February 26th through March 4th

February 26^th through March 4^th:  Thursday we took all the English- speaking missionaries to zone conference where we heard the testimonies of 7 couples who will be leaving Guatemala before the next zone conference in June.  The Ellingtons and the Gordons, two missionary couples serving in the temple, bore their testimonies.  We then had the pleasure to listen to Elder Valeri V. Cordón, Second Counselor in the Area Presidency.  They served lunch after the conference.  

Senior Missionary Zone Conference

Lunch after zone conference.

Elder Cordon is on the right with the turquoise tie.

Mom and I did not eat because we had an appointment to go to lunch with Robert K. Simmons, one of the Area Managers in the temple department.  He arrived about noon and was with us until Saturday.  We got everyone back to the temple and after President Funes arrived for the afternoon shift, we took Brother Simmons, Brother Abadillo, our temple recorder, and President and Sister Rosales, 1st counselor in the presidency, to lunch.  

Thursday we had lunch at El Portal del Angel. L to R, me, mom, Brother Simmons, President and Sister  Rosales, first counselor in the temple presidency.

Beautiful view but bad picture.  

Brother Simmons spent the afternoon in the temple with Brother Abadillo.  Friday morning, during our shift, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Brother Simmons and share with him how things are going.  He is a delightful person and it was very enjoyable to get to know him.  We then took President and Sister Funes, Brother Carranza, assistant temple recorder, Brother Simmons, and Brother Abadillo to lunch.  

Lunch at Applebees on Friday.  L to R, Brother Jaime Carranza, assistant temple recorder, Brother Robert Simmons, Area Manager for the temple department, me, mom, Sister Funes, assistant to the matron, President Funes, 2nd counselor in the temple presidency, and Brother Oscar Abadillo, temple recorder. 

When Brother Simmons finished up at the temple at 4:00 pm we took him and Brother Abadillo to the Popol Vuh museum. Saturday Brother Simmons went over to the temple early and then he came back to the house and we fed him breakfast.  

Mom and I with Robert Simmons from the temple department.

Brother Abadillo then took him to the airport.  Sunday we left at 7:00 am and drove to Tiquisate for their district conference.  We had a nice meeting and were able to share our message with the faithful saints there.  

Choir of returned missionaries for the conference.

Sunday session of the Tiquisate District conference.

L to R, Me, Tiquisate District President Aragon, Guatemala City Central Mission President Casey Cluff.

We drove home and then took all the missionaries to the “Break the Fast” dinner at the area offices.  

Lots of good food for "Break the Fast."

Over 30 people for our "Break the Fast" dinner.

It was a great week and a real treat to have Brother Simmons with us for a few days.  He stayed in our home and we enjoyed being able to sit around the table and share experiences we have each had in our church service with each other.  We are grateful for his visit and the kindness he showed us.  In zone conference, we got the news that Elder Cook and Elder Gong will be here next week and we were all invited to go to a devotional for all the missionaries next Wednesday and hear Elder Cook.  Can life get any better?  I don’t think so.  It is a great day to be a missionary.  Thanks President Hill for reminding us.