Agosto 18, 2013

The top photo is of a volcano named Agua. We see it from here in the city. We loved this view we took while on a walk. We also wanted to include the corrugated metal that is forming a fence. We see a lot of the corrugated metal everywhere, including roofs, siding, etc. We thought it would make a great background for a family photo. All we need now is family down here for the photo. We think Mel, our daughter-in-law would love the site.
Last Thursday was a holiday here in Guatemala City. It was so quiet when we woke up in the morning, no one was going to work on the streets. The Temple was open that day by 5:00 AM. Luckily our shift was in the afternoon. We went for a walk about 10 AM and saw this family across the street from the Temple. Elder Pitcher talked to them and found out they had arrived at the Temple by 5 AM. When Elder Pitcher took their picture he showed it to them and told them how handsome they looked, They all laughed. But when Elder Pitcher told them, jokingly, all were handsome except for the Bishop, they really laughed. During the day at the Temple it was very busy, like a busy Saturday. We wondered how many of us would take our holiday and spend it at the Temple.
Elder Dean, a former mission companion of Elder Pitcher's who is a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, was here during the week. He and office staff come twice a year to help out in clinics. This trip they were going to spend time in an orphanage. Elder Dean brought 500 white shirts for the CCM missionaries. It was fun to spend a few minutes visiting with him.
Saturday we had a potluck dinner with the Temple missionaries. It was nice to get together, but after a long day at the Temple everyone was anxious to get home and to bed.
Our Sunday schedule has changed so we begin at 8 AM. No sleeping in for us. We are doing this now because the remodeling of the first floor is complete and sacrament meeting will be at the CCM instead of the chapel. We both taught lessons today and also spoke in sacrament meeting. Hermana Pitcher is pleased when the English speaking missionaries can understand what she says. She reads her talk in Spanish. She speaks very slowly, that gives the missionaries time to process what she says.
For those of you who are avid followers of our blog, next week it will be delayed for a few days. We will be in El Salvador next Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. We'll tell you all about the trip next time.
After a session at the Temple during the week, one Hermana told Hermana Pitcher in a combination of Spanish and English, "Thank you for your service in the Temple." It touched Hermana Pitcher because we don't think of what we do as service, we actually receive more blessings by being with these wonderful people.