Marvelous Missionaries

My missionaries took such good care of me on my birthday. They also surprised me with a cake and fireworks on top—a Dominican tradition.

The Biggest Surprise Ever!

Spence’s family came for my birthday!  I had no idea. Such a great gift!!!

Primary Choir

These precious children sat reverently for two hours and sang three songs throughout stake

conference.  It helps that they don’t have access to video games all day :)

The Streets When It Rains

Prepared for Anything

The solution when you’re asked to prepare a 5 min talk and when you arrive they want you to take 10 min or when you’re asked to prepare a 10 min talk and they cut your time to 5 min. However when you’re asked to speak and you didn’t know it beforehand (last night) you just have to rely on the spirit.

So Fun to Give

We were stopped at a light the other day and a beggar tapped on my window and asked for pesos. I gave him some money and he said he was hungry. I looked for a granola bar or something wrapped to give him and he pointed to the pita chips we had brought for dinner (always eating in the car) and said “lá funda”. I couldn’t believe he wanted our opened, crumbled pita chips but when I gave  them to him he was so happy. It’s amazing how little we have to give here to receive so much gratitude.

They've Got Mail!

The missionaries swarm when our assistants show up with their mail.

Like an Eskimo Describing Snow

Who knew there were so many kinds of white shirts?  I was washing some shirts elders had left behind so I could take them to a branch where new members needed them and found a “travel” shirt that’s a wrinkle free Oxford. It wears like iron.

Worth Watching to the End

Quote from one of our missionaries: This is not missionary “work" - This is missionary “joy”

A First for Everything

Riding in a carita for the first time. Sharing the passenger seat for 25 pesos each. The broken front window and duct taped dashboard doesn’t slow business a bit.

Paradox

The two girls (not standing) will be baptized today. I was struck by the contrast between their corrugated tin ceiling and their flat screen tv. 

The Front Porch

Going to Market

Now you know what happens with all the clothes you donate. Once we saw someone wearing a Ponte Vedra sharks T shirt (our daughter’s school).

Need a Ride?

These fancy cars are how our missionaries get around. They are a step down from a taxi (that doesn’t look a lot better) and cost far less. They may not have windows and there may be 6 people in back at one time but the engines run (most of the time).

All in the Family

Our missionaries with all the members of the family that they baptized.

AT LAST!!

After 39 years together this couple was married and baptized this week. Who led the way into the waters of baptism? First their grandchildren, then their children, and now the grandparents.

Touring Alone

Presidente had to make 55 phone calls on our p day Saturday, so I went exploring in the colonial zone.

It's Not a Record But It's Close

We’ve seen five adults on one moto.

Mormon Standard Time

9:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Returned with Honor

It was so fun to meet the family of this great Hermana who was released in January and came back to visit this week.