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.

You Never Know What To Expect

Today as we were walking to the office, this is what greeted us on our way. It is very hard to explain, but this street, "Amazonas", is the main street running North and South. It is a one way street. In December of last year we heard the direction of traffic would reverse and drive in the opposite direction. It happened in February of this year.

Then in April, the sidewalk on the opposte side of the street was torn up and red brick replaced part of the concrete to create a "bike" lane.

As we continued to walk about two or three blocks into the "construction zone" we see the next sign.

This sign says "a thousand pardons, we are working" what a revelation. All you have to do is look around, it is very obvious. There is no sidewalk left to walk on. But they don't put it at the beginning of the construction, it's in the middle.

It just amazing to us, there is so much money being spent on the walkway and street, it is very sad that they don't see the great need to spend the money on the "street children" who really need the money to better their lives. Each day just on Amazonas alone, there are about 25 to 30 young children with their shoe shine boxes, begging to let them shine your shoes. They are the one's who need the money spent on them, so they can go to school instead of work at such a young age.

This is "my little David." Each day that we see he and his Mother (she is in the background) he runs to me. I give him a stick of sugarless gum. He now gives me hugs and kisses. When we first got here, he did not talk at all, now he talks to us each day. He is adorable. His mother sells golves, scarves, sweaters, handbag, larger bags, many different items. There are many, many places like hers that sell these same items. They have become our good friends. His grandfather sells luggage directly across the street in a "kiosko"(kiosk) which they rent from the city. He is a very sweet man who asks God to bless us each time he sees and talks to us. We are very blessed to have some wonderful people in our lives here in Quito. They appreciate our time and efforts, sometimes more than the members. He is a good Catholic man and is very religous. He is grateful too, that we love his grandson.

This is our new Mission President's wife,
Hermana Sloan. They are from Utah and arrived about three weeks ago. I have written about them in past blogs so I won't go on to much.

She is a wonderful woman. She is a very positive, energetic, mom who is desirous of doing a good job serving with her husband in the time they will be here.

She is trying to keep her three children occupied during their summer. Their son Chad will be leaving for his mission to Madrid Spain toward the end of the year. He is very excited and goes almost every day with missionaries to "citas" or appointments with investigators. He will be seasoned by the time he enters the MTC in Provo. They are a great family and good friends.

We are so blessed to be here and having such success. The Lord has guided and promted us all along the way. We are also grateful to have such good volunteers to work with us. In our office it is definitly a team effort.

This is President Sloan with Elder W. We met him in 2001 when we served here in Employment Resources. He has worked for the Church for some time. He worked in the Employment and Perpetual Education Fund because they both belong to the welfare portion of the Church. President Sloan is concerned about his missionaries working hard finding those whose lives will be changed by the Gospel. He aleady loves the missionaries and will work with them to have an obedient mission in that way the missionaries will be able to have the companship of the Spirit and FIND those who are seeking the truth.

I found this scripture in an article in the Ensign. "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you. (John 6: 26-27). It reminds me of what the missionaries do they share that "meat."

President Sloan with his connections, has already sent e-mails to his brethren in Salt Lake asking them to look hard to find a couple to replace us when we leave. We do not want to have the program fall apart, it would literally break my heart.

So things are good with us. We love and miss all our family and our friends.

Until I write again,

Hermana W.

The Time They Are A Changing

What a surprise I had this week! I know it is really not really a big deal, and it is not like Elder W. is not able to do whatever is needed, but he has never gone to the laundry to drop off or pick up his shirts. I have always done it, it seems to be part of "my job." We are very lucky to have a laundry right in our building. For just 40 cents each Lola washes and irons Elder W. white shirts. On Tuesday I was at the supermarket with just a few more minutes before the laundry closed at 5 pm. I rushed in the door to get the receipt for the 4 shirts and Elder W. had already picked them up for me. I almost passed out. This is a picture of the shirts hanging in the closet, all four of them.

This next picture is of one of our students in the Perpetual Education Fund. They are brother and sister Quito, he is the

participant. They are VERY faithful in making his payments.

They are also in our ward, it is called "barrio" in Spanish. They call the office each month and make sure their payment was recorded. They are very sweet people, and are faithful to the program; good examples to other students. What is happening more often now, each month more and more payments are being made than the months before.

