New Years Eve

 And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye have the riches of eternity. D&C 38:39

  The first picture we are with Hector Santos and his girlfriend. We went to Tony Roma's so we could get to know his girl friend who is from Guatemala. Night of the 31st we went to the Reyes for New Years Eve celebration. Bro. Pena is twerling a baton of fire.

 

 A couple, who are members of the church, put on a circus act.  He would shot an arrow and pop the ballons.  Sister Gibbons also got in on the act.

 This is a picture of our temple group with the 2 circus performers.

  Back row:Thompsons, Alas, Majano, Kitley,Gibbons. Front: Petersens, circus man, Us, circus lady, Gibbons.

A picture of the beautiful Christmas tree and center pieces on the tables where we ate dinner.

 

 On the left is a picture of what you see as you enter the house, double staircase.

Even the bathrooms were fancy.  A picture of the tolet in the bathroom off the dining area.  After we ate they had dancing.  Petersens and Reyes are dancing. At midnight they did fireworks, and we hug everybody and wished them a happy new year.

 

 

 

 

 

A group picture at the end of the party.  From left, Majano, Alas, Kitley, Bro. Reyes, Petersens, Sister Reyes, Thompsom, Wall, Gibbons.



Christmas Eve

"Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day ...a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11
 

 In the morning at 10:00am we were visited by a young man named Moroni Zalaya. He came to visit with Frank.  We started off the evening with a progressive dinner.  First appetizers at Kitleys.  Gibbons and Petersens in the picture. 

Next we had salad at Thompsons.  While we ate, she told the story of the Christmas Orange.  She had chocolate kisses wrapped in orange material.  We all shared a chocolate with Arleen Kitley who was the girl in the story.

Then we had the main course at Gibbons. They did the ham and rolls and we provided the cheesy potatoes and corn.

 

 Next we went to Petersens for dessert.  But first we had a gift exchange. Frank is holding some of the gifts we received.  A picture of the temple presidency, and the 4 senior Temple missionaries with the words "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened.  Also a wooden bird puzzle and a hanging felt tulacan bird.









Church with Mendez's

"But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come." D&C 59:23

 



The young children are always attracted to Frank and his magic tricks.  He did his coin magic tricks for the 3 boys on the right and then before we left the 5 boys came running up to him.  What a fun picture.

 

 

I set my camera on top of the car to get this picture of the four us. When we arrive back at the apartment the other seniors were just starting to eat so we were able to join them.  Then we got a picture on Petersens balcony with the temple in the background.

Flying

"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,  that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."  John 3:16

 Frank enjoyed a plane ride over El Salvador.  Pres. Petersen, Lon Thompson, Pilot Carlos Dardano, Dave Gibbons, Frank, and Trent Kitley went in this small plane.

These are two pictures taken from the air.  Left: over the Temple grounds, and right over a volcano crator.

Dinner with Olivia Family

"But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way".  Ether 12:11

We were invited to have dinner with the Olivia family. Children are Nephi, Abinadi, Moroni and Leslie. They love Franks games and majic tricks. 

 They had a nice meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables.  We brought a watermelon that we had for dessert.  The kids did not eat with us.  After dinner they had us join them in reading the scriptures and family prayer.

First Monday

 The day started with the Gringa brunch. Group picture front row: Celeste Mecham, Janis Neilsen, Melissa Ruble, Stephanie Dawson, Arleen Kitley. Back row: Eileen Petersen, Kristin Freestone, Nancy Thompson, Me, Sheralie Broadbent, Tracy McKay, Marilyn Gibbons,Delana Markland, and > .  .  .


                                                     

 We ate good food and did crafts.  Delana is showing us a Christmas tree craft.  I made it and a necklace.   It was a fun morning.  Then the men picked us up and we went to El Zocalo for lunch.
 Mexican food.



This night for Family Home Evening we went to two places in town with Christmas lights. Frank and I in the manger scene and the men standing with the wise men.





The first place was decorated all in blue lights.  The second place Frank is sitting on a bench with some of the many lights behind him. 

San Fernando

"yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator." Alma 30:44

 

 This Monday, Brother Lopez took us to San Fernando Restaurant for lunch.  It is on the other side of the volcano Boqueron. At the entrance is a beautiful tree and then a nice fountain.  Beautiful flowers throughout the grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 These pictures show some of the displays they had around the restaurant.  They did have a nice manger display with lights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We ate outside with a great view of the valley below.  Frank had a steak sandwich and french fries.  I had a grilled chicken breast.  It came with a whole green pepper, half an onion,both grilled, half tomato, and potato.

Frank is standing by a wall hanging made of bottle caps.

 

 A picture of the view, and of course some of the beautiful flowers.  We always have a good time on Mondays.



 



Group picture from left: Lopez, Kitleys, Us Walls, Thompson, Gibbons, Petersens

 

Thanksgiving

 

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold," D&C 78:19

 Sister Hall made these cute turkeys for us, and they were not even able to attend.  Frank put in some hard work and had to rest before the big meal.

We held our dinner in Kitleys apartment, 21 people attended.  Sister Kitley made hats for all of us, some Indian, some Pilgram hats. I made pies for the dinner, 2 pumpkin, 2 apple and 1 banana pie.  We had so much good food. I was happy to get this picture of Pres. Majano, Pres. Petersen and Frank together before we started the big meal. So many good things from God we are grateful for. 

 Left: Bishop Mendez and Carla.

Pres. Lopez and wife Gladis(on right) Her sister was visiting from the States and joined us. Lopez are so good to take us to our dentist appointments.

 

 

 Left: Lon and Nancy Thompson

 

Right:Marilyn and Dave Gibbons

 

Both are temple missionaries

 

 

 

 Left: Pres. and Sister Alas

 

Right: Pres. and Sister Majano

 

Counselors in the Temple Presidency

 

 

 

 Left: Trent and Arleen Kitley, Temple missionaries

 

Pres. Walt and Eileen Petersen

Temple President

 

 

 

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord" Psalm 92:1