about 3:40, so we had waited two hours by then. But the Mortensons promised that they will take us back for another trip and we can go across the lake with them. My friend Vilma Salguero just wrapped her arms around me and said, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" The next day in the temple, Sister Augustin told me that when she knew we weren't there she didn't even enjoy the trip because she felt so bad. They are speaking in Huehuetenango on March 16th (just them) and want to take us with them to see the gorgeous waterfall, river and lake that is near her husband's hometown. During the night Tuesday night I became ill with "traveler's diarrhea" by the next afternoon I was feeling much better, but didn't go to the temple. In fact I was available to teach a family (that came to the annex) about the temple and why they are so important. I took them around the annex and temple grounds. It was a good experience. That night I became sick again. By Wednesday morning the diarrhea had stopped, but my temp was 102, I had body aches, chills and a massive headache. Spencer went to the farmacia to get meds. He asked for Bactrim for the diarrhea in case it didn't stop. The farmacia substituted some other medicine (of their choice--they apparently get kick backs from drug reps). I was too weak and hurt too much to go to the temple for the 2nd day. As I was groggily lying on the couch the thought "spontaneously" (really from the Holy Ghost) came into my mind--"I feel as bad as I do when I get a really bad urinary tract infection" (UTI). I made it off the couch and used a chem strip and "wa-laa!" I had an off the chart infection. So I went to the computer and researched the medicine Spencer had brought home. Coincidentally (really a "tender mercy") the medicine is a super powerful antibiotic (not yet used in the US) that fights everything from UTIs to the plague. I had the right number of doses for a UTI and started it immediately. Within about 6-8 hours I started feeling better. During the night my fever broke and by Friday I only felt weak. Sister Augustin brought me boiled plantanos to replace potassium in my system. She hugged and kissed me and told me how much she loved me. She told me when we go anyplace in the future she is tying me to her waist and I will never be overlooked again! About an hour later, Vilma Salguerro showed up with a container of home made soup for my lunch. I received more hugs and kisses and with tears in her eyes she told me how much she loved me. When I returned to the temple on Saturday, I got more expressions of love and everyone was happy I was back. They even told me Spencer was very "triste" (sad) all week when I wasn't in the temple. I was also told by many how much they missed having us with them on the boat ride last Monday. So-o-o-o, that is why this week has been one of "loves me not, loves me." Monday was high/low day and the rest of the week (for me) was a low/high. But it ended on a good note. I know I am loved! Thanks for "listening" to my saga. Now I will let Spencer fill in some fun details.