Breaking Belize News......

The Belize Breaking News of the week is the moderate temperature! This week has been in the low 70's and it rained hard first of the week.  We had a speck of actual coolness in the air as we went on a walk early Friday morning. It was funny to see the locals and school children standing at the bus stops wearing hoodies or sweaters, nearly all of them. And we were walking by them feeling like true freedom had arrived to Belize.  We've had windows open while we've slept this week. A church member told me that Belizeans are amazed at the tourists from the U.S. walking around in Nov and Dec in short sleeve shirts and shorts having a wonderful time, and they are bundled up in sweaters and jackets feeling cold in the 70 degree weather.

Were we really in a speedboat on the streets?  Nope, this was taken in our pickup truck as we navigated a flooded area on our way to Zone Conference.  

Speaking of Zone Conference, we had the opportunity to house the sister missionaries the night before our meeting.  It is always a pleasure to have them here.  They remind me of our own daughters and it was fun to make a home cooked meal for them.  We also had some friends from the branch over to join them for dinner.  

Also arriving in Belize City on Monday night was Elder Cordón and his wife along with Pres. and Sister Adams.  Elder Cordón (front row, right), a native of Guatemala, is a member of the Seventy, and counselor in the Central America Area Presidency.

Elder Cordón invited the church leaders of the Belize City area to dinner so we could share the strengths and challenges facing families in Belize.

Elder Cordon then told us that what will preserve families and the children now is everyone studying the Book of Mormon daily as families and individuals. It was a powerful, direct message over the dinner table.  Elder Cordón's direction--which actually is President's Monson's-- is that we need to be focused on studying the Book of Mormon daily as families and individuals.  This will preserve our faith in Jesus Christ as well as fortify our children. 

Tuesday morning was Zone Conference training with all the missionaries serving in the country of Belize.   

We were well taught by Elder Cordón, President Adams, and the mission assistants.  

On Saturday we attended the Seminary Super Saturday activity.  Seventy youth from all over Belize gathered together in Orange Walk.  The theme of the conference was: Put On The Armor Of Righteousness - Fortify Yourself Against The Adversary

The Youth found messages from the scriptures on being strong as they build "fortresses" and experienced an "attack" on their own "cardboard" fortress that they were defending.  

This week we have continued to visit with our investigators and teach them about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I have enjoyed reading and discussing the scriptures from the Bible and Book of Mormon with them.  President Hinkley promised that as we read The Book of Mormon, "...there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God."