Friday, October 31, 2014

         Halloween is a North American holiday tradition and is not part of the culture in Honduras.  There are a few groups of North Americans living here who congregate to keep tradition alive for their children, but the general population does not embrace it.  I read also that there are certain upper class areas where some trick-or-treating may take place among friends, but it is not common.  For one thing, it is such a dangerous city and no one should be out after dark—especially little kids. 

         October flashed by like lightening and it’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be November.  The trees must all be bare by now with their leaves blown far and wide or left to winter along the fence lines and under the snow.  It’s time for toasty fires, cozy blankets, and more indoor fun with books and games. 

         The High Priests and Elders have an activity tomorrow to a place called Ojojona which is about 30 miles from Tegucigalpa.  It was established in the 1500’s so we will probably learn about its history and enjoy the artisan displays.  Glade has to give a ten-minute “talk” and has been working on it today to make sure he has all the Spanish down correctly.  One couple in our ward has a second home close by where we are having lunch.  Our assignment was to bring “pastries” so I made lemon cupcakes and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.  We have seen very little chocolate here so I don’t know if people even like it!  That’s why the cupcakes were lemon.  We’ll see how they do with the chocolate chips in the cookies.

         I hope your day included a good dose of fun for your kids and that they don't get too much sugar!

         Good Night--

           

Thursday, October 30. 2014

         Glade walked with me this morning since he isn’t going to the fitness center again until tomorrow.  It was fun to be outside together to walk and talk and it was actually pretty cool—perfect temperature for us. 

         Last week the grocery store offered zucchini and it was too tempting to pass up.  Last night I soaked some in the Clorox solution for the recommended 20 minutes, and then put them in the fridge overnight.  This morning I made zucchini bread.  It took forever since I am so out of my familiar space.  The process felt inefficient and slow; but finally when the smells started wafting from the oven, it was all so worth it!   It was heavenly and unbelievably nostalgic.  It took us right back to our own home in the Fall and felt really great.  I don’t bake much here at all, so it was a super treat for us.

         We both spent the rest of the day studying and I caught up on a few emails.  It is a very slow pace and is quite enjoyable.  My cold is worse today, though; and I am hoping it clears up since we have an activity to visit Ojojona with the ward High Priests and Elders on Saturday.

         Whenever we leave the apartment, we have to double check to make sure we have a key and that we don’t get locked out of the building.  There is no one here to let us in if that happened.  Last night the Internet was down for several hours and tonight we have no hot water.   We hope to find the engineer early tomorrow to see if he can get the boiler up and running for hot water.  I have “showered” before from a big kettle of water heated on the stove and set on the bottom of the tub.  It wasn’t very fun, but it worked.  There is not a lot of service when you are "home alone" here.

        Have a Happy Halloween tomorrow and keep all the little ones safe.  Love and Hugs to you all.  Good Night! 

Here are someof the poinsettias they delivered yesterday
for planting in the flower beds for Christmas.

They don't have red leaves yet that make the flowers
since they have probably been dormant.  It will be fun
to watch them take on color!

Glade sort of walked "off course" this morning on our walk while
I was taking pictures of the poinsettias. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

         The Internet has been down for a while and I didn’t think posting would be possible tonight, but we just got lucky and we’re back online.  We are the only ones here in this building tonight since all the workers have gone home, and it really feels a little spooky!  They will all be back tomorrow, though.

         Two men came to our apartment today, rolled up the area rug in our living room, took it and the bathroom and kitchen throw rugs, and said they would be cleaned and returned tomorrow or the next day.  Then another man came with his ladder and tools and set about servicing the AC/ventilation system cleaning vents, grates, and working high in the ceiling access to the ducts.  He was here a long time and it was hard to know just what he was doing.  Our system at home is only serviced once a year.  We have service about every two or three weeks here!

