Happy New Year to all our family!  Hope you all have celebrated heartily and have made lots of 

inspiring New Year's Resolutions.   Ours is to get busy doing missionary work instead of being

trained!  Everyone here is on vacation which leaves us having to find things to do.  But never fear.

When you get a bunch of Senior missionary couples together, they tend to be "birds of a feather" and

do a lot of "monkey business."  Check out our latest photos.

We received a call from the McGuires and Parks during a long day of training inviting us to go with them to Puerto Plata for the week-end.  Who are we to deny fellow missionaries?  This is the house we stayed in with the Parks.  There were 9 couples who went and the others stayed just down the street.  We were a stroll away from the beach.

On one of our excursions, we found the most delectable treats available - gelato - in all kinds of flavors.  Dad chose uva de la playa, Sis. Park chose coconut, and Elder Park and Mom got passion fruit.  YUM!!

Speaking of "birds of a feather", we had so much fun visiting the lovebirds at Ocean World.  The worker enjoyed putting seed in our hands and on top of our heads when we weren't looking.  The birds flocked all over us.

Dad had a hard time taking pictures with just one hand.

And, of course, the REAL lovebirds pose.  

Later we decided to monkey around for a while at the Monkey Jungle.  These darling little spider monkeys climbed all over us, tried to steal Dad's sunglasses, and even had there hands down in his pants pocket.  But it was so fun.

I felt right at home . . . now you do know if you say something rude you're related to me!  

Back in Santo Domingo now with a view from the McGuires apartment of the city.  They live just down the street from us (but a lot higher up - 9th floor) so you can see what it's like where we live surrounded by buildings.

The Caribbean in the distance

And, of course, the beautiful Santo Domingo Temple in the middle of things hoping to light up the life of these good people.  The Church is growing fast here in the country.   When we were in the Playa Oeste Ward, the young elders reported that they have baptisms every week and the work there is strong.  We will start visiting Wards and Branches now to begin our calling of helping with Self-Reliance.  We are excited to be here!  Just a tidbit - while we were in Puerto Plata, Dad met so many people everywhere we went telling them about the gospel.  He spent some time in the kitchen with one of the cooks telling her about the Restoration.  During their conversation, she got teary so he knew the Spirit had touched her heart.  She said she wanted to go to Church.  He loves what he's doing!
LOVE TO ALL!
Dad & Mom
Grandpa & Grandma