El jueves, 31 de octubre, 2013

When we arrived in Tegucigalpa last April, Beverly and I exited the compound for our early morning walks for a distance of about one hundred and fifty yards, however the sidewalks outside the compound were broken and in terrible shape. Beverly twisted her ankle badly and was unable to walk for four weeks. 

I continued to make the loop and met Alexis.  He was a guard for a house being built just outside the temple compound. We saw each other daily and had many conversations.  He accepted and promised to read the Book of Mormon.  A few weeks later he gave me his address and agreed to meet with the missionaries.  His work changed and I lost track of him.  Yesterday I saw him on the street and he is meeting regularly with the missionaries.

About three months ago the Church changed security companies to guard the temple.  I had become friends with most of the guards employed by the initial security company.  The majority of them were members and I didn’t do well at finding out which ones were not.  The change brought in eight new guards.  Not long after they started working, one of them named Arjeni, approached me while I was out exercising and asked if I would say a prayer with them each morning.  This was a surprising opportunity, orchestrated by God’s hand, and I soon learned that seven were not members.

When I stop at one of the two guard stations for the prayer, they announce to those in the other station that it is time for prayer and leave the speaker on for them to hear.  After several days of having prayers with them, I learned their names and delivered to each one individually a Book of Mormon with his name and my testimony written inside.  Each one agreed to read it.  I have definitely felt the Spirit guiding me in this effort for those entrusted to protect the temple and the members!  The timing of the prayers, words to say, and the opportune teaching moments all have been brought clearly to my mind.

Clearly the individual progress after introduction to the Gospel is a process after an event.  I will post this continuation tomorrow.

El blog, el miercoles, 30 del octubre, 2013—GP!

We were surprised to receive this call to serve as “temple missionaries” rather than serving in leadership training and member activation or even proselytizing.  However, for our situation, it has turned out best.  We have safe, comfortable living conditions and a spiritual work environment where we feel regular spiritual confirmations of the truthfulness of the Plan of Exaltation.

The confinement due to security risks is hard for me.  The invariability of our daily routine is a stark contrast to my missionary experiences as a young man.   As far as introducing the Gospel to others, opportunities are almost non-existent.  However, we are blessed to experience with the faithful Hondurans and Nicaraguans the apex of their earthly spiritual progress as they receive the saving ordinances for themselves and their loved ones.  This culmination of their introduction to the Gospel by young missionaries of the past brings very strong spiritual affirmations to me of the purpose of life and the importance of bringing the gospel message to all of God’s children.

Physical activity has always been an important part of my life and in recent years has taken on a survival mode due to arthritis and associated back difficulties.  I left behind a swimming pool, racquetball court, bicycle, and treadmill and was introduced to a gated compound with eight security guards.  These guards work rotating twelve hour shifts at two stations.  One station is at the top of the hill, the other at the bottom.  They rotate assignments throughout the day, patrolling the temple grounds, our apartment building, and other parts of the compound.  They check every individual and vehicle which enters and have an elaborate camera system with monitors in both stations to see all areas, including inside the entrance to the temple. My physical “patrolling” two hours every day takes me from the upper guard station to the lower and back eight times then behind the apartment building where there is a wrought iron fence, a terraced series of ten foot rock and cement walls, a patio, and some grass.  Here I do a number of back strengthening exercises prescribed by my physical therapist.

Tomorrow I will tell how I have combined my compound exercise routine with a “compounding” desire to share the gospel.  

                                 Love Dad/Grandpa

This is Mom and Grandma Bev now, sending Halloween greetings and wishes for fun and extra safety tomorrow for everyone! 

Glade took the camera outside today and took a group of pictures that he liked.  Again, it shows the path we walk everyday and the areas where he finishes his exercises. 

On the way down the hill--guard station is small white square just above photo center

Approaching the top of the hill and nearing the temple--steps on the right

The near-empty parking lot with only a few maintenance crew cars

This is the far East end of our building.  The grass area goes around to the right and that is where Glade exercises.

This is the far West end of our building.  I love it that there are flowers in the terraced areas.
The garbage cans are behind the short gates.
You can see the outer security wall (with levels) just above this inside wall.

This is the patio behind our building that is just off from the eating area.
Glade hooks his resistance bands around the fence that separates the cement from the grass.

Another view of the walled-patio area in the back of our building.

Another view of the back area showing landscaping and security walls.

Glade couldn't resist taking just one more photo--I am doing mending and really wish I had my sewing machine!!
This hand-work takes forever and isn't nearly as secure.  At least I have a needle and thread to match.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

          We invited Elder and Sister Bassett to go to lunch with us down town.  They are the only other residents staying in the building and have not been out of town during the temple closing.  There is a new Wendy’s near the airport, which is also near La Colonia, and that was our choice.   The food was great and it wasn’t crowded.  We had no schedule and didn’t have to hurry so we wandered through the mall afterward and enjoyed the Christmas decorations that are going up everywhere.  Our last stop was for a few groceries and then we ventured into the rain to hail a taxi. 

          Studying Spanish is always hard in that it’s difficult to choose a focus.  There is so much to learn that it is mind boggling.  My approach is rather random even though I have tried to be organized.   Anyway, good study happened but being able to communicate is still “way out there some place”!

          We did our walking, of course; I played the piano at the church; and Glade played his new guitar a little.  It is making his fingers so sore that he can’t stay with it very long right now.  It will take a little time, but his calluses will come back!  

Monday, October 28, 2013

          One week of our break is over and even though we have kept busy, we already feel renewed.  I spent time today making more Spanish flashcards and they are ready for the morning walk.  Piano practice was great this morning and was filled with Christmas music!  It isn’t really too early—well, maybe just a little; but I don’t know how often the key to the Church will be available after this week, so it may be now or never.

