Guatemala Conference

It was a pretty usual week here in Guatemala so I didn't get many pictures.  We did see about 62 new Latino missionaries for dental screening at the CCM.  That is always a highlight except our computers gave us problems and we lost about half the x-rays we took.  That makes the next couple of weeks pretty interesting when the Elders and Sisters come in for their work.  

I was at the local grocery store the other day and saw this green thing walking around. It took me a minute to figure out it was a young boy on stilts and holding onto two long poles and everything was covered in greenery.  I asked to take a picture and this ballerina joined in.

I have been trying to get a picture of this green structure while it was in use for a while.  It is on the last corner that we turn before reaching the clinic, so just a block away.  I was very surprised to see it when we were first here, but now I am quite happy it is there.  Every day as we drive I see some man who could use it, but instead just stops where he is.  It doesn't matter if it is on a busy street or not, or if there are lots of people around or not.  Amazing.

I have probably mentioned the flowers at the CCM, but every time I go there, which is every week, they are in bloom!  I don't know how they do that but they are beautiful!

We had a Guatemala Country Conference today that originated in SLC.  Our former Area President conducted the meeting and then spoke to us along with two other Spanish speaking people.  One was Sister Aburto, the second counselor in the General RS Presidency and Elder Ulisses Soares, a Seventies President.  Elder Ballard was the last speaker.  We didn't think we would be able to see it in the CCM, but to our pleasant surprise they cancelled our other meetings and we enjoyed this meeting.  Luckily they translated it into English which I really enjoyed.  Elder Ballard said that this life is a test.  Whose invitation will we except, Jesus's or Satan's.  Do we choose peace and happiness or the opposite?  We need to keep focused on the simple doctrine of Christ by doing those things we are always taught and reminded of: personal prayer, time in the scriptures, attending the temple, fasting, etc.  It was a pretty basic talk but given so well and with so much love we could feel of his spirit. I so appreciate all of these good men and women who spend much of their lives encouraging us and sharing their love and testimonies with us of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am looking forward to Christmas this year and the simpleness of it down here for us.  I am so thankful for the gospel and the guidance it gives us. My life would be so very much different without it that I don't want to even imagine it.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here and help these people and for future opportunities that I don't even know about yet!  I am so thankful there is a plan and that Heavenly Father knows the beginning from the end.  The gospel is true!  

Love you all!!   Have a great week!     MOM, Grammy