We have had a wonderful week with our friends Kathy and Marian. On the last day we were able to go to Tikal, Guatemala. This great city was discovered more than a hundred years ago under dense jungle. To everyone's surprise, a great archeological and historical treasure was
revealed. Pyramids, ball courts, stelae, alters, sophisticated arrangements of great buildings were excavated bit by bit. This complex continues to be carefully researched and uncovered. Dad and I climbed two of the pyramids via little wooden staircases. The last one was a bit scary, but we made it up and down.

This is just part of a single section of buildings the archeologists have discovered up to now. Tikal, even though on the northern end of Guatemala and fairly close to Mexico, is in the lowlands of Petan. With our North American orientation it is difficult to think of the flatlands being in the North. The Isthsmus is actually oriented east and west...and it is difficult to sort this out in our Utah brains. The south and west of Guatemala consists of a huge series of volcanic ranges. This northern section contains many millions of acres of the first real jungle I have ever seen. It is the beginning of the rainy season and eveything is so green it almost hurts our eyes. Everything just glistens.

If you look closely you can see a monkey in the tree. We saw so many Spider Monkeys. We looked for the Howler Monkey, but never saw them. The monkeys we did see were as curious about us as we were about them. There is a whole ecological layer under all the foliage that is very small. We saw a very tiny, but beautifully colored lizard about the size of the first joint of the thumb. We understand there are frogs the size of flies, tiny fungi, tiny insects under all that dense understory and thriving under all the leaves and soil. The Ceiba Tree, the national tree of Guatemala, is incredible with huge thorns that cover the lower trunk while still immature. This tree grows straight up and it is so tall that it towers above other trees. The survival tactics used by plants and animals is so evident in an environment such as this.

Here we are, an intrepid group with walking sticks, sweatbands and smiles. We were so fortunate to have, as our guide, a good friend Servio Naves. He is a Latin who has become a very good friend and a passionate advocate for placing these sites in Guatemala with those of the Book of Mormon. We tend to agree with him and we had the distinct impression that Helaman, Nephi, Mosiah, etc., might just step through one of the little entrances at any time. The evidence that shows the area from Northern Honduras and then in a sweeping arc into Mexico, with Guatemala as being the epicenter of a great civilization is difficult to ignore. Bishop Naves is a bishop in San Lucas and works with Joe Allen and other BYU Book of Mormon tours.

Bishop Naves on the left. In the distance one can see the vast flatland behind us, as far as the horizon draws a line. We were so fortunate to have Sergio spend all day Saturday, in Antigua, as well as all day Thursday in Tikal. We learned so much and just the learning is just about as exciting to us as the actual visit. We got up at 4:30 on Thursday morning and Sergio drove us to the airport. We boarded a small plane and flew to Santa Elena. An hour drive put us into the Tikal area where we walked almost all the way throughout the area. Walking made it possible to poke around in corners and behind structures that we couldn't have done if we were in a little truck.

Here we are, eating lunch on Lake Atitlan. We are on the way to Santa Katerina and Santiago Topolo, little towns across an incredibly beautiful lake. Behind us is a vague profile of one of the three major volcanoes surrounding this lake. When we stepped foot on Katerina we decided immediately that this would be our next reading glass clinic. Because of some of the dangerous conditions tourism is down. This is difficult for these little towns and villages throughout Guatemala as the people depend on the few Queztales they might earn selling their beautiful textiles, pottery and wood objects. We love these people and feel comfortable in these small towns. These people often speak three or four languages. This is a humbling fact as we consider that we are struggling with our second language.
The trip was wonderful as we went to museums, shopping, looking at Guatemalan sites, and hearing a beautiful piano recital given by a young man who had been hosted by the Knowltons while competing in the Gina Bacheur Piano Competition held in Salt Lake City. This competition is held every two or three years. We loved having them with us more than we can say.

This isn't all we have done the last three or four weeks. We have spent two weeks in Zone Conferences, prepared for and accomplished our video-conference, and modified and refined our little Missionary Health Treatment Card. We are so excited about the card and how it's developing - should be finished by August and distributed to 2,000 missionaries, and so pleased with how the video-conference turned out. This was the #1 scary thing we have done, but we have learned so much from this process. I wouldn't want to do it again, but now that it is behind us, we see what a learning experience this has been.

Notice these two wonderful A.Ps from Guatemala South Mission. Elder's Peterson and Peralta were our gracious and attentive helpers until we were finished. After two weeks they are celebrating , notice the posture, not having to tow us around anymore. Dad has developed a new zone conference presentation and he used it for these two weeks. I think this presentation is fabulous as it discusses the difference between doctrine, principle and application as they pertain to health.

Here are the nurses we worked with, the APs and President and Hermana Alvarado. We always learn to love these people as we work so closely with us. Note the age of the nurses - all very young. Dad talks to the nurses in each country almost every day and these young women have become very dear to us and friends we will continue to keep in touch with forever . They remind us so of our grand-daughters and we can't help but regard them with tender affection. They are truly dedicated and committed. They are all prosylyting missionaries as well as beging nurses for a whole mission. Wow!!!

Thse two beautiful hermanas are Hna. Tyler from Wyoming and Hna. Barrios from Honduras.

This is the "half-time" break on one of the zone conference. Happy missionaries reflect the spirit in these conferences.

A friend, Judy Albert, drew this illustration to go with our zone conference presentation and it goes with the scripture found in Jacob 5:61-64. She is also making a huge tile mosaic that will go on the wall in the new dental clinic. She is a talented artist, and living in the apartment next to us, is a perfect neighbor. Her husband, Charles, is the talented and dedicated and very generous man who is donating time and money to provide this wonderful clinic in Guatemala.

How can this be so? Jeff and Becky are the grandparents of these beautiful twins. Lauren, just after birth, smiling but tired. If Jeff and Becky are grandparents - what does that make us? Jackson and Quentin were both over 5 lbs. Beautiful children and happy mom!

How could we be so blessed? This is a question we constantly ask each other. We can't answer, but we are so grateful. We are so appreciative of the support we recieve from family and friends.

Our branch is actually moving into a REAL building in two weeks. And...I will play a REAL piano. I don't even know if I remember how to do it. The techlata has keys that are just a millimeter smaller than piano keys so I will have to adapt. I can't wait to try!

Adios from Guatemala....June 29, 2009