THE GREAT DATE TEST

Blog  5/25/24

Sorry that we have not added to our blog for some time.   Our president has given us this difficult assignment that we have mentioned before: to get the mission applications completed four young people from poor families that live in isolated areas.   We have managed to get the applications all completed but the dentist.  And the cost of the dentist is a big problem and we are now ready to  visit our third dentist to see if we can get a better cost.  Then, Kathy fell down while we were walking.  We were blest that we were holding on to each other.  She caught herself with one hand and Gary held onto the other.  She was not hurt badly but it scarred us a bit since any serious damage here and we are probably on our way home.   With trust in The Lord, we are lost in the work and generally having a wonderful time.

When we spend more than a few minutes with the missionaries we ask them what their plans are when they get home. (Many of the missionaries in our area have only a few months left.)  and, are conversation usually come around to getting married.  We ask them what do they want in a spouse.  Almost every missionary has some sort of test to give to potential spouses.  One elder, a great missionary and we love him, has a seven hour test laid out for his unsuspecting date.  He takes them for dinner or entertainment that takes them for a long trip.   During the trip he fakes a car breakdown.  And he understands how well she handles emergencies during the stressful Time of a breakdown.  Kathy told him that if her date faked a car breakdown, she would never see him again.  Several elders want their date to let them open their car door for them.   And several sisters will wait in the car until their date opens the door.  However, many of the sisters are looking for looks and a man that can make a good living.

Anyway, these conversations are very entertaining.

In the last two days we have been to a marriage and 5 baptisms.  And, Gary had to give a presentation in three of them.  It was a wonderful experience.

We arrived in this little town for the marriage at the time it was supposed to start, 10a.  It didn't start until noon.  Which sets a new record for lateness!  We have a young girl that is almost a lawyer and she can marry.  We got the marriage finally done and then the baptism of the bride.  (The groom was inactive because he was living with the girl, but now she is a member and they are both active ).  Generally speaking the people we deal with have nothing to do with getting into water, like to swim for example.  So, the elder and the lady get in the font, the lady is heavier then him, he baptizes her ok but while bringing her out of the water he loses his grip and she goes back down and about drowns!  She comes coughing and crying, but, she got through it.

Today, a young teenage girl got baptized and all went well.   She bore her testimony and it was very touching a knowledgeable.   Later, we met her to congratulate her.  We both said at different times.  "You will be a great member"  but, with our "not perfect yet" Spanish, we actually said that she would be a huge or big member!  She pointed out our error and we said it correctly.

Here is a picture of the almost lawyer

Here is a picture of the married couple

And other baptisms 

Proverbs 28:25

Well, we were studying Preach My Gospel, and, we ran into a scripture that pretty much describes our mission, 

He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

We have really had to put our trust in The Lord , and, yes we are fat.

We are almost constantly sick with stomach pains and other related issues.   We blamed it on parasites.   But, we have concluded our problem is not parasites.   We are just suffering from food poisoning!   We decided that we will probably have food poisoning two or three times a week and we just need to endure it.   We think the culprit is mayonnaise.   Here, mayo is not refrigerated.  Big vats of it are on shelves in every eating place.  If you order French fries, they will come smothered with ketchup and mayo, and with a toothpick to pick up the fries.  We now just order our fries with ketchup and a side of salmonella.

We found a jar of pickles in another town at a walmart.   Now, the nortes ( North American missionaries) really miss pickles because generally they are not to be found anywheres (by the way there was only one bottle at the store).  We keep this bottle in reserve because we can barter it for almost anything including indentured servitude!

We drove to another town to attend a meeting hosted by the area 70, president Morales.  All of the stake presidencies were invited and us, the mission presidency.  It was a priesthood meeting so Kathy had to wait in another room of the Church.  (We obey the missionary manual all except for emailing once a week.  We have to communicate with our kids more that once a week because of all the normal issues of a family, but we are almost always are in site of each other and we do almost everything together.  So, we went to this meeting together.)  the area 70 "blasted" the stake president about lost sheep.  For example, one stake has 1200 names of people baptized but have no idea where they are.  With all of that, the spirit the area 70 brought was wonderful.  He is a leader close to a God.  In one minute he is reproving the Stake presidents and the next minute he is reading a scripture and crying.  It was a great experince.  We had a break and gary asked him if we could leave early because we do not drive great in the dark.  It is a three hour very hard drive home.  He said no problem and gave gary a Big hug.  Thanking him for his Service.   It is nice to be appreciated.

