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.

Harold with the bus that "upstaged" him

Uncle Harold in Mazatenango

Spencer told you about our trip to Mazatenango today. I had Harold and Kitty send me a couple of pictures of him as a missionary there (He served there twice, I think). When he was there there was just a small branch. Now there is a stake with ten units. All of the members in the ward where we spoke have less than 45 years in the church, so no one knew him. There are some temple workers that were teenagers when he was here and think they might recognize a picture. I showed the picture to Freddy Salguero today. He responded, "I don't remember him--BUT THAT IS MY BROTHER'S BUS!" He then had to show it to his wife and remind her about his brother driving that bus. Incidentally, he baptized that brother two weeks ago. As soon as I get batteries for my scanner, I will post a copy of the picture. You will enjoy that little diversion for the day.

News from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

This week, Feb. 18th to 23rd, has been routine except for Saturday and Sunday. Saturday our little class suddenly turned into two very large classes. We started an hour early to try to capture the kids before they scattered. There must have been a bus or two and there were about 20 kids who swamped us. [The class went well and we were prepared with our handouts and activities]. I had forgotten that last Saturday a sister talked to me on the phone and asked if she could bring her Primary kids and I told her we would always be teaching at 10:00. Well, at 10:00 while we were busy helping with activity, there came 20 kids from one of the local wards. [Spencer went to the temple to make more copies and get supplies for our activity while Jeanine included kids in the activity--Once Spencer returned we spent 20 minutes or more helping everyone make links for each member of their family in order to make a paper chain representing an eternal family. We also had a page to color about what we need to do to prepare and be worthy to go to the temple] Then we repeated the class for the new kids that had arrived. The Primary president who used our charla for a Primary Activity Day has been in the church TWO MONTHS. She's dynamic! Hopefully, she will stay in the church and not be offended by something. [That should be enough pictures of our teaching activity for this week!! :)] The second event was today (Sunday). We were privileged to travel 1 1/2 hours to Mazatenango. There were 10 temple missionary couples who made the trip. Each ward or branch sent a priesthood brother to transport us to their various chapels. We went to the Bilbao Ward. It was delightful to give our talks to the people and to feel their warmth and eagerness. These two pictures show the missionaries who went and watching people be dispersed. The Mazatenango Stake center is in the background. One special event was when we left the building and I had a chance to talk to a family of three that were leaving on their motor scooter. They expressed appreciation for our talks. There were tears in their eyes when they related that they had not been active for six months because of the health of the wife. She did look pale while talking about her illness. They said that our talks were just what they needed in their lives at this time.

I said, "You know we could take your names to the temple." They seemed taken aback. We found a paper and pencil and I had them list their names. What a beautiful feeling to feel helpful to people who live in such a dismal set of circumstances. I took some pictures of "tuk-tuks" or taxi-motos like we used to use in Esquipulas. They are prohibited in Quetzaltenango. I also took a picture of carts that a guy pushes or pulls with the oranges they produce. He has a squeezer and sells glasses of fresh squeezed orange juice. There is also a cool cart attached to bike where a man sells his junk food and other wares. On our trip we dropped from 7600 ft elevation to nearer to sea level. It was intriguing to see the different crops. First was the vegetable crops grown on the sides of steep hills. These area grows most of the vegetables for Central America and actually exports to the US. Then we dropped down into the sugar can plantations where they produce and process sugar year round. There's never a season here when they can't grow crops. They also produce bananas that they export to the US. They use the seconds to sell here. Last were the large rubber tree plantations. They collect and process rubber. A lot of that is also sent to the US where we make the tires and sell some of the tires back to them. Sorry to be so wordy. Love, Spencer/Dad

Spencer is in the groove with the kids on Saturday

Preparing these lessons and activities is stressful and fun.

Three couples a week! You'll meet more next week!

The first couple is the Salgueros who we go shopping with every week. They are from West Valley, UT by way of Guatemala and El Salvador. We had them over for dinner on Dia de Carino. It was a lot of fun. All conversation had to be in Spanish because even though they are US citizens they don't speak English. Vilma will "translate" for me when other people talk to fast, she turns around and says it again, speaking slowly so that I'm "in the loop" about what is being said. The second couple is Hermanos Juarez. She is the one I told you about who's body wants to dance when she leads the singing. He has an amazing singing voice--I could listen to him and not sing at all and still feel the Spirit. The third couple is Los Garciasalas. He is a patriarch in Guatemala City so he has to go home about once a month. And he is a sealer in our temple. Today's Sunday School lesson was on the Abrahamic Covenant--I'd say he covers many areas of it in his life. She has been a great resource for me with Spanish, because she knows quite a few words in English. However, she insists we always speak Spanish.