August 21th through August 27th

August 21^th through August 27^th: Monday after taking the Fishers, Winkfields and the Gordons shopping, we headed to Antigua with Charlotte and the boys.  The first thing we did was take Mom, Evan and Moose to the Choco Musuem for a tour and demonstration on how they make chocolate.  Charlotte and I then headed for the artisans market.  Last day in Guatemala and there were still things that needed to be bought.  We shopped for two hours while the other three were doing the chocolate tour.  We picked up the chocolatiers and then went to lunch.  

Two of the best chocolatiers ever.

Click below to see the boys making chocolate.

Making Chocolate

 

Evan wanted French fires and pizza, Moose fried chicken and so I took them to Pollo Campero and Mom and Charlotte went and had a nice shrimp dinner.  Life is not fair.  

It's not fair--I had to take the boys to Pollo Campero.

They got to have lunch together while I took the boys for fast food.

We did a little more shopping and then went to Chapuchinas, an old church and convent.  We only had time for one church and this is one of our favorites.  

Evan got into caricature. 

Moose just smiled for the first time.

We only had time to visit one of the many many churches that have never been rebuilt.

Outside the doors to the church at Capuchinas.

Pano of the Convent. 

These three enjoyed exploring the church and convent.

This church suffered damage during the 1751 and 1773 earthquakes and was then abandoned. 

Charlotte at Capuchinas.

Capuchinas couldn't be prettier, blue sky and green green grass.

Evan in Antigua.

We then went back to Guatemala City and straight to the central market for a few last things.  We found everything and made it home with 15 minutes to spare.  Family Home Evening was at our home at 6:00 pm.   We got to know the three new couples a little bit and had a nice evening together.  Sorry, I did not take pictures.  I promise pictures of our new missionaries next week.  Tuesday early we took our visitors to the airport and said good-bye till the end of the year.  It will be so nice to be able to give everyone a hug when we go home at the end of December for Xela and Jake's baptisms. 

They got their boarding passes and are headed home.  So sad.

I set apart the Holman’s at 8:30 am so they could begin to study and they also had to be the witness couple for a session of MTC missionaries.  I got things ready for presidency meeting and then after presidency meeting I set apart the Jenson’s and the Fisher’s.  We then took the three couples on a short tour of the temple.  We finally got home about three and were able to have lunch.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we worked the evening shifts.  I had to trade with President Funes so I could have Saturday off in order to drive to Chiquimula for the Zacapa stake conference.  Friday morning we needed the temple van and our car to drive everyone to the Senior Missionary Zone Conference at the area offices.  Elder Ochoa, our new Area President, and his wife, Nancy, spoke to us.  Elder Ochoa said that in the last 20 years, the number of missions and stakes in Central America has doubled and there are now 6 temples instead of one.  He testified that it is the Lord’s work and He is doing it.  He asks us to participate so that we can grow and develop.  He also emphasized the need for charity and that people are watching everything we do. He finished with a strong testimony of the Savior and that He lives.  It was a very nice meeting.  They then fed us a nice lunch.  

Senior Missionary Zone Conference.

Lunch after zone conference.

We got back just in time for our shift.  Saturday we took a group of missionaries shopping and then we loaded up and drove to Chiquimula.  We went the back way because the last few times we have been stuck in construction traffic on our way to El Rancho.  It took us four hours, but we had not driven that way, so we were seeing new vistas. The mission president was not able to attend, so President Salazar gave us extra time in the adult session.  Mom talked about the importance of temples and that we are living in an era of temples.  When she was born there were only 8 temples and by the end of this year there will be 160. She does such a great job and always brings the Spirit. I testified that the Lord is hastening his work on both sides of the veil and the importance of temple ordinances for all of Heavenly Father’s children.   We felt good about our talks and felt the Spirit testify of the truth of the work.  We always come away edified and uplifted.  We stayed in Chiquimula Saturday night.  

Adult session in Chiquimula for the Zacapa stake conference Saturday night.

Sunday we got up and drove to Zacapa for the general session.  It was our first time to visit Zacapa.  The conference was well attended and we really enjoyed the meeting.  Once again there was a great Spirit during the conference.  

The chapel in Zacapa.

The flowers are always so beautiful.

Mom is convinced that even she could grow flowers here in Guatemala.

Sunday general session in Zacapa.

President Salazar and some other guy.

We drove home and after seeing some of the pictures of Houston, we called Scott, Chris’ brother who lives in Houston.  He is ok for now, but can’t get out of his neighbor hood because of flooding.  Driving for 4 hours to go to a stake conference is tiring, but so worth it.  

We got stuck when a fire truck was called to put out a car fire.

Lots of cattle on the road.

Mom said the mountains around Zacapa remind her of Utah.

More of the almost Utah mountains.

Here was where the traffic was the slowest.

Click below to see the traffic.

Road work

They are literally moving a mountain to widen the road.

Click below to see more construction.

more road work

We feel so blessed to be able to be in the temple everyday and then spend our weekends with the wonderful saints. We truly have the best calling in the church.