Real missionaries eat iguana

 We had a grand visit at the home of the branch president in Penonome.  They live way out in the country and they grow a wonderful variety of foods.  This is achiote, which is dried and used for color.  One of our friends from Columbia says they grind it and it adds flavor as well, but not here in Panama.  This is added to oil, then the oil was poured off and colored our rice "so we don't have to add tomato".

 Right after we tried the achiote, we had this visit.  Ytsary is holding the plant that is ready for harvest.


Marcos tried to show us how to harvest it, but his uncle just couldn't keep his hands off.  It's amazing how many different things there are to eat.

 I know you can't see well, but this is an avocado.  If you look closely, there are lots of them. 

 Recently returned missionary, Elder Flores, is showing us an iguana that he hunted.  It is ready to hang up to be smoked.

 Here they are hanging up to be smoked.

 These are the iguana eggs.  They are boiled then left to dry in the sun for two days, then peeled and eaten.  We didn't get to try them.

 Here are two coconuts that have sprouted and are now ready to plant.


Brother Flores opened a coconut for us.  The juice wasn't wonderful, but the experience was.  They sent us home with one, but we had no way to open it.  A friend warned us against trying a machete ourselves.  (If I tried it, we would have a new meaning for finger food.)

 Rod is trying the iguana. (A little tough and a wild flavor, but not bad.)

Now it's my turn.  It didn't taste bad.  That's the skin you can see.  Fiber for me!!

We are reveling in the talents of our students.  Elder Theobald is right that when you can exert efforts and get results this quickly it is encouraging.  We had 6 students today in church who can play at least one hymn.  (One student played 3 for his first time playing in church and another played one for her first time.  They were all standing around after church taking turns, two playing each with one hand to get more turns -- they are excited and it looks like most will stay with it.  Wonderful, that a family donates pianos to them when they read the Book of Mormon, attend church and use their talents to serve)

We decided to visit our friend, Polo, who is an inactive former branch president.  He was thrilled to hear of the students and their progress.  I'm sure he was thinking of others, now inactive, who could have used this opportunity.

We are just grateful to the Lord that we can offer it to as many as possible.

Sometimes when I am teaching, Rod gives in and starts sleeping.  (Studying makes it impossible to be an insomniac.) One day, I asked a student for a bed for him.  He ended up in an air-conditioned bedroom!!  There are certainly discrepancies in the comfort of the homes of our students.  I was glad I'd asked.  He ends up driving when it is late and dark, and I'm sure any rest is a good idea.

Four Forever Families Formed

I don't know if you remember, but a friend of ours in the states had read a story of President Kimball receiving a gift of money and being asked to use it as a gift for the Savior at Christmas.  Our friend offered a bus trip to the temple for our branch in the same spirit.  Elder Cobba created the card which stayed on the bulletin board for 2 months while we planned and worked together.  With a date chosen and much excitement, the couples prepared to be sealed.  We believe at least one couple, maybe two wouldn't have gone without this incentive and help.

Yesterday was our promised temple trip.  As of Friday, the bus was way over subscribed and we wondered if we would need to sacrifice our seats, but the day came and we did have room.  What a blessing!

The bus parked a block away from the church.  We all trooped to it at about 1:30 A.M. 

The Smith family, the first of our four

We arrived at the temple early, about 4:30 a.m.  I don't like to hurry, either, but the baptisms didn't start until about 6:30.  We had the guest house so we could prepare food and rest, but there isn't much in the way of entertainment.  Once again I was grateful for my time of life with no little ones to be responsible for.  I went outside to check out photo possibilities.  We ended up inviting people out for what we thought were just the first of photos we would take thinking we'd wait until after when we had light.  After, the bus was ready to leave within 10 minutes, so we had no time and lots of gratitude for the photos we got. 

The Borbon family

This is the Borbon family, one of my favorites.  Only the grandparents were sealed, but Ledes was able to do baptisms.  The boys kept me company for an hour or so while we watched the Smith baby during baptisms.  They were wonderfully behaved.  I was able to be the helper for Sister Borbon.  Rod ended up between Brother Smith and Brother Borbon.  He was busy.

I'm out of order here.  Sister Chang was outside but without her husband so we did some joking.  She is a lovely returned missionary.  When we first came her husband was a bit bitter, but he seems to be softening.  We were soooo glad they came.

Ahhh!  Space filled.

The Savedra family

Our third family, the Savedras.   Their daughter, left, was sealed to them as well.

The Trejos family

The fourth family, the Trejos.  He is a counselor in the branch, and was essentially in charge of the trip.    Even though it must have been stressful, he seemed to enjoy himself.   He was with the youth doing baptisms while his wife went through the temple.  When he couldn't be found on time, it was a bit stressful.

Someone asked us to pose, and Rod was serious, as usual. 

I tried to make our sandwiches after we got out of the temple.  Brother Trejos was rounding us up for the bus.  I ended up draining my tuna and putting it in my zip lock bag of celery.  From there I made sandwiches on the bus.  It was very efficient.  I think I may do it that way again.

I don't think I saw a grumpy person all day.  All wasn't perfect, in fact I was amazed at how much coordination was required.  In the temples in the U.S. it always looks easy.  People waited patiently and sweetly.  Our sealing room in the temple was packed and the Spirit was strong.

A bit of frosting on the cake--three more pianos were sent--the first three gifts, not loans, for our students here in Aguadulce--and we could just bring them from distribution so they didn't even have to ship them.  The distribution person ran out as the bus was closing the door -- having remembered Aguadulce and the music missionaries, so we ran and put them on.

We got home about 6 p.m.  Our friends across the street put our car in their protected driveway while we were gone and invited us to dinner when we returned.  What a grand and glorious day.  Many thanks to our bus donor.  I think at least one family could not have been sealed otherwise, and many others wouln't have gone.  We agreed it was much better than Christmas.  For many of the youth, this was their first time at the temple and for the couple sealed in December, they grinned broadly when we asked if they understood more this time.  We had 40 go from our branch and 10 from the leadership of the District in Chitre.  We asked at the temple whether they had ever had 4 couples sealed from one branch or ward at a time and the most they could remember was 3.  Almost a miracle to get 40 on a bus from a branch with average attendance in the 40s last November and averaging close to 60 now.
The brethren have to worry about nice things being said about them and having it go to their heads.  Several people have said that we were responsible for the success of the temple trip.  We know better, we connected the donor to the branch and encouraged two couples, but it was the work of the Lord -- coordinated by the members of the branch.

Borrowed grandbabies and banana update

About 3 months ago, while we were in McDonalds in Santiago to meet the sisters there, Rafmil introduced himself to us as he overheard us say we lived in Aguadulce and taught English to some students.  (see earlier blog)

He is now too busy with a new business, but, as we mentioned, Janell went and had her hair cut by his mother. She told us that she wanted to be a missionary and wanted to learn more.  We made a Sunday date as she works the other six days.  When we explained our program to her, offering to study Preach my Gospel and the Book of Mormon, I asked her if she were interested.  She asked in return, "If you are thirsty, do you want water?"  Last week she was in Panama City.  We called today, and she said she hadn't had time to do her homework, but she would meet with us if we wanted.  Of course, we wanted.  We went by and began to read the intro to the Book of Mormon, with me reading a paragraph in Spanish and she repeating it.  We talked about her correcting my accent, but she didn't do much of it.  Rod got a bit nervous that it was too elementary, but I continued and ignored his touches (he was willing to concede).  When we finished and talked a bit, she said she had been praying to God to help her find wisdom and deepen her knowledge, and as she had been reading she felt that this was the answer.  We read the first page of the Joseph Smith story that follows, and we made another appointment.  She explained to us that she has practiced all her life closing her eyes and opening her heart to the Savior who gives her direction and peace.  She is a very calm person, very warm and humble.  We look forward to sharing more of her story with you. 

 This is Fiama.  Fiama's mama was talking on our computer with her mother, so Rod was babysitting.  I thought the only thing wrong with the photo was that it isn't one of our own grandchildren.  Darn!!

 We didn't have many photos this week, so I thought I'd share this series.

 Her mom didn't like the tongue, but I do.

 She does have a cute smile.

 This heavy bunch of bananas (on the left) brought the tree down in a wind storm.  Since banana trees only bear once and since the bananas were already fat and ready to ripen, it isn't a tragedy at all, just makes them easier to harvest.

 Once a banana tree bears fruit, it dies and other shoots come from the bottom.

This is the only time I have seen the blossom open.  This garden, quite small, provides all the bananas and plantains for the family.


We had four students vying for the piano in church this morning.  They played all the songs as well as directed.  It is wonderfully rewarding.

Primary was amazing this morning.  It has to be one of my best "Hand of the Lord" experiences.  Our branch is preparing for the temple trip this week.  The Mission President sent out one of his counselors to speak to everyone in a meeting during the last hour.  I didn't know anything about it (I still miss a lot).  The President's wife who is the primary president taught the first hour, then gave the children colored pencils and paper and DISAPPEARED without saying a word.  I expected her back momentarily, so I got out my guitar to play primary songs and hymns to the children while they colored.  45 MINUTES LATER, the children were still coloring happily and singing and smiling.  I forgot to tell you that upon entering primary two little boys were throwing garbage, hitting, and generally behaving badly.  I decided after asking twice and being ignored that this was a time for a dad.  The dad came, talked turkey, and we had perfect children for the rest of the class.  Definitely "Hand of the Lord". 

