Waiting at the bus terminal.

After 2 1/2 years in the mission, this was the first time we have been to the main bus terminal. Luckily we found seats to wait, as the bus was late.

560 cubes of sugar.

While waiting at the bus terminal for our new couple, the Morenos' to arrive, I bought this box of sugar cubes because we were out of sugar and the bus was 2 1/2 hours late, so there was no time to go to a grocery store and buy sugar. The cubes worked, the dinner was delicious.

We welcome Elder and Sister Moreno.

We are thrilled to welcome Elder and Sister Moreno to our mission. They are from here in Colombia, in Bucaramanga. They are going to help us in the mission office. They are bringing a lot of sunshine with them.

The final day.

Our entryway was full of excitement as these missionaries were getting ready to return home after two years.

Not forgotten.

On his last day of the mission, Elder Jorquera finally recived a package. This was his first package. It was from one of his converts. I hope he had a suitcase big enough to carry it home.

We love these new missionaries.

We had 19 new missionaries arrive in one day. One more is still in Argentina waiting for his visa. We love our new missionaries. Now we have to go to work to learn their names.

A big group returning home.

This was a HUGE group of missionaries that returned home in February. The truth is, six others had gone home earlier in the month. We have Sister Rojas sitting, second row. Elder Mucha, Elder Uriola, Elder Rallisan, Elder Arango, Elder Romero, Elder Gammara. Third row, Elder Ochoa, Elder Huamanchumo, Elder Aguilera, Elder Machacuay, Elder Caipillan, and Elder Moya. We wish them well.

Thanks goodness for those assistants.

Elder Nunez on the left was put to work on his first day of being an assistant. He and Elder Glick had to change beds to get ready for some new missionaries that would be staying in the house that night.

Colorful Colombia.

Colombia has great shops with every color of tie you can imagine. They cost $4 or $5 Us dollars. This man loves the missionaries because they always buy so many ties from him. When an Elder is going home, he gives them a free tie.

A visit from our family.

Our five children and their spouses came to visit us in Colombia. We all enjoyed being together and just catching up on the last 2 1/2 years. They came from Virginia, Wisconsin, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oregon. Families are wonderful.

Our family after the Suba stake conference.

We participated in the Suba Stake Conference and afterwards were invited in have lunch with President and Sister Moreno in a side room. We had huge sandwiches and oatmeal drinks.

Christmas in February in Colombia

We enjoyed our belated Christmas in Colombia a little late, but we celebrated it Colombian style. Lots of good memories.

Touring Bogota.

We had perfect weather for one full week. That was a record for Bogota. No rain.

The Hacienda de Salitre.

Every day was a lot of fun just being together as a family and visiting the sites of Colombia.

We tried a lot of new Colombian foods.

Not everyone wanted to try eating the chicken head, but Tyler tried everything.

The last day.

We had a wonderful time together and hated to see it end, but we had to return back to work. We ended our adventures with a hike to Laguna Guatavita. Dr. and Sister Henderson came with us.

La iglesia Lourdes.

This very old church is a landmark in Bogota. It is walking distance from our apartment, and always full of people in the plaza and lots of pigeons. We are told one needs to hold on to their purse here because of many pick pockets.

Leaving our apartment to the office.

Our apartment is on the top floor of the building in the middle. When we walk to the office, we pass many people selling items on the streets. Who needs a department store with all the goods we find being sold right on the streets?

Snack food for sale.

The Colombians love Dunkin Donuts.

Watches anyone.

A variety of scarfs to choose from.

Umbrellas of every color.

Children's coloring books.

Our office is located in this building.

We have arrived at our office building. It is just five blocks from our home.

Duitama interviews.

As we were leaving the Duitama interviews, we stopped for a photo moment with Elders Hernandez and Benevidas.

Our office secretaries and assistants.

We have had many good office secretaries and assistants. Here we have Elder Mills from Georgia, Elder Serey from Chile, Elder Maracuay from Peru, Elder Yanez from Chile, and Elder Glick from Utah. Thanks for your help Elders.

A yummy lunch in Cucuta.

We attended the church in Atyala one Sunday, and we had a surprise from the president of the Relief Society. She prepared a very tasty lunch with goat meat and all the trimmings. Our taxi driver Esteben ate with us.

Hasta luego Elder Melendez.

We said our farewell to Elder Melendez from Peru. We appreicated his service and wish him well.

Snack anyone?

There is no reason to be hungry while waiting for a red light to change, people are always selling snack food lin the streets.

Entertainment in the streets.

We are often entertained while stopped at a red

light. This man is standing on his unicycle and juggling at the same time.

They arrived!!!

We are so happy to welcome Elder and Sister Martinez to our mission. They are so full of energy. They will be a great help in our district in Barancabermeja. Welcome Elder and Sister Marinez from Honduras.