From Tegucigalpa to Washington D.C.

Monday, September 15, 2014

The sounds of a heavy downpour through our open window sent us scurrying to gaze out at the storm tonight. I love the rainy season and this one promises to be the best yet!

Today was Independence Day in Central America. We know that some businesses were closed and schools were closed, but not everyone had a day off. We heard there were lots of parades in the city, but none close to us. Interestingly, the temple was open—and on a Monday. Since many people had a day off, it was an opportunity for them to come to the temple since some don’t end their work day in time to get here. The presidency asked for volunteers among the temple workers and had plenty of people to help. One bus from Nicaragua arrived here at 3:00 a.m. All the other patrons were local people and the sessions were full! All of those people are gone now and new ones have arrived in the guest house for tomorrow’s sessions.

We expected fireworks since that is what we have at home. However, there were none. Perhaps it was because of the rain—or they are just saved for Christmas and New Year’s!

This afternoon our Family Home Evening was a dinner prepared by Sister Ocampo (Maybe others helped her; I don’t know.) to say goodbye to the Cruzes who leave in a few days, and the Starkeys who leave in October. It was also to welcome the three new couples who have arrived. Sister Ocampo sang another song acapella in her clear sweet voice that warmed our hearts. The meal was served in their apartment which is two or three times the size of ours and designed for the temple president to entertain. It was a lovely afternoon.

The pictures below were all taken at our FHE dinner this afternoon.

Good Night Everyone! We love you!!

Getting the table set. From left foreground: Sister Ocampo, Pres. Ocampo,
Brother and Sister Casceres, the new couple who will be managing the guest house.

Waiting for the prayer. From left: Brother and Sister Caceres, Brother and Sister Cruz--leaving in a few days,
Brother Starkey on the far right, and Pres. Amado in the foreground.

The two men in white shirts and ties work in the temple in the office. Elder Alverado, the temple Recorder, is on the left,
and Elder Gallo, the bishop of his ward, is on the right and is the assistant Recorder. (We are not sure of their exact
titles or positions, but they do the work of the Recorder and work opposite shifts.)

Pretty table.

This apartment is on the second level and has a long balcony on the North side.
The view is different higher up, so I had to get a few photos.

This is the view the Ocampos have from their balcony.

This view is on the West side of the Temple and shows some of the grounds.

Yes, I still love the clouds; and these soon emptied rain over us.

Our walled yard on the East of the building where we live.
On the far upper right you can see sections of the white security wall.

The men: Back left: Brother Caceres, Brother Starkey, Brother Gomez, Pres. Valle, Brother Peterson, Brother Cruz.
From the left in the front: Pres. Amado, Pres. Ocampo

The women: Back left: Sister Ocampo, Sister Amado, Sister Cruz, Sister Gomez, Sister Caceres.
From the left in the front: Sister Peterson, Sister Starkey, Sister Valle