Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day to all my favorite mothers...my Mom, Mom Chris, Phyllis, Creshel, Michelle, Chalonn, Chelise, Chenae, Candra, (and soon Ashley) and all the rest of you wonderful mothers too. David bought me roses and I loved my calls to all of you.

Visit to El Salvador Mission & Johnsons home May 08

We traveled 3 1/2 hrs to El Salvador to visit Pres y Hna Call and participate in their zone conference, then a focus group to find out how to improve our work at the MTC, then a meeting with leaders and perspective missionaries. We had a wonderful experience, then flew to Belize with them on Friday for more meetings.
When we returned to El Salvador Dana & Anne Johnson (niece and husband) picked us up at this airport and welcomed us to their home. Anne and Regan, Ian, Maci and us.

Anne in her wonderful kitchen fixing the most delicious breakfast...mango, papaya, pineapple, blueberry muffins, eggs and OJ. Yum!

Aren't they a cute family? Ian, Regan, Maci, Anne, Dana holding Maya. TJ must be entering adolescence-(age 11) because he wasn't up yet.

It sure was nice to be with family!!!

This is the only picture I took on the way home from El Salvador...little tuktuk taxis in the villages. But if I had taken more pictures you would see...miles of highway under a green, flowering tree tunnel...colors in brilliant orange, hot pink and purple...2 youth age girls carrying 2 large striped jugs on their heads as they walked along the highway...here and there a man riding his horse with six 5-gallon water jugs tied on the sides...women in all sorts of dress, from dresses, to sport outfits, to jeans wearing frilly wrap around waist aprons while they work...village cemeteries that looked like neighborhoods with little buildings like playhouses painted in bright colors lined up in rows and covered with flowers...most buses are colorful and piled high on top with suitcases, etc and nearly all have something religious on them like ‘Jesus Lives’, but today we saw one with the painting of “Oh Jerusalem” by Greg Olsen poorly laminated on the back window. Interesting!...4 large pigs filling the back of a pick-up truck. It was a very enjoyable trip for us.

Ruins at Iximche near Tecpan April 16, 2008

Iximche has very well preserved ruins of ancient Maya culture and architecture.

We are standing overlooking the nearby temple mound and the ball court below.

We loved the ruins, but mostly we loved the talking and enjoying each other. It was wonderful being out of the city and into nature and pure air and quiet, peaceful mountains.

Look how Dad & Aaron have the same body movement and walking form.

Visit to Panajachel & Lake Atitlan with Aaron & Michelle

We arrived to Panajachel mid-afternoon, after a long drive through the mountains and a few little villages. Here is our hotel La Riviera de Atitlan. The gardens where beautiful and we enjoyed the cool weather and fresh air and serenity all around us.

Flowers everywhere, an inviting pool, walkway down to the dock. We stood at the waters edge looking over beautiful Lake Atitlan and 3 volcanos in the distance. It was a little hazy in the evening, but bright and clear in the morning.

Many scholars in the church believe this could have been the Waters of Mormon. There is a city buried under the lake and one museum shows relics brought up from the city.

We took a 30 min boat ride across the lake as opposed to a 2 hr drive to get to the village of Santiago Atitlan. I think I would like a winter home here. I'll take one of these below. The gentle sloped hills had terraced gardens and reeds and everything just seemed slow and easy...like this fisherman in the mid morning.

We walked up the hill to shop at these outdoor markets, as well as visiting an indoor market of all their fruits and vegetables and raw meat stalls. There was a peaceful, serene feeling about this little village. Everyone was dressed in native Guatemala huipils and wrap skirts.

Just before getting on the boat to return, Dad was swamped by some little women wanting him to buy something. He bought me an apron.

Aaron & Michelle visit the MTC & Guatemala Temple

Aaron & Michelle visit President in the CCM office.

Welcome to the Guatemala CCM.

The gardens are beautiful at the small Guatemala Temple just a short walk from the CCM.

Antigua with Aaron & Michelle April 18, 2008

Santa Domingo is an upper class hotel, with restaurant, museum, ruins, and gardens all wrapped into one beautiful package. We enjoyed walking the grounds. These fresh exotic flowers are everywhere. The workers dress like old time monks to enhance the setting.

Parrots are in pairs throughout the gardens.

Every town has a centro or zocalo which is very nice for relaxing or people watching...or getting your shoes shined. Here we walked through the park on our way to lunch.

Above is the little pool near our dining table at Panza Verde (Green or Gringo Stomach). The ambiance was wonderful.

The food was as succulent and savory as the atmosphere was beautiful and serene. Below is a seating area right by the pool.

Aaron & Michelle found just the right toys and trinkets to take to the children. See the huge kites hanging above.

These are my treasures from our trip...above beaded belt that the women wear over their Guatemalan wrap skirts. I like mine with my black suit. An embroidered scarf, a beautiful Princess Jade necklace and earrings, embroidered apron.

Antigua Again...with the missionaries!

April 8th...by 6 am there were only 6 norte missionaries left in the CCM. We took them on an outing to Antigua. Here at the plaza 4 missionaries and 4 jovenes were very pleased with them selves...best shoe shine ever! Presidente can never resist a good shine either. This young man could not speak...just signed to us.

We like to stop for lunch at this little sandwich shop over a bakery ...Dona Luisa Xicotencatl.

Beautiful fountain at the place we didn't stop for lunch.

Old building or church on the cobblestone streets of Antigua.

Iglesia La Merced (Catholic Church)...completed in 1767. Amazing detail on the facade.

Two friends having lunch. Eld Fyfe took this photo while we drove by.

Women are often seen everywhere carrying thing on their head...there is a little rolled up cloth that helps balance the load. She is wearing the typical wrap skirt and the huipil top, which by it's design, indicates the region she comes from. These were my finds...2 hand sewn purses, a pillow and table runner that are bright and beautiful...I will use them for Autumn decor to always remind me of the beautiful colors that abound here. See the little children in a circle in the design...those represent our grandchildren...I'll have to get another runner when we reach 48. It was fun day!