Emily and Christian Visit

Emily and Christian visited us in March.

March 15-20, 2018

As we traveled to Lake Atitlan, we made a few stops along the way - Tecpan for "pupusas," then on to the ancient Mayan ruins of Iximxe.

Cheese and/or bean-filled corn tortillas grilled
and then covered with cole slaw and salsa = pupusas.

Iximche.

While at Iximche, we saw some young, native Mayan women dressed in their "tipica" clothing. We wondered if we dared ask if we could take a picture with them, but didn't want to be too presumptuous. We decided not to interrupt their day. However, after a short while, we noticed that they were looking at us, pointing, and laughing. Finally they got up the nerve to ask: one said, pointing at me, "He's so big. Would you mind if we took a picture with him?"

"If you'll let us take some pictures too," we responded. (By the way, Emily has never looked so tall!)

That night, in Panajachel near Lake Atitlan, we enjoyed sharing our pizza with some of the local street vendors. 

We started by inviting one hungry-looking child.
By the time the evening ended,
our table was surrounded by new-found friends.

The next day, before leaving our motel, Pasado de Don Rodrigo, Christian and Jay couldn't resist  trying out the hammocks.

Life doesn't get
a lot better than this

Perfect!

It was a short walk from our motel to the lake.

Along the way, Christian and Emily gave toy cars
to some young boys.

Christian flew his drone far out over the Lake Atitlan.
The drone disappeared for quite a while, but returned safe and sound.

Takin' great photos.

We crossed the huge lake to the town of San Juan on the opposite shore.

We have arrived!

We took tuk-tuks up to the
honey production site.

We learned about Guatemalan bees. Interesting fact: they have no stingers. They are tiny, harmless, and don't produce much honey. According to Mayan custom, the honey from these bees has extraordinary healing qualities: curing eye infections, insect bites and sore throats. Who knows? It might work.

We next learned about the local fabrics and textiles.

Behind Christian and Emily is a cotton tree.

This instructor let Emily
pull and wind the cotton thread.

Emily and Trudy bought scarves made
with the two colors of blue from the Sacatintas plant.

Our next stop was in a lakeside village called Santiago. Everywhere you go in Guatemala, you see people piled in the back of pick-ups, so in typical Guatemalan custom, we climbed in the bed of an old rusty pick-up truck to take a tour of the city.

"Vamos! Hang on tight!"

Of course, we weren't the most
cram-packed pick-up on the highway.
Not even close!

We stopped at several points of interest as we drove around the city. Near a historic park, Emily saw a boy sitting with his mother.

Emily handed the boy a car
from a bag of toys that she and Christian had brought from the States.

The boy's sister wanted one too.

Within minutes, word spread through the poverty-stricken neighborhood
that gringos were passing out toys.
Christian came to help.

We ran out of toys, but had a bag of candy.

We passed out the candy until it too was gone.

All of the children were so sweet and appreciative.
We wished  we could have given them more.

On our way back to the boat,
Christian spotted some lip-smacking fresh beef steaks ahead.

But Emily wanted do more shopping before dinner.

"You need a special name on your pen? No problem."

(This vendor made a custom pen for Emily.)

That night, we made the 4 hour drive back to Guatemala City. The next morning, we drove to our branch in Pueblo Nuevo Vinas.

Emily gave the little girls in the branch sunglasses.
They were excited to look "just like her."

After church, we drove to the town of Taxisco, then directly south toward the Pacific Coast. There is a huge river barrier between the mainland and the coast. In order to get to the ocean, you either have to go across several toll bridges or take a two-car ferry. With Emily and Christian, we took the ferry.

"King of the World!" Goin' down the river!

Flyin' the drone as we go.

We arrived at the motel, Dos Mundos, in Monterrico.

A dip in the pool, and some virgin pina coladas.

All around!

The next morning, we had arranged a special boat excursion. We met our guide at 8 a.m., and his buddies shoved the small craft through the huge waves out into the ocean.

An adventure at sea.

At first we were a little nervous.

In fact, down right terrified!

But, after a few minutes, we relaxed and had fun.

Although we didn't get to see any whales,
Christian had the chance to try his hand
at fishing

Not only did we see no whales, we saw no fish either.

But Jay spied a pirate ghost ship. Eerie!

We all arrived safely back on shore.

We knew that sadly Christian and Emily had to leave the next morning, but we made one last visit to the old town of Antigua and bid a tearful goodbye to these fun guests.

Christian and Emily in Antigua.

An Apostolic Blessing

 Sister Sandra Jeffers welcomes Elder Cook

Jay and I, along with other Guatemalan missionaries, sat today in plastic chairs that filled the stadium-sized shelter which sometimes serves as a church parking lot. In that humble setting, we listened to the most profound, unforgettable words we have ever heard from an apostle of the Lord.

After testifying that Russell M. Nelson is God’s prophet, Elder Quentin L. Cook told us about a meeting in an upper room of the  Salt Lake Temple the Sunday after President Monson’s funeral. Elder Cook said that following Elder Ballard's anointing of Elder Nelson, Elder Oaks acted as voice while all of the apostles stood in a half circle and placed their hands on Elder Nelson’s head to set him apart as Prophet. Elder Cook said that during that experience there was no doubt that President Nelson was chosen to lead Christ’s Church, and that since being called as Prophet, President Nelson hasn't had much sleep. Elder Cook indicated that President Nelson has received so much revelation each night that he doesn't have time to sleep.

Elder Cook then went on to say that although we are told in Preach My Gospel not to share specifics about sacred experiences or talk publicly about sacred events, he felt a great “feeling of urgency” to be more specific in his testimony with missionaries and even with others. As an apostle and special witness to Christ he said that he was going to tell us something and then give us an apostolic blessing. He said he was going to say something that he wanted us to remember. He told us, “Write these words in your hearts, and write these words on paper.” He then emphatically said, “I know the Savior’s voice. I know the Savior’s face.” He continued, “Remember that I said this in front of 500 of you.”

Elder Cook then gave us an Apostolic blessing. He promised us many blessings, but the phrase that stands out most to me was the statement, “Everyone you love will be blessed by your service here.” He talked about parents, siblings and children (even future children for the young missionaries). He said,”Some of you have special challenges. I leave a blessing on you that you will be able to handle those challenges.”

Throughout our lives Jay and I have had the opportunity to hear many prophets and apostles testify that they have a knowledge of Jesus Christ, but Elder Cook's testimony was the most profound we have ever heard. The Holy Ghost bore testimony, and we knew in our hearts that Elder Cook has had a personal experience with the Savior of the World. Elder Cook has both heard the Savior's voice and seen the Savior's face.

We all had the chance to shake hands with Elder Cook and Elder Gong

When I served as Stake President of the BYU-I Eighth Stake, I had the opportunity to host Elder Cook at a special Stake Conference. The evening before the conference, Trudy and I sat with Elder and Sister Cook at dinner, visited casually with them for hours, and got to know both of them in a very relaxed and comfortable setting. We can't imagine anything but honesty and sincerity coming from them. We totally believe Elder Cook's solemn words of testimony.

During our mission, we have had the privilege to shake hands with 3 current members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles and one future Apostle.

Quentin L. Cook

Ronald A. Rasband

Dale G. Renlund

Gerrit W. Gong