Our temple closed for the next two weeks for cleaning and repairs. We let our closest friends know that this is the time to take us anywhere they want us to see and we are having a few over for dinner. We need to use this time to say goodbye as we won't have the time or energy once the temple opens again. It is so strange to know that our time here is so short. The Petersen's flew out on Monday to Minnisota to be with family, especially a grandson they have never seen. They will return next Monday. We always miss them so when they are gone.
Our new missionary couple, the Clarks, arrived last Thursday. They are great and will be a great asset to the work here. They are from Arizona. They came to the temple for the Saturday PM shift and they are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and dig in. This is their second mission to a Spanish temple, having served in Monteray, Mexico. There they were the only English Couple so they are thrilled to have a family this time, not only us, but Sister Clark's sister is the wife of the Mission President, the Glazers!!
Today, Carlos Ortiz arranged to take us and the Walls on a trip to the center of town. (the Clarks were with the Glazers all day) We went first to the Presidential Palace.
He hired two taxi's to haul us around and the drivers and Carlos were our body guards and guides for the day. The palace is being renovated after a fire and an earthquake. They are not quite done yet but it is beautiful. This is in the Blue Room.
The royal family doesn't live here anymore and most of the government business has been moved as well. It is more of a museum on the top floors with offices and a library on the ground floor. Below is the Red Room.
It has pictures around the walls of all the Presidents of the country in it. It was facinating to read about some of the history of El Salvador from the governments point of view. We visited the Yellow and Pink Rooms and the grounds were amazing. You will have to come to visit me when we get home to see the rest of the pictures though. I just can't post them all here, I think we took about 50.
We were amazed that after we left the Palace, we actually WALKED right down the center of town to the Excuarter.
This the the down town that no one has ever allowed us to even get out of the car to see. But with our drivers and Carlos, we felt very safe, except for Sister Wall. She was real glad to get out of here. The Excuarter is a huge market filled with hundreds of shops selling any kind of souvaneir you can imagine, and some you have never imagined. It was almost overwhelming because it was so big. Carlos made sure that anything we wanted to buy was at the lowest possible price.
We send our love to all. We hope that spring will be kind to you and you will not have too much wind. We have decided that the Lord is preparing us for our trip home by sending a lot of wind here. Our backyard has been torn up and they are putting in a subdivision so we have dirt blowing, really looks like home. We can't even eat on our patio now because of the blowing dirt and loud machines that work 7 days a week. Have a great week. You are in our thoughts and prayers always. Lon and Nancy, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom
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