Holidays Aren't Easier as Senior Missionaries

    Christmas Eve in Paraguay is called "Noche Buena." That is when they celebrate with lots of food, chipa guasu (a type of corn bread with onions and cheese), asado (grilled meat), salads, especially fruit salad, watermelon and lots of fireworks at midnight. Chris stayed up for a promise of church bells calling to midnight mass but the only thing she heard was fireworks all over the city.

    We have begun a tradition on Sundays of having the 4 young missionaries from our ward over. We try and work with ingredients we can find here in Paraguay. We had ham steaks, scalloped potatoes, Ken's mom's 3 layer Jello salad for our Christmas Eve celebration at dinner time. We played a few hands of UNO too. And were inspired by a message from 1 Nephi 3:7 about going and doing because He has prepared a way for everything He asks of us.

    No lemon jello but we just used pineapple as the recipe calls for lemon jello with pineapple juice. No Cool Whip or what we use as whipping cream but the creme here whipped a little bit. We also had to use pink and white heart marshmellows so the center was a light orange. Everyone had more than one piece so it must have been good.
We can find green olive here. So we made the olive tapenade recipe from one of our favorite restuarants in Sioux Falls.

Also made another batch of chex mix with their little bread sticks, pretzels, peanuts and tried Paraguay Cheetos. FAIL with the Cheetos, not the same flavor of cheese as in the States.

    We love Christmas in Paraguay, although people here preparing food may be exhausted, for the most part it is more about what happened in the manger and the gifts of friends and family than commercialized Christmas. From the understated smell of the coco flower that is the scent of Navidad, to the gift of being present with friends and family it is wonderful. We were able to relax on Christmas day and Zoom with a few of our kids. Our family has been blessed while we serve and it is great to hear from them. In fact if it wasn't for missing being with them we would just stay here.

This is our White Christmas. White with fog but closer to a Midwest Christmas than 100+°F weather.

Tuesday was a big day. We finally met our mission leaders at our mission Christmas gathering. Chris couldn't help but remember Christmas in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission and smile because after 39 years and different hemispheres, missionaries are still celebrating in the same ways.

El Burrito de Belén written by a Venezuelan artist and a popular South American Christmas carol

Blanca Navidad-A loose translation 

The Office Staff sings Dos Tracitos de Madera which is a mix of Guarani and Spanish as good as we can tell but it is all about the traditions of a Paraguayan Noche Buena.

One of the sweetest things to watch was all the videos of families wishing their missionaries Merry Christmas. It was heartwarming and emotional and nearly all the Gringo families sang Feliz Navidad.

(Left) Hermana Faundez, companion to the President. (Right) Assistant to the President as Papa Noel passing out Paraguayan treats called Alfajores. If there are any gifts at Christmas it is this or pan dulce.

    This is Hermana Nuñez from the Dominican Republic. She sat with us. She has been reassigned twice due to visa issues and actually served in the same district with one of Carter's friends from Iowa who was serving in the Domincan Republic. Small world! We just had a big meal and Chris had melted chocolate from donuts on her belly thus the ackward pose. It was a wonderful uplifting day of love, laughter and good food.

    When we returned home Chris tried her hand at making chicken pot pies with empanada dough and it worked. Yum and great to carry for lunches to the office.

This one is filled with blueberry jam. We had to do something with the last two pieces of dough. Certainly couldn't waste them.

It has been a quiet week at the office as most people are on vacation. It was nice to be able to catch up on paperwork and get some trips organized for the new year. We found out through the other senior couple at our mission office that although the $160 each we paid for a visa is good for 10 years, every 90 days we have to leave the country and come back in to restart the 90 days or we are fined. Um would have been nice to have that explained but we know now and we have a trip planned next week to Cuidad de Este and hope to enjoy Iguazu Falls from all sides because we have to go out of the country. We might get to see Ituapu Dam as well as visit a few hospitals and health centers. Thank you Mom and Steve, we are using your Christmas gift for some of our personal travel.

    Our flor de coco was a little late blooming and we weren't sure what it was supposed to smell like but it is a subtle smooth smell, like vanilla but a little different. 

Thursday we were supposed to go to the temple with one of the Young Women from our church but she had something come up so we will try again in the new year. We ended up going on Friday and enjoyed it. We were able to do an endowment session along with some sealings. In the sealing room we were reminded by an older sister what consecration was. We don't know how far they traveled and she had a younger sister helping her even to use the bathroom, but she and her husband did a few sealings. Our hearts were full and humbled.

When we came home on Thursday there were pigeons on our balcony and we didn't want them to start roosting there. Ken tried to scare them away but one got caught up in our Christmas lights. Yes there should have been a video of Ken getting the bird to fly away but just imagine it.

