January 16th

     It is hard to believe that another week has come and gone. Our week on the PM shift seems to go so fast. We don't get a lot done on that shift cause we sleep in, take our walk, read the scriptures, fix lunches, shower and eat and it is ready to head to the temple. But we do get a much needed rest from the early AM's and are refreshed and ready for two weeks of the early mornings. Luckily we were on the PM shift this week cause we were able to go to the Presidential Theater on the 16th to attend a concert. Rene Hernandez, the violin player in our ward, plays with the National Symphony and invited us to go. He picked Lon and I up, Sister Kitley was ill and the rest of the missionaries had to get up early for the AM shift so we were the only ones able to go. The Theater is not far from here. The concert was to commemorate the signing of the peace treaty that ended the war 20 years ago. The concert was wonderful. The orchestra performed Beetoven's 9th symphony with a guest Mezzosoprano from Mexico and the National Choir. The ending number was amazing with all participating. If you have watched Sister Act 2 you have heard it, The Ode to Joy, I think it was called in the movie. Two hours of music and it was wonderful. And yes, even Lon enjoyed it. It was cute though, after the concert we were waiting out front for Rene to get off stage and take us home. We met many people we knew from the ward, the stake choir and the temple. They were all so worried about us getting home safe. They didn't want us walking or taking a taxi. We are really looked after here.

     We had special guests this week here in San Salvador and at the temple. Elder Russell M Nelson, Carlos Amado, James Martino, L. Whitney Clayton and their wives are here for stake conferences. All the wives came to the temple on Saturday during our shift. What a treat. They are all so loving and kind and really carry a beautiful spirit with them. We were on shift and were able to help Sister Nelson with the English that she needed. The other women speak some Spanish. The men have been busy with meetings so today, before their meeting with the single adults, they are touring the temple. Pres and Sister Petersen have been so worried that everything would be perfect. They will be relieved when they leave and things get back to normal. Excitement has been in the air as the San Salvadorians welcomed an apostle of the Lord and members of the seventy to their country. These humble people love the Lord and his servents. It has been a good week.

     We have seen the winter weather that has hit most of you with a vengence. We hope you are all warm and safe. We continue to enjoy our sunshine. We do miss the flowers that bloomed so beautifully during the rainy season. The dry season brings only these changes, less flowers but still green leaves and grass, usually a breeze in the afternoons, and bugs. I saw the biggest bug I have ever seen today. Luckily Brother Kitley was there to take care of it. It had legs kind of like a daddy long leg but was at least 2 inches tall and the body was about 1 inch around with those big long legs. Yuk!!! Hopefully it doesn't have a family here.

     The temple has been steady this week. We are enjoying seeing the fruits of our labor as more and more of the temple workers learn to perform the temple ordinances with perfection. Many of them have difficulty reading so to memorize something is a big challenge. They are amazing. We love them so much. We are healthy, we are happy, we are busy. Life is good. Oh, Lon reminded me about our earthquake yesterday., I guess it hit in Mexico and it was felt in the temple yesterday. We had a few chairs moving but I didn't feel anything. I told the ladies that my world is usually spinning a little so it would have to be harder than that for me to feel anything. We send our love to all. Lon and Nancy