La Reunion Resort
March 2015

We spent a few days at this beautiful exclusive resort about 30 minutes above Antigua. It was so nice to relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounded us. We kept thinking..."There are some great perks being senior missionaries and this is definitely one of them!"
We were given a golf cart to drive around the resort. In the morning, we decided to take a walk but saw the volcano erupting so Spence ran back to the room to get a camera and quickly came back in the golf cart. After taking some pictures of the volcano erupting, we decided to drive so we could check out the amazing golf course. We are not golfers, but can certainly appreciate an magnificent course. Neil, we thought of you the whole time! Every turn of the golf cart and we literally would gasp at the view thinking nothing could top this until we saw the next one.

                                     Nothing more to say...just enjoy the view. We certainly did!

March 13 - 21, 2015
Area Review

We were blessed to have an apostle, Elder Neil Anderson, visit the Central America Area in March. Each year an apostle with a few other general authorities come to Guatemala to tour and receive a report on what is happening in the area.

One of the nice things about working in the office is that, occasionally, you are able to meet and even eat with them! We had lunch with the visiting authorities at one of our favorite restaurants, Splendito. They were gracious and asked us to join them in a photo. Of course, we said YES!

Joining them on their tour of Central America were Elder and Sister Maynes, of the Seventy, (behind Elder Lloyd) and Bishop and Sister Davies of the Presiding Bishopric. We spent three days with them. It was wonderful!
During their time here, they spoke at a mission conference to three missions whose mission offices are here in Guatemala City, the Guatemala City South, Guatemala City East, and Guatemala City Central missions. All three missions extend out of the city, but all missionaries were invited to come into the city and listen to an apostle speak. It was wonderful! The visiting General Authorities had all the missionaries come up and shake their hands, including the senior missionaries.

A very special perk was being able to see a few missionaries we knew personally. Being in the area office, we do not see the missionaries very much. Elder Sorensen, from our home stake and Elder Barlow...one of my former 4th grade students! I had hoped I would possibly see a former student while on our mission, and I did!

During the area review, we were able to visit a new stake center being built near Antigua, Guatemala. It is a newer version built more efficiently. One of our group pictures was printed in the Church News. I know, you are loving my hard hat. Not everyone got the message that the sisters did not need to wear that lovely hat...including me!

 Spence and Elder Sam Galvez (an Area Seventy and also a church employee over all the construction in Central America. Sam is a dear friend. His father and mother presided over Seth's mission, Panama, Panama City Mission. When Sam and his wife were called to preside over the Costa Rica Mission, they stayed with us in Sandy with their family and spent a week visiting the area sites. We spent Christmas Eve at their home.

While the brethren were working, the ladies shopped in Antigua. Spence and Elder Brereton were invited to go with us. A very popular place to shop is the Apple Factory. Do not ask me why they call it that, but they do and it is actually a wood shop.

 This man took a block of wood and made a beautiful piece of fruit right before our eyes. Yes, they make wooden apples here but so much more. Still not sure why the name, The Apple Factory.

From left, Sister Brereton (the other executive secretary's wife), Sister Duncan (wife of the area president), Sister Davies, Sister Maynes, and me. 

                                  Spence and I standing in front of the formal entrance to the city.

 Antigua is very unique to Guatemala. It is certainly a tourist town and brings in a lot of revenue to the country. It has very strict building and conservation codes which is unheard of anywhere else in Guatemala. It is so clean and uniquely pristine. Although it is rather plain with not much vegetation on the streets, when you walk through one of those doors you find a hidden treasure...you feel you are going into another world.
This is the entrance from the street to the Santo Domingo Hotel where the Breretons and we had lunch on our way back to the city.

This is a small part of of the hidden treasure you see when you step through its doors. There is also a lovely restaurant, 2 pools, gardens, ruins, museums, and a chocolate candy shop, just to name a few! It was once a Catholic convent but was demolished during an earthquake. Guatemala is a very active earthquake area. We feel them all the time...thank goodness small ones! It is just an accepted way of life here.

 We are truly blessed to be here and have the experiences we are having. We cannot believe that a third of our mission is done. We are certainly looking forward to the next two-thirds!

February 2014      Kaminaljuyu Ruins

One Saturday we wanted to do a little exploring and decided to visit some ruins in the city. With map in hand and WAZE (our GPS) on the i-phone, off we went. What a wonderful surprise we were about to encounter. As we entered the Kaminaljuyu Archaeological Park, we noticed there was some type of celebration in progress with people in native dress and ceremonial rituals taking place. Asking if 'outsiders' were allowed in today, we were told that throughout the country it was a special Mayan day of celebration and we were welcome to see the event.  What a wonderful treat! We were just in time to watch the Mayan New Year Celebration. This is when Mayans celebrate life and renewal in many sacred sites around the country. The Kaminaljuyu Ruins are considered one of the earliest and most important sites in the Mayan empire. Originally, the site covered about 5 kilometers with more than 200 mounds. Only about 33 remain today. Because of its strategic location, it became a powerful center of trade networks throughout the Mayan empire and even had a long-distance relationship with the prestigious city of Teotihuacan in Mexico.(We have been there and it is amazing!)

Kaminaljuyu is a sacred place where rituals were practiced to communicate with the Lord of Creation. Ceremonies of thanks, petition, and commemoration of special days in the Mayan calender took place. Here are a few of those rituals being performed by Mayans decendants of those ancient ones.

As we entered the park, we were greeted by the haunting sounds of flutes, marimba, and drums made from turtle shells being played. It echoed throughout the park.

Offerings to ancestors are made. The man to the right is pouring sugar and forming a circle representing the earth. The earth is divided into 4 parts representing the diverse groups of people living on the earth. Candles are placed in the center of the circle. First, blue (representing the sky and water) and green (representing the earth) are put in the bullseye center. Around those candles are white (representing people), yellow (representing people), red (representing the Creator) facing East because that is where the powerful sun rises and gives us its heat and energy, and last is black (representing the dark ones in the underworld). It faces West representing the sunset and darkness.

The people dance around to invite the spirits of their ancestors to attend the rituals.

This older gentleman was intriguing. I have never seen a man dressed so completely "typica". I can only assume this is his ceremonial dress.

We are constantly amazed at the traditions, culture, and people we find here in Guatemala. We are so grateful to serve and live in this wonderful country. 

Chichicastenango, Guatemala

January 2014

Along with a group of other senior missionaries, I had the opportunity to go to Chichicastenango. I had heard so much about the market there and decided I could not pass up the opportunity. So, off we went at 5:30 a.m. to avoid some traffic and travel about 3 hours.
We drove through small towns, around diesel exhausting buses, and winding up s curved roads to about 7,000 feet. The trip up was worth it!

The 'Chichi' market is described as the heart of Mayan life. It is known throughout Guatemala as a must see. It is that and more. The market is a conglomeration of local and sellers from all around Guatemala selling their wares. Yes, it is a tourist trap...an amazing one at that.
Our first stop...the pig market! I felt sorry for one pig. They had tagged him and were pulling him to his buyer. I swear that pig knew what was happening. He was wailing and tugging with all his might trying to escape his doom.
There is color and activity everywhere...so much that it is almost too much for the senses to assimilate. If you love to shop and/or watch people, this market is for you! The night before, the sellers set up and are squeezed in so tight it is almost like one endless procession of sellers. The people selling can be quite aggressive. If you are not interested in something, do not pause, stop, or touch. Otherwise, they will follow you forever. I paused, stopped, touched, and asked about a weaving. She followed me everywhere! I kept saying no because I had just gotten there and wanted to see ALL my options. (That is a woman's thing, right?) Well, she followed me for at least an hour. The price kept going down, but I had not seen it all. She finally gave up, BUT later I decided I wanted the weaving but could not find her. Yes, I was looking for her. Funny, huh?

The 400 year old large white church is the center point of the city. There, shamans do their rituals. If you look closely, you will see incense in the background. A shaman is 'wafing' incense to clear out the evil spirits. The Mashenos, or Chichicastangos, are famous for their pre-Christian beliefs and rituals. The church has 18 stairs that lead up to the entrance. The stairs represent one month in the Mayan calendar.

 Before we left, we had lunch at a "typica" restaurant with a lovely garden and birds. The waiters were dressed in Mayan dress. Look closely and you can see the designs on the pants.

San Juan Sacatepeque

Yesterday I went with the mission nurse and her husband, Nancy and Fred Trapnell, to do a few missionary apartment inspections while Spence was doing new missionary interviews at the CCM.

We also visited a true native market in San Juan.
It was the most genuine market I have visited since being here. We were the only GRINGOS in the city. It was AMAZING! Words cannot express the sights, sounds, and smells. It was fascinating being among these wonderful people and their way of life. But, pictures help me share what I saw.



The local taxi service...

They are called TucTuc and the toot toot all the time. 

These buses are everywhere. They are old school buses from the US that have been 'blinged'. They are actually a work of art and usually have a female name printed on the back door.

These women carry their 'wares' on their head. They were selling beautiful cakes decorated with fruit. They are truly a work of art.

This is just one small section of the market. Every town has a square in the town center. There were stands set up three deep all around the square plus their regular indoor market. Notice the woman carrying the load on her head. You see that everywhere you go. I am amazed at how much and how well they carry their things. They walk around with ease.
Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat (ugh!), textiles, and much more are displayed for sale.

Dried iguana anyone? Yes, you heard that right! I passed, thank you!!!

I bought a large woven basket from this woman. 22Q less than $3. She was shy but kind enough to let me have a picture taken with her. The flowers were bought at another stand and were 20Q. Prices are much higher in Guatemala City and not half as much fun! Love this country and its people!

Christmas Eve in the Guatemala...

We had the honor of spending Christmas Eve with our dear friends the Galvez family. President Galvez is presently the temple president in Quetzaltenango and was also Seth's mission president in Panama. They have remained close all these years and we have enjoyed the benefit of that relationship. We drove to their son's home, Sam Galvez, about 45 minutes away. It was fun to spend the evening visiting, eating, and watch them talk to their missionary grandson serving in Georgia. Of course, we Facetimed with Seth so he could say hi also.






Later that evening, we drove back to our apartment and shared a rather unique custom here in Guatemala although we understand it is common in most Latin countries...FIREWORKS! on Christmas Eve. At midnight, the whole city was popping with fireworks! We went up on the roof of our building and watched the light show. It felt like we were in a war zone with popping all around us. The noise was almost alarming but fascinating at the same time!




Christmas Day was spent at home. We had a nice quiet day ending with dinner with our Senior Missionary friends. We all brought something to the dinner and took away full stomachs and good memories. Thank you Craguns for hosting us!

Our Christmas Message to YOU

2014

FELIZ NAVIDAD from Guatemala!

      

The weather is warm...no sign of snow...no reindeer on roof tops...or warm fires glow. But, it is still Christmas here in Guatemala. 
      

We are standing in front of a huge Christmas tree in the middle of a very busy roadway, the Obelisco, in Guatemala City. They love to decorate for Christmas around here. The streets are all embellished with lights, ribbon, and greenery. We started hearing Christmas music as soon as we got here in October.
      

The area office had a Christmas Devotional. They certainly know how to decorate for a party! It was beautiful...almost like a fairyland. Everyone goes to the devotional for lunch and the area office closes for the rest of the day. We had a short devotional message and a wonderful lunch. It was a great way to celebrate the Christmas season.  

        Each day seems to be an adventure...seeing new places, meeting new friends, experiencing new things, and getting lost while trying to find our way...but we love it! We are busy, and we are happy. It still doesn't feel quite like home, but we are making wonderful friends and that is a blessing!
       We miss the grandkids...and their parents. Thank goodness for FACETIME. We try to talk to at least one family each Sunday. They still remember their Nana and Papa. However, we do get a little homesick as family members of other senior members seem to be coming every week. We hope we get visitors too someday (HINT!).
       Christmas Eve will be spent with friends here in Guatemala. We are blessed that Seth still has contact with his former mission presidents. Pres. Galvez is the temple president in Quetzaltenango. Their family has invited us to spend Christmas Eve with them. We are excited for the opportunity to be in a Guatemalan home for the holidays. On Christmas Day, we will gather with other senior missionaries for dinner.
       Our year has been filled with FIRSTS. 
Spence and Sandy: first time we are BOTH retired and serving our first mission together. 
Stacie: Their first child, our first grandchild, Rylie, is at Utah State. 
Seth: Their first child, Brock, received the priesthood and went to the temple.  
Saunie: Their first child, Riley, turned 12 and started Young Women's and loves to go to the temple.
Susannah's: The first year both boys, Taison and Jack, are in school. 
Shad's family: Finished his first year of graduate school and received his master's degree  from the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He also had the best (would that be considered first? I think so!) thesis in his graduating class. 
Shiloh's family: Their first child, and our youngest grandchild, Chase, has his first birthday.
       We know we aren't the first...but thank goodness for technology...but we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an even better New Year. We are so blessed to be serving Heavenly Father in this part of His vineyard. We are so grateful for His son, Jesus Christ, and his mission on earth that gives us peace and hope.
       We love you all and would love to receive an email from you...you know how much missionaries love mail!

Love, Spence and Sandy