A Mariachi Band provided the entertainment for the evening. Rudy and Janie danced the night away.
13 years ago
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Guajardo's Farewell Party
Rudy and Janie Guajardo - PR Director's for the Area President put on the best going away party. Their mission end next week so the wanted to say 'thanks' to everyone. The spent all night preparing homemade tamales, black beans, succulent steak that melted in your mouth, and so much more. The took all their furniture out of the living room and set up tables. Each table had a centerpiece with the most beautiful roses. Rudy and Janie love to entertain, in fact, he was the one that fixed our party the day after we arrived. He belongs to the local Rotary Club and golfs with a few of the members each week (Elder Johnson is so jealous os his job.). He invited a few Rotary members, senior missionaries and Area worker's for a delightful evening. Everyone will miss his sense of humor and
A Mariachi Band provided the entertainment for the evening. Rudy and Janie danced the night away.
A Mariachi Band provided the entertainment for the evening. Rudy and Janie danced the night away.
Que del Diablo
Que del Diablo - December 7th designed day for the Burning of the Devil. Traditional day of celebration to cleanse their homes, souls of the devil. You will notice from the picture, this is just one corner vendor that sells a devil piñata. We passed one car with a piñata the length of the car tied to the top heading for home. At 6:00 p.m. sharp, the city and communities come alive. The fires begin burning any thing and everything to cleanse their homes. To top it all off, fireworks everywhere, you would think it wa the Stadium of Fire in the sky. Elder Call purchased a devil on the way home from, of course, we had to have our own celebration.
We are standing in from of Victories Suites trying to light our piñata, but to no avail. After several matches and Elder Johnson Jr. watching over the attempts, we went to plan B. There was not enough matches to get it lit.
There was a group of people on the corner of the apartment so we joined them. They had been lighting fireworks and who know what was burning in their fire. We place our piñata in their fire - Elder's Sr. & Jr. watching over the fire. Fun evening !! Another pagan celebration for only Guatemalans.
Oops! Backwards again - but you get the idea.
We are standing in from of Victories Suites trying to light our piñata, but to no avail. After several matches and Elder Johnson Jr. watching over the attempts, we went to plan B. There was not enough matches to get it lit.
There was a group of people on the corner of the apartment so we joined them. They had been lighting fireworks and who know what was burning in their fire. We place our piñata in their fire - Elder's Sr. & Jr. watching over the fire. Fun evening !! Another pagan celebration for only Guatemalans.
Oops! Backwards again - but you get the idea.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tio Juan Dental Clinic
Our home away from the apartment - Tio Juan Dental. It is located about 30-40 minutes away from Victoria Suites. Depending on the traffic and all goes well, we can arrive at work by 8:45 a.m. Snow White is on one side of the door and the 7 Dwarfs are on the other. Behind that door is a modernized dental clinic built about three years ago. The dentist screen future missionaries, missionaries at the CCM (MTC), and 6 orphanages. CCM missionaries are screened at the CCM and then scheduled to come to the clinic. Missionaries are seen in the morning and the orphans come in the afternoon. Doc's life has definitely changed from the leisure retirement days of napping, golfing, napping again, puttering around the house and whatever he wanted to do. We work 5 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. depending on the schedule. Life has changed for the better - we are serving others and loving every minute.
Clinic Staff - Elder and Sister Tobler, whom we are replacing, Elder and Sister Call, Betsy, Cice and Carmina. Ceci and Carmina are 14 and 17. They are girls from Sister Call's Young Women's class. During their winter break, they are working on their Personal Progress requirements in Service and Knowledge. They have picked up assisting rapidly and have been a tremendous help to all. Betsy is also from the Call's ward and she's been helping at the front desk. All this wonderful help will be leaving us by the end of December.
Everyone is assigned cleanup at the end of the day. This has to be a first, Doc is mopping the floors this particular afternoon and I couldn't resist this Kodak moment. Many hands make light work.
Oops!! Backwards one more time.
Clinic Staff - Elder and Sister Tobler, whom we are replacing, Elder and Sister Call, Betsy, Cice and Carmina. Ceci and Carmina are 14 and 17. They are girls from Sister Call's Young Women's class. During their winter break, they are working on their Personal Progress requirements in Service and Knowledge. They have picked up assisting rapidly and have been a tremendous help to all. Betsy is also from the Call's ward and she's been helping at the front desk. All this wonderful help will be leaving us by the end of December.
