Called To Serve

Max

2010-09-14T21:13:00.005-05:00

We received our little Max. He is seven years old and is a Bischon. We got him from the Bischon Rescue in San Diego and a sister taking her daughter to BYU delivered him to us. He and I go for about a 30 minute walk each morning and night. He and I are both over weight and this walking is beneficial for both of us.

Sept 11, 2010 - Sept 12, 2010

2010-09-14T15:13:00.012-05:00

All the siblings together. Dean, Gene, Kay, Jackie, Lyle and Dale.

Dean, Kay and Jerry.

We had a barbeque in Bobbi's back yard. It was put together at a short notice from last night when I ask if we could all get together.

Schism elementary school. Dean and others went three years to this school.

This is the house that mom and dad moved to from the tiny house we had on the Oregon - Idaho border. My bedroom was the upstairs window overtop of the bay window. The red barn was there also.

When I got married this is the house that mom and dad lived in and was the last house that they owned. Mom died with a heartattack in this home on a Sunday while everyone else was at church.

Nampa high school where everyone attended but Lyle, Gail, Jerry and I.

Megan Cleverly, Dean and Claudias oldest grandchild kneeling next to mom and dads headstone.

Sept 10, 2010 - Oregon

2010-09-14T14:12:00.006-05:00

Dean, Claudia, Megan, Karen and I took a little jaunt over to Adrian and the places we use to live. Claudia is standing in front of a harvested Hop field and Karen in front of one yet to be harvested.

My family lived on the state line of Oregon and Idaho. In fact we owned property in both states. We slept in Idaho and ate in Oregon and attended Oregon schools. The farm was in the Big Bend area.

Sept 9, 2010

2010-09-14T13:30:00.004-05:00

We attended Brocks Soph football game. Northridge vs Bonneville. Brocks team won.

That night we slept at Chuck and Andreas in Charlys room. She left me this note.

Then we went to Easton soccer game and ate dinner with Chad and Nicolle.

Temples

2010-09-14T12:52:00.005-05:00

We saw the following temples while we were on our trip. The Nauvoo and Oklahoma City

The Logan temple and Omaha temple

We also drove thru Denver and St. Louis.

Winter Quarters

2010-09-14T12:31:00.004-05:00

We stopped at Winter Quarters to see where Brigham Young was set apart as president of the church.

Nauvoo

2010-09-14T11:51:00.007-05:00

Nick and Macor showing how water and other items were carried by the early saints.

Nick and Karen making a rope and Nick and Macor outside a cabin.

We learned about oxen. They are cows that are at least 9 years old. They are much larger.

We walked the Trail of Hope.

August 10, 2010 Carthage Jail

2010-09-13T19:32:00.007-05:00

We drove from Brandons to the Carthage Jail. The boys were quite impressed and felt the spirit.

In the room where the martyrdom took place.

The jail cell in the upper room and the stairs that lead up to it and the spare room

Aug 7 thru Aug 11 2010 Brandons

2010-09-13T19:02:00.005-05:00

We had a fun time hanging out. Saturday we went to football games. Sunday to church. Monday and Turesday swimming at the pool of a member in their ward.

Mason, Grandpa, Taylor, Brooklynn and Jaxson.

August 7, 2010 Football

2010-09-13T18:31:00.005-05:00

Saturday we were fortunate to watch Taylor and Jaxson play their first football game. For some reason I didn't take a picture of them playing in either game.

This is Taylor

Jaxson. They both played well.

August 6, 2010 St. Louis Arch

2010-09-13T17:18:00.005-05:00

On our way to Brandons we stopped at the Arch in St Louis and went to the museum.

The museum depicted the west and the Luis & Clark expedition.

July 31, to Aug. 6, 2010 El Reno, Ok

2010-09-13T15:34:00.006-05:00

Karen, Nick and Macor with Lorna Varner. Mother and great grandmother.

Nick and Macor in the pool and with their grandmother Karen.

Karens cousin Judy with Macor and Nick

July 30, 2010 Dodge City, Kansas

2010-09-13T14:59:00.008-05:00

Our second night we stayed at Dodge City. Famous for Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

The original Boot Hill.

First night at Castle Rock, Colorado with Joan Anderson.

July 26, 2010 - Aug 15, 2010 trip

2010-09-13T13:55:00.011-05:00

Karen and I and her two oldest grandsons Nick and Macor Childs went on a 6,000 mile trip to Oklahoma to visit Karens mother and then to Indiana to visit Brandon and Nicole and their family.

We left early in the morning of July 29th and stayed the night in Colorado at Joans a very dear friend of Karen.

After staying in Oklahoma for about a week we went to Brandons in Indiana. On the way we stayed overnight at a hotel in Missouri.

On our way home we went to Nauvoo and Winter Quarters. We stayed a night in Nauvoo, Council Bluffs and Laramee.

We took Nick home in Lewiston, Ut and Macor in Taylorsville

Week of July 24, 2010

2010-09-13T13:22:00.004-05:00

Time spent with the family before going on our trip to Oklahoma and Indiana.

On the 24th Chad ran the marathon in the Days of 47.

Homecoming July 11, 2010

2010-09-13T12:40:00.010-05:00

Family came from along the Wasatch front and California to our homecoming.

One of the activities was going to the St. George temple grounds and visitors center.

Chad, Melissa and kids and Ike and his boys.

Marshal, Noelle, Grandpa, Kendall and Charly.

6/30/2010 Home at last

2010-07-05T23:26:00.002-05:00

Mike and Alisa house sat our home while we were gone. Our heartfelt thanks goes to them.