I did get Jaime, our friend who is going through the temple this week, to cut dowels for me yesterday so we have rhythm sticks.  They were a smashing success with these boys.  I wonder if they are ADD or something because it is hard for them to sit still.


We visited the Flores family.  We have 6 students there.  I finally decided I need to learn their names.  We lined them all up, and they are Roselis, Yatsuri, Marlenis, Itzary, Iranys, Maribel.  Good luck.  Actually, I may have done it.  We'll see.

Spotlight on Rod's teaching

This young lady was so excited to share with us her Book of Mormon record.  She is a piano/English student.  When they sign up to take piano and try to earn their own keyboard, they agree to come to church and read the Book of Mormon.  She always has a smile and I love to go there.  She loves my "Cookies" book like I do.

This is a marignon tree.  It is a cashew.  The fruit is not wonderful in my opinion, although they add water and sugar in a blender and they do love it.  One of our students' fathers has promised to help us prepare the cashews when it's time.

A closer look at the fruit.

 We arrived at this home to teach one day and all our students were at the river swimming.  We took advantage to teach the branch president the first three chords.  He also sang Besame Mucho with me on the guitar.  We don't often get to just visit so it was a nice change of pace. As you can see, I have trouble telling people and I just use my hands.

Rod is doing double duty while he's teaching the mom and tending the child.  We have 3 students at this house.

This little girl loves to read.  I hope we get more books soon.

 My piano student, Brother Smith's daughter, and I couldn't concentrate with these two in the same room so we sent them outside.  They are studying English in the form of nursery rhymes and finger plays.

Milly, standing, played her first hymn with both hands today.  She also showed off HER first student, her niece, who could play HER first hymn with two hands.  This program is a miracle.  They are reading the Book of Mormon together as well.


We counted up our students, and we have 15 who are playing at least the first hymn with two hands.  We have an elder who has had only 2 or 3 lessons who is playing his 3rd.  We are in contact with former senior missionaries and hopefully building on their experience.  Our only problem is our backsides that are rebelling against too much time sitting.

The humidity here gives us interesting challenges. 

The variety of plants and trees is seemingly endless

This joke is about two chickens walking along a road, one in the middle and one on the side.  The last word from the one in the middle is -- drum roll -- 'the same in both languages'.

Even adults enjoy our monkeys and crocodile finger plays.

 We were returning from the district conference (on Sunday).  Imagine our surprise when the bus pulled over and half the members got off to buy fruit.  That lesson hasn't reached here yet.  I don't think I'll give a talk on it in the next few weeks, but we need to have a reminder of the prophet's counsel not to buy on Sundays.  It was my favorite fruit stand, too.

People are patient with the long bus rides.

 Lizardo conducted for the conference.  He stood tall, smiled, and didn't make a single error.  He also played the sacrament hymn in sacrament meeting today with two hands.  Hooray!  One of our other students, Abdiel, who received his keyboard last Sunday had his first hymn memorized today.

 I don't even know the names of these flowers, but they are unusual and interesting.

 More variety.

 We pass by this scene often.  There is usually one chain saw and a group of men, heads protected from the sun by a t-shirt, hacking away at the tree branches with machetes.

 The banana blossom is just beginning to turn itself downward for production.  It's kind of behind the dead leaf.

 Now the bananas form from the top down.

This blossom has bananas above it but you can't see them.  The flower never opens up, just one or two petals at a time.

One of my students had a diary one day.  She's about 10 or so.  She wanted to know if I kept a journal.  I told her I try.  She challenged me to return and report to her.  We've been much more faithful since, looking for the hand of the Lord in our lives.  There are lovely tender mercies each day when we look.  So far all are seemingly small, but who knows.  It's really nice when I, who can't keep directions straight at all, can direct Rod just at the time when he, who seldom gets confused, is confused.

I got my hair cut, (really short) by a woman who says her art is a gift from God.  She told me as she cut that she wants to be a missionary.  I told her about Preach My Gospel and our training.  She said she was interested and made an appointment with us for Sunday afternoon.  When we went today, we told her a bit about the restoration of the gospel and asked her if she was interested.  She said, "When you're thirsty, you want water".  We will see where it goes, but we read together and enjoyed our visit.  She is a little younger than we are.

