tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67509346897062140242024-03-18T20:24:45.231-07:00Guatemala PEF MissionElder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-81559180170183840162010-07-25T15:45:00.000-07:002010-07-25T16:13:27.697-07:00Journal - July 19 - 25<span style="font-weight:bold;">19 July 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick went to the office, came home later with a paper for me to sign, went back to the office to have it scanned and sent to Lancaster, then lunch with the guys at their favorite place. We are still working on the sale of the house and it is still a little iffy about this sale. I stayed at home today and worked at my new found “snail’s pace.” I can’t pack or give away too much, or we might need it before we go. I have already had to “borrow” powdered sugar that I gave away last week.<br /><br />Tonight Family Home Evening was at Guajardo’s apartment…..another goodbye dinner for us and Tilleys. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOI68FJ-xrFCkNVxouy3Jw_2qZtANWYnZgXncfH5mrw0XbvpRmWg1Z009LKkRpaGbbRRXma69CBxr9VyhxWIoYac9z_uATOJpccfdrynMx3yUO5gCQ82f2gn_M5cL05RgvG38kxBp6O3k/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOI68FJ-xrFCkNVxouy3Jw_2qZtANWYnZgXncfH5mrw0XbvpRmWg1Z009LKkRpaGbbRRXma69CBxr9VyhxWIoYac9z_uATOJpccfdrynMx3yUO5gCQ82f2gn_M5cL05RgvG38kxBp6O3k/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497979942563335474" /></a> Rudy barbecued steaks and chicken again and Sandy finished off the meal with her homemade donuts. We visited, took lots of pictures, and then Rudy asked us and Tilleys to bear our testimonies. That was hard and brought tears. What wonderful people we are serving with here in Guatemala. Jim and Rexene fly out tomorrow morning but we plan to see them August 3rd when they are visiting their daughter in Springville. We will meet at Two Jacks Pizza, where Sydney works, with both of our Utah families. Dick went with Dr. Mac to take Gert home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 July 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Tilleys flew out at 7 am. Good thing we are leaving in three days or I would be mourning their departure. Dick went to the office to see what he could do. Sandy and I went to the Airport Market and enjoyed each other’s company as we walked around. She treated me to lunch at the restaurant there. I don’t think I have been in a group of just two since we came here. Dick and Dr. Mac went to lunch. We will miss the MacArthurs a lot!<br /><br />When I got home I checked the computer. There was an email, saying the sale of the house has been canceled. I am disappointed because I truly want to live in Utah. But, that will come at some point, so it is a relief to be off the roller coaster we have been on for three months with the house selling twice. At least we know where we are going for now. My ultimate goal is Utah and I fear the housing market is just going to worsen.<br /> <br />We were invited to the Arnolds for dinner. We had a delicious salmon with pineapple salsa and wonderful rolls with honey butter. We are so grateful that Arnolds came to replace us five weeks before our departure as it has given us time with them. We hit it off from day one and we will always be friends. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 July 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />What a wonderful day! This morning Dick and Tom drove both cars to La Sabana to take our car to its new owners, the Acevedo family (our branch president). When they got back we went with Arnolds to the Employment Resource Center for lunch. They closed the Center for the afternoon and the classroom was set up beautifully with white china dishes. Elvis was barbecuing beef and chicken. I cried as soon as I saw him and Patty. First we sang “Love One Another” and had the blessing on the food. Then they gave us a gift of a “thank you memento” from all of them at the CRESUD (Centro Recursos de Empleos Santos de los Ultimos Dias). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSdyZJO6J31RU_B6cMTivW-HIAHIMBcZx8841P2cg19DR0Nx_6sEpZcsVQfFU-0mFSQdcN_MY-OTPh0TcKns8VxkO1xVR6pnSynqd8qmNOoAwE16zvYnZx_ao5Z_-n2haMzB3vXYfztJr/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSdyZJO6J31RU_B6cMTivW-HIAHIMBcZx8841P2cg19DR0Nx_6sEpZcsVQfFU-0mFSQdcN_MY-OTPh0TcKns8VxkO1xVR6pnSynqd8qmNOoAwE16zvYnZx_ao5Z_-n2haMzB3vXYfztJr/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497980903490120866" /></a><br /> The meat was tender and delicious. We had black beans (refried), corn on the cob, avocado, homemade salsa, and freshly made tortillas. We even had a container at each plate, holding a baked potato. Arnolds and we chuckled went we saw that the baked potatoes came from Wendy’s. Elvis made a chimichuri sauce that was the best I have tasted. Now I have to get the recipe from him. It is an Argentine sauce, served at all the steak restaurants here. He also used it on bread that he then grilled. For dessert Sister Lopez had made strawberry pie topped with whipped cream. The meal joined my list of “memorable meals.” <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rUkM05CEbNcnJnCbh5r9jVokGGVrKv9ZCYLwO4QcwQErWjcm7MWBeSEu_lbgSJ6DOJIOXxZfk0FwRIbrlg79Utnhb0ZeWi3oVGn8FfAcUfrNx5oOcVo5TwAy3Nc9AC2LxID1CCjRTBvf/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1rUkM05CEbNcnJnCbh5r9jVokGGVrKv9ZCYLwO4QcwQErWjcm7MWBeSEu_lbgSJ6DOJIOXxZfk0FwRIbrlg79Utnhb0ZeWi3oVGn8FfAcUfrNx5oOcVo5TwAy3Nc9AC2LxID1CCjRTBvf/s320/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497981674635520018" /></a> We took pictures and I cried some more.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExf67O7_hXjzaMOAZThy2NdRod1ZAMM_8f2j3WtmTveBBCRgVOFhxmHgOgz27apFjnL1-j_teHXuHvYCCLRWG0kqG5R35Hvdh9hSGL_HopU8W3lP80unfoCxbZmSQd2qi4d5cgLJPWsnQ/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExf67O7_hXjzaMOAZThy2NdRod1ZAMM_8f2j3WtmTveBBCRgVOFhxmHgOgz27apFjnL1-j_teHXuHvYCCLRWG0kqG5R35Hvdh9hSGL_HopU8W3lP80unfoCxbZmSQd2qi4d5cgLJPWsnQ/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497982271804397794" /></a><br /><br />We spent the evening sorting through papers and packing and weighing the suitcases to see how we’re doing. I did laundry and bagged up some clothes for our branch that Arnolds can take next Sunday. The clothes in the suit cases are clean but I know they will be wrinkled when we finally unpack. Tomorrow will be a busy day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">July 22, 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today Mark is 34 years old and I am twice as old as him for six weeks. Dick went to the office with Tom and then used his car to go to the bank to cash the check we got for the refund of our deposit. He also shipped via DSL the two gifts from PEF and Employment. They are too heavy to take in the suitcases. I emptied the cabinets of all the dishes for Arnolds to take. Dick picked me up and we went to the office. First, we gave Reynaldo a “do it yourself kit.” It was things gleaned from our cabinets…..cookie mixes, brownie mix, and a container of Ghiradelli chocolate chips. Then we started at the fifth floor and worked our way down to the first floor, telling wonderful people goodbye and taking some pictures. That was emotional. When we were finished we went out to lunch at Applebee’s with about 18 people who work on the first floor with us. A few minutes later José Ruano, who used to work on the first floor, came into the restaurant with his wife. So I invited them to join us. I had been wishing I could say goodbye to José because he is another person who is very dear to me. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbezg91LvX3B6UdTfPqw11syeCOHfaXTF9S0FCtiBqqpH8ZLCeM9WqFdvVJtQaVAXRwGWH1u7E7NkfEsKiBWgUeEIiEvKy24tHjbfOzeqUKKqClpe6E5JbsrWYdDqWVBX_i-iUcjZXNJwu/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbezg91LvX3B6UdTfPqw11syeCOHfaXTF9S0FCtiBqqpH8ZLCeM9WqFdvVJtQaVAXRwGWH1u7E7NkfEsKiBWgUeEIiEvKy24tHjbfOzeqUKKqClpe6E5JbsrWYdDqWVBX_i-iUcjZXNJwu/s320/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497982925872327506" /></a> I had to say goodbye to Reynaldo and others at the end and I couldn’t do it without tears. Beatriz and John gave us an exquisite, pale yellow table runner that I will always treasure.<br /><br />Dick and Dr. Mac went to Convergence to stop our internet/TV and to the bank to cash the check for the refund of our deposit. Curtiss’ dropped me off at home and I worked on packing and cleaning and distributing. I gave Mario the items in the freezer. I did another box that Dick took downstairs to the guys later. Victor got choked up when we said goodbye to him. Sandy cooked an enjoyable dinner for us and we spent our last evening with the MacArthurs. We did some apartment hopping to say goodbye to all the other couples here. It is time to close the computer and put it in its case and get ready for bed. We will be up very early and leave here at 6:15 am. This morning I told Dick that I’m going home tomorrow but I am not excited, just sad.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 July 2010…..Friday</span><br />This morning the alarm went off at 4:30 am. We got ready, adjusted our suitcases and weighed them and left the apartment at 6:15 am. We rode to the airport with the Arnolds and Dr. Mac brought our luggage in his car. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dfIg46Uh-TnQA8sqB41VxgFusyIJ8-Zi6HfHbAkkh64LXqtaqkwkdO2rWw8rtmRz6HbiJkGYLcxPDGbjV7bfxdghe8zDx-GZiQLgSirog_CzBfgcEPSVzJBUG1a8AGy5FeXdgKXy5n7t/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dfIg46Uh-TnQA8sqB41VxgFusyIJ8-Zi6HfHbAkkh64LXqtaqkwkdO2rWw8rtmRz6HbiJkGYLcxPDGbjV7bfxdghe8zDx-GZiQLgSirog_CzBfgcEPSVzJBUG1a8AGy5FeXdgKXy5n7t/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497983722484352482" /></a><br /> I had no tears this morning. After checking in I spent my last Quetz on some bookmarks. After we boarded the plane we put our wedding rings back on. We haven’t worn them in Guatemala because we didn’t want to be a target for someone who wanted them. Half way through our flight I was still feeling sad because I was leaving people I love but most of all it was the sadness of leaving our calling as missionaries. There have been many special blessings for us in the last two years. I do not look forward to being released and removing my badge that carries my name and the name of Jesus Christ.<br /><br />It was exciting to land in Dallas and be back on American soil. I was beginning to feel excited about what lay ahead and especially to see our family. However, the curse of the Dallas Airport was about to hit. Getting through customs was a never ending process, along with finding and getting our luggage off the conveyor belt and rechecking it again. Then both of us being scanned at security and me having to be frisked because I had my tiny Guatemalan purse with American dollars hanging underneath my clothes and that made me suspect. Then getting to the gate was an expedition. By the time we got to the gate, the door was closed and the plane had left. They booked us on the 6:05 pm flight. <br /><br />Spending extra time was probably a good break for us from the pace of the last couple of days. First, we met and talked to a man from Las Vegas who had served his mission in Guatemala almost twenty years ago. We used his cell phone to call Kristen and tell her of the delay. We met five great looking missionaries going home from the Mexico Veracruz Mission. It is love at first sight when we encounter other missionaries. We met a young woman who was from Germany and was called to serve her mission in Russia. She was flying to Utah to enter the MTC on Wednesday. During the course of our visiting a thunder storm rolled in. All flights in and all flights out were canceled. Time ticked away. The storm ended. The 6:05 flight was delayed. We were told to go to another gate for our flight to SLC. In the end our group was sent to four different gates. Finally, after 9:30 pm, Dallas time, we were on board and heading west. As the afternoon had progressed I got very excited about going “home,” but by the time we were heading that way I was very tired. I was also concerned because Kristen and family and Scott and family had spent hours at the airport playing the waiting game.<br /><br />We were sitting on the next to last row on the airplane so we were almost last getting off the plane. An older, distinguished looking couple was walking through the airport. It was Elder Bateman. He told us “welcome back” and then asked where we had served. It was a nice welcoming from a General Authority of the church. The welcome back we got from our waiting family was exuberant and it was wonderful to have our arms around children and grandchildren again.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrOtdDgSkdZhlNgY_VOYEq966rjZGUH3uI9aYfcX789et0juv3i0IzGG8s08OVjy4DwYZITDkRdw0IDAdhFSMxwsW15T7-4ATiSFKMjMb0uJOAplUesaHxfysQJiXs4olB-jnQpIH5iM7/s1600/2010-07-23+001+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrOtdDgSkdZhlNgY_VOYEq966rjZGUH3uI9aYfcX789et0juv3i0IzGG8s08OVjy4DwYZITDkRdw0IDAdhFSMxwsW15T7-4ATiSFKMjMb0uJOAplUesaHxfysQJiXs4olB-jnQpIH5iM7/s320/2010-07-23+001+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497984633547093906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMAtB9ZXXwHSdpOGKelegSkGi7txnkI8yisLL8sb0ljYnbL07xHYXhdX0L8d-Sj7yy_8UZjMptYPN_F-N0VufyuYiARO0s8c7mN1zrVItsz5-2kS77ndN1aYdyRhK7StGHPhkC7mbUMf3/s1600/2010-07-23+001+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMAtB9ZXXwHSdpOGKelegSkGi7txnkI8yisLL8sb0ljYnbL07xHYXhdX0L8d-Sj7yy_8UZjMptYPN_F-N0VufyuYiARO0s8c7mN1zrVItsz5-2kS77ndN1aYdyRhK7StGHPhkC7mbUMf3/s320/2010-07-23+001+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497985065245203586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTstM8hIgixyC1UufjBtZvJFYq9SIeVtNe2ZY5PoZo9fJCCnFEAbvLWueHi2OIWKq759N1WMRO8EtgNvK9lwkPogaQ75psaGFVHhJ_LZl04a3-dcQvog46kfrR1agEIxIriwZ2P6YPys1/s1600/2010-07-23+001+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTstM8hIgixyC1UufjBtZvJFYq9SIeVtNe2ZY5PoZo9fJCCnFEAbvLWueHi2OIWKq759N1WMRO8EtgNvK9lwkPogaQ75psaGFVHhJ_LZl04a3-dcQvog46kfrR1agEIxIriwZ2P6YPys1/s320/2010-07-23+001+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497985409306014786" /></a><br /><br /><br />I will always remember and love many people in Guatemala. Our experience was unique and a great blessing in our life. Serving the Lord takes on many forms and we are so grateful to have been counted among the 53,000+ missionaries serving at this time in the world. Carolyn Taylor wrote some beautiful words about being a senior missionary:<br /><br />OUR MISSION by Carolyn Taylor<br />Time, a dimension, has blurred edges.<br />Time is measured by clocks, calendars, <br /> and the movement of the sun.<br />Time is different in many cultures.<br />The planting and harvesting of corn,<br />The placement of Orion in the evening,<br /> the emergence of Lyra in early morning<br /> dictate and regulate our lives.<br /><br />It’s different, somehow, while on the Lord’s errand.<br />The markers between hours and minutes differ<br /> for those who serve move by a spiritual clock.<br />The goals of the day are gifts from the Spirit<br /> and it is those promptings which mark<br /> the seconds of our day.<br /><br />“Is it time for lunch? Oh, it is 5:00pm.<br />Where did the hours go?” we say.<br />The hours fly by when we have one foot<br /> in another world.<br />Our “clock-maker” stretches out the days.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-57228789243815257562010-07-18T20:24:00.000-07:002010-07-18T20:49:43.197-07:00Journal - July 12 - 18<span style="font-weight:bold;">12 July 2010…..Monday</span><br />Last night Dick and Tom arrived home from their meeting that never happened. The stake president was there, the S&I director was there, the PEF specialist was there, and they were there. However, no one else came to the meeting. It had been raining hard for hours and the buses weren’t running, and most people don’t own cars. So no one was able to get there. But, no meeting is not a failed meeting to Dick, because Tom was able to meet the three leaders who were there and they talked for an hour together.<br /><br />At the office this morning I showed Julie how to finish the Priesthood Report. I took my laptop into the PEF Call Center and worked on some things. Tilleys called at lunch time and wanted us all to meet at WENDY’S. So MacArthurs, Curtiss’, Arnolds, Smiths, Tilleys, and we all met at that restaurant of fine dining.<br /><br />This afternoon Dick took the bread maker to Sandy and I took the mixer and other kitchen items to Julie. Then Rexene and I moved our kitchen tables and chairs. We moved theirs into our apartment since it is missionary furniture, and we moved ours into their apartment because it is part of their “apartment” rental furniture.<br /><br />Family Home Evening was at the Hatches, hosted by the MacArthurs. I played the teclado and Dick led the singing and we sang “My Country Tis of Thee,” and “America the Beautiful.” Obviously, they are not in the Spanish hymnal but Sandy had an English hymnal for me to use. Dr. Mac taught a lesson about patriotism and we shed a tear or two over some of the stories told. We all wore a version of red, white, and blue. Sandy made homemade donuts which are the best we have eaten in two years, and Dick knows donuts! He misses Sweetie Pie’s in Lancaster and their apple fritters. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 July 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />This morning I went through more things at the office computer, cleaning things off, and saving files that Julie will need. I sent emails to the nineteen stake specialists to give them our greetings and tell them we would be leaving and Arnolds will be here to help them. I emailed some of the students in Belize to tell them we are leaving and that I love them. They have become very special to me.<br /><br />We came home in early afternoon and Dick framed the “Proclamation on the Family” for his young men. They did a “farewell” with the boys two weeks ago but Dick wanted to go for one last time. He took pizzas and sodas. No wonder these kids love him and Jim….they feed them every week.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />14 July 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Today I stayed home to clean the fridge, the oven and sort through kitchen items and food that I am ready to part with. As I was studying the scriptures and “Preach My Gospel” this morning I came across something I had written in the margin of the book while at the MTC: “What has been my spiritual journey that has led me to this point?” Pondering that question brought me to my journal. I think of 68 years of experiences that have prepared me with faith, courage, testimony, and the desire to be obedient. All the years of serving in callings, from my first calling as a Primary teacher when I was 16 to the last callings I had as we served in the young single adult ward, has been preparation. Age is an advantage as I have experienced life, the good and the bad, the trials and the joys, the hopes and the fears, the successes and the failures. Then I think of my sons and grandsons serving as missionaries at 19 years of age. They, too, go forth with faith, courage, testimony and obedience…..all garnered from less than two decades of life. How I love and admire the young missionaries! They truly do the Lord’s work. Senior missionaries become the “support staff” to help the work go forth and it is a privilege and an honor.<br /><br />After I ate some breakfast about 11 am, Dick came home with house papers for me to sign so he could scan them back to Lancaster. He also said we were going to the Chinese restaurant for lunch. So I changed and at 12:30 pm we took Arnolds and met MacArthurs, Tilleys and Smiths. It was good company and good food. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK64YhFbbIStqUIarA0bcwVima2rskUM5OzAh3XNsOa2u3ANvJwr4kimNkKbpfvzwH2Nq829Y_TaCATHndZV1JlVQzAsNQeZiRTmJmbXDqRyZJ1XthC2vjMGkae0eLxfrBD1C1FRm6w6Ps/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK64YhFbbIStqUIarA0bcwVima2rskUM5OzAh3XNsOa2u3ANvJwr4kimNkKbpfvzwH2Nq829Y_TaCATHndZV1JlVQzAsNQeZiRTmJmbXDqRyZJ1XthC2vjMGkae0eLxfrBD1C1FRm6w6Ps/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495454637641669618" /></a> Rexene told the waiter that we two couples were leaving for the States and asked for the recipe of the picante sauce for the shrimp. Instead of bringing the complimentary dessert that comes with the meal, they brought a banana, wrapped in a wonton wrapper and fried, because we have been such good customers.<br /><br />Mario came up to repair the bathroom light switch so I had company in the apartment for over an hour. I spent my time bleaching, washing, rinsing, and drying Guatemalan coins to take home to our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want to eliminate any possible germs.<br /><br />This evening we and MacArthurs went to Hatches for a game of Dominoes. Wow! They play by the rules and keep score. We are too used to Tilley rules! Needless to say, I didn’t get all that cleaning done today.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15 July 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today Bethany is 31! I actually cleaned out the fridge and freezer today. We took a box full of items downstairs to our apartment workers. I did five loads of laundry for the guys on the film crew from Salt Lake. We had more paper work to sign and scan for the house so Dick came home to get my signature. It seems the older I get, the less I accomplish. I was busy all day but I didn’t get much done.<br /><br />This evening a group of us went to Pecorino’s for dinner, arranged by the Steimles. From the crusty bread, dipped in olive oil to the gelato served on a warm brownie with hot fudge sauce, the meal was exceptional. I had eggplant parmesan (that’s not what they call it in Spanish). It was the best I have ever tasted. I have always loved eggplant. When I was a child, Daddy would dip eggplant in eggs and bread crumbs and fry it for breakfast on occasion. It is hard to visit when there are eighteen sitting around the table, but we certainly enjoyed the ones near us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtcvnc6pOLwNga4bi663nsVRN9TKsUzTYokr16qHK25ik9TAbTAd2pJVfnPtjDaQIUdFjEdpP5hvjFL5YL68SZGZrEefngUjoggpiKLxqvKXtK4eMyazyV3KOZ4vhexWQlr1xm21TIEIg/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtcvnc6pOLwNga4bi663nsVRN9TKsUzTYokr16qHK25ik9TAbTAd2pJVfnPtjDaQIUdFjEdpP5hvjFL5YL68SZGZrEefngUjoggpiKLxqvKXtK4eMyazyV3KOZ4vhexWQlr1xm21TIEIg/s320/023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495455516709089970" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 July 2010…..Friday</span><br />We did not hurry to the office early, but meandered in about 10 am. Dick’s computer is in Elder Arnold’s name now…..mine will soon be (maybe by now) in Sister Arnold’s name. I updated the Area History and Julie can start their history of PEF. Reynaldo gave us a wonderful memento, a “thank you” for serving with the Perpetual Education Fund in Guatemala. It will sit on a shelf when we have settled into the next phase of our life. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNbl1Y9OJb91TY0wTbmA3xc4GnTS5bBSfLT9ntHLxXddiwjOpG16S4q5Avau0n9zCzggxGS7WIAmEmn2EfL_r4dohIb2JNG6M0FDQJI3pQTr-RcKbVvc-WyIRYOYIGdDgAKk7orWwchBQ/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNbl1Y9OJb91TY0wTbmA3xc4GnTS5bBSfLT9ntHLxXddiwjOpG16S4q5Avau0n9zCzggxGS7WIAmEmn2EfL_r4dohIb2JNG6M0FDQJI3pQTr-RcKbVvc-WyIRYOYIGdDgAKk7orWwchBQ/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495456291051084034" /></a> Claudia has taken her son to Disney World so she isn’t here to go through the good-bye portion. Then we took Reynaldo to lunch, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlwxRQYpW53DkupKs6chx7Ik7_XQqSj4kDkKK9BeSRXS5qpSUpT6kWso2A-NyAT-HXnWO5wwme78qsmBkqRAUEas6vC3_b3CUXe8oQF6JZob4shnjbSwyp0pMYXYe7oXJnh8J2gAQgpbY/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSlwxRQYpW53DkupKs6chx7Ik7_XQqSj4kDkKK9BeSRXS5qpSUpT6kWso2A-NyAT-HXnWO5wwme78qsmBkqRAUEas6vC3_b3CUXe8oQF6JZob4shnjbSwyp0pMYXYe7oXJnh8J2gAQgpbY/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495456750938714258" /></a><br />along with Arnolds and John Curtiss. We went to Applebee’s and the meal was good (the Firehouse burger) and the company better.<br /><br />After we got home, Jim showed up briefly and asked Dick if he wanted to go with him and Jim Smith on their security assignment with the film crew. Dick jumped at the chance since he is NEVER home from the office at 3 pm. The assignment has been keeping security out till ten, eleven or even midnight. The three guys got back at 9 pm tonight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17 July 2010….Saturday </span><br />I finally got to the stove today and cleaned out the oven. We continue to give a few items away and hopefully, by Thursday we will have the apartment empty of everything but the furniture and the housekeeping items that we are passing on to others. Dick took his last trip to the cleaners to pick up his white shirts and to get milk and peanut butter at the store. It was rainy and gray all afternoon and the temperature at 3 pm was 66 degrees, the same that it was at 8 am. As I sat reading on the couch next to the window I heard a loud thump and looked up in time to see a pigeon fall straight down between the corrugated coverings of our parking space and Tilley’s parking space. Twice I have seen a bird fly into our big picture window, but each one recovered flight and flew off. I knew this one was dead or knocked out as he fell like a rock. Awhile later I heard a pigeon and looked out to see one sitting on the metal bar of the garage cover. I figured the injured one had recovered or its mate was watching over it, so I went down to the garage, and sure enough, there were a number of feathers on the floor but the bird with some ruffled feathers was on the metal bar. I startled him and he flew off.<br /><br />This evening we watched the Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert from Salt Lake City, via the internet. It was spectacular to hear the Tabernacle Choir. Dick left before 8 pm with Jim on his security assignment with the film crew.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 July 2010…..Sunday</span><br />The Hatches wanted to visit our branch so they went with us to La Sabana Branch. This was our last Sunday at the branch and in Guatemala…..the last time to play the music for Sacrament Meeting and Primary….the last time to listen to Brother Mena teach the Old Testament in Sunday School….the last time to spend with the children in Primary and kiss their cheeks<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLGt3RrRP_0FW3oK8v-QbIZhY-2t0x72mQC9-ni5fst3zM_eAplRFrzE00xY5HCxavDZnfQ8AAS_N-9Ng2oD9Mig269nK5lhBKRK18ex5RxfYxJcEwkPvaxJwfCvcJwE6xReCw_aFtBsi/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLGt3RrRP_0FW3oK8v-QbIZhY-2t0x72mQC9-ni5fst3zM_eAplRFrzE00xY5HCxavDZnfQ8AAS_N-9Ng2oD9Mig269nK5lhBKRK18ex5RxfYxJcEwkPvaxJwfCvcJwE6xReCw_aFtBsi/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495457368139260482" /></a><br /><br /> and the cheeks of Sister Melchor <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBUwNoSbB6PnbZSCH-UwtyBbD9obWbRCL8awHKhLNAy0P_vOycCeEvf8YqvPci96UM_9PvkMxPjBAW1qveDmodW5hQGA9p2qmJr63U0MzLzLxjMxEnNyNR6itnqoeOnB2g0yjn1crkVVR/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBUwNoSbB6PnbZSCH-UwtyBbD9obWbRCL8awHKhLNAy0P_vOycCeEvf8YqvPci96UM_9PvkMxPjBAW1qveDmodW5hQGA9p2qmJr63U0MzLzLxjMxEnNyNR6itnqoeOnB2g0yjn1crkVVR/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495458270188376050" /></a><br /><br />and Sister Guzman….<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvKUej8m1Baw040VounwugZ0wFVgOTlwzCpRQZzgNH2iem60M6cecNAayN_YGsZJw582Ra7GNuIXdXHfvfwCVdn7HHvcsFcRQXMv_saUoEul3nukC5BJm0hy4W4TVSFwYnFZC8H5xbQtK/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvKUej8m1Baw040VounwugZ0wFVgOTlwzCpRQZzgNH2iem60M6cecNAayN_YGsZJw582Ra7GNuIXdXHfvfwCVdn7HHvcsFcRQXMv_saUoEul3nukC5BJm0hy4W4TVSFwYnFZC8H5xbQtK/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495457855665950690" /></a><br />the last time to hug and be hugged by the teenagers, the women and a few of the men. President Acevedo took me into his office for a few minutes and with tears, he thanked me for our service in Guatemala and for my music, and released me as the “pianist” (he didn’t know what Spanish word to use and neither did I) for the branch. I had never been officially called and sustained, just given the teclado, but I appreciated the few moments with him as he released me from the calling. Dick also went to his office to be thanked and released from his calling as first counselor in the Young Men presidency.<br /><br />After dinner we went to MacArthurs and played dominoes with them and Tilleys. Dr. Mac put the bread machine to use that we gave them and we ate hot bread and butter, plus other goodies while we played.<br /><br />When I was learning Spanish two years ago, I loved the word for excited…..emocionado. I was excited to be a missionary but it was mixed with a lot of emotion of leaving home, my family, and my mother for two years. Now, as we prepare to leave Guatemala and missionary service, I am emocionado….excited, but that excitement is mixed with a lot of emotion. Tomorrow I start my 100th journal and on Friday the 23rd we will fly to Salt Lake City. Then I will write my last entry to my mission journal and post my last blog.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-26352126021151601032010-07-11T16:25:00.000-07:002010-07-11T17:01:58.026-07:00Journal - July 5 - 11<span style="font-weight:bold;">5 July 2010…..Monday</span><br />Yesterday we gave a big bag of baby items to the indigenous family who just had a baby. (wish I could remember their last name) Tilleys collected most of the items and I was able to get a newborn kit from Humanitarian Services. We also put in something for each of the other children and the parents. <br /><br />Last night Dick and the Arnolds returned from the training meeting at 6 pm and I put dinner on the table. We sat at the table for 2 ½ hours and thoroughly enjoyed our time together and the conversation. This morning Dick and Tom left early for the office to send the exceptions to Salt Lake. Julie stayed home to wait for Convergence to come and get the internet connection to her laptop working. I made good use of my morning. I used some of my remaining ingredients and made a triple batch of hot cocoa mix. I will take most of it to the office for Reynaldo and Claudia. The remaining mix I will give to someone else, maybe our apartment guys. I washed our temple clothes and put them in the suitcase. The temple is closed for the next few weeks so we won’t attend the Guatemala City Temple again. I started packing a small suitcase of paperwork and books, etc. that we will take home. I put some items aside to give Arnolds, like books, CD’s of Christmas and classical music, plus the Christmas tree, and the small heater. The bread machine that we inherited from Sister Barney is back in the box and we will give it to Sandy MacArthur. The more things we can eliminate from our apartment now will make it easier when we are ready to leave. I also had a much longer time to study scriptures with “Preach My Gospel.” I have always liked to “putter” at home and this little apartment has been “home” for the last two years.<br /><br />I worked on the Farewell Book for Tilleys in the afternoon. After dinner we went up to Arnold’s apartment with an outline of their activities for the next three days with the returning missionaries. Dick will be there with them each day for awhile to walk them through a few things. Later Tilleys came over (they’ve been gone for two days) and we had hot fudge brownie sundaes. We visited with them and thought of how things will be changing. They go home two weeks from tomorrow morning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 July 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Last night when I was cleaning the kitchen after dessert, I took the leftover brownies downstairs to the lobby desk. Mario was there and he repeated “gracias” over and over again. I often think of Dick’s mother who told him he was part of the “clean plate club” because children were starving in China. Now, here I am in a third world country. There are many prosperous people here in our part of the city, but I have seen way too many who don’t have sufficient food or nourishment. When I scrape a plate of uneaten food into the trash, I always think of those whose bodies could use that little bit of food. People actually live in the dumps where they scavenge what the more affluent throw out. I have started cleaning out cupboards and the freezer in preparation for vacating the apartment, and I filled a box for Dick to take to the small living area in the garage where the workers can stay overnight or sleep during the day if they have been on night duty.<br /><br />Dick went to the office for a couple of hours but was back home about 9 am. Then he took Arnolds for their first time with the missionaries returning home to Guatemala. Because the temple is closed for two weeks and so is the Casa de Huéspedes, the Arnolds and the ten returning missionaries will stay two nights at the Hotel Plaza. Their classes will be at the Employment Resource Center, as usual.<br /><br />I started sorting through papers, what to throw and what to pack. Then I got out our second large suitcase, did a couple loads of laundry, and started packing clothes I won’t be using in the next 16 days.<br />In the afternoon I went through all the mail received here. There was over 200 pieces of individual mail. I had to throw away over 100 greeting cards because the space and weight will be limited in our suitcases. But, I am bringing home 31 cards, the 24 cards Cyndy made and sent monthly, and 75 pictures that have been sent to us by our family. I will always carry with me the thoughtfulness of those who took the time to send greetings to us. Getting mail was always a great boost. I think my favorite was a handwritten note from Tyler saying “thank you for the gift I know you are going to send me.”<br /><br />Dick arrived home after 4 pm. They had an interesting experience with the returning missionaries because a new employee at the office failed to give the proper information to Gala Tours who handles all the transportation. It was a blip that was worked out in about two hour’s time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7 July 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />We were delivered two huge cinnamon rolls this morning by Rexene. They were delicious, as always. Dick and Jim took both cars and drove to La Sabana to pick up the Mena family so they could take their son, Luís, and his luggage to the CCM (MTC).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvB0gAbTQTzrukKvdCr54asYBq1IWyjPtNizL6XvopdL6rlk7zoAs-wrHS9_syB4IZCWP1Ay7x_tlysHunbZYRU6PGYK0VyhP5FoNL2vYLAE98b8aUJ5pVrM2pecHlc05Y2TEfI8X48Ac/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvB0gAbTQTzrukKvdCr54asYBq1IWyjPtNizL6XvopdL6rlk7zoAs-wrHS9_syB4IZCWP1Ay7x_tlysHunbZYRU6PGYK0VyhP5FoNL2vYLAE98b8aUJ5pVrM2pecHlc05Y2TEfI8X48Ac/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492799686595072722" /></a> He has been called to serve his mission in Nicaragua, his father’s native country. He will spend three weeks at the CCM before leaving for Nicaragua. He is a wonderful young man. He has been a Primary teacher and he always converses with me in his progressing English. Six months ago Dick and Jim took both cars to take the whole family to the airport to pick up Abínadi Mena, the oldest son, when he returned from his mission to Nicaragua. The Menas have a thirteen year old son, Kevin, and a six year old daughter, Júlia. They are a very stalwart family and a blessing to the La Sabana Branch. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-wr0Z7j9HNiqdTIHB2B7d1RAt3nNdaK6WiAGTcr_x41mdTQe5WdBZx-6H60iLYrPROMJhyphenhyphenJLiSaWY5CEN36d7FazpFkR3_KIxf9_J_5jyaMAN52lwDcKnXmzlQlgo0J5UfDuGVFhqZ5u/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-wr0Z7j9HNiqdTIHB2B7d1RAt3nNdaK6WiAGTcr_x41mdTQe5WdBZx-6H60iLYrPROMJhyphenhyphenJLiSaWY5CEN36d7FazpFkR3_KIxf9_J_5jyaMAN52lwDcKnXmzlQlgo0J5UfDuGVFhqZ5u/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492802685517590178" /></a> After they took the family back home, Dick stopped at Acevedo’s house and talked to Lillian. They will be buying our car. Dick went to the office and then over to the Employment Resource Center to see how everything was going with the Arnolds. He came home for a couple of hours and had Mario fix a clogged drain in Arnold’s kitchen sink. Then he left to take the Arnolds and the one remaining missionary to get some dinner at McDonalds. <br /><br />I held down the fort back at the apartment building. Victor was supposed to come up and check the draperies at 10:30 this morning. I don’t know if they will put up new drapes or just clean these. Victor never came but Nancy, the manager, came about 3 pm. Mario needed to clean the carpet in Tilley’s apartment so I used our key to let him in and then lock it up when he was through. I told Mario that I wanted him to come back to our apartment when he was ready to go home and I would give him a 5 lb package of pollo (chicken) that I have in the freezer. He and I usually laugh when we try to communicate but he understood me this time and said he would be here at cinco. Rudy Guajardo stopped by to borrow a cup of sugar and I gave him a two pound bag we won’t be using. He invited us for dinner on Friday. There was all kinds of activity going on here. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8 July 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Just before we were heading to the office, the Arnolds called. Their last missionary had been picked up, so Dick drove over to the hotel to bring them back to the apartment. After they got back Tom rode to the office with us. I sent the Priesthood Report to the Call Center Directors in each country and then Reynaldo sent me the Report that I use for the Area Seventy. I got the letters from Claudia to accompany the reports. I sent the reports with a special letter to the stake presidents and specialists in Costa Rica because they will be having a PEF meeting later this month for the entire country.<br /><br />Two good things happened today. Arnolds got their assigned car and Renaldo Acevedo, our branch president, came to the office and he and Dick did the paper work so he can buy our car. Dick had some things to do this afternoon so he left two different times. The last time he brought back Taco Bell for lunch, but since it was almost 3 pm we gathered up our things and came home and ate. Then he went to the bank and then GNC to replenish our vitamins. He is a happy man when he has errands to run but I think he will love getting into his truck and driving it in two weeks.<br /><br />We had a Skype call tonight from Sarah Thibault in Maryland. It has been a year since she left the mission field and went home. She lived across the hall from us and we really miss the Irish/ex-Catholic/redhead. There is no one quite like her! Dick called the Rosenlofs. We shed tears as we talked to them. Jon has been very ill and it was so good to hear him speak to us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 July 2010…..Friday</span><br />This morning I accomplished some things at the office, like sending the Priesthood Report to the Area Seventy and cleaning up some files on the office computer. The Arnolds treated us and Tilleys to lunch out. It was delicious. We went to Media Concha, the Argentine restaurant. Dick loves their milanesa. My steak was delicious. We went back to the office for awhile, then Dick left to go pick up Gert from somewhere in the city and take him to his home. I rode home with the Arnolds.<br /><br />This evening we all gathered at the Guajardo’s apartment for a wonderful Mexican meal. We made arrangements to reserve an apartment for them before they came and we exchanged a number of emails, giving them information we thought would be helpful as they prepared to come here as missionaries. I think those emails were a bonding experience. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoBXJkmU8m6aL7PQpHuL8HYKCSPnG-w8L8mFEWueGq1HOBkoDzoIwNVobYuk_re5Djnl1mRcGqV5ocdrcl5aNoTnYdJCuG7FriLSSeR6QsZb3MZoFJ4Q-aElFGq2T09dRahxYxQNtgvzw/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoBXJkmU8m6aL7PQpHuL8HYKCSPnG-w8L8mFEWueGq1HOBkoDzoIwNVobYuk_re5Djnl1mRcGqV5ocdrcl5aNoTnYdJCuG7FriLSSeR6QsZb3MZoFJ4Q-aElFGq2T09dRahxYxQNtgvzw/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800277747468754" /></a> Afterwards, they sent us all out the door with a packet of the meat they had barbecued. We have eaten plenty today. As if that wasn’t enough, Tilleys were at the door last night at 10 pm with a box of See’s candy for us. They will be spending the next nine days (leaving them one day before they go home from the mission field) with a film crew doing church instructional films. At least they can return to the apartment to sleep. Rexene’s nephew is one of the crew, so they had him bring See’s for us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10 July 2010…..Saturday</span><br />We were on our way to Montufar Chapel this morning by 8:30 am for an educational fair sponsored by the church and planned by Elvis and others at the Employment Resource Center. There were fifteen different colleges, universities, and technical schools represented with personnel to answer questions, plus the Perpetual Education Fund booth manned by those of us with PEF. They started with a gathering in the chapel. Elvis conducted, Elder Abularach spoke, and I played the piano. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DQIpuHrYszGYbB3ic6olum4ykr4v-JvIALGbscvg9G4wrJhjzX6VIgOo3VBj7gGe6orplEOYaSMQy9X1pmYfxYV-2lM7YlK77gw_43ZxtvJ7DilQ483uM-kaNMB_P6MayNIAhYUPjf_-/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DQIpuHrYszGYbB3ic6olum4ykr4v-JvIALGbscvg9G4wrJhjzX6VIgOo3VBj7gGe6orplEOYaSMQy9X1pmYfxYV-2lM7YlK77gw_43ZxtvJ7DilQ483uM-kaNMB_P6MayNIAhYUPjf_-/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492800860838770402" /></a> Then everything adjourned to the cultural hall and the adjoining covered garage. There were food booths, also. There was an excellent attendance. <br /><br />After we came home this afternoon it was time to clean and do laundry, and sort out more things we are taking or leaving. Of course, Dick had a few items to pick up at the store so he left for awhile. Then he took the rubbing compound and cleaned up some spots on the back of the car mirrors. Then he took our stand fan down to the garage and cleaned it good so we can pass it on when we leave. He will love it when he goes home and has his own garage and tools, wherever that may be.<br /><br />Every time I sit at the piano or teclado, I think of my friend, Judy Tufts and what she told me many years ago about playing the piano. “It is okay to skip some notes.” So, when there is a particular difficult left hand, I have crossed a few notes out. It works out very well, especially with the teclado. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 July 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Last night Tilleys got home in time to go pick up their replacement at the airport, Elder and Sister Smith from Gunnison, UT. He is a former prison warden and they will now be the security missionaries. Since Tilleys were off with the film crew before the crack of dawn, we took Smiths to church with us. Our branch was happy to see another new missionary couple.<br /><br />This afternoon it started pouring rain and it hasn’t let up yet. Dick left with Tom for an S&I meeting for future PEF participants at Nimanjuyu Stake center.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-69606655180640348002010-07-04T14:51:00.000-07:002010-07-04T15:25:11.807-07:00Journal - June 28 - July 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C0AQ2IJCWYH8tWwxN5ocCfQFx9jdNk2rnA1SGgwgTgs9uzd96YrnNYXb3pCwgQVc2kpyoRTz9bq56tAhykmjZg2cPkXJ70IPDKMxKB1LhrV1FauPpxc0abTxO1rCDc17xnUQ7i98tSYc/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6C0AQ2IJCWYH8tWwxN5ocCfQFx9jdNk2rnA1SGgwgTgs9uzd96YrnNYXb3pCwgQVc2kpyoRTz9bq56tAhykmjZg2cPkXJ70IPDKMxKB1LhrV1FauPpxc0abTxO1rCDc17xnUQ7i98tSYc/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490179352400603842" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28 June 2010…..Monday</span><br />On Saturday the Acevedos gave us a CD of marimba music entitled “Marimbas de Guatemala.” It will bring back fond memories of Guatemala in the future. Dick and Tom Arnold went to the office this morning and I stayed home and made a salad to take to the dinner tonight. At noon they came home for lunch and then Julie and I went to the office with them for two meetings. The first was a meeting with the area presidency for all senior couples. They discussed cars. The new policy is that each couple assigned to the Area (not to specific missions) will have the use of a car. That will make us the last couple who had to buy a car. We are glad that our new missionaries won’t have to have the expense of buying a car and paying for insurance and repairs. After that was over we had PEF Committee Meeting. It is our final committee meeting and Arnold’s first. Claudia brought in a cake and soda to wish us goodbye. Guatemalans always serve soda at room temperature. We took a picture of the committee members.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MmTGHuBRCclp_a6TyDcWuMHQvithGnPE0qRQtnulIdQuRqizs5HBTXTXHZv0uXtSU0w-nFBbVN5S6ezPpCT3cr9ACWdyOlJQJ1qVslzHW5NW8ipcSQVt22GZd_93TydEZh9l0eN7tCP9/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MmTGHuBRCclp_a6TyDcWuMHQvithGnPE0qRQtnulIdQuRqizs5HBTXTXHZv0uXtSU0w-nFBbVN5S6ezPpCT3cr9ACWdyOlJQJ1qVslzHW5NW8ipcSQVt22GZd_93TydEZh9l0eN7tCP9/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490173062503688274" /></a><br />We came home after 4 pm. It rained all day and never made it out of the sixties. Tonight was the Farewell Dinner for the Tilleys and Graffs at the Clarke’s patio.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQFKXXU2ti7g8xp6g5hgaH7P2s2Dmfq77syscQkOlZgu8l5fqJFkWL6aVXYXL87lbwPxsq-15YY8b-cgi626FnQYnrguLZh_NyziTkec4VTeQJ_vN67T7wt_GkrskUiNI1kS0_OP6DDZn/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQFKXXU2ti7g8xp6g5hgaH7P2s2Dmfq77syscQkOlZgu8l5fqJFkWL6aVXYXL87lbwPxsq-15YY8b-cgi626FnQYnrguLZh_NyziTkec4VTeQJ_vN67T7wt_GkrskUiNI1kS0_OP6DDZn/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490173575346666082" /></a> There was a great attendance….all from our apartment, two mission presidents, MTC president, temple president and missionary couples from the temple and two couples serving at Lake Atitlan area. Plus, plenty of food. We have made great friends amongst this group and they are all faithful servants of the Lord. They sang a song in our honor to the tune of “The Day Dawn is Breaking.” The words were written by Adele Blackburn:<br /><br /> The students were praying for Graff’s undertaking El Fondo Perpetuo por Educación.<br /> The seeds they were sowing, for learning and growing the leaders they’ll need on<br /> that beautiful day.<br /><br /> The futures today, and they’ll meet the test.<br /> Graffs gave them wings and God did the rest<br /> Thanks to our friends, they’re tried and true.<br /> This mission’s done. We bid you adieu!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYhkT9ILQ-XX_FvmNzFl56XfFCzLXXmlqKquyeMSEfsHjHZXWFTE-PcIU5iFs4YEw2L6posxJJIm-AJAF3dA_TPztLaT92CTXjuYInFkIZ7l18AtMAoKfqbx4xqO-gTi7cHV9eauYIti0/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYhkT9ILQ-XX_FvmNzFl56XfFCzLXXmlqKquyeMSEfsHjHZXWFTE-PcIU5iFs4YEw2L6posxJJIm-AJAF3dA_TPztLaT92CTXjuYInFkIZ7l18AtMAoKfqbx4xqO-gTi7cHV9eauYIti0/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490174324650630690" /></a><br /><br />After the emcee, Steve MacArthur, said a few jokey things, and then the singing for each couple, Elder Martino spoke about the Tilleys and they each responded with their feelings. Then Elder Clarke spoke about us and then we each took a few minutes to express ourselves. This is truly the fastest two years of my life. In the time we have been gone, we celebrated our 49th anniversary. We had another grandson, and two great-grandchildren…..plus, Mother died. I tried to clear up the idea that Victoria Suites was the party place. Our doors are NOT always open. We DO eat a number of meals together and we DO play dominoes on occasion. We LAUGH together and sometimes we CRY together. Being here with other couples is an amazing experience. We took pictures throughout the evening, of course, and we will treasure many wonderful memories. Astonishingly, I didn´t shed any tears. We still have 3 weeks and 3 days here.<br /><br />Elder and Sister Brady from the temple couldn´t be there tonight but they gave us a beautiful book entitled “Guatemala, Colors of Enchantment.” It is all photos of Guatemala in all its color and splendor. President and Sister Baldwin of the Guatemala Central Mission gave us an Utchi. It is a depiction of the hieroglyph that translates “and it came to pass.” <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">29 June 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Dick and Tom went to the office, then to Convergence later to try to get the installer out to hook up internet for Arnolds. Julie and I spent a few hours together at home, finishing the Specialist Report and showing her how to get on the PEF administration site and how to enter and record her contact with the students from Belize. Of course, we talked a lot about missions and leaving family, and the blessings that come. Sandy called to see if my TV was working because hers wasn’t. She came down and we watched Glenn Beck together. <br /><br />This afternoon was the last time Dick and Jim will be with the Young Men from our branch at their Tuesday meeting. They took them to McDonalds and bought them Big Macs, fries and drinks. Then they took them back to the Carrias home for their 5 pm Seminary class. The McDonalds is maybe three or four miles from their homes. As Dick talked to these teenage boys, he found that one had been to McDonalds only once and two had never been there. I know they enjoyed the outing and this fun experience in their young lives.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">30 June 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Today was National Service Day in Guatemala. The office and many other businesses were closed. Dick went to the office to send off some information. A little later he, Tom and Jim took a drive to find the Institute building where Dick and Tom have an appointment tomorrow with Elder Abularach. He is over the Seminaries and Institute program here in Central America and is also an Area Seventy. Two years ago at the MTC we were told it was no longer CES but S&I. It is hard to remember the change after so many years of CES. Dick and I both had the opportunity, at different times, to be Seminary teachers.<br /><br />A little later a group decided to go to the movies. I convinced Dick to go without me because I was having some of my intestinal discomfort. The mall and theater was so full of people because of the national holiday that they all came back to the apartment building. They are now next door playing dominoes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 July 2010…..Thursday</span><br />We had a full day. Our office was freed up a little when Dick and Tom left to visit with Elder Abularach at the Institute. I showed Julie how to do Shutterfly cards and how to make a Farewell Book since she will take over my assignment. I am making Tilleys book and Julie is making ours. I had an email that made me ecstatically happy. We had an offer on the house last Sunday night. We counter offered and then today we found out that the buyer accepted our offer. <br /><br />In the afternoon Dick, Tom and Steve went to _______ (fill in the blank…it starts with a W) for lunch. They brought salads back to the office for me and Julie. Our smaller office was jam-packed through the day. Six of us using desk top computers or laptops. It was pretty bizarre. I couldn’t even get to the files in my drawer. When we leave it will settle down to the two couples in the space. After taking me back to the apartment Dick took Tom and Julie to Puerto del Sol to buy American products and then to Paiz.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 July 2, 2010…..Friday</span><br />Another full day. Last night we could not get the house papers to send that we had scanned earlier. So we put the originals in an envelope and this morning Dick went to Fed Ex to have them shipped. They told him they would be there Monday morning. They called later to say that Monday and Tuesday is a holiday in the States and that the papers would not arrive till Wednesday. We tried another scan and this time the signed papers sailed through. Dick went back to Fed Ex to get the original papers and a refund.<br /><br />The Priesthood Report was available today and I started off doing it to show Julie how to divide it into the 97 stakes. I did Guatemala and El Salvador and then she finished them. Dick showed Tom how to write up the exceptions and I typed the first one and then Julie finished them. She is computer savvy so things come easy for her. The guys went to Quiznos and brought sandwiches back to the office for lunch. We came home about 4 pm and I think we were all tired, except Dick. I lose steam in the afternoon but he plows on through. Joanne came downstairs and we loaded all our plants into the elevator and she took them up to her apartment. This morning we took our large framed picture of Antigua to the office and they will wrap it and ship it home for us.<br /><br />This evening we and Tilleys were invited to go to a Guatemalan restaurant with Ruby Moeller and her husband. She retired recently from her job at the office and she also makes the beautiful jade jewelry that I have purchased. We went to Zona Viva to Kacao. It was a beautiful restaurant, excellent service, delicious food, marimba music and the company was exceptional. The Moellers both speak pretty good English and the conversation was a mix of Spanish and English. They ordered appetizers. I tried the fresh tortilla with a filling made of loroco. I put a small spoon full of salsa on it. The salsa was the hottest thing I have ever eaten. It wasn’t uncomfortable but my entire mouth was burning for a good ten minutes. I like hot. The waiter said it was made of Coban Chile. I ordered ravioli stuffed with squash and served with a loroco cream sauce. The loroco is the flower I wrote about last week that Sister Acevedo served us for lunch. It was excellent. They ordered two desserts that we shared. One was made of corn and similar to a very sweet cornbread but denser, served warm. The other was a squash called quaquil. It was split, baked and sweetened. It was a very wonderful evening.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYapKzpjN_79lOQFAFWxwRvgUcH8xzLJ6IPPkmKiK59juyH3qyi7UASlL_LdXX-ab1Djh7pumFcyzXf_Ske1Xrqomgq7qfMQN7QRewpVrICyk5tDEQRymjzdBKDcoZ79b5xFio8sofYd4Z/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYapKzpjN_79lOQFAFWxwRvgUcH8xzLJ6IPPkmKiK59juyH3qyi7UASlL_LdXX-ab1Djh7pumFcyzXf_Ske1Xrqomgq7qfMQN7QRewpVrICyk5tDEQRymjzdBKDcoZ79b5xFio8sofYd4Z/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490174923247334098" /></a><br /> The thunder is rolling now. We love it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 July 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Today is Alison’s 41st birthday. We couldn’t celebrate with her but we had an absolutely wonderful day.<br />Dick drove to Villa Hermosa Stake to make sure he knows how to get there for the meeting tomorrow afternoon. He was very happy with himself that he drove right to it. Then he went to the office to work on some things. I cleaned and made cookies to take to Reynaldo’s.<br /><br />When Arnolds got back from a trek to Central Market with some of our group, they went with us to Reynaldo’s for lunch. Reynaldo met us near where they used to live and we followed him back to their new home. Today was a farewell meal for us and a welcome meal for Arnolds. This is the first time we have seen Reynaldo and Elijahana’s new home. We haven’t seen Monica (3)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3LR2Y6Dr0TB74dP6PNWwHxoHuFSLDpWEPDLUrzgM2kIjZoBJwSol60seEtUZbNLIsiLYn6ju8ywOx5ioNeEbA8xpINUC1KkxK3TuLou3_Nv4U0q8yTFPRUPHCLNkpgZI59eg9jsbVQax/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3LR2Y6Dr0TB74dP6PNWwHxoHuFSLDpWEPDLUrzgM2kIjZoBJwSol60seEtUZbNLIsiLYn6ju8ywOx5ioNeEbA8xpINUC1KkxK3TuLou3_Nv4U0q8yTFPRUPHCLNkpgZI59eg9jsbVQax/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490177285395137938" /></a><br /> and Diego (1½)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UfB2DX51aIE0l17IJR8rFHom778L9N9zEo-683sz9VJtFC2_f3mpuJAglhyvhZXwePpxxlrp9BWg3KyYRCCjvHBc03KOWCzdNYedyodr4M96Ep7Sy3kOybrV8UlJEyLMJ5zLYCZrEORn/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UfB2DX51aIE0l17IJR8rFHom778L9N9zEo-683sz9VJtFC2_f3mpuJAglhyvhZXwePpxxlrp9BWg3KyYRCCjvHBc03KOWCzdNYedyodr4M96Ep7Sy3kOybrV8UlJEyLMJ5zLYCZrEORn/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490177864907005154" /></a><br /> since their combined birthday party. They have grown.<br /> Claudia was there with her guapo (handsome) son, Diego (7). <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxEK5eBZVMQSgZiPy49z2l3RsBlqFV1xLaUNq22I3-UTfU7Bc6a_NqbrC10LNbxyl-5mBZnlEb1FqeaVxd_FD-YXuA5x7mEbItl6gIC_bnkYZddHLGMs74KhX0t6Z2jmwGKUDabuUGjh_/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxEK5eBZVMQSgZiPy49z2l3RsBlqFV1xLaUNq22I3-UTfU7Bc6a_NqbrC10LNbxyl-5mBZnlEb1FqeaVxd_FD-YXuA5x7mEbItl6gIC_bnkYZddHLGMs74KhX0t6Z2jmwGKUDabuUGjh_/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490178523051993938" /></a> Reynaldo’s parents were visiting from Honduras. We met them last November at the birthday party. René and Adilís Oliva were also there. They are the couple who asked for Kayla as a daughter-in-law. Their son is serving a mission in New York City.<br /><br />We ate all afternoon. We started outside under a canopy. Reynaldo’s mother was stirring chunks of cheese into refried red beans (only Guatemalans make refried black beans) that were in clay bowls, sitting on top of small clay pots of charcoal. She invited Julie and me to help stir. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw8_j4ak0x4x2Mlh2VxCvm7jPW8XZI2PJ_wWm5Zx6qCUUwz01S7gFoz06hiszVb8cEG3BS37z5c6zzu2RE2ITbVDGmu4aUiMOzHo-480wK_tZZzYvzSgvwf6ma-1-QZGZnhP9o-MIOr8I/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkw8_j4ak0x4x2Mlh2VxCvm7jPW8XZI2PJ_wWm5Zx6qCUUwz01S7gFoz06hiszVb8cEG3BS37z5c6zzu2RE2ITbVDGmu4aUiMOzHo-480wK_tZZzYvzSgvwf6ma-1-QZGZnhP9o-MIOr8I/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490175415887698610" /></a>We dipped tortilla chips into the beans. We also had a bowl of sliced onions, red peppers, and chile to dip the chips into. Some scoops were mild but getting some of the chile intensified the feeling of heat. Then we were served a bowl of potato soup. It was steaming hot. There were no discernible pieces of potato in it but it was definitely a potato broth. It started to rain and the atmosphere under the canopy was fun. Julie and I just melted into the experience of our wonderful friends and the Honduran food we were eating. The rain got pretty intense and even though we were under the canopy we were getting splashed by the pounding rain. We dashed inside and sat at the dining room table. Out came enchiladas and carrot salad with raisin and pineapple. I tried the banana soda. It is also a product of Honduras. I have never seen it here. Popusas were served with the meal. We ate some in El Salvador but these were the best I have tasted. The frozen ones in the market can’t compare. There was a woman doing the cooking and Reynaldo took Julie and I into the kitchen to watch her make the popusas. Pretty soon we were involved in the project. The dough was already made of corn flour, salt, and water. We dipped our hands in oil to prevent sticking, then took a ball of dough and patted it between our hands to flatten it. Then we took a small handful of the filling (cheese and loroco seed) and put it in the center, folded the sides up around it and then patted it flat again. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92PdEgejpJyAsASgEehFArXTAKoNy34hrUhcTA88RgM0OQ9CAbj_HZWiGl96dQleOpFZGcNgqg0tJ-Or8BytMvcGOUho9mEUhz96EKDyCPv326HIwyT3_NfymSP3Lk0fQmXkpJnbVR_pO/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92PdEgejpJyAsASgEehFArXTAKoNy34hrUhcTA88RgM0OQ9CAbj_HZWiGl96dQleOpFZGcNgqg0tJ-Or8BytMvcGOUho9mEUhz96EKDyCPv326HIwyT3_NfymSP3Lk0fQmXkpJnbVR_pO/s320/043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490176313621207426" /></a><br /><br /> It was fried in oil on both sides and then Julie and I ate our own popusas, sharing them with Tom and Dick. What a fun experience. A beautiful cake topped off the whole meal.<br /><br />We sat around the table for a couple of hours and talked……almost entirely Spanish. Many stories or jokes were repeated in English so Julie and I could get it all. We laughed and laughed. As we sat there we played a version of “Name That Tune,” but we had to whistle a tune. That brought many more laughs. I told them it was like being with our family, just talking and laughing and enjoying one another’s company. It made me teary to think I would be leaving and will never again see people who have been so dear to us. The little children have helped relieve the feelings of missing our grandchildren. Three year old Monica with her dark curls and determination reminds me of Sydney at three years old. I am so grateful that the Arnolds were able to have this special experience while they are so new to Guatemala and the mission field. They, too, will now feel that they have family in Guatemala.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 July 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today is Independence Day in the States and living in a foreign country makes me love my country more than ever. We have listened to “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood that I downloaded last year. Plus, this morning we heard strains of “The Star Spangled Banner” on an email. Of course, we didn’t sing any patriotic songs about the U.S. in Sacrament Meeting today. Dick and I both bore our testimony. I have such strong feelings in my heart but expressing them in Spanish is totally beyond my linguistic ability, so I have to just go with the basics.<br /><br />Dick left with the Arnolds at 3 pm to speak about PEF at the Villa Hermosa Stake bishops meeting. I will have a meal ready when they all get back. It has been a wonderful week, here in Guatemala, in the mission field.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-44496428925988772682010-06-27T14:01:00.000-07:002010-06-27T14:29:39.159-07:00Journal - June 21 - 27The following is an excerpt from an email Cyndy sent to Dick on Father’s Day. It hits the nail on the head about the purpose of my Journal/Blog:<br /><br />“I thought of Mom's journal and combined it with a thought for the day that gave me an insight I hadn't ever considered. The Book of Mormon wasn't available to the Nephites and Lamanites. It was the continuing journal of the prophets and leaders. It was written with the intent of being a testimony to us. So, as I thought about this, and tossed in a few thoughts about the Ensign and modern day revelation, it occurred to me that the blog you've been writing is like family scripture. It's counsel to us and history (current history) shares the same types of counsel and history the scriptures do only on a personal family level. It's not counsel or stories with examples of righteous service for the world, but for our family, for us on a more intimate level because of our relationship with you. I expect my brothers and sisters and all the friends that read your blog, wait with anticipation of its posting every Sunday afternoon, but I wonder how many read between the lines and see the "scriptural" content of your daily activities. How every FHE report teaches that FHE is important no matter where or the design of your family. That attending meetings, regardless of hardships, is essential to our faith. That the people you are serving joyfully accept the gospel and sacrifice even in their meager circumstance to participate and serve. It certainly should put us in our place about our minor inconveniences when it comes to our own efforts.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 June 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick has had a full day. He was out of here at 6:30 am and took Elder Tom Arnold with him. (Arnolds are from Lehi, UT). All of the exceptions, already signed by Elder Clarke, need to be in Salt Lake City by 9 am. They also took care of the security passes and a few other things. They came back to the apartment building so Arnolds could pay their deposit and first month’s rent. Then Dick took Tom and Julie to the office to get the resident visa started and then to Price Smart to stock up on all the Costco products. They came back and unloaded the car, then left for Hiper Paiz to buy the other groceries and household goods they needed. Sister Tobler went with them. After they unloaded the car, Dick and I went downstairs to apartment 101, hung up the “BIENVENIDOS” (welcome) sign, and put an assortment of food items in the refrigerator and on the counter. We had a bowl of soup for dinner that Rexene had made and then Dick hurried to the cleaners before it closed at 6 pm. <br /><br /> At 7 pm we were across the hall for FHE, hosted by Tilleys but held in the Tobler’s bigger apartment. President and Sister Steimle from the MTC spoke tonight. We took the teclado so I could play “Called to Serve.” By 8:30 pm Dick, Jim and Steve were at the airport picking up Elder and Sister Guajardo, public affairs missionaries, from Texas. I had the key to their apartment and they were thrilled with their new home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22 June 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />This morning Dick and Tom Arnold went to the office at 9 am and took Elder and Sister Guajardo (Rudy and Janie). They were taken to the fourth floor to their area of responsibility. Meanwhile at home, Julie Arnold and I talked about various things at work, at the apartment, and Guatemala in general. When Dick and Tom got back we used the projector to show pictures on the wall of the seventeen times we have spent two days with returning missionaries. It was a great way to cover all the things we do there and what their responsibilities will be. It is still our favorite part of our calling. There is nothing like being around the young missionaries. We talked for a couple of hours. It was much easier doing this part of the training at home than at the office.<br />At 2 pm Dick took the Arnolds to the office to meet with Reynaldo. Then he was back in an hour with the Guarjados. They were able to meet with Nancy, the apartment manager, to pay their deposit and rent. Then Dick and Jim took Guajardos shopping at Price Smart. As soon as they got back we all gathered in the Fillmore’s apartment and had our leftovers from Sunday. It tasted as good tonight as it did Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 June 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />We took Arnolds with us and were at the office by 8 am. It is a tight office with six of us in there….more than tight. I showed Julie some of the basic things I do. Before 11 am the manager at our apartment building called to say that Convergence was here to install the internet/cable for the Toblers, so the four of us came back. After all the work was done and we had lunch, Dick and Tom went back to the office. I had a “Shutterfly” class to teach Julie and Sandy so the Farewell Books will be done for couples after we leave. We weren’t able to finish because I had internet problems.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">24 June 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Arnolds don’t have a car yet so they go with us each day. We were at the office for an 8 am video conference with Salt Lake. It was in English which is always good. After that was over it was repeated at 10:00 for Spanish speakers. Dick went to that one, also. I acquainted Julie with the Spanish computer keyboard, which we have at the office. I also showed her how I can switch my typing on my laptop to Spanish so I can put in accents and have spell check in Spanish. We worked on the Specialist Report. Then she did an online calendar with all the information of when the various reports need to be done. After noon all four of us went for haircuts…..Julie and I to the beauty shop and the men to the barber shop. It is the first time Dick didn’t stick around with me to help me tell Esmeralda what I wanted done. It really is an act of charades to let her know how we want our hair cut. She asked if Julie and I were hermanas (sisters) and I told her, “Si, hermanas en la iglesia.” (sisters in the church) <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25 June 2010…..Friday</span><br />A new stake PEF specialist came to the office for training today…..at 7 am. Dick and the Arnolds left at 6:30 am. Dick was back to get me at 8:30 am. We went up to the fifth floor for an appointment with Elder Clarke. It was our “exit interview.” The Clarkes and Martinos leave for the States next week so Elder Clarke needed to take care of our final interview. (Four weeks from right now, 4:15 pm, we will land in Salt Lake City). We enjoyed our thirty minute visit with him. He gave both of us a certificate saying we were honorably released from our calling as a missionary….effective July 23, 2010. He gave us two sealed envelopes….one for our stake president and one for our bishop, plus a copy of the letter for us. It seems like just yesterday that we were sitting around that same round table when we first arrived in Guatemala City and he welcomed us.<br /><br />As soon as we were finished I left with a group to go with the Curtiss’ to “Ayudame vivir,” (help me to live), the pediatric cancer clinic. It was an emotional experience just like the last time we were there. There was a presentation of medical equipment from Church Humanitarian Services, arranged by the Curtiss’ and formally presented by Elvis Gomez. He is the director of the Employment Resource Center.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fIpn6UFM_9Y2Gg8MAlauQfVt0_9h8HNrQFQKAs109qdTg2eVklDoPRL5yfGvAYC-TsYcu5mD-Jl-szb9zli99t-uPoVG1DbgipKsOGURi1NR5fYAwz8iaBSNtGoU4Faj5a_BqG4IPRd/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fIpn6UFM_9Y2Gg8MAlauQfVt0_9h8HNrQFQKAs109qdTg2eVklDoPRL5yfGvAYC-TsYcu5mD-Jl-szb9zli99t-uPoVG1DbgipKsOGURi1NR5fYAwz8iaBSNtGoU4Faj5a_BqG4IPRd/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487563995703080226" /></a><br /> Four children presented framed paintings, done by patients, to Curtiss’ and to the head doctor. The teen-aged boy is free of cancer after many years of treatment. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGASwIFLldJbV3wDnu2TYc1zt5ROvYvq3xQrSa9rKuMLpVIbTb_lxgUmw7Q-Lcn0M8SSlHKiHDJ03Np65UwNRr6bumMbg0-UvjSaH2r8vmI_i8oCPEJ9qgODRb9tFD8YVDebUubou4AYaP/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGASwIFLldJbV3wDnu2TYc1zt5ROvYvq3xQrSa9rKuMLpVIbTb_lxgUmw7Q-Lcn0M8SSlHKiHDJ03Np65UwNRr6bumMbg0-UvjSaH2r8vmI_i8oCPEJ9qgODRb9tFD8YVDebUubou4AYaP/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487563259211054450" /></a> Afterwards we had a tour of the facility and tears ran. So many sick children. As we walked into their rooms we presented hats to the patients, made by many church members in the States. One little four year old boy was crying. He just wants to go home. A two year old that looked much younger, blew kisses to us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8K_XbrjkTtUrn4WzkRPak1FiBz39R-ArATrmYgEbS5p6MMYrHuZb9jRd4G8MRz6XV4eaPEMecIohyphenhyphenGYrbCHkwXL5RD0GKW0IKvvaMF0_TlzHNqJm45np5hAz1gs0CmxTuRR7Wg3EunFw-/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8K_XbrjkTtUrn4WzkRPak1FiBz39R-ArATrmYgEbS5p6MMYrHuZb9jRd4G8MRz6XV4eaPEMecIohyphenhyphenGYrbCHkwXL5RD0GKW0IKvvaMF0_TlzHNqJm45np5hAz1gs0CmxTuRR7Wg3EunFw-/s320/031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487564649847987330" /></a><br /> Parents sat by all their bedsides.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLNi1hvSmjUiUGLEiTkcc7_i1bNTx5SNg0XJY8y9OjSY4-WDcXe8LXfyX8z3nI3ErnUttpQ2BYhUhLKK2lJ8CIDzCQ_Ol84ZEsSCMW7Ge4oYTJgVgqRx4dYO7i3YF4CkhZAB1f2ImYVLb/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLNi1hvSmjUiUGLEiTkcc7_i1bNTx5SNg0XJY8y9OjSY4-WDcXe8LXfyX8z3nI3ErnUttpQ2BYhUhLKK2lJ8CIDzCQ_Ol84ZEsSCMW7Ge4oYTJgVgqRx4dYO7i3YF4CkhZAB1f2ImYVLb/s320/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487565161981940178" /></a> One mother was taking her child home, many miles away. She had spent the last five months here with him and now he was well enough to leave.<br /><br />PEF Committee Meeting was cancelled for this afternoon so we let John off at the office and Beatriz drove Sandy, Julie and me out for lunch. We went to Le Café. After lunch she brought the three of us back to the apartment building.<br /><br />The guys went to Blockbuster and rented some movies. We gathered at Hatch’s apartment and watched “2012.” It just seemed fitting to see that particular movie while we were still in Guatemala since it is supposed to be based on the Mayan calendar that ends in 2012…..except the calendar doesn’t end in 2012, it just starts over.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26 June 2010…..Saturday</span><br />While I cleaned and did laundry Dick went to the office to clean up his desk from all the paperwork. We went with Tilleys to the Acevedo’s home for lunch. He is our branch president and they wanted to do a goodbye lunch for us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLq32-sl9SPydN4_SUbbXLWvl90-OVHAVfgPMS4TVdUipPdPKRlsLmVPZn3MNduxlFe_KHJTWuPMtd6LRbF8JY7faZj5pSunq0pBcchlL9nScjkwODtE6BrnwLbwy4rnr_yuKYa5Jvvvv/s1600/053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisLq32-sl9SPydN4_SUbbXLWvl90-OVHAVfgPMS4TVdUipPdPKRlsLmVPZn3MNduxlFe_KHJTWuPMtd6LRbF8JY7faZj5pSunq0pBcchlL9nScjkwODtE6BrnwLbwy4rnr_yuKYa5Jvvvv/s320/053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487567159706201650" /></a><br /><br /> It was very, very nice. Lillian prepared a Guatemalan chicken dish made with a flower called loroco. It grows in another area of Guatemala, only during a certain part of the year. It was delicious (had cream in it) and probably the best native dish I have had here…..plus, I truly trust her preparation and cooking of the food. We had a hot drink with the meal that she called an “apple infusion.” Dessert was boiled plantains that were mashed and rolled around a filling of mashed black beans that had been sweetened. Then it was fried. It was tasty.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCVWaD7XfdG6YMJ0f9gMtEpAFxF5C3X_jMwpYyGHmZr75U_UgUQD4LoYfs8xRtVWXUwStreSjL1JRV_f2bNhirp7K9dKwtuUNe197zvpMUcGn8amaGPh9jl0E_r29lS2okNoHH60kwXFU/s1600/049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCVWaD7XfdG6YMJ0f9gMtEpAFxF5C3X_jMwpYyGHmZr75U_UgUQD4LoYfs8xRtVWXUwStreSjL1JRV_f2bNhirp7K9dKwtuUNe197zvpMUcGn8amaGPh9jl0E_r29lS2okNoHH60kwXFU/s320/049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487566641985688562" /></a><br /> We love their children, too…..Nicole, José and Dan.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhSz6ZsnpeuoL1hLvXsGNZCaON67EZQiY3dN9Zxl0U13S7XSmHNPOjfHFdjRp3HtN6iq5oB3EaRsdPYusirM3sByGGI-t91TWTd4U49hN2s8ABwVxHkTnV8JhRESkpk055k1q56HrON4C/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhSz6ZsnpeuoL1hLvXsGNZCaON67EZQiY3dN9Zxl0U13S7XSmHNPOjfHFdjRp3HtN6iq5oB3EaRsdPYusirM3sByGGI-t91TWTd4U49hN2s8ABwVxHkTnV8JhRESkpk055k1q56HrON4C/s320/042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487566165643629970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7J7qFBs13D_0AxZVDPQzsxM-K1ndzDi-jomeLfPTz_LyQRSPKvoQPSBJesrfoT0_mcZgbILf9o1263DkZh4W_zJCa-lK-oBENZwMA9fEEvgJHQI4Jsq7ZCfAmgR3P0J5LXjVwfZKt9oN/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7J7qFBs13D_0AxZVDPQzsxM-K1ndzDi-jomeLfPTz_LyQRSPKvoQPSBJesrfoT0_mcZgbILf9o1263DkZh4W_zJCa-lK-oBENZwMA9fEEvgJHQI4Jsq7ZCfAmgR3P0J5LXjVwfZKt9oN/s320/039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487565551316678562" /></a><br /><br />We have had almost non-existent rain for the last week. There is a period of time here in Guatemala City called “canicola.” That is a dry period of about two weeks when there is no rain during the rainy season. Just a little information on meteorology.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27 June 2010…..Sunday</span><br />We woke up to rain and it has rained off and on all day. Arnolds rode to Church with us. At 11:30 am Dick, Tom and Jim left. Dick had a stake PEF specialist to train in El Bosque de San Nicolas Stake. We three women stayed and did our assignments in Primary and then Rexene drove us home.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-23692389621163234312010-06-20T18:52:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:58:28.404-07:00Journal - June 14 - 20<span style="font-weight:bold;">14 June 2010…..Monday</span><br />I was at the office all morning, tying up loose ends but still no updated directory for the bishops in Guatemala. Dick left to take a temple missionary couple to Price Smart. They are new and just arrived in country a couple of days ago. When he got back to the office he brought me home and then he went to Convergence to take care of Blackburn’s final doings for internet and cable. <br /><br />Family Home Evening tonight was at Johnson’s, half a block away. We walked over. Blackburns did their famous, or “infamous,” portrayal of Abbott and Costello of “Who’s on First.” They are quite the entertainers. It was raining afterwards. Dick and Tilleys walked back to the apartments and I jumped in Martino’s car for a dry ride home. I had to say my goodbyes to Blackburns. I will really miss them.<br /><br />We got mail at the office….Jessica’s graduation announcement! Our house is officially back on the market. Here we go again! Long distant selling is not recommended!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15 June 2010.....Tuesday</span><br />Dick drove Blackburns to the airport this morning at 6 am and Tilleys took all the luggage. It would be very nice if one of us had a bigger van, but alas, the Corolla station wagons we all drive are too small for people and luggage. Late last night Elder and Sister Tobler arrived. They will replace Tomkinsons at the dental clinic. They will live in 201, the three bedroom apartment across the hall from us. We met them, briefly, this morning. <br /><br />After going to the airport this morning Dick went to the office for a couple of hours. He was back to get me at 9 am and I had everything packed and ready to go. We drove to the Casa de Húespedes, happy to get the newly remodeled room with the queen size beds instead of the bunk beds. We have nine young missionaries, 4 sisters and 5 elders. The Gala Tours van that picks them up at the airport always waits till we are ready to go to the Employment Resource Center and then transports us all there. We went to lunch at the restaurant down the hall from ERS. It tasted pretty good to me today….spaghetti plus squash and carrots. The horchata (a rice drink) was very watered down so I didn’t drink much.<br /><br />This afternoon Elder Martino came and spoke an hour. Our missionaries are always thrilled to have a general authority speak to them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcCcnwDT6NsxvREsUjWN8yK5xA1KM1r5Zpo6ztxooecLwc5PIukcaeWmcjL5glcKlItxI5Z07lat07Clnn3LeaSNtvr8i_5jzGJp5M6vHnKjIoJ8F27FPCed-GmKtjDpSfo3FGPcnX3uf/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcCcnwDT6NsxvREsUjWN8yK5xA1KM1r5Zpo6ztxooecLwc5PIukcaeWmcjL5glcKlItxI5Z07lat07Clnn3LeaSNtvr8i_5jzGJp5M6vHnKjIoJ8F27FPCed-GmKtjDpSfo3FGPcnX3uf/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485052003547084258" /></a><br /> As I was working on my computer in one of the offices today I got into a conversation with a volunteer at the ERS. She speaks some English, has served a mission and wants to go to college. She was very interested when I told her we were PEF. She is from Amátitlan Stake. I replied that that area was hit hard with the volcanic sand and the flooding from Tropical Storm Agatha. She said she woke up that day about 4 am and water was rising over her feet. She called for her mother. Their TV, radio, clothes were all affected by the flooding. After she is finished here today she is going to help with a priesthood project in her home area to help those who have lost everything. I said it was all very sad. She said, “ the Lord is calling his people to repentance.” Amen!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 June 2010…..Wednesday</span><br /> We were up bright and early and ready to board the shuttle to go to the Employment Resource Center at 7 am. The streets were damp but no rain while we traveled. Yesterday morning was absolutely gorgeous but we had a lot of thunder and rain the rest of the day. After our opening devotional we went to the restaurant for the “tipico” breakfast. I particularly like the “nectar” to drink. Usually, it is melon. Today it had pineapple, papaya, and mango in it. I was able to get hooked up to the internet early and except for taking a few pictures of our group and the Institute director I was able to do computer work. Lunch at the restaurant was the usual un-exciting selection. I had a bowl of beans and some rice, but I didn’t eat the cauliflower and broccoli mix that looked like it had been boiled for a couple of hours. Some doctors have told us not to eat cauliflower or broccoli because we can’t disinfect them enough to kill all possible germs. Those veggies on the menu today couldn’t possibly have had even the most minuscule germ left after all the cooking. <br /><br />When class was about finished we passed out the McFlurrys that had been delivered by McDonalds. At 4 pm we went to the curb and boarded our “bus.” We took a picture of everyone by the bus when we got back to the Casa.