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.