Happy Thanksgiving!!

Dear Family and Friends:
     Sorry the blog is late this week but the weekend was full and I just didn't have time or energy to write.  We had a wonderful week in the temple, as usual.  Whenever you can spend time in the temple it is a wonderful day.  We went down town on one of our mornings off with the Burbidges to the Central Market.  They are so fun to be with.  She is the CCM nurse and he is so patient and is her driver.  On the way to the market, Lon stopped to have his shoes shined.  He has needed this pair of shoes shined for a long time but whenever we are walking we have on our tennis shoes.  It cost Q5 or $.66 to have them shined.  We couldn't buy the polish for that.

It took some convincing to get a smile from him.  He carries his little stool and shine box all over the neighborhood, looking for work.

     We had a fun time and even found a Christmas treasure that just jumped out at us and we had to buy it.  We had the early shift on Saturday and then it was football day.  The only problem was that BSU started at 9:30 pm and we had to be ready to go the following morning by 7:00.  A real short night.  It is a good thing that they won and made it worth the effort.

     Sunday morning we were picked up by Hermano Falabella.

    He is the man that organizes his Stake, the Utatlan Stake, for a trip to the temple every Tuesday evening.  They have not missed a Tuesday evening in 5 years.  It was fun to be able to attend their Stake Conference.  We arrived in time for the 8:00 am meeting for the adults, then a 9:30 meeting with the youth, and then a 30 minute program by the Primary.

    We were shocked when they started singing in English.  They did at least 4 songs, all verses, in English.  The three and four year olds did great.  Their Stake President is very determined that the youth of his stake learn English because they will be able to get better jobs in the future.  We only had to speak in the general session that began at 11:00.  We recognized so many in this stake because they are so faithful coming to the temple each week.

 This is the second chapel built in Guatemala.  We were surprised at how big it was.

 After 5 hours of meetings, it was good to get outside and enjoy the sunshine.

 These three children were in the Primary Choir. They ran up to me to let me know that they sang with me as I gave my talk.  I always sing "I Love to See the Temple" as part of my talk to the children.

 

Los Thompsons with Hermano Falabella.

    As we travel to the Stake Conferences in one area to the city, we pass over a bridge and can see this huge section of houses, one on top of the other. 

 This area is so dangerous that no missionaries are allowed to enter.  In fact, if a car enters and it has windows tinted too dark to see inside of the car, the windows are broken, either by bullets or rocks.  The gang warfare is very alive here as it was in El Salvador.  It is so sad to think that all these thousands of people have no opportunity to hear the Gospel. 

This photo is for all of you gardeners who have studied to know how to trim a tree so that it will grow.  The tree doesn't seem to be stunted at all but it shades the road beautifully.

      Monday, the 24th of November, we celebrated our Thanksgiving with all the Missionaries and a few other friends.  We will be in the temple on Thursday.  We had turkey and allllllll the trimmings.

 The food was in the dining room.

 We set up tables for 34 people in the Burk's garage.  Everyone brought something to add to the meal.

 After the meal, President Burk told us about the first Thanksgiving in Utah.  We ate way too much.  President Thompson has a pumpkin pie in the frig and a turkey breast in the crook pot for us at home so we can hopefully feel hungry again tomorrow and enjoy Thanksgiving all over again. 

                                

Front row: Young Br. Abadillo, Los Floyd, friends of Burks from Honduras, Los Burks, Hno. Cuellar

Second:  Los Abadillo, recorder in temple, Hna. Cordon, Hna. Caballero, Hna. Guzman,  Hna. Gardner holding hands with Elder Gardner.

Back group: Los Padilla, Los Roberts, Los Eberhard, Los Cox President of CCM, Los Burbidge, Los Brubaker, Los Allred, Hna. Cuellar, Los Wilson,  Los Barney, Los Thompsons

     We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving with lots of family, friends, and food.  We have so much to be thankful for, we are glad to have two days to celebrate and remember our blessings and be able to give thanks for them.  Our Father in Heaven loves us all so much.  May His choicest blessings be with you all.  We send our love Lon and Nancy, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom

Be careful on Black Friday.  Time to get my Christmas tree up!