Quick Shoe Shine

After the meeting on Sunday I finally got my dirty ole boots cleaned. It cost me a dollar and they shine like new now.

Where Did the Cold Come From?!

While Steph and I were in the U.S. the friends here said that the weather has been beautiful. We've been averaging upper 70's to 80 during the day (and this is our winter) After a day of being back in Bolivia, everyone told us the cold was coming, well they were right. The past few days, the temperature has been hitting freezing when just a few days earlier it was 80. It's supposed to only last one more day which is good since houses here don't have heat. Here's a photo that we took in service this afternoon from our neighborhood of the mountains with snow on them in the distance. The mountains look beautiful with the snow but everyone is definitely ready for the warmth again.

Finally Home!!

Had a 5 week vacation in the U.S. It was so nice and we had the chance to see many of our friends. At the end we really started missing Bolivia. We are glad to be home with our little kitty. When we arrived in Tarija not all of our luggage arrived. The airline did not send all 3 bags just 2. So my bag with all my clothing is still sitting in Santa Cruz. 3 times they said it would be on another plane, but still has not come. We really hope it does soon or I have to go clothes shopping again. Wait should I be sad or glad. LOL I hope we get it because it has a lot of spices, games, and gifts for ones in it. Hopefully tomorrow.

Since I have been home I have been on a cooking frenzy. I made my red sauce, chicken broth, beef broth, tacos, orange bundt cake, orange frosting, and whatever else I can. I missed cooking a lot. I think Justin is enjoying it. Well that is all for now. Just to wait for my clothes.

Cedar Point

Well I guess you can figure out where we went while here in Ohio. Cedar Point! It was a lot of fun and I did some roller coasters I thought I would not do. Had a blast. This past weekend we had the district convention in Cleveland Ohio. It was so amazing and encouraging. I took some photos but the ones of us came out bad. I have a very strange smile on my face. 

The Raptor

The Mean Streak it rattles your brain.

The Top Thrill Dragster SOOOO HIGH!

The States - Week One

So far this has been an awesome trip. I can not believe how much we have crammed in in one week. We are currently in Knoxville, TN. We are going to Ohio on Thursday morning. Justin gave a talk this past Sunday it was a new one he just wrote up. Afterwards the brothers and sisters had a small get together for us. It was really nice and the food was great. Then we went to Cades Cove and rented a Yellow Camaro 2011. It was awesome. So obviously after that we had to go watch Transformers. Made me want to drive some more. :D Had a great week, looking forward to Ohio. Here are some highlights of the week.

Downtown Knoxville hanging out with Nelly.

Margaritas with Kerry. 

Jared making popcorn with his new popcorn maker.

Brody playing on the pool table.

Justin's first McGriddle. I think he is happy.

The Camaro we rented. 

Nelly and I in the front. Loving Cades Cove and the car.

A Day in the Dust

The other day we had a severe dust storm. Here are some photos in the summer and winter. It does not look that bad in reality it hurt to be outside.

Summer - No Dust Storms

Winter Sand Storm - Cold and Dusty

Feeding the Elders

On Thursday our congregation had the privileged of feeding the elders in the elders school. I went to Reenie's house at 8am and we started cooking. We had a few sisters come join us and help. Had a great time. We made Shepard's pie, tomato salad and fruit salad. We also picked up some pineapple drink from a sister's house. This is how she made it:
The outside of the pineapple, with a little cinnamon, she boiled in water for 30 minutes with the lid on. Then she let it cool with the lid on for the flavor to stay inside. (Best to let it cool over night, it becomes really golden). Added a little sugar and you have a sweet drink that is supposedly very good for you.

Anyways then we went to another sister's house to pick up the bread. She makes bread every morning, starting at 4:30 am and bakes it so it is fresh to sell to the local stores here. Usually every piece goes for about 1 Boliviano (0.14 cents) and that is when it is sold from the store. She makes enough to fill the back of her car. Her husband  goes out and sells it to the local stores. Well on Thursday she made extra for the elders. They enjoyed having warm bread with their meal very much. Many had seconds of everything. I really enjoyed it a lot. And the sisters were glad to have Justin there to pick everything up.

The bread oven and her bread she made to sell.

Daisy ready to put the bread for the elders in a basket for us.