Everyone is assigned cleanup at the end of the day. This has to be a first, Doc is mopping the floors this particular afternoon and I couldn't resist this Kodak moment. Many hands make light work.
Oops!! Backwards one more time.
Las Lomas Branch
Las Lomas Branch - Elder Johnson, Sister Johnson and Elder Johnson Jr. are standing in front of the Church. You are probably wondering "What with the bear?" For my birthday, Caitlin and Shae gave me a missionary bear dressed in missionary clothes, Book of Mormon on his arm and a tag. I thought it would be great for Elder Johnson Jr. to experience missionary life. The missionaries at the CCM (MTC) thought he was so cute, dental clinic patients love him, and even the senior couples have loved the idea of what we're doing. He has been the best conversation piece.
Las Lomas Branch - meaning the hills. It is very poor Pueblo (community). There are about 100 members but only 25-30 people attend church. President Perez, Branch President, and Erik Reyes are the only two Melchizedek Priesthood in the Branch. Pres. Perez does not have counselors; Elders Quorum President teaches Priesthood, Sunday School, conducts when President Perez in not around and teaches Relief Society when the President doesn't come - very busy man. They are very humble and loving people. The have welcomed us with open arms. Now the challenge will be to be able to communicate with them after Elder and Sister Parent leave the Branch in January. Wish us luck!!
This is the street leading to the Branch we've been assigned. The Pueblo is a poor area. Most of the members do not have cars so they are walking to Church. The branch consists of 100 in the Branch and only 25-30 attend each week. There are 2 Melchizedek Priesthood and the Branch President, Pres. Perez, does not have counselors. The Elders Quorum President, Erik Reyes, teaches Sunday School, Priesthood and when the Relief Society President show; he also combines Priesthood and RS to teach one lesson. They are as loving group of people; we have felt so welcomed.
Leaving Church today, there was a group of people in the streets dressed in costume along with masks. Music was being played and people were coming from all directions. The streets are not wide enough for two cars let alone one. There must have been a celebration taking place because of the music and all the people. There were 3 or 4 others with different masks on other men. Great snap shot of one costume.
Las Lomas Branch - meaning the hills. It is very poor Pueblo (community). There are about 100 members but only 25-30 people attend church. President Perez, Branch President, and Erik Reyes are the only two Melchizedek Priesthood in the Branch. Pres. Perez does not have counselors; Elders Quorum President teaches Priesthood, Sunday School, conducts when President Perez in not around and teaches Relief Society when the President doesn't come - very busy man. They are very humble and loving people. The have welcomed us with open arms. Now the challenge will be to be able to communicate with them after Elder and Sister Parent leave the Branch in January. Wish us luck!!
This is the street leading to the Branch we've been assigned. The Pueblo is a poor area. Most of the members do not have cars so they are walking to Church. The branch consists of 100 in the Branch and only 25-30 attend each week. There are 2 Melchizedek Priesthood and the Branch President, Pres. Perez, does not have counselors. The Elders Quorum President, Erik Reyes, teaches Sunday School, Priesthood and when the Relief Society President show; he also combines Priesthood and RS to teach one lesson. They are as loving group of people; we have felt so welcomed.
Leaving Church today, there was a group of people in the streets dressed in costume along with masks. Music was being played and people were coming from all directions. The streets are not wide enough for two cars let alone one. There must have been a celebration taking place because of the music and all the people. There were 3 or 4 others with different masks on other men. Great snap shot of one costume.
1st Week
The Tobler's introduced us to Pricemart (Costco) - received a card for shopping; proceeded to load our cart to get us well stocked for the remaining month. Our total purchase was over 39,00- Quetzales (sounds like a lot and it was). We were all surprised to get the entire purchase in the car. Our next stop was the local Mercado. Now this was an experience. I've never seen so much produce in one store and all individuals stands. Sister Tobler introduced me to her favorite vendor for future purchases. No the fun begins. At home, there is a process you perform before tasting your veggies/fruit. You have to soak them in Biocyode for about 10 minutes, rinse with filtered water, and then dry. It
Monday morning the Tobler's assignment - orient the Johnson's. Our first stop was Area Office to take care of our banking needs, turn in our passports, set up a banking account, if needed. When we arrived, there in the window of Julio's office were two of our High Priest cars placed in his window. What a pleasant surprise. Elder Call had been to the office prior to our visit and left a couple of cars for him to display. Oops! Don't know where the car picture disappeared too. Better luck next time.