We asked our president if we could leave for home About 3 weeks early.  We want to be home for our 51st anniversary since we were here in Guatemala for our supposedly very important 50th anniversary. Then, we got to feeling guilty.  Maybe we were pushing our will and not the Lords will.  So, Kathy said, get word to the president that going home early was just our request,  but, we want to do the lords will even if it ment extending,   This happened in the morning.   In the afternoon Gary noticed that Kathy was really disturbed.  He finally got her to tell him her feelings.   She was un-repenting from our repentance earlier in the day.   She was fighting the conflict between doing the lords will and wanting to go home, and never to extend our mission.  We decided that we would trust in The Lord that he would realize all the hard work we have done and send us home for a reward.

Fair

Small miracles  4/21/14

We were called about 7pm this evening.  The zone leaders have come up with a plan to get their church members to trust them more.  They are going to make butter finger cookies.   Well, like most missionary plans, they were missing a pan to cook them in, paper plates to serve them with, seran wrap to cover the plates, and two key ingredients:  chocolate sauce and peanut butter.  They wanted us to buy and deliver these things.  We were able to buy the plates and the wrap, but peanut butter is very hard to find here and the store we were at was out of chocolate syrup.  So, we walked to the market place, knowing fulwell we would not find these items, but we had to try.  We walked into this tiny store.  It had plastic goods, Easter baskets, all kind of very strange stuff.  We walked around to the only other isle and there on the bottom shelf were a gigantic bottle of planters peanut butter and right with the peanut butter, a gigantic bottle of chocolate sauce.  We said to each other, it's a little miricle to help the missionaries with their project.

Doctors and dentists  4/22/14

We have been given the assignment to help young members that want to go on missions to get their applications done.   We have to get there applications completed before June.   We have three: two boys and a girl.    Now, this may seem like a really simple task, but, these young people live way up in the mountains, have no money and no resources.

We have had this assignment for several weeks and have been pondering and praying about where to find a doctor and dentist that will do the exams for free or at a big discount.  And, one of the boys has major problems with his teeth.  They look like a train wreck!   And, we have a few other pre-missionaries that have completed the application and have their call but must have inoculations before they can go.  Like, yellow fever vaccine. 

Today, we were so blessed.  A friend of ours took us to her brother, a doctor, and he ageed to do the exams for free!   We found out that the local firehouse will give yellow fever shots for about $6.  (We went to our pharmacy and simply asked for yellow fever vaccine, no problem, the assistant just brought out these little viles, we could buy for about $70.)  and, we found a dentist.  So, as usual, after a trial of our faith, we were blessed.

Bargaining   4/23/14

We have picked up an intersting skill here in Guatemala, bargaining.  Almost everything we buy, we bargain for a better price.  At home, Kathy did a little bit of bargaining at TJ MAX, Gary, just hated to bargain.   Well, here we really have learned to enjoy bargaining.  People look at us as rich gringos.   We tell them right off we are very poor missionaries and we won't accept a 'tourist price".  Or, we plead with them that they must give a lower price for missionaries.   We always pay less and the whole bargaining session is great fun.  Gary is concerned, however, that, when he gets home, he will offer the clerk at walmart a lower amount then the register says.

The fair

There is a fair going on here.   It seems to be great fun for everyone.  One of our zones decided to have an activity associated with the fair, since, the stake center is virtually right next to the fair. The missionaries made cookies and popcorn and had pamphlets and Books of Mormon all displayed on tables.  The sister missioneries did face painting, they had several other games set up, and Kathy did painting.  Kathy painted a picture and we offered copies of the picture to those that would give us contact information.  Overall, the missionaries got lots of references.

Our new car is named Krueger, we love her but she is quit underpowered.  We were in a little town today that had steep hills.  We turned a tight corner and we were in front of a car.  We had to back up the hill a little ways then turn tight and go gown the hill.  We put krueger in reverse and is all she could do is groan.  No movement.  We had two big elders in the back and they got out.  Still could not move.  Finally, the big elders had to push us back up the hill.  If it were not for them, we could still be there!  We know krueger felt bad, but that is all she could do.   In the future, we will not get into places that we have to back up hills!

