Thanksgiving dinner was enjoyed with North American's on the Area President's condo patio. Pleasant, cool weather and delicious food. We are enjoying the company of Clate & Carol Mask, and the Brady's. Meanwhile at the CCM, Elfride provided a lovely turkey dinner for the missionaries, complete with sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.

The highlight was the day after Thanksgiving with the visit of Marv & Alice and Dana & Anne. we haven't seen this wonderful brother and sister for 4 years...so it was joyous!

We enjoyed a Mexican meal and Mask's joined us. We all started in seminary 37 yrs ago in Mesa Arizona. We were all young and green then. The years have come and gone, but memories are fresh and sweet. After dinner, with hardly a breath between words, we migrated naturally to a little circle of men and a little circle of women to talk till we dropped. Oh it was FUN!

This is Marv & Alice first time to Latin America and they were very uncomfortable to come. But they found it to be a delightful world with many wonderful things about it.

While in Jocotenango, this little herd passed us on the street.

Ohhhhh...aren't this little aunt and neice SOOOOOO cute!

Santo Domingo with its atmosphere and wonderful lunch. Dana & Anne's kids are so cute and well behaved. Their friends, the Fenn's, who are missionaries overseeing the building of the El Salvador temple accompanied us. We had a sweet day together in Antigua. What a joy is family!

Sweet Birthday for Dad

Staff and teachers singing and sharing cake for Dad's b-day.

Dad has been visiting with Alfonzo and his family for months. He is one of the guards at the CCM. They came to dinner once and we have been to their home. The missionaries have taught them. Finally after lots of struggles, Alfonzo and his daughter-in-law, Amanda, were baptized. Dad encouraged them to have a friend in the ward do the baptism, but they asked him. So it was his honor to do so. Good people with some difficult circumstances, but it is easy to tell that they will prosper with the gospel in their lives. Amanda's husband, Alfredo and their son, Charly, and Alfonzo's wife are still 'en camino'. Very sweet experience.

Our Friends at the Central Area Presidents Seminar

Central Area Mission Presidents Seminar with Elder Andersen & Elder Costa.

Elder & Sister Andersen

Area Pres & Hna Clarke, los Cruz (Hon-San Pedro Sula) , los Torres (Guat Norte) , us, our translators

The Falabella's...1st counselor Area. Strong, firm, humble testimonies.

The Martino's...2nd counselor Area. New, enthusiastic, firm foundation.

The Duran's...DTA and CCM Br President. We knew them in Chile and love them here.

The Galvez...Pres Costa Rica. Was CCM Br Pres and she an RS teacher. We love them and their family.

Dr & Hna Taylor...Area Medical Advisor and our friends who come weekly to the CCM to give shots and advise us. Strong testimonies and desires to serve.

The Baldwin's...Guat City Central. Neighbors across the street. The only gringo presidents. Great friends.

The Torres...Guat City North. Gringo/Latin mix from Utah. We love them.

The Alvarados...Guat City South. This little couple have giant spirits and have had a Goliath to battle and have done great!

The Lopez (El Sal West), Galvez, Frattz (Nicaragua), Flores (Hon Comayaguela), Lorenzana (Quetzaltenango)

The Chaverri's...Honduras Tegulcigalpa. What a character he is, formerly of the Seventy. Very happy people.

Goodbye dear friends...possibly till we meet again on the other side of the veil!
Hnas Taylor, Chaverri, Perez, Flores, Torres, Lorenzana, Alvarado, Lopez, me, Galvez.

Central America MIssion President Seminar Nov 2009

Cart we rode from the center to our rooms...or around the grounds.

First evening as we explored the conference center with friends. I love the vibrant colors of exotic flowers here.

Looking out over the lush green valley.

These are part of the view as we rode our golf cart from our room to the conference center. Surrounded by 4 volcanos, serenity, beauties of the earth...

See this volcano spouting a little in the early morning.

Women session with Elder & Sister Andersen. Here Hnas Duran, Martino, Falabella.

Entertainment from Youth Bell Choir and vocalist. Beautiful! They are going to come to the CCM for Christmas.

Breakfast buffet each morning...incredible!

Driving the courses to see the view. The courses are huge...upper and lower.

One activity for these presidents was to dream about driving their very own BMW cycle.

More enjoying the serenity of driving the courses.

One last favorite activity...sitting our our patio overlooking the pool and green landscape and talking and planning after an incredible conference with an Apostle and General Authority. It was a wonderful, rejuvinating seminar,which leaves us with much to think about, much to do, and much to be thankful for...the gospel, our Savior, our family, each other.

October occurances...

Ricardo Almeida, our missionary in Chile, visited while on a business trip from Mexico. How fun to remember those times together.

Our friend, Alfonzo, brought us lots of exotic fruits. The red are 'lichas' with white moist fruit inside. The green/red are 'jocote' with a tart good flavor. The potatoe looking fruit is orange inside a mushy, 'chico'. Fun!

These were our 'finds' with Dev & Ash. More shawls. A carpet bag. The colorful pillows. Wooden box with inlaid wood.

Hawaiian Luau...farewell to some couples. We are with Dr Taylor and wife and a new sister from Cosa Rica.

Pres Clarke honoring Pres & Hna Ben Martinez, temple president.

Thank you Blair & Margaret Williams for your serve and friendship.

Sunday at the Guatemala Temple

Plan B...the school buses get us to Las Colinas after the 'no show' of our usual company

Dad & I on a hike at Las Colinas. We are usually going paper work, but this time we left enough time to go on one of the hikes. Isn't it beautiful!

My nurse/college friend, Jerri Olsen and family. Picking up their missionary from his mission. So fun!