We'll figure it out!

When we started our mission, Craig Ward, who was just finishing as mission president here in Panama, told us that if they say it will take 2 weeks, and it gets done in 3 weeks, consider that a blessing. And then told us "You'll figure it out", and that has become our slogan here as we "figure it out in Boquete. Water flow problems, electricity problems, bug and ant issues have become part of our lives, and yes, we are figuring it out. On top of all this, I was called to be the 1st counselor in the Boquete Bajo Branch presidency this week, so this will be another growth opportunity for both of us.

 When there are city problems, like trying to get them to help us get water to our house, it takes many attempts to get them here, and weeks before they decide to do something. So....

Since we live in a rain forest, and it pours every day, we decided to capture the rain and fill buckets as well as our large water tanks. Once in the tank, the water is filtered. I also have it so the rain comes off the roof right into the tank. Since it rains every day, the water is pure and clean, even off the roof. Note the stream of water coming out the drain pipe. That is rain water, just like a big hose of water. And yes, it is pouring rain, and thunder and lightning to boot!

transferring water from buckets to the tank. Note in the corner of the roof how the water is also pouring into the tank. Our friend Isodoro is helping me.

This is Isodoro and me. We are soaked. He is a great kid, 18 years old, the young men's president (yes, no mistake in my typing, the YM president!) in the branch, and preparing to go on a mission. He is one of the members of the family we are building the small house for in the back of the yard.

Here are two wet missionaries, water still coming out the drain pipe, and soaked to the bone after working to fill buckets and get it to the tanks. Yep, we are figuring it out!

On Pday, I have to help with some chores. The dogs needed some heavy duty flea shampooing, so I decided to help Isodoro. Not sure who got more wet, but I won't worry about fleas for a while!

One of several beetles that land on our doorstep or window sill. About the size of a quarter.

Another visitor that was on our dining room wall.

This is beautiful Baru, the volcano that sits above Boquete, and what many tourists come to see. We see it every day as we drive into town. Today was a beautiful morning to see this massive volcano. There is a national park near the top, and if you wish to hike it, plan on 8 hours one way, sleep over night in a little house, and then the same amount of time down the volcano. I think I will admire it from here.



I had to get a picture of one of our many city buses. Don't see it? It is the yellow school bus. It seems that Panama likes to use older school buses for their city transportation. They are all over the place, along with taxi cabs. Most Boquete people don't have their own cars, so traveling by public transportation is the common mode of travel.