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDR53LgozgQRBzQb4Fyhf2-d8fTcvdAGdzAET8m2Aw_LECtxowPir0ML2l46KuNMEobfJOdMO0Wvix5rMNa0AQCKtjkiHO8HvBxOUEraIM6K7gWWMLd0pSo71HL67hTe65DPxvXMd0INv/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDR53LgozgQRBzQb4Fyhf2-d8fTcvdAGdzAET8m2Aw_LECtxowPir0ML2l46KuNMEobfJOdMO0Wvix5rMNa0AQCKtjkiHO8HvBxOUEraIM6K7gWWMLd0pSo71HL67hTe65DPxvXMd0INv/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485040422449444178" /></a> Then we all went to the temple. One of our sister missionaries had been having stomach problems since she came Tuesday morning. She hardly ate anything, even skipping two meals. At the temple she told me she had “fear” about going home and not having a companion to travel with by airplane tomorrow morning up to the Peten. I told Dick so he could talk to her later. When he saw her in the lobby afterwards he asked if she would like a blessing. She said, “No. I have been to the temple. I am fine.” She was gung-ho at the prospect of ordering Big Mac’s, fries, and drinks when we got back to the Casa. The transformation in her countenance was uplifting. So, Dick and a couple of elders drove to the nearby McDonalds and we all went into the kitchen at the Casa and ate.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkArpW-4pzC_nHgGMXDhKTQqQOFd-7yBB_6-7Hsqi7Iannr5OID8koGMUz5Ntahm14ledf08GtOgT9trIFk2kzGiRkJjDTmOqdQA6c7h45-zdB4uJnOKpelxfg0A_IwXdNr1-NIHKfZzhW/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkArpW-4pzC_nHgGMXDhKTQqQOFd-7yBB_6-7Hsqi7Iannr5OID8koGMUz5Ntahm14ledf08GtOgT9trIFk2kzGiRkJjDTmOqdQA6c7h45-zdB4uJnOKpelxfg0A_IwXdNr1-NIHKfZzhW/s320/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485052868808667314" /></a><br /> We love our experiences with the returning missionaries and this group was no exception. Only one sister was picked up by her mother after the temple session. The other eight spent one more night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17 June 2010…..Thursday</span><br />When every missionary but one had left, Dick took him for breakfast at McDonalds. It was 11 am before he was finally picked up. We loaded up the car and came home. We unloaded the car and then Dick went to San Martíns to get a dozen large rolls and I heated up three cans of corn. Rexene had planned a little surprise meal for our four apartment workers and the guard. Today is the Guatemalan Father’s Day. Rexene, Sandy and I took our folding tables down to the lobby and set the table with real dishes. Then we took down food that others had helped prepare…..roasted chickens from Price Smart, rice, punch, and cake, plus the corn and rolls. Mario, Rogelio, Victor, Tomas, and the guard were surprised and very pleased. It was an hour later before they were through eating and they ate it all! These are good men who we trust, who take care of whatever we need and keep this building spotless. Their earnings are a pittance and they have families to support. We wanted them to know how much we appreciate them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37E-jA1i93TioYtMzNu6gOf5PAUMUUOqSAQpULpLAXD72yvVIvJpRsPIcQUHtOLwqtfpKulSfyOXKIJ8G6AMOLZEBKHBBxnJ6vXdBk-ONSfiHLHV-_G7cEn09qjUi8XdQoPEPzNcVJY-w/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37E-jA1i93TioYtMzNu6gOf5PAUMUUOqSAQpULpLAXD72yvVIvJpRsPIcQUHtOLwqtfpKulSfyOXKIJ8G6AMOLZEBKHBBxnJ6vXdBk-ONSfiHLHV-_G7cEn09qjUi8XdQoPEPzNcVJY-w/s320/044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485048642067345794" /></a><br /><br />The Clarkes and Martinos wanted to take us out to dinner before they leave for the month of July. Caziers, Tilleys, and we met them at our favorite Chinese restaurant. The streets were flooded with rain. My favorite dish, camarones (shrimp) with picante sauce, was more delicious than ever. We had a very enjoyable meal and visit. We greatly appreciate our association with the Area presidency. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwEk1Ru4aAtbTmD2rqZtIVRvIuyv1sQR4Yu1qBBL-NMFSwIDe63AwRbl4yWgqf8wU_IK3ACEtJ02lQjibhfGnPpN0JJQQIvSUJ0Is1uMyi2FOARHE7AMTOewve3ZmMAXetay_05-A0Lh/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwEk1Ru4aAtbTmD2rqZtIVRvIuyv1sQR4Yu1qBBL-NMFSwIDe63AwRbl4yWgqf8wU_IK3ACEtJ02lQjibhfGnPpN0JJQQIvSUJ0Is1uMyi2FOARHE7AMTOewve3ZmMAXetay_05-A0Lh/s320/045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485050701242669074" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 June 2010…..Friday</span><br />This morning I typed the PEF loan exceptions for Dick, in Spanish. Then I typed up the schedule we have with the returning missionaries, from Tuesday morning when they arrive to Thursday morning when the last of them leave. Dick emailed the schedule to Elder Martino and we will print one for Elder and Sister Arnold, our replacements who will arrive here tomorrow night. Dick had written the schedule out in Spanish but I typed it in English. A little later Sister Dunford called from Belize to ask Dick some PEF questions and I talked to her about some of the students she has visited recently. Then I entered her comments about each of them onto the PEF administrative site. <br /><br />Our shoe shine boy, Gregorio, 13, was in the office. He likes to learn new English words. Lately, Dick drills him on multiplication tables. Today John started asking him about square roots and was amazed at all of the correct answers. Telma Chacon and Patty Alvarez, secretaries to the Area Presidency, have taken him under their wings and help him with his homework. He is thriving with their help. He is not the same little boy he was almost two years ago.<br /><br />MacArthurs and Tilleys were heading out to lunch and so we met them at Wendy’s, of course. I still don’t know the fascination with Wendy’s but I am getting very tired of it. I had my usual baked potato and chili with orange juice to drink. The company was great though. Then we drove over to Pais and did some grocery shopping. We bought water, bread, milk, eggs, juice, yogurt, cereal, granola bars, bananas, crackers and cookies to put in the apartments of the two couples arriving in the next few days…..just enough to tide them over till we can take them to the grocery store.<br /><br />The power went off late afternoon and we weren’t even having a thunderstorm. Charlie Albert and Jim were in our apartment visiting. Rexene and I went upstairs and visited with Judy Albert. When we couldn’t see much anymore we came downstairs and I lit some candles. That always works like a charm and the power came on in less than five minutes. Cheryl Baldwin came by the apartment and brought the markos for Tilleys and us that the Cranneys had purchased for us in Sololá. Markos are the measuring devices used by the people in the Book of Mormon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19 June 2010…..Saturday</span><br />We had our usual Saturday activities, getting the apartment cleaned and laundry done. We went up to apartment 303….Blackburns old apartment that has been painted and cleaned, and put in the grocery items we purchased yesterday. Dick went to the office for awhile and I made an Angel Food cake.<br /><br />At 2:30 pm we loaded our car and Tilleys car with big black plastic bags of clothing and boxes of miscellaneous items from Tomkinsons, Blackburns, Tilleys and us that we are leaving in Guatemala with our branch members. The Acevedos will go through it and distribute it to the branch members, according to need. Fillmores also drove over and he did a dental hygiene presentation with the branch members. We had 30 in attendance and they enjoyed the entertaining presentation. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpumoX5Pqe-HBjFm4rlmmhsE5-MEQ6N6lQwu5s8QePsIw14lNPtr4bjkwvZHG2KgzGedNcRVav_JnEtnZ1rhNHuw5l0Db3Yg3sJWGU3anQfjdInV1KOT_9-68Nrm9YYYFqMQVqxrXa4x2/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpumoX5Pqe-HBjFm4rlmmhsE5-MEQ6N6lQwu5s8QePsIw14lNPtr4bjkwvZHG2KgzGedNcRVav_JnEtnZ1rhNHuw5l0Db3Yg3sJWGU3anQfjdInV1KOT_9-68Nrm9YYYFqMQVqxrXa4x2/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485049576992718674" /></a><br />Dick and Jim made an airport run to pick up Elder and Sister Arnold. They were back at the apartments by 9:30 pm. We had the key for Arnold’s apartment and they were very pleased with it. We really like this new couple who has come to replace us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 June 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today is Father’s Day, a day to be grateful for my wonderful Daddy and to remember the things that he taught me, and also a day to honor the man I chose to be father of my children. I chose wisely and our children have great love and respect for him. This morning Tom and Julie Arnold rode to Church with us. They will fit it beautifully here with all the other senior couples. La Sabana Branch was also very welcoming to them and I know they will enjoy attending with the good people there. Sister Arnold will inherit the teclado when we leave and she will take over the music for Sacrament Meeting and Primary. That will be a huge blessing to the branch.<br /><br />After a relaxing afternoon of reading, phone calls, and a nap for Dick, we went to Cazier’s apartment for a Father’s Day meal. I took Angel Pudding, a recipe of Dick’s mom…..angel food cake broken into pieces and covered with a mixture of chocolate and whipped cream. The only problem here is that the cream doesn’t whip up nice and airy and light. But, it still works. (The recipe is in the Graff Family Cookbook, attached to my blog.) We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful visit with our good friends.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-37167836025671810822010-06-13T17:57:00.000-07:002010-06-13T18:23:30.169-07:00Journal - June 7 - 13<span style="font-weight:bold;">7 June 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick went to the office early to get the exceptions emailed to Salt Lake for the approval meeting. I rode with Tilleys. They took the Tomkinsons to the airport early this morning and it is strange that the door to apartment 201 has not been open today, though I did hear the apartment guys in there working. It needs to be ready for the next dentist who arrives in a week.<br /><br />I kept busy at the office till 4 pm. Dick left at noon to get an estimate on the car so we can have the scrapes and scratches repaired so we can sell it when we leave. There is not a car here that doesn’t need a little repair work. It is all the tight fitting parking areas with support pillars everywhere. The other cars are all church cars so the church pays for repairs. We bought our car when we came so we will pay for our repairs. Dick brought Taco Bell back to the office for our lunch. After we came home the “doc” followed Dick to the collision repair shop so Dick could leave the car for the work to be done.<br /><br />This evening we had a short meeting in our apartment with Tilleys and MacArthurs about the PEF mentoring program we are doing. We all attend the same stake so each couple has one PEF student to “mentor.”<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8 June 2010….Tuesday</span><br />Today Cady is 3 years old. She is our youngest granddaughter. Dick rode to the office today with Jim. Today Rexene, Adele, and I hosted the monthly “Ladies Day Out.” We did it the easy way. We all met at the Airport Market. We had lunch first at the restaurant <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5WzbIiM_4PD1sxLbWfnY5JfS67fb6Vc8Mz_lEh6r4v-GAJw5Jezx6FmE_s-sZPLKJUCujU7rqj1-LL3sXAMYCh011IcddYwYfaZkfR_VDvJGY0-x6wCB0ktd9EcZH9U6TxPApynZvc3s/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5WzbIiM_4PD1sxLbWfnY5JfS67fb6Vc8Mz_lEh6r4v-GAJw5Jezx6FmE_s-sZPLKJUCujU7rqj1-LL3sXAMYCh011IcddYwYfaZkfR_VDvJGY0-x6wCB0ktd9EcZH9U6TxPApynZvc3s/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482429162391351570" /></a><br />and then some of us shopped at the market. It is a much better organized, safer, cleaner market than the others. It is near the airport so it caters to the traveler. I bought another beautifully made pillow cover. Rexene drove the four of us coming from the apartment. The guys always go out to lunch whenever the women go to lunch.<br /><br />We have had some nice rain today, off and on. It rained so hard on Sunday that it washed down more of the volcanic sand from ledges of the surrounding buildings. Tilleys came in and visited for quite awhile tonight. Jim and Dick went to the airport at 8 pm to pick up the Alberts. They were here in 2009 on a six month mission to build the dental clinic and went home in September. They are back to check out some humanitarian projects of their own.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 June 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />We rode to the office with Jim. I got the letters for the priesthood leaders from Claudia today so I was able to attach them to the emails and send the reports to the members of the Seventy in Central America and all of the stake presidents. Alberts came into the office to talk with John. We all got in Curtiss’ car and went to the hotel to get Alberts suitcases because they will be staying in apartment 301 for a couple of weeks. John brought Alberts and me back to Victoria Suites and then Dick and John went to the Bishop’s Storehouse to fill orders for a few families in Curtiss’ branch.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />10 June 2010…..Thursday</span><br />We rode with Jim again this morning. I emailed reports to all the specialists in Central America today and typed up a new schedule of dates with returning missionaries. We came home with Jim and made a stop at the cleaners and Paiz. I stayed home. Dick took the MacArthur’s car and went back to the office for the 4 pm English class he teaches but none of the men were available today.<br /><br />Dick bought sweet potatoes a few days ago and I baked them today. They were ugly as could be on the outside with a very thin skin. I had them in the oven at 450 degrees for an hour and 15 minutes. They still weren’t done (must be the elevation). So I scooped them out into a dish and put them in the microwave for several minutes. They were not the orange color that I love but a very pale yellow. I have never seen this variety before. The taste was okay but not what I would call a sweet potato. I wanted it to taste like our Thanksgiving yams.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 June 2010…..Friday</span><br />This morning Tilleys dropped us off at the office. I updated the information on some of our Belize participants and on the specialist directory. I still can’t do the Priesthood Reports for the bishops in Guatemala, as the bishop’s directory is being updated and I have to wait for it to be done. I went upstairs twice and helped Blackburns for awhile as they prepared materials for their 8 hour training tomorrow for auditing with representatives from all of the missions in Central America. They go home on Tuesday so they are super busy at the apartment with packing and at the office. Jim and Dick brought me home and then went to Office Depot to buy some calculators that the Blackburns will give to the men involved in the training tomorrow. Before coming back to the apartments, Jim dropped Dick off at the collision repair shop to pick up our car. Dick is so happy to have the car back. We have had to rely on others for our transportation since Monday.<br /><br />The apartment building being built outside our picture windows has provided a lot of entertainment for us the last few months. Now the structure is five stories high. They have poured the cement for the fifth floor and will have all the pillars poured in a few days. I no longer have a view of the Jacaranda trees or the tall pine tree. I can’t even see the planes as they take off. I am just grateful for the view I have had all the time we have been here.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12 June 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Today was a big cleaning day. We moved the furniture around in the living room/dining room and I worked on the wood floors. Dick went to Convergence to straighten out the mess again with them. Fifteen months ago some of us paid a year in advance and they gave us three months free for our internet/cable TV. They have tried to bill all of us at various times. Hopefully, this will be our last time to have to clear up the situation. They continued to bill three others who have already returned to the states and now have a “warrant” out for them if they ever return to Guatemala. It is sort of funny. How many times do we have to tell a company that we are moving back to the states and don’t need their service any longer? <br /><br />This afternoon I went through our closet, removing things we are not taking home with us and putting them in boxes to take to our branch…..clothing, books, toiletries, etc. Dick and Jim went to the temple where they worked in the baptistery. Our stake is having a stake day at the temple at 6 p.m. Buses will pick up the stake members and take them. Our branch has a total of four cars so a bus is very necessary. They met the bus down by the Catholic Church in La Sabana. This day is for ALL branch members. Those endowed will do a session. The youth and others will do baptisms for the dead. Others can go to a room behind the temple for a meeting and even children may attend that meeting. Babysitting will be provided. It is different than a stake day at the Los Angeles Temple.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 June 2010…..Sunday</span><br />We woke up to overcast skies and it has rained off and on all day. Our branch grew by one this week. A baby boy was born to our sweet indigenous family. They have faithfully attended since before we came here, but are not members because he doesn’t have a divorce from his first wife since he has no idea where she is. After Church Dick and Jim went home teaching and Rexene brought me home. Then the guys went to stake priesthood meeting and after they got home we went to dinner at the Tilleys, along with the Blackburns.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MgSGR0lxZDYiWTOOhBou0_CrMF6AMx7lhWOwmxFHi3965bKNxfkNt7nu87ekErQ_cdcEOjimlXBkLuKlZ2zgLNBWLr7YhdcJKGmLHfzYr3zrpDEKec_CouSl0-tl9Op3qLEEpZW7L8tW/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MgSGR0lxZDYiWTOOhBou0_CrMF6AMx7lhWOwmxFHi3965bKNxfkNt7nu87ekErQ_cdcEOjimlXBkLuKlZ2zgLNBWLr7YhdcJKGmLHfzYr3zrpDEKec_CouSl0-tl9Op3qLEEpZW7L8tW/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482430272303932146" /></a><br /><br />After church Doris Carrias had a gift bag for Rexene, Adele, and me. She gave each of us a table runner. Mine is bright yellow with an assortment of other beautiful colors. It is lovely and very representative of Guatemala. I will always think of her when I see it.<br /><br />We have a very busy week ahead of us. We are expecting 10 returning missionaries that we will be with from Tuesday to Thursday. Tomorrow night the dental missionary couple arrives and next Saturday night our replacements will arrive. It is so wonderful to see those who are willing to leave their families behind and come to Guatemala and give their invaluable service.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span>Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-8951816926509788582010-06-06T18:09:00.001-07:002010-06-06T18:24:40.868-07:00Journal - May 31 - June 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKI9ad84AqwQ9W-Vnpzi5B5_lkJg4PafPGzmwvmDBtEkmFRe6sdChSspVJxBr-0RCERZLx5ubYnT_xenzrRly8mOFg0S8IZJlNjJGvCpwomX_s-ALTGMEqWyN5x4Vg6L0guxyOg6_w15I/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKI9ad84AqwQ9W-Vnpzi5B5_lkJg4PafPGzmwvmDBtEkmFRe6sdChSspVJxBr-0RCERZLx5ubYnT_xenzrRly8mOFg0S8IZJlNjJGvCpwomX_s-ALTGMEqWyN5x4Vg6L0guxyOg6_w15I/s320/022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479836046432757458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">31 May 2010…..Monday</span><br />Last night it rained but it was a light rainfall. This morning the skies are cloudy but there is a lot of blue showing. On the way to the office we saw mounds of black volcanic sand, shoveled into piles or placed in plastic bags to be picked up. They are fearful of it being washed into the drain system and clogging up things. I wonder how many tons of it is waiting to be picked up by crews in trucks. There were meetings going on at the office as the Area Presidency will work with stake presidents and district presidents to take care of the needs of the members who have been hardest hit.<br /><br />After I completed the Belize report for May, Dick brought me home so repairmen could come. The técnico came to repair the washing machine. He was here a couple of weeks ago for the same problem. It washes fine but won’t spin. Now it works fine again. I made clam chowder for tonight.<br /><br />Tonight was a Farewell Dinner at the Clarke’s patio for the Tomkinsons<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQJQcB5y4rwYPOXOB5-5nAgFe_GZSHdUMqj9dtZgCC_f0q_misZiIXBZhD59kTbrqHbZ6ELdNN5oYRB-tQHCmvkAwDOQ82Jh2TWWMOfKg2sYWpu2pO_TpxirmTAxxXt4zzyu04QeFUUQe/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQJQcB5y4rwYPOXOB5-5nAgFe_GZSHdUMqj9dtZgCC_f0q_misZiIXBZhD59kTbrqHbZ6ELdNN5oYRB-tQHCmvkAwDOQ82Jh2TWWMOfKg2sYWpu2pO_TpxirmTAxxXt4zzyu04QeFUUQe/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479834107328632434" /></a> and the Blackburns<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v1kT-EE1MJ7ULyRQVq5iqsya6vzOBIlqzFrfpm1-IyM9MfgcVMGtix1AG6d5lzChnpCut02QPjIfRTlLEQYlkDUJDz16WIXxcumBkdHGd6OY8qr-aS1ZO57Zzw77lFOQ8BlFcoLK9e0n/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8v1kT-EE1MJ7ULyRQVq5iqsya6vzOBIlqzFrfpm1-IyM9MfgcVMGtix1AG6d5lzChnpCut02QPjIfRTlLEQYlkDUJDz16WIXxcumBkdHGd6OY8qr-aS1ZO57Zzw77lFOQ8BlFcoLK9e0n/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479833596849585650" /></a> who will be leaving in the next two weeks. Kathy Anderson had written some great words to an old song, “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Eight of us sang it. It was a wonderful evening with a big group. The Cranneys and Sandbergs were in the city today, so they came, too. Tonight really made reality hit us. The next farewell will be four weeks from tonight for Tilleys and for US! We will still have 3 ½ weeks left at that point but the area presidency will be in the U.S. for the month of July so they will host the gathering before they go.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 June 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />I got the PEF Priesthood Report this morning! I was amazed. I have never had it this quickly before. Sister Cranney hung out in our office for awhile and we got to know her a little better. Cranneys and Sandbergs left this morning to return to their area of service near Lake Atitlan. This afternoon Dick and Jim took Wayne and Paul with them to Young Men’s meeting so they could teach about their profession, dentistry. It is interesting. We were having rain every day until Agatha invaded us. We haven’t had any rain since. That is a tremendous blessing because just a slight rain could send the heavily soaked hills sliding. <br /><br />2 June 2010…..Wednesday<br />A new sound this morning. We heard an airplane take off. That is the first one since Pacaya Volcano put a layer of volcanic sand all over the runways. There was plenty to do at the office today….more than I could get done in a day. I finished my PEF Area History for May and sent it to Reynaldo and then printed a color copy for Virginia to put in the Area History book for the area presidency. I typed exceptions in Spanish for Dick so Elder Clarke can say “yea” or “nay” to each one. The Dunfords in Belize never got the items Dick shipped via pouch mail two weeks ago. So Dick and Reynaldo printed up more PEF information and made more CD’s of PEF in Spanish and English to go out in the next pouch mail to Belize on Friday.<br /><br />Dick brought me home at 2 pm and he went back to the office. Mario, one of our apartment workers came up and replaced a part in the toilet tank, so it finally stopped running all the time. They have tried three times before and Dick had told them they needed to buy a part to fix it. We had a brief rain today, enough to make puddles in the road.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 June 2010…..Thursday</span><br />This was a different day. Dick left the office at 9:30 am with John Curtiss to do some humanitarian work. They picked up materials removed during remodeling at the Casa de Húespedes and some of the housing for temple missionaries and took two trips in a pickup truck over to a school in the Nimajuyu area. They got back to the office before 4 pm. Meanwhile, back at the office, I got the Priesthood Report divided into stakes and districts. I also found some participant information for Sister Dunford in Belize and sent that to her. At 3 pm Beatriz brought me back to the apartment.<br /><br />We had Jim, Neil, Bill and Dick in our apartment after everyone got home from work discussing all the important stuff. We hugged Neil and Kathy goodbye. Now that the airport is opened on a limited basis they will be flying back home tomorrow. We have enjoyed having them here for the past week. About 9 pm there was a knock on the door and Wayne came in to watch the Laker game with Dick. We will miss the Tomkinsons when they leave for Arizona. They served half of their mission at a dental school in Honduras and the second half here in Guatemala City, running the new dental clinic.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 June 2010…..Friday</span><br />Lots to do today. I emailed the Priesthood Reports to the Call Center directors in each country, typed up exceptions for Dick, and emailed Priesthood Reports to stake presidents in El Salvador along with special information for the country and a flyer about Elder Clarke holding a meeting for all PEF participants.<br /><br />About 4 pm we left with Tilleys to go to the movies. Steimles met us at the mall. We had dinner at Pizza Hut and then went to see “Robin Hood.” We really liked the movie. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 June 2010…..Saturday</span><br />I did my usual Saturday activities. Bill Blackburn came to the door and delivered a piece of furniture to our apartment. They leave the mission field on the 15th and we inherited their glider/rocker. I am thrilled to have it. All I need is some good yarn (can’t find that here) and my crochet hook. I will enjoy the chair. Dick went to Paiz and bought a few items. He hasn’t made bread in his bread machine in a very long time, so he made a loaf of cinnamon with raisins and crasins. Otherwise it was a pretty quiet day.<br /><br />We went up to Hatches apartment this morning for a consultation with our resident real estate expert. He has made his living in Glendora in real estate. Tilleys came over this afternoon and we sat and visited for about an hour. One thing we have discovered living here in the “Mormon dorms,” is we could live the United Order. We are extremely blessed with our living situation and our wonderful friends and neighbors. This evening we played Dominoes with Tilleys and Tomkinsons.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 June 2010…..Sunday</span><br />We were up before the crack of dawn, 4:30 am to be exact. In an hour we were ready and left for a stake bishop’s meeting in El Molino Stake, about 30 minutes away. Dick spoke for thirty minutes. Tilleys volunteered to go with us and that was great to be accompanied and driven by our security missionaries. They give so much service to all of us! We came home for an hour before leaving for Church.<br /><br />Church brought a variety of feelings for me. Today marks one year since Mother died and we were blessed to have her for 93 years. Brother Piñeda bore his testimony. He is the father of the man killed in the plane crash ten days ago. That certainly was very touching to hear him. The Piñedas had their son for only 30 years and his wife and children had him just a few short years. And then there was toddler, Jorge Guzman. He had a small piece of blue Play-Doh and he was sharing it with me and Dick. Before Primary started Sister Guzman showed me a stack of pictures of her daughter Alejandra who is serving a mission in Honduras. Alejandra is a very sweet young woman and is very happy as a missionary and having a lot of baptisms with her American companion. Then in Primary the children sang, “When You’re Helping You’re Happy.” They decided on their own actions for the song and they chose making tortillas. I have never seen that associated with a Primary song. After Church we took a picture of our branch members.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko3bF5uLJVGhDs-BZeYmS7FnOp8MUWti7njt5EQfUGL5u6VBsM02CVDBo8DSZ04O40oP16-RtdgcgHBWB1apcosfpzG8rjAbGnHE1IQKTgypr7ttgBOp2SuBqTgrxdj0-47tK2I25opF7/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko3bF5uLJVGhDs-BZeYmS7FnOp8MUWti7njt5EQfUGL5u6VBsM02CVDBo8DSZ04O40oP16-RtdgcgHBWB1apcosfpzG8rjAbGnHE1IQKTgypr7ttgBOp2SuBqTgrxdj0-47tK2I25opF7/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479835042286855394" /></a><br /><br />We both had a nap until the thunder started booming. We had a dinner at the Fillmore’s today. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oNg6wjlLuxavYB9Q5PbJUUASfnzqFnsnKGMz8VKKXlqebo2c5h-Pua-el0uac1VaI_QxHEE2YHGk7-XjrP0AtjWlW4E2asq0CmP1LVMqcu3cOYz83vJPIUVEjaXnyWG38Iyz4NJBYKdG/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oNg6wjlLuxavYB9Q5PbJUUASfnzqFnsnKGMz8VKKXlqebo2c5h-Pua-el0uac1VaI_QxHEE2YHGk7-XjrP0AtjWlW4E2asq0CmP1LVMqcu3cOYz83vJPIUVEjaXnyWG38Iyz4NJBYKdG/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479835660836147714" /></a><br /> Wayne and Suzanne leave for Arizona early in the morning. We will miss them so much! They had another grandbaby a week ago and their youngest daughter is getting married next Friday.<br /><br />In my scripture study this week I have been reading scriptures about prayer. A few of the things I have read had great impact on me, but one thing I have read before was brought back to my memory. In the Bible Dictionary, the definition of prayer says: “The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them.” I love those words. He is willing to give us so much but often he is waiting for us to ask him.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-15465624600642629272010-05-30T15:22:00.000-07:002010-05-30T15:55:31.136-07:00Journal - May 24 - 30<span style="font-weight:bold;">24 May 2010…..Monday</span><br />A comment on the blog I posted yesterday: “Missionaries??!! More like a two year vacation.” That is from my baby boy. He is just one of our children who are telling us to stay for a third year so they can have the blessings.<br /><br />Dick was at the office early. Today is the day all the exceptions have to be in Salt Lake before 9 am. I rode to the office with Tilleys. I finished up some loose ends with getting the Priesthood Report to the bishops. We received more papers via email from escrow and we had to have a page notarized. The only place we can go for a notary here in Guatemala is the U.S. Embassy. That is the only one the U.S. will recognize. Tilleys drove us to the Embassy and dropped us off because it can be such a chore to find parking, etc. We had to go to American Services. We walked through the scanning device. I carried my little pouch with our passports and U.S. dollars to pay for the service. Dick had to leave his cell phone, driver’s license, and keys there. We had to go to window #1 to make the request and leave the paper work and our passports, then to window #4 to pay $30, then back to the room where window one was and sit down and wait till they called our name. The whole process took less than an hour. That was good. We called Tilleys after we got the phone back and they were there to get us in about ten minutes. Then we went to Price Smart to do some shopping and eat lunch (food ála Costco). This afternoon Dick went to FedEx and shipped the packet of papers to the escrow company in Palmdale. It is supposed to arrive there on Wednesday.<br /><br />Tonight was Family Home Evening at the Fillmores. President and Sister Mask, temple president and matron, were our speakers. They both served missions here when they were young. They have a great love for the people here, especially the indians who live in the higher elevations. President Mask read from the Book of Mormon, Helaman 6:36…. “…..the Lord began to pour out his Spirit upon the Lamanites, because of their easiness and willingness to believe in his words.” President Kimball said that today’s Lamanites are still willing to believe. The Book of Mormon is needed to convert the Gentiles, but for the descendants of Lehi, the Book of Mormon is a history of their fathers and their hearts readily believe. There are many beautiful stories about these special people. From the first baptism in Central America in 1948 to over 600,000 members now…..with over 215,000 just in Guatemala.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25 May 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Dick was up on the roof this morning, watching the construction of the apartment building going on behind our apartment. From the roof the full perspective can be seen. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1elEoRUKT6IXRdvw2Qqu3EAVQz8Bpf2bpBknmU-2Q5_j0aKpK1aC-hNfLPWL3IRfeHYsAJ8EC737ZfPL2VYKc4-A3VVyyYW5RWy1EGjlBkggjydQlzSgd8W3GV5962AwrvGSoj9QaIb3/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1elEoRUKT6IXRdvw2Qqu3EAVQz8Bpf2bpBknmU-2Q5_j0aKpK1aC-hNfLPWL3IRfeHYsAJ8EC737ZfPL2VYKc4-A3VVyyYW5RWy1EGjlBkggjydQlzSgd8W3GV5962AwrvGSoj9QaIb3/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477193950366389138" /></a><br />They are working on the second floor and this afternoon they are preparing the forms for the pillars so they can begin the third floor. These workers begin at 7 am and work till a little after 6 pm as it begins to get dark. They don’t construct buildings like in the U.S. These guys work one floor at a time. The building will eventually be about 12 floors high, towering over us, but we will be gone before it is finished. My view of the beautiful trees will soon be blocked, but I enjoy sitting on the couch and looking out at the workers. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjD-NCL9hB2peCeOy85VJbfuQ-pOxN5l9Wxy9kLFSFv3d8PDOL2gb8dx-Bvc_YKysfVLr6VrKgtVtcC4MNxDc-aRpwikPUaH2y0GcCe9Sblbv-hV2Uj9CI-ugfLVm7rdGl-ydlTrI5PaY/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjD-NCL9hB2peCeOy85VJbfuQ-pOxN5l9Wxy9kLFSFv3d8PDOL2gb8dx-Bvc_YKysfVLr6VrKgtVtcC4MNxDc-aRpwikPUaH2y0GcCe9Sblbv-hV2Uj9CI-ugfLVm7rdGl-ydlTrI5PaY/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477193303535268354" /></a> These are very industrious men. I love to see them climb the rebar that reinforces the cement pillars. The one thing I thought of yesterday was the color. I often write of the color of Guatemala and the workers are no exception. They wear hardhats of various shiny colors, depending on their job…….red, blue, silver, and gold. The large crane carries everything….the forms to pour the cement, the large buckets of cement, etc. Always activity that would keep any little boy enthralled, including this Nana to 14 boys and 3 great-boys!<br /><br />I worked on the report of the Belize participants today. Dick had Young Men meeting this afternoon. We have had wonderful rain almost every night for a week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26 May 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Tristin is 4 years old today! We woke up to rain, still. The office was very quiet this morning. I worked on the Area History for PEF and got it up to date, almost. Dick got a phone call mid morning from Elvis at the Employment Resource Center saying that they needed us to come be with the returning missionaries. Brother and Sister Lopez, volunteers who alternate the assignment with us got word that their son-in-law was killed in a plane accident, leaving a wife and two children. My heart goes out to them. I know what it feels like to have a son-in-law die. We closed up our computers and came home. Dick put on his suit and then left for the ERC. I packed our suitcase for one night. He came back to get me later.<br /><br />What we found out a few hours later was that the son-in-law of Bother and Sister Lopez is the son of a couple in our branch, Brother and Sister Piñeda. He is the brother of Doris Carrias, in our branch. Doris’s husband is in the branch presidency and her son is the Young Men’s president that Dick works with. The other sister is Patty Alvarez, our stake president’s wife who is also the secretary to the area presidency and the PEF specialist in our stake. In total, we know 14 bereaved family members of this young man who was killed today. He was the pilot and had two passengers. They lost power right after takeoff and tried to return to the airport but went down into a warehouse. They all perished and one warehouse worker also died.<br /><br />Dick picked me up and we went to the Casa de Huéspedes. The missionaries had arrived back there from the Employment Center. We all walked over to the temple…..well, waded is more like it. We were in the midst of a deluge. I had my small umbrella and Dick had our big umbrella and we were drenched from the waist down when we got there. But, it was a lovely session and a blessing to be there and serve as witness couple again. It was our second biggest group of returning missionaries, ever…..20! Two were young women and the rest young men. Only five were picked up by family this evening. The other fifteen live in outlying areas and therefore we had them for one more night. We have never had more than five or six spend the second night. So, after the ones leaving had gone, Dick and three of the missionaries got in the car and went half a mile down to the McDonalds to get dinner for 17 of us. That was a bill of about Q600 ($78) at a fast food place, but everyone needed to be fed. We all went into the kitchen at the Casa and set up tables and chairs and enjoyed the food. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXD-3zDiWTUkDgg3LWFYUkXSMhKT69uPqWgjFFeGjq6TV1PQM36bAQorMRIt1ow07MJqjeOExAlGoS0b8iRVigfHW0YiE8WoN5Qub9TpWCbqOs514dheQNDJuNsYJc4J9qC8qrTEvkvm/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXXD-3zDiWTUkDgg3LWFYUkXSMhKT69uPqWgjFFeGjq6TV1PQM36bAQorMRIt1ow07MJqjeOExAlGoS0b8iRVigfHW0YiE8WoN5Qub9TpWCbqOs514dheQNDJuNsYJc4J9qC8qrTEvkvm/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477194814655436226" /></a><br /> Even though we were with this group only a few hours, bonds were formed. We love our time with the young missionaries! It is the best part!<br /><br />After we ate I took a picture of a precious baby that reminds me of one of my Joyner grandchildren. Sorry to the rest of my grandchildren but I never see blue eyed--fair skinned--light haired babies here. Anyway, the baby was sweet. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwfWHaynFx1FaweIX7Y9zu9wreoe98kNXcEXGjyszs1e495aGMPDhto2kOCrbdu8VY16OUT2EnAT5LfBpNKUgRHclGpr993tGsYEfUxLvc9w8lm0ec_m4sEW9dUCdbrdwG00D38ojb0EI/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwfWHaynFx1FaweIX7Y9zu9wreoe98kNXcEXGjyszs1e495aGMPDhto2kOCrbdu8VY16OUT2EnAT5LfBpNKUgRHclGpr993tGsYEfUxLvc9w8lm0ec_m4sEW9dUCdbrdwG00D38ojb0EI/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477195284487457154" /></a><br /> One family had a 4 inch stack of pink and blue family names that they had been doing. The people at the Casa this time were from Nicaragua, a 19 hour bus trip each way. They always fill up 3, 4, or 5 buses, or more. Such faithful temple goers. It felt good to get back to the room and remove my wet shoes, skirt and blouse.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27 May 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today Tyler is 12 years old! That is the end of the birthday blitz for May….all ten birthdays!<br />It took awhile to get all the missionaries on their way. The first left at 4 am for the airport to fly to the Peten to the north. Thank goodness they are adults and don’t require our presence to leave. Dick was outside with the rest when families arrived at the gate. Two were cousins from Sololá. Their proud grandparents, in native dress, were in the group that came for them. Five missionaries were from the same stake here in Guatemala. Father Lehi must find great joy in seeing his descendants serving in the temple and serving as missionaries.<br /><br />Neil and Kathy Anderson (BYU professor), who spent nine months here and left in March, arrived today to attend a temple sealing on Saturday. They are staying with Tomkinsons. They brought two cans of hair spray that I can’t find here, and a box of See’s (we didn’t even request the candy). It was so good to see them again. Kathy came over this afternoon and we visited for three hours. Around 3 pm we felt a small earthquake. Tonight a group of us went to the Chinese restaurant for dinner.