Sunday, August 31, 2014

         The meeting with a family that was on Glade’s schedule for this afternoon was cancelled since the family went out of town, and there was no choir practice because of multiple other meetings for ward members; so that left us with a free afternoon and evening that was welcome indeed!  We just finished our 10:00 p.m. stroll around the temple, but tonight there was no rain.  Although it rained earlier in the day, the night was clear and we could see the lighted city in all its night-time splendor.  We visited with one of the guards for a bit who has a long lonely night ahead of him.  At least he has a job.

         The combined Relief Society and Priesthood Meeting today was on Family History and how to search for family members.  It was a great presentation but moved a little fast for people with less-than-expert computer skills.  We have a long way to go to navigate all the sites and avenues now so readily available for genealogy work and family searches for ancestors and relatives.  We'll keep learning and trying.

         Hugs and prayers to you all.  Good night!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

         Just a little before 9:00 a.m. we went across the hall to the Cazier’s apartment to wish them well and tell them good bye as they headed back to Florida.  They were the first to greet us when we arrived, took us for groceries, and gave us hints and helps about everything they thought we would need.  They treated us to dinner our first night here, along with the other missionary couples, and were a big help to us.  Their leaving will be a big loss for me since it will be one less couple who speak English.  They were only going to Florida, but had to go by way of Texas and won’t be arriving until midnight tonight.  Their travel plans really took them the long way around.  We will miss this special couple.

         There were some really great people in the temple today and the sessions were full.  I helped some sisters who were so grateful for little things and blessed me with beautiful and genuine smiles and hugs.  Laundry was piled high, but even a few experienced hands can make fairly quick work of the folding.  The machines just kept working load after load.

It rained hard this afternoon which made for a difficult photo-shoot for a bride and her wedding group.  They huddled near the front door of the temple where there is a little protection, but not enough. 

         Last night and tonight about 10:00 p.m. Glade and I took a walk in the rain that had gentled in its falling and loved being the only ones outside enjoying a new side of nature.  We encountered giant slugs, long skinny worms, and skittering spiders.  Glade scared up a big frog a few nights ago when he was out strolling, and the rain brought it out again.  Each time we came around the path there it was, sitting out in the rain, until it perceived us; and then it leapt on long frog-legs into the grass (ground-cover actually) and sat perfectly still thinking to be hidden.  The “little boy” in Glade was all over that one and tonight we took its picture.

         Whoever thought a missionary blog would be reporting about rain, slugs, and frogs!

         May your Sabbath day be spiritually renewing and restful!   

 Here is Glade's frog friend.

It was about the size of two fists together.  Glade couldn't get close enough to put his hand out for perspective.
Oh, well.  It's just a frog!

It was very dark outside, but the flash and the close range captured it great!  

Friday, August 29, 2014

Friday, August 29, 2014

         I think I’m missing the advent of fall this year--although it is only Labor Day--even more than I did last year—not sure why.  Perhaps we need a change from the steady sameness of our routine.    

         Have a safe holiday for anyone traveling or vacationing this week-end.  Love and prayers are sent from us to all of you.  

         Thundershowers and 68 degrees at 9:50 p.m. in Tegucigalpa.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

         There were a few buses parked outside when we went to the temple this afternoon, so that meant lots of people.  The best days are the busy ones.  It was a great day. 

         Until tomorrow---

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

         One of the temple workers brought food for a “fiesta” of sorts --if you can have such a thing in the temple--in the comedor where the treats were shared in recognition of the missionaries who are leaving.    

         It is a blessing and a privilege to serve in the temple every day, and I’m trying to remember that and not take this experience for granted.  Sometimes we don’t miss what is around us in great abundance until we don’t have it any more.  Happiness is often right in front of us but sometimes we forget to look. 

         Love you all and miss you.  You are in our hearts and in our prayers.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

         The evenings have been cloudy and rain fell last night as we were getting ready for bed.  We opened our huge windows, turned off the lights, and watched the lightshow in the sky, listened to the rumble of the thunder, and enjoyed the steady rain as it refreshed the thirsty landscape.

         The new counselor in the temple presidency has been announced and it is a man who already serves in the temple here, Brother Valle.  He is a great man and his wife is wonderful as well.  They will begin their new assignment next week.