Monday morning the Tobler's assignment - orient the Johnson's. Our first stop was Area Office to take care of our banking needs, turn in our passports, set up a banking account, if needed. When we arrived, there in the window of Julio's office were two of our High Priest cars placed in his window. What a pleasant surprise. Elder Call had been to the office prior to our visit and left a couple of cars for him to display. Oops! Don't know where the car picture disappeared too. Better luck next time.
Bienvenidos
Elder and Sister Tolber along with Elder and Sister Call met us at the airport which is about 7 minutes from Victory Suites where we will reside for the next 18 months. Apartment 403 - a sign and balloons - Bienvenidos Elder and Sister Johnson - Welcome to the best mission in the world.
As we entered the apartment, this is not what we expected. In fact, we brought a mosquito net with us to place over our bed thinking we would be bug infested. We guessed wrong. Wow! We were so surprised at how modern and nice the apartment appeared. The Tolber's and Call's had stocked our shelves and fridge to get us through for a few days. Our welcome to Guatemala set the stage for a wonderful experience. Victory Suites is located in a lovely part of town on 18 Calle, Zone 14. There are high rises all around our neighborhood. In the middle of the night around 4:00 a.m. we heard this loud BANG. It almost sounded like an artillery firing range. Come to find out, it is customary on someones' birthday they set off fireworks, and I mean lots of fireworks. Most of the time the start early in the afternoon and continue on through the evening into the wee hours.
Sunday was Stake Conference so we all attended the same Church today. Stake Conference was via satellite with Don Clarke, former Area President, conducted and spoke. Brother Jeffrey R. Holland, President Uchtdorf addressed the congregation. They all gave wonderful messages regarding missionary work, temple worthiness and families. The closing song was The Spirit of God was beautiful. I never heard so many beautiful voices and sining with such conviction. The chapel was filled to capacity, standing room only and the missionaries and couple missionaries sat in the Primary room to hear it in Spanish.
Later in the afternoon, the senior couples met on the rooftop of Victoria Suites for a BBQ. It was a delightful evening meeting all the senior couples and becoming acquainted with them. Won't remember all the names tonight, but faces I'll never forget.
Second night here, we are so fortunate to be called to serve in such a beautiful country.
As we entered the apartment, this is not what we expected. In fact, we brought a mosquito net with us to place over our bed thinking we would be bug infested. We guessed wrong. Wow! We were so surprised at how modern and nice the apartment appeared. The Tolber's and Call's had stocked our shelves and fridge to get us through for a few days. Our welcome to Guatemala set the stage for a wonderful experience. Victory Suites is located in a lovely part of town on 18 Calle, Zone 14. There are high rises all around our neighborhood. In the middle of the night around 4:00 a.m. we heard this loud BANG. It almost sounded like an artillery firing range. Come to find out, it is customary on someones' birthday they set off fireworks, and I mean lots of fireworks. Most of the time the start early in the afternoon and continue on through the evening into the wee hours.
Sunday was Stake Conference so we all attended the same Church today. Stake Conference was via satellite with Don Clarke, former Area President, conducted and spoke. Brother Jeffrey R. Holland, President Uchtdorf addressed the congregation. They all gave wonderful messages regarding missionary work, temple worthiness and families. The closing song was The Spirit of God was beautiful. I never heard so many beautiful voices and sining with such conviction. The chapel was filled to capacity, standing room only and the missionaries and couple missionaries sat in the Primary room to hear it in Spanish.
Later in the afternoon, the senior couples met on the rooftop of Victoria Suites for a BBQ. It was a delightful evening meeting all the senior couples and becoming acquainted with them. Won't remember all the names tonight, but faces I'll never forget.
Second night here, we are so fortunate to be called to serve in such a beautiful country.
A five hour layover in Dallas gave us the opportunity to meet Phil, Danielle, Leah and Trindon for lunch. They took us to Gaylord's for lunch and to see the Christmas decorations. It was enjoyable seeing the grandchildren one more time. We don't have the opportunity to see them as often so our time with them wa
The Olsen Family took us to the airport bright and early Saturday morning on the 19th. Saying goodbye the second time around is most difficult. We know we'll be in contact via the internet, but it's just not the same. A few tears were shed but we were so grateful that they wanted to see us off. Time will pass by quickly but for now, we love all our family dearly and will miss sharing the upcoming Holidays with them. For now, we know we've been called to serve the people of Guatemala and we are committed to do our very best.
Once again I am backwards. Just think we may go in reverse for 18 months until I catch on to this program.
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