Blessings

     We had a family come to visit the dentists a couple of weeks ago.  Just wanted to make everyone aware of what a neat family they were.  They had 2 teenage children with them and several younger children at home.  They had been planning for 3 years to make the trip here.  They were able to stay for a little over a week.  During that time they went to the Mi Casa Dental Clinic and while they were there, they helped our 3 resident senior missionary dentists with screenings and work for future missionaries.  The oldest daughter was the assist for her father, the dentist.  The mom and son volunteered to clean the clinic.  When they got done, it was white glove clean.  They helped with dental work for the orphans as well.  The clinic serves five different orphanages with at least 2 of them having over 250 children.
    The oldest daughter had a birthday and asked that the money go to help purchase things for the trip. Her birthday money purchased toothbrushes and toothpaste to be given to the orphans.  They also spent a day or two at the orphanages having fun with them.
    They attended our branch service which was on Fast Sunday and had been practicing their Spanish well enough that the dad was able to bear his testimony without help.  He served a mission but it was not Spanish speaking.  An elder from the area translated the other 3 testimonies which were great, especially since was have so many youth who have just been baptized. They were especially good at taking time to visit with the members of the branch and were a great example to the members here.
   It is amazing to us how many people are willing to come here and offer their time and talents to help these people to have a better life.  Many of the Latino missionaries have had absolutely no dental care until they have an opportunity to visit the dental clinic.
   We have just finished zone conferences again and it was great to be able to visit with nine different zones of missionaries as the Pres. and Sister Stay gave them instruction.  One of the things that Pres. Stay taught was that the Lord knows everything that will happen to us as missionaries.  He is aware of the present, past and future all at the same time and each mission will be different, tailored especially for that missionary to learn what they need to learn to help polish them in the refiners fire.  We have certainly seen that as we have worked with those who are ill.  From skin infections to gallbladder/appendix surgery to diarrhea that just won't quit.  We have seen many different things that cause a missionary to look deep inside and have to rely on the Lord for guidance and for help.
    As we walk down the street here, perfect strangers wish you a nice day and give you a great smile.  As they leave the elevator on the way to the mission office, strangers will say "Buen Dia" as a courtesy.
    This week is change week.  We get to meet several new missionaries as they enter the mission from the CCM here as well as the old missionaries who are leaving to go home.  What an exciting time to see
how they grow and mature during their service for 18 months or 2 years.
    We were able to go to the temple to see the Santos family in our branch sealed.  They started at 7:00 in the morning and the sealing was at about 2:00 in the afternoon.  They bore their testimony of what a special experience it was to be able to be sealed as a family and be able to feel the Spirit of the Lord in the temple.  They encouraged those who are working toward that in the branch to press forward.  They expressed how difficult it was at times with different roadblocks that were placed before them.  They had set 3 different dates and finally made it.  With 3 teenage children that is quite a feat.
    They did express sadness that an older daughter from another relationship had been unable to go with them.  She is not a member but had mentioned some things that led them to believe she understands more than they thought, and they have hope that someday she will have a desire to be baptized.
   Sister Santos expressed how much they appreciate the closeness of the family considering that they were at the point of seeking legal counsel to get a divorce 2 1/2 years ago.  She felt that they were very blessed to have made it to this point but knew that the difficulties would not end there, even though they felt that they would be blessed very much for the covenants that they had made with the Lord.
   We have seen much growth in the branch in the last 6 months since we have been here.  It may be hard for them to see, but it is very obvious to us how they are growing and progressing.  Our Sunday School teacher is one of the best we have ever had and what a treat it is to hear the BOM taught from the mouth of a descendant of Lehi.  I'm sure that Dale would say it would be even better if he were speaking English.
    We love all of you, our family and friends and hope that you know that we are doing this for you and for posterity.  We have been blessed in so many ways throughout our life and hope to be able to spread some of those blessings to the people here in Guatemala as well as those we love at home.