This next picture is of Elder W. and I with our new Mission President, President Sloan. He and his wife and three children got here about two weeks ago. Their son, Chad, is leaving on his mission to Madrid, Spain in October. They also have two daughters 10 and 13. They are adorable.

The mission office staff is very excited that the change has occured. To quote Elder W, there is a "new Sheriff in Dodge."

He is a very kind, loving diligent servant of our Father in Heaven. He has worked for the Church in various capacities for some time. His wife is adorable and will be a wonderful "Mission Mom." It will be fun to be able to be included in some of the mission activities.

On Friday, Elder W. and I had a Temple recommend interview since our recomends expired at the end of June. President Sloan was really cute, he traslated (from Spanish of course) to ask us the questions in English. I was his first interview in his new assignment. Our recomend only has one signature. As a missionary the only signature needed is the president of the mission. So it will be interesting when we go to the Temple and the brother at the recommend desk tell us we need another signature. We shall see!

Another week has flown by and it is hard to believe that Wednesday July 16th we will have been missionaries for ONE YEAR ! The time has gone even faster this mission than our last. We thank all of our wonderful family and friends that have written, called and supported us in many ways. We miss you all and think of you constantly, we also keep you in our prayers.

I guess that is about all now.

Until I write again,

Hermana W.

Our Quito

This is a picture of "The Panacilla." It is where President David O. McKay dedicated the country of Ecuador for missionary work to begin. We took this picture from our bedroom window. This was a very clear day. It is a very tall statue of "the Virgin", because of course, this is a Catholic country. The Mission President takes the new Missionaries from the airport, to their apartment for a nice breakfast, then they go to the Panacilla.

They read the actual dedicatory prayer, then some scriptures and then sing the Mission Song. Rain or shine that is the beginning of the Mission for the Elders and Sisters. I do wish it was a closer photo so you could see how tall the figure really is.

This next photo is of the Volcano "Cotopaxi" which is 19,342 feet. It is still an active volcano, but
has not erupted in many years. You can see in this photo, there is always snow at the top of this beautiful volcano. This is the "one" Greg, our son-in-law wants to climb. We took this from our bedroom window also. The volcano which is closest to us, "Pinchincha", which is about 30 miles to the West of us and it is acitve also. In 2000 it erupted about 6 months before we got here for our first mission. A new turist attraction in the city is a tram to the top of Pinchincha. We have not used the tram to this point, it has been much too cold. But we plan in the very near future to "go to the top."

In my past blogs I have shown the clouds which close in to us at about 4 pm, but finally Summer has arrived, and we are very happy about that.We have not had rain for about five days now, what a relief! We have had beautiful sunny days with chilly nights. It is very evident that the climate change is around the world. The last time we served here in Quito, it was not nearly as cold and winter did not last as long. Many people are talking about how different it has been this year.

This is a picture of President and Sister Sloan, he is our new Mission President in the Quito mission. We were invited to their apartment for a "misson staff" dinner. We are really not involed with the mission, he said since we are Senior Missionaries in His Mission we will be invited. We had met Brother Sloan when we served here last time in the Employment Resource Center. He is an employee of the Church in the welfare department. He visited our office in 2001, we enjoyed meeting him then and again in his new assignment now. He will be a wonderful President and Sister Sloan will be a great "Mission Mom." She was a wonderful hostess. They have three children with them here. A son, Chad, who will leave in October for his mission in Madrid, Spain. He will be going on "contacts" with some of the missionaries, especially the Assistants to the President. They also brought two younger daughters, 10 and 13, both were adorable and very excited to be here. They will attend a school, which I believe is an American School. They do have the summer, just like at home.

Their apartment is owned by the Church and was used by the last President and his family. In two weeks before the Sloans arrived, the Church contractors completed "gutted" the apartment and re-decorated with ALL new appliances, furniture, and everything. We have been told by other missionaries that it is quite amazing, the difference between the old and new. I have mentioned before that the mission office was also rebuilt. It was definately in need. They will have a great time here, because they are willing to accept callings and seve when and how they are needed.

We love our mission! We love the people of Ecuador, on the whole they are kind people who appreciate others who come here to help their people. As we are taking taxi's now, we make small talk with many of the drivers, and they are always very polite to us. Many of the drivers know exactly where to take us, because there are three coulples in our building and we all work in the same office building.

