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!

September 25 - October 2, 2015

The GIRLS Are Here!

September 25 through October 2 we had VISITORS! Stacie, Susannah, Saunie, and Karen (Spence's sister) came for a week. We wore them out with all the wonderful places, people and things in Guatemala. They arrived early in the morning Friday, September 25th and after a brief stop at the apartment for breakfast we were OFF!

DAY 1: ANTIGUA 

First on the agenda was Brother Miza who makes wonderful bags and scripture covers. The girls ordered enough to keep him so busy that he had to make a late evening delivery of all they ordered just before their department for home. After placing their orders, we headed for Antigua, the ancient Catholic capital of Guatemala. We have gone there many times but it is still unique and a must see for visitors.

DAY 2: TIKAL

We left our apartment at 5:30 in the morning to make a 7:30 am flight to Tikal. Thank goodness the airport going to Tikal is practically across the street! What an amazing place! Tikal is the largest excavated site in the American continent and contains hundreds of fascinating archaeological sites of the ancient Mayan civilization covering over 222 sq. miles of jungle and ruins. It is Guatemala's most famous tourist destination. Archaeologists estimate that the Mayan settled in the area known as Tikal about 900 B.C.

     As we were sitting at the top of the temple, we could see a storm coming from the left moving across the sky. We worried that rain would come while we were exploring but the rain gods were on our side. We had a down pour as we were walking through the jungle to our lunch and trip back home. There is nothing quite as wonderful as walking through a tropical rain forest during a torrential rain storm. It ROCKED!
We stopped in the little town of Flores to walk around and explore before heading for the airport and our return to Guatemala City.
What a great day!

DAY 3: CCM

Rest day spent at the Guatemala City Missionary Training Center (CCM) where we serve in the Rama B Branch. Elder Lloyd is a counselor in the branch presidency and I teach the North America sister missionaries gospel doctrine in their native language (English) a few times a month. Almost adjacent to the CCM is the Guatemala City Temple. It was wonderful to walk over there and feel the quiet peacefulness of sacred ground.

DAY 4: Dental Clinic, Relief Map, and Central Market

Spence took the ladies around in the morning while I worked at recovering from some "bug" I had acquired.They went to the Dental Clinic where I have volunteered. We have a few dental missionaries that service future missionaries, CCM missionaries, missionaries here in the city, Senior Missionaries, and orphans. They work so hard and we appreciate them so much!

After their morning activities, I joined them along with our dear friend, Mayra Abularach (Seth's former mission president's wife), for the unique Central Market experience located in the middle of the city. Unfortunately, it is not safe to get out a camera or phone to take pictures so we have only a few that do not capture the full essence of this place! The first level is all 'typica' items like textiles and souvenir items. Going down to the second level is quite the experience...flowers, fresh produce, and meat...meat hanging raw from the ceiling and pretty amazing and disgusting all at the same time. The third level down is the craft center where you can find fabrics, clay pots, and general craft supplies. Although 'gringos' love to shop there, it is definitely a main shopping 'center' for locals.The ladies loved the shopping! Spence tolerated the shopping but was a good sport because he saw how much fun we were all having with the shopping.

DAY 5 & 6: Lake Atitlan and Quetzaltenango (XELA) 

Lake Atitlan: We had so many wonderful experiences but this was definitely one of the special ones...wait...they were all special. We left early in the morning and drove to Panajachel located on the banks of Lake Atitlan. Lake Atitlan is suggested by many LDS scholars to be the Waters of Mormon referred to in the Book of Mormon. There are twelve villages surrounding the lake that are named after each one of the twelve apostles. We took a boat ride over to Santiago Atitlan for a tour, fashion show, and shopping. I know...we are always shopping!

