SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Sunday we were up by 4:20 (for me)and later for Spencer. Six sets of missionaries loaded into three cars and headed to El Distrito Tiquisate at 5:30 AM. It took 3 hours to get there. Then we met priesthood leaders who joined each group. Our drivers dropped us off at the smallest branch in the district--La Noria--and then traveled a little further to their branch. The chapel we attended is VERY tiny. It had one large room that could be partitioned off into two rooms, a small room in the back and the Branch President's office. The bathrooms were not attached and were in the back. They were very clean--better than many in the large chapels we have attended. The church built the chapel, but we don't own the land. There is a fairly poor dwelling on the same piece of property. The Branch President didn't have any counselors there. He is only 28 years old, he's married, but has no children. He has been a member for 11 years. A counselor in the district presidency and his wife were there and taught the classes (Gospel Doctrine and Relief Society). There were two missionaries and the two of us and 16 other members. We had been looking forward to visiting this district because they are the ones who brought the entire district Primary to the temple recently and we taught them. We figured no matter what branch we visited, we'd see children we had taught, but not so--this branch has no Primary children. Sigh. The rains have started so it was amazingly green. This district is further south than Guatemala City and further west. It is really hot in this area. Here are some pictures that demonstrate the "greeness" of the rain forest. Bananas are plentiful in this area. You can see a tree with bananas growing, some growing in a yard and a load of them in the back of a truck.

May 18, 2014

The only thing we have to offer picture-wise is a ward temple day that one of the wards had here at the temple on Thursday. This was a full day of activities at the temple. We were asked to help in the morning with a class for the children. The parents had a full day to be in the temple, with just a short break for lunch. So the kids needed to be taught and fed little meals all day long. The youth did baptisms in both the morning and afternoon and also had a service project on the temple grounds and did indexing in the Family History Center. The children had individual pictures taken on the wall in front of the temple. You can see our annex building in the background while the photographer was working on one little boy's picture. The annex building is where we live and teach the classes. It is also where people gather when they are not in the temple. The children also had snacks morning and afternoon and a trip to the zoo (to appreciate Heavenly Father's creations). There are a few pictures of an 11 year old taking car of his little siblings, including a little brother with a repaired cleft lip. He was very attentive. It was really amazing how much planning went into this "Day at the Temple". They met at their ward building at 7:30 in the morning and they left the temple at 7:30 at night. Our lesson went well and we had lots of adults listening in from the outside periphery. It is a worthwhile calling. We enjoy it a lot.

Happy Mothers' Day

I can't let this day go by without commenting on the wonderful mothers I have known and enjoy associating with now. First I have to mention my own mom--she loved me, taught me, encouraged;and supported me and thought I could to ANYTHING! She gave me the confidence to try many things. I can't give lots of details and examples here, but I want to acknowledge Grandma Tenney and her unconditional love and cheerful heart. Then there was Noni who loved me and loved my children. I miss all of these amazing women. I'm glad to now have Grandma Brown as another mother-in-law who offers me love. Next are the women of my generation--my sister, Diane, my sisters-in-law (Lynda, Linda, Kitty, Sandy and Marilyn) who were wonderful aunts to my kids; my cousins (Vicki Jo, Judy and Kathy were particularly "present" in the lives of my children). Marsha--who keeps all of the mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles all connected--we couldn't get to heaven without her efforts! And then to my daughters--Rachelle and Janae--you are great moms, as are Ann Marie, Chandra, Christena and Carolyn. AND I have seven more wonderful daughters that I share with Spencer--Cody, Audrey, Kelly, Amy, Marjon, Melody and Tanna! I'm so impressed as I watch face the challenges of life. ALL of my grandchildren are so lucky to have such wonderful and righteous women as mothers(and I cannot forget Cassie --the mother of my great-granddaughter). I knew the list would be long--and it is incomplete even at this length. Just know that I love you all and I am in awe of the mothers in this generation. These are the last days and Satan has made the task more challenging than ever. But we know we will be on the "winning" team in the end. Hang in there, you wonderful and precious women!!

Unplanned trip to Guatemala City

Same song, new verse (or however that saying goes). I realize about a week after finishing my antibiotics that my UTI was back. I went for testing to confirm it. It took several days for results and a visit to the doctor. Dr. Cifuentes didn't want to simply start another round of antibiotics without seeing a specialist--so I called the temple president, called Tuli and she made the appointments. However, by Saturday afternoon (the 3rd--after our busy day that Spencer described) I started getting much sicker. By Sunday I had a high fever and the shakes and was getting weaker by the hour. Our ride didn't leave until 5 PM. I curled up in the back seat with a pillow and blanket and shook most of the way. I was so glad to crawl into bed at Tuli's house. Monday I slept on the couch between meals and doctor's appointments. Finally about 7 PM on Monday I was able to start on antibiotics. Boy was I happy to get some meds. I started feeling a little better on Tuesday after a long morning getting an ultra sound. We had another appointment on Wednesday and then caught the bus to head back home. Tuli and Cesar were amazing hosts. I don't know how we could have managed without our private chauffeur service to get us to all of the right places. :) Didn't figure out exactly why these have been recurring, but there is an aggressive plan in place. I return in about 3 weeks for a little more testing and then will probably be on suppressive therapy with low dose antibiotics for several months. Pablo was home on Wednesday morning, but unfortunately Cesar was taking care of church responsibilities. I was feeling MUCH better by this point. Now I hope this is the last time I have to report on health issues!

