My Sister Arrives

Yesterday, May 30, my sister, Sherrie, arrived for a 10 day visit with us in Guatemala. We have a long list of things we would like to do with her besides Sherrie seeing our normal routine of ministry here in Guatemala.

The last few months Sherrie has been substituting as "acting" Assistant Principal at a local elementary school in Dallas. So this trip is a welcome break for her and an opportunity to see where we live and work.

Sherrie has this "Flat Stanley" (story book character) cardboard guy who is traveling with us these next 10 days. Anyone have a car seat for this little fellow? Otherwise we'll have to duct tape him to the tire so we don't get a "flat."

To you at Sherrie's school (McLaughlin Elementary) who would like to follow her new blog, and see Flat Stanley's adventures in Guatemala, go to:

http://www.MakeYourBedBrushYourTeeth.blogspot.com

Judy

Friends

My Middle Child

Happy Birthday - Karen! Karen is a quarter of a Century today! I trust you will enjoy your day.
A few thoughts on Karen. She has married her best friend. She loves working with the deaf. You can tell that is her passion as her face lights up when she can express herself with her hands. She loves Macaronni and Cheese. She is the middle child and has always loved pushing the envelope.

We love you. And we hope you have a spectacular day. Happy Birthday, Karen!

Mom

What Does 60 Years Together Look Like?

Mom and Dad are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary today. Dad is the youngest child of 6 while Mom is the only child.

Both grew up in E. Texas where Grandmommy and Granddaddy Helms had a strawberry patch where locals would pick their own strawberries by the bucket. Mom reminds us that she met Dad on her 13th Birthday on the school bus when her family moved to the new community. Mom and Dad dated through HS and were married 2 years later in the Methodist preacher's home. Bill Arnold and Dorothy Bates Hart stood up as the attendants in the simple wedding ceremony. The newlyweds drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a weekend honeymoon.

Both Mom and Dad have been involved in each of our lives. Dad coached YMCA basketball and football for Rick and Ronnie and also helped coach in BBI (Boys Baseball Incorporated). Both helped with field trips and Awana programs while mom helped with Bluebirds, Pioneer Girls and Campfire Girls. Now, they attend local sports and school functions for the grand kids.

They are deeply loved and appreciated in their Lake Highlands community in Dallas.

We are thankful for their 60 years of marriage. Happy Anniversary! Thank you for your example of love for each other and for each family member. We love you dearly.

Judy and Glenn

Lindsey and Young Girl

We visited San Antonio Palopó. This girl was so colorful.

We enjoyed showing Lindsey a few things around Lake Atitlán and Panajachel.

22 for Dinner

Recently we had a JBU team over for dinner. We had Mexican pile up dinner! It was fun to meet some of Gary's friends from college. This group was spending 10 days here doing various activities in and around the city dump, an orphanage and other work projects.

Judy

Sisters

The Milton family flew down to finish the paperwork for their 2 new adopting daughters. Everything was correct. Paper work done. US passports issued except for McCaule's passport still needed the visa stamp in her passport.
Long story short, they were only able to bring back 1 daughter. This little gal is still waiting for her stamp in her passport - hopefully soon.

Judy

Hats Off!

Congratulations to Felicita Glick! Way to go!
We're proud of you! Felicita, CAM Mk, graduated from CAG yesterday and is headed off to Berea College in Kentucky. Don't forget to write home.

Judy

One Happy Stamper

Step 1 Organizing and catagorizing my stamps! Thanks Caroline for your expert help!

Step 2 Having Neri and son hang the boards up on the wall. Thanks to Georganne for these two great wall boards to place my stamps. I have already placed an order for Neri to construct a 3rd board for me.

Step 3 Finished product

It is amazing what I can do stamping, now that I can see all my stamps out and organized on the wall.

Also, I've opened up an ETSY account. Go to http://handstampedbyjudy.etsy.com to view my card creations and my other blog is http://handstampedbyjudy.blogspot.com

Judy

Two Visitors

Several weeks ago, we hosted Mark and Keegan from Texas as they made a ministry trip down here.
Visiting with Jim Adams at SETECA.

