December 2015

Our Second Christmas in Guatemala

     We had a wonderful Christmas season here in the land of Eternal Spring. It is sometimes hard to remember it really is Christmas when we are away from family and live with amazing weather 12 months a year! Our weeks were filled with work, friends, Facetiming family, and the CCM. I continued my collection of nativities, Stacie's family made a 25 Day Countdown to Christmas calendar (all the things they love and miss about their Nana and Papa...warmed our hearts!), Christmas Eve dinner at the Abularachs (the best turkey we have ever had!), baking sugar cookies so missionaries can frost them at the CCM on Christmas Day, a Christmas/New Years Christmas puzzle (We got it done...FINALLY...thanks Duces!), and never to be forgotten fireworks on the roof! 

     Next year, we will be home! But, we will always remember our two Christmases in Guatemala with tender hearts, fantastic friends, and great memories! 

November 20 - 25, 2015

COSTA RICA: Mission President Seminar

A little R & R

We decided to go down a few days early to visit the temple and see a little more of Costa Rica. President and Hermana Cox (CCM President) along with Elder and Hermana Brereton (the other executive secretary and his wife...my counterpart) flew down to Costa Rica Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday was spent at the temple and then dinner. Our driver, a perfect stranger, chose it for us and it was a very good choice. The temple was so beautiful and dinner was great! Saturday was spent on an all day tour. We went to the Doka Coffee Plantation. Yes, I did write COFFEE. We did not partake but pretty sure a few thought we were crazy to partake of the free coffee. It was very interesting. Spence and President Cox loved the agricultural details. After breakfast there, we were off to the Poas Volcano. We hiked up to see the first crater but it was socked in with clouds. This crater is the most spectacular and we were a little disappointed. At the next crater, we were able to see a beautiful lake. Next on the agenda was the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. It was raining but we did not mind. What do you expect in a rain forest? RAIN!...and we loved it! Besides, it seems to be a common occurence...when in Guatemala, do as the Guatemalans do...Enjoy it!

Sunday we attended a local ward. It was so fun and even made me a little homesick because it was the Children's Primary Program. They were so cute, but I could not help thinking of our grandchildren and their Primary Program. Next year...right? The meeting ran a little long and we had to leave a early to meet the mission presidents and area presidency for our connecting flight to Liberia. We were just a little disappointed to learn that Hermana Cook, serving in Liberia from our Sandy ward, left just 10 days before our arrival. At least we can share our experiences in her last area when we see her at home. 

 What an amazing experience to be with these mission president, servants of the Lord. They work so hard and are so committed to serve with all their heart, might, mind, and strength sacrificing, at times, so much for the work to move forward. We are so very grateful to the Area Presidency for this opportunity. There were days of instruction and a morning of partaking of the sacrament and sharing of testimonies. We even had a half day P-day. We went out with the Coxes and did a 2 hour four wheeling tour. Our guide was great but pretty sure President Cox wished he could just let 'er rip and go exploring on his own! 

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END 

After being fed by the spirit for 5 days and learning to love and appreciate these great people even more, it was time to leave. We will forever be inspired!

December 11, 12, 13, 2015

Tender Blessing Abound

Quezaltenango Temple Workers Devotional

     Each year, the Quezaltenango Temple has a devotional for its workers. One of the area presidency is always invited to speak but due to schedule conflicts, none of them were available. Elder Duncan, the area president, suggested, "Maybe someone who served his mission there could possibly go in our place, Elder Lloyd." That was the beginning of many very tender blessings for Elder and Hermana Lloyd that weekend.
       Saturday morning, we left our hotel in search of the home of Maria Oroxom, one of Spence's converts. He thought it was close by and he could find it. He did and it was only about 5 blocks away. On a previous trip to Guatemala, about 8 years ago, we found her and some of her family. We remember quite fondly how young and spry she seemed for a woman in her 80's. Spence had heard she had since passed away but still wanted to at least find the family. When her son answered the door, he said that she was there but was housebound due to a bad fall a few years ago. We did not recognize her when we first saw her. Although she could not see or hear well, she recognized Elder Lloyd and could not stop holding his hand and repeating his name over and over. Afterward, we walked around the corner and visited her daughter, Gloria,for a few minutes. A tender blessing.

        This same weekend, there was the Dia de Guadalupe celebration honoring the birthday of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Our hotel is just off the town square where all the celebrating was happening. Lots of people, tons of food, things to buy, and various activities.Throughout the country, children dress in typical clothing paying homage to the Virgen de Guadalupe and having their picture taken at 2 "stands" elaborate decorations. 

The Devotional

     Sunday afternoon we spoke to about 300 members and temple workers. Yes, I SPOKE...ok, I read most of it but also spoke a little without my notes. It even sounded like Spanish! I felt elated! President Galvez told the whole audience it was "excellente"! I admit, he probably said that just for me so I would feel good. It worked! 
      Afterward, two women came up to Spence and asked if he had baptized their grandmother, Maria, and mother, Gloria. "Yes", he said, " I did." Then, they wept and thanked him for bringing the gospel to them. A tender blessing.

      The two families asked if they could come to our hotel later and bring other family members. What a surprise...families kept coming and coming! Gloria´s daughters brought Gloria, two other sisters, two brothers plus all their families. Each family group came up to Spence thanked and embraced him for his service. Afterward, they all gathered together and expressed their testimonies by singing "Army of Helaman". We were so overcome with love and gratitude. Another tender blessing. 

                               "Our Family Picture"
     Gloria's son, Guillermo, said that Maria had 150 descendants who are active members of the church.  Here are about 25 of them. Although Spence has no idea of the results of his service those many years ago, he does know that ONE family loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is faithful...to the end. Truly, a tender mercy.

     Just before they left, we met them outside on the street. We were greeted with them singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Felize Navidad" with sparklers in hand! 

Thank you Orozom Family. You are a treasure to us!!!

     

December 5, 2015

San Felipe, Guatemala

Off on another of our Saturday morning drives with our friends, Paula and Mark Wood. Mark is the Area Attorney who is a Church employee and his wife, Paula. We also serve at the CCM together. Paula is a family therapist and also does some counseling with the missionaries at the CCM. They have become dear friends. We look forward to many more times together when they return to the states. Just before coming here, they moved to Sandy from Las Vegas.So, we are neighbors!

San Felipe is one of those hidden treasures. It is just outside Antigua where all the tourist go. We searched and found it the day we were out and were pleasantly surprised by its town square and small market. And, I found some great bargains for Christmas gifts. That alone was worth the trip!

November 6 and 7, 2015

Xela...one of our favorite cities! This time, we came to Xela to attend the temple with our traveling buddies...the Coxes and show them a little of Quetzaltenango! So fun to spend time with dear friends in a place that is so special to Spence having served his mission here as a young elder.

Our first stop was Salcaja...a small down just outside of Quetzaltenango (Xela). It is well known for its textiles. We were able to find some wonderful fabrics.

Next to the Doll Factory...Yes, I know I have been there before but just could not help myself. I needed a Christmas nativity! (I even went there the next day...just because I could!)

We love to see the temple...but we love to attend the Quezaltenango Temple even more!

We also love staying at Pension Bonifaz. 

We do not, however, like having flat tires! We always go home a different way than we come. About 10 miles from Esquintla, our car hit a pot hole that blew out two tires. Unfortunately, we only had one spare. Almost immediately, a fellow stopped and with President Cox, went to his shop to fix the tire. The tires were back on the car and we were on the road again in just a little more than an hour. Now, this may not sound noteworthy, but it truly was heaven sent.

This exact stretch of road is very dangerous. Members and missionaries have been stopped, attacked, and robbed on this particular stretch of the highway. We were truly blessed!

October 24
                                        Fraijanes

We love our Saturday morning excursions! This time we stayed closer to home and went to Fraijanes. The Abularachs, our friends who were Seth's first mission president and now serve with us in the CCM, live in the area. We had never ventured far from their home but decided to see if we could find more. And, we did! However, we learned that Fraijanes is quite a large area. So, we decided to explore!

We saw beautiful vegetation, clothes hung to dry, empty but soon to be bustling streets, beautiful tree covered roads, and of course, an LDS meetinghouse! In all our explorations, we seem to always find the local LDS church building!

November 14, 2015

Tecpan, Iximche, and Lunch...a great combination!

We have BURLEY, Idaho people right here in Guatemala! It is such a small world! Elder and Hermana Fillmore arrived in May and we knew right away they were good people because they were from Burley, Idaho! Although we were only in Burley for 2 years, it had a profound influence upon our family. We loved living there 30 years ago and have had a wonderful time sharing memories of Burley and friends we have in common. My dear friend, Lanny, told me about their call and we were ready for their arrival. They also like exploring so we ventured out on one of our Saturday drives and took them to our favorite 'nearby' ruins, IXIMCHE.

After all that exploring, of course, we needed to revive ourselves so decided to stop for lunch. I had stopped here before with a tour group of senior temple missionaries but had not actually eaten at the restaurant. Now, this place may seem a little strange, definitely interesting, but it actually was very good and clean. In other words, safe and tasty!