Volcano Pacaya 7-26-14

On Saturday the 26th we went with two other couples and two Senior Elders to Volcano Pacaya.  We heard its one of those things you have to do here to cross off your "Bucket List" so we went.  I am not real sure of my footing on rocks and crevices on a trail and I definitely not one for up hill.....so I took a taxi.  Ha, that´s what they call a horse ride up.  I wanted to ride a horse but the others said they would rather brave it. I was smiling the whole way and didn´t even break a sweat.  Was a saddle sore? Just a little. The others? Sore legs and hips, but claim it was good exercise.  But I was using my legs to hug the horse....I had exercise. Beautiful country and the temperature was perfect...just a little cool.  Clouds but no rain.  And here is what is interesting.  I could carry on a two or three Spanish word sentence.  Proud of myself.

 Horses have traveled this trail many times a day

 Getting the taxi´s ready

 Armando my taxi driver.  He walked the horse up the trail.  Its how it´s done here.

 A make shift little tienda that sells lava jewelry

 Elder Elieson in white shirt and Elder and Sister Snedaker at the Lava Store.

 On the trail for a rest.  The rest of the Seniors resting....I am smiling.

 At the base of the volcano

 Views from the trail

 Views from the trail

Looking up at the top of the volcano.  Last eruption was March of 2014.

 A visitor on the trail.  A Beetle.

Armando holding the Beetle

 View from the trail

 Base of the volcano

Volcano with some steam vents at the top.  My horse Chocolate in foreground

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We made it.

My best side....not.  A photo opportunity rest stop.

Pioneer Day 24th of July

Remembering the Pioneers.  So thankful I have a Pioneer Heritage

Central America President Carlos H. Amado released by end of July

On July 15th the Area Office gave a Farewell Party that started at 2 pm to 5 pm .for all employees and Senior Missionary couples. And then the evening activity was at 6:30 to 8:30 for the Mission Presidents and wives and for the Stake Presidents and wives.

Elder Burningham and myself attended the afternoon event that started with a meeting of honoring words of farewell and acknowledgement of President Amado´s service as Area President in Central America. His length of service spans over 26 years.

• Born 1944 Guatemala City, Guatemala
• Baptized 1953; Aaronic Priesthood as a youth; Melchizedek Priesthood as a young adult
• Married Mayavel Pineda; five children
• Branch President, Bishop, Stake President
• President Guatemala Guatemala City Mission
• President El Salvador San Salvador Mission
• Second Quorum of the Seventy 1989-1992
• First Quorum of the Seventy 1992-present
• Area President of Central America from1992 to present.

After the initial meeting, a reception serving foods from six different countries that President Amado served in. Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina and Chile were the countries he served.  It was fun to taste a variety of foods.

There were songs from all of the different countries that were beautifully sung.  A lot of them were quite lively.  It was a very nice presentation.  

They were honored with gifts of a Jade mask typical of Guatemala and a shawl that was elegantly woven for Sister Amado.

 President and Sister Amado's granddaughters visiting for the event

President Kevin R. Duncan will succeed President Carlos Amado on August 1, 2014

Saturday July 12, 2014 Exploring the plaza in Guatemala City, Guatemala

We were scheduled to meet the Governor of Zacapa to talk about some humanitarian projects that could be done in her district but the President of the country was coming out to see her at last minute and it cancelled our trip so what to do.  We tried to go to an archaeological  museum but it was closed so we called another couple to see what they were doing.  Central Market and the plaza in Guatemala City was on their agenda and invited us along.

 Elder Burningham getting a shoe shine for 4 Quetzals

 An old church towards the center of town

 Government building in the plaza of Guatemala City

 Hermana Lynda Hill and I walking in the plaza.

 Camera in hand, take pictures.

 Very old church in the plaza

 Government building and fountain

This is a great picture of plaza and old church in the plaza.

Elder B listening to a street vendor in the middle of that crowd sell some "Snake Oil"

Celebrating the 4th on the 5th with our Senior Missionary Couple friends here in Guatemala.

Since the 4th of July was on a Friday, the Senior Couples decided under the direction of Elder Mike Bingham that we should have our own barbecue at a church owned camp called Las Colinas.  The camp which was once a coffee plantation was purchased by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a camp to facilitate activities as Girls Camp, Scout Camp, Young Single Adult activities and other events.  We were told by Elder and Sister Bingham that it was beautiful but it was beyond beautiful.  Spectacular is more the adjective.

As part of the program there were songs sung, Star Spangled Banned, God Bless America and other favorites. The pledge of Allegiance was a profound must amongst us all. Also the Elder missionaries who served in the armed forces were asked to stand and talk about their lives in the military and what they did. My man was one of them and the only one that served in Viet Nam and had also served as a Stake Missionary there also.  I am posting a bunch of pictures here so I hope I can capture the great place that it is.

 Covered Picnic areas were everywhere...I couldn´t count them.

 Soccor fields

Covered picnic area.  Barbecue facilities were excellent

 Shower facilities and bathrooms.  They had excellent hot water shower facilities

Recreation and meeting hall

Elder Anderson and his guitar.  He played for all the songs we sang

 Sisters Kate Anderson and Arlene Bingham

 Elder Burningham speaking about his military service

 Elder Senior Missionaries speaking about their military service

 Flower found at Las Colinas

 Lining up for the food.  Barbecued chicken and hamburgers were the main course and then we all brought something to share.

 They built the fence around the trees

Sister Lynda Hill and myself at the picnic.  We are good friends.