May 7th through May 13th

May 7^th through May 13^th: President and Sister Faundez from the Coban Mission are staying with us for a few days.  Monday he had an operation on his deviated septum and will be staying with us until he can go back to Coban on Thursday.  Tuesday we went to paint class and did the afternoon shift.  

Jake is coming along nicely.

Wednesday I spent the morning teaching Sister Faundez how to make cinnamon rolls and then we went to presidency meeting.  

The cinnamon rolls are rising. 

They are ready to eat.

Thursday we had the morning shift and Friday the afternoon shift.  

We are still trying to go to the gym at the MTC on the mornings we are not at the temple.

Flowers at the MTC.

Thursday afternoon it was announced in the Church News that the new temple president that will be replacing us is Julio Alvarado and his wife, Blanca.  He lives here in Guatemala City and has recently retired as the Area Public Affairs Director.  We are so happy that they will have a Guatemalan as temple president and he will be excellent.  He will be only the second one from Guatemala in 34 years.  His wife is one of our current temple workers and she will also be great.  Saturday we went to breakfast with President and Sister Christensen.  It was fun to talk to them about their mission and some of the challenges they are dealing with. We then took the Holmans and the Jensens shopping.  Sunday we got up and left at 6:30am in order to get to the stake conference in Antigua.  There were two sessions, one at 8:00am and the other at 11:00am.  We really enjoyed the meetings, especially because we felt the Spirit testifying of our Savior and the work we are engaged in.  After the meeting, they asked us to stay and have lunch with all the leaders. 

The choir for conference.

I love the fresh flowers.

The first session.

The second session.

President Oliva.

Lunch is served.

It is kind of sad that we finally know these great leaders and have a good relationship with them and this is the last time we will be able to be at their stake conference.  Every stake or district conference that we will go to from now on is our last one for that stake or district.  It becomes real that our time is coming to an end when they announce our replacement.  We will miss the association with all the great stake and district presidencies that we have had the honor to work with.  We will really miss the opportunity to speak and bear witness of Jesus Christ and the work we do in His temple.  We only have about 20 more conferences.  We are going to make the most of each one.  Remember, it is a great day to be a missionary.