Happy one year anniversary to us! A year ago on July 3rd we entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. A week later we arrived in Belize. Today, we took a picture to celebrate our one-year mission anniversary.
Having completed a year in the country, we needed to go to Belmopan, the capital of Belize, to renew residence documents at police headquarters. The main parliamentary building in the foreground is flanked by other government offices.
I'm holding my yellow umbrella in front of police headquarters. Elder Magnusson is standing under a....ahh, not sure what it is...
The sister missionaries requested a visit to the Altun Ha ruins on their preparation day. While we've posted photos on several previous visits here, we hadn't noticed this particular carved face before that the sisters are sitting next to. It is located behind one of the tall ruins.
The sister missionaries requested a visit to the Altun Ha ruins on their preparation day. While we've posted photos on several previous visits here, we hadn't noticed this particular carved face before that the sisters are sitting next to. It is located behind one of the tall ruins.
Sister Arteaga was brave and got the courage to hold this baby crocodile.
On our way to visit members on Caye Caulker on Tuesday, the water taxi stopped to drop off a passenger at this house on this in-the-middle-of-the-Carribbean Sea-dot of land. The land is no bigger than what is shown here. At least they don't have any problems with the neighbors....
Automobiles are not allowed on Caye Caulker island, just golf carts and bicycles. The bikes got us around just fine.
I couldn't resist taking a picture of these sea grapes that were growing along the Caye Caulker shore.
We had our district meeting on Wednesday which happened to be July 4th. As we picked up Elders Tupou and Wright from the water taxi , we were greeted with a cheerful, "Happy 4th of July." What's interesting about these elders is that they are citizens of New Zealand and Canada, respectively. It was thoughtful of them to wish us, citizens from the United States, a happy 4th of July!
Several weeks ago we showed the beginning of the septic tank and bathroom the elders quorum is adding to this church member's house. George Perteau, an elder in Belize City Branch and a seasoned mason, donates time on this project. He graciously allowed Elder Magnusson to help him, with tutoring of course!
After our planning meeting, we enjoyed typical chicken, rice and beans, potato salad, and fried plantain for lunch. Branch President Lemus was very happy that I offered him my chicken foot to eat!
After a two-hour drive, the Corozal chapel was our destination for church today. We park on the basketball court in the back.
During Relief Society I enjoyed studying the General Conference talk by Elder Larry Y. Wilson titled "Take the Holy Spirit as Your Guide". Elder Wilson talked about getting answers to prayers by telling a story that took place during the Korean War.
Ensign Frank Blair served on a troop transport ship stationed in Japan. The ship wasn’t large enough to have a formal chaplain, so the captain asked Brother Blair to be the ship’s informal chaplain, having observed that the young man was a person of faith and principle, highly respected by the whole crew.
Ensign Blair wrote: “Our ship was caught in a huge typhoon. The waves were about 45 feet high. I was on watch … during which time one of our three engines stopped working and a crack in the centerline of the ship was reported. We had two remaining engines, one of which was only functioning at half power. We were in serious trouble.".....
...The captain knocked on Ensign Blair's door. He asked, “Would you please pray for this ship?” Of course, Ensign Blair agreed to do so.
At that point, Ensign Blair could have simply prayed, “Heavenly Father, please bless our ship and keep us safe,” and then gone to bed. Instead, he prayed to know if there was something he could do to help ensure the safety of the ship. In response to Brother Blair’s prayer, the Holy Ghost prompted him to go to the bridge, speak with the captain, and learn more. He found that the captain was trying to determine how fast to run the ship’s remaining engines. Ensign Blair returned to his cabin to pray again.
Elder Blair's prayer taught me that as we pray, we ought to be seeking more proactive ways of receiving the Lord’s help and committing to act according to the Spirit’s guidance. He prayed, “What can I do to help address the problem with the engines?”
In response, the Holy Ghost whispered that he needed to walk around the ship and observe to gather more information. He again returned to the captain and asked for permission to walk around the deck. Then, with a lifeline tied around his waist, he went out into the storm.....
You can read the rest of the story about how Ensign Blair's prayers were answered, by clicking here.
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Some friends of ours who live outside the city dug a well on their land that, in addition to rain water, supplies all their needs. When asked if it ever goes dry, they answered, "Never; the water is endless. The well always has water."
Sure enjoyed the pictures and the captions. Very interesting. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary.
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