Quetaltenango (Xela): By evening, we had arrived in Xela via Totonicapan...both towns where Spence served as a young missionary. Xela has a special place in his heart and he always loves to go back to this town even though it has changed a lot in 50 years! We stayed in our favorite hotel on the square, Pension Bonifaz, and had dinner with President and Sister Galvez who serves as the temple president there. (He was Seth's other mission president while serving in Panama.) We feel so blessed to have them as dear friends. We visited the temple and went to what is now one of our favorite places...the UTZIL DOLL FACTORY! 

These dolls take 10 days to make and are all hand painted in the native design of each town. 

We had to get a picture of this woman carrying her flowers to sell for the day with our own resident florist, Stacie!

DAY 7: Roosevelt Hospital Baby Kit Delivery 

                                     and 

Last Minute Shopping...always last minute shopping!

Stacie, Susannah, Saunie, and Karen helped with a wonderful service project. They collected an amazing amount of 'baby kit' items to be given to newborn babies at Roosevelt Hospital which is a free hospital here in the city. More than 100 babies are born each day and most of them have nothing. In fact, some go home wrapped in paper. There has been a long going service project that is continued by each new group of senior missionaries collecting a onsie, blanket, diaper, wash cloth, hat, socks, and soap all put into a ziplock bag and distributed to the new mothers and their babies. Saunie was our spokesperson because she could speak Spanish. (Elder Lloyd drove but stayed outside the rooms because the mothers are usually nursing.) Saunie was wonderful smiling, teasing, and talking with them. They were more responsive than I have ever seen when I have been visiting. We gave out 99 kits that day. 

                                   A LABOR OF LOVE...

DAY 8: Tearful Goodbye! What an amazing time we had! We had a trip of a lifetime with these amazing ladies. Thank you for coming to Guatemala and letting us share this amazing country and its amazing people with you!

     THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

September 2015 

MIXCO VIEJO

Another fun day trip with the President and Hermana Cox. This time, we find ourselves traveling through San Juan Sacatepeque to Mixco Viejo. Mixco Viejo are the ruins of a postclassic Maya civilization, the Chajoma Kaqchikel kingdom. 

On the road again...

The fellow in the upper right hand corner must have the muscles of Rocky. He lifts heavy objects not only into the back of the bus, but also climbs up and puts them on top of the bus!

An unexpected...all right...wrong turn takes us to beautiful farm land, quaint little villages, and hand laid paver block roads. It was beautiful and peaceful. And, the road actually took us around a circle where we ended up where we began!

Then, on to the ruins at Mixco Viejo.

The city was settled to provide a safer capital for its people against the hostile Iximche kingdom. (See earlier post of our trip to Iximche.) 12 groups of structures exist today but once there were over 120 single structures. The city was in existence from 900 B.C. to 1524 B.C. when the Spanish invaded and destroyed the kingdom. It is estimated that between 1,450 to 1,600 people inhabited the area. 

The second picture is actually a relief map that shows the terrain and structures located on the top. It is quite a hilly with deep ravines and pathways that intertwine throughout the area. 

These structures were very different from most we have seen. They are very plain and lower to the ground. We did not see any carvings unlike all the other ruins we have visited. The rock layering is thin and very geometric somewhat like what you would see on rock fireplaces. The ball field is quite prominent and is thought that perhaps it was a major playing field in the region. Mixco Viejo was also a important city because of its defense organization and for being a major religious center of its time. When the Spanish invaded, it was quite difficult. After many tries, it was an native who showed them a secret passage to enter the city. 

On our way home...Guatemala rain storm style. Check out the road and our trip through the 'lake'. Just another afternoon rainstorm. The rainy season came late and boy have we had some gushers! 

Thank you Coxes for another great trip. We look forward to the next one!

RETURN TO CHIMALTENANGO

50 years ago Spence served in this town. It was a quiet little spot but has changed into a traffic jam. On the main road to Quetzaltenango you must travel through this congested portion of the highway. I always thought it was an ugly truck town. Along the side of the road are dozen of car/truck parts for sale and traffic crawls as the road goes from 4 lanes to 2 lanes.

