Sunday

Well, it was Sunday and time to change out of the beach clothes.  Of course, someone wanted to take some photos.  I was sooooooo excited!    ha ha ha

Mom called this our frozen, posed photo...........oh well.................

Another beautiful evening!

Well, the trip is winding down.  My flight is at 0600 in the morning............but it is much nicer using the airport here in Ft. Myers, instead of driving to Miami.  It will be dark and dreary at 0230 in the morning!

A special "Thank you!!" to Bob and Jackie for their condo.  If anyone needs a suggestion on a rental, let me know.......I can highly recommend this condo!  It is in a great location, with a beautiful beach!!

Rain in Ft. Myers

This evening, we had a little rain.  It did not last long and then there was this beautiful rainbow.

We took photos from the balcony.

The rain was very refreshing.

Here are some more photos from the other day on the Tin City Cruise.

Next time, I think they will let dad drive the boat!

 Another beautiful sunset!

Visiting Tin City

My parents wanted us to visit Tin City and take a cruise.  It was the Double Sunshine Cruise and I highly recommend it.  It was a great day!

We are able to see different homes on the ocean and bay.......the captain was very interesting and it is obvious that some people just have way too much money.  When people want to sell, they destroy the home so the lot has a higher value. So, a 4-5 million dollar home becomes dust when the owner tires of it.  Most of these homes are only lived in 3-4 weeks a year.

The stories were very interesting..............................but then came along the dolphins!!!  There were between 5 and seven dolphins that started playing with the boat.

This mother and baby rolled and played until they tired out........................

How high can you jump????

This champagne pig is made of nothing other than recycled champagne bottles.  I can not remember the cost of it but it is valued at much more than I will make in my life.

 Then we had some more dolphins playing with us!

They were able to keep up with us for quite a while. The captain said that it was their form of body surfing!

Another home only occupied for a few weeks of the year.

This house has a garage under it, that houses 7 cars.  The owner drives a different car each day he is there. He is only here 1-2 weeks a year.

More fun with the dolphins!

Very pretty, but just not for me.

What a day it was! 

When we finished with the cruise, we had grilled fish and shrimp salad on the pier.

Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike, Happy Birthday!!

Mike is my brother and I want to wish him a Happy Birthday. You would have loved being out on the boat with us yesterday.  The dolphin show was great!

Sally visits us!

Sally arrived yesterday and we picked her up at the Ft. Myer airport.  The weather is much nicer than it was last year.  On Sunday, we walked on the beach after lunch with my parents.

On Monday, we had breakfast with my parents.........this was at breakfast.

After breakfast we decided to walk back to our hotel.........so, we started walking.......and walking and walking........it was a determination that we could do it.  We stopped at all of the 7-Elevens to see what they had.  I discovered a wonderful sugar-free mango slurpie!  One place told us that we had walked 4.5 miles and then we found out it was 5.1 miles.  We enjoyed a seafood salad on the pier for dinner :)

This was mom and dad playing one night at dinner.  This was a seafood dinner night......fresh cod and grouper.

On Tuesday morning, we had breakfast next to the ocean.  They were para sailing near the window.

We returned to the airport on Wednesday so Sally could fly back to Winston. It was great to have her with us!

Grilling time in Fort Myers

We decided to grill some steaks.  We marinated the steaks over night.  Dad and I grilled them as mom made a salad.

The grill got very hot, so dad rigged a small heat regulator.

It was a cost effective gadget.............a small stone.

Finished product..................

I think we may do this again one evening.

Sally will be be here tomorrow, to spend a few days with us! 

Welcome to Fort Myers!!

It is time for a little visit back in The States.  I am in Fort Myers, FL for a couple of weeks to visit my parents. It always takes a little time to get adjusted to US Living.........the cars go sooooo fast, there are just too many lights to watch, too many street signs, prices are extremely high and I get lost in stores.  I can hear them on the PA system, "Visitor lost on aisle four, at the toothpaste."

I polished my nails to neon orange to clash with mom's pink.

One bird  enjoying his beach time.

Since I am very pale, I did not stay out long.  I spied on my parents from the deck..........dad tipping his hat to me.

Mom drinking the last of her iced tea before the walk to the condo.

