Friday, December 12, 2014

         The temple was full of people when we arrived early this morning and we went right to work without even having a training/prayer meeting with the temple workers.  The work continued non-stop until the shift ended and we came home bone-tired.  One more extra-early morning and then we can rest a little.  Those are always the best days, however, when we are really busy.

         Our apartment smelled yummy tonight as the aromatic magic of lemon wafted from the cupcakes in the oven and tempted Glade to indulge.  They are for the temple workers’ Christmas party tomorrow after the temple closes.

         Below are a few of the pictures we took on our outing with the Sierra’s last night.

         Keep enjoying the Christmas season—the sights and sounds, the music and the memories, the pageants and the programs—and keep Christ and His love in your hearts! 

         Love you all—Good night! 

We visited a new outside display of lights, activities, and food vendors.  Last year this site was a neglected vacant lot shrouded with metal siding sheets and overgrown weeds.  It was an extremely dangerous area that people would definitely avoid.  The overhaul by the new Honduran president was wonderful and now provides an inviting and safer place for families to visit.  The hope is that it will grow in popularity and should since it is one of the few free places people can visit. Above, we have just arrived and are leaving the parking lot.

This huge tree was beautiful and filled
with decorations you can't see in the photo.

There was a small petting zoo area for kids to
interact with stable animals

--Gina and two of her kids feeding lettuce to the donkey--

--Lighted decorations at the base of the giant Christmas tree--
Music played from large speaker throughout the displays
and much of it was English, North American music.

These nativity figures were set back into a "cave" and family after family took pictures of their children with the figures.  Moroni, Nefi, Raquel, and Rebeca took their turn.  The baby Jesus is not placed into the nativity displays here until Christmas Eve.
Also, there is a strong Catholic influence in most things here.

Since we didn't have kids or grand kids to take pictures of, we just took pictures of the Sierra children.  Here they are posing with Santa.  Of course we have only seen a few Santa stations, but each one has been only for picture-taking with Santa--not about giving him a wish list.

Light display

This is what was across the street in the background!
A bit North Americanized!

Icicle lights were draped through some of the trees and
with a slight breeze were really enchanting and so pretty.

Giant lighted gift-boxes were spread throughout the display.

I think I want some! 

It was hard to get a good picture, but there was a train ride
through the displays and the kids loved it.

Just us!