Guatemala Week #2

Here we are just finishing with our second week in the country. We feel like we are getting acquainted with the area we live in. Neil runs each morning and really knows his way around. We went with some of the senior missionary couples to the central market and bought fruit and vegetables that will probably last us for 2 weeks. But, my, they are delicious. See if you can name all of the ones in our photo.


While at the central market Neil bought some flowers for us to put in vases in our living room. There are several sidewalk flower vendors near our apartment building. We bought the hydrangea (in the center photo) at a vivienda (nursery) a few blocks away. There are many hydrangeas planted around the landscape of the Guatemala temple.


Guatemala is a very humid and green country so there are many different kinds of plants and flowers. Neil really likes to take photos of the flowers, so here are some that caught his eye.


This past Wednesday (June 10th) was Neil's birthday and we did some sightseeing. We did some walking to find the location of the church where we would be going today. We also went to the National Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. It is an amazing museum with many wonderful collections of stellas (stone carvings) pottery and other relics.

On Friday night we invited the missionary couples (and single sisters) to come over for some cake and ice cream. It was also Sis. Bingham's birthday (she recently arrived and is from St. George) so we all had a good time eating and visiting together. In the left photo (L to R) is Sis. Albert, Sis. Tilly, Sis Bawden, and Sis. Bingham. The couple at the right is Elder and Sis. Tilly--they are on a mission with church security. The bottom right photo is of Sis. Albert and Elder Albert---who is building a dental clinic (from donated funds) attached to an orphanage. The clinic will be used for helping with dental work of prospective missionaries and also with the orphanage.


Here is a groupd photo in our living room of all of the senior missionaries. The photo top right is of Elder Bawden. He and his wife work with the Area Presidency in Humanitarian Services.
In the lower right photo is Elder Taylor. He is the Area Doctor and he and his wife coordinate the medical services for all of the missionaries.


A long, long time ago we started a family tradition of making a "birthday banner" for each member of our family on their birthdays. We write a silly poem or limerick on it so everyone can have a good laugh. Yes, kids, I did a birthday banner for Dad for his birthday! We might be in Guatemala but the family tradition must go on! (Now let's see if you can read it!!?)


Last Friday we found a good car to buy (through a church member) and we are now the proud owners of a 1998 4-door silver Honda Civic. It will give us a little more independence and ability to get out of the City once-in-awhile. And we won't have to pay for taxis anymore.


This is the chapel of the Santa Fe Branch where we will be going to church. Please don't mind the razor wire on the fence. It really is safe on the inside!
Everything here seems to be encircled with razor wire! It was the same when we lived in the Philippines and also when we were in Costa Rica. So we feel right at home. But it is a nice branch and we are looking forward to being of service here.


We are enjoying the skype calls that we have been able to have with our children and friends. It is wonderful how technology can help keep us close together even when we are living so far away. We will not be receiving mail while we are here, but we would encourage email communication. Let's see what sort of adventures we can send your way next time!