Some of our family had a family reunion this 4th of July in Utah at Jamie's and Tracy's homes. It is good to know they are together and having a good time. Richard and his family have moved to McKinney, Texas so they could not attend but they have written and said Texas knows how to celebrate. Scott and Corinna in Spokane Valley could not attend either, they went to Coeur d' Alene, Id. for the celebrations. I'm sure they all had a good time. We watched many displays on TV. The Boston Pops is always our favorite.

We know our Father loves all his children and wants the best for all of them. We are very grateful to be a part of our Savior's work, helping in whatever way we can wherever we are needed.

Lots of love to you all, until I write again.

Hermana W.

This Is Not Typical Weather, But It Is Ours Now

This is our weather lately, It is about 3:30 in the afternoon and as you can see, the clouds are rolling in over the mountains from the east. There is a valley on the other side of these mountains. We are also in a valley. Usually, by about 6 p.m. we are totally in the clouds, it is white all around us. Lately it has been very nice during the daytime, but in the late afternoon and night it is raining. Dang, it is the end of June already. Where are the warm, sunny days I am used to. Tuesday, Elder W. looked up the weather in Las Vegas and it was 117 degrees. Here it was about 55 degrees. Quite a difference.
I am very ready for some warm weather!

We have lots of building going on around Quito.

This is an example of how the construction is happening. The workers have these tension poles which are used between the floors. The workers put probably 40 to 50 poles to support the floor above so they can pour the concrete. The buildings are much more well built now then in the past, it would not surprise us if the government has passed "building codes" we are sure money in involved. Nevertheless, the buildings are very nice. The one in this picture is an apartment building. Some around the city are offices or stores on the two or three bottom floors then above that are the apartments or condos.

We have been very blessed to meet some wonderful people here in Quito. On the street, in the shops and in our aparment building intself. We have a neighbor who is the administrator of the office building across the hallway from our building. He speaks some English, better than what he thinks he does. We have not seen him lately so finally I asked the guard at the front desk, and he confirmed he had been in the hospital. We bought a get well card and gave it to his home-care nurse. Today, in the hallway about 8 a.m. he was walking and I was able to tell hime we hope he is better. He asked us to continue to pray for him because he knows God hears our prayers. How wonderful, he knows!

This is a picute of our "family wall." It is in our hallway, we pass it anytime we walk anywhere in our apartment. I have a copy of the same pictures in our office. Everyone loves to see them, they especially like the fact we have 21 grandchildren. It is wonderful to see faces of our families each day, although they are all older, taller and some have changed quite a bit. As I have said before, it is a sacrifice to serve a mission. We do miss our family and many friends in our home ward a lot.
It is a blessing to be able to communicate wth them over the internet. Some of our grandchildren write us the cutest e-mails. We love getting them. When we get homebwe do look forward to being able to attend gymnastics meets, soccer, t-ball, softball and football games; flute, piano and dance recitals and just being with our family. We do have a very busy family. This week our eldest son Richard and his family moved to Texas from the Las Vegas area. They were the last family we had in our area. Now they have all scattered around the country. We will miss seeing them at home. The funny thing is, after being together 24 hours each and every day as a missionary couple, we also miss having our alone time once in a while.

Our wonderful friends Don and Sharon McClelland have a daughter returning tomorrow from her Mission in Washington D.C. and will have her "homecoming" on Sunday, June 29th. We know she was a good, obedient Missionary who loved serving the Lord. We are happy for them that she is now home.

I was reading our "Preach My Gospel" manual today and I found this wonderful quote from Pres. Hinckley:
"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people....Stand high, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ." I remember when he said that. An I believe that quote will all my heart! That is why we are here.

We love and miss you all.
Until I write again,
Hermana W.

A Typical Day

I have not written in a while, sorry. Tuesday we had the most beautiful day, warm and sunny. Then that night we had the most clear full moon. Occasionally a cloud would pass by, which made it more beautiful.

Some of you have asked what is a typical day? For us lately we arise about 7 am and of course the usual getting ready for the day. After a small breakfast we catch a taxi in front of our apartment (because we can't walk) to ride to the office. Elder W. goes to his office and begins recoring all the statistics for the week in the computer and checking the calls made the day before by our missionaries. They do such a wonderful job in our office.

