Stay with me!!!

Americans are so starved for history that we even go down into holes in the ground for research. Mayan storage, the guide told us. After being in close quarters together someone made the comment about fatus. Our Spanish guide didn't understand the meaning of the English word. He finally got it. What a hoot!!!

The Grand Plaza at Tikal where the kings were buried. The court yard was unbelieveable.

I hope you endulge me a minute so I can share a little of the history I have learned about the Land we are recognizing as being the possible site of the Book of Mormon. The ruins in Guatemala City as I mentioned earlier dates 600BC to 200BC which for other reasons is considered the City of Nephi. From the information in the Book of Mormon they could see that the Nephites were a part of a high culture. They had a written lauguage. There are places that are written there that date back 1000 years. The Book of Mormon tells about many cities built and the geography matches the discriptions in the book. I find it interesting that the events in the Book of Mormon can match so closely to the geography of the land. The Nephites and the Lamanites had boundaries the Lamaites in the highlands and the Nephites in the valleys. Tital has had a unexpected dicovery of a fortication found around its borders . Moroni's call to defend themseves if you remember. The more I read the more amazed I am.

Still more!

Tikal was my personal favorite. Just the height alone was staggering. How did they do it?

My knees shook at the top of # 5 Temple. Not much room at the top!
The first night in Tikal which is in the heart of the jungle we could here a deep breathing sound coming from outside in the dark. The next day we found out it was howling monkeys that were far into the jungle. They live in the tops of the trees and are very loud when you get up close. Steve took close up video with another camera. I will try to post a closer look later.

More!!!

After seeing the time it takes to polish the small stones these pieces are amazing.

Steve had to find the most functional hat possible. Fashion was not even considered.



Even the parrots were fun to watch. .



Honduras, Copan Ruins were our first view of the larger structures. Even though the roads were

crazy getting there!!

Guatemala cont.

Touring Antigua was interesting. The cities beauty is all behind walls with small doors that lock securely. Dustin found one of the Indian lady weaving the traditional tipika cloths. Amazing the time it takes to weave.Part of the tour was a jade factory. The workers are polishing pieces of Jade for masks and jewelery. Ther were some amazing pieces.

Guatemala cont.

The first ruins we were able to visit was right in Guatemala City. Kaminaljuyu , is considered to be the city of Nephi. It is older than Tikal and little has been uncovered. It is right in the city. It was amazing to think we might be seeing and touching a city Lehi and Nephi were a part of.

What an amazing reunion with a family Elder Gilbert loves. We were welcomed to a wonderful dinner following church. Thank you Vickie and Brenda's family for being so kind and thoughtful.

Dustin walked us through his first apartment. The Elders were just walking out and let us in.

Dustin was so good with the kids. He paid 10 kets to shine his old shoes. Antigua was a fun town to visit but the streets were confusing. No street signs. We had to get a taxi to drive us back to the hotel after dinner.

We headed to Copan. Over the boarder into Honduras. The ruins were amazing. We took our lives in our hands driving on the roads. The villa we stayed at was very nice and town was very compact.

We ate at a little place just around the corner from the villa. What a hoot! Just ask Dustin how hard to parrot bit his finger.

A trip of a life time to Guatemala

I hope you will indulge me. Spending 2 weeks in Guatemala creates many pictures and vidoes. I hope you I can share even just a little of the experience with everyone. Here goes!!

We (Steve, Dustin and myself) started our trip in Guatemala City meeting Dave and Ellen . Steve reserved an oasis in the middle of black smoke from the buses and machine guns/shotguns that the guards of most stores had. In the first few days we visited a couple of Dustins families and went to the Temple and found the people to be an oasis in the midst of caos

Our first day, we spent going to the temple, a wonderful experience. Even though Ellen and Dave's recommends were expired. (Sad!!)

Kaminaljuyu was the first ruin we visited. It was inside Guatemala City. It was very small but there are many mounds of dirt not yet worked on. It is very expensive to excavate.

The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a handmade gift from me during this year. When and What will be a surprise. There's a small catch though....Post this same thing on your blog and then come back and leave a comment telling me you're in. Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift

Christmas 2008
We enjoyed a visit at Lamar and Pam's home with all their family home. Dustin surprising dad with a clean shop, grandpa and grandma over for Christmas eve, rainbow jello, new bed frames, (Thanks Cory and Lori) A new family tree picture (Thanks Mark and Angie) a long phone call from a very missed missionary, food, food, food. A trip to the temple and a treat from Cory and Lori, dinner at PF Chang's yum,yum! A wonderful Gilbert family get together, Lori making Rice Chex Mix, Cory and Dusin killing themseves with intense exercise, Sledding down Niefer hill, Zeke loving the outside and the 4 wheeler, A Beautiful white Christmas, New Years at Uncle Ricks and Aunt Joan's with all their family, Cookie decorating, Card making with Angie, Yaz, and Debbie (Thanks Angie), Rifle and guns target shooting, Shopping the day after Christmas for fun Christmas specials (Good worker Lori on the Christmas trees)and Holly getting thrown into the snow. (And Lori warning everyone that they would be dead if they even tried to throw her in) Can you pack any more in!! Yes! we would have added the gang from Houstin and one in the Marshall Islands. We love our family!!

Amazing work!! A six and a half foot snowman coming up!!

Mr. Snowman grew bigger and bigger!!

A treat to have most everyone home for Christmas. We did so miss Angie and Mark and the joys of out lives Parker, Kas, Addison and Bailey. But it was fun to see traditions started in there home.

Grandpa was giving us words of wisdom but I knew if I didn't catch everyone in a quiet moment I would not be able to catch everyone. Food, visiting, and white elephant exchanges!!

Our days were full of snow, puzzles, crafts and setting up Steves shop and organizing his tools. Dustins gift to his dad.

Helicopter wars Christmas Eve! Fun after Family Home Evening!!

Snow, Snow Snow!

Zeek loved the day and going after the 4 wheeler. Lori was even a trooper and took a turn behind on the knee board.

Christmas Eve Dinner is always fun. Candle lights and rainbow jello. We spent the first 20 minutes just tying to get the jello out of the mold. Fun Fun.