July 21, 2013

The video is of south-western section of the Capitol. Many Hi-rise apartments and Condos are visible. Also a Volcano is visible on the horizon. Guatemala is know as the Land of Eternal Spring for good reason. Most of the private residences do not have any heating or air conditioning. Using windows, and clothing to adjust for temperature changes is the most common form of creature comfort. Most larger, newer businesses are air conditioned. The Temple has A/C. Many patrons wear shawls or sweaters because they feel too cold. We have yet to wear a jacket or sweater any where.

The 2 pics were taken on one of our walks this week. The bottom one is just a beautiful home we saw. Notice the high wall and gated entrance. Around our neighborhood all the homes have the walls and gates. Not far from this home is the President's mansion. It looks very similar to this one. We haven't met him yet, just his guards that surround the home. We see many cars around this neighborhood and in the mini shopping mall by the CCM that are very expensive. We've seen more here than at home. Then of course, there is the Red Bull truck. We like walking in the neighborhoods better than using the busy street in front of the CCM. We feel safer because the cars are not going quite as fast. Cars here don't seem to like to slow down for pedestrians. They usually honk for pedestrians to get out of the way, fast! We have to walk defensively.
   At home when it rained Hermana Pitcher's favorite thing to do was go for a drive in the rain. Here our favorite thing to do is walking in the rain. We don't go out in the rain on purpose, it just rains about every day and sometimes we're caught in the rain. We take an umbrella with us pretty much all the time.
   During this week on two different occasions we ran into a little boy and his dad. It is the boy's birthday today. He is four. When he met us he would shake everyone's hand. When I heard it was his birthday I started singing Feliz Cumpleanos and he immediately began singing some little tune and hopping down the street. Of course, we didn't have our camera either time. We were hoping to see them again so we got a Spanish CTR ring and a small package of candy. We tried to be on the street at the same time, but no luck. We'll try to keep the stuff with us as we walk in case we meet them again.
   Have we mentioned there are guards stationed in front of every business and by many homes? We pass one particular home about every day. Elder Pitcher is now having conversations with  the guard stationed there. Wouldn't be surprised if the guard ends up with a Book of Mormon. Elder Pitcher asked him how long his shift was each day. He is there standing from 7:30 AM until 7:00PM. We can't believe how long they can just stand there.
   We were back at the Temple this week. We are still learning lots. We were on afternoon shift this past week and will rotate to morning shift next week. We have to be on the morning shift the week new missionaries arrive so we can go to an evening meeting with them.
   This week Elder Pitcher got to meet one of Dave Shumway's former mission companions. Elder Enrique Fallabella was here to perform some family sealings in the Temple. We would show you Elder Pitcher's picture with Elder Fallabella, but it is on their camera! President Carlos Amado, new Area President, came and spoke at the CCM this week. Unfortunately we were on the afternoon shift and couldn't attend.
   We love each of you. We are grateful for the prayers that are offered in our behalf. Now that we are missionaries they have added significance to us.
Thanks for reading the blog!