Monday, March 13 to Sunday, March 19

Monday, March 13, 2017

We are one year exactly from going home. Our release date is March 13, 2018.

This morning we spent in the hospital with two missionaries and their companions. One was in the emergency room and the other had an appointment with a dermatologist. Sister Bell went one way and I went the other. We were done by noon, so we took all 4 missionaries to PriceSmart for lunch. They really enjoyed that. They eat and eat and eat… boy can they pack it in.

In the afternoon, we got a call from the emergency room. Apparently they could not find the letter of guarantee of payment. So Sister Bell resent it. We got an email saying that they got it. We were pleased that this did not turn into a major problem. They have worked with us enough in the past to know that we can help them with problems they might encounter. We felt that this was a success story.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

We had our 3 zone conference for Villa Flor, Bello Horizante and Las Americas, the three zones in and around Managua. We did the same presentation that we did in other zone conferences, a test about their health cards. However, only 13 had their health cards, so we invited the 13 up front and they had a contest among themselves. All got candy as there was 12 questions and we came up with one more easy question for the last contestant. Sister Knowlton, helped with the questions, so she got a chocolate as well.

Sister Bell had a few sick missionaries to deal with and I gave out a few house supplies.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

We went to the Las Americas Zone Meeting this morning in Tipitapa. Our purpose was to train them in cleaning their apartment and to give the District leaders a new assignment to inspect the apartments when they are on divisions. We took donuts so they loved us.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

We took apartment items to Las Americas and Ciudad Jardin and inspected their apartments while we were there. As we were traveling to Ciudad Jardin, we got robbed. A window washer took a molding off the passenger side of the car.

This is the second time this part has been stolen. He tried to steal the same part on the driver’s side but was unsuccessful. We stopped him before he could take it. We did see the other side until later. These young men (mostly) are at most of the signals. We have some near our house that we have become very familiar with. We have even given BoMs to a couple of them. But this was a different intersection, where we don’t normally go.

 It has a lot of street vendors. This one man was selling a car cell phone charger to a man in the car in front of us. He had things on his arms, hands, around his next and on his head. To make change he had to move items from one side to another and even change the item on his head. He also had to use his mouth to hold things. It was quite amazing. 

We went to dinner at the Helbergs tonight. We always enjoy a free dinner.  For fun Elder Helberg played recordings of some or our favorite 60's and 70's songs.  It was fun to go down memory lane.

Friday, March 17, 2017

We stayed at home for a few hours waiting for the repair men to come and maintain our air conditioning unit in my study, but they never came. We then ran some errands before going to the office. We ended up staying at the office until almost 6pm.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Today was pay day. We stopped by President Cruz’s house in Trinidad. Maria Clara was not ready for a lesson, but we talked with her and her mother about their experience at the temple this week. They were still on cloud nine. They were both very happy and were still glowing. We looked at their pictures and shared a sweet moment with them. We then went to Yassers house and visited with his wife. She too was on cloud nine. She also had modest clothes on, which was a wonderful relief. We gave her a bag of sister missionary clothes that have been left when the sisters went home. She bought some beautiful, modest clothes with the money we gave her, based on the pictures we saw of them at the temple.

We took the Koellikers to lunch at Rosti Pollo. The Lees were with us. We celebrated Sister Koellikers birthday, which is next week.

We have district conference today and tomorrow. Four of our men, 2 from Condega and 2 from Pueblo Nuevo were interviewed for the Melchezedik Priesthood this afternoon. They will be presented tomorrow in the Conference for a sustaining vote. We then had a General Priesthood Meeting, a leadership meeting and choir practice. Sister Bell played piano for all the meetings and for the choir practice.

Afterwards we went to the Koellikers for dinner and cheesecake.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

We had District Conference today. President Acevado was released after serving 6 years and 8 months as the District President. We have truly loved serving with him and am sad to see him released. We have grown to love him and appreciate his leadership. We have tried to work closely with him in building the kingdom. President Rivera is the new President. He was the 1^st Counselor.

President Cruz, his family and Yasser were asked to bear their testimony about their experiences at the temple. It brought tears to our eyes, especially Maria Clara's testimony. 

Today was a red banner day. Noe and Freddy from Condega; Jose and Hilario from Pueblo Nuevo were ordained Elders today. I was asked to ordain Freddy and I assisted with Jose and Hilario. I did not get in the meeting soon enough to participate with the ordination of Noe. In fact, he had asked me to do it, but I was helping missionaries while they were waiting, and I didn’t get back soon enough. I am proud of each of them.

It was fun to see the members from Somoto, Pueblo Nuevo, Condega, Trinidad and Dario come today. We were excited to see them and they were excited to see us. We gave them big smiles, hugs and handshakes. Sister Bell played the piano again and I sang in the choir. I think it sounded OK. There were more people today than there was 6 months ago. In fact, the overflow rooms filled up. Several people went home because the TVs did not work in some of the overflow rooms. But all in all, the conference was inspirational. President Poncio spoke in all the sessions. He is a gifted speaker. I don’t know when he prepares, because he is constantly on the go.  We have a great love and respect for him and Sister Poncio.