Then...............they spotted me!

Clear sunset...........

Ready for another day tomorrow.

Very nice day.......

Last night, I had the opportunity to have dinner with the Pat's group at Casa del Rey.  There  was quite a large group and it is always nice to see people again. 

Voces a Cappella sang for us...............I always enjoy that.  Yes, I am a groupie!

Pat old us about Miguel, who was one of the first Christian converts here in Guatemala.  He was baptized about 35 years ago.  Pat asked Miguel to share his story with us. He told us that he use to drink heavy and no one around his area ever baptized people.  Pat showed him scriptures and different stories in the Bible about baptism.  He was baptized and his life changed. His family saw the changes in his life and now all of his family members are Christians. 

 

This afternoon, I was in Maxtzul VI with the ladies during their monthly Bible study.  There were about 35 ladies there.

Tomorrow, I am headed to Antigua.  Lisa and Kemmel are going to let me ride with them.  On Sunday, I will go and visit my parents for a couple of weeks. I am really looking forward to spending some time with them and also, a few days with Sally :)

Visiting Fifi

Today, I went to Lisa and Kemmel's house to get the projector for class.  Cesar and I had a diabetic class in Chichi.

Fifi, must be getting use to me being around more because she was super friendly today.  She also might be thinking I was going to leave some food for her.

When I arrived, she was sleeping in the sun.  Her buddy Gorge, had just jumped through the window.

When I started to go into the house, I think she realized she needed another nap.

We played for a few minutes and then I left...............before I left, she invited me back again.

We had 17 patients in the class today.  There were a lot of questions and good participation.

Lisa and Kemmel will be returning this afternoon with some MET Students.  They will be with us for a few weeks.

Tomorrow, I will be in Mactzul VI for a ladies Bible class. 

Introducing Jaime!

When I was in Montellano last week, I received a call from Maury about another baby that needs surgery.  I told her that I would go to the clinic on Monday to meet the family.  What is special about this contact, is that it is made by Hector, who is now working for another organization..............so the news of Health Talents continues to spread.........that makes my heart sing!!

This is Jaime with his parents, Anna and Jesús. 

Jaime is 5 months old and weighs 14 pounds.  His father, also was born with a cleft lip and palate and had his repaired about 20 years ago.

This is Hector, with the family and also two of the MET students that were at the clinic today.  Amanda and Jonathan will be with us for a few more days and then they will go to Montellano.

Hector wanted a photo of us before they left.  They will return in July, with lab results.  If everything continues to look good, Jaime will have surgery in August.

I always ask the MET students for their thoughts when they are here.  I will share those now.

Amanda---I have liked working in the clinic here in Chichi, especially for cases like this where a child's life can be changed for the the better.  Also, the families are so kind, welcoming and hospitable to us.  I feel that they deserve whatever help we can give them.  No matter how much we try to help them, they always do more for us it seems.  I have learned so much from the people here in Chichi and it has only changed me for the better.

Jonathan---The MET Program has really opened my eyes to a world that I had no idea existed.  The HTI group is truly doing the work of God and ministering extensively to a people all over Guatemala.  For example, in the case of 5 month old Jaime, this perfect baby will be given a life-changing surgery that his parents would not be able to give him on their own.  Seeing cases like Jaime, really solidifies my desire to want to become a doctor.  I am seeing first-hand what it means to be humble and serve with all the talents bestowed upon us by the grace of God.

Amanda and Jonathan, thank you for your comments..........prayers for safe travels this week, great experiences in Montellano and safe travels back to The States.  Good luck with your continued studies!

More on Montellano

Leslie sent me some more photos of our time in Montellano. 

I had forgot to mention in the earlier post that Tomasa's surgery was sponsored by the Morganton Church of Christ in Morganon, NC.  This is Tomasa and Manuel as they were close to going home.  Thank you to those who helped Tomasa.

This is Leslie, with a 14 year old girl, with an abdominal mass.  Please pray for her and her family.

Rick and Susan, brought me 2 Dr. Peppers!  You KNOW that they scored points with those!
Yes, it is still HOT in Montellano!

This is one of the young children, who had surgery.

This is Leslie and I, when we finished the week.

It was a good week and now it is time to get back to work, here in Chichi!