We were met at the Las Vegas airport by Karens son Mark and her college roomate and high school chum Deesie

6/29/2010 at the airport waiting for our flight

2010-07-05T23:14:00.003-05:00

Karen with my leather hat. It is 11:00 p.m. and we are waving good-bye.

Three of the sisters that Karen taught English came to say good-bye.

Elder Peterson flew with us to Atlanta then he caught a plane to Phoenix and we to Las Vegas.

There were 3-4 other elders on our plane from the North mission.

6/29/2010 Our last day in Peru

2010-07-05T21:31:00.016-05:00

All the missionaries going home with president and sister Tyler after we had gone through a session in the Lima temple.

Elder Moss with his family and elder Johnson with his family.

Elder Pilligua and elder Eck with his mom and dad.

Hermana Sernares with her dad and elder Thacker.

Elder Hales that is taking my place in Lima. Elder Johnson who is taking Karens place with his comp. elder Ramirez and elder Hales comp. elder Alfaro.

Hna. Zully who has been cooking now for the fourth mission president and elder Alfaro.

6/28/2010 Last day with members

2010-07-04T19:18:00.012-05:00

George was a very big help for Karen as he spoke perfect English. He has attended BYU. Sisters of the Magdalena ward. Left of Karen is the Relief Society President and to the right is Geraldine the wife of the 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency.

Patricia and her twin sister that Karen taught English most of the time while we were here. Also Francis who she taught.

Sussan's mother and aunt. Also Elizabeth Cairo from our ward.

We took Sussan, her sister, mother and aunt to the restaurant Vivaldi .

They gave Karen this beautiful shawl

6-28-2010 27 new missionaries arriving

2010-07-04T19:07:00.002-05:00

Our last change. We stood in the background and let our replacements take charge. 27 new missionaries arrived.

Sister Warr just arrived from Oklahoma, Karens home state.

Presidents home - Cusco

2010-07-03T12:40:00.006-05:00

The presidents home in Cusco. Three stories. Very eligant.

The spectacular views from the home.

We told the missionaries good-bye and took them out to eat at a Chifa next to the hotel that we were staying.

Setting up Cusco office

2010-07-03T11:57:00.013-05:00

The new Cusco office is on the fourth floor. The only bad thing about it is there is no elevator. It is a brand new building.

There is a seperate office for each pair of missionaries with its accompaning restroom.

On the left is the conference room.

This is the Assistants room.

This is the Presidents office.

Looking from the front entry back to the conference and storage rooms.

It was a holiday and the celebration of Inti Raymi. While here Karen had her cell phone stolen from her purse.

From the air on our way to Cusco.

Jenny

2010-07-03T11:45:00.002-05:00

Jenny cleans our office and it was hard to tell her good-bye. She has been such a big help and does a great job keeping the office clean. She always has a big smile.

Jenny and her boyfriend came to our apartment to give us a gift.

Elders Smith and Hales

2010-07-03T11:37:00.002-05:00

We took elders Smith and Hales to this Mexican restaurant. Elder Hales on the left is replacing me in Lima and Elder Smith will be the financial secretary in Cusco.

Limatambo chapel

2010-06-20T13:52:00.006-05:00

Today I attended the Limatambo ward. I wanted to go before I went home and something always came up and we never did make it before today. When I was a young elder I helped with the construction at least 10-15 times and our P-day.

When I went home they were just putting the trusses for the roof up. This is the oldest chapel in Peru. The overflow area is larger than other chapels down here.

The walls are trapazodial design.

This is one of more than 200 chapels in Lima.

Early members

2010-06-20T13:18:00.004-05:00

I went to the Limatambo ward today. I wanted to go there before we went home as sevaral times as a young elder on my P-day I worked on the chapel. It is so satisfying to see it completed and know that you helped construct it. These three people joined the church at that time.

The brother was the first counselor to Roberto Vidal, the first Stake president in Lima. The sister in the middle joined the church at that time in Miraflores and the sister on the right joined just after I went home but her Bishop was Isaias Bravo who I know.

Office elders

2010-06-19T10:18:00.002-05:00

The missionaries that we are training that will take our place after our departure. Left to right: J. Alfaro, Whitton, Hales, Moncada, Smith, R. Alfaro, Ramirez and seated Johnson. Elders Smith, Whitton and Moncada will be in the Cusco mission.

June 14, 2010

2010-06-16T15:36:00.004-05:00

We told our very good friends Ron and Nadine Ramirez goodbye for now from Peru as they headed back home to Idaho.

Ron and Nadine Ramirez with President Bowman at the Lima airport.

Saying our good byes.

6/13/2010 Stake Conference

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After Stake conference they gave these flower to Karen

Sister Gardner

2010-06-16T15:23:00.002-05:00

Sister Gardner brought sister Alvarez into the office so that she could go to Mexico where she was originally called.

June 10, 2010

2010-06-16T15:10:00.003-05:00

President and sister Tyler took us out to eat at the La Tranquera restaurant before we go home

Karen with sisters Morales and Mondaca at the Clinica Javier Prado. Sister Mondaca had her appendix taken out. We went to her hospital room and waited until she returned from surgery.

6/6/2010 Mariategui

2010-06-08T14:21:00.006-05:00

As near as I can tell this is the building that served as the Mariategui branch and where we lived as missionaries in 1961. It was remodeled in the early 70's. I use to walk by the Catholic church on my way to my sector. Such fond memories.

5/29/2010 Ramirez

2010-06-08T14:17:00.004-05:00

We went out to dinner possibly for the last time in Peru with the Ramirez. They go home next week. We were in the MTC with them and came to Peru together. They have been working at the temple. We will be eternal friends and see each other after the mission.