Our rainy Friday afternoon

    We have been invited to a family's New Years celebration tomorrow of food and games. The husband works in the office with us. We told them we might not make it to midnight. I think we will celebrate with our friends in Paupua New Guinea at 12 noon.

    Two things about New Years traditions. One is at midnight you walk back and forth across the street with a suitcase for good luck in your travels during the new year. And second, the cicadas come out around now and when you hear the cicadas you know it is time to pick the watermelons. 
    Our missionaries asked if we could do lunch instead of dinner this week because we are going to be gone for dinner. Glad we make a difference in their lives if only for a good meal.

    Remember Ken's pink shirts from a few weeks ago? Well we are working with the National Ministry of Health to update their mammography machines in 9 hospitals throughout the country. Ken will wear the pink shirts the entire month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness!

Spiritual thought come from 3 Nephi 4:32-33

"Yea, they did cry: Hosanna to the Most High God. And they did cry: Blessed be the name of the Lord God Almighty, the Most High God.

And their hearts were swollen with joy, unto the gushing out of many tears, because of the great goodness of God."

If we remember Him like this everyday for all the marvelous blessings and promises and power He gives through His atoning sacrafice we can live our lives with the joy of hope.

Happy New Year

PS. If you comment, please add you name to the end of it. We can see the comments and would like to know who they are from. We love all the notes, texts, comments and love. Thank you.

And We Blinked and the Week was Over

Moved into our new office with our view of the temple. It is nice to be reminded of the covenants we made to be obedient to God, sacrifice for Him with a broken heart and contrite spirit, live His gospel with faith in Him, turning our hearts toward Him, take His name upon us and follow the direction of the Holy Ghost, be faithful to our spouse and give our whole selves to Him. This is why we are here away from our family at Christmas.

We know missionaries can wear light blue shirts but pink hasn't been approved yet. Chris is still trying to get the washing machine and detergent thing right. How the synthetic white shirts became pink and the 100% cotton shirt didn't have any pink is a mystery. They were Ken's favorite, so Chris feels bad but on a positive note they are uniformly pink so he can wear them on preparation day and he looks good in pink.

Chris needed to use a sewing machine and asked if the ward had one. They did but it didn't work so she has cleaned it and is trying to get it to work consistently. We haven't found a store with sewing supplies yet to pick up things like bobbins, needles, thread and fabric. Some sisters have already asked to learn how to use the machine once Chris gets it working.

Wednesday we got to video call with couples that we grew close to in the MTC. They are humanitarian missionaries in Paupau New Guinea and Ethiopia. It was great to hear stories from them of their work and their mission life. Some things are very different than ours and others are the same. 

Repping BYUIdaho

The guy with what looks to be a sombrero on his head is the Chipa man. He is selling chipa. They roll a towel and make sort of a crown and then put the flat basket on top full of chipa. There are fewer and fewer chipa vendors that sell this way but it is very Paraguayan and impressive. The vendor walks up and down the median selling his wares. We love the 3 cheese chipas.

We weren't kidding when we said there were lots of beautiful flowers in Paraguay and while many of you enjoyed your first day of winter on December 21 we enjoyed our first day of summer in the 100's in Paraguay by traveling outside of the city and enjoying the beauty at the location of the conferencia Para la Fortaleza de la Juventud (PFJ/FSY For the Strength of Youth). Look at all these flowers.

When trying to get things done in Paraguay we need to remember to change our expectations from those we would have in the United States and enjoy the way they do things in Paraguay (although the Paraguayan Saints were a little annoyed too that the truck was so late). We have noticed in Paraguay they are more concerned with experiencing things than how fast they can get them done. This is something we can certainly learn from. They made a nice day for us. 

We found a Ball (as in canning lids, jars and all things canning) plant.

Adjusting to driving in a new place always has it troubles but we love the ciities that have these lights with the timers on them.

US Embassy is about a mile down the street from us.

Christmas in Paraguay is more about the Nativity and not about Santa. In fact it is Papa Noel here and well, there isn't much talk about him either. Gifts are necessary to be given but as you can see below we did purchase out flower de coco (check out last weeks explanation) to put in front of our manger and our pan dulce to eat. One friend from the office said, "In Paraguay we just eat alot on Christmas and sit around with. our families." Well, we went shopping this morning so we are set for the weekend. We will be missing family and friends so feel free to call, text or email. We love to hear from you all.

Our spiritual share is from Helaman 8:22-23

"Our father Lehi was driven out of Jerusalem because he testified of these things. Nephi also testified of these things, and also almost all of our fathers, even down to this time; yea, they have testified of the coming of Christ, and have looked forward, and have rejoiced in his day which is to come.

