MOnday, June 12 to Sunday, June 18, 2017

Monday, June 12, 2017

We spent the day at the Apoyo resort; eating, swimming, playing games, breaking a pinata and just enjoying each other.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

We woke up to rain. We went to breakfast at the outdoor restaurant. The oro pendula were very active in the tree. These are black birds with yellow tails that build hanging nests in the trees. It is very interesting to see these big birds fly to the hanging nests and go inside.

We then went to the Masaya Market

 

 

Then to the Volcano Masaya

We had gaters for dinner at the Asado al Patio. A gater is a beef tenderloin, long like a gaters tail. It is best beef we have had in the country. The Lees and the Helbergs came by to meet the kids.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Dan and I spent the morning looking for a charger for their camera. We looked and looked, going to 5 or 6 places and called another 5 or 6 stores. We not only didn’t find one but we didn’t find a store that sold cameras. We are not sure there is a store in Nicaragua that sells cameras.

Paul’s family flew to Salvador this afternoon. We loved having them here.

We then packed up the car and drove to Selva Negra, north of Matagalpa.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

We stayed in a three-bedroom cabin. It was rustic but very comfortable. The country side was very beautiful and green from all the rain. It rained on and off while we were there, but we ate, watched monkeys, hiked and rode horses during the non-rain period. We left about noon and having had a late breakfast, we didn’t eat until midafternoon in Esteli.

We went to Pueblo Nuevo for the Noche de Hermanimiento. We had a good turn-out, 19 including us. Elder Meneses taught a lesson about Charity. I spoke a little, mostly to introduce Kim and Dan, who bore their testimonies. We are very proud of our children. Kim and Dan are very committed to the gospel and are making a difference with their children and those they have contact. That influence is felt all over the world. We then played Fruit Basket, which was a lot of fun. Then Kim and Dan gave out shirts, ties and a few woman’s clothes. The members appreciated the gifts.

Friday, June 16, 2017

We spent the day in Somoto Canyon. President Alaniz came with us and helped get us set up with two other guides. The water was very high and dirty, but we still enjoyed it. The kids wanted to go the full length which would have required a lot of swimming. The guides recommended we not do that because the water is very dangerous now. So we elected to do the lower half, the same trip with did with the Lees and Koellikers in February.

We had lunch in Condega and then walked a suspension bridge on the way back to Esteli.

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Happy Birthday to Synnova and Isa

We ventured into the mountains above Esteli to see the rock art done by Alberto Gutierra. The road down was muddy, but fortunately, none of us fell. Alberto greeted us but didn’t go with us to see his work as he was feeling alittle under the weather. It was a good thing he didn’t come because it began to rain on us and did so all the way back to the car. But a little rain did not stop us from having a good time.

After finding some medicine for a missionary, we went to lunch at the Koellikers. They are wonderful hosts and Laurie is a wonderful cook. We left full and happy.

We then went to the Noche de Hermanimiento in Somoto. We got there a little after 5pm (it was supposed to start at 5) to find Elders Alofipo and Garcia. People started to come about 5:30pm. They were all happy to meet the kids. Elder Asplund showed a video and then gave a short message. President Alaniz also talked and expressed his love for us. He was very kind in his remarks. We then played a game, ate cake (after singing Las Marinitas to Synnova) and gave out shirts. We had a wonderful time.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Happy Father’s Day. The best Father’s Day present I could have received is to watch my children be wonderful parents and dedicated disciples of Christ. We saw this first hand this week with Kim and Paul. They love their families, are teaching their children correct principles and are committed to their membership in the Church. We have been very proud this week and have enjoyed their company immensely.

We attended church in Trinidad. It was raining heavy this morning, so not very many people came. We arrived a few minutes early (it was supposed to start at 9am), but no one arrived until about 15 minutes late and we didn’t start until about 9:45am. President Cruz, who has a car, was out gathering members and bringing them to Church. Henry bore his testimony. I translated for Henry. Then Synnova bore her testimony in Spanish. Dan had translated for her and she read it but her pronunciation was very good. Kim then talked and Dan translated. She talked about listening to the spirit for it is the same in every language. She related a story of a Chinese national that is married to a foreigner and therefore is a member of their branch. They had a lesson about the temple, and at the end of the lesson, she came up to Kim in tears because she was so concerned about those Chinese members who can’t leave the country to go to the temple. Dan talked and then I talked. I expressed my love for our children and read Grandpa Thomas favorite scripture in 3 Juan 1:4, “No tengo yo mayor gozo que este, el oír que mis hijos andan en la verdad.” We love and are proud of our children.

Kim and Dan handed out more shirts and ties. The members really appreciated the gifts.

We had lunch in Sebaco and then Sister Bell, Synnova and I drove to Matagalpa to give medicine to a missionary. Kim, Dan and Henry stayed at the restaurant. We arrived home about 5:30pm, ate spaghetti, played games, and talked with Paul, John and Steve. It was a good day.