Barrios Los Jardines & Trujillo Chapel

Today we went to the Los Jardines Ward.  It is in the same building that the Trujillo Ward meets in, that we attended on August 16th. These two wards are in different stakes. Today we were able to see friends from both wards. It felt like old home week as we were greeted by so many people we have grown to love. 

Bill in his new suit outside the chapel.

I played the piano.

Hermana Tirado. One of her sons is a returned missionary and goes to school in Utah.
She has another son who just got his mission call to Chile. Her 80 plus father also
 works in the temple as a Voluntario.  He is blind in one eye and didn't think
 he could be an ordinance worker.  He looks forward to coming every week.
She grew up in La Esperanza and her father still lives there.

Some of my favorite ladies; Luz Chavez, Jacqueline Briceno, Ricardina Briceno
and Dora Moreno.  The little girl is Jackie's niece, Angelina.  Ricardina is
Jackie's mother and the mother of 8 children.  Jackie is one of
our coordinators in the temple.

Bill with Elder Neyra and Elder Harper.  They are in the Trujillo South Mission with
President Rios. Elder Harper is from St. Louis.  I asked him if he knew any Josephsons.  That
is like asking if your know any Hartmans in Utah.  I was surprised when he said yes and
mentioned them all by name.  He was best friends with their sons Regan & Spencer who
are both serving missions right now.  Bill was first counselor to Brian Josephson when he
was the Bishop of our Platte City, MO ward.  He was a great Bishop and we all hated it
when they moved to St. Louis.  He is now in the Stake Presidency.  What a small world.

Hermana & Hermano Malca.  He and Bill were born the same year.

Ahmad (15), Monica & Axel Vega. Ahmad plays the violin very well and plays for the primary
children when they sing.  Axel is a very good pianist.  She plays for her ward and I gave
her copies of some of the music I brought.  She is 19 and has turned in her mission papers,
currently waiting for her call.  They are both great kids and very talented.

Bill found this sweet little boy named Sergio.  He is 5 months old.

Hermana Briceno looking for something in the Primary closet.
I told her not to fall.  

We always take our camera with us when we go out.  It seems we are never disappointed when we look for photo opportunities.  

Someone must have fed the birds.  They all seemed to be enjoying a great
meal and they didn't even fly away when we walked by.

Street vendors.  They sell watermelon by the slice down here.

On Saturday Bill went down to get us some lunch at the Comedor before we
went to the temple.  It looked like tasty chicken noodle soup until Bill pulled a
chicken claw out with his spoon. Needless to say, we opted for a peanut
butter and jelly sandwich.  Only in Peru!

This week the church announced 168 new Mission Presidents.  One of them will be replacing President Kurt Marler in July; William L Marble.  We will really miss the Marlers but look forward to meeting the Marbles.

Bill & Sandy Marble from Woodland, California.  They sure have great names.

This was also a special week for our granddaughter, Joy Christine Hartman.  She turned 3 on January 8th.  She was named for her Great Grandmother (my mother) Joyce, who passed away 10 months before she was born.  Joy is very sweet but does not like to smile for her pictures, a trait she must have inherited from her namesake. You can't find many pictures with my mother smiling. We love you Joy and wish you a fun and exciting year.

Baby Joy.

Joy on her 3rd birthday.  It is cold in Missouri.

Barrio Centenario, Becerras & Horse Show

On Sunday we went to the Centenario Ward in Laredo at 9:00 am.  The Laredo area is 30 minutes from the temple. It almost appears to be its own small town but they say it is considered part of Trujillo.  I played the piano, as usual and Bill bore his testimony.

The view of the church from the taxi.

Five minutes before the meeting started. By the time they passed the
Sacrament, the chapel was full.  They seem to have
Mormon Standard Time in Peru as well.

There were four missionaries in this ward.
Sister Flores from Peru, Sister Cerrantes from Chile,
Elder Monroy from Bolivia & Elder Medrano from Colombia.
All these missionary's hometowns were part of Bill's mission
(the Andes Mission), 50 years ago.

The Araujos work in the temple with us.  Sister Araujo reminds us
of Arlene Madsen from our Platte City, MO ward.
Their son, one of three, is in the white shirt.

Across the street from the church.

The church was not on a main road, so we had to take a
Moto to catch a taxi back to the temple. 

Bill paying for the Moto. 

A selfie in the Moto. 

The taxi corner.
When we got in the Taxi, the radio started playing:
"If you're going to San Francisco, Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair."
"If you're going to San Francisco, You're going to meet some gentle people there."
Bill & I started singing along.  I think the Taxi Driver thought we were nuts.
It was nice to hear a song in English from our era.



More pictures around Laredo.

After church, Amy & Marco Becerra invited us and the Hawses to their home for dinner.  They live in the Chan Chan Ward and Marco is starting to work at the temple.  Amy sang in the choir with us.  They have lived in Peru for about 2 years.  They are adopting sweet little Angela and will be going back to the states in 6-12 months when the adoption is finalized.

        Amy fixed Mexican food.  It was very good and the first we have had here in Trujillo.

Amy & Angela

Bill trying out their massage chair.

Marco & Angela

Today we went back to the Peruvian Paso Horse show with the Coacallas, Casos' and  Nields.  Jan was sick so the Hawses weren't able to go.  President Coacalla set it up.  He had a van come pick us up at the temple and wait to take us home.  We were going to eat at their restaurant but we found out it was closed so we just went for the show.  It was fun and entertaining.

Waiting for the show to start.

Sister Casos feeding alfalfa to the baby Paso.

Marinara dancers.

Dancing with the horse. 

And lastly, our daughter-in-law, Amanda, celebrated her 36th birthday on January 3rd. We are glad she is in our family.  She is the mother of 9 of our grandchildren. She has always been ready and willing to help us, my parents and her family.  We love her and her sweet personality.