Feb. 19th

Monday Feb. 11th through Tuesday 19th:   Monday the 11th started out with a mouse hunt in Pres. Crayk’s kitchen and we were successful.  We killed the mouse, only to find out the next day there were more mice in their kitchen.  The temple maintenance employees were called in to exterminate the mice.  The week at the temple was very slow.  We did have the Bradshaws, who have been missionaries in the proselytizing mission and living in Tupiza for the last year, arrive and they are going to spend the last 2 months of their mission working in the temple with us.  Also 2 new missionaries arrive Saturday, the Crayks, Pres. Crayk’s brother and his wife, Diana.  Hooray for new missionaries.  Saturday afternoon mom and I went downtown to watch some of the Carnival parade.  We went last year in the morning, but it was mostly different groups spraying each other and being silly.  This year we wanted to try and see some of the folkloric dancers with their fancy costumes.  We only had minor success.  It was loud and there were no seats, so we had to stand and look through the crowds to see anything.  This is quite the parade. It starts early in the morning and goes until 11:00 to 12:00pm.   Groups come from all over Bolivia to dance.  We only watched for a couple of hours.   

Carnival Parade.

 

Carnival Parade.

Carnival Parade.

Carnival Parade.

Carnival Parade.

 Carnival Parade.

 

 Carnival Parade.

 

 Carnival Parade.

 

 Carnival Parade.

 Carnival Parade.

Sunday Pres. Crayk assigned us to attend the Cobija ward on Sunday.  They have a new bishop, Juan Jose Flores, who is one of the  security guards at the temple.  I had made contact with him and had asked him if I could speak for a few minutes in his sacrament meeting.  Things went well.  We had both the Crayks and the Crayks to dinner.  Connie is still trying to get mice out of her kitchen and it was torn up.  We all attended a fireside Sunday evening.  It was out in the Los Alamos stake in Bishop Davila’s ward.  He had asked us to come out and talk to his young single adult group.  It was at his house in the back yard and they had a real campfire. 

Fire at the Fireside.

Right to left,  mom, Connie and Pres. Crayk, Diana and Lynn Crayk.

This was a first for even Pres. Crayk who I had thought had seen it all.  It was a fun group and mom gave a great talk.  The Spirit was strong and it was the highlight of the week for me.  I spent most of Monday cooking wings and chicken nuggets.  Bob Cardon made garlic cheese fries and we had the Cardons and both Crayks to dinner.  Then we all went to family home evening where the Johnsons were in charge of the lesson.  They had asked everyone to take 4 minutes and tell about how either they had joined the church or how their family had become members.  It was very interesting to listen to all the different stories.  Our days have become rather routine.  We go to the temple, study, and visit with the other missionaries and members.  We even keep up with Downton Abbey.