          The recent Conference talks were so inspiring and I am grateful to have them readily available on the kindle.  I finally figured out how to use the highlight option and am making good use of it.  We ordered hard copies of the Ensign which will be sent in a bulk order to our ward.  There is just something important about having a real copy. 

          There are a few more pictures from our fun week-end trip added below.  Sorry if there are duplicates--I can't remember exactly which ones were posted yesterday.  The first six were taken in Copan.

These are funny little fruits that have a thick skin covered with large curled spines.  The fruit is rather tasty.  I can't remember what it is called, but we see them in our grocery stores and they are sold in the street markets.

The next few photos show the street vendors
in one of the little towns along the way back to San Pedro Sula

This LDS chapel is surrounded by security fencing just like all of the other Church buildings we have seen.

These last two were taken in a large and modern mall in San Pedro.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

          While we were gone our apartment was cleaned and painted and it was nice to have it all done before we got back.  Church was nice, but I still have to read the lessons and conference talks on my kindle to get my spiritual uplift.  There were more confirmations in Sacrament Meeting and two baby blessings. 

          Choir practice is really fun—probably because I feel like I am really contributing something.  Glade is coming to sing, too, since his meetings aren’t really happening on Sundays as planned, and interprets for me.

          Last night just after we went to bed we heard a lot of commotion and loud noises.  The volume increased and started to sound like explosions or gunshots.  There are only a few people here and no guards in the building, so it was a little spooky.  We couldn’t see anything out our windows because they are on the back side of the building.  Finally, Glade went out to the big lounge where a couple of the men who are working on the temple restoration were gathered as well.  They went out onto the balcony and witnessed a huge fireworks display!  That was crazy.  This afternoon one of the guards told Glade that this goes on a lot and will really increase as it gets close to Christmas holiday time.  We were relieved to say the least.

          It’s very quiet here—and raining J  Good night!

Friday and Saturday, October 25 and 26, 2013

           Thursday night we left Tegucigalpa on a plane!  My famous last words were to never leave from this world-renowned airport until we were headed to the US. in 2015.  However, it actually was more appealing than a bus ride to San Pedro Sula.  Elder and Sister John met us at the airport and took us to their apartment where we enjoyed a wonderful meal they had prepared, visited for hours like we were young again, and then spent the night.  This couple is from Fruit Heights, Utah, which is near Lagoon; and we found that we had so much in common and became friends very quickly.  They treated us so well and provided us with a wonderful respite from our daily routine, and we were so grateful!  We already want to do it again.

          Friday morning we left in their leased car and drove to Copan to see the ruins there.  It was a three-four hour drive on a windy, paved road, which was full of huge pot-holes that had to be dodged continually.   The lush green countryside was absolutely beautiful and was filled with trees, bushes, grasses, and plants whose names we didn’t know.  Occasionally, there were lots of skinny cattle grazing on either side of the road, and we saw several of those huge “vultures” I have sent pictures of before. 

We traveled through little towns that appeared here and there and finally arrived in the charming little touristy town of Copan.  The streets were cobblestone and were lined with quaint little shops filled with enticing wares. The town looked peaceful and inviting, clean and safe.  We checked into our hotel and then drove a short distance to the ruins.  We started with a picnic the Johns had packed for us and then headed out for the sight-seeing adventure.  The following information about Copan was on the Internet:       

Copan is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular cities of the ancient Mayan civilization which flourished during the 7^th century of our era.  When exploring the ruins you see a huge complex consisting of several plazas and many temples built on various levels.  It is full of rich stone sculptures and intricate hieroglyphs.  Forested mountains surround the valley and the setting is pristine in its beauty and serene in its peacefulness.  The jungle that surrounds Copan is lush, tall, and filled with the sounds of a variety of animals including monkeys and large colorful parrots. 

See:  www.copanruins.com for more information.

          We ate dinner in a restaurant called “Twisted Tanya’s” and spent the night in the Casa Gabriela Hotel.  After dinner we played “Five Crowns” with our new-found friends while we ate M & M’s and caramels.  It was much-needed recreation and we are deeply in debt to our hosts.  We had a wonderful time

We returned to San Pedro, did a little fun shopping in a beautiful mall, and then headed back to the airport for our return to Tegucigalpa. 

          There are lots of pictures included with this post, but you should be able to scroll through them fairly quickly.  It would be nice if you had a big screen on your laptop or computer so you could see just how beautiful this area was.  If I can’t get them all on tonight, I’ll just do some tomorrow!  Good night! 

Waiting at the scary airport!

At Wayne and LaRae John's apartment complex

These are those great big giant birds--we saw lots of them.

A beautiful flower at the entrance to the ruins

The John's and Glade heading to the ruins

At the ruins

This is what a mound of earth looks like before the buried structure is exposed.
Notice the rocks in the very front that indicate a wall is present.

It was undescribably beautiful and serene

Elder and Sistser John

The light brown shape on the underside of the tree branch (upper left quadrant) is an intricate wasps' nest.
It was a work of art, but I was rather glad we couldn't get any closer for a picture.  Wish is showed up better.

In several places there were orchids growing out of the tree trunk at random places.  

We were up really high!

Bricks/stones before and after placement

The pods at the base of this tree hold cocoa beans from which comes our favorite "fruit"--chocolate :)

Here are the pods in the tree still attached

This is our hotel entrance.

This must be the "green" room.  It had AC and was very nice except that there was no hot water so we showered in cold!

Learning to play a new card game!

Resident bug-catcher

The restaurant where we had dinner.  You can see the teal-framed signed above the door that says "Twisted Tonja's"

The street outside the restaurant and hotel

These cute kids were selling their corn-husk dolls and flowers.