September 8, 2013

   We walk every day but Sunday, come rain or shine, mostly rain this past week. Hopefully this week while we're on the afternoon shift the walks will be drier. Last week was like clockwork, the rain started just as we headed off on our walk. Tuesday was an amazing rainstorm. The streets were like rivers. One street we pass was under about 3 feet of water. One car was stalled in the middle of it and a motorcyclist was off and pushing his bike through it. The water was up to the seat of the motorcycle. We could wring out the water in our shoes when we returned home. It was an adventure.
   The top picture is of a beautiful flower by the side of the CCM. The flowers just keep blooming and blooming down here. That's why it is called the "Land of Eternal Spring."
   While on our walks we are trying out side roads that we haven't been on before. We explored one this past week and found this Swiss Army vehicle. (Second photo.) Elder Pitcher was really impressed, so guess what? We had to go back again to get a picture. Elder Pitcher thinks it would be great fun to go for a ride in it, almost as fun as a ride in his jeep back home. The area where we found this vehicle had very steep streets. Our hearts were really pumping on that walk. It's a lot like walking up mile hill by Weber High School.
   On an average day we walk 10,000 to 11,000 steps which is 3 or just over 3 miles. Other days our walks are only 2 to 2 1/2 miles. We're really burning up the tread on our shoes.
   The other excitement this past week was that there was an earthquake here on Friday night at 6:15 PM. Elder Pitcher was looking at the iPad and felt the chair he was sitting in move. Hermana Pitcher was in the kitchen cooking. Elder Pitcher said, "There's an earthquake!" Hermana Pitcher answered, "Where?" (She thought he was looking at KSL news.) He said, "Here!" The refrigerator was moving back and forth slightly. No damage. We've heard it measured 6.5 and the center was 60-80 miles from here.
   Every week lately we've mentioned that we are going to be moving. It hasn't happened yet. We are on hold for a couple of weeks. We've heard they were putting up draperies in one apartment and hit a water pipe with a nail. Then there were leaks to fix.
   Another group of new missionaries arrived this past week. One Elder is from a village in the northern highlands in Guatemala. He is the only member in his family. There are four children and the parents. His father is a farmer and he helped his father provide for the family. They lived off what they could grow. His native language is QueKi, so he is challenged by learning to speak and read Spanish fluently. He and other missionaries gave five minute talks in Sacrament Meeting. He bore a quiet, powerful testimony, which brought tears to many. The branch president took opportunity to describe this missionary, his family, and the sacrifice he was making to serve a mission.
   We're grateful to be here and see and feel the strength of these marvelous, young missionaries. Thanks to all of you for prayers and support from home.