April 2nd through April 8th

 April 2^nd through April 8^th:  Monday, after shopping, we drove to Antigua so Sister Hurst could see the physical therapist again.  Mom and I did some shopping for our visitors (Ginny and Sam, Xela and Willa) that are going to arrive on the 10^th.  That is today in about 2 hours.  We are so excited to have them come and visit. 

Come to Poppa.

Look who we found at the market in Antigua.

Mom made the skirt and we bought the tops in Antigua last Monday.

Matching outfits for the girls.

Wednesday on our morning walk, we found that the Catholic girl’s school across the street from our home were making flower carpets for a Holy Week procession that they were going to have later in the day.  Wait till next week and see the carpets from Antigua.  

The flower carpets that the all-girl Catholic school made on our street for a procession they were going to have on Wednesday for Holy Week.

More of the carpets. 

We then went to our paint class and then to our shift at the temple.  

Mom says she is done with this one.

I think I am calling Ellie's painting all done.

Mom's new painting.

I worked on Kimball this week.

I am starting Badger's picture.

I am starting Moose's picture.

During our shift on Friday, a young woman and her mother came to the temple directly from the hospital.  The young woman was serving in the Nicaragua mission when she had her appendix out.  Her white blood count would not come down, in fact, it went up.  The mission nurse had been in contact with the area medical doctor and they had decided to send her home to Guatemala for further tests.  They had just learned that she had leukemia and would start chemotherapy the next day.  Both the mother and daughter were tearful and had come to the temple seeking peace.  Mom was briefly told about their situation before she went to help in initiatory.  To her surprise, the wife of the area medical doctor was also in the temple.  She was touched to learn that this young missionary was also in the temple.  They had suspected that she might have leukemia and they had been praying for her.  She and her husband were able to meet with the missionary and her mother in my office and reassure them.  I broke another rule and gave her a blessing.  It was a very special experience to comfort them and give them a big hug. We love the sweet tender mercies that happen in the temple.    Mom then went to a luncheon for all the sisters who have a birthday in April, mom included.  

The April Birthday luncheon.

Saturday got up at 3:00am and we went to the early morning shift at the temple and then at 8:00am President Funes took over and we headed for Salama for their district conference.  We took Elder and Sister Price with us.  It took us just over 4 hours and it should have only taken about 2 ½ hours.  The traffic was really bad and we sat in a traffic jam for about 45 minutes.  

Stuck in traffic.

Going nowhere fast.

Lunch in Salama.

We stopped at a light and this guy was polishing his bus.

We went to the adult session and mom and I both spoke.  There were only about 20 people in attendance.  Elder and Sister Call, who are assigned to serve in the Rabinal branch, came to the conference and then came over to our hotel and played “5 Crowns”.  

Sister Call and the group leader from Cabulco.

Sunday morning I spoke in the priesthood session and then mom and I both spoke in the general session.  I would estimate there were about 200 people in attendance.  It was a nice conference and we feel so blessed to have the opportunity to attend and talk in all these meetings.  

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

Flowers at our hotel in Salama.

President Lopez, the district president, and President Faundez, the mission president.

The mission presidency L to R President Poou, me, President Faundez and President Vela.

District Conference Sunday morning.

The Choir.

Members from Rabinal.

We drove home and then we finished off the day with a “Break the Fast” dinner with all the senior missionaries here in Guatemala.  It was a great week.  We worked every day this last week so that we can have next week off to spend with Ginny’s family.  Good times are a comin’. 

More bad traffic going home.

Some of our neighbors on the road home.