5/28/2010 Martins

2010-06-08T14:07:00.003-05:00

Elder Martin went home last October. But he came back with his parents to show them the wonderful people and the beautiful sights of Peru. We went to the La Tranquero restaurant. The grandfather of elder Martin is first cousin to President Elmer and Claudia.

Cash Box

2010-06-08T13:45:00.002-05:00

We have been instructed by the Area Office to never let our cash box get below 3,000 soles. This was not a setup. We ran out.

5/27/2010 Sisters from Magdalena Ward

2010-06-08T13:36:00.004-05:00

Karen invited Susan, Frances, Charito and Patricia to our place for pizza. Susan was unable to make it but the 5 of us visted until after 10:00. Then we tearfully said our good-byes. Karen is teaching and has been teaching English for over a year to these girls.

5/16/2010 Trip to airport - Sister Nelson

2010-06-08T13:23:00.004-05:00

We went to the airport at 11:30 pm with sister Nelson and sister Sneider to pick up sister Nelson who is from the St. George area. About 12:30 sister Sneider ran out of gas. We got home at 1:30 and everyone was at the office by 9:00 am. Sister Nelson for her exit interview.

5/15/2010 La Bistecca

2010-06-08T13:12:00.004-05:00

The President and Sister Tyler took the office staff and the assistants to dinner at La Bistecca. All you can eat everything. His assistant elder Jenkins was going home and elder Hatton was going out of the office and to Puerto Maldonado as Zone

leader. We had a very fun time and the missionaries just love the food. It is if they will never be able to have a good meal again.

5-1-2010 P-day at the Presidents

2010-06-08T13:08:00.002-05:00

Spent the day visiting. The President fixed pancakes and we played the card game Golf.

4/22/10 Karens birthday

2010-04-24T19:44:00.004-05:00

When Karen arrived at the office she was greeted by the elders with this flower arrangement and a tres leche chocolate cake.

Later Susan one of her students that is learning English and from the Magdalena ward came to our house with another cake.

4/15/2010 Back home

2010-04-17T16:50:00.006-05:00

Pictures of Lima as we came in to land from our trip to the provinces. Parts of San Borja, San Isidro and Miraflores.

4/14/2010 Ollantaytambo

2010-04-17T16:31:00.012-05:00

Javier and Karen. Also Javier standing in front of the entrance of the house that is over 1,000 years old.

Some of the homes and streets are built right into the original Inca ruins.

They even have their meal growing inside the house. See how wide the streets are.

Javier took us to this house that is over 1,000 years old. It is just one room. Notice the Singer treadle sewing machine. Of course that isn't 1000 years old. Fish drying and whatever the other thing is hanging.

The beds are at one end as well as their table where I guess they eat.

Old artifacts they had on a table.

There were animals in the house.

The ruins at Ollantaytambo.

4/13/2010 Machu Picchu

2010-04-17T15:07:00.038-05:00

The train that we took to and from Machu Picchu.

Going down the canyon. The Urubamba river and one of the many mud slides.

Elders Jeppesen and Alfaro met us at the train station and later that night we took them out to eat.

Entering into the ruins and the road up from the river.

Looking at Wyna Picchu and the royal tomb.

The guard house

Yes we were actually there. One of the seven wonders of the world.

In 1961 I stood under this tree and it was just taller than I. Now it is over 40 feet tall.

Wyna Picchu and us climbing up to the Hitching Post to the Sun.

Totally awesome.

We stayed the night in this hotel. Inti Inn. This is Aguas Calientes. We inspected the elders room and it is the nicest accomodations in the entire mission. Sorry I didn't take a picture of it.

The bridge that connects the two parts of Aguas Calientes.

4/12/2010 Urubamba and Mara and Mopay

2010-04-17T13:54:00.021-05:00

At the end of the day we stayed at our favorite hotel which is in Chincheros. We left from here to go to Machu Picchu.

From Mara we went to Mopay which was a place where the Incas used as an experiment place to determine which crops to grow. There is a 20 difference in temperature between the bottom and top.

The pensenista of elders Peterson and Tapia who are just now opening the town of Mara. The president knelt down and dedicated the city of Mara to the preaching of the gospel.

The town square and outside the elders pensenista. The night before the elders came looking for a pensenista and a place to live she had a dream that two would come and she was to help them.

Scenery of Mara in the Sacred Valley between Urubamba and Chincheros.

We are standing overlooking the city of Mara which is just being opened up for the firs time with missionaries.

The Mara cementary and looking down on Urubamba and the two story chapel which is one of the prettiest in the mission. It was just rededicated a couple of weeks ago after remodeling.

We joined the missionaries from the Valle Sagrado zone on their P-day. Karen and sister Tyler were the goalies.

Looking down on the city of Urubamba and the Ricolleta hotel where we stay in Urubamba. We arrived late at night at the hotel from Quillabamba.

This is the country flower of Peru. I can't remember the name of it.

4/11/2010 Quillabamba

2010-04-17T13:24:00.008-05:00

We left Cusco and drove to Quillabamba arriving late at night. Early the next morning or Sunday we drove to Echirate and attended their branch meetings. Then we drove back to Quillabamba where at 2:00 the president started

Zone conference and interviewed each missionary. Quillabamba is very beautiful. The jungle at the base of the Andes mountains. We were very lucky that it was cool for Quillabamba.

Sister Tyler taught the English speaking missionaries in Spanish and the Spanish missionaries in English the song Head shoulders knees and toes.