<br /><br />Since there was rain and thunder going on I decided to shower a little earlier tonight because I didn’t want the power to go off and leave me un-rinsed. When there is no electricity our water is off because it is driven by an electric motor. As I was getting out of the shower I heard thunder….but it sounded weird so I thought maybe it was a plane taking off. It turned out to be Pacaya Volcano. It sounded like rain outside but when some of our friends checked they discovered small, pebbly, black ceniza from the volcano. Ceniza translates as ash but it is much heavier than ash and bigger particles than sand. We all collected baggies full and thought it was another interesting sideline of living in Guatemala. Dick washed off the Fillmore’s car because it was thick with cineza and it is not in a covered part of the garage.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9oSKB8PWxO8K9u0iVe1MzX7Te-Wo69dIR7bdITA3vUCyO1XW3fK1FbGPBeKpMpvO8gMK9ZY_-SYhNMVq0TXKghfsQwBiNY6jyUWSY0Zq0zL6dGUtUDDkrjDlCkI7dptWQaRROiHSwA5x/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9oSKB8PWxO8K9u0iVe1MzX7Te-Wo69dIR7bdITA3vUCyO1XW3fK1FbGPBeKpMpvO8gMK9ZY_-SYhNMVq0TXKghfsQwBiNY6jyUWSY0Zq0zL6dGUtUDDkrjDlCkI7dptWQaRROiHSwA5x/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196374882311058" /></a><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSLYwPKq21zV3J-HExGDrZ2KObyURDNmyQXzTcka50_Rrte0Gmo2oV8PikNAjW6EsIiPCNeNflCIUx-JFkVyuYtVZeSUJWtJ0dtfQ6pXfb168YWD7dEs2nRVUlgyedPsS2zAJr9H4n30O/s1600/031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSLYwPKq21zV3J-HExGDrZ2KObyURDNmyQXzTcka50_Rrte0Gmo2oV8PikNAjW6EsIiPCNeNflCIUx-JFkVyuYtVZeSUJWtJ0dtfQ6pXfb168YWD7dEs2nRVUlgyedPsS2zAJr9H4n30O/s320/031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477196832341996754" /></a> He had to come in and shower and wash the stuff out of his hair. Then on the news we saw what havoc has been done. The people in the nearby villages were evacuated. They were bombarded by rocks being spewed out of Pacaya. There were people hiking the volcano, like we did in December 2008, and some were injured but right now there are no clear reports on TV. The airport and schools are closed.<br /><br />Well Dick is watching the Lakers play the Suns, and Wayne, from Arizona, is also watching it across the hall. They are communicating by their raised voices and going to each other’s apartment to complain or brag. They are a great twosome….the biggest sports fans in the building.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28 May 2010…..Friday</span><br />It doesn’t look like any more ceniza has fallen since last night. The best term I have heard to describe it is “volcanic sand.” The nearby homes look like they have a fresh layer of asphalt on their roofs. We are 15-20 miles away from Pacaya Volcano. We had a U.S. Embassy “Warden Alert” this morning on our email. They are telling us to stay in our homes. Being obedient, I did. Dick went to the office. Further information today said that a reporter at Pacaya was killed by the rocks. Three children are missing. Sixteen hundred people were evacuated from the nearby villages. It looks like this week’s journal has become one of tragedy for the good people of Guatemala.<br /><br />The cleaning up process has been interesting to watch with our apartment workers and the people living behind us. Of course, every home has hired help that does that kind of work for them. The rain of the gritty stuff has left the oleanders, Lily of the Nile, palm trees, and other shrubbery beaten down with a bad case of the droops. The power was off for a couple of hours, so no internet and it was raining and dark outside so I couldn’t see to practice my battery operated teclado or to read. So, I took a nap. Tonight we barbecued hamburgers on the Hatches balcony and enjoyed a meal together. Members of the area presidency (Clarkes and Martinos) joined us, too. It was a lovely gathering and so good to spend time together. We are always blessed by having general authorities at our meetings and to socialize with. We were inspired by beautiful words given by Elder Clarke about our individual service and some experiences they had in Honduras during the week. It wasn’t a “talk” but a sharing of experiences. Dick went across the hall later to watch a basketball game with Wayne.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">29 May 2010…..Saturday</span><br />We have had rain all night. I don’t think we have seen the sun since Sunday or Monday. Yesterday we had another US Embassy “Warden Alert” about a tropical storm. It seems to be planted over Guatemala and we are expecting heavy rains in the next couple of days. Today was a stay at home day because it is move-out day at our home in Lancaster and we needed to stay by the computer so we could receive phone calls and answer questions. Most of our belongings were put in storage when we left in July 2008. However, we left some furniture for our YSA renters, plus patio furniture, and then “stuff” in the garage that wouldn’t fit in the storage unit. Jill and family, from Corona, were there, Jeff and family from Mission Viejo, and Mark and Maren from Phoenix. We are so grateful they are doing this huge task for us. Bishop Russell, who replaced Dick as bishop of Amargosa YSA Ward was there with three men from the ward. Jeff picked up a 24 foot Penske truck that Dick rented and Jill reserved another storage unit, but they ended up getting two more. Escrow is supposed to close on the 16th but we still don’t have the appraisal so we are concerned about that. We don’t want a low appraisal to kill the deal.<br /><br /> In California the rains come and the expensive homes slide down hills. In Guatemala rains come and it is the poorest of the people who lose their homes and their lives in the onslaught. As if Pacaya Volcano wasn't a big enough insult, Tropical Storm Agatha came to visit Guatemala and is wreaking havoc. El presidente de la republica has said there will be no religious services tomorrow. All of us senior missionaries had already determined that it would not be safe to go, especially where three of us attend our little branch in a hilly area. At this point 12 are dead and 11 missing and the worst is yet to come. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">30 May 2010…..Sunday</span><br />The night passed peaceably. At least for us. It has been a calm morning…..still overcast but the sky is lighter and we had no rain in the morning hours. With all church meetings cancelled, we went across the hall to Tomkinsons and watched “Music and the Spoken Word” projected on the wall. Miraculously, the BYU channel has been in English for a week. Then we watched a DVD…..”Emma Smith, My Story.” It was excellent and a beautiful way to spend a Sunday morning, remembering the faith and the sacrifices of those who came before us, and recognizing our own faith and sacrifices of the past, the present, and the future.<br /><br />At 2 pm we had lunch with Tomkinsons, Andersons and Tilleys. Rexene made clam chowder and I fried a bunch of shrimp. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon lunch, followed with brownie and ice cream sundaes. Andersons are supposed to fly back to Salt Lake on Tuesday but the word is that the airport will still be closed. We greatly enjoyed our relaxing meal and the wonderful visit.<br /><br />It is 4 pm and we still haven’t had any more rain, though it is cloudy and we expect some at any time. Even a light rain can cause the already swollen earth to give way and cause hillsides to slide down, taking ramshackle houses and people with it. We actually had a little sun awhile ago, the first we have seen all week. We had a fireside scheduled for 4 pm but it was cancelled with all the other church meetings.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-65626268857936020282010-05-23T15:10:00.000-07:002010-05-23T15:44:22.370-07:00Journal - May 17 - 23<span style="font-weight:bold;">17 May 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick sat at the table last night for about two hours, calling stake specialists and writing down their activities for the month so I could type it all up into our specialist report today. He gives his all and he loves doing it. His personal comforts and pursuits do not come before his service…..never has!<br /><br />Dick went to the office at 7 am and I went with Tilleys at 8:30 am. I did the specialist report and then split up the PEF Priesthood Report into wards and braches for Guatemala. We had a two hour PEF Committee Meeting this afternoon. Dick brought me home and then went back to the office to meet Gert because he needed some personal help. Tonight was Family Home Evening at the Hatches. Our lesson was about “Enthusiasm.” If anyone has enthusiasm, it is the Hatches. We love them. Elder Martino remarked that when he served here as a young missionary 38 years ago there was one organized stake in Central America. Now there are 99 stakes!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 May 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />We woke up to a steady rain. It is still May…still more birthdays. Today Kaitlin is 22. So many of our grandchildren are old! I had a very busy day with emailing PEF Priesthood Reports to the bishops and branch presidents in Guatemala. I typed up a number of PEF exceptions for Dick (in Spanish) for Elder Clarke to sign. <br /><br />Dick had Young Men’s meeting at 4 pm but he and Jim left at 3:15 pm to beat the traffic. <br /><br />Today Rexene was home and let the apartment office know that they had an ant problem. She called us to see if it was ok for Mario (one of the apartment employees) to come into our apartment to spray for ants. Of course, we were happy to have him come in, accompanied by Rexene. Mario and his wife and five children are receiving the missionary discussions from the missionaries serving near his home in Zone 1. I have only seen a few ants the last couple of days so I hope this final spraying will cure our problem.<br /><br />I have been reading the Church Almanac for 2010. I found it interesting that the Church has donated over one billion dollars for Humanitarian relief from 1986 through 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19 May 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />We packed a small suitcase and left with Tilleys at 8:30 am to go to Sololá, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNObCQtySiV8t0PPRuZphK0Jqm7aH2GIibEjsEeuJA1EjVMjoBv9DZ_sbBFqwFxZkfzf0TML9kLbvB6AtBbh9D7uD3X1MhH2csqT3PN4VdQW1-WYAU_3YWxpeoL-5rQDluwrflKnRe_2Vg/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNObCQtySiV8t0PPRuZphK0Jqm7aH2GIibEjsEeuJA1EjVMjoBv9DZ_sbBFqwFxZkfzf0TML9kLbvB6AtBbh9D7uD3X1MhH2csqT3PN4VdQW1-WYAU_3YWxpeoL-5rQDluwrflKnRe_2Vg/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474594987319259186" /></a><br /> This was a not a trip for fun but a trip to train two senior couples. We got to Hotel Atitlan in less than three hours and went to the open air restaurant. We were joined by Elder and Sister Sandberg and Elder and Sister Cranney. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOxyR9CByLmWRl3FRoaTAjwsufjA3clubZAnn2dDMywzZ3pZpT7HXON7NK2STK2_drXtIRwNok1UpBtK_Cuwe_m7fldiFTlXueDDRVSSVv9Z60Gl-WAD8vkuPyjN5pm8gnGKadASpZgbd/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOxyR9CByLmWRl3FRoaTAjwsufjA3clubZAnn2dDMywzZ3pZpT7HXON7NK2STK2_drXtIRwNok1UpBtK_Cuwe_m7fldiFTlXueDDRVSSVv9Z60Gl-WAD8vkuPyjN5pm8gnGKadASpZgbd/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474592892774402418" /></a> Both couples are attached to the Guatemala City Central Mission. They live and work in the midst of the people in Guatemala. Elder Cranney is a former mission president in Bolivia and now serves as a counselor in the Central Mission. Their call is to help the district grow and strengthen so it can someday become a stake. The Sandbergs are from Rancho Palos Verdes and in the Denning’s ward. He is a local branch president and she is the grease that keeps the wheels turning. We greatly enjoyed our time with both couples. After lunch we were taken to another building where we could use the room for Power Point instructions. First, Tilleys did their presentation on security issues. Then we did ours on the Perpetual Education Fund. With both couples working out in the district we knew they could be a great resource for the Fund and helping the young people with information and encouragement.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KWrQvWn5J4VWPA4LLnnFkixm_1yGvPob2HV25BSdV_rl2_wsbf9AFBQLWCZFvhRuaP50lOdX8XfiEiuIkhAGZnqaqY2vicoMohZ4UMFr2n3_so-QxlV1LKsxjwIn0BnkaiL-b1HIW437/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KWrQvWn5J4VWPA4LLnnFkixm_1yGvPob2HV25BSdV_rl2_wsbf9AFBQLWCZFvhRuaP50lOdX8XfiEiuIkhAGZnqaqY2vicoMohZ4UMFr2n3_so-QxlV1LKsxjwIn0BnkaiL-b1HIW437/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474593604778017362" /></a><br />It was cloudy most of the day but we did have some clear, blue skies while we were eating. Later we had thunder and sprinkles. After the Cranneys and Sandbergs left at 5 pm we went up to our rooms, <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKBC3thQOjnn1kg7X_bS6U5FPpu5q0DtTLyomGlaO24KE1qi64RnaTNahVZQhNtm-7JzrXrIhOUJLB6WvLkyVO71X3BqtSzLTx9QoCNLU5mi4ZFBN4KAQv4MMc-G3ked2DvfOhyvbRV8a/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKBC3thQOjnn1kg7X_bS6U5FPpu5q0DtTLyomGlaO24KE1qi64RnaTNahVZQhNtm-7JzrXrIhOUJLB6WvLkyVO71X3BqtSzLTx9QoCNLU5mi4ZFBN4KAQv4MMc-G3ked2DvfOhyvbRV8a/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474597218846512530" /></a><br />sat on our terrace, watched the lake, had a candy bar, and said we were done for the day.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 May 2010…..Thursday</span><br />I had a difficult night with intestinal problems, along with losing a lot of sleep between 2:30 and 6:30 am. Most likely it was something I ate for lunch. Hence, I didn’t join Dick and Tilleys for breakfast. In fact, I didn’t have anything to eat until we got home about 2 pm. Other than not feeling very well, the trip went fine and the scenery was beautiful. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0wjJuoBLNGWiYvosUL-BqgmS0LSqar9lU0Qp8Y7uB1EjR8AZAYsTH4FOvYLS4Hzo8jlT-hzitqdKgZUfo3gPpzXd9yqsn2XJ9lXiF9Y-5e_UP8-uIcSo5nNHTDnEACkBw7xkVb4Yq2cH/s1600/022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0wjJuoBLNGWiYvosUL-BqgmS0LSqar9lU0Qp8Y7uB1EjR8AZAYsTH4FOvYLS4Hzo8jlT-hzitqdKgZUfo3gPpzXd9yqsn2XJ9lXiF9Y-5e_UP8-uIcSo5nNHTDnEACkBw7xkVb4Yq2cH/s320/022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474598859261583682" /></a><br /> We had a nice fleet vehicle to travel in.<br /><br />Sister Harmon is here again. She and her husband served here a few years ago. She comes down yearly to do humanitarian projects. Once again, thanks to Jim Tilley, she brought us a box of See’s chocolates, hand packed with the Bordeaux and butterscotch squares. We have had See’s more often in Guatemala than when we lived a couple of miles from the See’s store in Lancaster. Thanks to Jim, when he hears someone is coming he requests the candy for them and us.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 May 2010…..Friday</span><br />Today is Emma’s 9th birthday! I stayed home today. I still have very little energy. But, I had energy for reading. I finished “The Undaunted” (when I underline the names of books they don’t stay underlined when I send the journal to the blog). It was 804 pages and I was totally engrossed in this beautiful historical novel.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22 May 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Dick left for the office at 7 am. There are always applications and exceptions waiting for him on his computer. At 10 am he and Jim met a young man who showed them how to find the Villa Hermosa Stake center since we need to train a specialist there tomorrow. I am feeling well enough to get five loads of laundry done and the apartment cleaned. The ants continue to be a problem. There are not many but they are pesky. There were a few on me last night as I sat reading on the couch. This morning I borrowed the Prometherin again from Tomkinsons. Later there were a few more on the dining table, so I pulled out the Raid and did the baseboards….again. <br /><br />The MacArthurs have a young missionary staying with them for a few days. He is Guatemalan serving in South America. He came back here for surgery and was released from the hospital today. They will keep him a few days until he can go stay with one of the mission presidents for awhile. His mother and sister came to visit so Dick went with Steve to take them back to the bus station before five o’clock.<br /><br />There is a rambunctious storm going on right now with a lot of rain, a lot of lightning, and thunder to match. One clash of thunder sounded like a giant rip in the heavens. I love it! I love weather! I still want to be a meteorologist when I grow up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 May 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today has been a good Sabbath Day. We had a specialist to train in another stake so we had planned to leave before singing time in Primary. But, Jim went with Dick and then I was able to stay for all of Primary. The singing is greatly helped when I am playing the teclado. Rexene and I rode home with Blackburns. We have the third and last disc of the “John Adams” series, so we hope to finish watching it tonight.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-42013108705596813052010-05-16T15:34:00.000-07:002010-05-16T16:44:59.305-07:00Journal - May 10 - 16<span style="font-weight:bold;">10 May 2010…..Monday<br /></span><br />Last night the Tomkinsons mixed up a spray bottle of Prometherin so I could spray for the small sugar ants that have been invading us, in small groups, for the last few weeks. They are in the kitchen and the bathroom. Any crumb, or even empty glass of water, is fair game to them. I have used Raid but that didn’t seem to deter their activity. A little later Paul Hatch was at our door with a gorgeous basket of flowers….roses and Gerbera daisies with a lot of greenery. It looks like a portion of a beautiful garden. Hatches had celebrated their 60th anniversary last week and then at their ward yesterday Dorothy was given the basket of flowers for Mother’s Day. With two bouquets in their apartment already, he brought it to me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5FvMD6xyIcQw7BW4wPQrHYLMkjySpqQxzTF0jDDpE-mdo7LKUgGjF3qvlGxAo0_emVukhWmh5xSXuBNw7bKJ5yk33hMjBcC3VoWNRJpfvXP4qaUExahvMCdP0Y57x2o1xOUS6k2YFYfl/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5FvMD6xyIcQw7BW4wPQrHYLMkjySpqQxzTF0jDDpE-mdo7LKUgGjF3qvlGxAo0_emVukhWmh5xSXuBNw7bKJ5yk33hMjBcC3VoWNRJpfvXP4qaUExahvMCdP0Y57x2o1xOUS6k2YFYfl/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472017540455623218" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today is Guatemala’s Mother’s Day. The decree from on high was no women at the office today. Besides five of us senior sisters, there are a number of women employees. I’m just wondering, which guy is the receptionist in the lobby today? <br /><br />Yesterday we had wind gusts up to 30 mph (sounds like Lancaster, CA) and it blew the strip of screen off our living room window. So, this morning Dick went downstairs and got the ladder and I climbed up and replaced the screen. (I can just see us when I’m 80 and he is 85….I will still be the one climbing the ladder). We had used duct tape before but this time we tucked it into a groove on each side, like we did the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen windows thirteen months ago. Hopefully, it will hold for the next ten weeks. When we vacate the apartment the cleaners will just pull it down anyway. The next tenant will have to go buy a roll of screen and redo it. Reynaldo told me later to just call him when we need help and he will do it for us.<br /><br />After cleaning the countertops, thoroughly, from the spray of Prometherin last night, I started the dough for scones and made other preparations for Family Home Evening here tonight.<br /><br />Today I was contemplating the special calls, emails, and cards I got for Mother’s Day. Our grandchildren are totally entertaining and make us laugh. Granddaughter Aimee, (Mark’s oldest) turning 7 this week, sang a special song for me that the Primary had sung in Sacrament Meeting for Mother’s Day….”I Often go Walking.” She has inherited her mother’s voice, thank goodness. A few nights earlier Myrna called and great-granddaughter, 7 year old Kristy, read a book to us that she had made in school. The spanning of the generations is remarkable and we are grateful for our posterity. We are also grateful to be serving our mission in the days of technology in communication.<br /><br />It was our turn to host Family Home Evening and we invited Paul Hatch to speak to us. He was temple president in the Los Angeles Temple. It was a very special evening. I made scones, the one thing that turns out well here in Guatemala, but it was new food to the four newer couples.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfguKBOskWrDU9yAWx8tVOQDK6mHQlSGUbIY3WkjpbkAJztxwL7Yts4oj4eWtkaKG9CFHUsjpmBVOnxJsr_L1k29W2u-U1ngamFQ1NHAMusdKxrcODdEOsjvslpCgTvk9Hn706q8q0dOM/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfguKBOskWrDU9yAWx8tVOQDK6mHQlSGUbIY3WkjpbkAJztxwL7Yts4oj4eWtkaKG9CFHUsjpmBVOnxJsr_L1k29W2u-U1ngamFQ1NHAMusdKxrcODdEOsjvslpCgTvk9Hn706q8q0dOM/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472008342199425138" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 May 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Today is Maren’s 28th birthday. More mail at the office. More Mother’s Day cards! I love a busy day at the office. I started dividing the PEF Priesthood Report into stakes and districts. Today was the women’s luncheon at the Clarke’s apartment. Rexene had the car so she drove us. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-e8NFA4l57vrIcEeCfGUtPC7AfX7TOs4fJiFD6gTqs3VTCEw1YCyx4ois_N56HFxJeJqI1Nsc03OPBah7Rarl_VmruhxlzeVQG5bynlVFYLvQfcap8wVhh-_EC0jhx9qEM8DBMKRA1U2_/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-e8NFA4l57vrIcEeCfGUtPC7AfX7TOs4fJiFD6gTqs3VTCEw1YCyx4ois_N56HFxJeJqI1Nsc03OPBah7Rarl_VmruhxlzeVQG5bynlVFYLvQfcap8wVhh-_EC0jhx9qEM8DBMKRA1U2_/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472008880827963394" /></a>Dick and Jim took our car to Young Men’s meeting this afternoon at 4 pm.<br /><br />Our house is in escrow. The offer was made three days after the house was listed on the market. We thought it would take months to sell. We are surprised! But, not really. Beatriz reacted with tears in her eyes when I told her this morning and reminded me that we are missionaries and the Lord is blessing us. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12 May 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Another birthday…..Shaylee is three. A lot of things to work on at the office. We got a room booked for next week when we go to Sololá. ….the travel department has secured our email tickets for traveling home on July 23rd….and I continued work on the Priesthood Report. Dick brought me home at 2 pm and he and Jim went “hunting” for the Milagro Stake Center. We will be doing a fireside there and needed to be sure we could find the building.<br /><br />Today Rexene brought Ruby into our office. She is the employee who makes beautiful jade jewelry. This time she had purses and jackets. I bought a gorgeous red jacket to wear with my black skirt.<br /><br />Rexene, Sandy, Suzanne and I went walking today in the light rain. We saw a double rainbow and it was invigorating to be out moving. Rex drove us over to our favorite walking place in the gated embassy area. After we got back I gave the basket of flowers to Adele because they ignite my allergies big time.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 May 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today is the 42nd anniversary of Josh’s birth but it has been 13 years since he left this earthly sphere at the age of 28. More work on the Priesthood Report today. Dick took me home in the afternoon so he could go back to the office and teach his English class to some of the employees. Rexene, Suzanne and I walked. We had drizzles and I carried an umbrella but we didn’t need it. When we got back Suzanne brought some lasagna over for our dinner.<br /><br />Jennifer Johnson loaned me a book and I love it. It is "Undaunted" by Gerald Lund. It is an historic novel about the “Hole in the Rock” pioneers. Lund is such a master story teller. My favorite book is his novel "Fire of the Covenant" which tells a sweet incident of Grandma Chapman’s uncle as he goes to help rescue the saints stranded on the plains.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14 May 2010…..Friday</span><br />Dick went to the office early so I rode with Tilleys at our usual time. Claudia had the letters ready so I could email the Priesthood reports to the Seventy, Stake Presidents and Specialists. Dick brought me home before 2 pm when he headed out to see a specialist who works at the Distribution Center. He never made that visit because he saw two young missionaries with a full basket in front of Price Smart. He circled back around, picked them up, and took them back to the mission office. They had been out in front of the store for 20 minutes and no taxi…..amazing. Taxis don’t crowd the streets like New York City, but they are in abundance here. Meantime, I made two cakes to take to the lunch at La Sabana Branch tomorrow.<br /><br />Tomkinsons gave us the first disc of “John Adams.” It was excellent. Our country desperately needs to remember, or learn, of the great work that a handful of men accomplished, under the direction of the Lord. They sacrificed their all and we need like minded citizens to do so once again and save our Constitution. Glenn Beck is trying hard to educate us about our Founding Fathers. He has renewed our interest in studying and learning more about those men who sacrificed time, family, money, comfort, prosperity and even their very lives to bring about God’s will for this great country. This country had to be prepared as a place where the gospel of Jesus Christ could be restored.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15 May 2010…..Saturday</span><br />While I cleaned, Dick was off to get a haircut and finish his trip to the Distribution Center to visit with a specialist. At 12:45 pm Tilleys got in our car and we went to the La Sabana Branch lunch. Traffic was very heavy going out Reforma and even worse on the road past the open air market. The lunch was to honor the mothers for Mother’s Day, the fathers for Father’s Day, and a farewell for Blackburns, Tilleys and us who will be leaving in the next two months. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyrK-3jYilq5i82cVqxJIc5zq6ELOMWrJmv1_JsaFjpd441y-PQ-GyfFVXhDaHBrVBRPGyuTgSciJUedWq6yMQw079SmuwYQF5qRvk3u_Ucgsc3MpnnK5mvwlSy2VjnP7wm89vGJ2fnei/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyrK-3jYilq5i82cVqxJIc5zq6ELOMWrJmv1_JsaFjpd441y-PQ-GyfFVXhDaHBrVBRPGyuTgSciJUedWq6yMQw079SmuwYQF5qRvk3u_Ucgsc3MpnnK5mvwlSy2VjnP7wm89vGJ2fnei/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472012231076715074" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjzmE00iBPh6Cso74NjZBK2hvfvSc0R1jlcZ6AMI6JOe9L8Un_ZDzseP1cqGJsMadRFgGvi2b9LQvUrIfSP0g9ZO2yRXWGksApc_P1mLPByTUyODt_ZRi-q4u6E5eowzOfK8W5edO8rak/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjzmE00iBPh6Cso74NjZBK2hvfvSc0R1jlcZ6AMI6JOe9L8Un_ZDzseP1cqGJsMadRFgGvi2b9LQvUrIfSP0g9ZO2yRXWGksApc_P1mLPByTUyODt_ZRi-q4u6E5eowzOfK8W5edO8rak/s320/016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472011844164674754" /></a><br /> They had a marimba band playing outside and a short program inside where tables were set up for our meal. We had barbecued steak that was actually tender and flavorful, rice, black beans, homemade tortillas and horchata to drink.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23SG6CGltpQ1mPHI2XFMZumGAfvrgv_0ACxPKrCtk3LxX9519vWuLNodxqiJpbPXSSFf9EfBQQeIuhs8g4_ZuPcMXHYQJajiMolaRa-_kTUvaGEKitQJQfQ1_8OUNXMitBMklrVYbAb_O/s1600/030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23SG6CGltpQ1mPHI2XFMZumGAfvrgv_0ACxPKrCtk3LxX9519vWuLNodxqiJpbPXSSFf9EfBQQeIuhs8g4_ZuPcMXHYQJajiMolaRa-_kTUvaGEKitQJQfQ1_8OUNXMitBMklrVYbAb_O/s320/030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472009808325536946" /></a><br />(These two young men are both 21...Ricardo is 21, a recent convert, and waiting to go on a mission. Christian Abinadi Mena is a newly returned missionary)<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc0NBM7EWGRkCGMlke3zcEmur62-8lN7MI7_S3YXIUrYRajztU6YVyK-qzHYt1masx78i9TIy72VBvAfw5Je7J-Jn4UunqFt4B2YD9h0sOJnCfVOQr7WFPAbxha4wpRgoStAhA7pBXKVP/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc0NBM7EWGRkCGMlke3zcEmur62-8lN7MI7_S3YXIUrYRajztU6YVyK-qzHYt1masx78i9TIy72VBvAfw5Je7J-Jn4UunqFt4B2YD9h0sOJnCfVOQr7WFPAbxha4wpRgoStAhA7pBXKVP/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472011043125047922" /></a><br /><br /> Rex, Adele and I each made two cakes. It must have been a dream come true for the kids to eat all the cake they wanted.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOz4rp6sM9BF1LUvjQLqXa8FydVTyGkFDqgUsdbJ6PgHe8_J-bb1DF1x9Ak9rSsAWztg6tTPb7oLwc8gL0Qn3_14F6_0f_-KbVqN9xhGK7aDUh5yiC9PV1ewSs5mH0SgRt6UvMhfF_xuy/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcOz4rp6sM9BF1LUvjQLqXa8FydVTyGkFDqgUsdbJ6PgHe8_J-bb1DF1x9Ak9rSsAWztg6tTPb7oLwc8gL0Qn3_14F6_0f_-KbVqN9xhGK7aDUh5yiC9PV1ewSs5mH0SgRt6UvMhfF_xuy/s320/040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472010427469515858" /></a><br /> I must admit we were a little leery about eating food that we were not too sure of how safely it was prepared. We had passed two of the sisters walking up the road with a big pot between them. I think that was the beans. Anyway, I chewed up two Pepto Bismol, just in case and Dick had two when we got home. We gave Sister Juarez a ride home. She is 80 years old and has been a member of the Church for 59 years. She has good stories to tell.<br /><br />When we got back Jim went with Dick to the mall. Our latino missionary has extremely frayed collars on his white shirts, so Dick bought him a new shirt. Dick left a little later to go to the office and pick up some information about our PEF mentoring program with the other senior couples. I typed it up and emailed it to the Hatches. We borrowed another disc from Tomkinsons and watched more of “John Adams.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 May 2010…..Sunday</span><br />And the May birthdays continue…..Today Aimee is 7 and Benjamin is 5! During the Sunday School lesson from the Old Testament, Brother Mena, our teacher, spoke directly to at least three in the class who cannot read. He told them to have their children read the scriptures to them. He said that when he puts his little six year old, Julia, to bed, she asks him to read the scriptures to her before she falls asleep. We are so blessed to live in a day and age where we have the written word of the Lord in scriptures and a living prophet upon the earth.<br /><br />After Church I came home with Tilleys and Dick did some home teaching. When he was leaving La Sabana he saw Brother Carias and Brother Salazar, walking down the road, and it was starting to sprinkle. He pulled over and told them to get in the car. They were going to do their home teaching, so Dick went with them. They went to Abuellito’s humble home, about 10x10. I don’t even know her name but she is 93 and everyone calls her “little grandmother.” She has been sick. That is why we didn’t see her trudging up the road today. Dick’s trip back home got very treacherous due to heavy rain as he went under the bridge near the stadium and then to 6th Street. Meanwhile, we had a few sprinkles here at the apartment. Right now we are enjoying a good rain.<br /><br />Dick went over to the office at 3 pm for a video conference between him and Claudia and the Call Center director and some PEF specialists in Nicaragua.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-74234577532382847982010-05-09T18:08:00.000-07:002010-05-09T18:24:43.119-07:00Journal - May 2 - 9<span style="font-weight:bold;">3 May 2010…..Monday</span><br />The report that I started last Friday is no longer needed. Claudia called PEF in Salt Lake and somewhere, someone came up with the report exactly as we needed it for the area presidency to use at stake conferences. Modern day technology reigns again! We had a busy morning. Dick drove over to La Sabana to see Luis Mena but was back in time for our 1:30 pm meeting with Elder Clarke, Elder Martino, Reynaldo, and all the senior missionaries. Besides other items on the agenda, he requested that each couple act as mentor for several PEF participants who are struggling with repaying their loans. It is not about the money. It is about honoring their commitments to pay their debts.<br /><br />There was no FHE tonight because last night was Break the Fast. Sandy invited everyone to their apartment for dessert in honor of Steve’s birthday last Friday. It turned into a discussion of PEF and ways to encourage and help those who need a boost. Later, Zack called. He had an assignment for school to interview someone who lived during the politics of the sixties and seventies. Dick expounded his views to Zack for about thirty minutes. I have been typing up pedigree information for Kourtney for one of her Young Women value projects. We are so grateful that we are accessible to our grandchildren whenever they need to talk to us. We are anxiously awaiting news of Spencer’s mission call right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 May 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />The CALL came last night. We heard it from Spencer, himself, talking on his phone in Idaho to Zack at home. Zack held the phone up to the speakers on their computer and we heard Spencer tell us where he is going through Skype on our computer. He has been called to the Las Vegas Mission and reports to the MTC August 25, 2010. We reported to the MTC August 25, 2008. We are very proud of him and his willingness to serve as a missionary. Such a fine young man and an example to his siblings and cousins!<br /><br />We have a group of returning missionaries coming home to Guatemala today for their two day training at the Employment Resource Center. I stayed home waiting for the repair of the washing machine that is full of towels and water but won’t advance to spin and rinse. Tilleys were going to take me to the ERS when the repair was done. Meanwhile, Dick took our luggage and went to the Casa de Húespedes to meet the arriving missionaries…..6 elders and 2 sisters. Finally, at 4 pm Rexene and I went down to the office to find out when the repairman was coming. (Her five years living in Ecuador helps her converse far better than me). He had never been called because Nancy, the manager did not come to work today. So, mañana. I stayed here at the apartment tonight. We will see what happens tomorrow. Gotta get that load of towels out of the water and I have no place to put them since the washer won’t rinse or spin. So I added some bleach, hoping it will prevent mold. We will see.<br /><br />I used Skype to call Dick’s cell phone tonight to see how the day went. Getting ready for bed was interesting for me because I had sent all my things in the suitcase with him this morning, except my makeup. <br /><br />There is nary a trace of Jacaranda blossoms on the large trees out our living room window but everything is clean and vibrant green from rain.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 May 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />I had a good night sleep. I didn’t need the fan. Nancy, the apartment manager, came to work today so she called the “téchnico” to repair the “llavadoría.” So I called Dick to tell him I would stay here and hope for the repair to happen soon. I was actually amazed to get a call from downstairs saying the téchnico was here. Two guys came up the stairs, checked the washer, said it was the door switch, got the washer to finish the cycle, and left, saying they would be back with a switch. I was very happy to have the load of towels rinse and spin. Tilleys were going to take me to meet up with Dick but the repairmen never came back with the switch. I talked to Dick at 8 pm. He had two missionaries spending one more night. He will be home in the morning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 May 2010…..Thursday</span><br />After Dick got the remaining missionaries off to their homes, he went to Price Smart for some items and came home. As I was putting away everything that he had taken with him, I discovered an empty skirt hanger and my blue skirt wasn’t there. It had slipped off when he was carrying it. We put all the food away and he left to drive back over to the Casa to see if by chance my skirt was there. I was very happy to find out that the manager of the Casa had it behind the front counter.<br /> <br />The repairmen came back and installed the new switch and I have a washing machine that works now.<br />We got mail at the office! I received Mother’s Day cards.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7 May 2010…..Friday</span><br />I had a busy morning. I had some correspondence on email from Belize and information I needed about PEF participants. Reynaldo had me email a few names and information to all the senior missionaries who are going to help mentor some of the PEF students. I helped Beatriz with forty plastic wrapped “baby shower” gifts, full of various items for babies. We put tags on indicating they were donated by the Church. They will go to forty pregnant women who have AIDS. <br /><br />We went to Wendy’s for lunch with Blackburns. I don’t know what the attraction is for Wendy’s. I guess it is fairly close and quick. After we got our food the line of people was out the door. Outside, the drive through was a line of cars out to the street. McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell don’t seem to have quite the clientele. <br /><br />Tonight we played Dominoes with Tilleys. We had Magnum bars, the ice cream bars that are reminiscent of Dove bars. Yummy. Plus, I had a pretty good night at Dominoes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8 May 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Typical Saturday. Dick went to the office to scan some papers to Lancaster. Then he and Jim left for the Young Men activity at La Sabana. They painted the block walls around the home where we hold our church meetings. Dick and some of the boys cleared out the weeds at the corner of the lot to make it easier to see when pulling out onto that street. They had 12 boys there and they fed them pizza afterward. I cleaned, as usual, but did all the wood floors. They look great.<br /><br />Today was a baptism at 3 pm for Maria Soto, mother of Mario who was baptized last week. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKJpuukWCToBOdlXSmclhWzsFs5dN_mIZsTBo5AQUVJw9CCC6aotCM6obqNgHAI5rVHCfrlOpoXoXxvHEDaworfVI50CVDHBm888upeK6hL6unAGOvNEpCadWE6bzfdKGi0Txgki2nybc/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKJpuukWCToBOdlXSmclhWzsFs5dN_mIZsTBo5AQUVJw9CCC6aotCM6obqNgHAI5rVHCfrlOpoXoXxvHEDaworfVI50CVDHBm888upeK6hL6unAGOvNEpCadWE6bzfdKGi0Txgki2nybc/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469443438303857794" /></a> It started an hour late but we are adapting to “Guatemala” time. She is a sweet little lady and she and her son will be an asset to the branch. Last week, while I played prelude music for over thirty minutes at Mario’s baptism, President Acevedo talked to me about his favorite hymn, “If You Could Hie to Kolob.” It is in the old Spanish hymnal but isn’t in the new one that was printed in 1992. Then this week I found a copy of the Spanish version that Carolyn Taylor had given me a year ago. I took it today and while waiting for people to gather I showed it to the president. He and I went into the chapel and he asked me to play it first with “great spirituality and feeling” and the second time with “power.” So, I did my best. His tears ran. We talked about the music. I said it had a haunting melody. He described it as sublime. He is right. I told him that I will never hear, sing or play the song again without thinking of him. He told me he will always remember me when he hears the music. Then he asked me to play it again for him. What a precious experience it was for me. The blessing is, he speaks English and so we could have a conversation that touched us both.<br /><br />Tonight we borrowed a DVD from the Tomkinsons. We watched “Return with Honor.” We enjoyed the uplifting movie with a gospel message. Wayne also gave us each a Klondike bar for our movie snack. Such neighbors!