I, in my cubicle, try to text message as many of the participants as I am able during the day. I remind them to make their payments and thank them for paying. I also send texts for their birthdays. It is as simple as keeping in touch with them. I enjoy this part of my job very much.

On our way to work we see many peculiar sights. The streets are full of vacationers now, we are amazed at how many "foreigners" are here. There are streets, areas really, we call "gringolandia"
where many of the tourists stay in hostels.

One of the other different things we see, is the way in which the telephone lines are connected to the businesses, homes, apartments etc. The ladder is just leaning against the other wires already connected and working. We don't know what would happen if the ladder slipped or a car ran into him or something else tragic. We see this all around the city. You have seen in previous blogs how "wonderfully" constructed the streets and sidwalks are, so when I see this, I just cringe. I can't even walk close to it. Maybe it has something to do with the time I had the responsibility to hold the ladder one the wood floor in our big house when Elder W. was hanging a very large painting on our very tall wall in the livingroom. I let go of the ladder and stepped back to see if the painting was "straight", of course the ladder slipped and Elder W. fell a good 15 ft. to the floor. I don't do ladders well! Thankfully, he was not hurt badly, just a few bruises.

At the end of our workday, we return from the office to do the usual things. I cook dinner, Elder W. checks the computer for new correspondence. After a small meal (usually) we settle in for the night. I do the dishes in boiling water with Clorox to kill the stomach problems. Some nights I have laundry to do, others I iron all the while he is on the computer.

It is mid June and we are still having rain in the evenings, gratefully, it is not every night. Some days, yesterday for example, the clouds rolled in about 5 pm. Usually the clouds are very airy, very light and wispy. Today was no exception. We then had quite a lightening and thunder storm for about one hour, now just hard rain, it will stop in a little while.

Bedtime is about 9:30 or so. It is really hard to fall asleep. Quito has the loudest, most constant alarms in the world. Every car, every business has an alarm and no one pays any attentions to them at all, they go off all night long. You just have to get used to it, or not! That is our typical day. Not much different (except the alarms) than when we are at home and working. Just a different location.

We are so grateful to be here walking around ladders, amid thunderstorms, being cold, and helping our Father's children reap the blessings of keeping their commitments. We have been so blesssed, along with our family, by serving our Missions. We are grateful for the support of our family and friends it is a tremendous load off MY mind knowing that our family is being "watched over" while we are away. We love and miss you all.
Until I write again,
Hermana W.

Precious Children

We are missing our granchildren quite a bit. Our oldest grandson Ry, graduated from High School this last week. We have missed many birthdays, baptisms, ordinations and other graduations from grammer and junior high schools. Several of our children have moved from one place to another. All of this, of course goes on as we think about and continue to pray for each member of our family daily. This is a picture of the daughter of our good friend and service missionary Particio Alvarez. Her name is Noami. She is almost three years old. The caption says "to my grandparents Richard and Cheryle with love, Noami". We have known their family since our last mission in the Employment Resourse Center here in Quito. Since that time, 7 years ago, Patricio has served as Bishop and has taught computers in a school to students from first to seventh grade.
Several weeks before Christmas, the school terminated his employment. Along with several of our wonderful friends we were able to help their family through the holidays. His wife is working, and he is still looking for gainful employment, but while he is interviewing, he is serving with us. He knows many of the members and leaders in and around the Quito area, quite a blessing for us.
In my last blog, I had a picture of some of the young ladies who work in one of the orphanges in Quito. They attend our ward. We talked to several again today. Elder W. asked them if they had maybe decided not to have children, of course he was joking, and they answered that they could not wait to marry and have children. They also added that it would be lots easier, because, at this point in time they have 32 children UNDER two years old. There about a dozen of these young ladies, they work in shifts and have days off, just like a real job. The cute thing was, they told us on their days off, they miss the children. One of the girls we were talking to is a quadruplet. Just this last week they received two brand new babies just several days old. One was found in a garden (in a blanket), the other baby was brought to the orphanage by the mother, she said she could not take care of her, so they could. The girls take care of them until they are 2, then they go to a Convent and Nuns take care of them until they are 18; then they are out on the street.
Precious children from our Father in Heaven. When we are walking the streets each day, we see many small children, we talk to them, play with them a little and even give them candy. Many Sundays the girls bring one or two children to Church. Most of the time, the children do not get adopted. It is very hard to adopt here in Ecuador. We have one couple here now trying to adopt. They have to "live" here for a short period of time (six months) before they can leave with the child.
On another note, we are having a visitor this coming week. Shelley, the sister of our son-in-law Greg, will be here on Thursday, and will be able to see some sights until Sunday. We will see her several times and hopefully she will enjoy her visit.
We are also VERY excited to be receiving a new Mission President on June 30th. He will have lots of work on his hands, that's what happens when "there's a new Pharaoh in Egypt"
Our work is moving along quite nicely. Many more participants are paying in a more timely manner, which is a blessing in their lives. Also, in our communications with them, many have shared with us that they have returned to church and their lives have improved in many ways.
We then share with them, that is because they are keeping their covenants and they are being more faithful.
It is a pleasure to be serving our Savior, teaching valuable priesthood lessons that we know to be true. It is a more difficult life here in Ecuador, but we press on.
We love and miss you all, until I write again.
Hermana W.

Progress in South America

This is a picture of us with Elder and Hermana Newman who are living in Bogota, he is the Area Welfare Director. We met them in the MTC, we began our missions at the same time. They were here to do some training of the leaders here in Quito. We were able to go to lunch with them on Friday before their training on Saturday afternoon. It was very good to see them and compare notes on our experiences. They are happy to be in Bogota. Many people feel it is a dangerous place, but they have not found that to be true. They travel all over Columbia, completing welfare projects for the Church. There are many types of "aid" the Church provides; most often it comes from findiing the needs of an area; sometimes it's medical necessities, construction projects, food and commodities and of course leadership training. They are enjoying their assignment. Our South America North area includes Columbia, Ecuador and Venezuela. They travel to all those countries.

I am posting another photo of some young women who volunteer in a local orphanage. The administrator of the facility is in our Bishopric. Both times we have been here in Quito, there have been many very sweet young women, most, but not all, are members from Utah. They volunteer for three months and take care of the small "unwanted or orphaned" children of Quito. Unfortunaltley there are several of these orphanges around the city housing many children. When I took this photo and spoke to the young women, they told me that at this time they have 32 children UNDER 2 years old! It changes all the time. We are also blessed to have them in our ward because they (coming from Utah) sing for us in Sacreament meeting every now and then. In this group of young women is a sister who is about 6 feet tall and very blond, unfortunately she was not there the day I took the picture. A trio of them sang one day and when they got to the podium to sing one small girl said, (in Spanish of course), "Look mommie, there's Barbie." The young woman was very, very flattered, we all thought it was really cute.

This is a photo of Hermana Griesemer, the secretary to the Mission President. The Mission is preparing for President Lara and his family to end their three years of service to the Quito Mission, and welcome a new Mission President, Tim Sloan. He and his family will be here at the end of June. They are coming from Utah, where he is an employee of the Church. The mission office was just remodeled during the last month. It is beautiful and so much more functional and tranquil now. I don't know how things were accomplished before, it was very "disorganzed" and allowed people to come and go at will. Now, Hermana Griesemer has some "control" of the door to the office. She is a great secretary and a very willing Senior Missionary who gets things done, whatever that may include. She always greets everyone with her beautiful hearfelt smile.

We are doing our best to work hard and accomplish what the Lord would require of us. Our testimonies of the restored Gospel are strong. We love our Savior. We work in a nice atmosphere with employees of the Church and missionaries also. Elder W. takes the opportunity to teach Priesthood Principles whenever it is appropiate. We are blessed to be here in Quito again. I don't think it matters where our assignment is, as much as how we want to be of service. Our good friends, Elder and Sister Shipley from our home Ward in Henderson Nv., are in Ghana, Africa. He is the Secretary to the Area Presidency. Now that is a calling! But, they love it and love the people of Africa. as we too love the people of Ecuador.

Well, that is really all that is happening at this time for us. We pray all is well with all who read this. Until I write again.

Hermana W.