         This was the third day of work on cleaning the parking lot.  They use hoses, stiff brooms, a cleaning solution, and a machine like a commercial floor buffer with a stiff whirling circular brush.   It looks so good where they have cleaned and it is almost white compared to the uncleaned areas.  Ladders scale the walls of the building, light fixtures are checked and changed, everything that could possibly be serviced or cleaned is on the list and it is pretty crazy!

         The first load of potted poinsettias was delivered and unloaded in a shady place to await planting in the flower beds.  It seems like just last week that they took them all out and replaced them with spring flowers.  They are still showing only green leaves, but that will soon change. 

         Elder Gallo from the temple came by to pick up some money Glade had for him and he brought us a pumpkin pie!  What a treat.  It tasted really good and Glade just happened to have the French Vanilla ice cream that I convinced him to buy yesterday. 

         Glade walked to Casa Campo to swim and I walked in the fresh air and sunshine among all the outside workers.  It was nice to be in their company and so nice to not be on the treadmill in the laundry room!

         Good Night and love to you all!

TTuesday, October 28, 2014

         Our first day of the break felt nice and relaxing.   Even though my head cold was really annoying, we walked outside this morning; and it was actually cool when we started.  I practiced piano at the church again and loved having the key so I can go when I want.

         A couple of weeks ago an ache developed in one of my lower teeth and I have been so worried that it was going to be a big problem.  Can you imagine me having to go find a dentist here when I live with one and know several other good ones!  

         When we first arrived here, we were given a contact list of physicians and dentists.  Glade showed the names of the dentists to one of the brothers in our ward and he knew them all and recommended a woman he knows.  Glade called and made an appointment for this afternoon and the good brother picked us up and took us downtown to her office.  It was complicated and we would have never found it on our own. 

         The doctor was very nice and she even spoke English which was a blessing.  Her office maximized the small space and seemed clean.  After an exam and an x-ray, my fears were relieved when she couldn’t see a problem.  The tooth had been feeling a little better, but I was still worried that there might be a problem and I didn’t want to be one of those “middle of the night emergency calls” that I have taken myself in the past with people crying in so much pain.

         She has practiced dentistry for ten years, works at a hospital in the mornings where she heads the ER working in oral surgery and is clinical director of the dental students.  She sees patients in her office in the afternoons.  She and Glade enjoyed some “dental” talk together.

         We made a quick grocery stop on the way home to pick up apples, bananas, and ice cream and were so grateful to our kind friends for the ride.

         Have a great night.  Love to you all—Good Night.  

  

Here is the dentist and her operatory,

I did worry for her since she held the x-ray film in my mouth with her hand
when she took the x-ray.  Usually, the person doing that leaves the room.
Also, there was no lead apron for the patient.

This was the welcoming scene at the entrance to the grocery store!
Two clerks were taping strings of lights to the windows and
the check-out stands were all decorated as well.  Wow! 

The left cart is filled with eggs that are being unloaded and stacked
against the wall.  Eggs are never refrigerated here--at least until
they get to my house--then in they go! 

Glade at the check-out counter with the apples and ice cream.
The bananas were all too ripe, so he didn't get any.

The guard outside of the store kept busy pacing and checking things out!
The man on the right with the cell phone is pretty typical--just like at home.

Monday, October

         Aside from the head cold that enveloped me over the week-end, it was a relaxing and low stress day.   There were workers of one kind or another everywhere and we definitely didn’t feel alone.  All the workers going into the temple dress in white, the grounds-keepers dress in green jackets, and the guards show-off their smart uniforms of crisp white shirts and dark pants.  The cleaning crews in our building just wear clothes to clean in—jeans and t-shirts.

         Even though I sniffled the whole time, exercising outside in the fresh air and sunshine was rejuvenating and it will be wonderful to walk outside every day for two whole weeks.

         Gina gave me the music for the first movement of the sonata we played for the last recital.  It is incredibly challenging and will take hours and hours of work.  Even then, it may not be up to speed!  I’ll just work on it every day and hope for the best.  It is good to have such a challenge.  I have the key to the chapel and can go to practice whenever the mood hits!  