The setting of Quillabamba from our hotel balcony. At 7:00 we headed back to Urubamba before they closed the road at Ollantaytambo. Quillabamba is beautiful and they have a beautiful chapel but I hate the ride of some six hours getting there of which at least two of the hours is a dirt road and there was fog and it was night so that we couldn't see the cliffs where it drops down a thousand or more feet. We went over the pass that is just over 14,000 feet in elevation and we stopped there to see a gadzillon millon stars with the milky way and the southern cross.

April 10, 2010 Cuzco Zone leaders meeting

2010-04-16T18:54:00.005-05:00

All the Zone leaders in Cusco taking a break with a Big Mac and fries.

I ask this fellow if we could take his picture.

All the missionaries that are still in the mission that have worked with us in the mission office. L to R Elders Eck, Rodriguez, Malale, Hales and Celiz. Elders Smith and Hatton are still back at the office now.

Update hotel construction across the street

2010-04-09T11:50:00.007-05:00

The hotel begins to rise up out of the ground. They are now on ground level or the 4th floor with four underground parking levels.

They are pouring cement every day now.

The house behind didn't sell out but now the house sits vacant.

New missionaries 4/7/2010

2010-04-09T11:29:00.003-05:00

We greeted eleven new missionaries today. They are Sisters Crespo and Ortiz. Elders Alvarado, Chipunavi, Dettenmaier, Henriquez, Kester, Lopez, Palmer, Pastrana and Perez. Four from the US, 3 from Guatemala, 1 each from Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Colombia.

Missionaries going home 4/6/2010

2010-04-09T10:48:00.016-05:00

Every six weeks we have a group going home. This is elder Smith the tall one that is replacing elder Hales in the office. Elder Hales is going to Cusco to work with elder Rodriguez. The shoe of elder Gurr.

Elder Cissna from North Ogden, Ut and Elder Irizarry from Layton, Ut.

Elder Gurr from American Fork, Ut and elder Chuan from Cajamarca, Peru.

Whoops. Same picture twice.

Sister Huntsman from Castle Dale, Ut.

Sister Collantes from Lima, Peru

Elders Irizarry, Arciniegas from Call Valle, Columbia and elder Milla from Lima, Peru

Elder Chuck Johnson from Victorville, Ca.

Elder Milla from Lima, Peru

Elder Torres from Iquitos, Peru

Elders Orbegoso from Trujillo, Peru and elder Pacaya from Iquitos, Peru

Elders Hales and Hatton

2010-04-05T15:19:00.006-05:00

Elders Hales and Hatton after a busy day at the MTC in Provo, Ut.

Now fast forward 19 months later. They are companions working in the office. They are at the airport taking and picking up missionaries from one of our changes.

La Bistecca

2010-03-29T12:15:00.005-05:00

On Saturday our office staff, assistants and President and sister Tyler met President and sister Perez and the office staff of the North mission for a delightful and delicious luncheon at the restaurant La Bistecca.

We didn´t know the missionaries could eat so much.

Puerto Maldonado - Jungle - March 17-21 2001

2010-03-22T15:12:00.022-05:00

We arrived from the airport and went directly to the Anaconda Lodge and Thai Restaurant. We stayed in these bungalows. It said it was air conditioned. That meant we had a fan. They were very nice.

Our bungalow had a loft above with three more beds.

Karen layed down in the hammock and fell asleep for a couple of hours.

Donald told us that the spiders come out at night and he knew where this nest was. On our walk we saw over a gazillion stars. Something we don't see in Lima.

At the lodge were all these baby monkey that loved us and we loved them.

They all wanted to check us out

Pedra and I became instant friends.

Unfortunately she became lost as she followed us to our bungalow and didn't know how to get back to the lodge.

This is Pedra telling me her troubles.

The jungle

2010-03-22T13:42:00.015-05:00

We got on the river Madre de Dios and headed downstream. I was really surprised at the size of the river. Our guide said it is between 90 and 100 feet deep and between 1/4 to 1/2 mile wide. They are in the process of building a bridge to the other side in Puerto Maldonado.

This is the boat that we rode on with a canopy. It was nice with the wind blowing. We were on the water for an hour an a half getting to the Planet Amozon where we launched into the jungle proper.

This is an island out in the middle of the river. There were several that we passed by.

This is where we got off the river. One of the many butterflies that Karen was always trying to take a picture of.

Before heading into the jungle this is what we looked like. Clean!!!

We put on boots that came to just below the knees.

There were all kinds of trees. This is a walking tree with its long root system.

Some of the trees were extremely large. Some areas it was swampy and we walked on this narrow foot bridge.

Canopy Walk

2010-03-22T12:26:00.013-05:00

150 feet above the jungle floor we climbed up this canopy walk to get to this platform. We could look down on the various trees.

This walkway is steeper than it looks and you need to use your arms to help you move along the way. Karen on her way down.

Notice the thick growth of trees and bushes.

This is looking on the way up.

We wore boots that came almost to our knees. Karen is mired in the mud

A log with fungus growing on it in the swamp.

We saw these animals along the way. The Jaguar and Tapiars.

2010-03-22T11:48:00.008-05:00

Saying are goodbyes to Donald and Wadee who own the Anaconda Lodge. Starting next week they have agreed to have the sister missionaries come and teach them.

Donald and Wadee. She is from Thailand and he from Germany though he was born in Lima.

Sister Cleverly, Wadee and sister Tyler at the chapel.

In moto taxi getting ready to go to the airport.

President and sister Tyler.

Diversity of Peru

2010-03-22T11:20:00.007-05:00

We left Puerto and the jungle and within a half an hour and before landing in Cusco we saw snow.

