Thankful to Be Missionaries

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.   We'll let the photos speak for themselves as they describe our lives and activities as senior missionaries serving in Belize. 

(Left) Jacob Ical recently baptized his son in the Succotz chapel. (Right) Missionaries in the Mayamopan Branch on Sunday. 

(Left) Leaders in the Benque Branch watch the Area Presidency conduct training via the internet on our laptop. (Right) A farmer in our village plants his field of corn.

We were able to celebrate our American tradition of Thanksgiving with these wonderful missionaries serving in Cayo. Elder and Sister Flake hosted our delicious meal.  

The four senior missionary couples met this week for training and to get to know each other.  We come from diverse backgrounds and places--Cincinnati Ohio, Alberta Canada, Southern California, and Hobble Creek Canyon Utah--yet we share in our love for serving and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We took some time out to visit the local Maya archeological site of Xunantunich, across the river from where we live. 

From left to right: Sister VandeMerwe, Sister Jensen, Sister Flake, Sister Magnusson.

Elder Flake, Elder VandeMerwe, Elder Jensen, Elder Magnusson

Xunantunich is a rather small cluster of temples and structures, but its tallest, imposing temple towers over the surrounding vegetation. The site was first visited by the British in the 1890's, and is believed to have reached its highest population and importance in AD 600-750.

This past week I posted on Facebook this video about the fires in our home state of California.  Youtube said this about the video:  "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined other groups to provide food, water, hygiene items and clothing to the victims of the Camp Fire that decimated the town of Paradise."

You can also see the video by clicking here.

When I posted the video, I got his response from our dear friends, the Stogners.  

"Our daughter and her family were living in Paradise when the fire storm ravaged their community. They fled with one car and little more than the clothes on their backs. Everything they left behind was reduced to ashes.

They came to us in Cedar City.  Our ward here has wrapped their arms around them, literally and figuratively, providing clothing, toys, personal items, comfort, and prayers.

Our hearts are full and our spirits rejoice in the goodness of our brothers and sisters in Christ!"