Here are a few of our activities of the past week in the Caribbean . . . 

Hermana Wilson volunteered to help fold flyers for the Public Relations missionaries during a couple of afternoons.

Inez, one of our PEF workers, celebrated her birthday.  I asked her earlier that day to tell me about her conversion and she said it was reading the Book of Mormon - not just a verse, but the feeling she would get as she would read.  She has been a member 10 years.  Also, Bro. Gomez in the doorway told me about his conversion, too.  His mother joined the church when he was 4 so he grew up with the gospel.  But when he was in the MTC, there was a special talk given that helped his testimony grow.  Then while on his mission, he had to be in his apartment for 2 days so read the Book of Mormon cover to cover in 36 hours which changed his life.  

Dad's birthday celebration at a Uruguayan Restaurant just a block from our apartment.

Happy Birthday!

Thinking of you, Staci, as Dad samples the yummy empanada.

That being said, the rest of the meal was all downhill. . . 

until we hit Bon for dessert!  NOW Dad had a happy birthday!!

Well, the Lord works in mysterious ways . . . a motorcyclist waved Elder Park and us over to the side of the road to tell us our wheel was smoking as we were driving around sightseeing on P-day.  We had been warned that this is one tactic used for robbery, but we had no brakes and had to pull over.  The guy was a mechanic and fixed it right there, charged us about half of what it would cost in the States, and we were soon on our way.  Had he not seen the problem, we could've been in a lot of trouble with no brakes on the busy highway.  We were very thankful he was not out to rob us, too.  We had prayer to give thanks for the protection.

We were headed to the Christopher Columbus museum which is fascinating.  Ever wonder what he really looked like?

Believe it or not, we are standing in front of his sarcophagus with his remains inside.  

The building is huge and many nations of the world help support it.  They have displays of their country's artifacts, etc.  Dad found Uruguay and had a moment of nostalgia.

We also found Brasil and thought of Chad.

Another inspiring occurrence on Sunday:  Dad and I visit different Wards/Branches each Sunday so had decided where we wanted to go today, but Dad changed his mind.  Then before we left, he changed his mind again.  We picked up the Parks and got to the Bella Vista Ward (we thought) 15 minutes early.  Instead, we were an hour late - they had started at 8:00 and the internet said 9:15.  Because we were late, the Bishop was in the hall and available to meet with Dad & Elder Park about Self-Reliance and CES.  It was a huge blessing because he had not received the info necessary for a special meeting to take place on Jan. 31.  We knew that we had been led to where we were suppose to be of most help.  

Couldn't get the picture to rotate, but anyway - just wanted to report on Dad and his missionary spirit.  As in Swaziland, he loves to share the gospel.  He bought some pass-along cards and then got a bunch of Books of Mormon to have on hand.  He spent some time on Saturday with the guard at our apartment building telling him about it and committing him to read. Afterall, the guard sits and looks at the temple across the street every day, he should be educated on what he's looking at!  He didn't know anything about the Church.

So our question this week for all to contemplate is:  How has the Book of Mormon touched your heart and/or changed your life?  And have you shared your experience with your children and parents and grandparents?

We are now off to the Independencia Stake for a Self-Reliance Devotional this evening.

Love to All,
Dad & Mom
Grandpa & Grandma