This Is The Reason We Came Home Early

This is the latest photo of Richard. I am having a hard time not calling him Elder. It has become who he was and now he is not. It takes a little while to change our ways. I am doing quite a bit of the "work" while he is on the mend, which is hard, somedays seem longer than others.
The hardest part for me has been the fact that I no longer have a routine. In the Mission I had a schedule and duties to be done each day. "There is nothing as constant as change" Things are the same here, just in a different place and the duties are different too.
We love and miss Ecuador, the Mission, the people and dear friends. We know in the future we will be able to meet them again. Eternal friends can never be forgotten.
We will continue to correspond with "the Mission" and keep up with all the happenings. Please keep writing to us also.
Love to you all, until I write again,
Cheryle (formerly Hermana)

We Continue To Wind Up The End Of Our Mission

We were very blessed on October 28th to be able to travel to Salt Lake City to meet with Elders Carmack and Cook in addition to other members of the Perpetual Education Fund "team." As we were asked questions about how we were able to accomplish what we did, it was an experience not to be fogotten.

They are truely concerned about the program and the repayment situation in the world.

Certainly there are situations that need attention, but we were able to address some of those concerns as well as relate some very special experiences with participants who are truely dedicated to being honest and remain worthy of the trust placed in them in obtaining their loan. It was a very spiritual, emotional experience.

After our meeting, we went to the Church Art and History Musuem. The Church is taking great care to preserve the Art

and many items that relate to the history and growth of the Church. We then went to Temple Square. It was so quiet and

serene. We just walked and discussed quietly the special time we

had in our meeting. We are very blessed to have the experience

and be able to make "observations and recommendations" as Elder Whitaker has always said.

Sitting in the South Visitors Center on Temple Square looking directly out the window this was our view.

How beautiful the Square is. They are beginning to decorate for the holidays, so the trees are being wrapped with white lights, the leaves are changing colors, and being later in the afternoon,

the air was a little crisp, but comfortable. We just basked in the spirit of the day. We know feel our Mission is truely finished.

Richard's ankle surgery is over and he is healing nicely, we are getting back into life, little by little. It takes a bit of time to feel as if you are able to say you are really home.

The next thing for us is to be able to visit our children and grandchildren. The holidays are coming and time does not slow down when you return home, it just moves along at a steady clip.

As I do not know how much more of this communicaion I will continue to write, I want all who read of our adventure to know of our love and how we miss our association with you. On a mission you meet some wonderful people who will remain Eternal Friends. Thank you for sharing your Testimonies through your service. Carry on!

Until I write again, Lots of Love,

Cheryle

Our First Night Home After a Long Day

We arrived home on September 22 and this is our wonderful friend and apparently our driver for the evening. We have come home from our Mission and Don McClelland and his wife Sharon drove to the airport to pick us up. They are such good frinds. He acted the part of a limo driver (like from a Casino) with our name on a placard. Pretty cute! Jamie and her children came too. Grandma and Grandpa (Elder and Hermana Whitaker) with Jenna (right) and Madee (left) giving BIG hugs to us as we came down the escaltor. I waited for those hugs for a long time! They were very worth it too.

This is Tucker, he was only about 9 months old when we left. We did not know if he would recognize us, but Jamie and Brandon have photographs of us and they talked to the children about us quite a bit. Jamie said that the girls even talked about us in their Primary classes. They said they were proud of us for going to a far country. Tucker ran right into my arms with a huge grin on his face. It was great to know that we was not afraid of a "stranger."

This is what we looked like after many hours on planes and waiting in 2 different airport with little to eat, and not much sleep either; not to bad for the wear. Just glad to be back in Las Vegas. I am sure it will take a few days for it to settle in that we are really home. Richard (Elder) will have his appointment with the Dr. about his ankle in 2 days then we will schedule his surgery and he will be on his way to be whole again. It has taken quite a while, but it will be fine.

When we got back to our home, Jamie just wanted a photo with us. She has been such a help and support. All our children are wonderful about our service! Not that it is easy for them but they understand that they too are blessed as we serve. We are very grateful to all of them as well as many of our friends from Ward and Stake.

This is the home we were happy to came home to. Our front porch has this wonderful sign that says "an angel protects our home." We believe this. Angels of many sizes and ages cared for our home. Members of our family, ward members and the "Angels" who watch over the Lord's Missionaries. They all watched over our home with love and care, we are grateful for them. We came home to things we had forgotten we had; carpets, furniture and belongings in great condition, almost better than when we left our home. It is hard to leave the full time the Mission, where you are in service of the Lord and many others, but I must admit it is good to be home. The most difficult part is that we had to leave the Mission so quickly and just one week after we arrived home, Elder W. had his ankle surgery. It was very successful, but HE IS NOT good at recovery. He is having a very hard time being STILL, especially after being so busy for so long. But he will mend and be better then ever (watch out everyone.)

Many changes have taken place since we left in July of 2007. Our son Richard and his family have moved to Texas. They are very happy there and that is a wonderful thing, his work is good, the family is happy, the schools for the children are good. Many blessings.

Our Stake realigned the boundries AGAIN, so we came home to a new Ward, Anthem Ward. We don't know many members of our new ward, but WE WILL. It won't take long.

Although we are happy to be back in our own home and I can work in my garden (which is my love), we look forward to again serve when and where the Lord needs us. We pray our family will understand that we realize all we can do is give of ourselves in return for the blessings given to us through the gift and blessing of our Savior Jesus Christ. All we have comes from the Father, all we have to give in return is our service and love to others.

Love to you all, until I write again,

Hermana Whitaker

The Final Chapter of Our Mission Blog

This was the last dinner we had with the Mission Office Staff. The office Elders with Elder and Hermana Ward, Hermana Griesemer and myself went to a wonderful resturant "Crepes and Waffles." They have a great many food dishes, but even better many choices in ice cream selections for desert! We had a wonderful evening with each other. I miss them tons. This is a young man who shined shoes on the street of Amazonas. He never asked for money
and Elder W. always shined our own shoes, but Elder W. each month gave he and another older gentleman, who also shined shoes, $5. The both had families and were very grateful for the help. The young man in the picture always told us his Mother thanked us for the help of her family.

This is how Amazonas (that main East-West street) looked on August 30. They said it would be totally finished in 40 days. It was amazing, they came very close to the timeline. All the work was done by many, many workers. All the work was done by hand, brick by brick. It was amazing each day to see the progress that was made. It was such a mess, the congestion on the surrounding streets was horrible. Walking at this time with Elder W.'s ankle pain became almost impossible. It was at this time we started taking taxi's almost everywhere. The taxi drivers loved to talk with us about the problem. They loved the fact that we spoke Spanish with them. We were interested in their lives and families. I must admit; many times, Elder W.'s left knee could have been very bruised because I would be squeezing it so hard. The drivers drive as if you were their last fare. There are few speed limits, if there is one, they don't pay much attention to it. Many of our taxi rides, (for those of you old enough to remember) was an E ticket ride. It is something very hard to describe, one must experience it!

Love to all, until I write again,
Hermana Whtaker

Many Things Coming To An End

Several weeks ago I posted a photo of how they are changing the main street "Amazonas". They have been taking it apart brick by brick, literally. This is just one example. All over the entire 3 mile area it is all being done by hand. They do use front loaders to remove all the debris, but the main part of the work is all being done my many, many men hand by hand.

During this same time many small business have had to close because of all the dust and dirt and mess. It has been very, very hard on the families trying to make a small living.

This is how all the telephone lines look around our city of Quito. I have no doubt that in other towns

they look very similar.We have NO IDEA how

the workers know what goes to what. This is the post in front of our office builing.
Several times during the last few weeks we have lost power to the building while we are working.

telephones, computers all is just gone in a flash. In looking at this "crosswork puzzle" of lines it is no wonder. We think at this time while working on this street, they are trying to figure out how to put the lines underground, they have made the spaces for them, but we are not sure if that is what it is for.

Elder Whitaker and I have each had several pairs of boots "hand made" by this very kind couple. He has been a bootmaker for over 30 years. His son now operates a second store not to far from this one we go to.

The name of the store is"El Palacio de Las Botas Espanolas" the palace of Spanish boots. He makes "cowboy" type boots mens, womens, casual and formal types. They are very fairly priced. He makes a model of your foot and literally makes the boots exactly to your foot. They fit like a glove.

Another wonderful thing Elder has done, is have several custom made suits by a tailer named Luis. He does great work. He has worked with another senior couple also. He does very good work and is a perfectionist. Like Elder W. doesn't like that!

I wish I had a photo of the corner of his workspace, it is the oldest iron I have ever personally seen. It sits on a huge flat rock all day. Of course it is not a steam iron. He has a cloth and a spray bottle for that. Like the bootmaker he has been in the same location for many years, which for here, is a very good endorsement.

After we had the fitting for the suit, we went to the "Park Ejido" a park very close to the office. The indiginous indians sell their works in this park. You can find jewelry, clothing, hats, ponchos, sweaters, tablecloths, baby clothes and musical instruments also. You name it, they have it. It is so much fun just to walk through the maze of walkways. With our "placas" nametags, denoting we are missionaries, we have lots of wonderful conversations. Many of these vendors are from Otovalo and members of the Church.

This photo is of some Otovalan men who play their instruments and make and sell their CD's. I have several. Their music is very Indian and some is melodic others are very "up-beat". I love to hear their music.

We will be taking some pictures tomorrow of Amazonas, it is almost finished. We are just AMAZED at how quickly and hard they have worked to get the job done as quickly as possible. It has been quite a disruption, but it is beautiful now. Why they did the job, no one can tell us.

As I have said it has been very hard on the small shopowners, hopefully they will recover their business and money quickly.

It is hard to think about leaving so soon. In my heart, I am not ready, but with Elder W's. pain we do need to go. During the last week, it is interesting, my left knee has also been giving me lots of pain. I have NO IDEA what I have done. Walking in this city is very difficult. the streets are not even with many "slopes" usually drivways. Therefore we are both "gimping around". We look like to invalids, actually, we are. Hopefully visits to the Dr. when we get home, we will be as good as new, (really good as old).

Thank you for your love and support, I will write one more time before we leave on the 22nd.

Hopefully, we can serve again in the future! We have loved working with these wonderful people in a wonderful program, Perpetual Education Fund. Hopefully we have made a difference here in Quito.

Until I write again,

Hermana W.

The Blessings Of Our Quito Ward

This is our "Barrio" or ward here in Quito. We are blessed to have our ward about 3 blocks from our apartment. The building is in a neighborhood with businesses. The tall building just beyond the Chapel is similar to our apartment, the bottom two floors are businesses and the upper floors are apartments.

This is a pitcure of our chapel. I wrote a friend and I must have made it sound like an unfriendly ward, I meant to convey that the building is "stark" with no fabrics to soften and obsorb the sounds, especially of crying babies.

The curtain at the back of the Chapel is the same as in our wards, separating the cultural hall, which is where they hold the priesthood meetings, both the Elders and High Priests together.

This is the Relief Society Room. To the right of the room, is the Baptismal font. Now it is not used much, because this ward is not used at the Stake Center any longer. When we were here in 2000, this Chapel was where everyone came for General Conference, etc. Now, we go across town. As the membership has grown, they use a building which is more central, at least I think that is the reason they made the change. It sure was more convenient for us.

This is our new Bishop, I guess he is not so new, they made the change in October. So it is almost one year. The baby is four months old. I wish you could all feel her hair. It is so thick and soft and full. My children never had hair like this until they were at least two years old.

They are a very sweet couple, Bishop and Sister Mora.

This is Brother and Sister Trujilo. They are the most wonderful family. He co-ordinates the trips to the Temple in Guayaquil and usually drives the bus. He hires out as a tour guide and takes people (usually all us Senior Missionaries) to the outlying towns like Otovalo, Ibarra and other places.

They have six children, three of them live with an uncle and his family in Canada. The Trujillo family lived in Canada, several of the kids were born there, so now they are young adults and going to college there. Sister Trujillo does cross stiching to help earn the money to pay the air fare to Canada. They have not seen the three of their children in at least two years. They are planning and saving to send the next young lady to college in Canada too. Their family is very strong in the Gospel, a wonderful example to others in faith.

Sister Trujillo is the Stake Young Womans President. They came to us and asked if we would donate a little money so she could have tee-shirts made for the girls who were going to camp. We are very, very blessed to be able to be of help now and then, this was one of those fun times.

The Sunday after "girls camp" Sister Trujillo surprised me with a tee-shirt, because we had helped her. I was sooooooo surprised, I cried. It was a very sweet gesture on her part to give this to me, it will be a great rememberance of our time here again.

The logo on the front says "Hold High the Torch."

We love these people. On Fast Sunday, the Trujillo family are the first ones to the pulpit, as a family. Fast Sunday is so different here, there are no children bearing their testimonies, just adults or young adults. Also, they do it as a family. Quite different!

The back of the shirt is a circle in four parts. The top left says "teaching" and shows the Scriptures. The top right shows the Temple and says "Meditation." The bottom left is a hammer and nails and says "service", the bottom right shows a girl praying and says "prayer."

Underneath the circle is the place and date of the encampment.

The shirt will always mean a great deal. It is a blessing to be able to help, these wonderful young people to be able to do some of the things our young people at home get to do in our wards at home.

Our time is winding down, it certainly has gone by fast. I think that is because we have worked very hard each day. Working for the Lord is a pleasure, but it is hard at the same time, especially on a foreign mission, (Not that I want to scare anyone off). Of course when you are able to be a part of seeing people change their lives, it is all worth the effort you put into it.

Love to you all, until I write again,

Hermana W.

The Old and New In Quito

This is Amazonas, the main street running basicly North and South. It carries a tremendous amount of traffic in one direction only. In my last

blog, I showed the start of this untimely, messy, dusty situation. It has only gotten much worse.

In just a few days with tractors, pick-ax's and hand tools, they have managed to totally rip up the entire street, minus a few cross intersections, for car crossings.

There are "kiosks" which sell all kinds of articles. They are rented by the month. Some sell clothes, some sell food items but they all are places of business for small families or single persons. By the loss of Amazonas these kiosks and small businesses along this street are suffering a great loss of income.

This is Clarita, she is a new member of the Church and she attends out ward. This is her kiosk on the corner near our office building. We all try to buy some things from her each day so we can help her with her business.

This was the way her kiosk sat on the corner, now the corner is not there any longer. She cannot open the front of the kiosk because of the dust (polvo) that is all over everything!

She is so sweet, when we buy a bottle of water, she wipes it off the dust for us. The poor thing just sits on her stool all day.

The blocks on the other side of the street just could be the new sidewalk, or is it going to be the street itself? Who knows. This is all supposed to be finished in 40 days! We shall see. There is another kiosk in the right corner which in on the opposite corner of the street near the major bank. Most of the time now, it is closed.

There are many other streets in and around Quito that are being torn up and we suspect the telephone lines are going to be burried under the sidewalks. So it is VERY HARD to find a street to walk to or from the office, which in in stable condition for walking.

This is the new form of parking enforcement. Now they have a group of "police officers" who write nothing but tickets on the streets of Quito. They ride bicyles and during their shift handle two or three streets next to each other.

This is the lowest ranking part of the police department.

SO many things have changed in Quito in the YEAR we have been here. Can you believe it has been one year? We are having a hard time digesting that. Much has happened in this short time.

I am glad to report that Elder W.'s ankle is much better. We are walking again, he is doing some stretching exercises and it feel much better. We struggle with being tired, what's new? We are after-all a few years older this mission. Just ealier to bed at night!

Mother Nature has thrown us a curve.....more rain and cold weather. Summer lasted about 4 days. Even the cab drivers are laughing about it with us (as we do take taxi's in the rain.) We have met some wonderful drivers. Most of the time, they like to talk to us, and I love to talk to them.

The Scripture Eccles. 3:1 "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven": and vs. 11-12: "He hath made every thing beautiful to his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life."

We are so blessed to be have had our "time and season" to be able to see the hand of God in this beautiful world and his children who need us, the members of the Church to do His work. It is fulfilling!

We will be home soon, until then, until I write again.

Hermana W.