Our Last Apartment Checks & Barrio Vista Alegre

It is kind of sad to know that today was the last day we would be checking Missionary apartments.  We go home in less than and month and there will not be time to start the rotation again.  We have enjoyed this assignment  We finished up the Primavera Zone on Thursday.

Sister Olson (the mission nurse) from Alberta, Canada
and Sister Clay from Virginia. 

The Sisters rent their apartment from Sister Alva who also lives in the building.
She saw us outside her window and rushed out to greet us.  She invited us
into her home and insisted on making us a drink.  She is so sweet and comes
to the temple every Tuesday as a patron.  She had a lovely home.

A picture of her with her late husband.  She had seven children, two live in the
United States.  One of her granddaughters from the U.S. is serving a mission
in Huancayo, Peru.  She goes home in December and will come to visit
her grandmother.  Together they will fly to the United States so she
can visit with her children and grandchildren there.  Her granddaughter
knew very little English when she was called on her mission.  Now
she can speak with her grandmother.

A pretty flower.  There were only 3 on this bush.

Hans Poma with his taxi, Bill and the tree with 3 flowers.  We always have to call when we get to an apartment and wait outside for the missionaries to come down and unlock the door.  You can't just knock on a door or ring a door bell.  The Elders lived on the third floor.

Elder Israel from Lima and Elder Cogollo from Colombia.

Rooftop views from their apartment.

Hauling cornstalks.

Our taxi driver, Hans Poma, Elder Smith from Arizona
and Elder Caycho from Lima.

Pictures from the Plaza de Armas in La Esperanza.  The home on the corner is the home of the twins Bill knew when he was here 50 years ago.  They were small children.  Their house is across the street from the Plaza.  They have lived there all their lives.  It was a one story building when Bill was here and was home to the first branch.

Another old car they manage to keep running here in Peru.

A purple house for my granddaughter, Hannah.  Whenever I see purple
I think of her because it is her favorite color. 

Elder Garside from Fresno, California & Elder Quispe from Lima.
Elder Carside's family lived in Oxnard, California when he left
on his mission.  Bill's brother, Larry, was his Bishop.  His family
moved to Fresno while he has been on his mission and Bill's
brother has been released as Bishop.  Elder Garside is
the District Leader.

This pretty little garden is outside their apartment house.

A view from their 2nd story window.  Love the wires!

Inside their apartment.  

They seem to be ready for Christmas with this
one-eyed Christmas tree Santa.

That afternoon we went downtown and ran into Hermano Paredes working in one of the shops on the street.

His friend Julio, on the right, works with him  He is also
a member of the church.

My little friend, Betsy, from the Apiat.

Selling jewelry on the street.

A sweet shop.

Today we went to the Vista Alegre ward.  Several sisters from the temple have asked us to come to their ward but we have never gone because they meet at 8:00 AM. After working all week at the temple we really prefer going at 10:00.  We were glad we went and the sisters were so happy to see us.  I played the piano but the music stand on the piano had broken off so Bill had to hold my book for me.

Sister Julca with her daughter and granddaughter. 

Hermana Alcazaba.  I love this sister.  She and her husband joined
the church about 40 years ago.  He was one of the first Branch
Presidents and leaders in the stake.  The branch used to meet in their
home.  She had her husband helped build this church building.

Three sweet sisters from the temple. 

We had to add Bill to the picture.

Barrio Los Jardines & Wayne's Birthday

Yesterday at the temple, Jackie Briceno invited us and the Hawses to her ward today. It was their Primary Program. She also leads the singing and wanted me to play the piano for her.  We always enjoy the Primary Programs, even in Spanish.  The children did very well and everyone was dressed in the Primary colors, Red, Yellow & Blue.

Sister Samanamud from Lima and Sister Rowley Holliday, Utah.

The Llantop Family with Wayne & Bill.
Their son on the left is leaving this week for his mission in Argentina.

Hermana Alva.  She comes to the temple every Tuesday.

Hermano Llantop helping to prepare the Sacrament.

Elder Willard from Puget Sound, WA & Elder Zanabria from Lima.

The theme for the Primary Program, "I know the Scriptures are True."

Bill & me with Jackie, waiting for the meeting to start.

Ashly Abanto, in the center is our cute little friend from the temple.
She leaves Tuesday for her mission to Ecuador.  She is in the Stake
Primary Presidency.  They came for the Primary Program.  This is
the Presidency.

With Ashly.

With Jackie Briceno.

The Rios Family.

The Primary kids and their leaders after the program.

                                   The Primary kids were excited about their cake.

There's not anything much cuter than this little girl, Luz. She liked Bill
 because he gave her candy.  

The Coacallas gave the Family Home Evening lesson on Monday.  We also played a game where we passed a potato and when Sister Coacalla called stop, the person holding the potato had to answer a question.  We also celebrated Wayne's 61st birthday coming up on Thursday October 27th.  Jan made her famous chocolate cake (love it) and I brought ice cream.  Sister Coacalla brought homemade tamales. It was a fun evening.

We gave him a little gag gift.

Wayne, President Caso, Sister Gomez & Elder Guevara

Sister Gomez from Arequipa and our two Guevara couples.  They are not
related but both are from Lima. 

Bill helping Jan get the perfect picture.

The Coacallas from Cusco and Wayne.

Blowing out the candles.

This past week we have all had this annoying bird pecking at our windows.  They say he is fighting his reflection but he starts early in the morning when the sun comes up.  It is almost as bad as having a rooster wake you up.  Bill counted over 100 pecks one morning.  Wayne discovered he is a Saffron Crested Tyrant-Manakin, native to the northern parts of South America.  We call him Woody Window-Pecker.  Here are some pictures we have captured.  We could never get him actually pecking because he was too fast.

                        
                               These two are official pictures from the internet.

It is fall in Utah right now.  I love this time of year in Utah with the cooler air and beautiful colors. These pretty pictures are nice reminders.

And last but not least, I thought we needed a little Pickles wisdom.