Ned & Mary in Guatemala

Local High-Rise Building Projects I have previously commented on the significant number of high-rise apartment buildings within view of our building. Crews have started one project just across the street from us looking east. They haven't worked on the site for a while and I don't know why. However, I took the picture to show the very large backhoe in the bottom. I don't know how they plan to get it out, but that will be some challenge.

  Archeologist, Richard Hansen for FHE A well-known archeologist in these parts, Richard Hansen, came to our Senior Missionary FHE, which we have most Tuesday evenings, to share some of his knowledge accumulated over more than 40 years.  In the above picture he is talking about something created by the ancient Mayans. This is an artists rendition of the huge highways they created mostly to carry farming produce to various locations. As you can see, they run through swamp-like areas from which the Mayans took very rich mud to use in their farming. Evidently, this was key to their farming success. These are pyramids found in the area that were cleaned up a bit. They dated back to 300 AD.

Senior Missionary Hootenanny - June 2023 These two were the musicians who played the guitar, ukelele and harmonica. The one on your left is Elder Kenn Turley from Utah and the one on your right is Elder Wayne Arnett from Arizona. The music stands were prepared by Sister Sharon Turley along with six pages of the lyrics we could sing along with. There was a flashlight under the red plastic to represent a camp.fire

Community of Taxisco I thought I would share a little information I picked up regarding the community of Taxisco, where we attend a small branch. It is within, what would be the equivalent of a state, Santa Rosa. Going back a few years, Taxisco had a population of about 30k and roughly 57% of them were considered poor. We have visited several families in the branch that are getting by on very little. They seem to be able to find peace and happiness in spite of that.

Ladies Lunch Bunch  Once a month or so, sisters who are full-time missionaries or the wives of  mission presidents, general authorities or US dignitaries, get together for a pot-luck lunch. They have a great time together, get to speak English, and Mary always brings back some great leftovers.