Pumpkin Carvin'

Recently we had our niece with us on a short visit to the State Fair of Texas. Look how huge this pumpkin is. I guess it is a Texas size pumpkin!

~J

Guest Books

We have kept a Guest book ever since our First year of marriage. I am now starting on my 5th book. Each Guest book represents lots of casseroles, cook-outs, birthday parties, over-night stays of our many friends and family who have graced our home. We count it a privilege to have our friends in our home. Each event represents many laughs, tears and love as we have shared our hearts, home and family with those who mean so much to us.

For the month of July, there were only about 7 days that we did not have overnight guests or someone over for a meal. But each month is different. During mid -August to mid-September, there were no overnight guests for 4 solid weeks. You never know what each month brings.

Thank you to those who have signed our Guest book many many times. You are treasured friends.

Come, visit us and sign our Guest Book.

~J

Always Room For One More in the Back

These 2 ladies were riding in the back of this pick-up truck out on the open road, CA-1. Hold on!

~J

Extra Gas Tank

Is your tank tank 1/2 full or 1/2 empty? As we drove down Avenida Roosevelt we passed this man who had strapped his gas tank to his motorcycle. I'm sure he was just taking it to get refilled. We use these gas tanks in our home for our gas dryer and gas stove/oven. Osha approved? :)

~J

NBC Peacock

Stay tuned for more "colorful commentary!" :)

I love Pink

This flower is abundant down at the coast.

~J

Xocomil

We helped and enjoyed the fun with the "Country Cousin" team at the Xocomil (pronounced: show-ko-meal) Water Park.

~J

Old Time Fashion Gas Pump

As we drove down from Xela to the coast, we stopped for a 'potty stop' and this old fashion gas pump caught my eye. Wow, you don't see this type of pump much any more.
~J

Having fun

It doesn't really matter where you are from, kids from any culture still enjoy swinging at the playground!

~J

Zoo

Several weeks go, Glenn & I drove out to Quetzaltenango to keep the missionary kids so their parents could have an uninterrupted meeting.

We discovered the local zoo. Not much to speak of, but there was some fun playground equipment the kids enjoyed. Fun times.

~J

My Aunt

Alma Kate Marr

She was 99 years old and she lived a good life. She was more like a grandmother to me. Although she walked with a limp, she never complained. She was loved by many.

My memories of Aunt Dick are:

Easter Basket

Going back to my earliest recollection of my childhood, as a child growing up, we never believed or participated in the Easter Bunny, however, Aunt Dick would bring 4 Easter Baskets over to our house Saturday night before Easter, each basket filled with lots of candy, small toys and Easter Eggs.

Birthday Cake

I also remember her taking me for the weekend back when I was in 6th grade and I stayed in her little garage apartment and she helped me bake a surprise birthday cake for my mother. She probably didn't think much of it, but I sure enjoyed my time with her.

Trips to the "country"

I also remember Aunt Dick would drive "down home" religiously every other Sunday morning and return Sunday evening after visiting with Grandmother Marr in the "old folks home". She didn't complain as she did it out of respect and love for her mom.

Best Chicken and Cornbread Dressing

Aunt Dick is best know for her cooking. She made the best cornbread dressing. She always said it wasn't good, but everyone else didn't complain. Besides cornbread dressing, she loved making pound cakes and banana pudding.

Although Aunt Dick wasn't even 5 feet tall, she was very tall in my eyes. She was born with a dislocated hip and always walked with a limp, kind of like a penguin. She had the smallest feet for an adult that I've ever seen. Amazing what you remember. We will miss her but are thankful for the 99 years she had on this earth. And we look forward to seeing her someday again. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through".

My Aunt died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, October 4th. This is a day of celebrations. It was my baby brother's 49th birthday, my 40th Spiritual birthday and my aunt is having a birthday party in heaven. Monday, we buried her.