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 May 2010…..Sunday</span><br />As I write in my journal daily, which becomes my Blog, I always think it isn’t very interesting for people to read what we do day by day. But, this week I discovered two comments on my Blog which prompted me to go back a couple of months and read other comments. I am very touched to have three people I don’t even know write their comments. One served here as a young man over forty years ago and two are mothers who have sons serving here now. Twenty-nine years ago I sent off my first born to Argentina, the place where his dad had served. He was there during the Falkland War. We sent sons to Washington DC and to Texas. I understand the worry that goes with a child on a mission. I also sent parents off to the Jackson Mississippi Mission in 1979. I understand the worry when parents are serving. I can think of nothing that brings greater blessings to a family than having loved ones serving as missionaries.<br /><br />In Primary today the children were really into singing time. They sang, “Yo trato de ser como Cristo,”(I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus). When they sang the chorus of “love one another as Jesus loves you” they were hugging each other. It was completely spontaneous and so cute. So we sang the song over again so Rexene could take pictures.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIjiXMq59xAAtr02M-r7GIvN9-c9Ko6ymjwWanSpN4gDwhILqtskvTzp-1LOjGn_DievzIw6y3B6CGACn37YtC7T4QrBF_Ssg9Lq8y95pz0t3ah0tONHHdH4Bo9qfbRzYmLUXukTn68ls/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAIjiXMq59xAAtr02M-r7GIvN9-c9Ko6ymjwWanSpN4gDwhILqtskvTzp-1LOjGn_DievzIw6y3B6CGACn37YtC7T4QrBF_Ssg9Lq8y95pz0t3ah0tONHHdH4Bo9qfbRzYmLUXukTn68ls/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469444091457238690" /></a><br /><br />HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Adele was at the door this morning with a sampling of chocolates they had bought when they were in Mexico a week ago. For over a month Adele collected netting used to package avocados, tomatoes, etc. at Price Smart and made roses out of them so every mother in our branch would have a flower pinned on her dress today. Doris Carrias gave me a heart shaped box with three chocolates from Zurich Chocolatier. Her mother, Sister Piñeda, brought a piece of chocolate to each of us. The Young Women made tiny felt aprons with a pocket holding a sucker for each mother in the branch. Dick gifted me with a creamy strawberry torte he bought at the grocery store yesterday. <br /><br />Today is Suzanne’s birthday. At 5 pm we all gathered at Tilley”s apartment for a surprise birthday, Mother’s Day, dinner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9ME4e8xEvw32Ji6EdZk9-xCLt26yUw3gT3AlK3HjrN8hky0Ko4OD9jyC21Vh4QlFxkknvBG6VrFs9k8jZeJYwmQgksWQX9keqfE6UucdAMksb-XL1SNS0WDpGa5vBPsBf1Me7-Egt3XL/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9ME4e8xEvw32Ji6EdZk9-xCLt26yUw3gT3AlK3HjrN8hky0Ko4OD9jyC21Vh4QlFxkknvBG6VrFs9k8jZeJYwmQgksWQX9keqfE6UucdAMksb-XL1SNS0WDpGa5vBPsBf1Me7-Egt3XL/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469444907845563490" /></a><br /> We each took our own meat and a side dish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfJr_8rV_Xd7pqf5xVUf6m1tuLaFamAXFLNshxOlOrTci-4SvLJUQRrXvzbTEJLrIqQ4B_hC6XzldmqfI_-KKeC9c-Le8mN1dVSRyS-IIB7bwfGdRSU7wXDPZBPv6Xtwx3VXzLYodVglF/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfJr_8rV_Xd7pqf5xVUf6m1tuLaFamAXFLNshxOlOrTci-4SvLJUQRrXvzbTEJLrIqQ4B_hC6XzldmqfI_-KKeC9c-Le8mN1dVSRyS-IIB7bwfGdRSU7wXDPZBPv6Xtwx3VXzLYodVglF/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469445531048890146" /></a><br /> Tomorrow is the Guatemalan Mother’s Day. All the women have the day off from the office.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-38052480103457923392010-05-02T17:45:00.000-07:002010-05-02T18:05:14.634-07:00Journal - April 26 - May 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HFoiZ2mLwSoJ3UrKP9hFbXpT8z08xFIKgQI_rSoMvlrApywRg7dHcXeU4-zMSF3LSXWZGblYRtV19wpT3mXxkrb3C8cQwSpCE5DXHEheb76Ysa4jVPFZSR0HzcjzBGC1wYsv0McLfZWz/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HFoiZ2mLwSoJ3UrKP9hFbXpT8z08xFIKgQI_rSoMvlrApywRg7dHcXeU4-zMSF3LSXWZGblYRtV19wpT3mXxkrb3C8cQwSpCE5DXHEheb76Ysa4jVPFZSR0HzcjzBGC1wYsv0McLfZWz/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466842771074856322" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Jacaranda blooms are almost completely gone. The Matilisguate blooms, in their pink splendor, are fading quickly but I got a few pictures on the way to the office.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26 April 2010…..Monday</span><br />Last night we presented a PEF fireside in Central Stake, planned by the stake Relief Society president. There were 30 present. Dick spoke an hour and we didn’t use the Power Point. But, I was ever ready for the nod from Dick to push the arrow. Tomkinsons went with us and Wayne drove because Dick is very good about not driving after dark. All our good neighbors are so supportive of one another. <br /><br />Dick was at the office early because this is the morning that all exceptions need to be in Salt Lake by 9 am. He picked me up and brought me to the office when his task was completed. We went with MacArthurs to the airport to get their camera. They needed Dick’s help with Spanish. When they returned from Honduras Saturday night Sandy had the camera on her lap, but forgot it when she stood up. We were amazed and gratified that whoever found it turned it in and it was waiting for them. They took us to “Friends” for lunch. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-idfif81MNxCNv8aLy7Hpz_4jonjMd9hn6O1qX79m3l0Hcgt-JyOWKjCf0zaZfiX0b-irUfC0DUCvcb3XbmA-sPsGXGhNX6nnh7MUXdVDQ9hvC1Xh6FE8SaPC_ojVrZxJr589DprEm1J/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-idfif81MNxCNv8aLy7Hpz_4jonjMd9hn6O1qX79m3l0Hcgt-JyOWKjCf0zaZfiX0b-irUfC0DUCvcb3XbmA-sPsGXGhNX6nnh7MUXdVDQ9hvC1Xh6FE8SaPC_ojVrZxJr589DprEm1J/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466839633645179058" /></a> I did a new type of specialist report for Claudia that Elder Clarke requested. We got home before five.<br /><br />We found out this morning that the guy killed in front of the office last week was shot down because he had killed two other drug dealers a few days earlier. Street justice in action. Still, very sad to expose the innocent men, women, and children to such happenings. His widow came to the office today, soliciting for donations to bury him.<br /><br />Tonight was Family Home Evening at Caziers. Our trio expanded by two and we sang a medley of three hymns. Two on soprano, two singing tenor an octave higher, and me on alto. My voice is not meek so I held my own with the others. We actually sound good together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhypheno-l3CY41FAQKI7Zcimc11lJorwH8qXIIVuMXNxPvO32EmJaFBZg_7uc3HQahyphenhyphenClFy7Vjo533SUKlzpNG7TA8T0Hkj83zT5POPKArBrhSL_9P_CHfy3rFrjPmpDb3L8rdl0XYE7Z8IEZ/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhypheno-l3CY41FAQKI7Zcimc11lJorwH8qXIIVuMXNxPvO32EmJaFBZg_7uc3HQahyphenhyphenClFy7Vjo533SUKlzpNG7TA8T0Hkj83zT5POPKArBrhSL_9P_CHfy3rFrjPmpDb3L8rdl0XYE7Z8IEZ/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466840291263076514" /></a><br /> We watched two short videos…one about Mary Whitmer and one about John Tanner. Both individuals are great examples of the law of consecration, of giving their all, totally, for the building up of the kingdom in the latter days. I would love to have videos of my ancestors and their great sacrifices that not only blessed the Church, but brought blessings to me.<br /><br />When we went downstairs afterward Tilleys door was open so Tomkinsons and Graffs went in and sat down and talked to them for about 30 minutes. They had arrived home from Honduras a few minutes earlier. We have such a wonderful camaraderie and enjoy our time together. Both couples are closer in age to our oldest children than to us but that makes no difference.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27 April 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />My morning started out with talking to Telma, Elder Clarke’s secretary, to set a time and a date for him to meet with all the senior missionaries. I emailed everyone about two options to see what fits in best with their schedules. Then I worked on a report of the status (school and repayment) of fifty-four participants in Central America who are more than 150 days behind in their payments. Dick left at 10 am with John to go to the Distribution Center to get groceries for seven families in need who are members of Curtiss’ branch. The people have no way or means to get to the Distribution Center or to take their groceries home.<br /><br />We came home before 3 pm because Dick and Jim wanted to leave shortly after three to go to La Sabana for the Young Men’s meeting. Today Dick taught the boys how to lead music. They always take some type of goodies for them. This evening is warm and humid. This morning we got an email from our good friends, Chris and Nan Hansen who read our Blog. It was another “small world” report. They knew John and Beatriz Curtiss many years ago when they all lived in Wisconsin.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28 April 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />I had a knot in my stomach for a few hours this morning. It is something I have had, periodically, for the last year. Dick stayed home until I began to feel some relief and then he went to the office. When I started feeling better I finished packing the suitcase that is going to Utah with the Robertsons (Church employee) on Saturday when they go back for another child’s wedding (that is 3 weddings for them since we have been here). It was good to have more time to spend with “Preach My Gospel” and the scriptures today.<br /><br />This morning I heard a lot of voices coming from the construction project going on near our apartment. I looked out the window and the big crane they had put up last week was operating and moving a stack of long pieces of rebar. They came within about 6 feet of the windows of the apartment building nearest to us. They lowered the rebar. Then the workers began climbing the rebar they put in last week. They started with two men on each already positioned rebar and another would hand up the next rebar and the top guy would attach that to the previous length of rebar. Soon it was high enough that they had a third guy on the rebar handing up more to attach. I didn’t see them go up but I did see them go down. Amazing!<br /><br />This evening we had a dinner out with all of our apartment residents, plus Curtiss’, Masks, Steimles and Stokers (from the CCM and the temple). There were 24 of us. We sat at three different tables. The restaurant was over the hill from the temple at the Vista Real Hotel and the grounds are beautiful. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUA6Lhfm_5pojDR7Hyp3iDo1N0O88TBz7OFv5PU07cMuZKt-poNJgHPP4IIILoSxw87OW_lNChMRKjjLkBLc3eXDJ0tfNMoLXDj_WG8AvFGBg6Xi82yTmJGepaS2ziH-O_n0PXMhx4ERi/s1600/021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixUA6Lhfm_5pojDR7Hyp3iDo1N0O88TBz7OFv5PU07cMuZKt-poNJgHPP4IIILoSxw87OW_lNChMRKjjLkBLc3eXDJ0tfNMoLXDj_WG8AvFGBg6Xi82yTmJGepaS2ziH-O_n0PXMhx4ERi/s320/021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466841159831661586" /></a> It was the most expensive restaurant we have been to here. I had grilled tuna with caper butter (I love capers) and caramelized vegetables (onion, red pepper, squash) that was delicious. We thought they were slow in bringing our bills and then discovered that Paul Hatch had paid the entire tab. He is an exceptional man who leaves us all in awe of his energy and total dedication.<br /><br />It is raining, a lot. This afternoon, with the first burst of thunder, we lost the internet. It has been out now for many hours.<br /><br />A cute story. Yesterday I asked Reynaldo how is family was. He said Diego was sick and had kept them up all night. He had a stuffy nose. Reynaldo put his hand over his nose and said, “You know, constipation.” I said, “Do you mean congestion?” We both had a laugh over that. Reynaldo’s English is exceptionally good. He once translated for President Hinckley when he spoke to a gathering.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">29 April 2010…..Thursday</span><br />We were happy to find out the internet was working when we got up this morning. A new stake specialist came to the office to be trained from El Molino Stake. It was very nice that she came to us. <br />The area presidency has requested a report from us that will show the PEF participants in each stake and their progress/payment, going back to 2006 to the present. They will use that report each time one of them speaks in a stake conference. There are now 98 stakes in Central America. The mission presidents are trying hard to help the leaders in the districts become stakes. Reynaldo is in El Salvador so we have to wait till he is back to show us how to find and gather that information into one. It will be my assignment since Dick has his hands full. I welcome some additional things to do. I miss the daily loan reports as they kept me busy every day. But, new ways of reporting eliminates the need for me to make the daily payment entries.<br /> <br />It started raining again before noon with thunder and lightning. This beautiful country looks fresh and green. It is a Catch 22 with the rain. Last year Guatemala had a drought and some areas were starving because their crops turned brown. But, when we have a normal rainy season there are mud/rock slides in some areas that take lives. The internet was out again this afternoon for awhile but I think that might become a daily experience with the rainy season beginning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">30 April 2010…..Friday</span><br />Such a beautiful, clear morning with blue skies and vibrant green landscape. René Oliva was in Quetzaltenango for a few days and he brought back some bakery rolls for Curtiss’ and a small bag for us. Later, Sandy came to the office with cupcakes to celebrate Steve’s 67th birthday. John made up an 8x11 “gift card” for Steve with Q36 attached to buy a meal for two from the “trunk lady,” the lady who cooks and sells lunch out of her trunk to the employees of our office and a few others. He added the words….”watch your back.” The street out front is not considered safe lately.<br /><br />Reynaldo sent some information for me to start working on for the report the area presidency needs for stake conferences. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 May 2010…..Saturday</span><br />It was time to use the red oil on the brown shower tile. It is a huge improvement. The apartment workers use the red oil in water each day when they mop all the hallway floors. They keep the apartment building very clean and it always smells clean!<br /><br />Dick and Jim helped get the Robertson family and all their luggage to the airport. They are taking a suitcase for us and one for Tilleys as we both have daughters in Springville. It is one less for us to take in July. The guys brought back Pizza Hut pizza for lunch. We had rain off and on today and it was wonderful. I made baked beans for Break the Fast tomorrow. We will send the food with Blackburns because we have a fireside to present.<br /><br />We had a baptism today at 4 pm for Mario Soto, a fine fifteen year old boy. We got over to the Lourdes chapel and only the missionaries and Mario were there. It was raining most of the day. The Mena family took the bus to get there since it is a few miles from where the members of La Sabana Branch live. The Carias family and the Acevedo family own cars. That was all who were there. If it hadn’t been raining, more would have been there because they walk the distance, up a fairly steep four lane road. Mario’s mother will be baptized in two weeks. I played the piano for over thirty minutes as we waited for the meeting to begin. At the conclusion we watched the beautiful video of the first vision, in Spanish, of course. The spirit of that beautiful portrayal is strong, no matter what language it is in. Mario gave the closing prayer at his own baptism and it was very touching.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76GWA6AiRrT2ZKvYKEW-jFNSUOEzpdTSjQJDrQmMDtnK29BrmoM1GbAvuy5GpQLydEHWaEoXljbvAVMUGKDC06W5781D9FbSvLVyCgtH1kL00qHr9GsRb8YgxBTYwdZRPvKcDzBPt9CVg/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76GWA6AiRrT2ZKvYKEW-jFNSUOEzpdTSjQJDrQmMDtnK29BrmoM1GbAvuy5GpQLydEHWaEoXljbvAVMUGKDC06W5781D9FbSvLVyCgtH1kL00qHr9GsRb8YgxBTYwdZRPvKcDzBPt9CVg/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466841900190708978" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 May 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Sydney is 17 years old today! Tilleys rode with us to church. It was a good Fast Sunday. Eight year old Cornelio Lopez who was baptized three weeks ago, along with his family, bore his testimony. It was tender and sweet. Rexene called it a “pure” testimony, and it was. Not only did his tears flow, but also the tears of us that witnessed the special moment. We had started our fast yesterday after lunch so today we broke our fast at lunch with Blackburns at Tilleys apartment. At 3 pm we left for Alameda Stake in Zone 18 to present a PEF fireside. Tilleys drove and accompanied us. We appreciate so much having them with us when we go into these outlying stakes. Dick spoke, two participants spoke and Brother Guarcax, Institute director, also spoke for a few minutes. They had three hymns chosen for the meeting and a chorister, but no one to play the piano. So I did double duty between the computer and the piano. We arrived home before dark.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-50090587314487518682010-04-25T13:02:00.000-07:002010-04-25T13:36:08.893-07:00Journal - April 19 - 25<span style="font-weight:bold;">19 April 2010.....Monday</span><br />After I finished my blog last night, Jim was at the door inviting everyone over to have lemon pie. Rexene said they had talked to their daughter in Pennsylvania and her husband has developed a better way to record writings on headstones for genealogy. She said they would be doing it in a few months at the cemetery in Manti, UT. Rexene’s daughter told her that her mother-in-law was a Chapman and her ancestor, Welcome Chapman was buried there. At which point Rexene told her about my talk today and that my great-grandfather, Welcome Chapman, was one of the early settlers of Manti. So, Tilleys Pennsylvania grandchildren are my cousins!<br /><br />This morning I completed the Specialist Report for Reynaldo and Elder Clarke. Dave Robertson came into our office to introduce us to his replacement. Dave is an accountant and an employee of the Church. He is being moved to Peru with his family and his replacement was here with his wife to see if this is the place they want to move to. So, I met Garth Reed and his wife. They are from Riverton, UT. I asked if they knew Gibbons and he said, “Chris?” I told them that Alice’s parents were among our closest friends. So many small world experiences.<br /><br />Today was PEF Committee Meeting. There have been 1500 new participants this year in the world, and 500 of them are in Central America. The end of the meeting concerned finding a couple to replace us.<br /><br />Family Home Evening was at the Clarke’s. I was asked to play the piano for an opening song. We waited for others to arrive and we could hear familiar voices coming but they never arrived. Elder Clarke walked into the hallway and one elevator had arrived just fine, the other elevator was stuck just below the floor level. The guards were able to pry the doors open. It took a few minutes to get the last load of our group off of the elevator, and a least one person was very shook up from the claustrophobic experience. Elder Clarke and Elder Martino spoke to us about the instructions they received the week before General Conference. It is wonderful to sit in the living room of a General Authority and hear the words of the brethren. One of the comments I really liked is that the Book of Mormon is a handbook to return to God. We were counseled to send our journal home weekly to our children. I think I get an “A” for sharing our experiences with our family, 70 of our closest friends, and others who stumble across my blog. It was Sister Torres birthday (Guatemala City North Mission president's wife)and Rexene gave her a shawl "from all of us." <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraNBC9VAoN0CZAK6DxOsVt6S0Vs7ixoY-oKBKtE0YIrmdPH3BbDPGDlqfhmnJRMEeEiCH3qMvJxW5yrnUiJ3YFnj7wenTfe719xIavNHfreUJ0ek1BEE3mLS9exJeH4P6_MRRWe3w2FuL/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraNBC9VAoN0CZAK6DxOsVt6S0Vs7ixoY-oKBKtE0YIrmdPH3BbDPGDlqfhmnJRMEeEiCH3qMvJxW5yrnUiJ3YFnj7wenTfe719xIavNHfreUJ0ek1BEE3mLS9exJeH4P6_MRRWe3w2FuL/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464169742997748978" /></a>When we left we all chose the stairs. At least the Clarke’s are on the third floor and not the fourteenth!<br /><br />Spencer’s mission papers were submitted today. What an exciting time! We can hardly wait to hear where he will be called to serve.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 April 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />This morning Dick took the MacArthurs to the airport for a trip to Honduras. Later the MacArthurs called Jim to tell him that the plane was taxiing but had to turn around and go back. They had forgotten to gas up the plane! So glad they discovered that before they took off. <br /><br />Johnsons picked up me and Rexene in front of the apartment. When we got to the office Rexene, Jennifer and I went with Curtisses to “Ayúdame a vivir,” (help me to live), a hospital/outpatient clinic for children with cancer. The Church has given a contribution of wheel chairs and medical equipment. Each missionary couple is giving Q40 a month to help feed the parents of the outpatients one day a week when they bring the children for treatment. It was a heart breaking experience. We fought tears the whole time, sometimes not successfully. We were greeted first by three children. One little girl, 4 years old, had a tiara on her head and she is in remission. The 12 year old boy was wearing a mask and the 8 year old girl had a tube in her nose, a big smile and a wig. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84jWBi5phTPXVKaxv7vibEBGVZnnpR3ffYB47L-K_WX-eA6nFhjpWttgrhks0-A-ps6tl-DjSXFRULy3eKQV9PHeeIIuCOkdRKH4RB3ZMp-xbhwZFuu_PrTTLa8v4dCQ73zaZlRb73SAG/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84jWBi5phTPXVKaxv7vibEBGVZnnpR3ffYB47L-K_WX-eA6nFhjpWttgrhks0-A-ps6tl-DjSXFRULy3eKQV9PHeeIIuCOkdRKH4RB3ZMp-xbhwZFuu_PrTTLa8v4dCQ73zaZlRb73SAG/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464170662721136642" /></a><br /> We then had a video presentation and a tour. The huge waiting room was full of parents and children, waiting for the outpatient care. Sick little children everywhere. We walked through the halls and looked in the rooms. We would wave and little ones would wave back. One room had both parents hovering over a tiny little girl. We were told she was dying. We walked further along and then five minutes later, when we came back down the hall, the bed was empty and only the father was standing there at the door. The little girl had died in those few short minutes. The administrator of the hospital wanted to meet us and also the head doctor. She was trained in the States and spoke excellent English. They are very appreciative of the money donations and the equipment donations.<br /><br />Statistics are staggering. Most of the sick children are from the outlying, indigenous, poor areas. Just about 50% of the children with cancer are 5 years and younger. There are many cases of leukemia and eye cancer in infants. No official study has been done but the feeling is that the pregnant mothers and those who carry their babies on their back, work in the fields that are sprayed for infestation and that might be a contributing factor to cancer in so many infants and toddlers. It is a sad situation and extremely heart wrenching. <br /><br />Rexene’s daughter sent the email address for her mother-in-law. I emailed her. She lives in Manti and is a great-great-granddaughter of Welcome and Susan Amelia Risley. I am the great-granddaughter of Welcome and Catherine Ann Stayner. <br /><br />We think we have found a replacement. Dick talked to a couple today who very likely will come to Guatemala to replace us. Someone gave Dick their name and number. Elder Clarke will call them tomorrow. That is good news, especially for Reynaldo. As I was writing this (9:45 pm) the earth was quaking, again. I can’t get the picture of those sick little children and those worried parents out of my head.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 April 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />After the earthquake last night my body continued to feel like it is moving. Interesting phenomenon I<br />have experienced the last two months. Today at the office I started typing the next batch of exceptions, in Spanish, that need to be signed by Elder Clarke and submitted to Salt Lake next week. Dick spent two hours last night here at home, writing them up for me. He is at it again tonight. <br /><br />Rexene and I took a walk. This time Jim drove us over to the gated community and we walked for 45 minutes and Dick was there waiting for us to drive us back home. Elder Clarke told us Monday night that he didn’t want any of us walking along the streets. So now we will be escorted, in the car, to the gated area by one of our husbands. As we were driving over there today there was a street blocked with police vehicles, yellow tape, and a barricade blocking the view of what had happened. (Found out later that a local businessman was being chased, was shot and killed and then crashed his car into a tree. A friend of Beatriz knew him.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22 April 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today is Hannah’s 11th birthday! Dick left for the office early. He had some problems getting there but for those who left later there were greater delays. There was a demonstration by several thousand indigenous people, brought in my buses to the Obelisco. They were marching down Reformas Ave. Dick had a full day…..financial meeting for PEF in the morning, taking the Fillmores to the dental clinic when they had car problems, and teaching English at 4 pm to four men at the office who want to improve their English. But, just before 4 pm and the English class, Dick heard four gunshots, right outside our office window. He and about 35 others went out to see what was happening a little later. Someone had been shot and killed and was lying underneath a car. No details available, but Elder Clarke told everyone at the office to go home because the street would be shut down for an investigation that would take hours and they may not be able to go home later. (Some employees got caught in the shutdown and couldn’t leave till 9 pm.)<br /><br />I had a quiet day, thank goodness. I stayed home and filled up the suitcase we plan to send back to Utah next week with Robertsons. Our apartment is now empty of the rest of the things we have collected here, plus I packed all of my sweaters, etc.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 April 2010…..Friday</span><br />I had a busy morning typing up more exceptions. We found out that the guy killed yesterday was one of the drug dealers that hangs out on the corner. The car that ended up on top of him was driven by a mother going to pick up her child at the school around the corner. Tilleys flew to Honduras this morning because of extortion problems going on there. Dick brought me home about 1 pm when I was finished with the exceptions. When he came home he brought Burger King for dinner.<br /><br />I went on the real estate sight for our home and checked it out. I was so pleased to see the word “immaculate.” There are eleven pictures and the house and yard look great. The tree in front has grown. We have had renters for almost two years. Thank you April and Dawn! They have taken great care of our home. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">24 April 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Typical Saturday morning: cleaning and laundry for me and Dick at the office, again. At 1 pm we went with Tomkinsons to TGIF Friday for lunch.<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgMTzM0rb_ltpW4pucGx99z8p0bF29C4AENacf3O_KREoq3239oJ7cy5hhMqFHCsKqXGJm1_7sXtLe4GC1hyfxT8Qk1aieqEacDIzmrlsTakaPiPvdI5KwWzrTNc-lBMIj8VqW-5VrmDd/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgMTzM0rb_ltpW4pucGx99z8p0bF29C4AENacf3O_KREoq3239oJ7cy5hhMqFHCsKqXGJm1_7sXtLe4GC1hyfxT8Qk1aieqEacDIzmrlsTakaPiPvdI5KwWzrTNc-lBMIj8VqW-5VrmDd/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464171230272971506" /></a> When we got back I went up to Cazier’s apartment to practice with a quickly formed trio for FHE Monday night. A little later Dick and Wayne went to the airport to pick up the MacArthurs who have been in Honduras. The last week our weather has been humid. Especially around bedtime. The fan has run all night all week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25 April 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Blackburns and Tilleys are out of the country so I was the only gringo in Primary. Every child was enthralled when it was time to cut out pieces of a temple puzzle. They loved using the scissors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-_U-uyeQ06nAMFVjXqD5EffKgT7x_dal_qb2dfnyAyPUnpCM9b2I3JzaQBrHN4EyIMujD3dYQA9RRWo3iUdNTKqYi19wiKEg-y3BZUev23BrBT06EXTJA8lIxiMABqhWsOkk0U5qfU6-/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-_U-uyeQ06nAMFVjXqD5EffKgT7x_dal_qb2dfnyAyPUnpCM9b2I3JzaQBrHN4EyIMujD3dYQA9RRWo3iUdNTKqYi19wiKEg-y3BZUev23BrBT06EXTJA8lIxiMABqhWsOkk0U5qfU6-/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464171764490778642" /></a><br /> Sister Guzman invited Dick and the Young Men in to do some role playing. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF8RZQ2sOKGTW1z4E0KUGdFvCbr7Ys0x4cH-9QjLXQGNkdhRYMN2s5yqLzq0QFllahSRzDPo7DgldT53Eb7HH1c49HSRmhP7AxjqkgUi26g_njtz4w2fzILSKgmqHdnUTpzz8YnktL6FS/s1600/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoF8RZQ2sOKGTW1z4E0KUGdFvCbr7Ys0x4cH-9QjLXQGNkdhRYMN2s5yqLzq0QFllahSRzDPo7DgldT53Eb7HH1c49HSRmhP7AxjqkgUi26g_njtz4w2fzILSKgmqHdnUTpzz8YnktL6FS/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464172388346073026" /></a><br /> Usually Dan Acevedo pulls a chair next to me. He loves the teclado and the sounds it makes. He is a sweet little boy. Pablo Guzman is 11 and sings all the songs, on key, and at the top of his lungs. They wanted their picture taken.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFwINNhkkSKs-2-NAfKgrb-xiQfJObPQxFaiYBTnUZ_1lEjmeEKS3dTOZpmTuRVeHtP2ilAHL3W72tcCJDmSKEFKp1grQ8POGZbZP_viKjlFgvvRVrAO1V4XwzoFCa7SmfqHovsQa-aCQ/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFwINNhkkSKs-2-NAfKgrb-xiQfJObPQxFaiYBTnUZ_1lEjmeEKS3dTOZpmTuRVeHtP2ilAHL3W72tcCJDmSKEFKp1grQ8POGZbZP_viKjlFgvvRVrAO1V4XwzoFCa7SmfqHovsQa-aCQ/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464172763321250434" /></a><br />Dick brought me home after Church and then went back out to La Sabana to finish his home teaching and to visit one of Jim’s assigned families. I went up to Cazier’s apartment and our trio practiced again. We have a PEF fireside tonight in Zone 1, Central Stake. Tomkinsons will drive us so Dick doesn’t have to drive in the dark, plus we are not to be out after dark without another couple with us.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-58421918766521421292010-04-18T15:56:00.000-07:002010-04-18T17:00:03.716-07:00Journal - April 12 - 18<span style="font-weight:bold;">12 April 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick left home at 7 am for the office. I went later with Tilleys, after they delivered huge homemade cinnamon rolls to all of our neighbors. I finally got the letters I need to accompany the PEF Priesthood report to all the stake presidents, bishops and specialists in Central America. I was able to get the reports sent to the 97 stake presidents. Another Call Center has opened in Honduras so I had to send the new director all of the reports for her area of the country. At 2 pm Dick brought me home and Steve (doctor) came with us because Sandy had driven home earlier, her first time to drive here. I have no desire to drive here. I made chocolate-cherry cupcakes for our women’s luncheon tomorrow and a meat loaf for dinner.<br /><br />Family Home Evening was presented by the doctor (MacArthurs) tonight. It was great. He told us that we all need to be on fish oil, a baby aspirin and a statin. I’ve been doing that regimen for years. I didn’t do too well when we had blood pressure taken. After three times with me he said to come to his office tomorrow (just down the hallway) and we’ll talk about blood pressure medication. Dick’s blood pressure was very good, helped by his daily pill. He talked to us for an hour and a half, much longer than our usual Monday night lessons. Great care from our mission doctor at no cost.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 April 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />I finished emailing to all the specialists today. I went down the hall to the doctor and he took my blood pressure. The first time with a wrist style monitor that we used last night. My pressure was better than last night. Then he used the cuff style monitor on the upper arm. My blood pressure is just fine. That was a relief…..132/75<br /><br />At 12:30 pm Beatriz brought me and Sandy home. We got our desserts and picked-up Dorothy so she wouldn’t have to walk over to Johnson’s for the luncheon. We all gathered at Jennifer’s for our monthly luncheon and a good two hour visit. Very enjoyable. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWwnRPrlvvJ4zqNn15cPiVir9GdESbZhyphenhyphenml4IqQPhFQhHAHJI6VklnZ6M3Mg6O33P8m6to4wVuA1mE9Aw3SL1XJHKNEyc1lzaRajmqcQR7i6VpvYbQt5bYceTv9tDDjIZe_u-AebXa42R/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWwnRPrlvvJ4zqNn15cPiVir9GdESbZhyphenhyphenml4IqQPhFQhHAHJI6VklnZ6M3Mg6O33P8m6to4wVuA1mE9Aw3SL1XJHKNEyc1lzaRajmqcQR7i6VpvYbQt5bYceTv9tDDjIZe_u-AebXa42R/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461612191208704290" /></a> All the guys went to Wendy’s. <br /><br />Rexene and I took our walk at 4 pm. Dick and Jim left from the office to go to their Young Men’s meeting. The time has been changed till 4 pm because Elder Clarke wants all senior missionaries in their apartments before dark. It actually works well for the young men. They are home before dark, too, and the older boys have Seminary at 5 pm. There have been some incidents, not with senior missionaries, that make it important for us to not be out after dark. <br /><br />We had a lot of rain, lightning and thunder blow through this evening. Rain blew through the kitchen window. The entry way by the elevator was very wet till we closed those windows, too. Our cable was off for quite awhile and also the internet, but at least we didn’t lose our power.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14 April 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Tilleys rode to the office with us this morning. I was able to finish the PEF report by separating the reports for the Guatemala wards and branches and emailing them to the bishops. When I email all the reports I always get some back as undeliverable….due to change of email address, release from calling, or whatever. I get some replies to the attached letter and I always forward those to Claudia as they are in Spanish and she is the writer of the letters that are sent. I like the emails that thank me for the reports. My inbox is full the week I do the reports.<br /><br />Dick left at noon and brought Taco Bell back to the office for my lunch. We came home before 4 pm and Rexene and I took our walk. We had a few light sprinkles while we walked but no serious rain. We had a good rain later this evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">15 April 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today is market day in Chichicastenango. Tomkinsons wanted to take their daughter and son-in-law so we went along with Tilleys. It is so nice riding in the office fleet vans. We left at 7 am and were home before 4:30 pm. It was beautiful and clear going but overcast coming home. Blackburns had been in Sololá to do auditing training and came to Chichicastenango to meet us. They pulled into the parking area about sixty seconds after us, at 10 am. <br /><br />Inside the market place, just feet from San Tomás Church, is the monastery where the “Popul Vuh” was discovered in the early 18th century. (Dustin will love this information). It was written in the 1560’s. The Spanish burned and destroyed almost all of the Mayan writings but somehow this one survived. It is the Mayan Bible, beginning with the creation. There are similarities with the book of Genesis. Dean Bawden was very much fascinated with the book and Dick was given one of the copies he had. On the San Tomás Church steps are Mayan worshipers and their incense plus a mix of tourists. We always try to respect the worship and not be “touristy.” <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWekvaGrySEmtYQP1G82YFEJVT9Pc7DtiiRdL5fHhwkviHv5hRZ6fGzMBDRYOMA2ldW0glPJq_dJOlAZ1pLyhRB5kh1hrKeQujXyV0SGWBFF_txLP9mz_MNovF7zQkcMjC8tkchg46Gtq/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGWekvaGrySEmtYQP1G82YFEJVT9Pc7DtiiRdL5fHhwkviHv5hRZ6fGzMBDRYOMA2ldW0glPJq_dJOlAZ1pLyhRB5kh1hrKeQujXyV0SGWBFF_txLP9mz_MNovF7zQkcMjC8tkchg46Gtq/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461617413590207058" /></a><br /><br /> The market in Chichi is just about the only place we have been able to find the dressy jackets. I bought two and also some of the beaded Christmas tree balls. The market wasn’t as packed with tourists as last time, so therefore we had an entourage following us, (more than usual) trying to sell us their wares…..small children to elderly women. If we buy from one, they all come flocking, expecting us to buy from them, too. Dick had his shoes shined by a small boy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWEKlsfIrG9-ZK-VxEe82uYWX98LtltJZYzZKlzcL8QkdvpMWp5t9nUjCgrQqIPdq78byjoEKR69v85ihmSs5N_tzn9RY5PsNJFDe4cGCGvguyfT2u0bB_2fTdrAx09J074wynvG8J3f7/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWEKlsfIrG9-ZK-VxEe82uYWX98LtltJZYzZKlzcL8QkdvpMWp5t9nUjCgrQqIPdq78byjoEKR69v85ihmSs5N_tzn9RY5PsNJFDe4cGCGvguyfT2u0bB_2fTdrAx09J074wynvG8J3f7/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461617015967678018" /></a><br /> We took a picture of us by the Maya Hotel with the cemetery in the distant background. The Guatemala cemeteries are above ground tombs of vivid colors.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQPIa4V0M-NM2n96_uZdw4htNd-UroVOnb3RYXWIPw9s9T1iVF5kF5QMRHXZR7zsQUgchRD9HLN90UUj5yaesenf9YMTguwwBb-HDMfii5YFaFTLgR1QnFYlpF7QI7ii2CJEQq5_dmU8I/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQPIa4V0M-NM2n96_uZdw4htNd-UroVOnb3RYXWIPw9s9T1iVF5kF5QMRHXZR7zsQUgchRD9HLN90UUj5yaesenf9YMTguwwBb-HDMfii5YFaFTLgR1QnFYlpF7QI7ii2CJEQq5_dmU8I/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461612908123780034" /></a> We had lunch at the San Tomás hotel where we ate last time. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z23yXKjnAJnBwauBkWA-rl6wO-p8-Hpx31dz0atJ2LO-FLUrZeMZ5FpQBJ2QxRMO2Cqv68t3Pvn0Rm8ZuLQkBTDVqs4IsFnCQGbxrUuy3OP9-yp_O9ITwsNmgeWsq7EE13gAgutpEpkN/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Z23yXKjnAJnBwauBkWA-rl6wO-p8-Hpx31dz0atJ2LO-FLUrZeMZ5FpQBJ2QxRMO2Cqv68t3Pvn0Rm8ZuLQkBTDVqs4IsFnCQGbxrUuy3OP9-yp_O9ITwsNmgeWsq7EE13gAgutpEpkN/s320/025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461616038340504274" /></a><br /> Last time we ate there I was sick about six hours later. Today I ordered off the menu instead of the buffet like everyone else, and then chewed up two Pepto Bismol tablets for the protection it seems to offer from food poisoning. It was a good day and a good trip. We got some rain this evening.