The Tambopata river that goes around Puerto Maldonado.

All pictures taken from the window of our airplane.

Puerto Maldonado

2010-03-21T16:09:00.012-05:00

The missionaries eating with us at the Cabana Quinta hotel and restaurant. Earlier in the day sister Cleverly and I along with elder Petersen, Zone leader inspected each of the missionaries apartments

Elder Callisaya

2010-03-14T17:01:00.004-05:00

The president went out of town and as he left he ask us to take elder Callisaya out to eat before he leaves the mission. It seems that elder Callisaya had a pre existing medical condition. As he can not work like a regular missionary he is ending his mission early.

This is only the second time that he has ever seen the ocean. He is from Bolivia.

Abancay 2-28-2010

2010-03-08T16:55:00.014-05:00

The beautiful view of Abancay from our hotel.

Beautiful Abancay.

The Abancay missionaries at the restaurant at our hotel.

Sisters Lucero and Pizarro.

Saywite

We stopped along side of the road and Sister Cleverly and sister Tyler went to the bathroom in the trees on the other side of the road.

Between Urubamba and Chincheros 3-1-2010

2010-03-08T16:04:00.008-05:00

Beautiful scenery between Chincheros and Urubamba.

Between Chincheros and Urubamba.

Urubamba and Karen going down the stairs from our second floor room at Chincheros.

We loved our room and this hotel and would recommend it to any one going to Machu Pichu. The owner and his family are recent converts to the church.

Road between Abancay and Cusco 3-1-2010

2010-03-08T15:26:00.009-05:00

This is the river that flooded the road out between Cusco and Abancay. For a period of time the missionaries were trapped in Abancay and the only way out would be to go to Andahuaylas.

Notice that parts of the road is gone. A temporary road of gravel had to be built. Closer to Abancay part of the highway was missing only it was about 1,000 feet down. We couldn't stop to take a picture as there was no place to pull over and stop.

You can see the river now and what it was like a few weeks back when they received so much rain.

Flooding Huacarpay and other cities 3-2-2010

2010-03-08T14:08:00.015-05:00

On our way to Urcos and then Sicuani from Cusco we came upon the city of Huacarpay that is under water. Even though these people have been displaced from their homes they can still smile.

The people moved into these blue tents provided by the government.

There is water on all sides of this small town and right down the middle and the water is still flowing.

See where the road would have gone straight.

This is not just one or two homes but the entire city.

The blue building is the school.

Even part of the road is under water.

As we left Huacarpay several miles down the road we came upon this other city that was under water. I didn't get the name of that city. From here we went to Urcos. By the time that we left Urcos it was dark. There could have been other towns under water.

Sicuani Zone 3-3-2010

2010-03-07T15:54:00.017-05:00

On our trip to Sicuani sister Tyler needed to go to the bathroom so we stopped at this nifty rest stop.

We also made a stop at Urcos and inspected the missionaries in this Casa Capilla. The elders live above the chapel. The ceiling is about 6' high and elder Buckner is 6'4". This beautiful lake at Urcos.

We stayed at this hotel in Sicuani. We received bed bug bites.

The Sicuani chapel and some of the American missionaries. The town square where I went to the bank.

Pizza break during the conference.

It was raining when Karen had to go out to the car.

The Sicuani chapel and elder Johnson holding his birthday cake along with elder Fiestas.

The Sicuani Zone. Four of the elders are serving in Espinar about 2-3 hours away.

Multi Zone Conference at Cusco 3-4-2010

2010-03-07T14:20:00.007-05:00

The Zones Valle Sagrado, Cusco and Inti Raymi at far right. Inti Raymi zone.

The Valle Sagrado zone and Elders Armijo and Jeppesen with sister Cleverly and I.

These two faithful missionaries walked for ten hours along the railroad tracks to attend Zone Conference. Elders Eck and Mullo. Elder Mullo gave the closing prayer in English.

Sister Cleverly talking with elder Jeppesen.

Sister Cleverly with Hermanas Camacho and Morales.

Last night the Norris came to pick up their daughter

2010-02-22T20:15:00.005-05:00

Last night we went to the airport at 11:45 p.m. just before sister Norris' family arrived from Alabama. It took over an hour to go through customs but finally they came thru the opening with their luggage.

Oh what joy to be reunited after one and a half years.

Trip to Andahuaylas 2-15/16-2010

2010-02-21T15:11:00.018-05:00

We found out how beautiful Peru is. We flew to Andahuaylas to inspect the missionaries apartments. We were on the same plane with President and sister Tyler and elder Jenkins. The plane is like the plane from the TV sitcom Wings. The flight took about 1 and 1/2 hours.

There are 9 rows and the plane holds 18 people.

Welcome to Andahuaylas. It is the summer but at the same time it is the rainy season. Everything is this luxurios green.

From the plane looking down before we landed.

Andahuaylas is in a bowl and this is looking up to the hills.

While we were out inspecting the rooms it started to rain.

Some of these pictures are taken while I am standing in the yard of the chapel.

The missionaries from Abancay came and the president interviewed them also. We all ate at this Chifa and then the missionaries from Abancay went back. About a 4 hour bus ride.

President Flores is president of the Andahuaylas District. When you see him he always says, "Que tal Andahuaylas"!!

Inspecting the rooms in Andahuaylas

2010-02-21T13:55:00.008-05:00

Looking out the window of two of the elders rooms. They set up tents and sell their wares. Notice the river. The other picture the elders room is across the street from a town square.

We were very impressed with how clean and neat the rooms were. The zone leaders Elder Hirshi and elder Celiz took us to each room. After the inspection Karen left two cookies for each missionary.