         We haven’t received our September Ensign and Liahona yet, but there are copies in the temple and I had a few spare minutes today to read from the Liahona.  The articles continue to be applicable to each of us and each family with counsel, warnings, and encouragement.  Pres. Monson started right out with a review of the importance of personal and family preparedness on all levels.  The brethren can’t really come out and say—things are going to get worse and soon, so be ready—or there would be chaos as everyone scrambled to ramp up their stores and reduce their unnecessary debt, etc.  But if we are aware of the world around us and are discerning, we can feel the necessity of focusing on the things that matter most and take steps to be prepared as counseled.  We must take some time for spiritual renewal and testimony building every day. 

We pray that Heavenly Father will bless each of you with the direction you need for your own families.  Seek his guidance and lean on His words.

         We love you and pray for you every day!   And I so miss those wonderful “back-to-school” days!  Enjoy some fresh strawberries and new zucchini bread for us!

adin

Monday, August 25, 2014

         Today’s excursion was our last with this group of missionaries.  A van was hired and the driver took us to an agricultural university that was an hour’s drive from where we live.  It is the biggest agricultural school in Central America and was helped in its launch and early years with funding from the United States.  Most students attend with the help of grants, many of which are from Guatemala. 

         The tattered van has seen better days for sure, but it chugged up the hills and just kept going.  With the windows open there was a comfortable breeze that kept us from roasting.  The scenery was beautiful and the mountainsides were covered in a canopy of trees so thick it was nearly solid.  At home, we often see space between the trees!  

         The school was huge and spread over several acres.  Most of our tour was done from the van for which we were grateful.  It included a dairy section where they raise cattle and make all the familiar milk products from cottage cheese and chocolate milk to yogurt and ice cream.  However, there were no samples for the visitors.  L

         They grow fruits, organic foods, a few grains but not wheat, chickens, cattle, fish, and some vegetables.  There is an area marked off where each student is given a plot of ground where he is to prepare the soil, plan, plant, care for, and harvest his produce. 

After we returned to our apartments, we met in the cafeteria where tables had been set up for our lunch.  Before we ate, each of us was given an opportunity to express our feelings to the two couples who are leaving the soonest, about our experience working in the temple together.  Sister Ocampo had even composed a song and sang it all by herself for us.  It was very touching.

Then we were treated to delicious pizza, fresh fruit, yogurt, and drinks.  It is very sad to see these people leave and hard for me to know that they will be replaced by Latin Americans, which means I will have less contact with the English language than ever.  Oh, well.  I am accustomed and will thrive in spite of that fact. J

There are pictures below that show and describe a few of the things we saw today.

 This is the dairy building where the milk products are made.
The picture was taken through a viewing window

These are old milk cans like both of our dads used when Glade and I were growing up.  I have one
at home that I want to paint and use for a plant stand.  This photo is to help remember to do it!!

Upon our arrival we did a short walking tour.  The umbrellas are to keep the sun at bay--not the rain!

My handsome sweetie!

Not sure what this building is used for, but I liked it and wanted a picture.
The roof and style are typical of other buildings we saw.

There were lots of big and beautiful trees!  If they had fall here,
these would create a beautiful and stunning display of color!

This is one of several recycling stations around the huge campus.

This is our van and driver.  

The water in the upper third part of the photo is part of a tilapia farm.

This is another part of the tilapia farm.

Sorry, this is not a good photo but was taken from our moving vehicle.
 It is just a group of cattle standing in the shade of these trees--a very familiar scene to us.

This is a fruit tree, but I don't know what kind.  Can you tell I love trees!

This was taken through a tinted van window of a garden that included huge sun flowers.

These are hops

 This is one of the storage granaries.
They produce lots of corn that is fed to the cattle, beans, but no wheat.

Avocados are handing in this tree!!

More unique trees that I liked :)

The last of the trees--the big one in the center was covered in round orange fruit,
but again I don't know what kind.

Here's our group getting ready to leave.  The driver took the picture for us.  

Heading to the van to start the journey back to Tegucigalpa.

Oops!  I was wrong.  Here are more cool trees--
pines growing with branches and needles pointing up!

Glade in front of the convenience store which was actually our last stop on the way out.  We bought apples, a tomato, two boxed juice drinks and a few Ritz crackers--oh, and Peanut M&M's for Glade!