Judy

David's Basketball Team

Unexpected blessing. We took the back road to our house and noticed the Conner's red Hiace Van parked out in front of the El Camino school. Glenn quickly called John on his cell to see if David was really playing that afternoon. Sure enough. So, we made a short stop and rooted David's team on to victory.

Judy

Old Friends

We had a delightful afternoon with Alice. Alice was visiting from the states. She used to live and work here in Guatemala. Her son graduated with Glenn from Ben Lippen High School back in 1973. Glenn called up the Ekstroms and we made a "house call" to visit Dave. David is still recovering from his back surgery a few weeks ago.

Taking Alice back to where she was staying, we swung by SETECA and had a short visit with David and Dianna. It is always nice to organize reunions.

Judy

Cashew-tite, Bless You!

Cashew fruit stand
Its called a Marañon fruit. On the end is the cashew nut, one nut per fruit. It is highly poisonous until after it is roasted. It didn't smell too good either.

Judy

Coco Frio

We pulled along the side of the hi-way to get some cold coconut.

Final results - drinking coconut milk.

Judy

Footprints in the Sand

The sand here is black from the volcanic region. The surf is pretty wild and dangerous. When you walk along the beach, you can hear the waves thunder and pound.

Judy

FaceBooking at the Beach

While Chad and Kelly were with us for the extra few days after our annual Conference, we took them to see the ministries in Panjachel, Santiago, Centenial Camp and Xela. Then we took a detour to Monterico on the Pacific Coast.

Chad loves the ocean. He is accustomed to the white sands of Dustin, Florida, so he was quite surprised to see the dark rich volcanic sand along the beach.

For someone who resisted signing up for FaceBook for so long, Chad was "caught" in the ideal photo, checking his profile and growing friends list, right here on the beach.

Judy

Happy Birthday Steve

Happy Birthday - Steve.

You can always either find a book in Steve's hand or a soccer ball at his feet. Steve is my favorite brother in law! He speaks the Queen's language. He has an eye for details. The kids adore him at his school. He likes to watch "Dr. Who", whoever that is.

Steve is graciously going to keep the 4 kids next month while Sherrie comes to visit me. Thank you Steve.

Happy Birthday!

Judy

Heading to Xela

We visited for the afternoon with Brandon and Jenny. Their 2 kids are precious. Little Deacon asks me to play the "going on the bear hunt" game with him.
Judy

Breakfast at Centennial Camp

On our way out of Panjachel and heading towards Quetzaltenango, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast accented with homemade biscuits, eggs, ham and bacon.
Maria with her dog.
Alexanders and Cokers
This was over 2 weeks ago, and now the Cokers are staying with us for 2 days and Glenn fed them breakfast at our house.

Judy

Fiddlin'

Ok, its a Banjo. We didn't know Danny had this hidden musical talent. Pretty good.

Judy

Foote Steps

We visited with Danny and Daphne in their Rock House in Santiago. Note the kids hanging out the window!

We had traditional meal of beans and rice along with tortillas made by hand. We joke that Daphne is trying her hardest to learn how to make the tortillas just like the Tsutujil ladies do in their village.

Judy

My Mom is the GREATEST!

Happy Mother's Day. To the best mom in the world. Mom, when I went through my archieves of pictures to find a good one of you, I could not find a single picture of just you. You are always with family and friends. You are surrounded my those who love you and are dear to you.

Mom would always take good care of me as a kid. She would make sure I would get to school on time. She would make my lunches, wash my clothes and even help me with study & work on school projects. All my friends knew my mom as she would volunteer to be Room Mother or even drive on field trips. She was involved in every aspect of my growing up. Thank you mom.

While I was in college she would faithfully write me a letter once a week. Going to my college post office box and receiving a detailed letter from my mom was the highlight of my day! All my friends knew my mom because she was a part of their lives too. Even to this day, mom will run into old friends of mine at the grocery store and catch up on the latest.

Even as I became I mom, she would help me out. She loved me by "potty training" each of our 3 kids! Way to go mom! You are the best. When I do return home, she fixes my favorite meals such as chicken fried steak or pork chop and potato casserole. I can't forget about my strawberry shortcake or Dr. Pepper jello salad! Mom is the best cook in the world! She is famous for her mince meat pie, banana nut bread, peanut brittle and peach preserves.

Thank you mom for being the BEST mom in the world!

Love,
Judy