The Lloyd's in...

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