Blythe has a professor in Organizational Behavior at BYU who is working with the Brethren to improve the success rate of senior couples.  He feels, as do we, that the best way to get more seniors to serve is to have couples return thrilled and ready for more.  We had a nice talk with him.  He says he was a mission president and would love to serve again.  He plans a mission and plans to find out about the presidents in the missions he considers.  If they are hands off, and "go for it", he wants to serve under them.  He has great confidence in people using their strengths to serve the Lord.  He agrees with us that it makes sense to go where people are baptizing.  He feels that there are no coincidences and that we can see the hand of the Lord and directions for our lives in different ways.  We hadn't realized that people change mission calls fairly frequently when they don't seem to apply, nor that there are people whose job it is to help sort these things out and get the right information to the decision makers.  The church generally approves the choice of a couple as to where they should go, unless there is an overriding need (revelation).  We will be more proactive as we apply for another mission, we are learning much, in many areas.

Thursday we didn't have time to prepare lunch, so we stopped at McDonald's.  They had triple bacon cheeseburgers for $1.59.  Rod got 3 of them.  I ate my one as we were sitting a bit before the house of one of our students.  She came to the door and could see us, so I stuffed my mouth and we went on.  When we got there one of the first things she said was, "I've prepared fried chicken and coconut rice with guandu for you!"  Guandu are their special beans.  Rod was a good sport and tucked it in.  I reduced my portion of rice and was able to eat it.  It was delicious.  We never know when we'll get fed.  One of the things I really like is tomatoes with lemon zest, a tiny bit of oil and salt and pepper.  It is grand.

Once again, life is good, the Lord is blessing us and our family.  I love how our students pray for us all.

Pianos and Papayas

 The family Borbon gave me a large papaya.  I asked my landlady and she showed me how to score it.  The fruit gives off a milky gelatinous substance.  You wash it and then it can sit and ripen more instead of mold.  It wasn't the most delicious we have had.  I froze some of it and made papaya shakes by adding milk and a bit of sugar.  It was only all right.  When I went to make more I discovered that I had put the fruit back in the fridge instead of the freezer so even I who don't waste just put it in the garbage. 

 We got our miracle finally.  After waiting two and a half months for the foundation to send keyboards, we contacted our area authority.  We told him about our work and asked his help.  In one week we received word that our 15 keyboards had arrived.  They were shipped out to us, and we had the joy of delivering them this week.  Rod is unpacking them here.

 Happy students (siblings).  She has been serving as Primary President.  He is deciding whether to become active again.  We like him a lot and are encouraging him.

 When we arrived for class they were working on curtain rods for her room.  He made them with the tools you can see.  They were pretty impressive.

 This is a bush decorated for Christmas.  Each point has a glass ball. 

 This woman speaks some English.  She wants to learn more.  Last week out English class turned into piano class for 6 people.  There is a group of families that live close together out in the country in Penonome.

These flowers are ginger.  She said they aren't the plant with the edible roots.

 What appears like a cob of corn is the beginning of the flower of the banana.  It grows out, bends down, and the bananas grow.  This woman grows enough for her family in her back yard.

 Here is the flower after it has grown down.  I'm not sure if this is all the bananas or if they grow down further. 

We had a wonderful time giving out the keyboards.  We needed to fill out papers so we could legally recoup them if people don't keep their commitments to come to church and practice regularly.  One young man fingered each part of it as well as the books, just marveling that this lovely thing could be his.  He is prepared to conduct the music tomorrow in the district meeting, and one of our other students is playing.  She was well taught beforehand by other missionaries but is continuing to learn with us. Rod came up with a way to use them to help with English.  There is a 50 song bank in them with folk songs.  We plan to make a CD so they can listen and learn.  We had a great time square dancing today to Oh Susannah.

We have had a few interesting drinks lately.  One was cantaloupe blended with sugar, water, and milk.  It was very cold and refreshing but not my favorite.  The other was a lemonade made with lemons that are green outside and orange inside and very tart.  The sweetening was "Miel de cana", (honey of cane) or molasses.  It looked like iced tea and tasted delicious.

Rod has used the Lord's method of piano, and in about 3 hours can play Jesus once of humble birth.  Our students are beginning to play with two hands together.  We are praying for miracles for them now that they have something to practice on.

We love our work.  The president of the Mission came to interview us today.  He was a bit off schedule, so our interview was over lunch at our house.  We made baked beans in the crock pot with sweet potato.  It was quite nice, though not what we're used to in the states.

Rod gave a lesson on sacrifice.  One of the questions he asked was "When is a sacrifice not a sacrifice?"  The answer is (for us) when you can see all the blessings it brings.  We are so happy.  I have to laugh when the president says he's impressed with our sacrifices.  With the exception of missing our family, it's no sacrifice at all.  Since they are all supportive, we're just fine.  Love to all.