Fruit and Vegetable Stand

Look how large those carrots are.

Down along the coast, you can get all the fresh fruit and vegetables you want. The fruit and vegetables here in Guatemala are delicious. Today, we're fixing to head up to Antigua to take Gail to reconnect with her Tulsa Bible Church team and John. I think she plans to give them a tour of the city including the coffee plantation, cathedral, market (food and artisans), the CSA (Christian Spanish Academy) and other sights. I look forward to visiting with Gail since our paths have not crosses recently as Gail has been cooking for the Tulsa team this past week. I bet you Gail enjoyed cooking with these delicious vegetables.

J

Beautiful Pink Flower

So what do you do when you can not get on the Internet?

That is the story of my life, yesterday, July 28. Since I am taking an on-line course, I wasn't too upset that the Internet connection was out all day long, because that would have meant I would have had to have reviewed the results of LAB 4 and then take a 10 min. LAB 4 quiz and start on LAB 5 (equivalent to several hours). So, instead, I decided I needed to make some "sending you a Texas smile" and "love ya with all of my Texas heart" cards for my friend Shirley. Then I addressed some "get-well" and "thinking of you" cards.

So, at 10pm Tuesday night, the Internet kicks back on. Am I happy? Kinda. But now I will need to kick it in gear and spend the next 2 days on some Biology labs and also take my final Developmental Psychology exam over the Internet.

The more I look at these beautiful flowers, the more I appreciate God and his creative works.

J

Celebrating birthday

We had our July team meeting. This month we got to celebrate Bob and Oscar's birthdays! I must say the carrot cake was pretty good.

Happy Birthday Bob and Oscar!

~J

Happy Birthday - Glenn

Happy Birthday - Glenn! The love of my life!

Happy Birthday Ellen

Ellen turns 27 today. She has blessed our home with a sweet smile and voice for all these years. She loves to sing! We remember the day when she came into this world. It was a Saturday morning. Having been in labor all the night I was glad to hold our little bundle of joy. Dad affectionately called her our "little froggie" by the way she laid in the crib. Ellen was an easy going baby, not crying much and sleeping through the night.

So, as Ellen celebrates her 27th birthday today, we pray that she will continue to sing to the Lord, follow His steps and embrace the beauty of Life... Just like she is - Beautiful.

We love you, Ellen!

MommieMoe

Jessica

Last week, Glenn and I ran into Jessica here in Guatemala. She was the leader for the Buckner trip that I took here along with Moody radio group back in 2006. I emailed her to let her know that we were in Pana and she emailed back and said she was staying at Porto del Largo on Thursday night. Amazing. Right next door to where we were staying.

Another Small World...Big Family connection.
Jessica and one of the team members.

~J

Enroute

My friend, Virginia, is here for several days on her way back to teach school in Bolivia. Isn't Guatemala on the way from Kansas to Santa Cruz? We are enjoying some good times. Glenn has been busy helping her with some computer challenges.

While here, we connected with Gary L, another old time SAMer who was down with a group of young people.

We met at Mike's coffee shop. Great coffee. Enough said.

The next couple of posts will be of Virginia's time with us in Guatemala. We hope this will be a relaxing and refreshing season as she gears up to teach again at SCCLC. Thank you Virginia for taking time out to have a long 10 day layover here.

~J

Water Plant

The Foote kids brought this plant to me from Santiago. Its a water plant. Notice the sharp details in the coloring. I just love the yellow and then darker purple and light purple. This is my definition of Beautiful.

Judy

Plastic Bags

New Grocery Store in Panajachel.
No choice between plastic or paper. Only plastic here!

So, what do you do in the big city of Panajachel. You take the Foote family with you and you explore the new Super Market in town. We found that it carries most anything that you need.

We also discovered that the store charged us for the plastic bag we used to carry our groceries. Amazing. Next time, I'll bring my own bag. I wonder if they'll start charging for plastic or paper bags in the states?

~J

3 Generations

Gary - nearly 21, Grandma Vi - 80 and Glenn - nearly 54

Café Paulinos

Along the CA -1 highway between Guatemala City and the turn off to Panajachel, there is a nice restaurant along the side of the road. It is a favorite of ours when we have time to stop and enjoy a nice meal. Weekends it tends to be full. Tour buses stop here too.

Steak, beans and guacomole salad. The best!

Out in front of this road side restaurant, local merchants sell their touristy items for those that can't resist.

Judy

Small World Connection

Last week after the JBU gathering, we kept CAM Intern, Katy, with us over night. Then we drove her back "home" on our way to the Lake.

Then on Wednesday we randomly ran into Katy at the Antigua market along with 3 other Interns. Small world...no, Big family!

I had to go to the Antigua market to get some more bags/purses for Sherrie.

J

The City and Antigua, Guatemala

New Mall located in Zone 10.
It reminded me of European streets with sidewalk cafés. Ellen and Luke by fountain.

Your traditional photo in front of the Santa Catarina Arch in Antigua, Guatemala.

Priceless.

J

Stamp Right In, Sit Right Down

Ellen and I enjoyed 2 wonderful days in my craft room - stamping away. I had a list from Grandmommy of cards she needed, plus I needed to make my cards that I do for Birthdays for the CAM missionaries. It was great to share my supplies and spend some relaxing time with Ellen.

Some of the end results - -

Judy

Karen and "The Ragged 'Ol Flag"

Back in the day, before the Internet and Cable TV, I had video taped a PBS production of Johnny Cash's performance of "The Ragged 'Ol Flag". Karen played the VHS tape over and over again, and memorized the whole poem. Some words she didn't know what she was saying, but memorized it anyway.

She performed it at the annual American Embassy sponsored 4th of July picnic in Santa Cruz, Bolivia held at the American Co-Op School. I believe this was in 1994 when Karen was in 4th grade, at age 10. Does anybody remember this event when Karen recited the poem?

I feel more patriotic while living overseas as an American. Its just something in me that makes me especially proud to be an American when I'm not surrounded by Americans and when I don't have the opportunity to live in the US.

Happy Independence Day.

Judy
(my video file was too large, so I couldn't post the entire recitation. Sorry that it is incomplete and a bit late).

Thank you Karen for giving me permission to "brag" on your performance.

You've Gotta Be McKidding

Courtyard in the local McDonalds in Antigua, Guatemala


Staying connected!

J

Get It Off Your Chess

It's your move.

Yesterday, we discovered Fontabella Plaza, a new upscale outdoor mall in the affluent Zone 10. Ellen and I walked around and made note of the sidewalk cafes and fine dinning. No movie theatres, but you can play Chess.

Glenn and Luke played a game of Chess.

Can you tell what Glenn's next move will be?

J

Strangest Vehicle I've Ever Seen

It looks like it is the back of a mini van attached to the bed of a double cab European pick up truck. What do you think? This is by far the most unique and strangest vehicle that we have seen on the streets of Guatemala. What would you call it?

Judy