Wednesday/Thursday in Guatemala

We had a "normal" day on Wednesday except for the metal detectors that were installed in the the entrance to the hotel.  Thursday was the inauguration of the new Guatemalan president and many dignataries were staying in the Weston (adjoins our hotel) and the Intercontinental Hotel (just down the street.)  Vice-President Biden was in town to attend the ceremony (we don't know where he stayed,) but security was tight.  We saw lots of black suburbans with dark windows and there were even two German Shepherds and their handlers staying on our floor.  Even with everything that was going on, we had no problems going out in the morning or in the evening.  

Wednesday evening several of the streets around the hotel were closed off and would remain closed until after the inauguration on Thursday.  We were programmed to go to the gringo market on Thursday, but with everything going on downtown, we felt like it would be best to "get out of town," so a trip to Antigua was in order.  Antigua was a new experience for almost everyone.  The bus dropped us off at the entrance to the town and we walked to the central park.  On the way, we saw one of the volcanos spewing ash--it was a beautiful picture.

After having about an hour to shop, everyone met at Pollo Campero where the gringos treated everyone to lunch.

We left Antigua about 3:00 p.m. and drove directly to Santa Katarina de Pinulta to set up the family festival.  

It was a great, but chilly evening.  The festival was well attended, the people were very receptive and there were many professions of faith.  Praise the Lord.  

Hayden's Visit--Day 4

Being from North Carolna, Hayden had never seen the Pacific Ocean so that was our first stop on Tuesday morning.  We took him to El Tunco; he was impressed with the beach and the waves.

 We walked through the fish market on the wharf at the Port of La Libertad. It's quite an experience of sites and smells that's not easily forgotten!  The waves were the biggest I've ever seen.

Our next stop was to visit El Boqueron--the dormant volcano which is visible from our apartment.  It is also beautiful, although quite a contrast from the ocean.  

One the way back home we stopped for a late lunch at La Pampa.  The food and the view were both amazing!  

Mother's Day 2014

Spending Mother's Day with my children is something that happens very rarely.  In fact, the last two dates were May 10, 2004, when we were all together for Jon's college graduation, and last year, May 12, 2013, when we were all at Daniel and Shannon's together.  Yes, I'd say every 9 years qualifies as "rarely."

Yesterday it was back to a normal Mother's Day with a Skype call from Daniel and the kids and a phone call from Jon.  So grateful for technology.

Nevertheless, it was a great day which started off at Iglesia Bautista Vida Nueva, Crowne Plaza.

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Stephen plays the piano for the 9:00 am and 11:30 am service.  In between the services, I usually go for a walk (always trying to get my 10,000 steps in.)  Yesterday, I snapped some pictures of the cloud covered volcano and beautiful flowers around the hotel.

We finished off our our morning at church with this photo.  As I posted on Facebook, Stephen almost always has on running shirts and running shirts have reflective logos.  Therefore, it looks like his heart is emitting a bright light!  I just haven't figured out a way to block it without looking silly!  

We started a new Mother's Day tradition by having friends over for dinner and a movie.  We love spending time with David and Maritza Aguilar and

they had never seen "Nacho Libre."

Of course, we had Mexican food--chicken tortilla soup, guacamole and pineapple/mango salsa.  Perfect ending to a great Mother's Day.