And behold, he is God, and he is with them, and he did manifest himself unto them, that they were redeemed by him; and they gave unto him glory, because of that which is to come."

We can all have hope because of the Child born this day in the city of David. Joy comes from feeling His presence in our lives. Praise be to Him and his way, his truth and this life.

Feliz Navidad from Los Myers

After Two Months in Paraguay We are Getting the Hang of It

Our friend from the office Sandra sent us this quote and said "this is you." That is probably the hardest thing about being in Paraguay, that it is so far away so our kids and grandkids won't be able to come visit. 

Chris was asked to be the second adult in the Young Women on Sunday. She was able to read in Spanish and bear her testimony. She felt safe as the bishop's wife Nancy and Kavy, the only young woman, could both speak a little English and were very kind in helping pronounce and speak slowly so Chris could understand.

Now that we are getting the hang of things on our own mission we were able to invite the younger missionaries over on Sunday for a dinner. You would have thought we did some great thing but all we had were tacos, ice cream and peanut butter cookies. As three of them were from the states they were so thrilled to have a meal that was familiar. It is always amazing to be with the younger missionaries. They really sacrifice so much to serve the Lord.

School is out for summer break until February so last week we received about 10 solicitudes from organizations trying to get them in before break. Lots of check ins and visiting in our future but this week was a lot of organizing and reaching out. We love to make visits but we also like the days we can get our to-do list accomplished and we had a few days like that this week. 

Monday the internet was out at the office due to a lightning strike so we worked from home. Chris also shrunk our brand new 100% cotton Humanitarian shirts in the dryer and had to soak them in cold water and stretch them out to dry over the next two days.

Our office furniture arrived and is in the office, we are now waiting for electricity before we move in. When we left on Friday afternoon we heard the promise of mañana for that to be finished. We shall see.

This was our Christmas Devotional and Asado on Thursday. The picture with the Christmas tree is our appetizers: mandioca, sauté onions and peppers, sausage, chicken hearts, sopa paraguaya (cornbread) and Paraguayan garlic bread (not sure how they make it but  it has the fresh garlic inside like a filling, heavenly). On the right you can see how many different meats we had to choose from.There were more meat choices than vegetable choices.

We were able to have our picture taken

This is our friend Sandra. She is so awesome. We eat lunch with her most days that we are in the office. She is very kind and takes good care of us. She has a twin sister that lives in Ogden.

Here we are with Sandra and Nelida (below). Nelida is our buyer. She is so important in making our humanitarian projects work. We are so lucky to have her on our team. She is the best in the South America South Area and that is not just our word either.

Funny story about the ornaments below sent from the main office in Salt Lake City. We are not entirely sure if the nativity scene ornament were back up or left over from last year, but the reindeer ornaments were given out first to everyone. Problem: in Paraguay the reindeer has a double meaning that a man is having an affair or has a mistress. Oops, missed some cultural awareness. We will never look at reindeer in the same way. Most people traded out the reindeer for the nativity scene.

We were assigned to take some of the centerpiece trees back to the guard and cleaning lady at the office. We also grabbed one for the Elders that live across the street from us. There were transfers this week and we have a brand new elder fresh from the States. It will be nice to give him a little Christmas cheer.

Parque de Navidad. Saw this while driving to our Christmas Devotional. There were lots of booths and a huge metal Christmas tree in the center. Not sure what all goes on but sure it is busy in the evenings. Something different.

It is always fun to see something that reminds us of home. Paraguay has some beautiful unique flower and foliage but on our way out of the temple we spotted a bed of marigolds. Hardy, they will make it through the heat of the Paraguayan summer.

It is easier as a senior missionary, we make our own schedule, we can shop and do laundry on days other than preparation day. We can call home whenever we want, watch movies, and work from home but just like when we were younger missionaries our faith in the Savior Jesus Christ and our need to access the power of His atoning sacrifice is still continually tested and strengthened on our mission. It is a great feeling to drink from that well of life giving water each day as we try and do His will.

Scripture share is from Alma 37: 33-34, 36-7

This is Alma's final counsel to his missionary son but it has relevance to us all. When we see this counsel with God's perspective and not as carnal men it will inspire us to change. Are we all using our faith in Christ unto repentance and changing to be more like, turning toward and preparing to meet God? Or are we pridefully hanging on to our own shortsighted picture and plan. Our mission has allowed us to see a greater need in our lives to change our complete view, to His  full view and not fear the things He asks of us because He has the power to deliver and He wants us to succeed and have joy.

"Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good;"

This week as we prepare for Christmas, let Him in and adore Him and His way!