Monday, March 09, 2015

    The wind was very light early in the day, and it provided a peaceful background to our beautiful morning exercise outside.  Glade got his last haircut and I practiced my talk although my mind wouldn’t think straight and it was hard to remember anything that was in my notes!  Great.  That is not a good sign. J

    The Gomez’s provided a great lunch for us at noon and I know I’m gaining pounds like crazy not being used to eating so much.  A pureed soup made from potatoes, carrots, chicken broth, a little celery, cilantro, and some spices was the first course and it tasted really good.  A fresh green salad followed and the main course was a chicken dish cooked with veggies, and rice and beans.  They made a drink from the dried flower of a plant—can’t remember the name—and added beet juice to it so it was a beautiful red color.  It all tasted very good and the meal was topped off with a dish of ice cream.  Everyone assumes that North Americans love ice cream, and in Glade’s case, that is right on the mark!

    Glade received an email this morning from the stake Executive Secretary in our stake at home wanting to make an appointment for us to meet with the Stake President to be released and asked us if we would report to the High Council Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. 

    Family Home Evening was such a special treat tonight with a lesson on gratitude, a lesson that always renews in our hearts all that Heavenly Father has given us.  It is important to focus on our blessings rather than on what we don’t have.  Following the lesson, each couple gave a presentation sharing a message by way of songs and poems most of which were directed to us and our leaving.  Most of them were original verses and it was so heart-warming; we felt loved and appreciated.  Glade played “Walk, Don’t Run” on his acoustical guitar and it was, of course, a hit. 

    The Castañedas served typical Honduran food which included shish kebabs with beef and some with chicken; re-fried beans with chips and tortillas, and fried banana chips.  There were also two original drinks, but we couldn’t tell what they were made from.  You can tell that we are not going home as lean as we had hoped!

    Our last two days in the temple will be early, but the stress of an early week is gone since it will be so short.  We gave away two more boxes of kitchen things today and finished some laundry.  My suitcases are nearly full and are still under the weight limit so—so far, so good! 

    We hope your FHE experiences were all good tonight.  Our testimonies and our families are the things that matter most.  They both need constant nurture, time, and study!  We love you so much and will see you soon.

    Good Night!

In the Gomez's apartment for lunch.

Brother and Sister Gomez, and Glade.

His name is Noel and hers is Yolanda.

Pres. and Sister Valle sang a song together
and it was beautiful.

Pres. and Sister Casceras are on the left.  She sang a traditional farewell song.
Brother Gomez--in the red shirt--read a poem he had written for us


Brother and Sister Navas.  She wrote and read something personal for us as well.


Pres. and Sister Ocampo sang a song she had written for us.  
It was personal, animated, fun, and full of love.


The Petersons!  This was our last Family Home Evening and we are
going to miss these wonderful people who were our family here.


The Castañedas prepared the FHE lesson and the great food


 The Dinner which was very tasty!
The big brown bowl has fried banana chips in it.

Glade playing "Walk, Don't Run" and having fun.