New Calling

     Yesterday we had an appointment with President Morris.  He is the CCM (MTC) President here in Guatemala City.  He called Dad to serve as a counselor to one of the Branch Presidents at the CCM.  There are two branches there and one has been without a counselor for four months and the other counselor will be leaving the end of next month. The calling will entail being at the CCM each Sunday from about 7am to at least 12:30 and sometimes later if we stay for devotionals. Also, every third Wednesday if he is available, he would be there for missionary interviews.  Dad was happy to accept and then we realized we would have to leave our ward that we attend now.  We thought we would be with them for the entire time we were here.  President Morris asked if we could start today, but when he found out I was speaking in Sacrament meeting he said that was very important and he would see us next Sunday.  I will be helping Sister Morris with Relief Society things.

     So.....the talk that I thought would be easy enough today turned out a little more difficult because I knew it was our last Sunday with them.  I added a little paragraph to explain to the ward members where we were going.  After Relief Society I asked if I could take a picture of the RS sisters that were there.  They were all so sweet, after the picture they all had to give me a hug and tell me how much they would miss me.  I was in tears!  I thought I hadn't connected to many of them because of the language barrier, but these are such wonderful loving people here.  I have really enjoyed being with them!

    Here are a couple pictures of some of them.  The little 10 year old is Madison, we will really miss her. We have adopted her as a granddaughter!  

This 18 year old girl, Naomi, is working hard to save enough money so she can go on a mission.  She made sure she had my email address so when she gets her mission call in few months she can let me know where she is going.  Her brother Mahonri is also working for a mission.  Great family!!  

The older couple is Coni and Ronni Garcia.  Coni was probably the first person to try to befriend me, she served a mission as a young girl and leads the music in Sacrament meeting now.  She knows a little English because they lived in NYC for a couple years.  

The young couple is Pablo and Ligia Stephani Gomez.  She is amazing with English, works at a call center and has been my translator at church. She is also the one that Andy Thunell baptized as a young girl.

     I have attached a picture of some street art, goats!  As I mentioned earlier it isn't unusual to see a herd of goats going down the sidewalk of a main street.

     Certain places here in Guatemala and El Salvador, probably other places as well, sell honey in the little street markets.  I am sure it is just little family businesses because it is bottled in liquor bottles. These are some bottles another Senior missionary sister bought last week.

     Happy 24th of July everyone!!  Do a little celebrating for us!

  Love you!   MOM, Grammy