         We hope you all have a wonderful week and--we would love to hear from you J  Sending hugs and lots of love.  Good Night!!

Sunday, October 26, 2014

         This was a good Sunday and we are so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, The plan of Salvation, and to be a part of the work in the temple here.  I read in the first chapters of Mosiah, King Benjamin’s message to his people shortly before he died and was so impressed again by the message he shared.  It is filled with the doctrine that will save us and full of counsel on how to live our lives. 

         According to last week’s plan a bus brought singers for the stake choir to the chapel for practice this evening right on time.   A 70-voice choir practiced for an hour and a half and they are getting better.  Again, so many of them have no music experience and must start at ground-zero on their learning curve.  Their enthusiasm makes up for their lack of expertise! 

         The first of the Christmas music for the ward choir was given to me today and it is actually a Beebe arrangement.  That made me happy as does the fact that the young ward choir director speaks good English!  The stake choir director doesn’t speak English, but we manage our own language through “music talk.”  We have worked together a lot.

         Glade and I are pretty much alone here now, but will have the company of the guards and maintenance crews tomorrow.  It will be a good break for us.  The physical demands of five eight-hour days and then a busy Sunday each week pretty well wear us out. 

         Love to Everyone.  Keep enjoying October as it is quickly slipping away. 

Saturday, October 25, 2014

         Wow, this last day before the temple closes for two weeks was extremely busy.  It was as if everyone had to come just one last time before the closing.  There were weddings, sealings, first-time participants, baptisms, and so many people wanting work done for family names.  What a great feeling to see the temple so full and humming with great work being done. 

         The Guesthouse is empty of overnight guests tonight and most of the missionary couples have left for their homes in Nicaragua and northern Honduras.  One presidency member couple will be going to Guatemala in a couple of days.  We will soon be “home alone” and holding down the fort with the maintenance crews!  It is easy to feel left out; but we can use the break and free time to rest, read, and relax. 

         We walked outside tonight after dark about 7:30 when the last of the people were leaving and it was actually quite chilly—the coolest walk we have had here yet.  It was breezy as well and felt just like we were in Idaho!  It made us realize how much we are going to miss this climate, even if it is warmer and more humid than at home.  (Aah!  The weather again!)

         Good Night!! 

Friday, October 24, 2014

         One more day—a very early day—and we will have a two-week break.  Everyone keeps asking us if we are going home to the U.S.A. for a vacation; and we just smile and say, “No.”  Nearly everyone is leaving to travel to their homes so it will be pretty quiet around here.

         Groups are just coming and going all the time.  One bus left yesterday and another one arrived today which brought lots of patrons to do temple work.  They are staying over and will return to the temple tomorrow to keep us busy again.  Then it will be all quiet!  We are ready for a rest, so the break will be good.

         Have a good night, everyone, and a great week-end!  Enjoy Autumn while it lasts!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

         Upon returning to our apartment (I guess I should say “upon returning home”) we heard the exciting news about our new little granddaughter, Isla, born early this afternoon to Justin and Kim.  We love having another girl join the ranks and are so happy for this sweet family.  Our prayers tonight will include a grand piece of gratitude that she is here and all is well.  Congratulations!

         Later this afternoon we walked down the hill to DiProva to pick up a couple of items we were out of.  I wanted to take a few pictures that just don’t work when we are in the taxi.  However, my phone battery was low and only produced one photo.  That means we’ll probably have to make that trek again!

The other intent was to have a change from the treadmill and use the walk for much needed exercise.  Part way to our destination, a former member of our ward stopped in her car and asked us if we wanted a ride.  We told her that we were exercising and needed the walk.  She offered to pick us up at the store when we were finished and save us the walk back up that huge hill!  So we took her up on the offer.  It allowed us to pick up a few things that would have been too heavy to carry.  The hill is long and steep and I was so grateful she happened by and helped us out.

