July 6, 2014

From Spencer: We went on a nice ride with the Meadows this afternoon after we finished our block at church. Thus far, our visits out in the country have been solely limited to our speaking assignments; however, this afternoon was an extra treat. You'll see some of the breathtaking countryside as well as the people we passed. There were lots of houses with pretty colors along the way: The people are always fascinating. There were girls arranging flowers to be sold in the mercado. One interesting situation occurred as we were entering a little town. The road was blocked off and the men had a board with huge spikes. They would only slide it out of the way if you paid the Q10 which is about $1.25. Look at spikes on the board and you can see why we stopped! It's called a "mordida" or a bribe. I don't think you'd want to argue with them about it. There was a street market and a carnival in town. People were dressed up a little. It was fun to see. There are interesting animals along the way. I don't know why the horses are so skinny with all the grass there is to eat. That last photo shows corn shocks stored for feeding animals during the winter. It was a nice ride. By the way, I would resent it if you start to think we are here as sight seers or tourists. Our focus is on our work assignments. We've been putting in some long hours with our assignments and we ave associated with lots of nice people., There is a real love between temple patrons and workers. I love our associations with the Guatemalan saints. They are a friendly and loving people.

June 29th report from Spencer

Hola familia (Hi ya'll) We've had a wonderful week. What stands out for me is fulfilling the purpose we are here for--not to take away from the theme park that we went to or even the trip this morning, though it was beautiful and enjoyable. I would say that the feeling of being useful and the fulfillment of our assignments are what bring joy and the feeling of well being. In our case much of of our mission work can't be discussed because of the sacredness. I've felt fulfillment in the assignments that have come our way during our morning shifts this week. Such as officiating two sessions, performing 200 and then 250 baptisms on separate days and now the feeling of being "fluent" in the initiatory ordinances. With the feeling of being respected as a competent member of the team. This week we had three days when we had a change of pace by working with kids. It is usually only on Saturday, but this week Primaries made appointments to come both Thursday and Friday. The Friday group was scheduled for 4 PM, but came at 10 AM so they had to pull us from assignments in the temple to come teach them. We then returned to the temple to finish our shift. On Saturday a Primary showed up that didn't have an appointment at all! But we were able to teach them and provide a good activity. We were especially blessed with our ward visiting assignment. Our talks were rewarding, but maybe even more fulfilling than that we were asked, on the spur of the moment, to conduct the 5th Sunday combined Relief Society, Priesthood and Youth meeting. We were asked to make a presentation and answer questions the ward members might have about the temple. We were to encourage the ward members to feel the need to be regular temple attenders and to understand the blessings of temple attendance. It was well received. We both stood at the pulpit together and made comments. I felt a good feeling of promoting the Lord's work. I wish that for all of your, when the time is right, you can go out and serve in whatever form you are called to. I think of you in your every day working lives and realize that also qualifies for sacrifice and building of the kingdom and is very much a function of our mortal probation. The high counselor (and ward clerk) that was with us all morning is also a temple worker every Saturday. He is 100% Quiche and that is the language they speak in their home. His name is Pedro Martinez. There were also two little boys who wanted their picture taken with me. After our speaking assignments, we (and the Salgueros)took Hermano Martinez from San Francisco de Alto to Momostenango where he lives. That is the stake center. We saw some very beautiful country. The pictures can't really show how bright the green is. We took pictures of things that are very unique to Guatemala--the buildings, to roads, men and women carrying wood on their backs,the city surrounded by farms and trees on the mountains, kids on the backs of women in tipico clothes, etc. And last but no least is our good friends Freddy and Vilma Salguero. They were our chauffeurs for the day and they take us shopping every week. They are wonderful people.