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 April 2010…..Friday</span><br />After doing some things at the office this morning we left for my hair appointment at 11 am. I tried a new place, The U.K. Cutting Club. A number of my friends go there so I decided to give it a try. It is not as convenient as the other places. The upside is, the hairdresser everyone uses speaks English…he is from England. So I met Liam. He is young and has been in Guatemala 8 months. His English wasn’t American but at least it wasn’t Spanish. When he talked it made me think of the Beatle’s accent. My hair is short! We went back to the office and the new style caused a stir there. I have come a long way in the last two years. Kelsey would be proud of me! <br /><br />Dick brought me home. He went back to the office and took Reynaldo to the airport. We had some rain. Then Rexene, Suzanne and I took a walk. At 5:30 pm the thunder and lightning rolled through again with ample rain. Dick wasn’t home yet as Jim called him and told him to pick up pizza at Pizza Hut for Tomkinsons, Tilleys and us. Suzanne says this isn’t “Victoria Suites” but “Victoria Sweets.” We played a game of dominoes. It was a good evening with good friends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17 April 2010…..Saturday</span><br />While I cleaned and did laundry, Dick went to get a battery for the car door opener (the clicker) and then to the office to work on his talk for tomorrow. I hope my talk is ready. I did an online translation two weeks ago and Dick read through it and made some corrections. I read it out loud to him so he could correct some of my pronunciations. I have gone through it every day this week, reading out loud. I sure hope I am understandable with my American/California/English accent.<br /><br />The internet was working overtime today…..60 emails back and forth with all eight kids….resulting in Alison booking condos in St. George for our family reunion in August. We are excited at the prospect of having all our family together…four generations!<br /><br />Tonight Dick and I signed and initialed numerous papers so we can list our house for sale. Anyone want to buy a home in Lancaster? We decided to test the waters and see what happens.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 April 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today Dick and I spoke in Sacrament Meeting. I spoke for fifteen minutes and read all of my talk except for my closing remarks. A few weeks ago I went on to LDS.org and found a story that was in the “Friend” magazine in December 1993. It was the story of my great-grandfather, Welcome Chapman. I loved sharing the story of this special pioneer with our branch members. President Acevedo, the branch president, said he loved the story and wanted a copy of it. I was very happy to know they could understand my Spanish. I rode home with Tilleys and Dick did some home teaching.<br /><br />This morning on the way to church we could hear musical tones. We couldn’t figure out what it was for a moment or two. Then we realized it was the teclado (keyboard) in the back of the car. The case was put in upside down when we loaded it and it must have moved against something that turned on the switch. Every time we went over a tumulo (speed bump) or made a turn, it started playing its own little tune. Just like having a radio. Dick has missed having a radio in the car. We have one but it is in a little case in the closet because we don’t want anyone breaking into the car to take it. That was advice from Jorge when we bought the car.<br /><br />We both had a nap this afternoon. It is getting cloudy outside and looks like we will have a storm pass through.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-39776385587474165522010-04-11T19:32:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:44:47.499-07:00Journal - April 5 - 11<span style="font-weight:bold;">5 April 2010…..Monday</span><br />Today Nathan is 10 years old! It was good to get back to the office. I brought the remaining fudge to the office and they were glad to get it. We talked to four young missionaries that came to see the doctor. One was from Ontario, CA and is Tongan. When we said we were from Lancaster, he remarked what a small world it is. Dick left before 10 am to go pick up Elder and Sister Brady and take them shopping. They usually have several stores they want to go to and the car is so full that there is not room for a fourth person. I had some things I wanted to get done so that worked out fine. Shortly after noon I rode home with Tilleys. We stopped at Paiz for a few items. Dick got home soon after I did. He went back to the office for a few hours.<br /><br />Tonight was Family Home Evening at Tilleys. We talked about our favorite parts of Conference and what we would do to improve upon ourselves. FHE started at 6 pm so those who wanted to could go across the hall to Tomkinsons for the basketball playoff later. I sat with Rexene for awhile after FHE as she questioned Paul Hatch about some scriptures. He taught us both about Doctrine and Covenants 132:19-20. He has been an area Seventy in Spain, Los Angeles Temple president, mission president in Iowa, and he and Dorothy are faithfully serving here, even in their eighties. What a great spirit of joy they have about them.<br /><br />I finished reading Gerald Lund’s book, "Hearing the Voice of the Lord." It is exceptional and one I want to buy when we get home. It is about personal revelation and how to more fully use the great gift of the Holy Ghost in our lives. Living in these last days makes it imperative that we learn to listen and heed. The last chapter was so good that tomorrow I am going to re-read it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 April 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />It was a full busy day for me as it always is when I get the PEF Priesthood Report. I took two breaks to climb the stairs for a little exercise. Dick went to the Distribution Center to get copies of “The Proclamation on the Family” and then looking for frames so each of his young men could frame their own Proclamation to hang on their wall. This afternoon we came home before 4 pm and then he and Jim left to buy some frames. After they got back Dick left again to buy gas and get large sugar cookies at San Martíns. Then the two of them left for their Young Men’s meeting. Dick loves any excuse to get in the car and drive. Rexene and I took a walk.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7 April 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Driving to work is so colorful. It is like driving through an alfombra (carpet) of Jacaranda leaves. There is purple all over the streets. There are a lot of old, huge Jacarandas in our area. There are other large trees with pink blossoms. No one seems to know what kind of tree they are but maybe I am asking the wrong people. I asked Claudia this morning and she didn’t know either but she called her mother. The pink trees are Matilisguate trees. So gorgeous. This country is so full of color…..the landscape, the buildings, and the clothing. We had some rain last night. We will soon be in the rainy season. This country needs rain to wash the dirt and grime off the foliage and to brighten all the greenery.<br /><br />We met the Tilleys at Wendy’s for lunch. Dick brought me home as I can’t send the reports until I get the letters to accompany them. Rexene and I walked an hour. It was cloudy and we thought we would get rained on. We saw the embassies for Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Peru and some we couldn’t identify. One cedar tree that had to be at least 80 feet tall had a bougainvillea completely covering the top like a bright magenta canopy. The other side had a wisteria hanging its beautiful purple blossoms. It is incredibly beautiful. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8 April 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Today is Joey’s 12th birthday! It was very quiet in our area of the office. John and Beatriz are in Polochic for the week so it is just Dick and me. I got the PEF information from Belize entered in the PEF administration web site. Sister Dunford in Belize had talked to all the kids so she was able to update me on most of them. I then replied to a questionnaire from Salt Lake about the Priesthood report and how long it takes to separate it and send it to all the leaders and what are the biggest problems and what suggestions I have. We are fortunate here in Central America that I can do it all electronically. Some areas have to print the numerous reports, address envelopes, and mail them to all the leaders. That would take forever and I can do it at the click of the mouse. Dick had some exceptions for me to type up in Spanish. Then I worked on the Spanish version of the talk I am giving in Sacrament Meeting on April 18th. Dick brought me home early in the afternoon and he went back to the office.<br /><br />We had our first major thunderstorm this afternoon. It was wonderful. It rained about an hour. Rexene and I went walking a little before 5 pm. All the green and the color in the landscaping were brighter and more vibrant with the rain. We walked an hour.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 April 2010…..Friday</span><br />Today Cheryl Baldwin (Central Mission president) and Dyan Steimle (MTC president) picked up Rexene, Sandy, Suzanne and me at the apartments and we went to Pecorino’s, a very nice Italian restaurant. We had a very pleasant visit. Cheryl was talking about her friend in Cave Creek, AZ telling her awhile back that her daughter is writing a book and it is about “vampires.” And, now we know what a success the books have been. I figure that information will give me some points with my granddaughters because they are hooked on the books and the movie.<br /><br />Rexene and I took our hour walk. Dick came home as we were leaving but went back to the office to have Elder Clarke sign the PEF exceptions. He got home at 6:30 pm. We got mail today including Easter cards from Bendixens and Dennings. With the office closed all last week the mail was also delayed about a week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10 April 2010…..Saturday</span><br />It was a good morning to get some things done at home. Dick went to the office for awhile and then to Paiz for a few items. We went to the movies in the early afternoon with a group, to the VIP theater with the leather recliners. We had a quiet, pleasant evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 April 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today was a good Sabbath. We have a new young missionary from Honduras. He joined the church over a year ago. His mother and sister were recently baptized. After Church I enjoyed a good nap. Then we went to a baptism with the Tilleys. Our branch missionaries baptized an entire family…..father, pregnant mother, 12 year old daughter and 8 year old son. The baptism was at the Lourdes Chapel. When we got there the daughter didn’t have her white baptism clothes. I went with Dick and Jim to take her home to get her clothes. She couldn’t find them. Then the guys took two other young missionaries to see if they could find something else for her to wear. It ended up that the little boy was baptized and then the little girl put on the wet clothing and she was baptized. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h_27IfRxKUS_EZ4grC-X5Sme0CN__zuihG8XNoXPbjtxOLRRWk9eK7GLh3c8PzmYWei6srFPFDISaqqqgbOXhX2u0kG0oYBkDXDHsVie1DCN6t3Mub9jp8Fs8szPENo3LAuJVm00HJcJ/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7h_27IfRxKUS_EZ4grC-X5Sme0CN__zuihG8XNoXPbjtxOLRRWk9eK7GLh3c8PzmYWei6srFPFDISaqqqgbOXhX2u0kG0oYBkDXDHsVie1DCN6t3Mub9jp8Fs8szPENo3LAuJVm00HJcJ/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459074659574601106" /></a> I played the piano…a lot of prelude music and then three congregational songs. I haven’t sat at a piano for that long for twenty months. It was a beautiful Yamaha. After we got home we all went to the Tomkinsons for dessert so they could introduce their daughter and son-in-law visiting from AZ.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-18944809216160008442010-04-04T16:37:00.000-07:002010-04-04T16:58:20.714-07:00Journal - March 29 - April 4<span style="font-weight:bold;">29 March 2010…..Monday</span><br />This is a special week in Guatemala…. “Semana Santa” or “Holy Week.” The office will be closed from Wednesday till next Monday. But, most of the employees also take off Monday and Tuesday. Reynaldo will be gone and he told us not to come in Monday or Tuesday, either. But, Dick went to the office before 7 am. The applications and exceptions had to be in Salt Lake by 9 am this morning. I stayed home and patiently waited for one of the apartment workers to come put our closet shelving back together after it collapsed yesterday in half of the closet. One of the guys came to the door and told me they had to go buy new brackets. That was this morning. It was almost 4 pm when they came to work on it. At 5 pm Rexene, Suzanne and I took a walk through a safe area. Not too far from us is a gated community with very nice homes and several embassies. We walked about 45 minutes. When I got home I was glad to get all of my clothes hung up and put other things back into the closet. Family Home Evening tonight was at the Tomkinsons.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">30 March 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />It was a wonderful day. Dick took the car to be repaired for a noisy brake problem. Tilleys picked him up and brought him home. A little later the four of us went to the temple. There were eight buses in the parking lot behind the temple. I don’t know what countries they came from but the temple will be busy this week with travelers. We attended a special, reserved session at 11:30 am for the sister missionaries of Guatemala City Central Mission. There were about 40 young sister missionaries. I was thrilled to see Sister Lopez (Karine Jennifer Lopez) from Belize. We shared more than a few hugs. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEupIlD9MHF-Z-mbQmvc1Sar4DMKoE-dSlNAd_DzxwjS3bBKkZ6ZIvHBWy7WzK1i6v7CMScyW2WTPJUuQlnIlcsZgx0tNp5XdFUkdQOOqYR3J5Iq5cprsdjKBuJoa56bIQntIUQKjvHpD/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEupIlD9MHF-Z-mbQmvc1Sar4DMKoE-dSlNAd_DzxwjS3bBKkZ6ZIvHBWy7WzK1i6v7CMScyW2WTPJUuQlnIlcsZgx0tNp5XdFUkdQOOqYR3J5Iq5cprsdjKBuJoa56bIQntIUQKjvHpD/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456431472476316658" /></a> We met her in December 2008 when we did a fireside in the Cayo District of Belize. She is one of our PEF participants. Her loan is on hold for 18 months while she serves a mission. She has been in the mission field for 9 months. We continue to exchange emails occasionally. She is a happy, lovely young woman. Also in attendance was Elder and Sister Sandberg and we got to talk for a few minutes outside the temple. They are from Rancho Palos Verdes and friends of Linda and Steve. It took two ordinance rooms to serve all of us that were there with Central Mission.<br /><br />As we were ready to leave the temple a young man came walking up that looked so familiar. He called me by name but I had to ask his. It was Brother Bonilla, from Mazatenango, who was one of our young returning missionaries a year ago. He is going to school but able to do it on his own without using the Fund.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz36ZRcgchMO9T8HfRfD_670TCplT7er7mwghA7kvn_H2di5Kg7zQQ83ZTtEXtMTuNOadlqUVC_ZP_CJKMRA9dBIFLdv1mA-KEFDqKihUaaYZbU0lVstGWQOmyKqtyIQsqIG_5P0kHrJSr/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz36ZRcgchMO9T8HfRfD_670TCplT7er7mwghA7kvn_H2di5Kg7zQQ83ZTtEXtMTuNOadlqUVC_ZP_CJKMRA9dBIFLdv1mA-KEFDqKihUaaYZbU0lVstGWQOmyKqtyIQsqIG_5P0kHrJSr/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456431899942206386" /></a><br /><br />After the temple the four of us went to Zurich’s for lunch…..quiche and cold chocolate milk. There was a little sign on the table about menu items for “chocoadictos”…..chocolate addicts, another way to say “chocoholic.” Then we stopped to see if our car was ready. It was. Dick and I took it and went to Price Smart. I hoped to buy a ham for Easter dinner for the 8 senior couples here in our apartment, but ham is not exactly an Easter tradition here. Instead, we bought steak and I will make milanesa for Easter dinner.<br /><br />When we got home I went upstairs to return a book to Blackburns and to get something else to read, and Adele trimmed my hair for me. Then Rexene and I took a walk in our new found safe area. It feels good to get out and walk and to have an area where we feel safe. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">31 March 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />This morning a group of us drove down to Zone 1 to see the making of alfombras (carpets). Specifically, Alma Cruz, who works in the travel area of the office, invited us. Her boyfriend is a lawyer with his father’s business. His family has been making an alfombra every Easter time for over 30 years. Theirs is made entirely of sand and sawdust, all colored in vivid hues. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie2Qr9QywmY1IYTizYXjzpxBdKlC4KvnrV0_qn4P_q0F6T1JFXcHxPi_UPGl4_rfFpuMafxUphWeN6PdAV65C6gd426RbhJArkDvIeoL83x83bepnzCgjc8DXyTPEVaMwODm0uwhJ5Jn-/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhie2Qr9QywmY1IYTizYXjzpxBdKlC4KvnrV0_qn4P_q0F6T1JFXcHxPi_UPGl4_rfFpuMafxUphWeN6PdAV65C6gd426RbhJArkDvIeoL83x83bepnzCgjc8DXyTPEVaMwODm0uwhJ5Jn-/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456432702541276146" /></a><br /> Others we saw are made of pine needles, flowers, leaves, etc. In the early afternoon the huge “floats” that weigh thousands of pounds are carried through the alfombras and they are totally destroyed. Men carry one of the floats and women carry the other. It is a sight to behold and since we saw it last year we didn’t hang out on the street very long. Tilleys had to be back by noon so we came home with them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1 April 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Another month has passed and time moves on. Dick just had to put on a white shirt and tie and head to the office. Someone asked him later if anyone else was at the office and he said, “Yes, the guard out front.” Meanwhile, I did a few things and then Suzanne came to my door. We then walked into Tilleys open door and talked awhile. Later I went over to Tomkinsons and Tilleys came over. We had to make our plans for the next few days. <br /><br /> I had one jar of marshmallow cream left in the cupboard. I had bought some in California last June and then got two more at Puerto del Sol later last summer. I couldn’t let that last jar go to waste so I made Aunt LuDean’s fudge recipe. It will be an Easter treat for our friends from us. Then at 5 pm Tilleys called to say they and Stokers (temple missionaries) were at Friends ready to order dinner and why don’t we join them. So we changed our clothes and drove over there. It is on the way to the office and the roads are very empty of cars because of Semana Santa.<br /><br />During our not so quiet dinner conversations (music videos at Friends) Rexene discovered that Stokers, who are from Beaver, UT, knew her uncle. Then Sister Stoker mentioned living in Payson as a child, and also Salem. Tilleys were in Ecuador for about five years when Jim worked at the U.S. Embassy with DEA (drug enforcement). That is where they first met the Stokers who were serving as temple missionaries there.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 April 2010…..Friday</span><br />A stay at home day. Good Friday in Guatemala means businesses are closed down and many local people go to the beach. All of our group gathered on the roof to eat barbecued hamburgers and the trimmings. The Hatches have two of their daughters and one daughter-in-law here visiting. Their daughter-in-law is Becky Hatch from La Verne. We know many people in common. We also found out that Cindy Corbett is Hatches daughter.<br /><br />After dinner we had a movie night at Tomkinsons.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 April 2010…..Saturday</span><br />I love General Conference. This morning some of us gathered at Tomkinsons to watch the Saturday morning session projected on the wall. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFL6kLL_ecLWLEZea3eWXVkT-Au1r9NNTf2_LdbyRLv8JWeFIOw3EyGwViYMtSdwoFxZEEjwQs2NCnYsHrdv6lUkSsRkw7t66djhrKYIG8cXk4zU61L5IjURfgzn7Cb1txr9XacM8Ef0z/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpFL6kLL_ecLWLEZea3eWXVkT-Au1r9NNTf2_LdbyRLv8JWeFIOw3EyGwViYMtSdwoFxZEEjwQs2NCnYsHrdv6lUkSsRkw7t66djhrKYIG8cXk4zU61L5IjURfgzn7Cb1txr9XacM8Ef0z/s320/012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456433957876551986" /></a><br /> Blackburns and we had lunch with the Tilleys. Then we went back to Tomkinsons for the afternoon session of Conference. At 4:30 pm the men all left to have dinner out and then go to the Montufar Chapel for the Priesthood Session. The women all gathered at Tomkinsons for a potato bar and visiting. It was a very enjoyable evening, learning a little bit more about one another. Afterwards I came home to prepare the milanesa for tomorrow. Rexene and Adele wanted to learn how to make it so they came over. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEzhXtkqi8EXeo8VArXan6tsPslwn9EERN00XFYUrElOmju7DlzJyu43Baq13dFTUE0xMc0HmsKVuxUHk-uoMJ4dlABjRoQ_-pcDXf83qMSn8EU8gyxGmWEtz3PAaDK8KIhmjTzdm5I8M/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEzhXtkqi8EXeo8VArXan6tsPslwn9EERN00XFYUrElOmju7DlzJyu43Baq13dFTUE0xMc0HmsKVuxUHk-uoMJ4dlABjRoQ_-pcDXf83qMSn8EU8gyxGmWEtz3PAaDK8KIhmjTzdm5I8M/s320/020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456433316149794898" /></a><br /> They didn’t just watch. None of us had a mallet to work on the already thin slices but Rexene used a meat prong on it and Adele cut it in pieces. I dipped the steak into the beaten eggs and the bread crumbs. I put it all in the fridge and will fry it tomorrow.<br /><br />What a beautiful spirit General Conference brings to me. What a blessing for the internet and Conference broadcast in English, my language! One of the thoughts I had when President Eyring was speaking: I was a cautious child and a cautious teenager. It was a gift, for it kept me from doing things that would have led me down the wrong path. Elder Packer said that too many of us are living below our privileges and expectations of the Lord. Then, “Fear is the opposite of faith.” There are many sermons in that one short phrase. Elder Bednar reminds us that we live in a day of warning. We need to be vigilant. Elder Ballard counseled the women of the Church to hold our tongue, to not judge others. That is good advice for all of us, male or female, young or old. He had good counsel and kind words for women. My thoughts ran to my daughters and granddaughters, those by birth and those by marriage. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 April 2010…..Sunday</span><br />It was a beautiful Easter day. In between sessions of Conference we had our Easter lunch. I fried over 8 pounds of milanesa for 16 people. (Yes, I haven’t changed. I still prepare far more food than is needed.) The beef wasn’t as tender as what I use in the States, but it was good and it was enjoyed. Everyone brought their own plates and silverware, dished up their plates at Tomkinsons, then stayed there or came to our home or Tilleys to sit around the table. Three plates were dished up and taken downstairs to our workers here at the apartment.<br /><br />Since I was cooking the meat throughout most of the meal, Wayne asked if I was a Martha or a Mary. I told him that I had the beautiful picture of Mary and Martha and the Savior, hanging in my home. That used to be a question I had myself until I realized that Martha was just as valuable in the kingdom as Mary. I am a blend of both. And then Elder Schwitzer spoke this afternoon in Conference about Martha, who has been misjudged and the doctrine that Christ revealed to her. We all loved hearing Elder Martino speak who is in our Area Presidency and a friend to all of us. He spoke about adversity and it’s not what we face but how we face it. Of course, all bore witness of Jesus Christ, of his atonement and the great meaning it has for us and our responsibility to live lives of faithfulness. As Elder Hales spoke about the stripling warriors I wondered if my own children would say about me, “I do not doubt that my Mother knew it,” concerning my own testimony and belief in my Savior. Hearing the words of the prophet brought an overall feeling of peace as he told us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not unto our own understanding.<br /><br />The music of the choir was incredible. The Tabernacle Choir is always inspiring and the most profound sermons come through their music. During the congregational song in the afternoon session I saw Jeff. As a bishop he takes his graduating seniors to April Conference every year. I walked up to the wall where Conference was projected and used my pen as a pointer to point him out to Dick and the others. Jeff confirmed later with an email that they were sitting on the ground floor and it was them. How exciting for me to see my son. I didn’t have a chance to pick out anyone else before the camera moved. It has been an uplifting and enjoyable week but it is time to get back to the office and the work of the Perpetual Education Fund.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-54423779655561147832010-03-28T19:58:00.000-07:002010-03-28T20:10:16.984-07:00Journal - March 22 - 28<span style="font-weight:bold;">22 March 2010…..Monday</span><br />A new week that will prove to be a busy one for us. I finished the Specialist Report with a lot of new information. I typed up PEF Exceptions for Dick to take to Elder Clarke and then forward to Salt Lake. Just before noon we found out that PEF Committee Meeting was changed till tomorrow. At 1 pm Jorge Barrera, the employee responsible for the fleet of church cars, had a meeting for the senior missionaries. When the meeting was over Sandy and I rode home with Blackburns. Dick had applications to work on and came home at 5:30 pm. Tonight was Family Home Evening at the Justices who live about a half mile away. Dick took a tumble on a small step in the white tile flooring just before we got on the elevator. He got right back up and if anything hurts, he’s not telling. I always walk with him and warn him of steps or uneven pavement (he really doesn’t like my warning system). Tonight there was so much conversation with about eight of us walking in together that he didn’t hear me.<br /><br />The Embassy issued a Warden Report for U.S. citizens. It concerns a bus strike between 6 and 11 am today. This morning the drivers parked their buses to block all the roads leading into the city. They removed the batteries so that the police can’t remove the buses. They are protesting the country subsidizing the new safe buses. It created a real mess for John and Beatriz who live outside the city. They didn’t make it to the office till 11 am. Because we are registered with the U.S. Embassy they send the “Warden” reports to us via email.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 March 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Dick was at the office before 7 am to get two hours of work done. I packed our suitcase for our two night stay at the Casa de Húespedes with the missionaries returning home to Guatemala. We were very happy to get the extra nice room on the second floor of the Casa. We have seven missionaries….. five elders and two sisters. One sister served in Peru. Elder Alvarez came home two months ago but is taking the class now. His father is our stake president. His mother is Patty, one of our specialists who is now employed in the office of the area presidency. His uncle, aunt, cousins and grandparents are members of our branch. I’m sure he is one young man who will achieve great success in his life.<br /><br />When we all arrived at the Employment Resource Center we had our opening devotional and then went down the hallway to the restaurant. I actually liked the meal: very tender ground beef patties with rice, and zucchini with a touch of bell pepper and less than a touch of onion. <br /><br />I had a lot of problems trying to access the internet. They still have very slow speed internet in the Employment Resource Center, unlike the good access we have in the Area Office. Elder Clarke came and spoke to our group for an hour. He is a very energetic man that did very well in the business world. He is a great motivator and speaks very directly to these young people. One of the young elders has only the equivalent of a sixth grade education. Elder Clarke challenged him to take the classes for junior high this year and then next year finish high school classes so he can go on to higher education. Education will be the defining process between poverty and providing for themselves and their family.<br /><br />At 5 pm there was a break and we had chicken salad sandwiches with sliced tomatoes and lettuce. This meal is also something I like. At 6:30 pm Dominoes delivered pizza. I wasn’t hungry but these kids can put the food away. The van picked us up at 7 pm and we went back to the Casa. One elder and one sister were not feeling well so I got the first aid kit we put together and gave both of them what they needed to feel better. They were all up at 3 am this morning to catch a 5 am flight so I think they were worn out.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">24 March 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Today is Zachary’s 17th birthday! We were up early and left the Casa at 7 am for the Employment Resource Center. All the missionaries are feeling fine today. We had our opening devotional and then went to the restaurant for breakfast. Brother Guarcax, an Institute director, went with us. He then taught the first two hours this morning. Patty taught the rest of the day, as usual.<br /><br />Shortly after 11 am we experienced an earthquake. There was a slight shaking and then a bigger shaking. I was in an office on the computer. Dick was in the next room, making notes for the fireside he is speaking at on Sunday. He didn’t feel it. Off and on for the next two hours I felt like the earth was moving but I know it was me. Weird. I really think that the moving of the earth is the cause of the dizziness I have felt several times.<br /><br />Lunch time was not bad. They had plain spaghetti with parsley as a side dish to the chicken or beef. I opted for no meat and had the spaghetti. I didn’t have any of the “gravy” they had for the spaghetti. The salad was good. Fresh green beans and carrots, a little red onion and one small slice of red bell pepper. It is served at room temperature with a vinegar dressing. I am getting over my notion that salad has to be lettuce. Though, I want a really good salad with lettuce when we go home. Lettuce is one of the foods that I try very hard to avoid here. The doctor said it is a no-no. When we were at the market in Chichicastenango a few weeks ago we all drooled over the berries. They had huge baskets (about 18 inches deep and 18 inches across) of boysenberries and strawberries at almost every food stall. The berries were large and beautiful. But you can’t wash/bleach a berry enough to rid it of the germs. I want a bowl of boysenberries with cream when we arrive in Utah. Hopefully, berries will be abundant about then.<br /><br />This afternoon Dick was talking to a 36 year old man who had lived in Van Nuys, CA for the last ten years. I’m sure he had been illegal. He said he had gone to night school two nights a week for the entire time he was there, to learn English. He speaks very good English. He was laid off earlier this year and wants to further his education but it would be too expensive in California, so he came back to Guatemala to go to college.<br /><br />We had the handing-out of certificates for finishing the class, took our group picture and headed for the van. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSNzEnDpTv4jh6JlMGs9hoqPyCMZieWqOnrlZmwFOz93zEhPR11vPr4F3s1PGDBRCsGhfdpTUtXvgbxp0JchZ9SpqtNZEhELEpykh_vwbIF_uJd91T7NRWHvTiPAjj3AQ4WCd8p_EdGhz/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSNzEnDpTv4jh6JlMGs9hoqPyCMZieWqOnrlZmwFOz93zEhPR11vPr4F3s1PGDBRCsGhfdpTUtXvgbxp0JchZ9SpqtNZEhELEpykh_vwbIF_uJd91T7NRWHvTiPAjj3AQ4WCd8p_EdGhz/s320/036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453886183170232498" /></a> Patty handed out McFlurrys as we left. We went to the temple for the 5 pm session and afterwards families picked up their missionaries. We had three remaining with us for another night so Dick took the three to McDonalds a little after 8 pm for a meal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25 March 2010…..Thursday</span><br />Our missionaries were gone by 9 am. We loaded up our car and headed for the office. I had typing to do for Dick’s exceptions so Elder Clarke could sign them and they could be sent to SLC. We met Tilleys at Wendy’s for lunch and then I rode home with Tilleys to unpack and do laundry. Dick went back to the office. At 3:30 pm he came home and got me and we went to the office. We were expecting a new stake specialist to go to the office for training. Guatemalans tend to not be on time for appointments and the traffic can be bad, also. Dick called her at 5 pm and she had forgotten. So we went to the cleaners and to Paiz for a few groceries and came home.<br /><br />We had a late night, getting through the college basketball games and all the overtimes.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26 March 2010…..Friday</span><br />Dick went to the office. There is always plenty for him to do. I don’t need to type up any exceptions because Elder Clarke isn’t here to approve them. The Area Presidency left today for SLC and all the meetings leading up to General Conference on April 3 and 4. I found plenty of things to keep me busy at home. We got mail today….Spencer’s Eagle Court of Honor (sorry Spence, we missed it) and Cyndy’s monthly card and Relief Society newsletter. Tonight was dominoes night at Tilleys.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27 March 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Dick and Jim took both cars to take eight La Sabana Branch young men to play paintball. Each boy had to earn it as they passed off “Duty to God” assignments. It makes me think of being at Dennis’ home in Durham, CA and he had us out by the fence shooting paintballs…..even Mother took her turn and she was well into her eighties. We shot the fence, not each other. <br /><br />After getting the boys back home the guys went to the Casa de Húespedes to pick up Elder and Sister Brown and Elder and Sister Anderson, one couple per car, and then to La Media Cancha for lunch. Browns have been teaching English in Chiquimula and are going home and the Andersons are their replacements. Rexene and I rode to the restaurant with Blackburns. There were sixteen of us and we sat at two separate tables. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMdcj98DdSKayW6aZpxJn9PaTWEGRMjQBycn0306Vst6MggFcTAmKnxhP8xER3HttniDoQB8YebwT2TOWVhMZZioqb-CaSW2Wg1itJ-LYbhzKz6jmReMruyVI4pIo2EkWJgZa3tfjrjl/s1600/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMdcj98DdSKayW6aZpxJn9PaTWEGRMjQBycn0306Vst6MggFcTAmKnxhP8xER3HttniDoQB8YebwT2TOWVhMZZioqb-CaSW2Wg1itJ-LYbhzKz6jmReMruyVI4pIo2EkWJgZa3tfjrjl/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453886732374852130" /></a> La Media Cancha is said to be the best steak restaurant in Guatemala, and I think that is true. My steak was delicious. I had the salad, which was sliced tomatoes and onions with olive oil and vinegar. Dick had milanesa napolitana (with marinara and mozarrella). I rode back with Blackburns and Dick took Andersons back to the Casa as they had a bus to catch for the four hour trip to Chiquimula. After he got back he went to get his suit at the cleaners and to get a haircut. A busy day for him but that’s the way he likes it. He worked on his Power Point presentation after he got home. We have a fireside to present tomorrow evening for Nimajuyu Stake.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28 March 2010…..Sunday</span><br />This morning when we were getting ready for church there was a nice crash in our closet. Half of the shelving fell to the floor….the half that had my clothes hanging on it. This has happened to three of our friends but it is the first time for us. <br /><br />It feels like the weather has taken a turn. It was 84 degrees today and the sun is very hot on the skin. Rexene and I rode home from church with Blackburns because Dick and Jim both had home teaching assignments. <br /><br />Tomkinsons volunteered to go with us to our fireside tonight. They drove and we went to Nimajuyu Stake. We had a great attendance of about 40. Dick did a great job with his presentation. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBa-kOSE-4ic522IEHz2EdBX-_MuDY9G9kxOylnJbjXASzYiG_Adr_ANCiw_WCpMnMxBi_j3cpWiPgbeuNcwxQDGxrtIAYMyU0eo5faMMVPvq_uLhyphenhyphenpnvxMcp0kEJRwZizkdiY-g4I3Qo/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBa-kOSE-4ic522IEHz2EdBX-_MuDY9G9kxOylnJbjXASzYiG_Adr_ANCiw_WCpMnMxBi_j3cpWiPgbeuNcwxQDGxrtIAYMyU0eo5faMMVPvq_uLhyphenhyphenpnvxMcp0kEJRwZizkdiY-g4I3Qo/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453887248945558546" /></a> I did the Power Point part on the computer. Three participants bore their testimony of the value of PEF in their life and Brother Flores, one of the Institute directors, was there to answer questions. It was a good experience for us.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-52043527225702796952010-03-21T15:54:00.000-07:002010-03-21T16:12:33.470-07:00Journal - March 15 - 21<span style="font-weight:bold;">15 March 2010…..Monday</span><br />Last night Bill came down to our apartment and I showed him how to make a Shutterfly book. With Daylight Savings in the States, we are now the same time as Utah. This morning Dick left very early for the office. I went later with the Blackburns. While I was emailing the PEF Priesthood Report to the Guatemala bishops and branch presidents, I could hear bubble wrap being popped. I had told José many months ago not to pop it, that we could use it when we pack our Guatemalan treasures in our suitcases. I went down the hall and it wasn’t José and Francisco, so I made a left turn down the hall, past the doctor’s office and into the Compras (buyers) office. There was Brother Lucas, a stake president in a local stake, and one of the other buyers, popping big bubble wrap from a box they were unpacking. They were having a grand time. We all three laughed together as they played. I didn’t have the heart to tell them that bubble wrap is hard to find and expensive here.<br /><br />Tonight was Family Home Evening at the Hatches. They had a night of games. Virginia and I had to wrap our husbands up like mummies with toilet paper. At one point in the wrapping process one of our apartment workers walked past the open door. He must have thought it was some strange Mormon ritual. Both Paul and Dorothy Hatch are in their 80’s but we all have a hard time keeping up with them. <br /><br />The other day while climbing the stairs at the office for exercise, I took pictures from the window on each floor of the remaining arches of the brick aqueduct that is about 200 years old. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdRNHL2Jabc_SpWy5pq6V8LzMlJVPlu6D3rIOQiOMQMTb1yL9MOcSvy05l3_UFCbXrFE4fQGwZmG1CSBmth3lxZ31BHbwGOh_mxIwPaIZky1DrpxzJoWjLv3GR6V1dsqznr0bbYkDEMzk/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdRNHL2Jabc_SpWy5pq6V8LzMlJVPlu6D3rIOQiOMQMTb1yL9MOcSvy05l3_UFCbXrFE4fQGwZmG1CSBmth3lxZ31BHbwGOh_mxIwPaIZky1DrpxzJoWjLv3GR6V1dsqznr0bbYkDEMzk/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451225119686103058" /></a> Part of it still stands beginning near the airport and going south. The last arch is just behind the Area Office building.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeNq6S7KUMTERmfrpk1LT-DzH3v9wKvsJHTPnDrkh29myNBIvPiddVHaqUVr63rRyaFwKWfOFM4G8lT4buCqEc4uGvMhKKIsa5w34eVWARk0E5Bxcr4mOmDd0eQtLh2gDwj7p_HC6qHkj/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeNq6S7KUMTERmfrpk1LT-DzH3v9wKvsJHTPnDrkh29myNBIvPiddVHaqUVr63rRyaFwKWfOFM4G8lT4buCqEc4uGvMhKKIsa5w34eVWARk0E5Bxcr4mOmDd0eQtLh2gDwj7p_HC6qHkj/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451225715483827538" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 March 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Many mornings I see one of our apartment workers out our kitchen window. Only the one bedroom apartments have a window in the kitchen, which I am very grateful to have. We are on the second floor but the portions of glass in the lobby ceiling are below our kitchen window. They come up and wash the glass daily. We always wave to each other and say, “Buenas Dias.” The downside of a kitchen window is the black dust that accumulates in the kitchen on a daily basis. It is a result of all the bus exhaust fumes and the smoke that drifts in from the outlying areas at this time of year. Even when the window is closed it is not tight enough to keep out the fine dust particles.