I’m still searching for canned pumpkin for some fall baking.  I have a can or two for Thanksgiving pies that we bought last year, but need a couple more for cookies, etc.  It is a seasonal item and an American product that took lots of explaining last year for someone to figure out what we were looking for.  J  I found a few small zucchini and will try some bread next week when we are on our break. 

After 8:00 tonight, we finished the other half of our exercise walking outside for another half an hour.  It was so beautiful and fairly cool!  It reminded us of home since the nights here are often about as warm as the days.  We will miss the moderate temps—especially in the evenings—when we are home shivering in our cool nights.  (Can’t wait to curl up with something warm, actually!)

Good Night and Love to you all!

New Home Construction.  We have only seen cement walls--never wood framing.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

         Many people attended the temple today and a lot of work was accomplished.  I was able to help two new sisters from beginning to end and loved this part of my day.  It is a needed vote of confidence each time I can contribute in this experience.  It conveys to me that my offering in Spanish is sufficient and acceptable.

         In our rush to get through the checklist of things to do in our busy days serving our families and serving in our callings, it can be easy to lose sight of the “spirit” as we sub-consciously focus on the “letter” and the checklist.  

          Elder M. Russell Ballard gives great counsel in this statement: 

“May we focus on the simple ways we can serve in the kingdom of God, always striving to change lives, including our own.”

Personal ministry—whether it is to a young Primary child, the families we watch over as visiting and home teachers, a neighbor of diversity, or our own family members—can help both the receiver and giver on our journey to becoming like our Savior, Jesus Christ.  “. . . by small and simple things are great things brought to pass . . .” Alma 37:6

Good Night!  Love and prayers are coming your way!!

  

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

         Our shift is mornings so we are adjusting to change.  We like it, but it is hard to exercise in the afternoon or evening rather than in the morning. 

         The October 2014 Ensign included the following article which I thought was so very good.  It may be a little long for the blog, but I wanted to share even if you have already read it.

         “When I stepped out the front door to get the newspaper, I saw an unpleasant sight.  A reddish mound of fire ants had formed in the night, rising through the crack between the lawn and the sidewalk.

            Thought my husband and I hadn’t lived long in Texas, USA, I knew from painful experience that the ants’ stinging bite, not their color, had earned them their nickname.  I headed for the garage, where we kept the pesticide.  I then read the instructions on the label.

‘[This pesticide] is highly attractive to fire ants,’ it read.  ‘They will carry it into their mound, feed it to their queen, and the colony will die.’  The label instructed me to sprinkle some granules on and around the mound.  The ants would do the rest.

            I was skeptical.  The fire ants seemed pretty clever to me, able to build tall mounds in a single night.  I doubted they would fall for disguised poison, but I sprinkled it on anyway.

            A short while later I found the mound bustling with activity.  I kept my distance but stooped to watch the fuss.  They were as ecstatic as if it had just rained manna from heaven.  They were hoisting the white granules in their tiny pincers and knocking over one another in their haste to get the poison into their mound.

            I watched in horrified awe.  They were willingly taking poison into their home.  Apparently, the words ‘highly attractive’ had not exaggerated.  Somehow the pesticide company had been able to make something bad—lethal even—look extremely good.

            I had never seen a more striking example of how bad could be made to look good.  It made me think of how Satan does the same thing.  I was comforted to realize that although he can sprinkle his disguised poison around my home, he can’t bring it in—unless I let him.  So how could I keep it out?

            One of my favorite scriptures came to mind:  ‘For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil.’  With that Spirit, Mormon explains, we ‘may know with a perfect knowledge’ whether something is of God or of Satan (Moroni 7:16).

            That experience of watching those doomed ants filled me with gratitude that my husband and I could judge and know for sure whether to allow something into our home.  Our job was to teach our children to follow the Spirit of Christ so that they too could know poison when they came upon it.

