Ether 12:27

     This has been a very busy week here in Guatemala.  We started our week with Family Home Evening on the 24th.  We were sitting in our apartment, waiting for time to go to FHE when our door bell rang and we were asked why we were late for the "Surprise" birthday party for President Burk.  Well, it was such a well kept secret that many of us didn't know anything about the party.  We hurried over and we had an evening of song and dance.

This is President y Hermana Burk y President y Hermana Galvez

The Family Home Evening was held outside on the patio of President Galvez's, Los Pitchers, y Hermana Guzman's apartments.  Hermana Guzman is giving a short lesson. 

 Sister Dick went home on Saturday, we will miss her, Los Barlows, Los Pitchers, Los Murri (don't you just love Elder Murri's shoes.  You can see him coming a mile away).

 The band was one of the best we have heard in Central America.  I think Elder Thompson was very glad that I had a broken knee-cap so he didn't have to dance.

 

President y Hermana Harris with Los Thompsons

These are our 4 single sisters, Cordon, Guzman, Paniaqua, Dick

Singing with the band, President Galvez, Sister Paniagua, Sister Cordon, Hermano Padilla

                                                  Sister Padilla lighting all the candles

 Happy Birthday President Burk

   On Thursday, the 27th, Elder Thompson was set apart as a sealer, assigned to the Guatemala City Temple.  Wow!  We have a whole gauntlet of emotions.  We are surprised, thrilled, humbled, and strengthened with the knowledge that our Heavenly Father will help Lon to magnify this sacred, special calling.  He will be able to seals families together forever.  What an amazing calling.
      On Friday, the 28th, I had a doctor appointment.  I was told to be smart with what I do.  I am not to try to bend my knee more than 90 degrees.  Any more than that will put too much stress on the knee-cap and could cause the screws and wires to come apart.  I cannot squat or kneel but can do stairs, the correct way.  He was very pleased with my progress and I don't even have to go back for 3 months, and then only if I feel that I need to see him.  So, I am mending, just have to be patient and let the muscles rebuild and let the healing process continue.
      The Senior Missionaries on the morning shift this week decided to go to lunch after our shift ended on Friday.  Since I had gone to the doctor and had not been on my feet all morning, we decided to go.  We walked down the street, just past the corner market to the "Friandise" for lunch.

 back row: Los Cuellars, Hermana Murri, Hermana Guzman, front row, Los Thompsons, Hermana Roberts, Elder Murri.  Elder Roberts took the picture.   It is a small sandwich restaurant that we really don't care to go to again.  The food was OK, just not great.  But the company was wonderful and it felt good to be able to get out.

        Elder Thompson has not had much of an opportunity to cook this week as the Murri's invited us to dinner on Saturday, after our shift, to try Chijuajua enchiladas.  Sister Murri was raised in Mexico and these enchiladas were definitely different than any we had ever had.  They fry a corn tortilla, top it with a mixture of enchilada sauce and meat and cheese, then put on another fried corn tortilla, top it with the mixture and then a third layer and top it all with lettuce and tomatoes.  It was delicious.  She also made some Spanish rice but it had way too many onions for us. 

                                               Los Murri's, Los Thompson's, Los Roberts's
 It was nice to sit and visit with good friends after a very busy week in the temple.  We had three very full days with lots of patrons and the two days in between to get caught up on the laundry. 
        Today, the 30th, Lon and I had to speak in Sacrament Meeting.  It went well, and we are glad that it is over.  This should be a less stressful week with that out of the way.   We had to speak on the role of Prophets and Apostles and the importance of General Conference.  We are now prepared to enjoy General Conference next weekend. 
     As another month draws to a close, we look forward to serving our Heavenly Father's children here in Guatemala in April, the last month of the dry season.  It will be interesting to experience the rainy season here.  We definitely can see the effects of the dry season on the vegetation and look forward to having the hills "green" up with the rains. 
       We love our opportunity to serve here as missionaries, and thank you for your support and prayers in our behalf.  We send our love to all.  Life is wonderful, we pray that you will find joy this week in your labors. May God bless you in all you do Lon and Nancy, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom