Primary Program & a Fireside

Yesterday we went to the California Ward for church with the Hawses.  They were having their Primary Program. The children did a wonderful job.  Every child had his part memorized and they sang out and knew all the words.  After being a Primary President three times, I know how hard it is to pull off a successful Primary Program.  They could rival any ward in the states. We all sang the closing hymn, "I Love to See the Temple".

This Picture was taken while they were practicing before Sacrament Meeting.
Not all of the children were there.

A cute Primary class with their teacher.

Diego Palma with his wife and little girl.
Diego is one of the engineers at the Temple. 

After Sacrament Meeting, members lined up at the library to pick up their Liahona (Ensign).
They don't deliver much mail down here since there is only on Post Office and they are always on strike.
So all the Liahonas come to the ward and are passed out at church.

The Sister Sisters are in this ward.  They knew we were coming so they prepared a Sunday School class
in English for us.  Unfortunately we all started talking and the time was gone before they we able to teach their
lesson.  We told them to save it and we would be back.  We did enjoy a good visit.

Wayne & Jan Haws

Bill with Juan & Juan Leyva.  This father and son work at the temple. The younger Juan is
a returned missionary and is planning to go to BYU.  His father has been a Stake President and
a Mission President.  His roots come from La Esperanza, Bill's old stomping ground.  

That evening we went to a Charla Fogonera (fireside) at the California building.  It was put on by the Trujillo, Peru Central Stake and the Trujillo North Mission.

There was a choir of missionaries, as well as soloists and instrumentalists by the missionaries. They performed hymns as well as Christmas Music. The Rabanals, Casos's and President Marler spoke as well as three converts to the church. They also showed some short videos.  It was a wonderful and inspiring evening.

A group of Elders before the program. 

This is Sister Pineda.  She has the voice of an angel. She is from New York
but goes to BYU-I, majoring in voice. She came to the Albergue one evening and 
I got to play for her while she sang for some of us in our Commons area.

Cute Elder Olsen.  He is the President's Secretary and was the choir director.  He is from Smithfield, Utah
and went to Sky View High School. You can see the Nields and me behind him.

President & Sister Rabanal, the Stake President.

The Missionaries all walked in from the back of the chapel singing, "Called to Serve".  It brought
a smile and a tear to many eyes.  There are some very talented missionaries in this mission. 

Elder Olsen leading the choir.

On the way to the fireside it started raining.  This is the first rain we have since we arrived five months ago.  They say it is a prequel to El Nino.  The Taxi even had to turn on his windshield wipers.  

We even got wet hailing the Taxi.

Rain Drops!

Today for P-day we took three office elders out for lunch at Pardo's chicken.  Elder Bond's parents arrive next Monday to take him home.  He has been an Assistant to the President. Elder Marshall has been his companion and Elder Craft will be taking over for Elder Bond.

Elder Bond from Layton, UT, Elder Craft from Linden, UT and Elder Marshall from Hyde Park, UT.
We had a fun lunch with these great missionaries.  

Another picture of the three amigos taken at the Charla.

Monday evening we had a meeting with President and Sister Casos and all the temple missionaries.  We were discussing what was going to happen when the temple is closed in January and what our options were for travel plans, etc.  They also celebrated my birthday coming up on Wednesday with cake, ice cream and a gift of two cute necklaces.  Thanks to all of you for remembering me.