December 5th through December 11th

December 5^th through December 11^th:  Monday we went shopping early and then we drove all the North American missionaries and the Soto’s to Antigua.  We visited the ruins of La Recolección which is a former church and monastery of the Order of the Recollects. It was built in the early 1700’s and destroyed by earthquakes during the 1700’s.  We did some shopping and had a nice lunch.  

This is the volcano Agua (Water).  Antigua sits at the base of this volcano.

Here we all are at the ruins of the Recoleccion church and monastary. L to R Price's, Winkfields's, Hurst's, Norman's, May's and the Soto's.

The ruins are quite impressive.

With massive pieces of masonry laying around everywhere.

It is interesting what is still standing and what is not.

I have decided I need a selfie stick.  Mom says she will buy me one for Christmas.

Everything was built with brick masonry, even the ceilings.

It was a very large complex of buildings.

You can see how thick the walls were.

The contrast of the ruins and the green grass and trees make for a beautiful setting.

This is where we ate lunch.  Another old convent.

Just waiting for lunch.

There is serious shopping that one can do in Antigua.

Monday evening President Rosales took all of us downtown to see the main plaza which has been transformed into a Christmas Festival for the weeks leading up to Christmas.  

On our way downtown, we stopped at the Plaza Espana.

There were a lot of people enjoying the evening.

These three were on stilts and added to the festivities. 

I'm so lucky that she said yes some 43 years ago. 

The National Palace.

There is an ice rink in the distance and the Cathedral.

What Christmas festival would not be complete without a tubing hill.

During the week we did our shifts in the temple and when not in the temple took Oscar and Carmen different places in the city.  On Thursday the Hurst’s drove them to Lake Atitlan.  

One morning we took the Soto's to the relief map.

One of our shopping trips took us to Megapaca and I found a license plate from Idaho.  So random.

Mom trying to find a bargain in Megapaca.

We had a large group from Senahu in the temple again this week.  We trained some of their leaders to help us with the ordinances in Kekchi.  It was a joy to have them and help them enjoy the temple in their native language.  

This is one of the families from Senahu.

More of the members from Senahu.

Thursday evening President and Sister Faundez came to stay with us also.  They wanted to support the people and leaders from Senahu.  Senahu is a district and part of the Coban mission where President Faundez presides.  Saturday morning mom taught Sister Soto and Sister Faundez how to make pumpkin chocolate chip cupcakes.  

You can see that Sister Soto is enjoying one of the freshly made cupcakes. 

In the evening, after our shift, we went to the ward and enjoyed a nice dinner and a Christmas program complete with the children of the ward acting out the Christmas story.  It was so cute. 

Christmas dinner at the ward.

Elder May and the Soto's at dinner Saturday night.

The Price's and the Winkfield's.

Although the Primary is small, this pageant had it all: wise men, shepherds, Mary and Joseph, and of course baby Jesus.

So adorable.

We enjoyed the program very much.

Sunday morning we said good-bye to the Soto’s.  They are good friends from Bolivia and it was so nice to have them stay with us and be able to reconnect with them.  We loved our time in Bolivia and the many friends we made while there.  

Mom and Carmen Sunday morning as we said good-bye.

We went to the Montserrat stake conference where Elder Ochoa and Elder Camay presided and reorganized the stake presidency.  We had the opportunity to speak and bear our testimonies.  The outgoing stake president is our good friend and co-worker in the temple, Brother Oscar Abadillo.  He is our temple recorder and has been a stake president for a little more than 9 years.  He is a good man and we enjoy our association with him and his wife.  

Packed house for conference.

The choir at conference was exceptional.

Click below to hear the choir.Montserrat Stake Conference Choir

Click above to hear the choir.

Mom, now ex-president and Sister Abadillo, and some old man.

In the evening we, via Face Time, got to see all of our children and grandchildren do a gift exchange at Kate’s new house.  We love that they will get together and enjoy dinner once a month and carry on some family traditions even though we are so far away. May the Spirit of this Christmas season fill your hearts and may you enjoy the peace and love that our Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ send to us not only at this season but always is our Christmas wish for each of you.