Just to let you know my Spanish is improving. I am now taking lessons once a week from a former teacher down the street. I have a feeling that the Lord is going to continue to send us to Latin American countries until I have a better understanding of the language. We will have been in Peru, Bolivia and Costa Rica for a total of 6 years. Wouldn't you think I would be fluent by now. I blame it on my age.
December was a wonderful month. Each year the temple has a Christmas Concert in the parking lot of the temple. A number of stake choirs perform Christmas numbers. One of the best was when this group of Primary children performed the Nativity scene while their choir sang "Silent Night". They were the last number and their parents had quite a time keeping them quiet and under control they were so excited.
Each Sunday we visit a different ward and speak in Sacrament Meeting. One Sunday we went to what is known as a casa capia, The branch holds their meetings in a rented house. They don't have enough members to merit a chapel as yet. This home sat on a hilltop and had this beautifiul view. They also had a swimming pool (gated). If you have to be in a casa capia I guess this is as good as it gets.
This is Brother Valverde. He is a temple worker two days a week and we have a common bond with him. He is the grandfather of one of our great grandsons, small world. He is a wonderful man and we enjoy our friendship with him. Each year the Presidency of the temple holds a dinner for all of the workers. This was in the chapel behind the temple. They had a great meal and entertainment. Our temple choir sang, and each of us wore a flower.
We knew that an old friend of ours (Bob and Katrinka Blunt) worked in Costa Rica but weren't sure where or how to get in contact with him and his family. The first Saturday we were at the temple he showed up. What a surprise!! His parents were some of our dear friends in Escondido. Ted worked for Harborlite which was owned by his dad. We were invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with them.
Because Christmas is a little lonely for us missionaries, we decided to take a short trip to northern Costa Rica. President and Sr. Craig, Brother and Sister Haws (missionary couple from Arizona and Ted and I planned a trip to Quachepelin. We stayed in a hotel surrounded with beautiful trees and shrubbery. We saw this Lemur in one of the trees and there were hundreds of small greet parrots as well.
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The Brahma is very popular in Costa Rica. They are all over the countryside. This matching set was at the hotel and were pulling a cart where people could have their picture taken for $10. We were in a hurry to go to our adventure tour so didn't get the chance to take advantage of it.
This young man was our tour guide. Sr. Craig and I went on a nature hike instead of the adventure tour. He spoke excellent English and we got to see many variities of snakes and frogs in cages. We hiked to some waterfalls and joined our husband for lunch. After lunch, he came strolling into the restaurant with this boa constrictor that he had found out by the horse corral behind the hotel. He had grown up owning snakes and felt very comfortable with this beauty. We kept our hotel door closed the rest of the time we were there.
As I mentioned Ted, President Craig and the Haws took the Adventure tour which included horseback riding, tubing, ziplining, lunch and the hot mineral springs. This is Ted on the left. He had so much fun.
This is the group with their ziplining gear on. Ted, the Haws, and President Craig. They had to talk him into it and I'm not sure if he has forgiven them still.
This is Ted. He decided to zipline upside down. There were a total of 9 lines. If we ever go ziplining again I'll probably try it.
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On this particular line they had to zip to the platform and then push themselves out and swing over to another platform for another line. I'm not that brave.
After a very long day, it was wonderful to sit in the hot mineral baths. There were a number of pools and a mud bath where you could cover yourself in mud. It's supposed to be great for the body. We didn't think it was such a great idea.
I hope you don't think all we do is vacation. Most of the time we are serving in the temple and praying that we will make a difference as we try to encourage the members to come and feel the Spirit that is in the House of the Lord. One of our couples is leaving to return home after 18 months. We really need another couple, preferably with some Spanish. If you know of anyone that would enjoy this wonderful experience please let us know.
We are so blessed with such a wonderful family and friends. May you all have a happy and healthy New Year.
Love to all,
Ted and Sharon
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