I Wish I Had A Great Title

As I sit in our living room on this rainy Saturday, I have no great stories or situations to tell you about. How unusual for me, right. It is just a plain "Pday" (preparation day). This morning at 9:30 when the supermarket opened, (which is right under our apartment on the main floor of the building), I did the shopping for the week and probably a little more. When I shop here, it is like when you shop at Costco, if you see it, you buy it, because it may not be there the next time you shop. Prices here have almost tripled like we hear they have at home. Just for an example; when we arrived in July, a box of Duncan Hines cookie mix (chocolate chip) was about $2.40, (afordable) then it went to $4.35, now it is an UNBELIEVABLE $8.49. Obviously we are not baking D.H. cookies! Chocolate chips are not available here, I can't figure out why, they have wonderful chocolate. We don't need the sweets anyway, but every now and then the smell of baking cookies was nice!

We received a nice e-mail from our daughter Cindy today, our oldest grandson Ry will be graduating from Saugus High School in June. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? I remember My graduation as if it were yesterday, OK a few weeks ago. How fast time is going. On a personal level how blessed we are to have the technology of the Internet to keep in touch with family and friends. We have several blogs we can log onto and know that family and friends are well and what is happening in their lives. Corinna and Jamie are wonderful to share photos regularly with us as well. It is good to see those grandchildren in their sports and musical recitals, etc.

We are also very blessed to have the technology of the internet and computers in our office also. To be able to communicate with Salt Lake at any time is a great help. Our work is so much record keeping, I can't imagine how hard it would be without the computer, and, as I have shared with you before, Elder W. is the master records and charts creator. We have charts for every statistic there is.

It is now 3:30 in the afternoon and the Andean clouds are rolling into our valley. It is about 2 to 3 hours early. Since our apartment is on the 16th floor we are litterly in the clouds each evening.

We are very blessed to be here serving our Father to share Priesthood principles with our brothers and sisters here in South America. We have said and are teaching daily, the most important part of our calling is stressing to the particpants and leaders the keeping of covenants and being honest. It is a pleasure to see the understanding of the people change little by little, day by day.

I don't know if I should wish for some "exciting" things to happen before I write again, but I will try to take some more pictures of our diverse city to share with you.

Until I write again. Love to all.
Hermana W.

A Mother's Day Tribute To My Family

As I am far from our family this Mother's Day, I feel a great need to share my feelings about my children, their spouses and our grandchildren.

In my Patriarchial Blessing, I am told that "I am especially honored and blessed to be a mother in Isreal, but it places upon me great responsibility to rear my children under the influence of the Gospel that they may grow up to be worthy members of the Church and a power and influence for good in these last days."

I am proud to be married to their father for 43 years. I won't say they have all been "blissfull", but I am grateful for the Priesthood he righteously holds and uses daily. I am very greatful to Father in Heaven for allowing me to rear seven of His choice spirits. This is the only photo I have of all six living children. It is many years old, but I love this picture. It was taken at a very special time.

Each of our children are loved for their own individual qualities. They have become caring, loving, compassionate adults. We love their spouses as our own. They all have their own trials and hardships to deal with, as do we all, but they have become stronger and wiser as the years and trials pass. They are doing their best to be good parents to our 21 grandchildren. I could ask for nothing more.

For the last 16 years, for our family, Mother's Day is more than just a day to celebrate motherhood. It is the day that Becky, then 19 years old, was killed in a traffic accident. I want my children to know how proud I am of the way in which they have handled this tragedy. We all still miss her terribly!

I am so greatful to know that in the future we will all see her and be with her. We know where she is and that is a wonderful comfort to us. We speak of her often, I am especially glad that her siblings talk of her to their children. Although none of the grandchildren personally knew Becky, they do know her through family stories and many photos. Her death has strengthened my testimony of how Heavenly Father loves all of His children unconditionally. I pray it has done the same for the other members of our family.

I miss our family very much, but the Lord has promised that through our missionary service, our children and their families will be blessed, and I am holding HIM to that promise.

As your mother, there are things I wish I had done differently, although, I have tried to be the best example that I could. As we think and reflect on this Mother's Day, I pray each of our children all know of the love I have for each of them and again, how proud I am to be their mother.

Happy Mother's Day girls.

Until I write again, I love you all!

Mom