Entrance to the market.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Glade has a meeting today with the two families he home teaches.  They are both taking the temple preparation classes.  Then we'll go to stake choir practice at 5:00

Here are a few pictures from the dinner last night.  And just a side note, the event was scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.  At 7:00 p.m. all of the North American couples were there and the food was being brought to the serving table.  We started with the fruit from the appetizer table; but it would be an hour before the meal started as people slowly trickled in--coming to the table on typical Latin time :)  It was a beautiful evening and they treated us all so well.  We are so very grateful for their love and kindness!

From the appetizer table

More appetizers.  The plate on the right included a few wafers, a chips mix, and those cute little square cookies topped with pink, white, and purple marshmallows.
They are not big on desserts or sweets here, but the fruit was delicious.

A table setting.  Each had two pots with live flower plants although this one only shows one plant.
They gave us each one to take home at the end of the evening.
In the center are the Caziers and Cruzs are on the right.

President and Sister Ocampo--Temple President and Matron

Brother and Sister Cruz whose assignment as temple missionaries is to oversee the Guesthouse and supervise the groups that come here to stay overnight.  They have a huge job and have done it beautifully.  They do get to work in the temple on Wednesday afternoons.

Pres. and Sister Cazier who leave for their home in Florida this Saturday, August 30.

Brother and Sister Bassett who leave for their home in Lovell, Wyoming, next week on September 4.

This super sweet lady, Sister Lagos, used to be in our ward, but she moved a few months ago.  I still see her in the temple and recently she has been coming as a worker.  She will soon be moving to Florida for the first time.

Brother and Sister Starkey who will leave for their home in Kaysville, UT, just before the temple maintenance closing at the end of October.  They already have their next mission call to Guatemala and will begin serving there in January 2015.

We didn't get a picture of us on our camera last night, so here we are after church this morning

Standing next to Glade's "pineapple tree"!

After the meal, a group of leaders formed a semi-circle and each missionary couple walked from one end to the and exchanged greetings.  The sister in the front foreground is our Primary President and her little daughter.  From the left are a couple in the stake presidency, President and Sister Fortuna--Mission President of the Comaguela Mission and a member of our ward--we don't kow the young couple in the center, and the last couple are Bishop and Sister Smart.  We were in the same ward before the division and he was made the bishop of the new ward.

In the center are our bishop and his wife, Bishop and Gina Sierra.
The Bassetts are on the right making their way around the group.

Pres. and Sister Amado, tenple presidency counselor and his wife, are in the center;
 and Brother and Sister Duarte, temple workers,  are on the right.

Someone with a nice camera was invited to come and take pictures, and he picked up my phone and took this wide view.

These sisters served our dinner of chicken, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, and a roll.  It was delicious!
And they gave Glade and I each an extra plate to take home for Sunday dinner.

The lady in the center in the blue blouse is the stake choir director, Sister Valledares.
Her husband, Ricardo Valladares the area authority seventy, is Glade's home teaching companion.
Bless the server's hearts, they even wore hair nets and looked like official cooks.

Bishop and Sister Sierra.  This is Gina, the sister who plays the viola.  We played in the recital together.
Her parents are the temple president and his wife and their children and Rebbecca, Raquel, Moroni and Nephi.

This is our first bishop and his wife, Brother and Sister Matutue.
He is now serving as a counselor in the stake presidency.

Each of the missionary couples was presented with a framed, hand-stitched picture of our temple.
Sister Barrientos, who serves as a temple worker but is not in our ward or stake, stitched them,
and then they were framed.  These will be treasured mementos from our missionary experience.

This is the potted dianthus I got to bring home.  

Saturday, August 23, 2014

         The temple is such a great place to spend the day and we love sharing experiences with the people who come.  They are always kind, and grateful for any little bit of help we give them.  They are so easy to love and we have become attached.

         Last Sunday the Stake President invited us to a dinner that was held tonight in our church across the street.  It was an appreciation and farewell event for all the missionaries who are leaving in the next weeks and months, and we were included even though we are the only ones staying for another 6 ½ months (except for the other counselor, President Amado, and his wife).  It was a beautiful and thoughtful presentation and one we were not expecting.  It’s too late tonight, but tomorrow I’ll post a few photos with some details. 