            As I stooped there, watching those insects transport every last granule into their mound, I vowed to do all I could to keep poison out of my home."   –Alison L. Randall

            I hope you enjoyed re-reading this story as much as I did.  Application is obvious.

         No rain tonight—at least, not yet.  Good night and love to everyone!

Monday, October 20, 2014

         Mondays are great!  They are the only day of the week that we have a little break although if we have to get groceries, they are almost as busy as any other day.  But today we just stayed here and took care of house-keeping items.  Glade did go to Casa Campo to exercise, however. 

         We walked down to the bakery (actually it is a bread store to us since that is their staple unless you special order something like cinnamon rolls) about 12:30.  I carried my phone and took some photos.  Some of these scenes you have seen before, but I love the clouds and couldn’t resist “snapping” them again.  

This is inside our bakery.
I'm grateful for the net covering although we rarely see flies, etc.

The girl on the right is bagging our four loaves of bread.
She just ran them through the slicer at the far right of the photo.
They send the bread with us in paper bags along with
plastic bags and twist ties to use after they have cooled a bit.

This is the inside of the bakery.  It is very small and gets very, very warm.
The oven is on the left and you can see loaves baking through the glass.
Can't you just smell the aroma of fresh-baked bread?

The is the store front of the bakery.  Notice the reflection of the temple on the glass.

This is the pharmacy two doors down from the bakery.  Everything is caged
and the clerk works from a tiny opening in the counter.

This is across the street to the south of the bakery.

This is the street that runs on the west side of the Garden Place Center.
The little outfit on the street in the foreground is a type of cheap taxi.
It has open sides--no doors--and resembles a golf cart.

This view is north of the bakery.

This street runs in front of the temple complex and this view looks west.
Notice all the power cables--they are everywhere!  

The Garden Place!

Back to the pharmacy--Glade is requesting an antibiotic from the pharmacist
which you can purchase here without a prescription.
Notice the little ice cream vending area to the left.

Yes--there he goes to check out the frozen treats!

Another store front near the pharmacy which sells North American products.
 It is a very small store and the items are quite expensive

This is (almost) directly across from the bakery--looking south.

Looking east across the city.  In the next few photos you can see the storm clouds forming for tonight's rains.

More clouds gathering in the west.
You can also see my fun little trees that have some fall coloring.
However, the leaves never drop.

We are heading back up the hill with our bread.  Glade is getting way ahead of me
because I keep stopping to get pictures of the clouds!!

Just another cloud

You can see the airplanes in the center of the photo.
You can tell what a short runway this famous airport has!

The drought was really hard on some of the flowering plants, but this one and others are
coming back with help from the life-renewing rains that have drenched the ground.

More clouds over the Guest House where we live.
There were men on the roof this morning sweeping and cleaning.

This lady guard is stationed at the door to our residence building
for a shift every day and always opens the doors for us.

I looked out our living room window and saw these two guards perched on this wall checking out some issue or another!  I took this through the screen on the window--amazing to me it even turned out.

Good Night Everyone--

Sunday, October 19, 2014

         Gina and I played “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in Sacrament Meeting today.  It’s the arrangement by The Piano Guys—Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson.  I was able to get the cello/viola part from the Internet for her and it was so fun to do this together.  When she told me we were going to play today, I asked if it was rushing the season a little and if we should wait until closer to Christmas.  But she didn’t think anyone would really recognize it as a Christmas song and that it would be okay.  So we played it today.

         I also played for Relief Society, for the ward choir, and for the big stake choir that will be singing in Stake Conference in November.  Next week it will be my turn to accompany for Sacrament Meeting.  It makes me happy to be able to contribute by helping with the music.  There are a few sisters here who practice diligently and then take a turn playing for Sacrament Meeting and they are doing well.

