Nuestro Familia:
Te damos gracias por todos ustedes, and we don't know a whole lot more Spanish than that yet, unless you include
all Dad's immersion work. It disappeared today during our first block of Sunday meetings :-( On the good side, the people are warm and loving, the weather is amazing, and the city is not even close to what I imagined in my mental version of "third world."
Three people that tugged on my heart during our meetings today included the cutest black older baby girl. Her mother is the epitome of what I think of when I think of "mother" - at least a young one. I didn't have the nerve to ask if I could take her picture in church, but will include one soon.
For all of you artistas....the little lady in front of us in Sacrament Meeting paints landscapes with her tongue and toes. One of our sister missionaries was sitting by her and fed her the sacrament. The artist had the sweetest contemplative expression during this ordinance. She has twisted hands that cannot hold things, and was assisted to walk out of the building after the meetings by one of the brethren.
Our next-apartment neighbor is a diabetic with an insulin pump. Gone are the days of needing to give yourself insulin shots if you have one of these. I hear the next innovation in the more affluent world is an actual artificial pancreas, that will function to regulate blood sugar and insulin much more closely. Two people we saw in church today had no legs, due to diabetic problems. Apparently they are so poor that when the local doctors see their conditions, instead of working with people who can't pay, they moved them on to amputation.
Our mission so far has been fast and furious, and today is the first day I have not felt exhausted before noon! We spent three glorious days in the Salt Lake Temple with Brother and Sister Richard Walker, who are past temple president and matron of that temple. Sister Walker is President Hinckley's oldest daughter and told us lots of insider stories about her father. On the last day, we toured parts of the temple, including sealing room #5, which is elegant. It isn't used often, but perhaps you could ask someone to show it to you the next time you are in the celestial room.
Thursday we joined three other couples to fly to Dallas (for a 5-hr lay-over) and then on to Guatemala City. On the first leg of the flight we sat next to a young man from Veracruz, Mexico. He came to Salt Lake at the invitation of Dave Newman to present photography ideas in a seminar, staying in Mr. Newman's home. He had prayed that he would have the opportunity to influence someone for good or be influenced by someone, and told Dad he was sure he had sat by Dad for that reason. Dad taught him portions of the Book of Mormon.
On the next flight (Dallas to Guatemala), I stood in the back to stretch my legs. I was watching the attendant who was collecting cups and garbage. He was abrupt in his manner and I thought to myself that he was unhappy. When he came back, he asked if I was part of the missionary group (we were all wearing our name tags) and then began to pour out his heart. He had grown up in an abusive family, but he said that when the missionaries came to visit, the problems disappeared and there was peace. I gave him 3 Nephi 11 to read and told him about what we do in temples, then asked for his name so we could keep in touch. I hope what I told him brought him some peace and that he really did go to his hotel and read 3 Nephi.
We arrived in the dark, so did not see the smoking vocanos I remember from our Choice Humanitarian trip here several years ago. Becca's parents met us like family and drove us to the temple compound, and helped us with our stacks of baggage. Surprisingly, so far I haven't left more than one or two things home that I could have used - pretty good in the guessing department. The apartment is elegant, with temple-quality cabinetry and stone tile floors. Dad is including photos with his letter, so I'll not rush to post mine this evening.
Friday we shopped at both PriceMart and WalMart, and got some of the things we need. I was good at decor, buying interesting pumpkins and squash for the table and lots of fruit to arrange. I wasn't so great at making a useful list and following it. In defense, I was so tired I was ready to go home half-way through the first store.
In the afternoon, we went to the temple to be set apart as ordinance workers, with powerful blessings from President Burk. This mission has been a series of endowments of the Spirit. I felt the first increase when we were set apart just last Sunday (!) as full-time missionaries. On Monday morning we had the next lovely increase while being trained in the temple. It's as powerful an experience as the MTC. Then we had the third blessing, in which I was promised that I would be able to communicate and was also given the protection of angels. We are treated like angels ourselves, by the guards and temple people, and yes, we have guards. When Dad and I leave the temple during days it is open, we are followed openly by security men hired to see that we are safe. We don't wear our missionary name tags on the street, also for safety reasons.
Saturday morning our neighboring missionary couple took us on a local tour to more stores - there's a plant store nearby, not to mention an art store and closer grocery, oh and a challenging-for-me set of stairs for exercising! In the afternoon we had our first shift in temple and just jumped in. I had assignments and also looked to see where help was needed. I thought the shift was long, but recognized that I am still tired from last week's rush. The good part is that I'm sleeping!!!
The temple is small and seems busy even when there are only a few people there. I really need to learn Spanish! There is also a piano on the second floor mezzanine, and as I settle in I intend to go early to play. (Temples need music!) Sister Burk (easier to call Becca's parents by their more formal titles) has offered me the use of the piano in the president's home for practice.
We spent the afternoon visiting with one of our missionaries and now we are both busily typing our journal, emails, and now this blog, which is new to me. I will have music and photos up in awhile, but for now....
