PANAMA...November 11 - 14, 2014

     We were fortunate to be able to travel to Panama for the Mission Presidents Seminar. We left Tuesday morning and arrived home Friday evening. What a wonderful experience. We were fed physically and spiritually.I told Spence even though we were not mission presidents, we were welcomed and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Spence had responsibilities but I pretty much just enjoyed myself. (Just like the IFA trips!") We listened to instruction and had our "buckets filled" with inspiration and knowledge that we are God's children, He loves us, and He wants us to return to live with Him for eternity. We truly feel the Lord is hastening His work, especially in Central America. Wednesday evening we watched the movie, "Meet the Mormons".   

     Thursday we had a few free hours and spent them with our group at the Mira Flores Locks at the Panama Canal (I have always  wanted to see it!), and boat trip along the canal waterways to view the plants and animals, and to a real mall! We don't have malls like that in Guatemala. In fact, I have not been to a mall since I left the states even though they have them here but we are just to busy to go to them...that puts a smile on Spence's face! That evening to drove to the Cardenas Chapel, next to the Panama Temple, where we were fed a wonderful meal. by Seth's friends, The Lambs! They were almost as excited to see us as we were to see them! We were entertained with native dances performed for us. It was so fun!

 Mira Flores locks. Ships are in the upper part of the picture. There is a large ship in the far right corner and a ferry just behind it. It is amazing to watch them 'lift up' and sail away!

These are the Lambs...members who took care of Seth, as a young missionary in Panama 20+ years ago. He ate many times at the Lambs enjoying the food, friends, and little bit of the USA. Thank you Lambs! The Lambs provided the meal. They were almost as excited to see us as we were to see them!
We were entertained with native dances performed for us. It was so fun!

 What an amazing sight just out our window of ships lining up throughout the night to go through the canal.
     Friday was our last day and it was perfect. We were taught by the Area Presidency and their wives. What inspired people.
     We feel so blessed to be here and able to serve. Although the days can be long, the work is work it! We are humbled to be trusted by the Lord to serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength!

Day of the Dead Kite Festival

Our first cultural field trip was to Sumpango, Guatemala to the famous Day of the Dead Kite Festival. Kites are flown to honor the dead (somewhat like Memorial Day) near an adjacent cemetery. The Kites take messages to the heavens for those family members who have passed on before. Thousands of people come from all over to witness these amazing creations. They vary in size from a few feet to almost 20 feet. They are made entirely of tissue paper and are painstakingly crafted into intricate designs. It takes months to design and create these amazing things. The paper is attached to bamboo frames and are then lifted into the air. The larger kites don't actually fly but are on display to the amazement of all. The locals put on their colorful native dress and go the the cemetery to spend the day cleaning, decorating the graves and celebrating the event. It turns into a giant fair like environment with hundreds of vendors selling their wares...flowers for the graves, food, "typica" typical dress and items of the native people...tourist items (yes, I did buy!)' kites, etc. We got there about 10 and returned home about 4. It was overcast and cool so most didn’t pay attention to sun bloc but many got really burned because the sun is so intense here. Sandy's face is bright red. I wore a cap so my face isn’t too bad. Here are some pictures from the day

"This is the fanciest McDonald's I have ever seen. Seating is in a beautiful outside courtyard with Ronald McDonald ready to greet us!"

One of the local markets...