Guate and Salama youth hike

We went to the city to get our car serviced and go to the temple. These 4 sisters from our mission were in our session, what a wonderful surprise to run into them the day before they left for home!

Maggie is a secretary in the temple and knows Alan's parents from when they were Guatemala city temple president and matron 23 years ago. She's so happy, sweet, and loving every time we see her.

We got to play sets and runs with John and Christine Norman, (the temple president and matron), and later after a session and dinner at Applebees together, a game of up and down.

 Back in Rabinal- 4 girls and a mattress in a tuk tuk,

 A common sight, we see drunks lying on the sidewalk sleeping it off almost everyday.

 We took 4 youth and 2 elders to hike to the top of Salama hill.

 The letters "Salama" are about 1/3 of the way to the top.

 At the top of the hill they have more letters, a building, playground with soccer field, and picnic tables with places to cook your food if you bring wood and matches.

 The guys played soccer for about an hour while we sat or went on the swings.

2 men told us this is a po po de mayo ant. It's about the size of my thumb and the people  cook them for protein. They only come out in May for about a month and they can pinch you, but it doesn't hurt much. The kids dig them out of the dirt and play with them, they don't smell very good though!

Here is one of our elders (Elder Flores) looking out over Samala. Not sure if we should title this picture "I'm On Top of the World!!" or "Samuel the Lamanite Preaches from the City Wall"
I like the 2nd one best!

Osorio family in Palimonix and Rabinal Branch May 21, 2017

At the house of Silvia and Roberto Osorio with his 2 brothers, 3 sisters, mother, and some of the kids. Elder Chavez and Reconco are leaving tomorrow and went around taking pictures with the families in Rabinal branch.

Elders are being transferred tomorrow and wanted a picture of the branch. After Sacrament meeting we went out front and had this picture taken, only Danilo is missing.

40 day memorial for the dead

The beginning of April, one of our dear friends had a son who passed away. This weekend marks 40 days since his death. And family, friends, and acquaintances came together to remember him.

For breakfast everyone had atole (a local drink made from cornflour and water) to drink, Here pinol (a soup base from roasted peppers, garlic, onions, maize flour...and a few other vegetables we don't know the name of) is being stirred.  At lunch time, it will be served with chicken to everyone who helped with the tamales.

 Ladies putting the tamales together. Everyone comes together to help. The men slaughtered two pigs earlier in the afternoon for the feast.

 Potato mash, pork, and salsa inside the leaves.

 In the barrel with water to cook for a few hours.

They made about 1,500 tamales, Enough for everyone who comes tonight to eat about 6 each. Those who come, will bring flowers for the dead, and in return, receive food prepared by family and friends. They can then visit and eat, and will stay till about midnight. Sunday afternoon the family will take all the flowers over to the cemetery and put them on the grave. Because they don't have access to a car or truck, they will put the flowers in baskets and the women will carry them on their heads to the cemetery.

Middle of May

 Mosquitos we killed on our bedroom window this morning.

Elder Reconco and Chavez using our wifi and Ipads on the patio to call their moms on Mother's Day. 4 elders in Cubulco already used them, then we came home and these 2 asked if they could do it too.

 Birthday dinner for Astrid de Paz

 It was great chicken, veggies, and rice.

 Birthday cake

The 11 year old birthday girl.

 FHE at the house of Juan Ruiz, 86 years old and only 1 leg but he is always happy and grateful for what the Lord has given him. Yovany Ixpata with 1 arm, really wants the church to help him get a bionic arm. Armenia and Fermin have a 27 year old son with mental health problems.

Some of the rest of the group drinking their mush.

Mother's Day dinner, Conf in Coban,and Baking activity

Wed, May 10, Alan and I made 9 pans of lasagne, cooked up 5 pounds of chicken breast, and a bunch of jamaica drink. Silvia made the rice. The kids did a little dance entertainment and everyone ate until they were stuffed, then they took food home for their families. We had 4 non-members there!

Thur, May 11- The next morning we left for a multi-zone conference in Coban. They taught out of Preach My Gospel and Sister Faundez taught from the missionary guide handbook. We told her about some problems in our area and she went over them again. That night we had interviews and spent the night with the Faundez's and he told us some of the problems he is having in the mission. Wow, I would not want to deal with all he has to do.

 Sat, May 13-We told the primary we would teach them how to make cake from scratch. An hour after our start time we began with 2 girls-(Astrid and Jasmin), and an hour after that we had all the girls there and did a box cake for cupcakes. Jakeline, Cristal, and Julisse.

I had been sick all morning so Alan did most of the baking. They loved the cakes and want to do it again soon.

Salama District trip to Xela temple

 The outskirts of Guatemala City, house upon house all the way up the hills.

 Quetzaltenango market, many markets of food, clothes, furniture, carvings, and ceramics.

 Quetzaltenango temple, beautiful inside and out. The town is a wonderful size and pretty also.

 Side view of the temple outside the rooms we spent the night in.

Typical shirt we bought on the way home on the side of the street that we stopped at.

37th Wedding Anniversary

37 years ago Alan took me to the Los Angeles temple to be sealed for eternity as husband and wife.

 He is a hard worker!

 He loves his kids and grandchildren!

 We have finished 6 months of a 2 year date in Guatemala.