<br /><br />Dick went to the office. I stayed home so they could come repair our leaking toilet. It took two hours from start to finish but it seems to be working properly. I made chocolate cherry cupcakes for Dick to take to the young men tonight. Bill went with him since Tilleys are in El Salvador again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17 March 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />This morning Dick took the rest of the cupcakes to the office. He had a dental appointment so I stayed home and cleaned floors, cleaned out drawers and the closet. I took the water bottles out of our emergency kit for us to use and put in new bottles. I made chicken noodle soup. I practiced on the keyboard. I read. I just generally did the housewifely things that I have done for my entire married life and then waited for Dick to come home to a dinner waiting for him. <br /><br /> I watched Glenn Beck in the afternoon and I thought, again, that if I had children 12 and older that watching Glenn would be a priority for their education in history. Before we came on our mission I printed a colored U.S. flag and it hangs in our bedroom. With that in mind, Dick brought home some mail from the office. We received our absentee ballots for the Lancaster city elections. As I filled out my ballot I thought how vital and important it is to participate in this process of freedom and choice. We are a blessed country! It is time for us to save our Constitution, our freedoms and liberty and never forget that the Constitution and the men who framed it were inspired by the Almighty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 March 2010…..Thursday</span><br />I did a variety of small items at the office today. Dick and I sorted through exception letters from 2007 looking for one that Reynaldo needed. We never did find it. Blackburns called to see if we wanted to go to lunch so we went down the street to the Chinese restaurant. I didn’t order my favorite shrimp dish but went with soup instead. I wish I had ordered the picante shrimp. I won’t make that mistake again. We came back to the apartments and Adele and I stayed home and the guys went back to the office.<br /><br />In a conversation with Beatrice (she is an excellent cook) she said that a friend of hers makes beautiful, expensive wedding cakes. She told Beatrice to always use a cake mix and then dress it up with other ingredients. The makers of cake mixes have spent millions of dollars on developing the best cake mixes that they can and there is no use making from scratch when you can start with a mix and then add other things to it. Hence, the cupcakes I made on Tuesday was a dry chocolate cake mix, a can of pie cherries, 2 eggs and a cup of chocolate chips. It was a hit with the young men at church and our co-workers at the office.<br /><br />This evening I heard “mom we’re home” and I knew that Jim and Rexene were back after a four day trip to El Salvador. I gave her $10 (American money is used in El Salvador) and she bought me a wooden, child friendly, nativity set, painted by a well know El Salvadoran artist.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19 March 2010…..Friday</span><br />I worked on the specialist report that Reynaldo needs before Monday’s meeting. In early afternoon Blackburns called to say they were going home and did I want a ride. I had done all I could do on the report at that point, so I went with them. Dick emailed me later to tell me that there is a PEF fireside for 5 stakes tonight at 6 pm at the Montufar chapel. Reynaldo had forgotten to tell us. We left home at 5:15 pm and the traffic was heavy. It took us 45 minutes to get there. We arrived just as they were about to start and Claudia asked me to play the piano. I had my hymn book (everyone here carries their own hymnbook) but not my piano glasses. I sat at the piano and the meeting started. President Clarke spoke and there were about 40 in attendance. One of our specialists, Corina Amaya, was there. She is also studying English and using the Fund. Traveling home the traffic was much lighter and it took us ten minutes to get home. We are rarely out after dark alone so it is always good to get back here.<br /><br />Earlier this week Dick called a couple in Texas who have been called to do public affairs here in Guatemala. Today I emailed them about clothing to bring, the stores here and what they offer, and sent pictures of our apartment so they can see our living conditions. They will be coming in June. Dick also called Salt Lake this week to see if they have anyone to replace us. They don’t, yet. They haven’t been able to replace the couple that we knew at the MTC who went to Lima, Peru. They went home last month. Spanish speakers are needed to fill missions in Latin America.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 March 2010…..Saturday</span><br />This was a rare day. Dick didn’t go to the office to play catch up and we both stayed home all day. He did go across the hall for about 4 hours to watch basketball games that Wayne projected on the wall. I invited Wayne and Jim to come over to our apartment and help Dick flip our mattress. When we had apartment furniture the mattresses were easy for us to do because they were so light. This mattress set, that we inherited when Bawdens left, is excellent and too heavy for me to help him turn.<br /><br />At 4 pm we had an earthquake. It was not a big shaker but I felt the movement for a longer time than usual. Dick went to Pizza Hut and brought home dinner. Tonight the guys are all across the hall again watching basketball but BYU lost.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 March 2010…..Sunday</span><br />On many Sundays when we go to church there are blocked roads. This morning there were huge, long lines of people walking down the center of the road in the area of the fútbol stadium. There must be a major soccer game today. We were slightly delayed but when we got to church the gates were still locked.<br /><br />The outside walls of our meetinghouse have been painted. The interior walls have been prepped but not painted yet. The metal folding chairs were covered in a chalky dust. Dick took his clean handkerchief to start wiping down the chairs and others got paper towels from the bathrooms. The downside is, we all had the white stuff on our clothes and of course, I wore black today. We left fifteen minutes early because we had to be in Nimajuyu Stake to train a new PEF specialist, Siomara Davila. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjGwV8eNI4IEAYdy7LHP4bl4K2YPG7Yu4j3ZugUXuPgiDnSIHm5WjuPwODfqeP_Xr6CSR-m0VxpVYOPSF2dY8A4Bc93cBy_vEhrgP0yMSXg4POzKQMwu1f14H6LI45BnL9hwoKhD_jafZ/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjGwV8eNI4IEAYdy7LHP4bl4K2YPG7Yu4j3ZugUXuPgiDnSIHm5WjuPwODfqeP_Xr6CSR-m0VxpVYOPSF2dY8A4Bc93cBy_vEhrgP0yMSXg4POzKQMwu1f14H6LI45BnL9hwoKhD_jafZ/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451226084200876402" /></a><br />She is finishing up her education and she has been able to do it without a loan from the Fund. It was a 30 minute drive and we arrived just as their stake conference was ending. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pAQHRHyRX_bJ8l6S3aoMnxoPlwc4YLemf4BaSxxMlLuCLSzQRV2v1lpKITOTu_87rx1Vn5szJman6r7b8cBTrleLCcQMVWE1efbyyhYsp-vKFe9tmvoPIEM9jGsWXDOi6jxPnjQQKLkK/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pAQHRHyRX_bJ8l6S3aoMnxoPlwc4YLemf4BaSxxMlLuCLSzQRV2v1lpKITOTu_87rx1Vn5szJman6r7b8cBTrleLCcQMVWE1efbyyhYsp-vKFe9tmvoPIEM9jGsWXDOi6jxPnjQQKLkK/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451226652854428370" /></a><br />The drive down 6th Avenue with pink blooms on the trees was lovely.<br />The minute we arrived home I turned on the TV to see what was happening in Washington D.C. and the voting in Congress. No vote yet but we are very likely watching a historic day when the government takes over our health care and our freedoms are greatly diminished. God Bless the U.S.A!Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-50082268008771642692010-03-14T15:02:00.000-07:002010-03-14T15:47:32.769-07:00Journal - March 8 - 14<span style="font-weight:bold;">8 March 2010….Monday</span><br />A new week and back to the office. Dick left at 9:30 am to pick up the Bradys at the Casa de Húespedes and take them shopping. He didn’t get back to the office till after 1 pm. Meanwhile, I sent the Priesthood Report to all the PEF Call Center directors in Central America and climbed all the stairs a couple of times. I also typed up exceptions for Elder Clarke to sign.<br /><br />We learned today that the Guatemala Temple is the most used temple in the world per square foot of size. When the El Salvador Temple is dedicated at the end of the year it will cover all the people from Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador that make the trip here. Next year, when Quetzaltenango Temple is finished it will take all the members from the western side of Guatemala. When those temples are operating the Guatemala Temple will be closed for renovations for a year. It was built in 1986.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 March 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />It was 84 degrees today. The office air conditioning felt good. The sun feels hotter here than at home. We are at 5000 feet here in the city and of course we are much further south. We are grateful to be in Guatemala City, because the Pacific coast and the Caribbean Coast of Guatemala are stifling.<br /><br />Dick went back to the apartment before 11 am to get the salad I had made last night. We had a potluck luncheon for all the women at the home of the Masks. They have a beautiful home down the street from the temple. Beatrice drove those of us working at the office. We had a lovely meal and a wonderful visit. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikro-pvrAISgzLfsSvGecDxDa1cmB9NiBlJ9KU9_Z-4Rd1VGDzIrCvg-W-Z8CdApAH6F83U2Z1qXIfYUT8oLfXr8_YAAKFsGmsA5amYonybzfJMqsT5Q5ID35IyhsGJ9m1xa9CvNVDuYZi/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikro-pvrAISgzLfsSvGecDxDa1cmB9NiBlJ9KU9_Z-4Rd1VGDzIrCvg-W-Z8CdApAH6F83U2Z1qXIfYUT8oLfXr8_YAAKFsGmsA5amYonybzfJMqsT5Q5ID35IyhsGJ9m1xa9CvNVDuYZi/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448616181851383170" /></a> Sister Steimle talked of the sweetness of the young Latino missionaries that spend three weeks at the MTC. They got a letter from one of them, thanking the Steimles for the great experience and how good the food was at the MTC. He said he had never eaten three meals in one day before. Sometimes he only got one meal a day while he was growing up. We are so blessed that our children and grandchildren have always had enough to eat. So many people in the world don’t know what it is like to have their tummies full on a regular basis.<br /><br />Since Tilleys are in El Salvador again, Bill went with Dick to meet with the young men. About 6 weeks ago, when Dick got home on a Tuesday night, he was channel surfing. He stopped on “The Biggest Loser,” (Jill’s favorite TV show), and ever since we have been hooked. It is an inspiring show and teaches correct principles. So, again today, I walked the stairs at the office for a cardio workout.<br /><br />We have a new missionary couple. They arrived late last night and Tomkinsons picked them up at the airport. They are Elder and Sister Fillmore from Mesa, AZ. He is a dentist and they will run the clinic after the Tomkinsons go home in June. Now, in our apartment building of 15 apartments, 8 apartments are filled with missionary couples.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10 March 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Lots of work to do at the office. At noon we went to the annex building behind the office for a baby shower. Our lovely receptionist, Nahomy, is now on maternity leave. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yipve9MXGpxXj3BupIjRaTL816RVclSfa4IhgEpWI0EEVIbaQhSH7EtCjlU-yCUNUhFWhegwlSO6AF75BbbKCQ-tJQlU-ZCKG_QVJ-BDiXybe7mfjOG4sjs6i2y_W7u6sTzGhL8BP7hZ/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yipve9MXGpxXj3BupIjRaTL816RVclSfa4IhgEpWI0EEVIbaQhSH7EtCjlU-yCUNUhFWhegwlSO6AF75BbbKCQ-tJQlU-ZCKG_QVJ-BDiXybe7mfjOG4sjs6i2y_W7u6sTzGhL8BP7hZ/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448617238464123154" /></a> Anyone who wanted to attend the shower donated 40Q (a little over $5) for a Subway sandwich, chips, cookie, and soda and to be included in the gift. We also gave her a cute little boy outfit that we bought last week before we knew about the shower. Dick was included (probably hijacked) in a game. He had to taste a variety of baby food and identify what they were. His comment after tasting the pureed chicken was, “no wonder babies cry.” He must be very funny in Spanish because he always makes the locals laugh. A man with 31 grandkids and 7 great-grandkids should have done better identifying the flavors.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 March 2010…..Thursday </span><br />This morning I worked on exceptions for Dick and the Priesthood Report. Sister Baldwin (Central Mission president’s wife) came to our office so I could teach her how to do Shutterfly. Today is Gregorio’s 13th birthday. He is our little “shoe shine boy.” Dick told him earlier this week that we would buy him a new pair of shoes for his birthday. Telma and Patty, secretaries to the area presidency, took Gregorio out to lunch and to buy his new shoes with the money we gave to him. This little boy has won the hearts of many of us here in the office.<br /><br />Dick and Jim went out to lunch and then to Convergence to deliver letters that our TV and internet service needs to be terminated the end of July. Otherwise, they continue to bill. I stayed at the office because I have plenty of work and I was able to get the reports emailed to all the stake presidents and type up some exceptions for Dick.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12 March 2010…..Friday</span><br />Dick left for the office at 6:30 am. I went with Tilleys at 8:30 am. I had plenty to keep me busy. At 2 pm Tilleys picked me up at the office and we went to Central Market. Rexene needed to buy a hat for tomorrow. So, I walked around with Rexene and Suzanne, watching them bargain and buy a few items. They are great company and fun to be with.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 March 2010…..Saturday</span><br />This morning we gathered in the garage for a day trip to Quiriguá. It is a Mayan site set amid banana plantations on the road north toward Puerto Barrios.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUuRSJiBClVQEIPMcCXsMKfEMqH7-fL8huFri6WfK-4Azjk4Ra-34y0dG_Fn-dIe8BmVIYQJ5XsUSfUocKuhzj9-KpmIobh79x-qSNNdpbaEDBRzvBqsKg0ww2oFvARBXYhi56LJEGMSB/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUuRSJiBClVQEIPMcCXsMKfEMqH7-fL8huFri6WfK-4Azjk4Ra-34y0dG_Fn-dIe8BmVIYQJ5XsUSfUocKuhzj9-KpmIobh79x-qSNNdpbaEDBRzvBqsKg0ww2oFvARBXYhi56LJEGMSB/s320/075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448624479196644802" /></a> It is about a four hour trip. There are always a lot of big trucks on that road because it is the main access from the port at the Gulf of Honduras in the Caribbean Ocean to Guatemala City. Half of it is two lane roads but there have been many improvements and widening on the other half since we first took that road 15 months ago to go to Belize the first time. Quiriguá is in a beautiful setting. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1vrCQJWComUZc__mOzj06CZoHD7RtN-uKRuOAXPRDJqQUQylJvajr8Jb-p1X7hcRXtSxviOrVBEFwLWnPra-B1zvP-Cc5dikNhlpHgY9eeNpZRZfESeEoGZkWGsORnlSNtGKSP3hGrZc/s1600-h/046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1vrCQJWComUZc__mOzj06CZoHD7RtN-uKRuOAXPRDJqQUQylJvajr8Jb-p1X7hcRXtSxviOrVBEFwLWnPra-B1zvP-Cc5dikNhlpHgY9eeNpZRZfESeEoGZkWGsORnlSNtGKSP3hGrZc/s320/046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448619583707544162" /></a><br /> The stela (standing carved stone monuments) date from the 600’s A.D. to the demise of Quiriguá which was in the middle of the 9th century. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zwHkoNSoN-haQ2jjaNJhrAjLdgqvxSEE3OPJ2Mu-RJtTl6uLHaBGWpcgP3e76lju4BPkCI1X08iubP71sF91QgDLfyRilFqfUUym_R_7CspGOqVtpOz6Nl5u5jOMGjRqoYuQAfAxkpeh/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zwHkoNSoN-haQ2jjaNJhrAjLdgqvxSEE3OPJ2Mu-RJtTl6uLHaBGWpcgP3e76lju4BPkCI1X08iubP71sF91QgDLfyRilFqfUUym_R_7CspGOqVtpOz6Nl5u5jOMGjRqoYuQAfAxkpeh/s320/029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448618005802720162" /></a> Some of our group climbed the steps leading to another area, including Dick. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHpmopduZVjBRkbo7Ps93FOT9asujtcGRmMrEZgoS6W5ZfoZ7ntlZ-ryY4lcIsaazXi4VmVpdYNgxQ4LyIMvrNPmLankgb73TfryBJ1qmQ3hpZnQgeoZJQxtNYeNRCV58_v6SlkAwkxZg/s1600-h/059.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHpmopduZVjBRkbo7Ps93FOT9asujtcGRmMrEZgoS6W5ZfoZ7ntlZ-ryY4lcIsaazXi4VmVpdYNgxQ4LyIMvrNPmLankgb73TfryBJ1qmQ3hpZnQgeoZJQxtNYeNRCV58_v6SlkAwkxZg/s320/059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448621284553419362" /></a> Some of us took a narrow rocky path which was probably as treacherous as the steps. Coming back down Wayne led Dick and Steve held onto his belt as they helped him get safely down. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZb3t_uqIVkuXPbvUYbHsPWXd_czJlPAZJQLn5HdK17VZX6MhEmbxb-qMrzKjmUOHM68VxvD-AcBuUusGzb_7G0CLmTg2MNxjqdCepQG_WNO3QmwhWzdZRGA2Dmwjc9_9JJfep8dre1ix/s1600-h/067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZb3t_uqIVkuXPbvUYbHsPWXd_czJlPAZJQLn5HdK17VZX6MhEmbxb-qMrzKjmUOHM68VxvD-AcBuUusGzb_7G0CLmTg2MNxjqdCepQG_WNO3QmwhWzdZRGA2Dmwjc9_9JJfep8dre1ix/s320/067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448623171427649762" /></a><br /> With his fake knees and one eye and the small footholds on the path he needed their help and guidance. (There is a lesson in there somewhere). There were other tourists there. One lady we met was from Bremerton, WA and she had served a mission in Guatemala 19 years ago.<br /><br />We spent two hours at the site and then headed home. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha26EKkpicfMoRNMdOr-rXgCUaq9vzQOYh3AADdjqT_iH0BApx_nQWjCiR-7uJv5EEEZfA1l8TyjRyRdOcBGwvYAkhZqQquK0yfqTbgwKSpmiNyXhBdXoTgZlSXHM51WllKivur_iNsduO/s1600-h/074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha26EKkpicfMoRNMdOr-rXgCUaq9vzQOYh3AADdjqT_iH0BApx_nQWjCiR-7uJv5EEEZfA1l8TyjRyRdOcBGwvYAkhZqQquK0yfqTbgwKSpmiNyXhBdXoTgZlSXHM51WllKivur_iNsduO/s320/074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448623902884044514" /></a><br /><br /><br /> As we were driving through the small town nearby we saw two young men in white shirts with backpacks and we knew it was missionaries. Jim rolled down the window and honked and waved and as they turned around we saw that one of them was Elder Barrios who had served in our branch. We pulled in at a gas station and talked to them. The other elder was from Riverton, UT. Dick bought them sodas at the store. Here we were, four hours from Guatemala City, and we found someone we knew it a small, busy town. It was warm and humid in that area of Guatemala. As we traveled home we watched the temperature drop from 97 degrees to 78 degrees. We stopped at Sarita´s at the half way point for a meal. It is probably the only place we would feel safe eating in the four hour trip home. Then we followed it up with ice cream. Then drove the final two hours into the City. Curtisses loaned us their van for the trip so Jim drove with Tomkinsons and us, and Steve drove a fleet van with Fillmores.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">14 March 2010…..Sunday</span><br />Today was Palmita Stake Conference. Since Tilleys still had the van we and the Blackburns climbed in with them. The chapel and cultural hall were filled with some sitting on the stage at the back. The choir was a combined youth group. Elder Martino of the Area Presidency presided and Elder Altamirano, an Area Seventy from Panamá also spoke. Our branch was well represented with a number of them in attendance. Most of them rode the bus as there are only three families in our branch who own cars. It was a very good day.<br /><br />We had a leaking toilet and one of the apartment workers came in and repaired it this afternoon. One nice part of apartment living is Dick doesn’t have to do the repairs.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-37512982779911188742010-03-07T12:53:00.000-08:002010-03-07T13:18:09.228-08:00Journal - March 1 - 7<span style="font-weight:bold;">1 March 2010…..Monday</span><br />Dick and Jim left home at 6 am to help take Andersons and all their luggage to the airport. Tomorrow Neil will be back at his teaching job at BYU. They plan on coming back in May when a family they are close to will be sealed in the temple. At that time they will take a suitcase home for us. <br /><br />Dick went to the office and got an early start. He came back for me later and I finished the PEF Area History report for January and February. I print it in color because I always add pictures. Then I took it to Virginia on the 5th floor to put in the binder. Now it will be a waiting game to see when I get the Priesthood Report. Hopefully it will be on my computer tomorrow. That is when my most intense work begins.<br /><br />Tonight FHE was at Hatches apartment, hosted by the MacArthurs, and taught by Bill Blackburn about filing our taxes as American citizens living in a foreign country. Robert did our taxes for us again this year and our state refund is already in our account.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 March 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />Jacob is now a teenager! That gives us four 13 year olds. One thing we have felt since our office was switched the first of the year is more quiet. We visit with Curtisses but the only people who come into our area are those who want to see us. Our last office was a pathway to four other people so it seemed there was always something going on. Now we can even close the door if we need to.<br /><br />Tilleys got back from El Salvador about fifteen minutes before Dick and Jim had to leave for the Young Men’s meeting. Bill was already to go with Dick if Jim didn’t get back in time. Dick doesn’t drive at night except when he has no choice. I am very grateful he has recognized that he shouldn’t be driving when it is dark.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 March 2010.....Wednesday</span><br />Today is Jeff’s birthday. Yes, our first born is 48 years old. We went to the dentist (Wayne Tomkinson) today. The dental clinic was financed and built to treat prospective missionaries, missionaries serving here, and orphans. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw70-nxiTsKA-lOCCZovJAXkPb6P7OqnpjZSKbzVj4XAZxtx8U78s0s6GO0TqxmvF9v1207h4GGtvJuwPd0NWI_b_3kA7RhhafEsmKIxhyphenhyphenbUEpugufpu8cAazMeau61DVBdmja7yMOWtn7/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw70-nxiTsKA-lOCCZovJAXkPb6P7OqnpjZSKbzVj4XAZxtx8U78s0s6GO0TqxmvF9v1207h4GGtvJuwPd0NWI_b_3kA7RhhafEsmKIxhyphenhyphenbUEpugufpu8cAazMeau61DVBdmja7yMOWtn7/s320/003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446002726254397010" /></a>They have top of the line equipment which came from donations and church humanitarian resources. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e8mvUd1kJkZQh9VfMAJxbyENhr-SD7oJrt4ccIDG9CKMLCFPQ3hdfX2V3c0Hoq3MFxhAZEie-I0iOz_2U7qrZcF66UwCFdB2U-AwRfmsfRcwGcVbMNUrLB7xpDcatbjB9rAxoDKhAyET/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e8mvUd1kJkZQh9VfMAJxbyENhr-SD7oJrt4ccIDG9CKMLCFPQ3hdfX2V3c0Hoq3MFxhAZEie-I0iOz_2U7qrZcF66UwCFdB2U-AwRfmsfRcwGcVbMNUrLB7xpDcatbjB9rAxoDKhAyET/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446003249477918274" /></a><br />Of course, we enjoyed our visit time with the Tomkinsons. Our appointment was at 10:30 am. It took about 20 minutes to get there. It was a lot longer coming back with all the traffic on the roads at 1 pm. We stopped at Meykos to see if they have hair spray that I like. They have none. Pais has a few brands but they are all “lacquer” and I don’t want to be plastered. The women here have beautiful hair and they don’t need hairspray to hold it in place. Then we stopped at a bakery that sells empanadas, just up the street from our apartment. We took them home for lunch.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 March 2010…..Thursday</span><br />I got the PEF Priesthood Report today and I kept busy breaking it up into all the individual stakes and districts in Central America. I did take a break at 11 am and 1 pm and climbed the stairs. I went all the way up the stairs above the sixth floor that leads to the locked door to the roof. Then I went down to the second basement of the parking garage. There are 160 stair steps. Going up is always much harder than going down.<br /><br />At 4 pm we left the office and drove a block and a half to the Chinese restaurant. We met Tilleys, Tomkinsons, Blackburns, MacArthurs and Steimles. I had the “camarones picante.” It is a shrimp dish with wonton noodles in a spicy sauce that is incredibly delicious. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 March 2010….Friday</span><br />Another birthday! Today Kristy is 7! This morning we went with the Tilleys to the temple. There is such peace and comfort in the Lord’s house. The guys went back to the office in the afternoon. I went with Rexene and Suzanne to buy some fabric. Rexene is making a blanket for Nahomy, the receptionist at the office. She is expecting her second baby. A number of streets are closed in the city today because Hilary Clinton is in town. <br /><br />When we first arrived in the mission field we read from the Book of Mormon together in Spanish, with me translating each verse we read. Later I decided that I needed to read it straight through in Spanish. Today I met my goal….. I finished reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish. My new plan is to study Preach My Gospel by reading all the scripture references in Spanish.<br /><br />Tonight all of us gathered at Tomkinsons for movie night. Everyone brought snacks to share and we watched “Invictus.” It was a good movie. We took ice cream and afterwards Tomkinsons pulled out root beer, which is very hard to find, and we had root beer floats.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 March 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Our usual Saturday routine…..I cleaned and did laundry…..Dick went to the office and to Pais. At 1 pm we all gathered in the garage to go to the movies at Mira Flores Mall. We rode with Tomkinsons. There is bridge/underpass construction near the Obelisco and the heavy Saturday afternoon traffic was a mess. We saw a real action movie….. “Percy Jackson.” Our grandsons would have loved it. Afterwards some of us went to the Price Smart over at Mira Flores and to Hiper Paiz. I bought a cute little boy outfit for Nahomy’s baby. She goes on maternity leave very soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7 March 2010…..Sunday</span><br />It was a cool morning. In Primary, little Dan Acevedo had a chair right next to mine. He is fascinated with the tecaldo (keyboard), but unlike most of the children, he doesn’t touch the keys. Many of the children will look me in the eye while I am telling them “no” and just keep pressing keys or moving buttons. He will put his ear on the speaker or lay his head in my lap. Today he was comparing his five year old hand to my hand with prominent veins and dark spots. I told him my manos were antigua (my hands are old). Then he pointed to the music and said “do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do.” My first reaction was that he said them just the way we do in English, but then I realized that when we are saying them in English we are speaking perfect Spanish with their constant vowel sounds.<br /><br />Today is Fast Sunday and our concern on this day of fasting and prayer is our future. We will be going home in four and a half months and we really don’t know where home is. Do we move back into our home in Lancaster? Do we try to find renters for our home again? Do we try to sell in this market where our home has dropped drastically in value? Do we rent a home in Utah County? Do we build on our property in Utah now or later? I thought senior citizens were past the point of having big decisions to make. The Lord works with us but His answer is not usually a big and immediate response. He just leads us along and one day (days or years) we realize we are right where we should be and He has been guiding us all along.<br /><br />This evening is Break the Fast dinner at President and Sister Baldwin’s home.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-57694200363520753682010-02-28T18:46:00.000-08:002010-02-28T19:16:54.260-08:00Journal - February 22 - 28<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcusb-EOC6XO9B9Ney5topu37SfrYVMsIhSU5svsSoYnwu9Ry-nH9XGdCw0BdbCdxulqHNFs-uwlTMMPVlGGlGR-i4uWsZYQM_NmfDC_TvbwF3qNYvvYpO_DXL9xwxbe4r-AgXz9fmlvv/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcusb-EOC6XO9B9Ney5topu37SfrYVMsIhSU5svsSoYnwu9Ry-nH9XGdCw0BdbCdxulqHNFs-uwlTMMPVlGGlGR-i4uWsZYQM_NmfDC_TvbwF3qNYvvYpO_DXL9xwxbe4r-AgXz9fmlvv/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443498883548898338" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">22 February 2010…..Monday</span><br />This morning it was 66 degrees when I checked the weather. Last week it was 54 a few mornings. I took a sweater but didn’t need it. We got mail! Cyndy’s monthly card arrived and Raelene sent another card. PEF Committee Meeting was cancelled but I still needed to finish up the specialist report for Reynaldo. While I worked on that, Dick went to Montufar to help box up all the school kits. Twenty-five missionaries from Guatemala City South Mission were there putting more kits together. Dick and John Curtiss boxed all of them. They finished 800 kits today, in addition to over 700 on Saturday. These will go to the radio station that has supported all the efforts, who broadcasts from various schools when presentations are made. They will distribute the 1500 kits to schools. <br /><br />Bishop Antonio Salguero, from one of the wards in Alameda Stake, came into the office this morning. His professional business is getting groups to Guatemala like the group that did surgeries last week. He has another group coming this week, doctors who are all members of the Church. They will be doing surgeries in Quetzaltenango. He has others lined up in the coming months. He said his camera is broken and he had no pictures from last week so I showed him what I had on my computer and he requested that I send them to him. He needs proof for the government about what took place.<br /><br />We came home before2 pm. Dick had a bite to eat and then went back to the office. Tonight was FHE at the Caziers. They were in El Mirador last week with Andersons and Torres and they all reported to us about their experience with slide shows and videos. The dates of the temples/pyramids correlate with Book of Mormon people. Dick went with Steve to stake Gert home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">23 February 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />We had a rude awakening at 4:55 this morning. An earthquake. No big deal. Then about 9:15 this morning while busy at our desks, I felt some slight shaking. Then we were hit with a jolt and shaking. Each time I feel an earthquake I am grateful that we live and work on the second floor where the shaking isn’t as bad as the upper floors. After checking the internet I found that the first one was a magnitude of 5.6 and second one was 5.3. They were about 180 kilometers (110 miles) from Guatemala City.<br /><br />Dick had more exceptions for me to type up in Spanish. They go to President Clarke to approve or deny and are then sent to Salt Lake to approve at their next meeting. Dick brought me home in the early afternoon and then went to pick up Gert and his TV. Then they went to a repair shop. Gert took the bus home and Dick went back to the office. He and Jim went to an activity night with the young men in the branch tonight.<br /><br />Yesterday I took a book over to Rexene that I had finished and she gave me the one she just read. I started it today and read 50 pages. It is Hearing the Voice of the Lord by Gerald Lund. It is excellent. All of our books go up to Blackburns and their “library” so we can go up there and get a book whenever we need reading material. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">24 February 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Another lovely day in Guatemala City. Dick brought me home from the office in early afternoon. I had a short nap and then made a pot of vegetable soup for dinner. This evening Neil brought me their African Violet to join the two that Darlene gave me when she went home.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">25 February 2010…..Thursday</span><br />This morning at 7 am we left for a play day. Tilleys, Tomkinsons, MacArthurs, Jennifer Johnson and we went to Chichicastenango. Today is market day and it is famous for its market. It was a 2 ½ hour trip to the western highlands. We encountered some fog but periodically would get high enough to see the blue sky. It was a pleasant trip. Wayne made a comment about his grandmother being an Ellsworth. Jennifer and Wayne are second cousins. Her grandfather was the brother of Wayne’s grandmother. I mentioned that we knew the family of Rex Ellsworth from Chino who owned the race horse, Swaps. Wayne replied that Rex was a brother to his grandmother. He and Jennifer began to name their second cousins in Chino whose names begin with K. We always enjoy the connections we have with others.<br /><br />Getting into Chichicastenango can be a hassle with the narrow one way streets and on Thursdays and Sundays the streets are full of booths and goods. We spent the night there about a year ago when we were doing leadership training with President Baldwin of the South Mission. Jim was driving that time and again today, so we had a feel for where we needed to be. We easily found a parking lot, which is hard to do because most of them are behind gates without a clue that it is for parking. It was right next to the Santo Tomás Hotel. We walked the streets, exploring, and being followed by people without booths, carrying their tapestries, aprons, jewelry, etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yOyJL-i5QUmudf1jqbQ3YdrjQ44cxN4jtmpO72rrLZMxwQmcNPssSgtQXCEX8o5Abnaj6PJ1idV-i8AO_rRU3V-TsHwDY3IxyGP7h5Uk4Dm2vBu46nuferq0gJLILBbHB_rk8N82aJU/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6yOyJL-i5QUmudf1jqbQ3YdrjQ44cxN4jtmpO72rrLZMxwQmcNPssSgtQXCEX8o5Abnaj6PJ1idV-i8AO_rRU3V-TsHwDY3IxyGP7h5Uk4Dm2vBu46nuferq0gJLILBbHB_rk8N82aJU/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443497808010744146" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SFAbCLDB9MdjXEyQEFBjIRJIZrqMWk377on2bWUlSqrwAK3PQ32X7ivdsn4jAXn-r93yRhhdRprNh5A8Z8QoWg6Ow8iw2joMSNNyA7-gkYSgvlyFZGGcXCYtnbWw2HPrrP6cMYE7SebA/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SFAbCLDB9MdjXEyQEFBjIRJIZrqMWk377on2bWUlSqrwAK3PQ32X7ivdsn4jAXn-r93yRhhdRprNh5A8Z8QoWg6Ow8iw2joMSNNyA7-gkYSgvlyFZGGcXCYtnbWw2HPrrP6cMYE7SebA/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443496649564844274" /></a><br /> Many little children followed us with bookmarks and kitchen items. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgCGxl0PSqFxiER_vrVpyE45C2YBges7ivYZxHj8umGLo9GP3m_x1k1NwObyEAQt9Vb9Q8HfREjJNxjv8ydVzGoqoF_-a1BqDI-SrUDkNcd8wdq5ox_hjs46h2aIhZPQirRb_7YoJGZ_m/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgCGxl0PSqFxiER_vrVpyE45C2YBges7ivYZxHj8umGLo9GP3m_x1k1NwObyEAQt9Vb9Q8HfREjJNxjv8ydVzGoqoF_-a1BqDI-SrUDkNcd8wdq5ox_hjs46h2aIhZPQirRb_7YoJGZ_m/s320/008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443493445638987090" /></a>Dick, Jim and Wayne got their shoes shined and it was so cute seeing these three guys in white shirts and the four little boys clustered at their feet. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFsM0cq0-po5gscB98wE3eCor0vlA5jriVU8gYjNbEXQNZe-cUs0vwgvi_ysYWFFt5k8H3HFaZ4SFinC7_mtOuiiSxE7C5fGs55y2vNyqNN8SnBZ4bv_MuBoMzo-hdC1H8tburvchkNSJ/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFsM0cq0-po5gscB98wE3eCor0vlA5jriVU8gYjNbEXQNZe-cUs0vwgvi_ysYWFFt5k8H3HFaZ4SFinC7_mtOuiiSxE7C5fGs55y2vNyqNN8SnBZ4bv_MuBoMzo-hdC1H8tburvchkNSJ/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443492471990969122" /></a> I bought two beautiful pillow covers that are very representative of the beautiful textiles of Chichicastenango. Suzanne wanted to buy a jacket and so did Sandy. We stopped at a bigger shop. As I admired what they were trying on one of the little salesmen held one for me to try on. Well, I tried on a few and finally bought a blue one. Of course, with everything, there is bargaining going on. He went from 350Q to 275Q. I couldn’t by a nice lined jacket for $30 at home. As my purchase was put in a bag the older man who handled the money part handed me a little wooden angel as a gift.<br /> <br />We went back to the hotel for a buffet lunch. There were a lot of tourists eating there today. As we were leaving I saw Dick and Wayne talking in the entry area and there was an “older” American tourist taking their picture. A few minutes later we all stood by the fountain in the courtyard to take a picture and the same man hurried over and took a picture of all of us. Maybe he will post pictures on his blog of the Mormon missionaries he encountered in Chichicastenango.<br /><br />On the way home we stopped in Jocotenango to introduce MacArthurs to the wooden fruit “factory.” We all added a few more pieces to our collections. Traffic was not bad coming back into the city and we were home before dark. It was a good trip. This evening Dick was sick. It must have been something he ate for lunch. He went to bed early.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">26 February 2010…..Friday</span><br />Dick is feeling much better today. We enjoyed our conversation with the Curtisses when we got to the office. As the welfare missionaries, they see so much of the pain and suffering here in Guatemala plus they are involved in many efforts to help. We really enjoy the time we spend together as we share our office. Since they are residents of Guatemala they don’t live at our apartment building. Beatriz has siblings, cousins, and her mother living nearby them on the other side of town.<br /><br />This morning at the office I felt dizzy. Not room-swirling dizzy but a little dizzy when I got out of my chair. I came home in the afternoon and had a nap. We went to Portal de Angels for dinner to show the newcomers a food meal and a sweeping view of Guatemala City. Unfortunately there was a lot of cloudiness and the lights of the city were a blur. There were 18 of us. Traffic was so heavy at 5 pm that it took an hour and 10 minutes to get there….about 20 minutes to get home. Tilleys, Tomkinsons, Hatches, MacArthurs and we went from our apartment building. The Curtisses were there. The Masks (temple president), Steimles (MTC president) and the Stokes (friends of Tilleys from their Ecuador experience, now serving as temple missionaries) went from their area of residence. We had a marvelous time. The meal was the best I have had at that restaurant. Beatriz Curtiss suggested the Entraña, an Argentine cut of beef. It was seasoned to perfection and very chewable, my personal requirement for a good steak. Plus, one of my side dishes was a healthy serving of guacamole.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBy2cPDJUkgDMFGTEYdr8cE1jrzI0LvWxielR1T7f5qfoT-SYTfJD5MkarCb7uKDfDRakrgQol4VVRorThhkf8a6CVeuiyDfDrn0Ac5W9VDlqN5UWlqV8q5I12dwMARhsQ12W5tEfDOet/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBy2cPDJUkgDMFGTEYdr8cE1jrzI0LvWxielR1T7f5qfoT-SYTfJD5MkarCb7uKDfDRakrgQol4VVRorThhkf8a6CVeuiyDfDrn0Ac5W9VDlqN5UWlqV8q5I12dwMARhsQ12W5tEfDOet/s320/005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443494693448017058" /></a><br /><br />We sat between the Curtisses and the Steimles. It was a pleasure getting to know President and Sister Steimle. They are from Glendora but had lived in Diamond Bar. They asked about Dwain and Margaret McGary and we were happy to tell them how they are doing. (Dwain was bishop to them, Mother and Daddy, and the Badders). They vaguely remembered Mother and Daddy. I had already told them that Robert McGary was our son-in-law. But, they had something else important to tell us that had happened. After they got their call to Guatemala City they had been at a wedding for the daughter of his cousin. Her last name is Fitzgerald. She told him that their bishop (Jeff) in Mission Viejo had parents serving in Guatemala City. So they came here, prepared to meet us and tell us of the connection. They asked if we knew the Anthonys from Pomona. That association goes back to when I was 13. Sharon is a very close friend to Dyan Steimle. I told her that Sue was a year older than me and Sharon was younger. They told us a little about Sue. They have seen Derelys occasionally over the years. Another question Dick asked was about Larry Steimle who was part of the old Pomona Ward as a teenager. He is a cousin to Pres. Steimle. Our evening was full of conversation about people we know in common. We enjoyed them a lot.<br /><br />I held on to Dick as I walked so I wouldn’t fall over with my dizzy head.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">27 February 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Still dizzy. During the night, when I turned side to side, I felt dizzy. Dick went up to talk to Dr. Mac. I don’t have vertigo because the room isn’t moving. The Doc said that Sandy gets this malady occasionally. His cure….caffeine. So I took 2 Fioricet, my headache medication that contains enough caffeine that it is part of the bold label. <br /><br />Dick scrubbed the tub and swept the wood floors, then left for the office to keep up on the applications and renewals. I lay on the couch so I wouldn’t fall over. Another devastating earthquake, this time in Chile, but buildings in Chile are far better constructed than in Haiti. The brethren have told us for eighty years to be prepared and we better make sure we are heeding their words. I felt much better by evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">28 February 2010…..Sunday</span><br />What a sweet, precious, and blessed experience I had today. This morning I was almost finished dressing when I knew I wasn’t feeling well enough to go to church. After Dick left I sat on the couch with my fleece throw over me, and read the scriptures……the final five chapters of Ether in the Book of Mormon. When I read in Spanish I first scan the heading and my scripture markings and notations in English. Then I read the full chapter in Spanish. I like to read out loud, but I don’t always do it that way when Dick is here and involved in his own reading and activities. Today I read out loud. By the time I got to Chapter 14 and 15 I was totally wrapped up in all the emotions of what was happening. While I read in Spanish the tears ran and I could hardly speak. I can’t ever remember such a magnitude of strong emotion while reading in English, but today in Spanish I felt it with all the fibers of my being. It was about the Jaredite nation whose lack of faith had caused the Spirit of the Lord to cease striving with them and permitted Satan to have full power over their hearts. How they armed their women and children. I read of two million men dying in battle WITH their women and children. I read of all the carnage and death that left only Coriantumr and Shiz, and Coriantumr finally killing Shiz. The power of the Spanish words was more real for me than it has ever been. The magnitude of my feelings, knowing all of this took place in this land where we are serving, was overwhelming. Being a MISSIONARY, HERE, NOW, is a blessing beyond belief. This land is captivating. The Book of Mormon records are TRUE, written by ancient prophets here and translated by a modern prophet, Joseph Smith, under the hand of the Lord.<br /><br />Dick finished up his home teaching before coming home. He and Jim left at 3 pm for a young men leadership meeting being held in Útatlan Stake. Andersons fly home to Orem tomorrow and so we all gathered together at Tomkinsons and had a Mexican feast. President and Hermana Torres came by later and ate and we all played Dominoes….men at one table and women at another. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia87SPQzt6aO5JIdXeP1o_BGZjJJQuMcUwhfo-Uhot4_j1Dzo6WgjeeEaYeRL5daJYaWjEMi078hwb68xbx0eOa0zktIoogTwrIQuO63Me5nqqWZXS1MsSoqHXuxJsv86lvADLDgD5D084/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia87SPQzt6aO5JIdXeP1o_BGZjJJQuMcUwhfo-Uhot4_j1Dzo6WgjeeEaYeRL5daJYaWjEMi078hwb68xbx0eOa0zktIoogTwrIQuO63Me5nqqWZXS1MsSoqHXuxJsv86lvADLDgD5D084/s320/011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443495478840086226" /></a><br /><br /> Dick and Jim left at 8:30 pm to go to the airport and pick up Bill and Adele who have been in Panama for the last ten days.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-21048223890074698322010-02-21T16:41:00.000-08:002010-02-21T17:03:04.916-08:00Journal - February 15 - 21<span style="font-weight:bold;">15 February 2010…..Monday</span><br />I had one choice today….leave for the office at 6:40 am or wait for Dick to come back for me. I chose the latter. I was able to get two loads of laundry done and make a double batch of brownies for tonight. He came home at 10:30 am and got me. The office was abuzz….briefly. A van was waiting in the parking garage for our visiting apostle, Elder Neil Andersen, his wife, and Elder and Sister Clayton. There was a large white van in front of the office and Elders Clarke, Falabella, Martino and their wives rode in it. It was all followed by a police escort which is always hired when general authorities are traveling here. <br /><br />Dick and I met with Reynaldo concerning the time he spent reporting on PEF this morning to Elder Andersen and Elder Clayton. I love Reynaldo. He is like a son. He is the secret to the success of PEF in Central America.<br /><br />Tonight we hosted Family Home Evening. It was a smaller group because so many are traveling, but we had 15 here. We did a “getting to know you” night since we have a few new couples that we want to know better and they also want to know more about us “old-timers.” I served brownie hot fudge sundaes.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO7NEht9dYP_qOU1CgwicKSapiASZCa3VQsjzBle7s_I5ZcUxldElja3WKapxxCgl1RCSbXxil1aB6wailb7Q7pB_QquaD9qYrJWzv5PToeId2MQhlf6GSxdcMi-DfvoW3gAEZdv_oJuC/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO7NEht9dYP_qOU1CgwicKSapiASZCa3VQsjzBle7s_I5ZcUxldElja3WKapxxCgl1RCSbXxil1aB6wailb7Q7pB_QquaD9qYrJWzv5PToeId2MQhlf6GSxdcMi-DfvoW3gAEZdv_oJuC/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440862980491946002" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">16 February 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />I had a very unique experience today. Julie Robertson picked me up this morning and we drove to Zone 1 to a small pediatric hospital. Rexene, Sandy and Adele were there also. There is a contingent of doctors from SMILE here to do surgeries. Specifically for cleft palates. They started with the youngest. Each baby had to be bathed and hair washed before surgery. That was our assignment. Then their parent dressed them in a diaper and a hospital baby gown. We also had to be dressed in a gown and our hair covered. It was hard for the babies because they couldn’t have anything to eat and some of them had traveled a long distance and waited a long time. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhIxGrY5EnoUq_2lZS0ZDUbdQFMnvCofPW0MlRB_EIQizwPVqF_jhOlVNxFDP2pN80SgnFJ3S3tv-OxHSLA3AFrWr9-Lx2BUwYFJgmGhunNDK9sXKXp6cxaexfpFlk-9pVFnthxoHdJZa/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhIxGrY5EnoUq_2lZS0ZDUbdQFMnvCofPW0MlRB_EIQizwPVqF_jhOlVNxFDP2pN80SgnFJ3S3tv-OxHSLA3AFrWr9-Lx2BUwYFJgmGhunNDK9sXKXp6cxaexfpFlk-9pVFnthxoHdJZa/s320/009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440863503497721074" /></a> Then the toddlers would see these strange looking women in our outfits and cry even more. Little did they know how they would feel when they woke up. One of the doctors took a few of us upstairs to take fleece blankets and a little shirt to those who had had their surgery yesterday and were being released today. We saw older children there who had surgeries other than for a cleft palate. One smiling little girl of about ten had bandages around her head but her braids were hanging out in back. She had received new ears. She was born with just nubs so they took bone and tissue from other parts of her body to construct ears. They began the process last year when they were here and finished it for her yesterday. When I gave her a blanket she said, “Thank you very much.” <br /><br />One doctor told me and Adele that yesterday there was a baby they could not operate on. He was five months old and weighed five pounds. He was malnourished and dehydrated. Surgery could kill him in that condition. The doctor said he would get a case of formula for them but he does fear they will just sell it. So sad.<br /><br />The most amazing thing was to see the babies after surgery. The doctors would carry them out and hand them to their mother or father. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ-XktVnFQ8IYo6lQRvBGSYd-OnbVKuamgVm4fAWbN0zIqd7H0ujvZDMpblm2tZ10skyKIKsIJvQjzWodpKtFQSW40mdLkoaiiA5rd24-uBEyHqWpoTuziyYT2mYRMUBlJHxcjGdhWV0r/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJ-XktVnFQ8IYo6lQRvBGSYd-OnbVKuamgVm4fAWbN0zIqd7H0ujvZDMpblm2tZ10skyKIKsIJvQjzWodpKtFQSW40mdLkoaiiA5rd24-uBEyHqWpoTuziyYT2mYRMUBlJHxcjGdhWV0r/s320/017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440864029004172146" /></a><br /> Before they went to surgery they were very deformed. When they came out they looked totally different. There were a few stitches but they looked like they had a swollen lip, not the gaping holes they had earlier. For the young ones under two they do the lip only and then next year when they come they will close the palate. For the ones a little older they do the lip and the palate. I watched one young father, holding his little one, waiting for surgery. He got a close up look of a baby who had come out of surgery and he got the biggest smile on his face, to know the miracle that is worked in the operating room. I had to come to Guatemala to see the help that is offered by hundreds of groups from North America and even Europe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">17 February 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />A busy day for me. I got most of the Priesthood Report sent. Most of my time was taken up with separating the report into wards to send to bishops and branch presidents. Tilleys came into our office and delivered a box of See’s chocolates, hand packed the way I like. Julio Alvarado had gone to Salt Lake two weeks ago for training. He took a suitcase of Tilleys things they wanted to send home. Their daughter that lives in Orem bought the See’s candy and took it to him at the hotel in Salt Lake when she picked up their luggage. So, we are very happy.<br /><br />We had another surprise today. Our little shoe shine boy that we haven’t seen for many months was here. He is 12 years old now. I said “Gregorio?” He said, “Si. Mas alto.” Yes, he is much taller. He said he goes to the fifth floor (offices of the Area Presidency) every afternoon and Telma, secretary to Elder Clarke, helps him with his homework. His family is still in Quiche but he is back here living with an aunt and uncle again. He is going to school and is a smart, polite boy, plus a budding entrepreneur. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBpZGekhPQMnHfLV0dcEQCboC737_R_LnwYeN2ubFUbnU-tCu1bAZ69T3np468uUto5rePpDfpcvVXjdeSYNFYMLv18zpujg8uOv5LExO3S6SglcCmxS0oJ6A34uGO1KvjoR2kPBuVcp1/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBpZGekhPQMnHfLV0dcEQCboC737_R_LnwYeN2ubFUbnU-tCu1bAZ69T3np468uUto5rePpDfpcvVXjdeSYNFYMLv18zpujg8uOv5LExO3S6SglcCmxS0oJ6A34uGO1KvjoR2kPBuVcp1/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440864392888490786" /></a> <br /><br />Dick dropped me off at the apartment at 4 pm and then went to Cemaco to buy a special kind of light bulb for the Tilley’s lamp. They are always commenting how bright our lamp is. When he got back we went over to Tilleys and replaced their old bulb. Rexene was cooking and she told me to bring over a plate and she filled it with enough dinner for us to take back to our apartment and so another night without having to cook. We have enjoyed watching the Olympics each evening.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">18 February 2010…..Thursday</span><br />We woke up to drizzly skies and the ground was wet, but it cleared up quickly. I finally finished the Priesthood Report by getting everything separated for the Area Seventy and sent to them. Then I worked on the specialist report and the area history. Dick took me to get a haircut. I used my best sign language and very little Spanish to tell Esmeranda that I wanted a little of my bangs, a little off the sides, and a lot off the back. She cut my hair in December and I went back to her because I really like how she does the back. I continue to clip my bangs and the sides when they get too long for me. It was 155Q, about $20. We had a little bit of conversation. She asked if Dick was my husband and so I told her how long we had been married. Then she asked how many children we have and so I also told her how many grandchildren. She asked what my name is. Then she stated that I was a Mormon missionary. That is the benefit of our black identification tags…..our name and the name of the Church. Many people recognize that we are “Mormones.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">19 February 2010…..Friday</span><br />The mornings have been cool, but not cool enough to use the little space heater. It was a good day at the office. After I finished all my work for the day I started the Shutterfly photo book for the Andersons. It is very hard to write something every day in my journal, but I want to be able to go back and read about each day in our mission experience.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">20 February 2010…..Saturday </span><br />Jessica is 18 today. She got wonderful news this week when she got an acceptance letter from BYU-Provo. Today was gorgeous and the temperature hit 82 degrees. We met the MacArthur’s in the garage and they rode with us over to Montufar building to assemble school kits. All of the school kits that have been distributed came assembled from Salt Lake. Today we had many donations from Walmart, a local bank, radio station and others. We were able to put together almost 300 kits. I personally bagged hundreds of crayons. We had big boxes with a hundred or more same color crayons in plastic bags. There were many broken bags with loose crayons, too. We put about 14 different colored crayons into sandwich baggies and then they were put into the kits. After we left at noon some young adults arrived and they completed over 500 more kits for a total of 840 today.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvtUJqxlvX4K34e0ZcHlO3lcCyrP4fw4Aqp4rxbpaUHKo46sLOzoEUGDRvRkyurDkFOU-q9j7Rx7idAz-Wu9M18s-26QpOufcr0s4yjfb6B4FLriuK0OKWR1c1kXFBlrztvudbSwX0GDe/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvtUJqxlvX4K34e0ZcHlO3lcCyrP4fw4Aqp4rxbpaUHKo46sLOzoEUGDRvRkyurDkFOU-q9j7Rx7idAz-Wu9M18s-26QpOufcr0s4yjfb6B4FLriuK0OKWR1c1kXFBlrztvudbSwX0GDe/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440864792854576930" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we came home Dick left to go to the cleaners and to Paiz for milk, but first he went to the mall and had my glasses repaired. I had laid them on the bed and he sat down, right on top of them. The lens popped out but they were easily repaired and Dick wasn’t even charged. He gave the guy a tip. He brought Taco Bell home for a late lunch/early dinner. Tomkinsons came over for awhile and visited. We watched Glenn Beck speak at CPAC on Fox. He was awesome!!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">21 February 2010…..Sunday</span><br />When we got to church the big gate to the parking lot was not open so we parked at the curb to wait. Little Gaby and her mother were on the side of the road waiting with other members who walk. She loves to talk to us. She is five and her command of Spanish is so cute because she talks so plainly and she can really roll those Rs. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgbaWvKMM-u1LkD1ZXmspBhMkF9m6_f4Dyn-8EXSwTExwFo07chyH2Xe-Aw2AoWBtN9Gy3C094fLG6v6ga-Szx00yEI-ae5WYC9AKjJbo-t8vlDfFvKnDv8rATb8V5ANpcz-2TWFlEX9q/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgbaWvKMM-u1LkD1ZXmspBhMkF9m6_f4Dyn-8EXSwTExwFo07chyH2Xe-Aw2AoWBtN9Gy3C094fLG6v6ga-Szx00yEI-ae5WYC9AKjJbo-t8vlDfFvKnDv8rATb8V5ANpcz-2TWFlEX9q/s320/001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440865220063556610" /></a><br /><br /> Then two of the Guzman boys were at Dick’s window to shake hands with him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3pastuTDF9CHkfcE5akfjpcoksv47kg7_6x4N8TuRWe3Vnjn4DUtR32mo108sD08dlgGMr032HuooiK7DwMBIrP9tvJf6kYSqJoEdnxhiZofLJn8ZkuY9qy0wHYb-kbTKpCmrgrNJd5z/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3pastuTDF9CHkfcE5akfjpcoksv47kg7_6x4N8TuRWe3Vnjn4DUtR32mo108sD08dlgGMr032HuooiK7DwMBIrP9tvJf6kYSqJoEdnxhiZofLJn8ZkuY9qy0wHYb-kbTKpCmrgrNJd5z/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440865570299334658" /></a><br /> We were the only senior missionaries at La Sabana branch today. Tilleys are in Retalhuleu with the general authorities and Blackburns are in Panama doing auditing training. <br /><br />Tilleys arrived home early afternoon and Dick and Jim left at 3 pm to help transport young men and young women to a meeting at the stake center. We can take passengers in our car because we own our car. Those who have church cars can only transport other missionaries because of insurance purposes. I took a nap and when the guys got home Rexene brought over some warm homemade bread.Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-39477130514100732542010-02-14T14:31:00.000-08:002010-02-14T14:51:21.148-08:00Journal - February 8 - 14<span style="font-weight:bold;">8 February 2010…..Monday</span><br />After I posted my blog yesterday, Dick showed me a note written to him. He was standing in the hallway after church with a few of the young people. All he knows is that it came from one of the girls. He had put it in his pocket and read it later when he remembered it. It really touched him. Whoever gave it to him didn’t sign it. We pretty much narrowed it down to the two sisters in their early teens who come to church alone. We figured it was written to him because he used to be their home teacher. They told him that their mother would be upset if she knew they had written to him. Their mother makes 20Q a day….less than $3. They said their mother doesn’t have shoes. They were wondering if we could help with rice, sugar, beans, toilet paper, etc. Dick drove back to La Sabana to talk to President Acevedo so he would be aware of it. President has tried to get the mother to write a list of what she needs but she would never do it. Some people try to get all they can out of the church welfare system, but here is a mother in desperate need who doesn’t want to take the help. We would gladly go out and shop for the necessities, plus some treats, but the church will take care of it. Since being here, I understand why the missionaries are told not to do so. We are so surrounded by need and I can remember Jeff talking about families in Argentina who were in great need. It would be easy to spend all our time and resources trying to take care of everyone we know. We will still do something for the girls and their mother but the long term needs will be provided through President Acevedo by the church.<br /><br />Today Kelsey is 25! Little did we suspect that there would be 30 more grandchildren after her. They each bring great joy to us. I was able to do a full day’s work on the PEF Priesthood report. There is still much to do but I was able to divide it by stakes, districts and missions and then sent them to the PEF Call Center directors and to the stake presidents in Guatemala. <br /><br />Dick, Reynaldo, Claudia and Kelvin took Lester to lunch. He enters the CCM (MTC) here in Guatemala on Wednesday. I didn’t go because I just don’t feel well, so I stayed at the office and emailed reports. After lunch Dick took him to the airport market and bought an over the shoulder, carry-all bag. Most of the missionaries here use them instead of backpacks. I gave Lester a hug and Dick and I both fought tears when Dick said that we wouldn’t see him again. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnZNKJHNYpg40Py57C7fl_qc1OhTNCYkWQTW5qAzgUk-bcHjLqRJyLUz13v_42MTxkpL-CkWEExxO6jPkD6ix1WjGgAz6gNh0lf48jObF5JCWqjrTE26O-eDQkQA5HuOADkyEXhAF4vhn/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNnZNKJHNYpg40Py57C7fl_qc1OhTNCYkWQTW5qAzgUk-bcHjLqRJyLUz13v_42MTxkpL-CkWEExxO6jPkD6ix1WjGgAz6gNh0lf48jObF5JCWqjrTE26O-eDQkQA5HuOADkyEXhAF4vhn/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438231910480704066" /></a> He invited us to be with him tomorrow night when he is set apart, but we will be with the returning missionaries.<br /><br />It was overcast and smoky all day from the burning cane fields many kilometers away. It is the routine after the harvest. We didn’t see sun or blue sky at all. Tonight was the farewell dinner for Neil and Kathy Anderson. They leave March 1 to go back to his job at BYU Provo. He has been on a Fulbright scholarship here since June. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9 February 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />More birthdays….Megan is 14 and Mitchell is 13 today! It seems like yesterday our little group of toddlers (Megan, Madi, Kourtney, Mitchell and Jacob) had “Rug Rat” titles and in three weeks Jacob will be 13 and they will all be teenagers.<br /><br />Dick went to the office at 7 am and was home to get me at 9:30 am. We went by the cleaners first to see if he had left his cell phone in the pants he took to be cleaned earlier this morning. It wasn’t there. Then we went to the Case de Húespedes. We had nine missionaries, returning home to Guatemala from various Central American countries and also Peru. It has been two months since our last assignment in early December. The Casa lobby has been enlarged and it has a granite counter for check-ins and new sofas and tables. Very nice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBOdNO7RhsOY2hiL0AG7MOjo6BmyRdn-tpqD8R-YzExU8r4VRuqA_Hf-hQcs31SgeSoNNEIhkAHd4bMFXQSOqCLv8dKnAm-E4KG1iVCRbwX32j6msYFv_qv2AmoYekW966lK8oQ8ZcUh0/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBOdNO7RhsOY2hiL0AG7MOjo6BmyRdn-tpqD8R-YzExU8r4VRuqA_Hf-hQcs31SgeSoNNEIhkAHd4bMFXQSOqCLv8dKnAm-E4KG1iVCRbwX32j6msYFv_qv2AmoYekW966lK8oQ8ZcUh0/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438232639514337154" /></a><br /> I went over to the CCM and introduced myself to the new president and his wife…..the Steimles from Glendora, CA. I told them that I was Robert McGary’s mother-in-law. President Steimle was one of Robert’s YM leaders many years ago. (Robert is 53 so it has been many, many years ago).<br /><br />When the van arrived to get us we went to the Employment Resource Center. After our devotional we walked down the hallway to the restaurant. The cucumber salad was okay, as was the macaroni salad. The beef was as usual, practically impossible to chew. I didn’t have any of the juice to drink because the glasses were not totally dry and I know they are not washed and rinsed in “pure” water. Air drying will kill any germs in the water but these glasses hadn’t even totally air dried. <br /><br />Three more missionaries came later in the afternoon from Nicaragua. At 3 pm Elder Martino, counselor in the Area Presidency, came and talked to the group. He is a wonderful motivational speaker and has a great spirit about him. Even with my limited Spanish I can feel what he is stressing to them. He was a mission president in Venezuela a few years ago. Dinner was at 5 pm……chicken sandwiches delivered from Pollo Campero. They spread black beans on the bun and it tastes pretty good.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kb1TUTLxV4Bt6-UaDV12cvPlXkwdz_tn5RnO85o350dNZqAGZyk0ct5nLkmVLu1G0XeAN3ZEeuOyPrDuEDErNxmp6poWEjPVXz63JZgu_YjWznfXTTAMqTd1aiFhWqXPm0rscxynK2R8/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Kb1TUTLxV4Bt6-UaDV12cvPlXkwdz_tn5RnO85o350dNZqAGZyk0ct5nLkmVLu1G0XeAN3ZEeuOyPrDuEDErNxmp6poWEjPVXz63JZgu_YjWznfXTTAMqTd1aiFhWqXPm0rscxynK2R8/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438234271242542402" /></a> At 6:30 pm the pizzas were delivered. These two meals close together, every time we are here, baffles me. The kids enjoy all the food. They boxed up the leftovers and took it back to the Casa, which was good, because we had one more missionary there who had arrived about thirty minutes earlier. We had a room on the first floor and the one sister missionary was in the room across the hall from us. All 12 elders were in a room on the second floor. Eight of them had bunk beds and four of them had an extra mattress on the floor. Of course, they had to share one bathroom.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />10 February 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />We were all ready to go this morning at 7 am. There were a few missionaries coming in the gates to the CCM, beginning their training. I was hoping we would see Lester and Jorge, the volunteers from the office, for they also report today. The Casa will be very busy when we get back this afternoon. They are expecting 4 buses from Honduras bringing 200 people to the temple, (at least a ten hour trip). They will be here three days. One hundred will be housed at the Casa and the other 100 at four homes the church owns next to the temple that can sleep 25 each.<br /><br />The first thing after arriving at the Employment Resource Center, after devotional, was breakfast. So, back to the restaurant. The tipico breakfast is my favorite meal….scrambled eggs, black beans, a slice of white cheese, platanos (fried plantains), and melon juice. Dick bought an apple filled doughnut for everyone. The first class was with Brother Flores, an Institute director. I was able to be back at “my” desk in one of the offices, to work on the computer and to read scriptures. We went back to the restaurant for lunch. Besides the usual choice of chicken or beef, they had spaghetti, so that is what I had. Dick bought hellado (ice cream) for all of them. He and I skip the ice cream because the brand they sell is very icy and no cream. When they went back to the classroom Patty wasn’t there yet, so they started singing hymns. They are awesome!! They sing with their whole heart.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi3xX-JNno6fvrz1962E8fwTUyi18KsJHuFsCZ5xssgD_dJXNaO-MZLTPK-RKre5bZ41DCKAG5QTYaYSY1or_RWtPZUnRMxvpDpkYc3b7R_aSwI_0o8dd3VcVLcflLrTwGIiQRFfEUMrH/s1600-h/041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi3xX-JNno6fvrz1962E8fwTUyi18KsJHuFsCZ5xssgD_dJXNaO-MZLTPK-RKre5bZ41DCKAG5QTYaYSY1or_RWtPZUnRMxvpDpkYc3b7R_aSwI_0o8dd3VcVLcflLrTwGIiQRFfEUMrH/s320/041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438233316438947474" /></a><br /><br /><br />The wind is howling today. Sounds like I am in Lancaster. McDonald’s delivered McFlurrys and we left at 4 pm for the Casa. When we got back we saw Lester, now “Elder Rodas” as he was with a group of new missionaries. He looks awesome with his official name tag and his beautiful new suit. We always enjoy our temple session with the missionaries and the family reunions that take place afterwards. We had two missionaries spending another night at the Casa so after everyone else left Dick took them to McDonalds for a late dinner.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">11 February 2010…..Thursday</span><br />This morning the last two missionaries were picked up by their families. They came from Huehuetenango, at least six hours away. We stopped at a baby shop on the way home and bought a little outfit for Leovany, the baby son of President Leovany Lopez of Cayo District in Belize. Blackburns are flying to Belize tomorrow to do auditing training and they will take the gift to them.<br /><br />I was getting ready to reheat the chicken that we had Monday evening when Rexene knocked on the door and invited us over for carbonara. So we took the chicken and went over for dinner. When Tomkinsons got home, Suzanne came and ate with us while Wayne went to the gym. A little later, Kathy came by delivering cookies to each apartment. She filled plates for her and Neil and took them back to their apartment. The impromptu meals seem to be the most fun.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">12 February 2010…..Friday</span><br />This morning Dick left before 7 am. Our plan was he would be back to get me before 9 am so we could go do a school kit presentation at a school in the Vista Hermosa area. As it ended up, Brother Arredondo took the assignment and so we didn’t go. He recently got a call to serve as a mission president. <br /><br />I waited in front of the apartment for 35 minutes to be picked up. There were delays due to various meetings in preparation for Elder Neil Andersen’s arrival tonight (the apostle, not to be confused with Neil Anderson our neighbor). I had a full day at the office typing up the exceptions for Dick and working on the PEF Priesthood report.<br /><br />Dick has been unable to find his phone. The last time he used it was at the office on Monday. It is not at the office, at the apartment, or in the car. Sister Torres tried to call him during the week and someone answered the phone so whether someone found it or stole it, it is gone. But, that is ok. His old one was a used phone when he got it our first day at the office. They gave him a brand new phone and the sound is incredible. We both can clearly hear the caller on the new phone.<br /><br />Elder and Sister Hatch took a bunch of us out to dinner for all the help putting the furniture together two weeks ago. We went to a steak restaurant and everyone enjoyed their meals. Elder Hatch put a small clear plastic heart containing 3 Zurich chocolates in front of each of us women. We lingered at the table quite awhile, visiting and enjoying one anothers company.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaJpCfzlwDBP4R3778tiNLAxhyU8RbuGnW2vhhUl2zMCYylKwqE4N9LoldckcHP2c-8kYTwle8lDxwKNMaN47WdPRtT9EK7op6kLWLNakftZbH2e1WYlr6qU-VOgzOC2qhDyZolb1ihsX/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaJpCfzlwDBP4R3778tiNLAxhyU8RbuGnW2vhhUl2zMCYylKwqE4N9LoldckcHP2c-8kYTwle8lDxwKNMaN47WdPRtT9EK7op6kLWLNakftZbH2e1WYlr6qU-VOgzOC2qhDyZolb1ihsX/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438235071996002418" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">13 February 2010…..Saturday</span><br />This morning I worked on the wood floors and Dick stuck around awhile to help me move furniture. Then he headed for the office to play catch-up on all the applications and exceptions. He worked six hours. We had a quiet evening. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />14 February 2010…..Sunday</span><br />HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! That means chocolate to me and I was not disappointed. It is also Katy’s 3rd birthday! (That is, Katy Mace, not to be confused with Kaiti Graff or Cady Graff). That makes 4 family birthdays this week. <br /><br />Church and Primary went well today. We only had ten children there. Dick and I were the only senior missionaries. Blackburns are training auditors in Belize and Tilleys are playing their role as security missionaries while Elder Andersen is in Guatemala. We have a new young missionary in our branch, Elder Coles from South Jordan, UT. President Torres, Guatemala City North Mission, was his school principal back in Utah. <br /><br />The trees and grassy areas are looking very dry. That will change in April when the rains come. There is one thing that will come to my mind for the rest of my life when I think of Guatemala, and that is color. At this time of year the jacarandas are blooming. There are other large trees with huge, plentiful orange flowers. There are trees with pink and white flowers. And, this is just the beginning of the season of flowering trees. Every day we encounter color in the clothing of the “tipico” Guatemalan, especially on Sunday when we are in La Sabana and there are many women walking along the road in their tipico clothing. We have a family at church who wears the tipico clothing. It is the women who dress in the native dress, except in some of the outlying areas like Lake Atitlan where there will be some men in the tipico clothing, too. Many buildings, houses and small businesses, are painted in vibrant colors. Even with my eyes closed, all I see is color when I think of Guatemala.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span>Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6750934689706214024.post-19077458425074651072010-02-07T14:17:00.000-08:002010-02-07T14:29:09.961-08:00Journal - February 1 - 7<span style="font-weight:bold;">1 February 2010…..Monday</span><br />Last night Dick called and talked to Alie. It was her baptism day! This morning Dick left early. I am still weak and can’t get rid of a headache. He left the office shortly after noon and went to the airport to help pick up the Andersons who are returning from a trip to the U.S. They brought Neil’s parents back with them, so they needed two cars for extra people and extra luggage. Dick came home for awhile and then left to go pick-up the Bradys and take them shopping at a couple of stores. Temple missionaries have no car and their only day to shop is on a Monday. He brought Taco Bell home for dinner.<br /><br />Tonight was our scheduled night to host Family Home Evening, but our neighbors decided on Friday that it would be too much for me, and they were right. I thought I would have been completely well by now. So, Tomkinsons had a get together, Dick went, and I stayed home on the couch. Then he and Jim took Gert home. As I look at Dick’s day….the office early, helping Andersons, then Bradys, and then Gert….my thought is…this is Dick. This has always been Dick. ALWAYS willing to help and be of service. For most people it is a trait to be learned. For Dick, it is inborn. His parents and his sister were people who were always willing to serve. It is from the Graffs that I learned commitment and service, though I have a long way to go to ever catch up with the total willingness of Dick and my in-law family. He is never too tired, never too busy, to be of service to others and especially to the Lord. That is why I love him so much. I saw all of this in him when he was only 23 and we were dating. I chose the right man to be the father of my children.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 February 2010…..Tuesday</span><br />A small, colorful reminder of things to come…..a few blossoms are showing on the huge jacaranda trees out our windows. I wonder how long before the trees will be full of purple. I stayed home again with no let up on the headache and still a little wobbly.<br /><br />Dick and Jim went to a combined YM/YW meeting that they were in charge of. They took pizza because they knew the kids would be hungry. School has started, and therefore Seminary. It is held at the Carrias home and Doris teaches. They meet every week day at 5 pm. With YM at 6 pm there is no time to go home to eat for the kids.<br /><br />Yesterday I read of the tragic death of two young missionaries in Romania due to a natural gas leak in their apartment. Rexene’s nephew serves in the same mission and he had been the companion to one of the elders for three months. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3 February 2010…..Wednesday</span><br />Another day and still the same headache, but much improved by evening. Dick came home for lunch and brought me a baked potato and a frosty from Wendy’s. Tonight, Blackburns brought some delicious cookies. I am hoping that tomorrow will be a much better day and that I can go to the office.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4 February 2010…..Thursday</span><br />It was a better day. I went to the office and everyone was glad to see me. I was able to get all my emails read and cleaned up. Dick brought me home in the early afternoon because I had run out of steam.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5 February 2010…..Friday</span><br />I got all ready to go to the office today but, due to an upset stomach, Dick left and I stayed home. I slept for awhile. I lay in bed, wondering if I could get KFI radio from Los Angeles. I got up and googled KFI and, low and behold, there was the dulcet tones of Rush. It is an amazing world with everything at our fingertips on the internet.<br /><br />Today would have been Mom Graff’s 99th birthday. She died when she was 50, less than two months before Jeff was born. I have missed her immensely over the years. For the 13 months Dick and I dated and the 3 months we were engaged, I spent a lot of time with Mom. Many times Dick would be out back, working on someone’s car. I spent time in the kitchen with Mom, and indeed, most of my cooking style came from her. She welcomed me into the family before we were even engaged because she could see that her son was “smitten.” It took someone else showing great interest (proposal) in me for Dick to see what he might lose. I think the saddest thing about losing her eleven months after our marriage was that none of our children knew her.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6 February 2010…..Saturday</span><br />Dick, Jim and Wayne left shortly after 5 am to travel to Retalhuleu and deliver school kits. Actually, the school kits have been delivered but they are there to make the formal presentation and hand them out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc2Qg_zL8v25zxstMPZJ-7mIJ9XQ5-qZmrXUeqcYutZX39ED2FDYNt25C1U21Vnqreeh-pYkzwywXTvUnKgki2GVpwedj0KPk_LJKVZxVCy2PkcUlXUH123rrXyk7qWjTDp1_bh_W7Giy/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmc2Qg_zL8v25zxstMPZJ-7mIJ9XQ5-qZmrXUeqcYutZX39ED2FDYNt25C1U21Vnqreeh-pYkzwywXTvUnKgki2GVpwedj0KPk_LJKVZxVCy2PkcUlXUH123rrXyk7qWjTDp1_bh_W7Giy/s320/002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435630445228841442" /></a> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWs1iSWspckPGgc3YYU8z5DtYt3Ts8gMVyiXwExFtmn1eRvi0RF31iZt_Z0CL3nYQkAIs4TH1NYFli4eseR3-0Jb6h01coro7naTZnbXYTMd5TsoQHYW1Ur65LGKDDQ3StHtXcy6jlS_Q/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWs1iSWspckPGgc3YYU8z5DtYt3Ts8gMVyiXwExFtmn1eRvi0RF31iZt_Z0CL3nYQkAIs4TH1NYFli4eseR3-0Jb6h01coro7naTZnbXYTMd5TsoQHYW1Ur65LGKDDQ3StHtXcy6jlS_Q/s320/007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631239447076418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrXmZOTeLwWwY-Ju5I1YBgrk_FhSrxOL8nS9_W_yUbhY6JaEev1DCFniGYLUyNorKQxVIJilDw4USoPAspxm2w93YrWpkin7uEUIxTmxPu9e04PUGYwOXk54H_49UoBkQAkfUIuTJvr21/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrXmZOTeLwWwY-Ju5I1YBgrk_FhSrxOL8nS9_W_yUbhY6JaEev1DCFniGYLUyNorKQxVIJilDw4USoPAspxm2w93YrWpkin7uEUIxTmxPu9e04PUGYwOXk54H_49UoBkQAkfUIuTJvr21/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435631680888944098" /></a><br />The local paper did a very nice write-up yesterday of a donation on Wednesday. The Church has donated over 150,000 school kits that Curtiss’ oversee and they need help meeting the schedule of all the presentations. The guys got home shortly after 3 pm.<br /><br />Meanwhile, a little before 3 pm Rexene took our car, along with Suzanne and Adele, and went to La Sabana to teach the Relief Society how to quilt. Only one sister was able to work on a quilt because she was the only one who had enough money to purchase the fabric she would need. I stayed home because I was pretty much wiped out from my cleaning activities this morning. It has been two weeks, and I need to get back my energy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7 February 2010…..Sunday </span><br />It was very overcast this morning as we drove to Church. Just as we got in front of the yellow Catholic Church in La Sabana there were big green barrels in the road, preventing us from going any farther. So we drove back out to the highway and drove further to the military base. We knew that by going through the base we would come out in the upper part of La Sabana. And, we did. Dick has driven through the area so many times to do home teaching that he knew exactly which streets to take. At one point we were blocked again and there was a policeman standing there. He wouldn’t let us through, even though Dick told him we were headed to the church a few blocks away. We turned around, went back to the next street and Dick again knew where to turn and we came out just on the other side of the steep driveway into the little parking lot of the house we meet in. There were barrels there to block also but Sister Acevedo was there and moved them out of our way. She had called us several times while we were traveling to make sure we knew how to get there. The branch knew we were almost there so they waited for us. I grabbed the teclado out of the car and went in and got it set up while Dick parked. Tilleys arrived a few minutes later and Blackburns weren’t far behind. We sang the opening hymn about 9:10 am. <br /><br />During testimony meeting President Acevedo asked me to play hymn 73…”I Know That My Redeemer Lives.” I have never played it on the teclado before but it went well. Today Rexene bore her testimony and said that they had two grandbabies being blessed today, one in Springville and one in Pennsylvania. My feelings were very tender as I listened to her. Today Doran was blessed in Provo and last week Alie was baptized in Pennsylvania. <br />When we came home I lay down for two hours. I am really hoping to get past this health episode. We have a busy week ahead of us as we will be gone for two nights with the missionaries returning home to Guatemala and their PEF training.<br /><br />Update on Porter McGary. He was released from the hospital in Houston last Tuesday and he and his mother flew home to Guatemala. He will go back to school tomorrow. Another miracle!Elder y Hermana Graffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09083546168409892784noreply@blogger.com0