Bienvenida Los Allreds y Los Brubakers

Dear Family and Friends:
     We have had a quiet week here, with no medical troubles at all.  Wow, it is sure nice.  It looks like our rains are mostly over for this year.  They say that we may get a small storm once in a while for a couple of weeks, but the rainy season is officially over.  The Guatemalan's say that the next three months are the cold months.  I looked up the forecast for the next 10 days and it is to be in the mid 70's during the day and down to 57-60 at night.  Isn't that just about the perfect weather;  warm in the days and cool enough to sleep at night.  I think that we will enjoy it.
     We welcomed in two new couples tonight.  The Allreds are from Santaquien, Utah.  This is their 3rd  mission.  They served with the Burks and the Petersens in Argentina and in Mexico. 

   They have served in Spanish temples before and will be such a wonderful asset for us.   
       And the Brubakers arrived from SLC.  They share three grandchildren with the Burks.   This is their first temple mission, in fact they have never served in a temple before and do not speak Spanish.  They have a lot to learn but they are willing and excited to be here.

 

     We had Family Home Evening all together and invited two of the doctors who have helped so many of us.  They are not members and it was fun to introduce them to all the Senior Missionaries.  They both have a wonderful sense of humor and were thrilled to meet so many future patients.   Here is our mission family as of the 27th of October with the two doctors and their wives.

 Front row:  Los Cuellars, Hna Paniagua, Los Brubakers, Los Allreds, President Burk
Second Row:Hna. Cordon, Hna. Guzman, Los Padillas, Dr. y Hna Castillo, Dr. y Hna Velasques, Hna. Burk
Back group:  Los Wilsons, Hna. Caballeros, Los Eberhard, Los Burbidges, Los Thompsons, Los Gardners, Los Barneys, Los Roberts.
     Well, I didn't fail as a missionary this week cause I got pictures.  We hope that you have had a wonderful week also and are looking forward to a new week with new adventures, just like we are.  We send our love to all.  Lon and Nancy, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom

A heart attack diverted

Dear Family and Friends:
     Our week started out normal. We served on the Tuesday evening shift at the temple.  Wednesday morning we got up early to get our walk in before our Presidency meetings at 11 but just as we were about home, the Burbidges pulled up beside us and told us to get home and get to the temple to cover for President Burk as they were taking him to the hospital.  He was having chest pains.
     We hurried and dressed (there is always to be a member of the Temple Presidency in the temple when it is open) and got to the temple about 9:30.  President Burk was taken to the hospital and tests were started.  We got several different notices as to how he was doing;  headed to SLC for heart surgery, tests showed nothing and he would be home tomorrow, it was just a reaction to medications------  it was a little unnerving not really knowing what was wrong.  The last test that he took finally showed the Doctors the problems and he was in surgery Thursday morning to have 4 stents inserted into 3 closed arteries, two with 70% blockage, one with 80% blockage and the third with 90% blockage.  We are so thankful that he went to the hospital when he did and escaped a heart attack.  He came home on Saturday morning.
     We covered all of the AM shifts for the week and the Roberts handled all of the PM shifts.  President Burk feels so much better now that he has blood flowing through his body, but he is tired and needs to take it easy.  We are planning on a normal week of shifts, but we will just have to see how he is doing day to day.  We are so thankful for modern medicine, good doctors, and missionary miracles.
     Sunday was our Primary Program for our little ward.  We were glad that we didn't have a speaking assignment and could be there for it.  Our primary practiced on Saturday with all 14 children in attendance and the presidency was very excited for the program as the children were ready.  Sunday morning only 4 children showed up.  There were 2 American girls, ages 10 and 7, and 2 Guatemalan children, girl age 8 and boy age 4 - - -and the program went on.  These 4 kids did a great job and the spirit was so strong in the meeting.  They used two of the teachers to read the parts for the missing children but the 4 did all the singing alone.  They gave each other hugs and pats on the back for encouragement during the program and it was such a tender, sweet program.  "And a little child shall lead them".  We were taught by angels this morning.
   We really failed as missionaries this week, we don't have any pictures to post.  We send you all our love and prayers.  We are content, happy and enjoying life here in Guatemala.  Thank you for your prayers in our behalf.  Another week gone, wow, where does the time go?  Love Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, Lon and Nancy

Visit to Tesoro y Estaca Chimaltenango

Dear Family and Friends:
     We have had a wonderful week here in Guatemala.  The temple was a little slow again due to the 4th shooting on the red bus line.  But those who were able to come were welcomed with open arms and we enjoyed being able to serve them. 
    We've had rain every day and the temperature has dropped a little also.  We actually had to close our windows.  It has gotten down to 60 at night and only up to 70 during the days.  Aren't we pathetic!  Guatemala really lives up to its nick-name, perpetual spring.
     We visited the Doctor and got the stitches out of my knee and all is healing nicely.  On Friday morning our dear, dear friends from El Salvador came to breakfast.

                                      

   Carlos and Pedro 

Carlos Figueroa and his family adopted us in El Salvador and gave love and care as though we were their parents and grandparents.  We love this family.  It was so fun for President Thompson to cook pancakes, eggs, and bacon for him and his driver, Pedro.  Pedro is the driver that we used when we visited Guatemala in 2012 when the El Salvador Tempe was closed.  He spent 4 days with us as our driver, guide, and security.  It was fun to see him again.

      Friday afternoon we went with the Burbidges (the CCM nurse y esposo) to a Senior Missionary Conference in the Area Office.  Elder Jose Alonso, the second counselor in the Area Presidency and a member of the 1st quorum of the Seventy, spoke to us.  He told us about his meetings with the First Presidency and the 12 Apostles on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday before General Conference.  It was an amazing meeting and we enjoyed being taught by one of our General Authorities. 

      After the meeting, we went with the Burbidges to eat at one of the Petersen's favorite Chinese Restaurants. 

Los Burbidges

                         Restaurante Tesoro Imperial    

President Thompson would love to find out where he could get one of these weapons and how to get it home.

 Los Thompsons. 

The amazing thing is that the Petersen's remembered how to get here and we followed their directions and drove directly here from the Area Office.  What a memory!

  The food was great and the company even better.  We will definitely have to visit this restaurant again.

     Sunday we had the assignment to visit the Chimaltenango Stake and speak in the Sunday morning session.  We were to be picked up at 8, but our driver got there at 7:30 so we grabbed a banana and off we went.  It was a little over an hour drive because on Sunday's there is not much traffic so we got there just before 9. 

 This Stake Center was remodeled about 2 years ago. This is our driver, Mario Ramirez.

 It is definitely the biggest building we have been in yet.  They just divided the stake.  The stake president and Elder Ocampo, the area seventy, were in a meeting with the youth of the stake.  We tried to slip into the back of the chapel to listen to the rest of this meeting when we were invited to join Elder Ocampo on the stand.  We have a tough time feeling like we belong with the Stake Presidents and members of the Quorum of the Seventy.  It is not Lon and Nancy that is being honored and reverenced, it is the callings that we hold.  The people are so thrilled to have a member of the Temple Presidency come to their conferences.  We are treated with such love and respect.  Our talks went very good and we did enjoy being taught once again at the feet of one of our General Authorities. 

     One of the ward's in this stake rented a bus to bring their members to the Conference.  People rely on the buses for transportation.

     After the Conference, we were invited to eat a lunch with the Stake Presidency and Elder Ocampo.  We were served roast pork, rolls, and President Thompson's least favorite vegges. 

 President Thompson slipped the cauliflower onto my plate but actually ate the peppers, onions, peas, carrots, celery and anything else that was in the mixture.  I was so proud of him.  What made it worse was that it had sat for so long waiting for everyone to come to eat that it was cold. 

 Elder Ocampo, President y Hermana Thompson, 1st counselor, President Samayoa, 2nd counselor

President y Hermana Thompson, President Samayoa and his family, Elder Ocampo

  The flowers here are so beautiful.  This is the arrangement that was in the front of the chapel.

 

     We traveled back to the city with Elder Ocampo.  He had a plane to catch back to Honduras and we needed to get back because President Thompson had a 3:00 meeting to go to with President Burk.  We arrived home at 2:50, just in time for Lon to get into another car and head to the meeting.  He didn't get home till 7:00, a very long day but a wonderful day.  We have been spiritually fed this week at the feet of Elder Alonzo, Elder Ocampo, President Samayoa and President Burk.  What a wonderful week. 

     Well, we are looking forward to another week and pray that you are enjoying life.  We have been so blessed and we are living the Gospel joyfully.  You are in our prayers.  We send our love Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Lon and Nancy.

A short, quiet week

Dear Family and Friends:
   With General Conference on the 4th and 5th, we had a very short 4 days in the temple.  We were able to watch Conference on TV and really enjoyed it.  We were even blessed that the storms didn't interrupt the signal even once. 
     The temple wasn't real busy this week because of the bus strike that kept many from getting to the temple.  There was another driver killed so the buses stopped for the week.  It would be so hard to be so dependent on buses to get anywhere.  We are so thankful that we don't live in a big city (well, when we are not on missions).  Jerome is just the right size for us.
     The thunder, lightning, and rain have just begun again.  It is a little early today.
     Our only "adventure" for this week was an allergic reaction to the antibiotic.  I took the last antibiotic pill on Wednesday morning and on Thursday morning woke up covered in red spots and itching.

  The rash is almost gone now so we will be able to begin our service this week in the temple well and whole.  We are praying for no unforeseen "adventures" this week.
     We send our love and prayers to you all.  We love you and miss you.  We are thankful to be here serving in this temple.  We are thankful for the power of the Priesthood and for the Gospel.  Have a wonderful week.  Love Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Lon and Nancy

A bump in the road, actually only a pebble!

Dear Family and Friends:
     Our week started out normal.  It was a week with lots of thunder storms each afternoon and evening so we enjoyed our morning walks on Monday and Tuesday.  We had the morning shift on Wednesday but were able to get in a short walk before the storms began.  Then came Thursday the 25th.
     It was a beautiful, clear morning and we started out on our walk.  We had gotten about 6 blocks from home when I stepped on a pebble with my left foot.  That left ankle must still be very weak from the break because the pebble caused the ankle to roll and down I went, again.  It felt like a recurring nightmare as I again landed on the right knee.  The wires that are holding my knee cap together broke through the skin and down I went.  Of course, I fainted and when I came to, the minears kicked in and I "fed the fish" for the next couple of hours.  Lon had lots of help this time and the people were so sweet.  The ambulance took us to the hospital where Dr. Amenabar (the surgeon) sewed up the knee again.  The wire had broken the first scar so I now have stitches on top of the scar.

  I was hooked up to an IV with medicine to get the nausea under control.  It was a very bad minears attack and it took two hours for the medicine to work.  That was worse than the twisted ankle or the bloody knee.  We arrived home from the hospital a little after 2 PM and missed our afternoon/evening shift in the temple.  The Burks covered for us.
     We have again witnessed a miracle in our lives.  Usually a bad minears attack would put me in bed for 3 days, but after a good nights sleep, we were able to do the morning shift on Friday morning for the Burks and our usual morning shift on Saturday.  We are so thankful for the Priesthood power and the miracles that are blessing our lives.  We know that we are in the loving arms of our Heavenly Father.
     Sister Barlow, who leaves tomorrow morning for home, has put it into perspective for me.  "I want to be the kind of woman that makes Satan lament, Oh crap, she got out of bed again today."  I figure that I am doing something right and touching a life or two and that has Satan worried and he is trying to get me to go home.  But I have been blessed with the stubborn genes of my Grandmothers on both sides of my family tree  and I am content to serve here with my eternal companion.
     Both Friday and Saturday mornings were very busy at the temple.  We had people everywhere.  We closed early because of the Women's Conference.  We didn't have a speaking assignment this week so we had a very relaxing Sunday and we are both recovering from our newest "adventure" here in Guatemala.  (Just wish that our "adventures" didn't have to include the hospital) 
     Right now, it is raining cats and dogs, President Thompson is cooking Chicken Lasagna, jello, sausage gravy for tomorrow morning, and Fruit cocktail cake and I am in charge of the laundry.  It is a nice P-day.
     We finally got a photo with the new Temple Presidency last Sunday. 

 Not a bad looking group.

Los Roberts, Los Burks, Los Thompsons

     I will close with my favorite line from the Women's Conference, Live the Gospel Joyfully.  We send our love and we thank you for your prayers in our behalf.  We love the Gospel and we love serving here in this temple.  Have a wonderful week. Love Grandpa and Grandma Thompson, Dad and Mom, Lon and Nancy

Despedida y Estaca Palmita

Dear Family and Friends:
    The rain has just begun with thunder and lightning.  I think that we have a lot more rain here than we had in El Salvador.  We have about 6 weeks left in the rainy season and I think we will be ready for some sunshine.  Of course, being human and never satisfied, we will be ready for the rains before the dry season is done. 
     We want to tell Lon's brother, Ken, happy birthday.  Ken and Bonnie live in Mt. Vernon, Washington and he just celebrated his 79th birthday. 

 As the oldest brother, Ken has set an example for his brothers and sister and we are so thankful for him.  We love you Ken, Happy Birthday.

     On the 15th of Sept, we had another despedida in honor of the Murri's and the Barlow's who are finishing their missions and returning to the United States.

 Los Murri, Joan and Blair of Eagle Mountain, Utah.  They served in the Dominican Republic Temple before they came here. 

  Los Barlow's of Layton, Utah.  They came here with no experience in temples, and no Spanish skills at all.  They have been such a good example to us all and the people just love them.

     The 15th was also Independence Day here in Guatemala so the natives, who knew the song, sang their national anthem for us.  It has 12 verses, and we thought our National Anthem was long. 