Usually each pair of missionaries would be with us but they were back at the chapel being taught by elder Jenkins and sister Tyler or being interviewed by the President.

The missionaries didn't even know that we were going to inspect and the Zone leaders just a couple of hours before we arrived.

Feb 9th - With the Davis

2010-02-21T13:03:00.001-05:00

While we were in the MTC in Provo we met John and Ana Marie Davis from Boise, Idaho. By the way their Stake President is Douglas Stoddard Rose and his wife Ruth Jordan were in the Andes mission lo so many years ago. Any way the Davis have been serving in Chile and stopped by in Peru on their way home.

We met them at the airport on their way back from Cusco. We took them to one of our favorite restaurants, Mangos that over looks the ocean in Miraflores. While there the Slingerlands came and joined us. Doctor Slingerland is the Area doctor and prior to this mission he served in Chile.

The Davis and Slingerlands knew a lot of people in common in Santiago.

This picture has the Davis standing in front of a 400 year old Olive tree.

Friday/Saturday 2/5/10

2010-02-14T17:08:00.014-05:00

We have an elder Rivera that is from Ecuador. He came into the mission directly from Ecuador bypassing the MTC here. Somehow he fell through the cracks and never received a Carnet. So in order to get one he had to be taken out of the country and brought back in. We decided it was easier to go to Chile than any other country. So we flew to Tacna on Friday, stayed the night at hotel Corona Real and the next morning drove to the border of Peru/Chile to immigration. March 3, 1961 I started my mission in Tacna. At that time there were 30 members and the city had about 10,000 people. Today there are over 10,000 members and the city has a population of over 250,000. There were only two things that I still recognized, the town square with the arch and the Catholic cathedral.

The Turista Hotel now called the Gran Hotel is still there and our branch, where we lived was right across the street from the hotel which now is occupied with several shops.

On Saturday our driver took us to the border where I paid $332 dollars for elder Rivera to get his Visa. It was in this building at the border. From there we went over into Chile and the city of Arica. The first person that I ever baptized was a convert that we took from Tacna to Arica as they had a baptismal font. As I started in Tacna the city of Arica, Chile was opened and I was present when they had their first convert baptisims.

Elder Rivera and I standing at the border. I am standing in Chile and elder Rivera in Peru. In this area is the largest desert in all the world. Not even a weed will grow.

Arica, Chile is on the Pacific ocean.

People at the beach. Just sitting in a car my hand and arm were sun burned.

1/30/10 The Schellenberg's

2010-02-14T13:01:00.002-05:00

At midnight Karen and I went out to the airport to pick up another couple coming to our mission. They are the Schellenbergs from Pleasant Grove, Utah. They spent a week at the Lima MTC and then the president assigned them to work in the Sacred Valley.

1/23/10 P day at the Cleverly's

2010-02-14T12:43:00.003-05:00

After a rousing game of horse the office elders and assistants came to a delious dinner prepared by Karen and then we played a game of golf.

Flooding in the Provincias

2010-02-11T15:04:00.015-05:00

This is a picture of the Urubamba river at the base of Machu Picchu and Aguas Calietes and the zone of Machu Picchu Pueblo. Elders Jeppesen and Armijo are working there. The Area Office ask us to air lift them out but they pleaded to stay and help the people

While the world had their attention focused on the horrible earthquake of Haiti, Peru was experiencing much more than usual rainfall during their rainy season. Some days the rain would be more than ten inches. This caused massive flooding and mudslides.

As people were displaced from their homes they were moved to these temporarily tent shelters. As many of the homes are made of adobe bricks the homes would desolve like sugar in a bowl only leaving the roof and what furniture they had.

These pictures happen to be of the Sacred Valley and around Urubamba. In December Karen and I drove over this bridge.

The President is standing on the roof of what once was on top of a house. In Urubamba over 1,000 homes were destroyed.

Some of the devistation. None of the missionaries were ever in any danger and are a great help in coming to the aid of the people and the members. Between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu there were four major mud slides that whiped out the train tracks. There were around two thousand tourists stranded at Machu Picchu that had to be air lifted out. The Area Office told us to bring out the missionaries but they talked the president into staying They are filling sand bags and helping the people in any way that they can.

The roads were closed between Cusco and Abancay and Cusco and Quillabamba.

Water water everywhere but not a drop to drink. The road covered with water.

Their became lakes which was previously farm land and crops were undated with water.

Multi Zone Conference in Lima

2010-01-23T10:36:00.011-05:00

Multi Zone Conference with Elder Gavarett of the Area Presidency and first council of Seventy.
Condavilla Zone.

El Trebol Zone

Maranga Zone

San Martin Zone.

Callao Zone

Palao Zone.

El Olivar Zone.

La Libertad Zone.

Office elders and the assistants

Kids birthday party

2010-01-16T16:35:00.001-05:00

Today they had a birthday party in our back yard and at the club house.

New Missionaries 1/13/10

2010-01-16T15:52:00.003-05:00

This group of new missionaries appears to be a very good group. In fact Pres. Groberg of the MTC said this is one of his best groups. Not a single missionary is from Peru. The majority are from Guatamala.

The week of changes Jan 13, 2010

2010-01-16T13:29:00.016-05:00

Doctor Slingerland comes to our office twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. He sees missionaries from our mission and the South mission. He came the week of changes. Elders having fun.

The Elders love to play the card game golf as do the Tylers. We met at the Presidents home for Elder Huamani's birthday and he going home and Elder Malale going to Quillabamba. We had pizza instead of going to a restaurant.

