colombia-cali mission: December 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Oh, the places you will go...

A Visit to Cristo Rey
“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

A tour of the Cali Futbol (that's soccer) Stadium

for our favorite soccer player!

“Oh the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won. And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Next to the Plaza de Toros and the Velódromo

(cycling is 2nd to futbol here in Colombia)

Plaza de Toros

Pres Prince with Ramon...our friend and driver who took us to see all the sports sites!

“You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

A quick stop to take in the view from San Antonio

a quaint OLD section of town

Then lunch at Siga La Vaca...

Oh...the places we went!!

The end has come...
...God be with you 'til our next great fun!

see you in 18 months big Steve!! We love you!

The long and winding road...

...that leads

...to Buenaventura

We went to Buenaventura to help with a Branch training on the new church curriculum for youth,

"Come Follow Me," and to help with an open house that was planned for that night.

After arriving at the Chapel and unloading all the packages and goodies for the Elders,

we tried to start the Explorer and the battery was dead!!

(at least it didn't happen on that long road!)

A good neighbor came to the aid with a set of jumper cables.

We went directly (did NOT pass go) to the shop to get a new battery.

Elders Aldunate and Welling

Steve and Marcie happy to be almost done!

And happy to check into the hotel where they hung out while we went to do training...

...someone got the best end of this deal!

They did successfully take a taxi and join us at the chapel for the open house.

I was impressed as the interacted with the members and guests

and stretched their spanish skills.

It is hard not to love these great saints.

They had about 123 in attendance and about one fourth were non-member guests!!

The Buenaventura Elders

Elders Chase, Alfonso, Hogan, Aldunate, Borg, and Welling

Seeing Buenaventura all lit up in Christmas lights...beautiful!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Sharing our table....

Many missionaries have shared this table with us.

We love them all and have wonderful memories of meals prepared, served, and shared.

On Christmas day we had our office crew with us.

What a wonderful blessing they are in our lives.

They share more than just our table...

...our heavy loads

...our heart aches

...our work

...our plans

...our purpose

...our love!

What a wonderful team...team OFFICE!!!

Elders Oliver, Silva, Carillo, Paez, Chamorro, and Torgerson

No place like home...

There was something magic that
happened when Steve and Marcie Prince
arrived for Christmas...

...it started to feel a little more like home...

....and that is nothing but SWEET!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

"Excitement is in the air as we anticipate giving and receiving gifts.

Gifts come in all sizes and shapes, but it seems that the best gifts are those that can't be wrapped: gifts of service, family, faith, and testimony."

This year we visited each zone and shared a Christmas devotional focused on service and the gifts that we can give our Savior.

For many of our missionaries, it is their first Christmas away from home.

They are being stretched and molded spiritually as they decide every morning to get up and do the Lord's will as representatives of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The gift of self...

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Our missionaries are giving their hearts...

...their hearts are being molded, softened, and changed!

We LOVE them all!!

With the help of our able assistants...