AMERICAN BREAKFAST

The missioneries told the relief society president of a local ward that Kathy made a wonderful American breakfast.  So, we get contacted by the relief society.  They want Kathy to do a demonstration on how to make an American breakfast.   We buy all this food and haul our pans, food, oil, etc to the ward house.  The ward house kitchen is about the size of a large closet.  Kathy is cooking French toast, omelettes, hash browns, and bacon.   She is cooking away with 25 sisters crammed into this little room.  They all had note books and took notes and photos.  It was a great time.  A few strange things:  Kathy made the French toast first, then the omelettes.  The sisters would not serve the anything until they had all the plates ready to serve everyone.  So we had plates stacked everywhere.   And, they will not use napkins.  It just is not in the culture.  However, the experience was wonderful.

We were invited to talk about marriage to a family along with the missioneries.   We brought our computer with the DVD "together forever".  The family joined the church in October.   Previously, they fought a lot and the man was losing his temper.  After joining the church, they were ok for a while but now the were ready to split up.  So, we really felt the spirit with us. We showed the vidioe and both of us bore our testimonies about marriage.  We told them about us before and after our being converted to the church, our temple marriage with two little children, and over the years we were taught in the church and with the Holy Ghost about how to have a happy family.    They listened intently and the spirit was wonderful and we did our best.  We hope and pray they make it.

We attended church this Sunday in a little branch way up in the mountains.   These are amazing members.  Very dedicated and temple attenders.   The district president was there.  President Ochoa.  A wonderful man.  It was testimony meeting.   We gave our testimonies, and, so did the president.  President broke down in tears with weight of his calling.  It was a very tender moment.  After the meeting, we talked to him and we took on several of the issues he was worried about.  We drove home with a testimony in our hearts that we were called here for a purpose.

We got a call Saturday morning by missioneries that were preparing for a baptism.  The water pump for the fount was broken and they could not fill the fount.  We told them to call the bombaderos, fireman, to come and fill the faunt.  They called them and arranged for them to fill the faunt.  We drove over to make sure it worked ok and to pay the fireman.   The fire truck came, with the hose through the  window, they filled the faunt.  And we paid them about $50.  Later we attended the baptism.  A ten year old girl was baptized in freezing cold water.  But, she was such a sweet little girl and was so excited.  Only a few people attended.  The ward has major problems.  The new bishop and his family was ther and the bishop gave a talk.  After the baptism, we gave the little girl a hug and gave her a picture of the Savior with a note on the back reminding her of her baptismal commitments.  Hand painted by Kathy.  (We give these to all the people that get baptized).  The bishop is very overwhelmed and he thanked us over and over for supporting him.  Just doing our job.

Here are pictures.

REAR VIEW MIRRORS

We had a quiet week, so not much to report.

However, we used to think that rear view mirrors on cars, the ones that stick out from the sides of the car, were for allowing us to see what was behind us.  But here, no.   Their main purpose is to tell the driver he is too close to the car next to him because the rear view mirror got hit and it was folded over.  When you get in the clear, you just push the mirror back into place.  This method of measuring how close your car is to another car, also applies to people.    We get our rear view mirror hit several times a week.  It used to be exciting, but now, it's just Guatemala.

We loved conference.  So much applied to us missionaries.   We all cheered when president Armada talked.  He is from Guatemala and we have spent time with him.  He is a wonderful, gentle man.

Only problem with conference here is that we watch it on the only English speaking TV in a small room with steel folding chairs.  10 hours on a steel chair.   Gary's butt still hurts.  By the way, we all are asked to watch conference in our native language.

We love ou mission!   Serving The Lord full time is an amassing experience.   We survive solely on obedience, prayer, and inspiration.  We are anxious to return home but we are worried about getting "back in the world".   Will we become the "slugs" we were before!!

It is p-day and here is Kathy painting.   She only paints on p-day.  What does Gary do, well,  the bills of course.  We still have a house at home to handle.

WHITE SHIRTS

Abogado

Our dear friends we have met here, Cisely and Miguel, well Miguel, after working on It for 22 hears, graduated as a lawyer (Abogado).   Over these years, he got married, full time job, family, and all the rest.  Several years ago, he was getting nowhere with his progress.  He was in the temple and prayed about becoming a lawyer, he was very discouraged, he got clear insperation that he could do it.  After that, His boss allowed him to move his work hours around to accommodate classes, and, he worked his homework in without sacrificing his family time.   And, he finally completed all his classes and thesis.  He invited us to his graduation.  It was very formal.  Of course, in the middle of the procession, Gary swallowed wrong and almost passed out trying not to cough too much.  Finally, Miguel got the five judges ok and was awarded his degree.  