                       Hermana Cuellar, Hermana Cordon, Hermana Padilla y Hermano Padilla

      After a dinner with lots of the traditional foods of Guatemala, President Roberts was surprised with a cake celebrating his 70th birthday. 
     On Tuesday, we went to lunch with the Roberts to celebrate his birthday, our "hump" day, and my 9 year breast cancer survival.  It is so hard to believe that we have already been here for half of our mission and only have 9 months left.  We really splurged and went to McDonalds because it is right next to Price Smart and we did our grocery shopping after lunch.

  We are able to use the President's van during the week to do our shopping so that the other missionaries can use it on Mondays.  There is not enough room for all of us to go on Mondays.  We are glad that President Roberts likes to drive in this big city. 

     Our Saturday at the temple was crazy as usual.  Patzitcia came to the temple again today and we had standing room only.  It was wonderful.  We just love it when the temple is filled and we go home exhausted. 

     Sunday we had the assignment to speak in the Palmita Stake Conference.  It only took us 10 minutes to drive to the Stake Center because on Sundays there is not much traffic.  They had the best sounding Stake Choir we have heard.  It is so fun to meet our temple obreros at the conferences.

 The men were amazing and the director knew what he was doing.  I would love to sing with them.

 Hermana                    , one of our volunteers at the temple because she has children in her home still.

 

Hermana Teresa Jimenez and Hermana Alvarez, who is the Stake President's wife also.

     We arrived home around 1:00 and ate lunch then went to the temple at 2:00 to prepare for our Coordinators Training Meeting.  We had a wonderful turnout and felt that all went home edified and spiritually fed. 

     Another week has come and gone.  We pray that you are all enjoying life and remembering what is important, family, health, and your relationship with your Heavenly Father.  We send our love to all, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Lon and Nancy 

The Red Bus

Dear Family and Friends:
     We had a very quiet week in the temple.  It has rained every afternoon and evening so that has slowed down some, but we been told that this is not the only reason for the small attendance.  At the bus terminal, everyone gets on the Red Bus No. 1 to come to the temple from all over the city and the surrounding areas.

 

There are a dozen of these red buses that transport people day and night.  They are usually filled with people standing.  Last week, Bus No. 1 was boarded by one of the gangs and demanded their "insurance payment".  The bus driver didn't like the amount that they "requested" and he was shot and killed.  The bus has not run for a week and when it starts again, there are a lot of people who will not want to board it.  We are not allowed on the Red Buses.  The one in the picture is a pretty good looking one, they really have some old ones still in use.  This is a big city and there is crime here.  We are thankful that we serve in the Temple and live in a very protected area. 

     We didn't have a speaking assignment this week and were able to attend our own ward and partake of the Sacrament for the first time in a month.  It was a very nice, relaxing Sunday.

     We went to lunch with the Temple Presidency.  President Burk tells us that he is not frugal, but cheap so the restaurant was very reasonable and very good.  We went to the Arrin Cuan Restaurant    and ate outside while we listened to the marimba band playing inside.

      This week we will show you how the construction is coming on the buildings that we blogged about a few months ago.

 

This is the new apartment building that was just started when we arrived.

 The windows are being installed and the brick veneer is being put on.  We walk past these buildings every day as we take our walks.

 This is a new apartment building.  The signs say that each floor will be an apartment and that there well be 12 floors when it is finished.  They will be very big apartments.

This apartment building is almost finished on the outside.  They are putting in the yards now.  We see very little wood at the construction sites.  They are very good in working with cement.  Helaman 3:7.

 The roof has at least 4 inches of cement on top.  I don't think that they will have a problem of a leaky roof.

     As we walk, we are intrigued by the trees.  These two trees have had the center cut out and the new sprouts will grow up and form a new tree around the old trunk.  It makes the tree look more like a bush than a tree.

 

    The 11th was Hermano Cuellar's birthday so we walked to Pollo Campero with them and the Murri's for lunch after our morning shift.  The Cuellar's are from Honduras and are full time missionaries here in the Temple.

 Los Murri's

 

Los Cuellar's

  We were serenaded by the staff and had a wonderful time with dear friends.  The Murri's leave on the 22nd of this month and the Cuellar's will finish their mission on the 15th of December.  We will miss them all.

The birthday boy

 

They put us in the children's play room.  I guess they thought we would be a noisy crowd.

    We are enjoying getting to know more of the obrero's in the temple and more of the regular patrons as we are able to serve on every shift during the three week rotation that we are on.  It is fun to be able to visit the Stakes and meet the people of Guatemala.  We are so thankful to be here serving these children of our Heavenly Father.  We pray that each of you are happy and enjoying life.  You are always in our prayers.  We send our love Dad and Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, Lon and Nancy