~J

Amazing Grace

(With permission to post): Back in July, we had the special honor to attend a private concert by D. Wyrtzen. He was here in Guatemala giving a lecture/class at SETECA regarding worship. What a great experience to hear him play. Thank you for your ministry. ~J

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shinning as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

Flowers

These are a few of my favorite flower photos. I didn't even "piscasa" them!

~J

Fisher of Men

I caught this photo while traveling across the lake.

~J

Prensa, Prensa, Read all About it!!

Local Guatemalan man had a stack of newspapers he was carrying. His little son or grandson was following behind. With curiousity, I watched how the man backed his load into this public van.

~J

Visiting Little Elizabeth

Last week we visited with Laura and her new baby. She is a precious little girl. Laura is so fortunate to have such a sweet baby. She is very content and easy going. This is a sleepy yawn, not a cry.
I understand the Conner family is still keeping the same noise level as before, so little Elizabeth is use to all kinds of commotion and distractions.

~J

Antigua at Night

While the engaged couple was spending the evening at the Welden restaurant, Glenn took me to the restaurant under the archway in this historic city of Antigua, Guatemala to celebrate our 30th year anniversary.

~J

Anniversary Engagement Number 30

Recently Glenn and I celebrated our 30th Engagement Anniversary. Yes, Sept 8, 1979. Glenn proposed to me, or rather my dad proposed. Read more!

History - Glenn had spent the entire day with my dad painting the house. I spent much of the day with my mom shopping. We had plans to attend a wedding, then Glenn wanted to take me out for dinner since we were all dressed up for the wedding.

Glenn talked with Dad seeking his blessing and his advice about his intent to propose to me that day. Dad was thrilled but commented that it would be good for Mom to know about the engagement. However, Glenn never was able to visit with Mom since we were busy all day running errands and shopping.

The 4 of us headed off to the church service (same church Karen and Thomas were married in). After the wedding, the congregation watched the wedding portraits being taken.

After the pictures, as we were leaving the sanctuary, my dad walks up to me, gives me a big bear hug and says "Congratulations, Judy!" The only things is that Glenn hadn't yet proposed to me. I smiled. Glenn knew what had just happened. Dad was embarrassed about his 'slip'. As we walked back to the house in the alley after the reception, Glenn proposed to me, and then again in the revolving restaurant that night over dinner.

Glenn made the engagement official as we ate dinner at the Reunion Tower Restaurant. Happy 30th Engagement Anniversary - story.

~J

International Treaty - Cuba / Chile

Several weeks ago we had the honor and privilege to take Sinaí and his "girlfriend" up to Antigua for a date. We dropped them off at The Welten Restaurant for their special date, already knowing what was going to happen. Side note - I would recommend this Restaurant in a heart beat. Very nice and romantic!

After dropping the couple off at the Welden restaurant, Glenn and I drove over to the restaurant under the arch and had a nice dinner ourselves, courtesy of a good friend.

Sinaí had prepared a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of his and Nicole's childhood photos. Well done. Then he had the sign, "Do you want to marry me?", light up. Of course, Nicole said "Yes"!

Sinaí, from Cuba, is a graduate of GBS and now is working on his master's degree at SETECA. Nicole is from Chile and will be graduating from SETECA in a few weeks. We wish them lots of happiness and joy as they begin their lives together.

Speaking of engagement, Glenn and I were celebrating our 30th engagement anniversary that evening also. My next post tomorrow will be about that adventure.

~J

HOT Water!!!

Ever since we moved into the house here, we've had trouble with the hot water system and the hot water heater. Glenn can explain that it wasn't plumbed correctly.

However, we now have hot water! Glenn and Neri put in some new pipes, banged on the wall, and now the hot water doesn't mix with the cold water when it goes from the hotwater heater to the faucets. Yippee...nice warm(hot:) water to bathe and to wash the dishes.

