Where's Waldo?

Good Afternoon Everyone!  Sunday afternoon again and I am relaxing in my recliner and writing you all!

First I have to tell everyone, especially Martin that I finished Jesus the Christ this week!!! Yeah!  I really enjoyed it and it has only taken me 14 months.  (slow reader) I am now reading a book by President Nelson titled Hope.

There have been a few changes at the CCM lately since we have a new President there. We use to do one devotional every six weeks now we have one every week.  We have three different ones that we rotate.  Today it was on Tithing and Keeping the Sabbath Day holy.  Next week it is on Gathering Israel and the third week Larry gives one on Ordinances to the Elders and I help the CCM President's wife with a modesty devotional for the Hermanas.  Then we start over again.  President Hill is really trying to get Dad and I to stay a little while longer here in Guatemala. He says that we are just what he needs.  Last week he was asking for six months, this week he is pushing for just two more.  Dad told him he didn't think we could do that.  Rich Call, our dental overseer in Colorado is still gently trying to get us to stay also.  He wrote an email to our Zone leader telling him our release date was in October.  Then later sent another email saying sorry it was really May, but he was trying to get us to stay longer.  If we were coming home in January, the middle of the winter, we might consider it.  But May is a perfect time to come home to Cache Valley so we aren't easily swayed.

Last week was a little busier in the Clinic because the kids here are finally back in school.  We got new computers at the Clinic and you know how that goes there are always a few glitches so Dad and I went in Friday morning so I could spend a couple hours on the phone with the computer guys back in the States while Dad repaired hand pieces.  I was only able to get 3 of the 5 computers going so they could view x-rays, I will keep working on that one. Pretty scary when a person who knows as little as I do is dubbed the IT person at the Clinic.  Good thing I have people I can call on to help me.

Saturday we went for a couple of walks here.  Our car need servicing so we took it in at 8:00 in the morning and then walked home.  Around 11.00 it was finished so we walked to get it and stopped to do a few errands on the way.  We took a few interesting pictures on our walk to share with you. One is a "where's Waldo" only you need to find Grandpa Larry.  

On another we noticed some men working up on a crane, we thought, but wasn't sure so I zoomed in with my phone. 

The third is a massive tree we passed.  

Last picture is my neighbor’s door across the hall.  I am standing in my doorway.  Generally, both of our doors are open, but she isn't home now.  I will miss that when I leave.

Hope everyone is well and happy.  We both had colds several weeks ago and the cough is just hanging on, but other than that we are doing great.   

Love you one and all!!    

MOM/Grammy (but secretly) TION

Goats and a puppy

Sunday started early for us today.  We were up at 5:30 and had to be at the CCM at 7:00 for Dad's first meeting. We got home around 1:30 which was pretty good, last week it was about 4:00.  I am really getting spoiled here on Sundays.  We eat dinner with the missionaries after our meetings and so when we get home I don't even go into the kitchen until 6ish or so, and then it is just something light for supper.  

It was still a kind of slow week at the clinic this week, but we got the schedule much more full for next week. The children are back in school. Yeah!  I like to keep busy and that helps our goal of helping as many kids here with dental needs as we can while we are here.  It also helps the time move more quickly.  I have found things to do, but a good dental schedule is high on my list. 

We found a couple of interesting bugs at the clinic this week.  The first is an Esparanza Bug or Good Luck bug.  It is a large green bug that kind of looks like a grass hopper.  It's body was about 4 inches long. The people don't hurt these bugs because they are suppose to bring good luck and because they eat other bugs.  

The other was a large caterpillar.  I don't know anything about this one, other than it was pretty interesting and large.

Cheeky, the Clinic dog had only one surviving puppie this last time she had pups and here are a couple pictures of him, at least I think it is a him.  Dad thinks he is pretty cute.

We hadn't seen any goats for a while until last week we saw two groups of them.  Dad got these pictures for me while waiting for traffic. Can you see what the lady is doing in the two pictures? Yes, she sells the goats milk right there on the street.

We had a cold spell the last week or so and we got down to 49 degrees one morning.  We have our little space heater going almost full time. I know that doesn't sound very cold, but when there is no heat in the apartments, churches, Clinic or almost anywhere, you can get pretty chilled by the time you get home in the evening.  I have been wearing my thin thermal bottoms or we call them leggings here, under my scrubs.

Well, keep warm everyone! and enjoy this beautiful winter because it only lasts for a little while.  And have a good week. We love you all!

MOM/Grammy

New Computers!

Good Evening Everyone!!

     It has been a while since I have sent an email out.  So sorry, but I am determined to get one out tonight.  It was a busy week for us, well some of it was.  

     Monday and Tuesday we went to the Clinic where it was a little slow, the school children are still out of school so we only had future missionaries.  Wednesday, Dad went to the CCM and helped with interviews with the new missionaries that had just arrived and I stayed home and caught up on all the everyday things that needed doing.  

     Thursday morning we took care of the dental screening at the CCM for 81 missionaries and then we were back that evening for the orientation with the new kids.  

     Friday we went to the Clinic and worked with our IT guy getting our new computers up and going, which took all day.  OK, so they really aren't new computers, but they are new for us.  They are probably about a year old, but several people got new computers at the Area Office so we got the used ones: 6 laptops and one desktop that has the computer and screen as one unit.  The screen is about 18 inches so we are using it to look at x-rays with, wow what an improvement!  It does have a touch screen, so we have to be careful not to touch the screen when pointing out something on the x-ray.  Tomorrow Dad and I will work on getting the software for the x-ray sensors installed and a backup program working for the server. 

    Dad has been busy trying to get a Panoramic X-ray machine here at the Clinic ever since he got to Guatemala.  It is a slow process, two steps forward and one back.  But last week we were able to get the money in for the down payment and we have the 220 wiring installed now so it looks like this is really going to happen.  We are really excited about this, we hoped it would happen before we left.  I have added a picture of the new computer and our IT guy.

    Oh, I almost forgot.  Saturday we went to the Movie, "The Greatest Showman" with Hugh Jackman.  We really liked it.  It is the story of P.T. Barnum and his circus.  It is rated PG and has a lot of song and dance. Dad and I remember going to the circus as kids so it was really interesting for us.  The soundtrack has been high on the charts for a couple of weeks also.  

     I had to add a picture of us with Francisco.  He is an orphan with Tio Juan and he helps us by cleaning the Clinic on weekends.  He just finished his education where he got an advanced degree in computers.  I am not really sure what that means but he is now trying to get a job.  We are really hoping he finds one because to stay there at the facility he is at, he either needs to be in school or have a job.  He has started learning English with Duolingo and is doing pretty good.  He is really petite.

    I have to add some pictures here of our Christmas adventures.  Perhaps you have seen some of these, but they are among our favorites.

    It has been an emotional week for Joni, BJ and Reggie.  Thanks Joni and BJ for all your loving care!  It looks like you have Reggie up on all four again after his surgery.  I am sure you all are feeling a little lighter, especially Reggie, about four pounds worth.

    Take care everyone!  And stay warm, especially the Hanks.  I see you have been in the single digits again.  Never fear, Spring is coming.

     Love you all and hope you all have a wonderful New Year and prosperous in every way!!     MOM/Grammy

spinning yarn

cruising the town

tradition clothing and headdress

this cute old lady is on one of their coins

at the CCM after church

not sure who this is

on the way to home from Tikal

Iximche mayan ruins

Wesley got his wisdom teeth out!

McDonalds