         We just went downstairs to take our Sunday evening walk and encountered heavy rain that stopped us in our tracks!  So much for that idea.  The just-in-case umbrella I took would not have kept us very dry, so we’ll have to wait for a rainless day.

         Much love to everyone and Good Night from Honduras--     

Saturday, October 18, 2014

         The people on the excursion here stayed until the temple closed tonight so it was busy all day and evening.  The patrons bring so many family names with them and are anxious to get as much work done for them as they possibly can.  They take names from baptisms through the other ordinances right to the sealings and hurry from one session to another.  

         There were two tiny little ladies that I have seen here before who are just delightful.  Although they are quite elderly, don’t hear well, and can’t read, they are very spunky and anxious to participate.  They come from a much warmer climate and wear oversized white knitted hats and white crocheted shawls to keep warm.   It was a delightful group and they are all headed home now—the old and the young, the families and the singles, the experienced and the new.  But they are all alike in their desire to have their own work done and then to include the work for their families. 

         We are happy for the week-end now and a chance to rest.  We are not spring-chickens ourselves and start to drag a little by Saturday night.

         Have a restful and renewing Sabbath Day.  Love to all--  

Friday, October 17, 2014

         Wow!  Where has another week gone?  If we were home we would be cleaning out flower beds and the garden, raking leaves, and perhaps picking and canning the last of the late apples.  The last of the leaves on our Poplar trees would probably be letting go of their hold leaving the branches barren and sad-looking.  All the corn stalks would be gone and there would be scarecrows and pumpkins by the front door.  It would be time to put the Christmas lights on the house so it wouldn’t have to be done in the bitter cold and snow.  (Just a little nostalgia going on here!) 

But we are here and enjoying beautiful, although somewhat humid, summer-like weather with rain every day.  It is more like the weather we anticipated before we came and all in all it is quite pleasant.  Oops, leave it to me to talk about the weather again!

The session that Glade and I led was the smallest we have ever had and it was so different.  However, the other sessions were much better attended and baptisms and sealings kept the work going strong until past time to close.  That is all good.   

Have a great week-end and send us emails when you get a chance!!  Love to you all and Good Night.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

         A new senior couple arrived yesterday and moved into the Starkey’s apartment.  They were in the temple this afternoon and efficiently went right to work.  We are not sure about their status but there has not been time for them to go through the normal missionary application process and receive an official calling from Salt Lake.  They, like the Gomez couple, were most likely issued a calling to serve as temple workers from the temple presidency.  Brother and Sister Navas are from La Seiba, Honduras, which is up near the coast.  They are older than we are—we are nearly the oldest ones here!—and have served in more than one temple before.  They just stepped right into place as though they had been here forever and they were a great help.  Sister Navas doesn't speak English, of course; so I'm really "one of a kind" now.  

         I love helping the people who come with groups that stay over night.  After helping them with their work for two or three days in a row and then seeing them in the Guesthouse, they begin to feel a little like old friends.

         It is still raining and felt good to walk home in the rain and hear frogs and friends croaking and chirping and loving being wet!

         Good Night!  Love and prayers to all of you and have a safe and happy week-end.

Wednesday, October, 2014

          The first session I helped with today was full of missionaries.  I learned afterward in visiting with a few of the sisters, that 17 of them will be leaving for home tomorrow—eleven sisters and six elders.  Those sweet girls were understandably emotional, anxious to see their families, but sad to leave this life-changing experience behind.  One girl will be going home to Idaho Falls, another to Logan, one to Washington State and another to California.  We shared lots of warm hugs and goodbyes.

         It is still raining.  There was not nearly this much rain last year at this time because of the draught, so it is a welcome change! 

         As a missionary, a mom, and a friend, I encourage you to read the Ensigns—cover to cover.  They are filled with inspirational messages that are so relevant to issues, questions, and situations that we face every day.  These articles come through loud and clear on my kindle every day for 45 minutes while I “treadmill” and make the time go by so much faster.  It is not only the conference talks that are available, but all the Ensigns and other Church magazines.  It creates a wonderful tone for my day.

