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!
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Hurray, we've got mail! These were postmarked Nov 16 through Dec 24, yet they all arrived Thursday, Jan 13.
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Lomo Saltado: Ken's new specialty
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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.
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| Yes that's a cow head beside those sides of pork. |
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This little piggy went to market.
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| How about some liver or tongue or parts? |
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Happy Birthday, Elders Arretea & Bly! We always find time to celebrate with cake or brownies.
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At least he didn't introduce you as his "first" wife... Stay safe in the heat!
ReplyDeleteWe like Grandpa's specialty!!! We think it is gummy bears with beans. Yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteThe weather here felt like 85 degrees. But I'm pretty sure Lyle is exaggerating! It was nice and beautiful though! It was a beautiful January winter day here today! It's supposed to get back up to 70 degrees during the daytime. Love it.
ReplyDeleteLizzy: I'm always up for brownies. That is one of her favorite desserts!!!!
ReplyDeleteHyrum: that is one BIG cowhead!!! Everyone: have you and Grandpa ever eaten cowhead before? What about tongue. My Mom has eaten tongue. Like from a cow. With ketchup, she says it was OK.
ReplyDeleteJoe: if you put a magnify glass under the sun, it might make a fire or it might burn something. that is a good way how to kill ants and bugs. Maybe you can do that on the roof?
ReplyDeleteLyle: I want to try some cowhead. Hyrum does too. So does Joe.
ReplyDeleteMartha: I'm thinking about making my kids some liver and onions. I'm just going make sure they don't put too much ketchup on it!!!
ReplyDeleteLyle: so that was a pretty cool talk you gave last week. Thank you for talking about me. I am still trying to be a good leader by being happy. I am a happy kind of guy. I also still have a positive attitude. Editor's note: sometimes his Mom has to help him remember.
ReplyDeleteKind of random, but Hyrum just realized you celebrate Christmas in the middle of the summer there. I told him it was not much different than us celebrating Christmas in Tucson.
ReplyDeleteHyrum: Happy birthday to Elder Arretea and Bly! Actually the whole family wants to wish them a happy birthday!
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