Missionaries going home. Elder Bravo and elder Huamani had a girl friend that came to the testimony meeting.

Elder Huamani with his companion elder Jenkins and with Karen. He was an assistant with both presidents.

Sister Cleverly telling the missionaries goodbye as the van is about to pull away from the Magdalena chapel and head to the airport.

Elder Ramos on his way home to Mexico.

Brother and sister Tipiani. What a couple. They served in Puerto Maldonado. Though Peruvian they are going home to Saratoga Springs, Ut.

China Town

2010-01-03T21:25:00.009-05:00

Yesterday on our P-day we went
down town with George and Rochie

to China town and from there to

Plaza de Armas and the Presidential

Palace.

We ate at an authentic Chineese
restaurant. There were people

everywhere. A lot of sweat shops.

We werent exactly sure what we ate

but it was ok.

Peruvian Congress building

2010-01-03T19:33:00.005-05:00

Congress building front and back

Balconies

2010-01-03T18:54:00.006-05:00

These places were really something in their day.

1-2-10 Plaza de Armas

2010-01-03T18:15:00.004-05:00

Some remaining Christmas scenes at the Plaza de Armas

Private Gold Collection at Presidential Palace

2010-01-03T16:15:00.015-05:00

Private Gold Collection in the west
wing of the Presidential Palace.

Nativity Scenes

2010-01-03T15:00:00.008-05:00

In the west wing they had a display of Nativity Scenes. After leaving the Presidential Palace we walked down Jiron de Union looking in the shops. We then caught a bus for home and ended the excersion going to the Ice Cream Factory.

12-31-2009

2010-01-01T13:33:00.006-05:00

We ended the year by going to "La Bistecca" restaurant to eat lunch. It was Nadine Ramirez birthday. We were joined by the Tylers, Cordons and the Ramirez.

In the evening we joined up with the Temple bunch and played games until 11:45.

We then went up on the roof and had a 360 degree view of the fireworks display all over the city. Every neighborhood was doing their own thing.

This was the group of us up on the roof.

You could see fireworks all over the city, both near and far.

12-25-09 Christmas day

2010-01-01T12:18:00.006-05:00

We went to the Manning's for Christmas dinner at noon. There were three mission presidents, the Manning children, Karen and I and the office staffs and assistants of the South and Central Missions.

The Elders from the South mission and from the Central missions

Karen and I and the Tylers with elder Jenkins, the presidents assistant here in Lima.

Elder Huamani, the other assistant of the President here in Lima.

After the Ham dinner we all went our seperate ways to call home to our families.

12-23-09 Lima Zones Christmas

2009-12-31T12:43:00.012-05:00

We arrived directly from the airport and Puerto Maldonado and changed our clothes. They played the game of popping the baloon.

We played basketball and around the world in ping pong.

My team won the basketball game. Sister Tyler would call out a number and you had to get into groups of what the number was.

At the dinner, all the sisters at the same table.

The elders fell down.

Bro. and Sis. Hugo Huapaya with the Tylers. Bro Huapaya is the mission secretary.

At the end of the evening we all went caroling around the neighborhood. It was a lot of fun and the people loved it.

12-22-09 Puerto Maldonado Christmas

2009-12-31T12:13:00.016-05:00

Even the best missionaries get tired and need a nap.
All the travel in Puerto is by walking, motor bike or moto taxi.

We had this scrumptous meal all prepared by the Tipiani's. They go home on next changes. They are Peruvian but live in US.

Sister Tipiani made these bags that the sisters and Pres. and Sis. Tyler are wearing.

The shower in our hotel and how the water is heated. All the sisters at Puerto Maldonado.

Our hotel room. Puerto is in the jungle.

Entrance into our hotel Cabana Quinta and lobby. Moto taxi in front.

See the jungle in the background. This is the air tower at the airport.

12-21-09 Christmas Cusco

2009-12-31T11:02:00.028-05:00

One of our games was to see which elder could eat a banana, cracker, whipped egg whites and drink a bottle of pop being fed by their companion who could not see what they were doing. Everyone got a lot of laughs.

Picture of Pres. and sister Tyler and us with sisters Gardner and her companion sister Comacho.

Elder Peterson and Cedeno. They are the Assistants in Cusco. Also Sisters Comacho and Gardner.

Missionaries playing game of cathing a water filled baloon tossed over volley ball net. Pres shaking hand of Domingues of Calca.

Quillabamba Zone and Andahuaylas Zone

Abancay Zone and Sicuani Zone

Inti Raymi and Cusco Zones

Zone winners of baloon popping contest and eating contest.

12-20-09 Urubamba - Calca

2009-12-27T19:32:00.005-05:00

We started our Sabbath day by going to the Urubamba branch. They are meeting in a temporary building while the original chapel is being renovated and a second story added.

Outside the Urubamba brach building.

After Sacrament meeting we drove to Calca and went to their Priesthood/Relief Society Meeting. This is the entrance into their bldg. After Calca we drove back to Urubamba and ate lunch at this great restaurant. It was buffet. From here we drove to Chincheros for another Sacrament meeting that started at 6:00 p.m.

12-20-09 (Sacred Valley)

2009-12-27T17:35:00.012-05:00

Lake or lagoon where president waded out into the water and the non member washed his feet with water from his hat.

Rode we traveled on in the Sacred Valley

Beautiful Sacred Valley with the beautiful farms.

Some ruins on side of hill between Urubamba and Chincheros. Notice farmer plowing his field with animals.