         Good Night All!  

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

         The Starkeys left for home today and should have arrived in Salt Lake by now.  We will miss them but wish them well. 

The new couple coming to work in the temple has not arrived yet, but may be here tomorrow some time.  We were short of help today which kept us so very busy and the time flew. 

It rained steadily most of the afternoon and evening.  A young couple stopped me on my way to our apartment tonight and asked if I would take their picture.  The rain was lighter than earlier, but still coming down.  They didn’t seem to mind and were full of smiles and looked so happy.  It was dark and we had to find a place where the spotlights would shine on them.  I held the camera under the umbrella and we got a couple of pictures for them.

Good Night, Everyone!  It’s 68 degrees and still raining—but no earthquakes tonight!!

Monday, October 13, 2014

         We had another great day.  Glade went for his morning swim while I exercised outside in super great weather.  Workers came to service our AC system and I played new Christmas music for an hour at the Church while Glade studied and did some laundry.  David took us for groceries and it was nice to get out for a little bit.  There was a heavy rainstorm while we were in La Colonia and when it started pelting the metal roof, I had to go outside to see what was making such a crazy sound.  It didn’t last too long and the sun was shining by the time we got back to our apartment. 

         FHE tonight was comfortable and we shared goodbyes with the Starkeys who leave for Salt Lake in the morning.  They will be traveling for a while visiting family before they leave for their next mission to Guatemala in early January.  Wow!

***Oh-Oh.  We just had an earthquake—I’m not kidding.  The couch started vibrating, things on the desk were rattling, and the whole building felt like it was moving!  I stood up and felt dizzy trying to walk across the floor.  I called my neighbor and Glade went outside.  He talked to one of the guards who was eating in the comedor and saw the light fixtures swaying over his head.  He went outside and said that the Angel Moroni on top of the temple was just swaying back and forth!!  It didn’t last very long, but was definitely unnerving!!  We just walked down to take the garbage out; it was raining and we heard sirens, but everything looked just fine and normal. 

Glade just looked up some information about earthquakes in Tegucigalpa on the Internet.  There were two earthquakes in El Salvador today—just 20 minutes ago. That is just west of us on the coast and I’m sure it was what we felt since they registered 7.4.  There were a total of 107 earthquakes in the world today and the biggest one was what we felt tonight in Salvador.  I guess they are quite common worldwide—just not in my backyard.  The computer just keeps updating all the quakes and it is pretty amazing.  Well, I’m calmer now, but it was hard to know in the moment what to do.  

Below are a few pictures from our Home Evening tonight.

Glade and Val Starkey

Brother and Sister Starkey

Pres. and Sister Valle

Brother and Sister Caceras and Pres. Ocampo

Brother and Sister Gomez

Brother and Sister Peterson

Where we meet--

Sunday, October 12, 2014

         It was a peaceful Sunday with clouds and a little rain.  We went to choir practice at 5:00 but another meeting in another chapel claimed so many of the choir members that we ended up not having practice.  We enjoyed our evening skyping, emailing, talking together, and taking our walk in the dark.  Great day! 

         Good night.  Have a wonderful week!

         

Saturday, October 11, 2014

         Thursday night in the temple Glade met a North American flight attendant and her male travelling companion. They did some traveling yesterday to Copan and returned to the temple today and I was able to meet them.  It is always a welcome opportunity for me to help people who speak no Spanish—I mean I am happy to help everyone who comes to the temple; but there are fewer handicaps if the experience is in my own language!   They are not really a couple but just friends.  She has six children and he has a large family as well—maybe seven children.  They are staying in the Guesthouse and will be in Church tomorrow.

         It was a great day in the temple and felt so good to be there. 

It is 72 degrees in Tegucigalpa and cloudy with the promise of more showers.  Can’t wait!!  Good night, Everyone!  Have a great Sunday.