Seminars, Elder Falabella and Christmas

CUZCO - SEMINAR

Every 6 months we are privileged to attend a Mission Presidents seminar. It is definitely a time of renewal and inspiration and peace. We get to talk with other mission presidents who are experiencing the same challenges and blessings that we experience. We receive counsel, direction, and strength from our area presidency and often other general authorities. In November we were able to attend the seminar once again. We were able to listen and be taught by Elder Godoy, Elder Montoya, Elder Fallabella (new to the area presidency) and Elder Maynes from Salt Lake.  This time the seminar took place in Cuzco and we were able to spend a pday touring Machu Picchu. I did not take many photos of the conference itself - but on pday we took photos at Machu Picchu.

I have dreamed of going to Peru and seeing Machu Picchu ever since I wrote a report about it in 3rd grade. I was so excited to spend part of a day there.

Even the llamas were impressed with the view :).

FAMILY VISIT

Following that short seminar we had a visit from our son, Andrew and his wife Kim. We loved showing them our beloved Bolivia and letting them fall in love with the people here and see a little of what we do.

We took them to a primary Sacrament Meeting that we had been invited to attend. Primary Sacrament meetings are always enjoyable. Following the meeting the children all wanted to take a photo with us.

President and son - time together.

We loved our super short time together! Our family means the world to us.

MISSIONARY LIFE

I just had to include this photo of real life. On this particular day  we were waiting for a delayed plane full of new missionaries, It was early so Pres bought the missionaries that were waiting with us breakfast (salteñas and coke). As usual President has his ear to the phone. 

We were able to have Elder Falabella visit and tour our mission for 2 1/2 days.  We held a conference in Sucre first. Since Elder Falabella arrived by plane in the afternoon, he asked if he could go out with missionaries. Imagine the surprise on our zone leaders face when President called them and asked if Elder Falabella could work with them in an hour!  They told me they were so stressed. They said he simply accompanied them and only watched them for the first hour. No words, no involvement. BUT Elder Falabella reported they were awesome missionaries and did great work.

Sucre Conference Nov 2016 Elder Falabella

Cochabamba Conference

And of course, we have to feed them!

It was a great blessing to spend time with Elder Falabella.

Our calling has sent us to Tupiza a few extra times this past month.  I just have to throw in a photo of a parade in Tupiza. It seems like the have parades about half of the time we get to visit there, I especially love stopping to watch the children. 

CHRISTMAS IN BOLIVIA

Christmas in Bolivia is a bit different for missionaries. They miss their families. and customs are a different here. During the month of December, we gathered the missionaries for a special Christmas fireside. We sang, and the zones prepared special music, we watched Christmas music videos, President and I read the story of the first Christmas from the scriptures (spanish and english so we could include everyone!)  It was a special time. We prepared and distributed small gifts for each missionary according to their needs. It is quite an undertaking for 185 missionaries!  One of the favorite parts of the package that everyone recieves are the cookies!

 

After the rush of December and focusing on missionaries and family, I realized on Christmas Eve that I had forgotten my own sweet eternal companion. I had no gift for him. He is a good sport. I made him orange rolls on Christmas Day and he was perfectly happy. It is the little things that matter.