         Love you all so much.  Have a spiritually fortifying Sabbath to help you through the next week.  Good Night!

Friday, August 22, 2014

         It was very busy in the temple today and so fun to recognize yesterday’s faces returning again this morning.  That’s the best part of big groups coming to stay for two or three days—you quickly become familiar friends as they return again and again until the buses sound the “it’s time to leave” notice.   Then they gather, climb aboard, and are gone. 

         Hair color day and now I’m good to go for another 5 ½ weeks.  Glade went to the fitness center again this afternoon.  He has had to cut back on the elliptical and lots of walking since it aggravates his back.  So he is doing more back exercises and more swimming if he can work it into the schedule.

         Have a great week-end!  Love you all so much!

Thursday, August 21, 2014

         This afternoon I substituted exercise time for family history time and tried to apply what Pres. Cazier showed us last week.  Glade and I were successful in getting subscriptions to Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, and FindMyPast.com by emailing from Family Search and requesting them.  However, when I sat down to “find an ancestor” to research, I couldn’t navigate the system even with the notes we were given.  So, since the Cazier’s door was open (their apartment is across the hall from ours) I went there for help.  

It was a good session, but everything is still new to me and my thought processes aren’t trained yet in knowing just what to look for and how to recognize what’s in front of me; so I still have a long way to go.  But I took my laptop so the lesson was hands-on.  

We were successful, though, in finding—on the lateral lines like a cousin probably) the wife of a man, her name and birthday, her parents—which I won’t need since they aren’t relatives—and this couple's marriage date.  I learned how to move resources from online records to this man’s page in my family history and have reserved their names so I can do all of the ordinances for her in the temple and then have them sealed to each other.  His ordinance work has all been done.  All I have to do is hit “print” and the information will be in my hand to take to the temple just across the street where they will print out the cards for me.  It was quite rewarding, but I’m not sure I can do it again without help.  It will require more lessons I’m sure. 

The Caziers leave on August 30, so I told him I may need a lesson every day until they leave.   He has done thousands of names for his own family and has helped other missionaries by finding hundreds of names for them. 

Love and prayers to everyone!  

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

         Another day has rushed by and the week will soon be winding down—already!  A day trip brought people to the temple today and kept us all with work to do.  There is supposed to be a big group coming in the morning, which is good news.

         I know it is back-to-school time for everybody and I really miss that.  Even though it has been a long time since there were children at home for me to get ready for school, I still love the “season.”  Every year the ads, the talk, and the feeling in the air still create excitement in my day and I just have to buy a few notebooks, nice pens, a folder or two and whatever else strikes a nostalgic chord.  Electronics have changed everything, however, and I’m surely out of touch now.  Anyway, good luck with all the fun of getting kids back into school!

         Recognize your worth as individuals and remember that Heavenly Father knows who you are and has great expectations of you.  Listen for guidance, be positive about yourself and your accomplishments, read and study and then listen again for guidance.  Many answers to our questions and pleas have already been given to us and we just need to search them out.  They can be found in the scriptures and the words of the prophets.  They can be found in the peace that comes into our hearts and minds just as the Lord has explained.  (D&C 6:22-23)  “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?”

         Thanks for all of your love and prayers.  We feel them every day.

Good night--

  

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

         There were no excursions today so it was quieter in the temple and the pace a little slower.   We kept busy enough, however; and sometimes it’s nice to have a little more relaxed day.  I had a chance to practice the piano again this afternoon and started playing a little new-age Christmas music.  I didn’t bring very much music, but love what I have.

         This evening while on the treadmill I listened to a CES fireside given at BYU-Idaho by William Walker on May 5, 2013.  He talked about our Prophet, Pres. Monson, and told many experiences from his life.  He also talked about the prophets that other generations have grown up with and how much influence each one has had on the lives of Church members.  Pres. McKay was the prophet of my growing up years and I thought he should be the prophet for ever—at least for all of my life.  He was a great leader.

         Brother Walker talked about how Pres. Monson strives to follow the Savior’s example and the patterns He taught.  He included the scripture in 3 Nephi 27:27 where Jesus taught:  “What manner of men ought ye to be?  Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”  “That is our principal goal—to be like Him."

