April Showers

     We have had two very nice showers this week, a month early for here.  Today, as Elder Thompson left for his walk/shopping trip, it looks like it could rain again.

     He straps on his backpack to carry home the groceries.  Before he left this morning, he has the bread dough raising so he can finish baking it when he gets back.  He is also going to make us some more of the Dodd's chile today.  That has become one of our favorite meals.  This week, Elder Thompson made Almond Chicken Casserole, 5 cup Salad, and Banana Bread.  He shared this meal with the Roberts.
     Sister Roberts tripped getting out of her shower on Thursday, the 3rd, and had surgery that day for a severe dislocated ankle and two fractures in it also.  She has a plate and screws and is not to put any weight on it for 6 weeks.  We took over all the medical equipment to her, the shower chair, kitchen spray nozzle for the shower, and the walker.  We are so sorry that she will have to go through this, but thankfully she still has "one leg to stand on".  I told her that if she had told me that she wanted to meet my doctors, I would have taken her with me to one of my appointments, she didn't have to break her foot to meet them.  We are going to do all that we can to keep her spirits up.  I was blessed to have the three weeks with the Temple closed to begin to heal, she only has the 4 days and then we all go back to the Temple and she will feel so guilty.  We are so thankful that we are 3 months down the road and are moving forward.
      I have started working on climbing stairs the correct way, with one foot and then the other.  Boy, I really do have some angry muscles!  The stairs here in our apartment building are just the right size for a few stair laps a day. 

 

      We really enjoyed watching General Conference Saturday and Sunday.  We were able to get it on the internet and then hooked up the computer to the TV and watched it on the big screen.  (Thank you Elder Gibbons for teaching me how to do this)  After the afternoon session, we took a walk for about a half hour.  I will be glad when I can take a walk after my shift at the Temple.  But for now, only on my days off.

      As Elder Thompson was walking this week, he took some photos of some of the construction that was just beginning when I broke my legs.  He wanted to show me the progress for the last 3 months.  As you will remember from El Salvador, he enjoys watching how things are built here compared to home.  I will post these pictures more for us than for any of you as this blog will be our journal of this mission.

                                  A new hospital under construction just across the street from our apartment

                     Drilling a well just across the street from the new hospital.  We are on city water

The new hospital

 The houses are so close that if you want to expand, you have to go up.  They took off the roof

                 and are expanding their living space by going over the garage with an addition.

                A new apartment building that is just starting, it is in the hole behind the wall now

           Here they use 6 inch cement block.  In El Salvador they used 8 inch.  All cored with rebar.

This one was in the whole when I went down.

      Just across the street from us is a Catholic School.  The traffic is bad in the mornings and afternoons as school begins and lets out. 

 

 This is where the Nun's live

Directly across the street from the Catholic School is the back door of the CCM.  As you walk down the street, you can hear the young Elders playing basketball and the school children running and playing in their school yard.  It's fun for these old Senior Missionaries to hear these young people.

       We would like to thank each of you who have written to us this week.  It is so fun to hear from you and learn what is going on in your lives.  We think of you often and always keep you in our prayers.

     Elder Thompson just got home with his groceries.  I tell the people here that he is my burro when they want to help us carry our groceries,(for a price).  He usually just fills up the backpack and then the next day gets whatever he couldn't carry the day before.  Today he found everything on our list so he won't have to stop at the store on his walk the rest of the week. 

      He even brought me home a watermelon and a cantaloupe. two things that he doesn't like. 
      We send our love to all.  We are happy here and are finally getting to know some of the people who come to the temple regularly by name.  It is so fun to get to know them and learn of their struggles and achievements.  We are so blessed to be able to serve here.  Thank you all for your prayers in our behalf.  May our Heavenly Father's choicest blessings be with you all this week.  With Love Lon and Nancy, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma.