Wednesday, December 31, 2014

         Our day was awesome!  Glade went to the fitness center to swim and soak in some sun and I did my daily three miles outside in the same sun.  There was plenty of time to practice the piano again and I played until my fingers hurt.  Glade actually found the Boise State game on TV, but kept the volume down since it was in Spanish!  Our turkey for tomorrow’s dinner is all cooked and just went into the fridge along with two pumpkin pies.  So we are set for a relaxing day tomorrow and hope to watch the Rose Parade and more football, and eat food that makes us a little homesick. 

         The fireworks are firing outside and we are headed out now to catch the event.  We have been working on plans for next year and a few resolutions and hope to put the finishing touches on them tomorrow.  Hope you all enjoyed New Year’s Eve and have a great day tomorrow!

         Love to you all and Good Night!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

         We hit the ground running early this morning and didn’t stop until our shift ended.  There was even a large group of family members, some of whom work in the temple all the time, that requested a special session that started at 6:00 a.m.  It was a great day.

         Exercise in the afternoon is always such a challenge, so we decided to walk to the grocery store for exercise and pick up a few things.  The hill up to the temple is unbelievably steep, but we made it.   A fair amount of traffic keeps walkers alert since the uneven sidewalks are sparse, the ground rutted and often over-grown with plants, and the road very narrow.

         On the way back as we started the final steepest climb, we heard a big truck coming up behind us, slowing and shifting down for a speed bump, and then trying to get up enough power to push the rest of the way up the hill.    When it passed us, we noticed that it looked like a tanker with big hoses wrapped around the end and thought it could be a water truck.  As we reached the gates to the temple grounds and started our trek up toward our building, we saw another truck just like the one that passed us, heading down the hill.  At the top of the hill in the parking lot near the service building, we saw more trucks and realized they were bringing water to fill the cistern for the buildings in the compound.  Apparently, the pump isn’t fixed yet.

         We made certain to get some laundry going, showers done, and drinking water saved in case we are without water again tomorrow or the next day.

         Have a great New Year’s Eve tomorrow!  We miss you all and send our love.

Monday, December 29, 2014

         This was a different kind of day, mostly because we had no water with the exception of a few minutes about mid-day.  Glade went to Casa Campo and I exercised here anyway, but couldn’t shower.  When we finally got a little water back, it wasn’t warm enough for a shower, so I went to the Church to practice the piano.  When I returned, the water was gone again.  At two minutes before 6:00 p.m. I heard the tank filling, but still anticipated a cold shower or a wash-down with previously saved water heated on the stove.  Apparently the pump wasn’t completely fixed and water was being brought from another source and added to the cistern. 

         Just as FHE was ready to start at 6:00 p.m., a bus full of people on an excursion arrived.  The couple who work in the office making all the assignments and arrangements for the housing, left for San Pedro this afternoon.  They prepared the bedding ahead of time, thank goodness, but our FHE was delayed in order to take care of the group and get them settled. 

         Home Evening resumed and we had a very good lesson by Pres. Valle about making decisions for improvements in the New Year.  He included the importance of making a plan and talked about Orville and Wilbur Wright and the plans they made to make the first airplane fly.  They had to have a pilot who could control the plane during the flight, wings to lift the plane off the ground, and a motor that would provide enough speed to allow the air to lift the plane.   I didn’t get the explanation for the analogy, but it is food for thought about what we might need as we attempt to make changes in our lives.  

He also shared the following scriptures to be patient with ourselves and keep moving steadily forward being “. . . diligent unto the end.”

         D&C 10:4 “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength . . . “           

D&C 67:13 “. . . continue in patience until ye are perfected.”

         Last year, Glade gave the FHE lesson for the New Year and talked about mapping a path after deciding on a goal.  We must avoid the invasion of delays, detours, discouragements, distractions, despair, disinterest, and difficulties.  We discussed how procrastination 1) keeps us from going “straightway,” 2) keeps us from receiving power from the Spirit to thwart the barrage of “D” invaders above, and 3) impedes us from obtaining our goal.  He included that when we identify a worthy goal, map out our course straightway, do not procrastinate, and have faith in the Lord; we will be blessed with power to reach our goal. He is there with us every step if we go straightway.

         Time to close.  We have the early shift in the morning and it will be busy.  Good Night.  Love to you all! 

Sunday, December 28, 2014

         Just before Sacrament Meeting, Gina told me that I was on the schedule to play for the meeting.  I told her that I didn’t have a schedule and she just smiled at me and chuckled and then we went into the chapel and I played.  Her 12-year old daughter was the chorister and did such a great job.  One of the songs they sang was in their Spanish hymnbook, but not in the English one and I had never heard it before.  Glade said he had sung it in Priesthood Meeting before, so he hummed a few bars to give me the tempo since sometimes they ignore the metronome meter listed and sing their own speed. 

         The night air on our evening walk-about was punctuated with more fireworks—really loud fireworks.  One brother at church said that most people, however, have exhausted their supply by now and that New Year’s might be much quieter than Christmas.  We’ll see.

         The Mission President spoke in Sacrament Meeting today and talked about setting goals and how important it is that we include with the goals, specific steps and plans to follow that will get us to those goals.  If there is no plan to follow, the goal is just a dream and will not come to fruition.  He said a lot of things I didn’t quite catch, but that was an important part of his message and it was good to hear as we approach the New Year and its accompanying goal-setting activities.

         We were without water for a little while today while a new pump was set, and late this afternoon we lost our Internet connection.  It reminds us how grateful we are for such great blessings as clean running water and instant access to family and a myriad of resources that keep us in touch on the Internet. 

         Hope your Sabbath was spiritually strengthening and renewing.  Good Night!      

Saturday, December 27, 2014

         The end of another busy day has brought this Christmas week to a close.  It is always such a wonderful season and was again this year even though we are so very far away.  Our pretty little tree with its glorious colored lights will remain in place for a while longer.  It has just been so warm and cheerful and we have loved it! 

It was amazing to see so many people in the temple so soon after the holiday.  There were tons of baptisms and full sessions and we were happy to be busy.

Good Night!  Have a great week-end!  Love and prayers to each of you.  

Friday, December 26, 2014

         It was back to the temple today and all the routine we have become accustomed to fell right into place.  A couple of buses arrived early this morning bringing people to the temple for today and tomorrow; so we had plenty of work, but it was not heavy.  This short week has been a welcome rest and next week will be the same.  Then the work will be steady again five days a week until we finish. 

         I hope those who are ill are recovering, those who are traveling will be safe, and those who are making New Year’s goals are now contemplating changes.  Love to you all.  Good Night!

Thursday, December 25, 2014

         Merry Christmas!!  What a pleasant day it has been for us, and we hope you have all had a beautiful celebration with family and friends. 

         Reminiscing about our Christmas traditions was pleasant, if nostalgic; and we really missed the family Christmas Eve gathering at our house that we have done ever since we moved to Garfield. 

Running up and down the stairs to the freezer every half an hour all day stirring red and green slush drinks; cleaning every nook and cranny in the house; rearranging all the furniture and setting up chairs to make room for everyone; smelling wonderful pastries baking and making cheesecake; listening to the Christmas music of Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, The Three Tenors, and The Oakridge Boys; wrapping the last of the presents; taking the last of the “Twelve Days of Christmas” surprises around the neighborhood; getting a pecan pie from the Daniels and taking strawberry bread to the neighbors all made for a wonderfully fun and busy Christmas Eve.  Then the house would fill up with all the aunts and uncles and cousins and we would eat Grandma Cook’s yummy meatballs, pizza, and cheesecake before launching into the program, the gift exchanges, games, and Nativity reading with child actors.  Santa surprised us with more gifts and then it was time to clean up all over again!!  What great memories!  And now our families are making new memories and forming new traditions that will delight them for decades.

There has been more time this season for reading stories and messages about Christmas. They have touched my heart and made me want to be a better person.  To become more like our Savior is what will bring us eternal happiness.  May we feel His love and follow Him.

We love you all and miss you on this beautiful day.

Here are a few pictures from ourChristmas Lunch today.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

         It’s Christmas Eve and we are far away from hearth and home, but feel blessed to be here serving a mission.  It feels deserted tonight with only four couples remaining here in the Casa de Huespedes.  

         The weather was beautiful after a hot morning and a refreshing afternoon rain.  Tonight—actually all afternoon, too—the air has been filled with the constant banging and popping of loud fireworks.  They are the ones that just make lots of noise and it sounds like a warzone outside.  The colorful sprays that spill into the night sky after being catapulted into the darkness come later—maybe New Year’s Eve or maybe tomorrow night.  

         Tonight we watched a couple of cute Christmas movies on Netflix and ate tamales and more cherry cheesecake after a relaxing and restful day. 

         We are so grateful for a wonderful family, special friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are feeling deep gratitude for Heavenly Father’s gift to the world of His Son Jesus Christ, for the Atonement, and God’s love for each of us as individuals.

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

         My battle with a head cold left me the loser and Glade went to the temple without me today.  At least we have the next two days off, so my plans are to recover and return on Friday.  Glade said attendance was low as would be expected this close to Christmas.  He brought home gifts of tamales and fried banana slices (they are like potato chips but are made from bananas sliced the long way) from kind temple friends.

         The wind has finally quit for a while and being outside feels so good now.  I sat out in the sun for a little to escape the confining walls of the apartment and was nourished.

         Merry Christmas!  Love and Prayers to you as always.  Good Night!

Monday, December 22, 2014

         Preparing for our turn for FHE kept me busy in the kitchen today.  We planned a Christmas Program that included participation from each of the missionary and presidency couples.  About three weeks ago, Glade asked them each to choose what they would like to share so they had plenty of time to prepare.  We got permission to use the chapel (on a Monday night) and made arrangements to use the screen for a power-point presentation.

         One couple read the scripture account of the nativity, pausing every few verses to sing a hymn that complemented a particular part of the story.  It was a tender feeling to hear their sweet voices sing the songs without accompaniment, but with lots of spirit.  Another couple gave a lovely power-point presentation of the symbols of Christmas.  Other couples sang more carols and Pres. Ocampo played a simple Christmas piece on the piano—he is a beginner and when he faltered, I felt just like a teacher and had to restrain my instinct to “help” him!  It really took me back to my teaching days.  Sister Ocampo asked me to play the teacher’s part of a piano duet with her and it went just great.  I played a pretty arrangement of “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” and then we came back to the cafeteria in our building to eat.  The program was casual, but comfortable and well done.

         It was hard to decide what to serve for the meal, but I settled on a spaghetti casserole and found a good recipe on-line.  With it, we served lots of match-stick carrot sticks and cheese bread.  Since it’s almost Christmas Eve, I made our traditional cherry cheesecake and we scattered Hershey kisses on the table and put out a cherry chocolate for each and a bowl of Chex Mix.  We have a beautiful Poinsettia plant—a gift—in our apartment that served as the center piece and we found some one-use poinsettia table clothes that were background for red plates and napkins.  Pres. Amado brought his small sound system—it must have been a docking station for one of his electronics and it had small speakers—so we had Christmas music in the background.  It was perfect and it felt like Christmas.  There are a couple of pictures below.

         Good Night!  Happy Christmas!  Love to All!

Pres. and Sister Amado with Glade

The serving table--Oops--I should have taken the picture
before people started through the line.

Getting Started

Christmas Photo
Couples from the left:  Pres. and Sister Ocampo, Brother and Sister Caseras,
Brother and Sister Navas, Pres. and Sister Amado, Pres. and Sister Valle,
Brother and Sister Peterson
Missing are Brother and Sister Gomez who went to Nicaragua for Christmas.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

         The Christmas programs in both wards today in Sacrament Meeting were done by the Primary and I ended up playing for only one of them.  The children played a keyboard—sometimes with only the melody line—for the other one.   The kids were all dressed up in red dresses with big red and gold bows for the girls' hair, and bow ties on white shirts for the little boys.  They looked absolutely adorable.  They sang with all the enthusiasm they could muster and did such a great job.  It was very much like our Primary programs done in September at home with speaking parts and video backgrounds as well.    

         The regional choir gave three performances in our building this afternoon and evening.  Glade went to the one at 7:00 p.m. and said it was incredibly good.  A terrible new cold has been settling upon me all day and I wasn’t up to going.  Sleep deficits always make me vulnerable and we are exposed to “everything” in the temple every day.  Anyway, it was a nice day for Christmas music.

         Good night!  The final countdown is on.  Enjoy the next few exciting days and make them wonderful.  Love to everyone!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

         The last of the big crowds thinned, the buses drove away, and the last groups posed for pictures in front of the temple.  There were more beautiful brides today and lots of Christmas wishes as everyone left for the week-end.  It was fun to see many of our friends—people from our ward and returning patrons— in the temple during the last few days and everyone wished everyone else “Feliz Navidad” and gave extra hugs.

         Tomorrow will be filled with Christmas programs in Church throughout the world.  May yours be extra nice this year and may you feel Heavenly Father’s love for you.

         Good night!  Love and miss you all.  

Friday, December 19, 2014

         This morning Glade and I walked down the hill to the closest grocery store both for exercise and to get a few things we need for our FHE dinner Monday night.  It was cool and partly cloudy which made for a pleasant walk—at least going down the hill.  Coming back was mostly up hill and the climb gets very steep on the approach to the temple.  It’s a good thing for daily exercise or I may not have made it. 

         The temple was full again with the arrival this morning of more people to do temple work. They will be here tomorrow as well.  We watched the buses that brought them climb the hill as we were returning from our shopping trip about 9:30 a.m.  At that same hour, a beautiful bride was outside the temple walking arm in arm with her dad getting ready for pictures.  There were more brides yesterday and today as well—one of them being a girl from our ward.

         Tonight was our ward Christmas party, but since we worked late we didn’t get there until about 8:45 p.m.  It was still in time for Glade to slip into the choir and for me to play two of the songs for them.  They knew we would be late, and I thought we would miss it all.  “Latin time” always brings surprises, however!   After the casual program they started to set up tables and move chairs to make way for the dinner.  It was too late for me, but Glade stayed to get a plate for his dinner and brought it home.

         Good Night, Everyone!  Love to you all.   

Thursday, December 18, 2014

         My treadmill sessions have been cheered by listening to “A Christmas Carol” on the Mormon Channel.  It is a full dramatized audio version of the complete novel as written by Charles Dickens.  I love the intriguing and descriptive language that lets the listener conjure his own images although those images are certainly influenced by the video versions we have seen.  It has been a real treat to hear this full-length version and I recommend it to anyone who has time to listen.  It is lengthy but worth the time.

         Merry Christmas this week!  Love you all!  Good Night!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

         Last night people staying here in the Casa de Huespedes spilled onto floors and out into the lounges where they were provided with small mattresses and blankets to ease the overflow of people.  There were eight buses here today, and while that may not overwhelm our large temples at home, it really does here.  Needless to say, we had another very busy day and we are so tired. 

         Love you all.  Enjoy your last week before Christmas spending it with people you love and filling it with the Joy of the Season!  Good Night!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

        More buses; more people; more work; more saving ordinances performed; more blessings raining on the earth.  We are hoping for more sleep!!

         Below are a few more pictures from our outing yesterday with our friends from the temple.  The photos show another Nativity display although again, there was only one authentic “nativity” scene showing the Baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph.  The rest of the displays showed items and lifestyles from different parts of the country or completely random items that I could not connect to anything.  However, everything worked together to create a rather unique display.

         Have a great night.  Hug your kids and your spouse and tell them how much you love them.  Then be kind, ever and always so kind. J Our prophets have so counseled.  Sending you all mountains of love--

Can't figure out the significance of these cars.  The red one on the right seems to be a 1957 Chevrolet convertible, and there are two M & M's seated in the blue car.  The one on the left looks like it could be someone's Pinewood Derby car!

The rectangles are coffins for a grave sight.

As we were leaving I noticed this display of Smurfs and took this photo through the window.

Monday, December 15, 2014

         This morning a sweet sister who works in the temple called and asked if Glade and I would like to go with her and her husband to see some Christmas sights.  She said we could go early and come back whenever we were ready, so we assumed we could be back for at least part of our FHE. 

         They picked us up outside the gates at 3:30 and we had a wonderful afternoon and evening—arriving back home about 8:30.  We missed our usual FHE but this was a welcome change.  We visited a government park of some kind that is situated high above the city where the view lets you see full circle.  Details are captioned with the photos that follow.

         On our way to the next stop, we passed a Baskin Robbins.  Actually we were stopped in traffic next to it, so we detoured for ice cream and banana splits.

         Then we were off to a huge mall where Brother Casteñada thought another nativity display was set-up.  We drove around and around all the levels of the parking structure for at least 15 or 20 minutes waiting for a car to leave so we could have a parking space.  It was completely full.  When we finally parked and went inside, he discovered it was the wrong mall!  But all of a sudden this pretty little girl dressed in choir attire came up to me and gave me a hug.  It was Lupe’s little girl, and her school class was there to give a concert!  What an amazing coincidence to meet there so far away from where we both live.  We visited with her family while the choir made final preparations and then stayed to hear their first number.  

         The traffic was just crazy and makes me wonder how anyone gets any place.  There were cars everywhere cramming every road beyond capacity, so it was rather slow going.  However, our driver just took it all in stride which is what one has to do to cope.  We have been in heavy traffic in the USA, of course, but at least there are rules, adequate streets and highways, and a semblance of order.  Some of the driving here is just chaos!

         We visited a beautiful Nativity display provided by a bank and it is one of the best ones we have ever seen.  It was huge—not the individual pieces, but the scope of two cities and the landscape.  The pictures that follow show details.

         Our last stop was at a second mall where another shop was set up with displays.  We walked through it enjoying the different items and then enjoyed sauntering through the mall taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas shoppers and decorations.  It was such a lovely excursion and we were so grateful for kind and caring friends who would take so much of their time to share this experience with us.  We have been greatly blessed.

         Good Night!  Wishing you all the full joy of this season!  

Not sure what was so funny, but here we are way up high enjoying the view below.

Our friends Brother and Sister Castañada

The plain slopes of the hills in the back were once covered with houses.
But during Hurricane Mitch they were leveled and destroyed with great loss of life.  Gullies were created to help water flow in the future.  Nearby cemeteries hold the casualties from the hurricane.  

Honduran Flag

Lupe's boys at the mall waiting for the concert

Lupe and Bev in the back with Darren and Malory in the front.

Malory's choir--it is the school's first year to participate at the mall.  

The flutaphones are getting organized.

Almost ready!

The stop for banana splits.

The next several photos are of the Nativity that was so beautiful.  It started with Jerusalem on the left and moved to the countryside and Bethlehem.

There was such wonderful detail in the figures and their activities.

Notice the three Wisemen crossing the bridge.

This is a display at the second mall.  I'll post a few more photos tomorrow. 

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