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.