Report for the last two weeks

On Saturday, May 3rd, we had an extraordinarily large group. I don't think we expected that many people and they brought lots of kids and filled a big portion of the "anexo" The parents and other adults in the room positioned themselves where they could hear the lesson, too. The were also supportive with their kids. Many times one parent goes into the temple at a time and the other is in the Annex. We were expecting a big Primary from a district, but when we went out there were so many kids we taught a class first. These kids were really knowledgeable and attentive. We took the kids around the temple and into the foyer and waiting room. We then repeated the process with a 2nd large group when the district Primary arrived. That same day we had the assignment of tending three siblings in the "Guarderia" and preparing them to enter the temple and be sealed to their parents. The kids were cute, but they were little pistols. When Jeanine stopped the little girl from hitting her brothers she removed herself from Jeanine and the boys and attached herself to me. Jeanine had the boys totally captivated with the church games on her iPad, but had to stay right with them [actually with the iPad :)]Sisters who were dressed in white came to help take them into the temple. Saturday the 10th we had an unusual group in that they were very poor people. In some families there is alcohol abuse (generally the fathers), poverty,malnutrition or just lack of education. The only hope for people in these circumstances is the gospel. It will bring them up out of these conditions. As you look at these pictures look at the discolored skin in their cheeks and notice some of the clothing of the children. They are our brothers and sisters and I feel love and compassion for them. We took these kids into the temple waiting room as we do all of the now. This boy has a broken foot. His dad made the crutches. If he would give them to me (and if he didn't still need them himself) I'd send them home and put them in a glass case. To me, it represents what can be done, when we are in need.

Sites along the way

The last stop was to the Zacaleu Ruins. There was a small museum as well as ruins--some completely excavated and others just identified. We loved it. It included temples, tombs and the ball field.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Today was as amazing as we expected it to be--maybe even more so. We went to the "nacimiento" (birthplace) of the Rio San Juan. The river is obviously underground and comes shooting out of the mountain and then tumbles down the mountain in a waterfall. The city has now built retaining walls and captures some of the pure water in pipes and irrigation ditches. They have a nice little park with places to sit and eat. This is where it comes out of the ground and spills down. Then we drove another 15 minutes to Rio Blanco. It also comes right out of the mountain but not with the same amount of force. But the waterfall below it is a more dramatic drop. We had to hike a little way to get to it, but it was well worth it. The water was so crystal clear that in this picture you can't even tell that there was water over the rocks. This is a popular place to swim. It reminded me of Hawaii. Brother Vasquez and Spencer cross over and climbed up above the water on the other side.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Friday morning I officiated the first session with Jeanine serving as a follower. The breathtaking thing about it was that it was filled with pure native sons and daughters of Lehi. Some had limited Spanish skills. It was a very spiritual experience to realize the beauty of those people. [Note from Jeanine: I have to add a heartfelt "Amen" to this. These people from the mountain villages touch my heart and enliven my spirit in a way that is indescribable!] This weekend is and will be a memorable week end for us. First, on Saturday afternoon after our children's classes we were asked to serve in the nursery of the little children who were to be sealed to their parents (after the parents were endowed and sealed). There was a sibling set of two brothers 3 y.o. and 8 months old and another 3 year old boy. All were from the same ward. The trick was to take them from family members they knew, into the nursery and completely redress them in white. Then we had to make friends with them until time for them to take the walk across the drive way to the temple and then when they were finished to change them back into their clothes. I was shocked at how well it went. I learned to stack building blocks and to laugh when they tumbled to the floor. But the best thing was the realization of the eternal potential that had just come into their lives. Today on Sunday we car pooled to one of the stakes in Huehuetenango to give our talks. Each set of missionaries went to different wards and branches in the stake. Our ward didn't give us enough time to share our prepared messages, but it was still good. In the afternoon we met at the church again and went with priesthood leaders to visit and encourage members to go the temple. Some visited those who were endowed but don't have current temple recommends. We visited a young couple who were just baptized the day before and encouraged them to prepare for the temple in one year and to attend and do baptisms now. We are in a nice hotel tonight with plans to go see some ruins tomorrow morning before returning to Quetzaltenango. That will make for some better pictures.

Coloring Easter Eggs Easter eggs

My friend Vilma Salguero mentioned that she would miss having Easter eggs (and so would I) so this week when I was cooking some beets I noticed the brightly colored water. I decided to go for it! I boiled four eggs and then soaked them in beet juice. I checked once and they were pink. I let them soak longer and when I took them out THEY LOOKED LIKE MUD BALLS! I laughed, drew designs and delivered two to Vilma and Fredy. She laughed so hard and says whenever she colors eggs she remember these. I only had one left when I thought of a picture! When I ate mine this morning, guess what! The inside was pink--so maybe it worked after all.