Road to Antigua

Interesting week and weekend. Saturday we decided to venture out on our own. There are addresses here but the street names are not very prominent, in fact most streets don’t have street signs, you have to look at the house numbers to try to figure out where you are. We do have a pretty good map but it is still difficult to figure out where you are. To add to the confusion there are about 20 different zones in town and you have to know which zone you are in. We decided to go to Walmart and get some things we have been missing. I was quite sure I knew where to go because we had driven past there last Monday with Pitchers on our way to Antigua. So away we went. After about 30 minutes it became obvious that we didn’t know where we were. After two stops to talk to some security guards and at a gas station we finally figured out where we were on the map and got back on the right road. We finally got to Walmart and found most of what we needed. Still no miracle whip, cool whip, or shout. As I said on Monday we went to Antigua. It is a real tourist place. Lots of Americans. I worked there early in my mission. We went to Chimaltenango first and then cut over to Antigua. I worked in Chimaltenango after Antigua. On the road to Antigua...

Right after we got on the road I started to feel a little stomach discomfort which ended up being the first bout with gamboo. Fortunately we were able to find bathrooms, Pepsi and eventually Immodium. By early afternoon I was feeling better and by the time we got home all was fine. I’m the one that is not eating fresh vegetables and I’m the one that got sick. Yesterday was the first official day at the CMM (MTC). Mom and I spent most of the time with the “Norte’s”. however the president asked me to conduct sacrament meeting which turned out to be a little stressful. Everyone has to come to Sacrament meeting with a 5 minute talk prepared but not knowing if they will have to speak or not, so the agenda was being finished on the fly. I would announce part of the program and then sit down and the President would put down the next items. The missionaries fill out the agenda except for the speakers and I didn’t notice that the opening song and the sacrament song were the same until after I announced the sacrament song so it was an interesting day. By the time we got to the end of the meeting I was starting to feel more comfortable. Looking forward to the week. Saturday is the day of the dead in Guatemala so we are going to Sumpango to the kite festival. Last year I sent you some pictures from there that Don Searle took. It is supposed to be a lot of fun. Here is an interesting Rosary we found hanging from a Cathedral

Goodbye, our dear friends, Elaine and Paul Pitcher! We have very big shoes to fill as we try to continue their good work here in Guatemala.

Yes...we made it!

Yes, we made it to Guatemala! When there are no complications flying is always nice. However, the 5 hour layover in Dallas was a bit daunting. The Pitchers, whom we will replace, met us at the airport and took us to our new home. We live in an apartment building with about a dozen other senior missionaries. We thought we would be getting a 3 bedroom apartment but none were available so ended up in a one bedroom. We hope we can move into an apartment with more bedrooms when one comes available. However, our apartment is nice and we are trying to make it seem more like home. Here are a few pictures of our new home...

We were greeted by other missionary couples as soon as we arrived at our apartment. There is a true sense of oneness here. Everyone is so friendly. Many couples leave their door ajar which signals that they are open to visitors. We have gone shopping...yes there is shopping available here. Grocery shopping is very expensive. Because US products are available here, they are quite expensive. Once sticker shock wore off, we were able to find many of the things here we buy at home. We also went to Cemaco which is like a Target and got some basic household items. Today, we went to PriceMart which is like a Sam's Club. It was nice to finish our initial shopping and able to focus on other things. Speaking of other things, we are working hard to learn our new assignments. The Pitchers are very patient and are doing a great job helping us ease into this missionary life. We are just ending the rainy season. The first few days we had not rain. The last few days we have had downpours. Even at that, the temperature is quite nice. We have been here for almost a week and have been very busy, but enjoying every moment of it.

Goodbye Utah...Hello Guatemala!

We are off to Guatemala for our mission. While we are sad to leave our family, we are so excited for our new adventure! Thank you to our daughter Saunie for driving us to the airport and seeing us off!

Lloyd's in the MTC

Today MTC...tomorrow Guatemala! We have had just a wonderful time in the MTC and cannot believe the time is finally here for us to go to Guatemala! We leave early Saturday morning and should arrive around 7:00 pm in Guatemala City. We have been waiting so long for this day and are so thrilled to start serving the people of Central America! See you in 18 months!

MTC Map

It's official...now everyone in the Spence and Sandy Lloyd family has stood in front of the Missionary Map in the MTC.

MTC

Made it to the MTC on Monday October 6, 2014.

The day has finally arrived....

The day has finally come for Spence and Sandy to leave on their Mission to Guatemala. While we their children and grandchildren are going to miss them more than they will ever know....we are more than thrilled for this opportunity they have waited so long for. We cannot remember a time in our childhood when a mission was not discussed and cannot believe it is finally here. Good luck mom and dad, nana and papa, Elder and Sister Lloyd....we will miss you so much and cannot wait to hear of all your adventures!