Hurray for Hermanas

When Hermanas get together for a P Day, they know how to have a good time. Last week we celebrated by making tacos, doing hair and enjoying lots of girl talk. What fun...Hurray for Hermanas!
I do hope that all my sweet granddaughters will think about going on missions so they can have the experiences these gals have. It reminds me of an article I read, "One Last Letter from a Returning Missionary." Here's an excerpt.

No tiny missionary who hugs her family goodbye has any real clue of what she is getting herself into. No amount of Preach My Gospel preparation can prepare the heart and mind for the soul-stretching months that lay ahead as you walk away from your loved ones into a bright, yet foggy destiny. I will never forget stepping onto that escalator and waving the last goodbye to you. The Spirit whispered, “You will blink and you will be coming back down this escalator to greet your family again.” I have blinked and in two days I will be riding that same escalator and returning to your arms.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

What's everyone's favorite cookie? I guess it's the same worldwide. Anyone who knows anything about cookies always asks me if I can make "chocolate cheep coookies." For some reason, cookie making has not yet evolved in Perú, maybe because hardly anyone has ovens. Some people look at my cookies in amazement and ask, "How did you make them?" They just can't imagine mixing oatmeal and flour and coming up with a cookie. Peruvian cooking typically means either frying or boiling, and that doesn't add up to cookies. The family next door has been wild about my cookies ever since we moved in six months ago, and last week they invited me to show them how to make them.

First you chop the chocolate into little pieces. 

If you have the luxury of a mixer, have at it. 

Don't forget to add the chocolate, right, Victoria? 

My mom always said,  "If you eat raw dough, it will make a brick in your stomach."

Mmmmm we can't wait!

Victoria is such a fast learner! 

Finished masterpiece! All we need is milk, right Alejandra? 

Feliz ãno nuevo

Happy New Year! What's odd is that it's the middle of summer. The heat sneaks up on us like a ghost in the fog. Often when we go out in the morning it's warm and cloudy with a tease of rain. Within a couple hours we're sweating, overheated and needing sunglasses, and yet the sun rarely makes an appearance. Around 6:30 PM after sunset it cools off and thoughts of sweaters drift through our minds. We've since learned that this phenomenon only lasts 30-60 minutes, and then it warms up again. Maybe the offshore breeze changes direction?
Thursday we attended a missionary leadership meeting. We were both asked to prepare talks for the occasion; however, the mission president changed his mind and asked us to give some spontaneous unprepared remarks instead. Elder Whitney decided to talk about multiculturalism in the mission and introduced me as his "gorda," fat lady. The American missionaries were aghast with shock, but the Latinos thought it was no big deal. And voila: multiculturalism! To clarify, "gorda" is a term of endearment in Peru.
 I mentioned a phone call from my grandson Lyle the night before. Lyle takes great pride in his leadership position at school. Knowing I would be speaking the next day at the leadership conference, I asked him his opinion on what it takes to be a good leader. He said this is what it takes: be happy, have a positive  attitude, and show a good example. Everyone was properly impressed.
One of our fringe benefits here is getting to know the missionaries. We learn what amazing young people they all are and how the missionary experience is so much more than they ever expected. We can't help but agree!

Hurray, we've got mail! These were postmarked Nov 16 through Dec 24, yet they all arrived Thursday, Jan 13.

Lomo Saltado: Ken's new specialty

Gazing out the window at our view of rooftops, I watched some laundry drying in the breeze. But Ken was watching the rooftop behind where you can see a man in a blue shirt smoothing out fresh cement, and another at the far right carrying a bucket of concrete from down below. We all have our perspectives.

Yes that's a cow head beside those sides of pork.

This little piggy went to market.

How about some liver or tongue or parts?

Happy Birthday, Elders Arretea & Bly! We always find time to celebrate with cake or brownies.