On one of our Saturday explorations, Spence decided to take me to the 'real' Chimaltenango. And oh, was I surprised! Turning off to the right of the main highway takes you to congested...not with cars, trucks, and ugly exhaust, but to a bustling town of people and the real Chimaltenango. Every Guatemalan town has its town square and Catholic church plus a few vendors selling their wares and Chimaltenango is no exception.

 Every Guatemalan town has its market. These places fascinate and amaze me. The smells are less than welcoming, but the people are endearing. They shop daily for what they need and nothing goes to waste.

Spence was not sure he could find the house where he once lived as a young missionary, but he certainly was going to try. He did it! He found it! It is no longer a house but rather a restaurant. He remembered the inner open garden area and how they had to walk through it to get to their room. The restaurant was gracious and let us take pictures.

August 2015

MONTERRICO

What a wonderful time we had with our dear friends serving with us at the Missionary Training Center. President and Sister Cox, President and Sister Abularach, President and Sister Wood, and us...President and Sister Llloyd. The Abularaches took us to her sister's condo where we played on the beach, went to a turtle hatchery, and took an early morning tour of an Mangrove Swamp. (It was absolutely stunning at 5:30 in the morning.)

We headed off to the beach south of Guatemala City.

                    All work and no play makes us all boring...We weren't! We PLAYED!

Later that day we went to the turtle hatchery, a non-profit organization that helps preserve the turtle eggs, hatches them, and then releases the baby turtles into the ocean. Most eggs never make it to the water because of preditors...birds, animals, and people. Turtle eggs are quite well liked in Guatemala. A turtle will hatch as many as 80 + eggs. Men search for the eggs, dig them up, and then sell them. The hatchery buys as many as they can and then buries them in their hatchery.

August 2015

PATZICIA

Another one of our Saturday excursions was to the Indian town of Patzicia located about an hour to the northeast of Guatemala City. The town was founded in about the 12th century and is part of the Kakchikel Territory. Patzicia Township is known as one of the largest producers of vegetables and exports its produce throughout Central America. Every town has a central park with a cathedral and a marketplace. Here are Patzicia's.

RETURNED MISSIONARY SEMINAR

Our good friends, Elder and Sister Hill, created and implemented the missionary seminars for Central American missionaries returning home from their missions. The premise of these seminars is to help these young people plan the 'next chapter' of their lives focusing on employment, finances, social situations, church activity, etc. They did a great job. Now that they are gone, it has been assigned to native Guatemalans. Brother Pedro and Sister Mayra Abularach, (Seth´s former mission president and his wife and our dear friends whom we serve with at the CCM) were two of the presenters. It was wonderful to hear him and see some of what they do at these seminars. The returned missionaries come to these as soon as they return home and some even before they are reunited with family depending on release dates.

August 2015

BARBARENA y CUILAPA

Every Saturday we try to "explore" this great country, Guatemala. I am grateful Spence is courageous enough to just get in the car and go somewhere. Many are not but I think it helps that Spence served and traveled this whole country as a young missionary 50 years ago.

So, today, we traveled southwest past the CCM and along the El Salvador Highway. On our first Sunday in Guatemala, Elder and Sister Elieson took us to the branch where they were serving, Barbarena. We were off and wondering if we could find our way on our own.  We did!

 Beautiful highway...but not for long. It never is. Past the great white church of a TV evangelist.

             

            And here we are...in Barbarana. Very typical of a town this size along the highway. The quaintness is gone but business is booming along the road!

                 

                  Next stop, Cuilapa. Why you ask? We just liked the name. Easy as that!

Same narrow roads but a wonderful surprise, a central park. At one time, all Guatemalan towns had a park in the center of town. This was a place to visit and do business plus have some family time. It is hard to find them today, especially in bigglarger towns. We found Cuilapa´s gem...the Central Park!

Next, on our way home via the "Pineapple Highway".

As my father alwasy said, "Home James. And don´t spare the horses!