Continuing..

It seems as though there are obstacles every time we turn around, for example, we have all the information on various medical issues to go to each mission in Central America. We were all ready to send it and found that part of this package cannot be sent for various reasons. So now we are back on square one...maybe square two. We feel momentarily discouraged, but for some reason we soon feel comforted and ideas around the problem seem to occur to us. Again, these are not our ideas, we are sure.

On Saturday we went to Antigua, the first capitol of Guatemala. Some 50 years ago it was leveled by an earthquake. The larger buildings are still in ruins, but the smaller homes and buildings are intact. The streets are cobblestones and it is "the place" to visit in Guatemala. Each little house is now a shop where artisans or vendors show their wares. These items are generally the very best. Everywhere we went people would tell us they knew a Mormon. One man told us he had been baptized in Massachussets, but he hasn't been to church since. Everyone was very kind to the people who wore the black nametags. We went to a small jade factory and I bought a necklace and earrings. This city sits in an ancient caldera and is surrounded by lush green hills. If someone could tell Glen and Enid Cox our blog address they might enjoy reading about the textiles. The weavings are bright and colorful and are constructed in many shapes and sizes. Whatever you might want, for whatever size table you have, there is a tablecloth that will fit, and everything is reasonable priced. The clothes we see people wearing are patterned according to the town or lineage, and we see these clothes worn everywhere. Many of the textiles are woven in these same patterns, although they are not generally sold as clothing, rather they are table cloths, runners, etc.

We are going to Quatzeltenango tomorrow to meet the medical specialists. This is the 2nd biggest city in Guatemala and is located about 4 hours away. We will come back on Thursday evening. We are driving with the Bawdens so we will be passengers rather than the driver. Last night we had a Family Home Evening dinner to honor a couple who is leaving for medical reasons. I was assigned the flowers. I was able to purchase for about 14 dollars the most incredible flowers. I had a huge bouquet of birds of paradise, greenery, gerbera daisies, baby breath and some kind of lily and was able to have flowers on each table, the huge arrangment and flowers left over to give away. All the members of the Area Presidency were there as well as three mission presidents. As they spoke to the group there was such a feeling of confidence in the work conveyed by these men. It was sort of like listening to conference. Whenever we are in a group with the Area Presidency the men wear suits and the women wear their best. And it is something that feels "just right". These men have such an aura that seems to invite us to do our very best. There is no question in my mind that these are men like Nephi, Moroni, Helaman, and I realize now, that Paul Koelliker is doing just as these men are doing, and we feel very blessed to have Paul and Ann as a good friends. The same spirit must prevail all over the world and it gives us incredible comfort to know the earth is remains in its orbit and all will be well as long as there are leaders such as these to guide the church.

We are so grateful for the opportunities we have had the last two months. We wonder how we could be so blessed by the example of others. Some of the greatest people are the least in money, opportunity, experience; and yet they are the pillars of these small wards and branches. Zion is growing!

We were asked to come back to the Marroquin family's home on Tusday (today) so we could learn how to make tortillas. After work, the Bawdens and the Taylors drove to their home. Our Branch is 40 km away from the city and their home is even further than that. This little town of El Fiscal is down through a canyon and the street, the only street, wanders about 5 km. through the gully/canyon. Since I described the home I will just mention the tortilla lesson we had. Sister Marraquin grinds her corn (her husband grows all the corn) once ever week in a common mill. They soak it in lye to soften the hard coat on this field corn. With that meal they make everything they eat. She had made a soft dough that sort of felt like bisquik. She had a fire under a large flat pan. She and her daughter showed us how to make a flour ball, shape it and pat it from one hand to another until it was round and ready to put on the stove. There is no grease and it sizzles like a pancake (and browns just like a pancake). These tortillas have a little cavity in the middle where we put crema and pureed black beans. We made 40-50 of these torntillas and then we sat down with the family and ate them. The same mosca were still there, along with a wild rainstorm.