A little family in San Francisco de Alto Ward

While Spencer is writing his report, I will share an experience specific to me. Today we spoke in Barrio San Francisco de Alto along with our friends, Vilma and Freddy Salguero. During Sunday School Spencer went to Gospel Doctrine and I went to Temple Prep class. There was only one couple and their baby. However, during class there pre school son joined us (in tears). I thought he was about two y.o., but he is actually 4 years old. He kept looking at me so I made eyes back and forth with him. They have two older boys as well. The two youngest were also in the 3rd hour combined class with all adults and youth (where we ended up being the program--but that is another story). Afterwards, Spencer took my picture with them. They had a couple of bundles there at the church. I wondered what was in them. While we were in the hall, I felt a little tap on my leg and this darling little boy had two roses for me in a little cellophane package. I knelt down to get to his eye level and told him thank you and what a special little boy he was. When I stood up, his very shy mother had the biggest smile I had seen all day long. I guess the big bundles where theirs. They sell flowers in the mercado and in this town the mercado is only on Sunday and Wednesday. It is just amazing that they take the entire morning off to come to church in this poverty stricken culture. I hope these pictures warm your heart like they do mine! Great experience!

Fun "Paseo" on P-Day to Xetulu

Did you know Guatemala has a theme park? I didn't! Apparently it is generally only open Thurs thru Sunday so temple missionaries couldn't have gone. Last week the temple president noticed it is open for three weeks to celebrate an anniversary. All of the temple missionaries loaded into cars and went down last Monday. Of course it doesn't compare to the huge theme parks in the USA, but it was A-OK. We rode the train around the perimeter and saw where construction was ongoing. Then about half of us went on a Splash Mtn type of ride. I knew I'd get wet, but decided to go anyway. I'm glad I did because as we were leaving a downpour started and EVERYONE was soaked to the skin. There was an Avalanche roller coaster. Only six of us went on it--it did three upside down loops and several side ways turns. We had the metal harness over our torso that was closed with a belt--but no real seat belt across our lap, so when we were upside down we were actually airborne off the seat--now that was unnerving! Someone asked if Spencer was going on it with me and I laughed and said, "Spencer doesn't even play Dominoes with us, do you really think he'd ride on the roller coaster?" But he did ride on the bumper cars with us--those jarred our necks more than the roller coaster did! Afterwards we went to a nice restaurant where the president paid for everyone's meal. We walked around the resort--there are 20 hotels in the compound and some really nice pools. We were cold from the rain and wet clothes, but it was a very relaxing day and it was fun to be a kid again! Spencer wasn't overly enthused, but he was a good sport about it. Everyone seemed to think it was a bonding day for all of us. It is always surprising to me to see how much taller I am than some of the natives of Guatemala. I'm used to leaning down to listen to them, but when I see a picture,like the one when we got off of the boat, it startles me!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Some weeks we have almost nothing new to tell you and this week we have four different posts! Hope you enjoy them. We are now taking pictures with the ipad because the camera broke. And we are downloading pictures from other people. Today we went to San Felipe Stake. There were five wards and four branches in the stake. We spoke at a branch-Nuevo Palmar. The building was a converted house. The chairs were metal folding chairs with the name of the church stamped right into the metal. We gave our talks and then during the last hour we were asked to meet with seven people. Some were endowed, but didn't have current recommends and others were not endowed. We met in the branch president's office (he serves without counselors or a clerk--how would you like that responsibility?) Poverty is hard. Tithing is most often the challenge. If they don't make the effort to pay a tithing, then they just stay in a spiritual slump and consequently remain in their economic slump., We hope we encouraged them to take the steps necessary to come to the temple. Love, Spencer The last picture is where a mud slide came off the mountain during the rain storms and covered the road. It is clear now. Here is a picture of some of the gorgeous flowers that line the side walk outside of the fence in front of the temple. From Jeanine: Besides all of the activities mentioned in our blog posts for this week, I have been Molly Mormon. If Spencer goes to the mercado without me he always seems to over-buy. Especially bananas. This week I baked NINE loaves of banana bread. Plus I make Jamaica tea and a barley/lemon drink because they are reported to help keep your kidneys and bladder free from infection. The doctor suggested them--but it all takes a lot of time. Needless to say, I am kept pretty busy with all of this, plus our busy shifts in the temple.