Sunday 12-20-09 (Chincheros)

2009-12-27T16:40:00.008-05:00

The President recently opened up the city of Chincheros high up in Valle Sagrado or the Sacred Valley. He sent Elder Tito who was his assistant and Elder Smith to open it. The elevation is close to 13,000 feet so it gets cold at night. The picture on the left is a group of people going by on their way home from selling at the open market during the day. They said they would come to church next week.
These three girls attended Sacrament meeting. There were sixteen present with fifteen being investigators. This is the largest attendance so far for this new branch.

After Sacrament meeting we went outside and met these people.

12-19-09 Trip from Cusco to Urubamba

2009-12-26T11:46:00.034-05:00

When we first arrived to Cusco, we were met at the airport by Javier Since and he took us to the Sacred Valley and the town of Urubamba. Notice the city of Cusco and the numerous houses built up on the hillside. Double click on the picture and see the long stairs that goes up the hill.

The beautiful Sacred Valley. From November to March is the rainy season and everything is beautifully green

We stayed at the Recoleta Hotel in Urubamba

It was beautiful and a nice room

A view of Urubamba looking down on the city.

We left Cusco and headed to Urubamba. These are pictures of the city where we have a branch and two elders working here.

Pictures don't do justice to the beauty of the country side.

These are pictures of some of the streets and the people

Moto taxi that we caught from hotel to down town and town square.

We went from our hotel to the town square.

While sitting on a bench at the town square we saw this funeral procession going by.

While we were down town in Urubamba we went to this open air market. Notice the pile of different colors of peppers

Sacks loaded with beans, lentils, rice etc.

Our hotel was once part of a monestary. They adjoin one another. These statues are inside the church

The entry way into the church

Notice the rockway floor.

This depicts the beliefs of the Peruvian people. In the Provinces most of the houses has the two oxen up on the roof signifying that the couple are equally yoked or pulling their weight equally to raise their family. Also on his left sholder he is wearing a pouch like the old pony express pouch that the rider would have on his horse. In the front the husband would carry the burdens of his family and in the back the community. It being braided and knotted at the top as the strenght of the husband and wife for family and community.

While we were in Ollantaytambo we stopped at this shop and bought 16 dolls for our granddaughters. We actually went to Ollantaytambo to see the ruins and eat at a favorite restaurant of the Tylers. Unfortunatly
it got dark to see the ruins and the restaurant was closed. But we did have a good meal at another across and down the street.

Hawkins

2009-12-26T11:35:00.003-05:00

Bill and Ilene Hawkins left for home in Parker, Co. on the 14th. He was the second counselor in the Temple Presidency. Earlier they had served as Mission president of the Chiclayo Mission.

P day 12-12-09

2009-12-12T19:15:00.004-05:00

Charo our mission foot doctor invited us to dinner today. We had a fun visit and a very fun time. Charo is not a member of the church but she has the Book of Mormon and has attended our meetings. I am trying to talk her in to letting us teach her the lessons. She is Catholic but is such a nice person she might as well be a member. Her sister is a member and lives in our Magdalena ward.

This is Charo's Christmas tree. Charo has such a nice two bedroom apartment. She has been divorced now for at least 20+ years. Her son that is 34 lives with her.

We saw this Christmas tree down the street from Charo's in Miraflora.

Zone Conferences

2009-12-12T18:51:00.004-05:00

We had Zone conference at the office this past week. This is the Callao ZoneThis is the Zone El Olivar

This is the Palao Zone and other elders.

Christmas tree 2009

2009-12-08T16:25:00.002-05:00

We put up the office Christmas tree yesterday. I assembled the tree and put on the lights. The elders put the decorations on and Sister Cleverly put the ribbon.

Elder Hales, Elder Huamani, Elder Malale, Elder Jenkins and Elder Cleverly. Sister Cleverly took the picture.

New missionaries/change meeting 12/02/09

2009-12-05T11:52:00.005-05:00

This month we received twelve new missionaries and have five going home. Each change when the new missionaries come in on a Wednesday we have Dunkin Dounuts for the break of their training.

After the change meeting the missionaries leave to their new areas with their new companions.

Missionaries going home 12-01-09

2009-12-05T11:11:00.007-05:00

Another change has come and gone. Just as we get close to these guys, they up and go home on us.Elder Bray is from North Carolina. His parents came down to pick him up and we want to thank them for bringing us a Honey baked ham that we will use for Christmas to feed the office staff, Tylers and the assistants.

Elder Cooke is from Layton, Utah and one of the presidents Assistants.

Elder Guerra is from Trujillo, Peru.

Elder Dencker is from Bolivia. He was the missionary that we stayed with at the Elmers when he had surgery.

Elder Luis Espinoza is from Lima that was a good missionary.

Fireside at Magdalena Stake Center

2009-12-02T22:01:00.004-05:00

On Sunday evening we had a special fireside in our Stake celebrating the fifty year reunion of the Andes Mission. I spoke as did President Tyler, Isaias Bravo and other early stalwarts. This picture is with Isaias Bravo who was one of the first Stake Presidents here in Peru. We knew each other back in 1961. I told the story of going to Albertsons in Bountiful some time in the early 2000's. I ask the checker where she was from and she said Peru. I found out she was a member and from Lima. I ask who was your father and she said Isaias Bravo. She still lives in Bountiful.

Fifty year reunion at Callao

2009-12-02T21:26:00.004-05:00

Fifty year reunion of the Andes mission held at coleseum in Callao. Put on by eight stakes within the boundries of our mission. It was a night of each stake performing native dances of different states within the country.

Former Andes missionaries getting ready to walk around the arena and current missionaries outside the arena waiting to walk around the arena.