A thankful November 2014

November always brings lots of things to do here in Panama. The Holiday season begins, and seems to never end. It seems that almost every weekend from mid November through January is some sort of holiday. In fact, it is more surprising when it is not! We hope to share in this blog some of the things that were done as we served in our assignments in our 17th month here in Boquete.

Ever see a missionary closet? There are so many choices and decisions to make on how to dress each morning. What should I wear today?

End of the school year brings some interesting challenges and projects to the kids here. Isidoro Montezuma lives in the house that we built, and he and his brother and sister come to us many times to help with some "unusual" projects. One project was to celebrate Thanksgiving, why? we don't have a clue. But they had to make something representing the Pilgrims. Here is Isidoro with the hat the he and Hermana Presley designed and made. It was a hit at school!

Mariela, Isidoro's sister, learned to sew some designs on the sewing machine for a school project, under the watchful and masterful teaching of Hermana Presley

Speaking of arts and crafts, one the the Sister missionaries had her one year anniversary. Hermana Awai, from Hawaii, was surprised when Don hand made a flower lei from some beautiful flowers from our backyard. They smelled just like Hawaii, and it was a joy to do.

November also brought church seminary and  institute graduation. Here they do it up big, with a cap and gown and a wonderful ceremony. Elder Presley was able to represent the Branch Presidency and award the diplomas and certificates. This is Beatriz Bram graduating from Institute.

And this is Isidoro Montezuma receiving his first year certificate for Institute. He is also waiting for his mission call. We hope it comes soon!


We love to take the dogs on a morning walk around the "neighborhood". Bobby, the huskie, loves to visit his neighbors, the cows. Pretty crazy!

We have made it a tradition, or at least our "legacy" here in the Zone of David, to host a full Thanksgiving dinner for the missionaries. This year we had 18 missionaries and the Branch President and his wife, and another couple who also helped us prep some of the food. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy stuffing, green bean almondine, and pies and goodies. They were happy and full!

Here is a picture of all who ate at our house on Thanksgiving. What a blessing to serve these good young people who have come from all over the US and Latin America to serve a 2 year mission.

And then, yes, they even have Black Friday here after Thanksgiving. Mind you, they don't celebrate Thanksgiving, but they sure have started the shopping tradition!

One of the reasons for the mad rush to shop is not only Christmas, but it is also Mother's Day on the 8th of December every year. Always the 8th. And it is a big holiday and big deal here, so the money is flying all over the place! We also had a wonderful celebration on Sunday after church, and had refreshments, presentations by the youth, and some small handmade gifts. It was a great activity with lots of love shown

Don was even baking for the Mother's Day activity. For the first time, he made 40 cupcakes and they even came out successful (they disappeared fast!). Not bad, for my first time!!

Of course, there were birthdays as well. Albert, here enjoying his birthday cake, turned 7 years old. He is the youngest brother of Isidoro.


Lynda and Isidoro celebrated their birthdays together, since they are just a day apart. We had the whole family here. Below is one of the nephews, who really enjoyed the cake! His name is Randy. Cute kid




Now, all around us there are fruits and vegetables growing. We have coconuts growing, lemons, pineapples, plantains and bananas, and our neighbor started growing acorn squash. This one was growing and hanging from our fence and he told us we could cut it off and have it. Lynda made soup as well as roasted some, and we also gave some to the family behind us, and some other friends. This squash was huge!

Speaking of huge, this is a strange flying bug we found in our church building. It is about 5 inches long, has 4 long wings, and some nasty pinchers on its mouth. It was a good thing to wear some gloves handling it. No worry, we did not kill it. Just took it outside and let it fly away. Yeeech...but interesting.

It is now Christmas Season in the Panama summer. Somewhat confusing, but the holiday spirit is alive and well. Lynda is putting the finishing touches on our humble, yet wonderful tree.