Here is Miguel and Cisely after the ceremonies.

Here are the judges and Miguel 

Pati

There is a lady in one of our wards.  Her name is Pati.  Her husband died about two years ago. (They have been sealed in the temple.) She has three teenage boys living with her.  She works very hard to pay the rent and other expenses and care for her family.  We pay her to clean our house once a week. She does an amazing job.  We are usually gone the morning that she cleans, but this past week, we left a little late and she came while we were here.  We were in our bedroom while she was beginning her work.  We went to open the door to our bedroom, and there was Pati, nealing down praying before she started work.  It was a touching view for us.  What a great lady!  We were humbled again and had to swallow any complaints about our work.

The white shirt.

We might have mentioned this, but several weeks ago, we attended a tiny branch and the people were very poor.  We noticed that the branch president's white shirt was very frayed and worn.  The next day we told the missionaries in the branch that we wanted to buy a white shirt for the president. They said said "great" but you need to buy fine.  All the priesthood in the branch need white shirts, So, we bought five white shirts, and, wrapped them individually as gifts so they would not be viewed as a donation.  That all happened some time ago.   Well, yesterday we had a meeting with the district president, president Rodas.  He is responsible for this branch and to others.   He said he was attending church at a branch last Sunday, not the branch we are talking about here.  But, the branch president of the branch he attended is from this tiny branch.  They had no priesthood men to be president so the called this man.   He bore his testimony about tithing.  He said he paid his tithing but had no money for a shirt, and then here was this gift.  He said he was blessed with a new white shirt because he paid his tithing.  We were a bit emotional when we heard this.  It is true that every good thing we do for others is due to inspiration from our Heavenly Father.

SPENCER W KIMBALL SCHOOL

Two brothers and a sister

One afternoon we joined two Latino missionaries to work with them.  Elder Castillo and elder Castro.   Their area is is small beautiful city nestled in the mountains.   We started walking down a street then turned up a cobble stone road that was very steep.   It didn't take us to long before Kathy and I were really sucking air!   And, even though the words "cobble stone road" has a bit of romance about it, what it really is, is a pain in the foot.  Really hard to walk on.  After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the little house.  10 minutes later Kathy and Gary could finally talk. We taught the gospel of Jesus Christ to a young boy of about 12.   His brother and sister that are close to his age were with us.  They were baptized about a month ago.  They sat on the bed and we sat on plastic stools. It is hard to describe the wonderful spirit that these young people radiated.  They all new a lot about the gospel and scripture stories.  We were given a chance to say a few words that we kind of understood.  The missionaries always follow with an explanation of what we said.  Then, like all houses we visit, they fed us a drink and some chips.  Even though they are literally dirt poor, these great people will always feed you something.  The boys name is minor, and he has agreed to be baptized next week.  They have a mom and a little brother and a really cute German shepherd dog.  The dad is not there, he is an alcoholic, like many families, leaving the mom to fend for themselves.  When we left, they give us a few eggs from there chickens.   Going back on the cobblestone road was just as painful.  But, what a wonderful afternoon.  Here is the family:

Baptizing the dad

We have a missionary that just joined us.  Before his mission, his parents separated because his dad was an alcoholic.  His twin brother and him were called on missions to Guatemala but in different places.  It turns out that his dad lives in a city in our mission.  This missionary arrived and was assigned to a neighboring city to where his dad lived.  After his first change, he was assigned to the same city where his dad lived.  The missionary's goal before coming on a mission was to baptized his dad.  Well, he got the dad off the booze and baptized him.  We thought this was a great story.

Spencer W. Kimball school

There is a school here named Spencer W. kimball, and it has nothing to do with Mormons.   Go figure?  Well, missionaries went to the school and talked to the head man about the book Book of Mormon.   He was very interested to have his students read the book for educational purposes.  He wanted each student to have a book.  The missionaries handed out 400 books!  We have many contacts already.

Why we don't speak Spanish really well

(we might have mentioned this before)

Kathy mentioned some time ago why it was important that we didn't speak fluent Spanish.  If we did, we may be a bit over bearing and not humble.  As it is, we could not be much more humble.  As a result, the spirit carries our testimony to the people.  Every time we have struggled through a testimony, it has been received very well.

Here we are eating Grandma Nettie's recipe, called shells.  Nettie is Gary's mom and "shells" are a family favorite.