THE SOCK SPIDER

Some time ago, we were getting into bed and on Gary's side, there was a big black spider by Gary's shoes.  He thought for sure that it came out of his shoe.  After smashing the spider, Gary apologized to what was left of the spider, reminding it of our arrangement, if they are in the house, they die!  Well, Gary had some nasty bites on his foot, so, he fully believed that the spider was in his socks.  Then, we began to see lots of sock spiders.  Black spiders ranging from small to large.  Keep in mind that neither of us see to great.   And, after closer examination, since we wondered why these spiders we so slow, we found that we have been killing little pieces of black sock that came from Gary's really cheap walmart socks!  We had killed hundreds of pieceses of sock!

We have named our little Toyota carolla "Schroder" after sister Schroder who has now returned home.  When we first came to Guatemalla we had no car and the only transportation were these little three wheeled Tuk Tuk's.  We were afraid to get into the Tuk Tuk's.   Sister Schroder is a very pretty girl that is tall and very strong.  We mean very strong!   She literally threw us in a Tuk Tuk and since then we pretty much ride in every thing.  Since our car is a girl and since she has handled any road we give her, she is strong, we named her Schroder.  Well, Schroder was very dirty, and, were were just leaving church.  The young men's president approached and asked if we would have our car washed satuday by the young men so that they could raise money for an activity.   We said ok and he took our phone number?  Well, we have been to many youth car washes in the states.  They cost about $5 and take about 15 minutes.  So, we went our way and forgot about it.  Come Saturday and we get a call reminding us of the car wash.  So, we go to the church and there was the young men leaders and about seven young men.  We got out of the car and begin our 15 minute wait.  Well, two hours later, the car had been detailed inside and out, wheel wells and all!  In the state it would have cost us $250.   This wash cost us about $3.  (And, you never tip down here, if you attempt to pay more, they look at you like you are crazy)

We were called by the Rio Blanco district president.   President Ochoa.   He presides over three branches way up in the mountains, only accessible by dirt roads.  He wanted me to met him and his son in front of a church, which is on a busy road, to release his son from his mission.  His son had just finished his mission in San Salvador, and, his family was picking him up this day at the airport in Guatemala City.  Guatemala City is a long way from us.   So, we drove, in the dark, to this chapel, parked along the side of this very busy road, and waited.  About 30 minutes later this old beat up car pulled in front of us.  President Ochoa had a friend drive he and his wife to pick up his son.  We chated a bit, and this young man is the forth missionary to fulfill a mission in their family.   I interviewed the missionary in our car while Kathy talked to the parents.  There I was with a wonderful young man interviewing him while gigantic trucks drove by us just a few feet a way,  for both Kathy and I it was one of our most spiritual experiences we have had.  This little family, obviously poor, but, just radiating with the spirit.  Dedicated members of the church, willing to sacrifice whatever The Lord asked of them. It was an honor and a blessing to be amongst them.

  This is Schroder 

And this is Kathy painting on our P day