As we begin December, we received an awesome assignment to prepare lunch for the Christmas missionary activity. 4 zones, 85 missionaries!! We fixed tacos with all the fixings, beans and rice, lemonade, fruit, and cookies. After the lunch, all the missionaries piled into special busses and went to an orphanage to sing and give gifts. Here you can see some of the costumed reindeer, as there was to be a Christmas play put on by them.


It was a huge task, and I almost jumped! (just kidding). We visited a beautiful waterfall with our friends, the Flakes, the other senior missionary couple. They work in Las Tablas, about 4 hours away, closer to the center of the country, where it is hot and dry.

Here are Elder and Hermana Flake, from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho. They are wonderful people and we love it when they come here for conferences. They were so important in helping prepare the lunch for the 85 missionaries. Here, they are enjoying the cool jungle area, and standing in the midst of the coffee plants that grow abundantly here in Boquete. Odd, huh?

Santa was even among the missionaries as they prepared to go to the Orphanage. Hermana Presley took advantage to give him her Christmas wish. (I wonder what that could have been?)
No sitting on this Santa's lap!

 Well, time to call it quits for now. We are having such an adventure here, and time is flying by. We truly enjoy being here, serving in Boquete, living among the people. We know that we are here for a special purpose, and are grateful to be able to do it together. Although we miss our family and friends terribly, we also rejoice in the service to the Lord as we live here during this time. We are humbled by all that we are given, and grateful for the challenges that help us grow. Soon, we will return home, and will be better people for this opportunity.
Don't forget to comment or email us. We would love to hear from you. dpresley90712@yahoo.com.

Parades and Rain here in Panama

We are in the middle of rainy season here in Panama. That is winter to the states, but it stays around 75-90 degrees, depending on the altitude. When Don comes home from some church duties, the gate has to be opened, and usually it is pouring down rain at about that time. So, dedicated to the work, Hermana Presley goes out in her rain gear to open the gate. But with an inch an hour rainfall, which is normal, not sure the raincoat does much good...but she sure is pretty!

I love the machetes on these little guys representing the farmers of the area.

While there is no military organizations in Panama, only a national police force, they still have their ROTC and march with precision.

And drums, oh yes, the drums. It is like a huge competition to see who can beat their drums the loudest. I think there is some sort of order to the beat, but not really sure.

Here is a small sampling of the drummers from one school. The little guy in the middle was really into it. He had the most enthusiasm I had scene. Lots of fun.

Hermana Presley, Isidoro and Mariella Montezuma came with us to enjoy the parade. They are like our second family. We really love them.

Besides the parades and fiestas, there is visiting and home teaching to do. Here is Hermana Presley with Angelina Carrera on their way to the Marcusi home. These trips are not quite like visits in the U.S. It takes a bit more fortitude to cross streams and climb mountains slick with rain to visit, but it is done with a smile.

At one of our visits to a family who live about as far away from church as possible, up in a farm, there are also these "apartments" where many of the ngobi indians live with their families. We get a chance to visit some of the children when they come out to see us. Notice that each have a stove chimney, but no windows. Clothes are washed by hand, and sanitation is lacking. But interestingly, these people always seem to have a smile for us.

Sometimes after visiting a farm, the members like to give us something to take back to our house. One of most interesting were these green eggs. Fresh from the chickens! Look out Dr. Seuss!

We went to the Costa Rica Border and found in this little town, sort of like Tijuana. It had a very modern Burger King, which of course, we had to stop and enjoy a very american fast food lunch!

There is a lottery here in Boquete, and all over Panama. The sales person sits facing the tickets, and people buy them for a small amount of money. The 15th and 30th are paydays and especially busy days. Some things never change, always looking for the easy way, and spending (wasting) hard earned money.

One night we had steak, and invited our "kids" over to help us eat it. Moises, in the picture closest, covered his steak in butter. Made us remember Diane Ward. She did the same.

Here we are enjoying a picnic with some of the members near the a river in Gualaca, a small town about 30 minutes in from us. These are the Bram and the Sanchez families

We love Boquete. It is beautiful here. This is the volcano Baru, highest point in Panama, and we look out at it every morning. Wow.

