My Aunt Bonnie and Her Baby Brother

Meet my Aunt Bonnie.  She is one of Dad's 5 sisters.  I don't know where in line she falls, but I know she was one of Dad's older sisters.  Aunt Bonnnie died on April 1st.  She would have been 88 this next week.  

Several months ago, I had the privilege to drive my parents over to Weatherford and visit with her.  She was frail at the time.  She didn't talk much, but had a smile on her face when she saw her baby brother (my dad, age 81).

My dad took his cell phone and placed a long distance call for Aunt Bonnie to talk to another sister, Aunt Mayrene.  They didn't talk long and I wonder if she knew who she was talking to.

I remember as a child learning how to ski at Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Bill's lake house.  She was always so kind.  Aunt Bonnie lived a long and happy life.  She had many challenges that life can throw you, Uncle Bill dying at an early age over 30 years ago and a daughter tragically killed in a plane accident, but through it all she stood firm.  Thank you Aunt Bonnie for your example.  You will be missed, especially by your baby brother (my dad).


~J

Magnum Bars Part 2

We first discovered the Bressler Magnum ice cream bar down at the local kiosko there in Santa Cruz, near the third ring, not too far from the SAM mission home.  Jeff was the kind friend that said "Hey, look what I found!".  Ever since then this has been a family treat and hit.  Come to think of it, it took the place of the Cabrera, what we called our "drive thru Dairy Queen"  that was right near the NTM home on Plaza Placú. 

I remember driving in our Chevy pick up truck back in the 80's and 90s and the kids would be sitting on the open bench behind the enclosed cabin.  Glenn would order 3 simple ice cream cups for the kids, then he would drive slowly up to the brown train building and the employees would hand the ice cream cups to the kids sitting in the open bed of the pick up truck.  It was easier to order the cups than to order dips of ice cream cones.  Remember the chocolate chip ice cream?  Mocha was pretty good too.

Then when Magnum came on the scene, we adventured to a more pricier yet more delicious ice cream.  

Magnums are hard to eat.  The chocolate falls off all too quickly.  Many times, Glenn would challenge our friends to try to eat the ice  cream  without the chocolate falling off and the reward would be another ice cream bar.  Glenn was pretty good, he didn't have to pay out...because it was nearly impossible to do.

Memories.  Precious Memories.

~J

Magnum Ice Cream Bars

This is the BEST ice cream in the World.  By Far!

I have eaten Magnum bars in

Bolivia,
Chile,

Guatemala, 

Israel,

Germany,

Thailand

and Mexico.

Where have you enjoyed them?

~J

Sunrise Down at the Coast

Several months ago Glenn and I spent some days down on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. Black sandy beaches, beautiful sunrises and sunsets with warmer weather were all delightful blessings.

~J

Black Volcanic Sand

The Guatemalan beaches on the Pacific side are black, black, black. During the heat of the day, you cannot  walk barefoot without burning your feet, because the sand just soaks up the heat of the sun.

~J

Goofing Off

Last year we were given some "time-share" days down at the Coast! Thank you J and J.

{ NOTE the Alligator, or is it a Crocodile?  }
 

We returned back to the city refreshed, renewed and energized to continue our service and ministry.

The next couple of days, I'll be posting photos and highlights the Pacific coastal area of Guatemala.  During this time of Easter week, the beach gets very crowded with vacationers.

~J

Water Water Every Where

I found this new brand of Water at the store.  Watta.  I never thought I would be drinking Water from a Watta bottle.

~J

Sweet Angel

 

Glenn and I made a short visit to a local Orphanage.  I caught a picture of this sweet little guy.

   

That's One Way to Travel

I think there is still room for ONE more

That is one way to travel.

~J

Pots

Cracked Pots  

Recently we toured the museum in Panajachel at Hotel Don Rodrigo.
These vases and pots were quite interesting.

~J

Overheated

As we were following Paul P. on the road back through Patzún, we stopped to see how Paul would help this stranded family.

It is amazing what water (even pure drinking water from a bottle) can do for an overheated engine!

Way to go Paul! You are a tall drink of water. :)
~J

Intermissions Retreat

Green Acres Baptist Church from Tyler, Texas

really blessed our socks off at

Intermissions 2010.

Thank You!

Little Naomi enjoyed her swim in the pool.

This year's location was in Panajachel.  We enjoyed the new site.
~J

Fruit

Fresh cut watermelon and pineapple.

Delish

~J

What Time Is It Anyway?

FYI - We did NOT go on Daylight Savings Time here in Guatemala.  So, now we will be in the same Time Zone as Denver, Colorado (Mountain time).

Despite saving approximately 60 mega watts of energy per day, the later sunrise would force people to begin their walk to work or school in the dark, further exposing them to threat of violence. 

About 4 years ago, Guatemala "tried" to turn the clocks ahead and it just really messed things up. As most of the country operates with the sun rise and sun set concept, the Government decided not to join the Daylight Savings Time strategy.



~J

Frog

 

FRG (not frog) is a political party here in Guatemala.  There are many posts that have been painted over with the Blue and White color.

 

Flower

Something's Fishy

 

After the morning translation workshop, it was time for lunch.

Mm, mm, mm, mm, mm...fish head and all!

 

Translation Workshop

 

Several weeks ago Glenn and Craig had the privilege to drop in on a Bible Translation workshop in the front yard of Danny and Daphne's house.

  

The sessions were held outside.  Men and women from several language groups were here to discuss the challenges and issues they were having in translating the Old Testament.

   

These folks have finished 4 translation projects here in Guatemala.

These are true workers in Christ.

Thank you, David and Helen!

~J 

 

The Orcutts

 

Since we were in Siloam Springs, we had to stop and visit April Orcutt T and her cute little family.  We knew April when we lived and worked in Bolivia back in the 80's and 90's.

  

Grand Daddy was a big hit with the kids.

Then we stopped by to see Matt and Amanda and their son.  It was a blessing to have a short visit with them.  Amanda owns a vintage furniture and accessory shop in this small historic town. 

Store name Amandromeda.

(check out her website)

~J

JBU Part 2

 

Grandmommy and GrandDaddy joined us for the Family Weekend.  It had been 25 years since they were up at JBU.  My sister, Sherrie, graduated from John Brown University back in 1985.  I don't think the town had changed too much, but the campus sure had grown according to G'mommy and G'daddy.

Mom and Dad were able to join the PAC folks at the Pollard's house.

 

We enjoyed meeting parents of the students which even included some old friends and

  

new friends.

Judy

Family Weekend at JBU

 

Glenn and I serve on the PAC (Parent Association Council) at John Brown University where Gary attends.  This group meets twice a year to help with activities over the weekend.  For our February meeting we helped with Family Weekend.  IT was a great time to meet the students and parents and have a little time with our son, Gary.  

After our routine business meeting, we had the special honor to get a tour of the 2 new constructions sites at JBU by Steve B.  The first stop was to walk through the Bill and Donna Berry Performing Arts Center and then the new Bill George Arena, 

  

 

We helped with registration, Open House at Chip Pollard's home on Saturday morning and other activities.

more photos tomorrow

~J

Gary and Madison

 

I forgot to take a picture of Gary and Madison last weekend at JBU Family weekend. However, Gary gave me permission to post these photos!

Cute couple.

It was great seeing and being with y'all.

Thanks for being the best son a mother can have! 

~J

  

Gary says he has the "classic feel" he gave to the shot.

  

Study hard.  Spring break is around the corner.

~J

Tail Gating

I had to laugh when I saw this pick-up truck's tail gate all tied up. There is always a way to fix everything here in Guatemala.

~J