Hasta pronto....
amamos ustedes
Te damos gracias por todos ustedes, and we don't know a whole lot more Spanish than that yet, unless you include
all Dad's immersion work. It disappeared today during our first block of Sunday meetings :-( On the good side, the people are warm and loving, the weather is amazing, and the city is not even close to what I imagined in my mental version of "third world."
Three people that tugged on my heart during our meetings today included the cutest black older baby girl. Her mother is the epitome of what I think of when I think of "mother" - at least a young one. I didn't have the nerve to ask if I could take her picture in church, but will include one soon.
For all of you artistas....the little lady in front of us in Sacrament Meeting paints landscapes with her tongue and toes. One of our sister missionaries was sitting by her and fed her the sacrament. The artist had the sweetest contemplative expression during this ordinance. She has twisted hands that cannot hold things, and was assisted to walk out of the building after the meetings by one of the brethren.
Our next-apartment neighbor is a diabetic with an insulin pump. Gone are the days of needing to give yourself insulin shots if you have one of these. I hear the next innovation in the more affluent world is an actual artificial pancreas, that will function to regulate blood sugar and insulin much more closely. Two people we saw in church today had no legs, due to diabetic problems. Apparently they are so poor that when the local doctors see their conditions, instead of working with people who can't pay, they moved them on to amputation.
Our mission so far has been fast and furious, and today is the first day I have not felt exhausted before noon! We spent three glorious days in the Salt Lake Temple with Brother and Sister Richard Walker, who are past temple president and matron of that temple. Sister Walker is President Hinckley's oldest daughter and told us lots of insider stories about her father. On the last day, we toured parts of the temple, including sealing room #5, which is elegant. It isn't used often, but perhaps you could ask someone to show it to you the next time you are in the celestial room.
Thursday we joined three other couples to fly to Dallas (for a 5-hr lay-over) and then on to Guatemala City. On the first leg of the flight we sat next to a young man from Veracruz, Mexico. He came to Salt Lake at the invitation of Dave Newman to present photography ideas in a seminar, staying in Mr. Newman's home. He had prayed that he would have the opportunity to influence someone for good or be influenced by someone, and told Dad he was sure he had sat by Dad for that reason. Dad taught him portions of the Book of Mormon.
On the next flight (Dallas to Guatemala), I stood in the back to stretch my legs. I was watching the attendant who was collecting cups and garbage. He was abrupt in his manner and I thought to myself that he was unhappy. When he came back, he asked if I was part of the missionary group (we were all wearing our name tags) and then began to pour out his heart. He had grown up in an abusive family, but he said that when the missionaries came to visit, the problems disappeared and there was peace. I gave him 3 Nephi 11 to read and told him about what we do in temples, then asked for his name so we could keep in touch. I hope what I told him brought him some peace and that he really did go to his hotel and read 3 Nephi.
We arrived in the dark, so did not see the smoking vocanos I remember from our Choice Humanitarian trip here several years ago. Becca's parents met us like family and drove us to the temple compound, and helped us with our stacks of baggage. Surprisingly, so far I haven't left more than one or two things home that I could have used - pretty good in the guessing department. The apartment is elegant, with temple-quality cabinetry and stone tile floors. Dad is including photos with his letter, so I'll not rush to post mine this evening.
Friday we shopped at both PriceMart and WalMart, and got some of the things we need. I was good at decor, buying interesting pumpkins and squash for the table and lots of fruit to arrange. I wasn't so great at making a useful list and following it. In defense, I was so tired I was ready to go home half-way through the first store.
In the afternoon, we went to the temple to be set apart as ordinance workers, with powerful blessings from President Burk. This mission has been a series of endowments of the Spirit. I felt the first increase when we were set apart just last Sunday (!) as full-time missionaries. On Monday morning we had the next lovely increase while being trained in the temple. It's as powerful an experience as the MTC. Then we had the third blessing, in which I was promised that I would be able to communicate and was also given the protection of angels. We are treated like angels ourselves, by the guards and temple people, and yes, we have guards. When Dad and I leave the temple during days it is open, we are followed openly by security men hired to see that we are safe. We don't wear our missionary name tags on the street, also for safety reasons.
Saturday morning our neighboring missionary couple took us on a local tour to more stores - there's a plant store nearby, not to mention an art store and closer grocery, oh and a challenging-for-me set of stairs for exercising! In the afternoon we had our first shift in temple and just jumped in. I had assignments and also looked to see where help was needed. I thought the shift was long, but recognized that I am still tired from last week's rush. The good part is that I'm sleeping!!!
The temple is small and seems busy even when there are only a few people there. I really need to learn Spanish! There is also a piano on the second floor mezzanine, and as I settle in I intend to go early to play. (Temples need music!) Sister Burk (easier to call Becca's parents by their more formal titles) has offered me the use of the piano in the president's home for practice.
We spent the afternoon visiting with one of our missionaries and now we are both busily typing our journal, emails, and now this blog, which is new to me. I will have music and photos up in awhile, but for now....
Hasta pronto....
amamos ustedes