A special visit from home

This past month has brought lots of challenges, frustrations, joy, and tears. A real mix of emotions and work. But what rejoicing we had when we had a special visit from Jason, our son, to celebrate his 40th birthday. There are lots of pictures in this blog, and there won't be comments on all of them, for they speak for themselves. It was so fun to show Jason around the pueblo we have been working in for the past 15 months, to meet members, and see the sights. We also had a change of missionaries, and actually sent a great Elder home as he finished his mission with great honor. Elder Duron went back home to Honduras to now study medicine. We will miss him, and wish him well in his future.

Hermana Presley waiting anxiously at the airport for her boy to land in Panama. 

Here he comes!

A tearful and joyful reunion!

At the temple in Panama City.

We visited the Panama Canal. Jason was really looking forward to this.

                               

Of course, Jason wanted fresh ceviche here in Panama.

Jason loves to bargain, and when he finally got the deal he wanted, he always flashed a big smile and would giggle. He hasn't changed much!

One of the dogs, Bobby, the Huskie, took Jason for a walk. 

                           

We enjoyed a local area where Jason decided to go a little closer to the river. Unfortunately, he
found that the moss and mold was pretty slippery and had a bit of a time slipping and sliding. I thought I might have to rescue him, and that would not be fun!

                               

But he made it safe and sound, and we enjoyed a quiet moment together.

Mom enjoyed some good time with her son as well. 

A beautiful waterfall north of town. We had to show Jason and enjoy the area. One of the prettiest spots.

                                     

     

Some of the natural beauty in Boquete!

Don thought he would look for some investigators while visiting the jungle areas!

This was a fun and unique experience for the members and Jason. He brought along a little polaroid camera, the type that produces an instant printed little color photo. In between general conference sessions, he began taking photos of the families. It was quite a hit. We are sure they had never seen something like this, and now had pictures of their families, which they never had before! Way to go, son. Julie would be proud of you!!

The branch president, President Sanjur, and Don, the 1st counselor, of the Boquete Branch

Caroline and Juan enjoying an apple snack at conference

Sanchez family

We had a family home evening with the Montezuma family at our home. Lynda taught a simple but very effective lesson, and then Jason broke out some special gifts he had brought from the states for the children of the Montezuma family. This family is very special to us, and live in the house, all 11 of them, that we built for them last year. It was a wonderful time, and so generous of Jason and his family to have thought of them this way.

                             

Each child had specially selected gifts, like super hero capes and masks, dolls, and even ties for the older one, Isidoro, who is preparing for his mission.

I think it was a great success!

Jason and Don were able to play some baseball with the 3 young boys in the back yard. They loved it and showed some great talent for being 6, 8, and 9 years old.

We had the the Sanjurs and the Elders over for dinner, as well as Isidoro Montezuma. Jason bonded quickly and easily with President Sanjur. 

Isidoro Montezuma and Jason. Isidoro is having his final interview this week for his mission, and will then have his papers sent to Salt Lake. Jason gave Isidoro his USC cap, which Isidoro now treasures. Can you tell by his smile?

During the previous week, Regan sent us this drawing she made of her family. It is now displayed proudly on our Grandchild wall, where we have ALL the various drawings and notes from our grandchildren. We love what we get from them. It is special love.

                             

Jason had wanted to see some of our critters that show up at times around our house and yard. Unfortunately, he didn't get the chance to see something. Sadly, the day after he left, this 5 foot long poisonous viper was in the back part of the yard. Sorry Jason. It would have been great for you to hold.

Elder Duron with us at the Bus station. It was Monday, and that is why we are in our P-day clothes.

Well, time to go. However, Monte, the other big lovable dog, really hates lightning and thunder, and does his best to be at my side during the storms. Since he weighs about 150 pounds, he can push his way in at times, no matter what, and has to be at my feet. He knows he can't stay, but he does his best.
So, from Hermana Presley, Elder Presley, and Monte, until next blog, Chau!