Querido Familia y Amigos:
I had a sweet experience a week ago Friday night in the temple's Salon Celestial (celestial room). My assignment was to stay there until todos de las participantes were ready to leave. The last person in the room was a lovely woman who had been praying. How I love the customs here! She rose, came to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then wished me a buena noche. I wonder how many people I will shock at home when I greet them with a kiss! Isn't that how the Lord greeted and was greeted in his day?
I had a sweet experience a week ago Friday night in the temple's Salon Celestial (celestial room). My assignment was to stay there until todos de las participantes were ready to leave. The last person in the room was a lovely woman who had been praying. How I love the customs here! She rose, came to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek, then wished me a buena noche. I wonder how many people I will shock at home when I greet them with a kiss! Isn't that how the Lord greeted and was greeted in his day?
Sunday in Primary:
One of the Articles of Faith talks about the gifts of "tongues" or languages, and interpretation of tongues. Sister Giz, in black in the upper left photo, told us of a time she was staying in the Ronald McDonald house with her terminally ill son at a teaching hospital. An Arabic family was also there with their small son who was in heart failure.
One day in the cafeteria, the Arabic father received a phone call which he handed to Sister Giz. When she said hello, she learned she was talking to an stressed social worker who was trying to communicate to the father that there was nothing further that would be done for his son. The father didn't speak English and the worker wanted Sister Giz to tell the family they needed to leave the McDonald house two days later. Sister Giz was indignant at this poor communication and hung up on the worker! She then explained to the Arabic family (in English which they didn't speak) what needed to be done. She also bore her testimony about eternal families and that the parents would see their small son again. She said they understood her, and told us this was her modern experience with interpretation of tongues as a gift from Heavenly Father.
One day in the cafeteria, the Arabic father received a phone call which he handed to Sister Giz. When she said hello, she learned she was talking to an stressed social worker who was trying to communicate to the father that there was nothing further that would be done for his son. The father didn't speak English and the worker wanted Sister Giz to tell the family they needed to leave the McDonald house two days later. Sister Giz was indignant at this poor communication and hung up on the worker! She then explained to the Arabic family (in English which they didn't speak) what needed to be done. She also bore her testimony about eternal families and that the parents would see their small son again. She said they understood her, and told us this was her modern experience with interpretation of tongues as a gift from Heavenly Father.
Encuentre a mis nuevos compañeros que andan (meet my new walking companions and study-buddies):
These two women are teaching me Spanish and contentment. I was told in a blessing before we came here that Heavenly Father had specific blessings for me in Guatemala and here are two of them! Hermana Province is in Coban and the Peten (areas of Guatemala) this week with her husband. There have been outbreaks of dengue fever and chikungunya in the missionaries in the entire country. Dengue can kill and chikungunya has the missionaries hunched over with muscle pain. It can lead to permanent arthritis. The missionaries, being so young, think they are invincible and aren't taking the precautions they need to observe. Dr. Province says he doesn't intend to scare them, but to let them know the seriousness of the diseases. In the meantime, I have Hermana Rosales for walking in the mornings. It is really fun!
Museo Ixchel and Restaurante Nais:
Monday we went to the Ixchel Museum on the campus of the Marroquin University. I love the fabrics of Guatemala. This museum is all about them, the women who craft the various designs and what the designs mean. We followed that with lunch at Nais, a restaurant built around a large aquarium.
Museo Ixchel and Restaurante Nais:
Monday we went to the Ixchel Museum on the campus of the Marroquin University. I love the fabrics of Guatemala. This museum is all about them, the women who craft the various designs and what the designs mean. We followed that with lunch at Nais, a restaurant built around a large aquarium.
Happy Birthday to Grant Brady,
now 8 years old and ready for baptism!
now 8 years old and ready for baptism!
Happy 1st Birthday to Miles Brady!
Family Photos:
Not enough magic yet? Do it "my style" and go shopping with Mac and the Lord!
Little Things!
Tuesday night after the ordinance work was done, Hermano Aguilar (coordinator) danced into the roperia de los hombres (men's clothing area). This time he was carrying socks and shoes to be washed. It's great to be entertained when you're tired and all you want to do is go home. |
Not-so-little things:
Hermano Falabella of the Utitlan stake has dozens of family names prepared for his stake to bring to the temple, and the stake members come every Tuesday night. What am I learning? Put all those excuses aside and do your family history work - and take your ancestors to the temple.