Kites are every place and very colorful.

This is a scene of many kites for sale because the month of August is the windy month. The street corners are very colorful these days with the many displays of kites.

The streets of Bogota.

When the days are sunny and warm, many people are out walking and many people are in the streets selling snack foods.

Children flying kites.

The month in Colombia is the month of the kites or cometas. Children and their parents are flying kites this month.

A beautiful flowering tree.

We love Colombia and all their flowers and flowering trees. Today on our morning walk around Parque Simon Bolivar, we had to stop and admire these beautiful flowering trees. They look like many daffadills in a cluster.

They come in twos.

Elder Neira and Elder Hernandez are both from Peru. They are our newest new missionaries. They both speak English. What a blessing.

Part of a famous vase.

This is just part of a famous vase here in Colombia. The story has it that there was a dispute over the vase between the Spaniards and the Criollas that led to the starting of the Revolution. The vase is broken and this is only a part.

Similar but different.

These two drinks were causing some discussion between some of the Peruvian missionaries. We thought they were very similiar, but in the end, we found out that they are different.

The taste test.

Elders Huaita and Chacone think that the Peruvian drink Inca Kola is very different than the Colombian drink Colombiana, so we put it to the test. Elder Huaita was blind folded and then we gave him a test in two glasses. We did not tell him that both had Colombiana on the first round. He said he thought they were very similar, but thought the first glass had Inca Kola. We all had a good laugh, but then we made the real test. He won, he could tell the Inca Kola from the Colombiana.

Always have helping hands.

Our two assistants are Elder Huaita from Peru, and Elder Jorqera from Chile, are always good to help carry the many things to go to the car before a zone conference.

Straight from Utah.

Elder Raines on the left is from Lehi, Utah, and Elder Canon is from Lindon, Utah. They were lucky, they only had two days of waiting for their visas. We were happy to get them.

Happy Birthday Presidente.

Well, another year has come and gone, and we celebrated President Hacking's birthday. We celebrated the day with a 5 zone zone conference. I surprised him with birthday cake at the end, and we all sang to him. He was surprised and happy.

Here is our family.

In June of this year, all five of our children and the 18 grand children had a family reunion. They are all here except one little grandson that didn't want to be in the picture. We are so grateful for our family.

Ending a good day.

Elder Sherwood on the left, and Elder Caipillan on the right, are on the road home. It was a good day.

THIS is our mission doctor?

Dr. Weidmer greeted us with this colorful hat and beautiful new hairdo. He said he went to the University at Burkley. What more can we say. Never a dull moment here.

This was a jolly group in Duitama..

I don't know how many people can give a lecture on vomiting and diarrea, and have everyone loving it and laughing, but that is what happends when Dr. Weidmer (in the middle) gives his training. We love him.

Now, who is who here?

Dr. Weidmer and the commander (actually the guide) are changing roles here at an important battle site that helped win Colombia her independence. This was taken at the momument of the 14 Lanceros.

Not the most up to date operation.

Coal mines in Paipa are a bit out dated, but they are so fun to see. Here the coal car was tipped on its side by the workers to dump out the coal.

This is a Ma and Pa business.

These small coal mines in Paipa are so fun to visit. We don't want to go down their shafts, but they are fun to see.

Our over worked Mission President.

Some mission presidents get easy missions, but not this mission president. He is really carrying his full load.

The Independence Day in Colombia.

July 20, is the independence day in Colombia. We were traveling to Paipa, when we stopped at the Puente de Boyaca. This is a small bridge where an important battle took place that helped gain the independence of Colombia. There were many school children in costumes to do a presentation. The children were excited to be in costume and to particiapte. We loved it.

Lots of special keepsakes.

I am often given special gifts from members and missionaries. When we were in Yopal, the relief socienty sisters gave me this beautiful towel, and a lady gave me the embrodered wash cloth. Almost too beautiful to use.