~J

7 Layer Casserole

Its been 9 years since I've made this dish. Why? Because I always made the 7 layer casserole in the dish that I got as a wedding present, but it broke in our move from Bolivia back to the states. And as a creature of habit, I couldn't make it in a different Pyrex. So, I didn't.

My kids can testify that we had this simple dish at least 3 times a week, while they were growing up. (You know, it was a balanced meal:) I think my kids dislike the dish now because I used to cook it so often. I could get all the ingredients and it was simple to make. Note recipe at the bottom.

~J

Layer the 7 items in the following order in a greased casserole dish

1/2 C uncooked rice
1 can of corn (drained)
1 onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
1 can of tomato sauce
1 lb. of ground beef (not cooked)
1 can of tomato sauce

Cook at 350 degrees (not centigrade:) for 1 hour.

Pacaya - Blowing Off Steam

Recently, as we were driving home, we caught this sight of the local volcano spewing...and to think people climb up this volcano and roast marshmallows.

We live about 45min from the base of Volcán Pacaya.

~J

Rincón Suiza

One of our favorite restaurants along CA-1, heading towards the lake.

~J

Happy Birthday - Guatemala

Today is Independence Day for much of Central America! Guatemala included. No schools, no work and basically people have the day off to celebrate. Guatemala is 188 years old.

~J
(I thought I had posted this earlier today, but I can't find it...must be a senior moment)

My thoughts exactly

I haven't had any post recently on my blog. Several reasons. Running hard ~ and I wasn't able to "get ahead". Where did the summer months go? Besides, our normal Pastoral care job here in Guatemala, I can tell you. Glenn and I were preoccupied with my 4week "on-line" Biology course I was taking. Thanks Glenn for your help. It was tough, but I learned a lot. Ended up making a B in the course.

Prior to that, Glenn and I took an "on-line" Developmental Psychology course. Very helpful and useful in our day to day life of understanding people and problems. Something we will definitely use in our ministry.

Since I am a "sprinter", I seem to blossom when it comes to on-line course. With the self-pace structure style, this "one-line" stuff is ideal for me.

I needed to take a 3 hour elective for my "degree completion" program. I just didn't want to take anything. So, I signed up for a Business computer science course. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Ask my mom and Gary, I've used some new techniques in Microsoft Word when I write my weekly snail mail letters to them. The course is over Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Should be fun. I am glad I'm learning to learn and not learning to make the grade.

~J

Marge Watson Singing "This World is not my Home"

Several weeks ago, Virginia and I made a "house call" to visit long time SAM missionary, Marge. Marge is such a delight to visit. Her memory is failing, however, when I visit, I throw out names from her days when she worked and ministered for many years in Peru and she lights up. She likes to talk about her Peru days.

Marge is now living with her oldest daughter here in Guatemala. And its a pleasure to pay frequent visits to her home. She has such a good attitude. She has been in the hospital several times this year for surgery. She remembers Spanish very well.

One of her favorite songs is "This World is not my Home". She truly is waiting for the Lord to take her home and sings this song with a smile on her face.

This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Chorus
O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Happy Birthday Haley

Haley turns 16 on September 2.

Haley is Sherrie and Steve's first born. She has a personality who is very conscientious and is very sensitive. She is helpful with her younger siblings. She loves unicorns and likes to make homemade jewelery. She likes crafts and likes to draw. She has a strong artistic bent and will probably exceed with her arts.

She will never let you forget a promise. She babysits quite often and during the summer of 08, she raised money for her airfare so she could go with her dad on a school tour to England to visit the castles and also visit her Nana. She is learning the concept of money, as she recently purchased a cell phone and is learning the value of the dollar and the value of a minute phone call. She is on the "pay as you go plan". Haley has completed her driver's education. Watch out drivers on 635! I know, however, she will drive very carefully.

This past summer, Haley had the wonderful experience of going on a Caribbean cruise with one of her girl friends and family. She had a blast.

Happy Birthday, Haley!

Aunt Judy