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.

Building Top View I have posted some pictures of our surrounding area before but today I had a special opportunity. I climb the stairs in our building for exercise and noted that the area through which you can access the very top of the building was open. I went up there and took my version of 360 degree photos. Just wanted to share more photos of the beautiful city where we have lived for more than 9 months.

Communications Department Annual Seminar, May 11-12, 2023 Once a year the Communications Department brings the six Country Directors from Central America and the seven Regional Directors from Guatemala together for a seminar. It is a big event and takes a lot of planning, particularly by Jeniffer. Most the participants are flown in and some bring their assistants, or spouses with them. This year the event was in Guatemala City at the Area Offices. That was nice for us since we only had to drive a short distance to everything. The first day was mostly trainings by various people. They did a good job. We are blessed to have many talented people in these callings who taught on important topics. The meals at the office were catered by a local brother and his company and were delicious.  That evening, we walked to a restaurant not that far from our apartment where we met the rest of the group for dinner. We enjoyed typical Guatemalan food and visiting. I inlcude this picture to show mos...