         He told about the painting Pres. Monson has in his office that is a beautiful portrayal of the Savior.  He said, “Whenever I have had a difficult decision to make, I have always looked at that picture and asked myself, ‘What would He do?’  Then I try to do it."

         One of his favorite scriptures is from Proverbs 3:5-6:  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  One of my favorite songs was included in his counsel:  "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus."  Then Brother Walker said:  “And I’m trying to be like His prophet.”

         Good night, everyone.  Love and prayers are sent your way.

Monday, August 18, 2014

         We hit the ground running this morning with our exercise, as usual; and then the “barbershop” was open for Glade’s haircut—and mine.  I don’t mind cutting is hair, but it is somewhat of a chore to do my own.  That’s one thing greatly anticipated when we get home—the beauty salon where Jenn can put me back together!

         A young couple who are friends of ours and who work occasionally in the temple, invited us to lunch today.  They picked us up at noon and we drove for about 30 minutes traversing the meandering streets of our city.  We ended up in a nice area near the mission home and came to a stop at a restaurant of their choice for a treat to us.  It was spacious with large openings to the outside on two sides which allowed a comfortable breeze to flow right through and keep the temperature just right.  We ordered grilled kabobs—Glade had pork and I, of course, had chicken.  The appetizers were yummy and came in two small hot clay pots with a heating system of some kind underneath that kept the cheese and re-fried beans with butter simmering.  (See photos below.)  They provided toppings for tortilla chips and it was all very tasty.  The atmosphere was very relaxed and music played in the background.

         At one point a mariachi band of two—one who played the guitar and one who played the accordion—appeared and began to serenade the family at the table next to us.  No--mariachi bands are not Honduran but Spanish as you would expect.  Anyway, it was quite expensive to pay for your own serenade, but we were close enough to get the full effect anyway.  

         On the way back to our apartment, the car window was down because I wanted to take some pictures.  When we stopped at a stoplight, he told me to roll it up since it was very dangerous to drive with the windows down.  So up it went and the photo-shoot with it!

         This couple has four children ages 15, 9, 7, and 3; and they are making plans to move to the United States permanently.  They don’t want to raise their children in this dangerous place and have been getting their papers ready to move for some time.  Yes, they are going legally!  She works at the immigration office and he is an electrician.  They will be moving to Provo where they have a friend who will let them stay with him until they can get a job and a place to live.  He leaves on September 1 and she will leave with the children about September 15.  They both speak pretty good English but are a little nervous about finding a job.  They are a super couple and have confidence and good skills.  They will fit in well and do just great, but they will be leaving extended family behind and that will be hard.  Glade has already invited them to come and stay with us next summer when he wants to take them to Yellowstone.  

         Hope you all had a successful Home Evening.  Good Night, everyone.  Love you all!

Glade and the Diaz couple.  Her name is Gloria; I can't remember what his name is--he is just Brother Diaz :)

My turn :)

Just a look at part of the interior of the restaurant

These guys were "stationed" in the center of the room

The mariachi band--sorry there is so much back-light;  it isn't a very good picture.

Inside looking out into the parking lot--again, sorry about the back-light

These are the little "hot pots" with the appetizers.  They actually got so hot that the fillings were boiling and steam was
coming out of the holes on the sides.  You could feel the heat radiating from them and they were untouchable.
We had bottled Sprite to drink.

I think these were cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in a salsa for the meat.

Ahh--a photo together.

I was a little slow to get this photo, but they are all holding the kabobs by the ring on one end of the metal stick and
pushing the food off onto their plates with a fork.   The yellow food in the bowl is rice.

Entrance to the restaurant

View of the restaurant from the street

Leaving the restaurant

This is just an example of the scarcity of parking places for homes and businesses.  Notice the gate on the right.
Everything is gated here and most of the homes we have seen have this size of a courtyard and that is all.
You can tell this is a high-end area because of the care and the neat and clean appearance of eveerything.
This is not typical of what we see here since this is a very poor country.
There were so many things I wanted to take pictures of, but because of the safety issue I was made aware of,
I didn't get to take them.  I thought it wouldn't be conspicuous inside a car, but forgot the close proximity
of other vehicles and people on the street.  Oh, well.  "Come what may and love it!"  :)