Thursday, May 26, 2011

Happy Birthday Elder Munroe...

We celebrated Elder Munroe's birthday with Honorio and his family last week. We ordered some pizza's from our favorite place in town and then we had chocolate cake and ice cream. Hermana Munroe made up some party bags for the kids with candy, balloons, and erasers. We got on Skype with our daughter, Sandi, so that she could join in on the fun and talk to the kids. She got to know them well when she visited us over the holidays. It was a fun night for everyone and especially for Elder Munroe. Happy Birthday!

Elder Munroe, Mario, Neilyn, Honorio, Jason, and Maria.....

All filled up on pizza and soda! The kids were getting ready for round 2....cake and ice cream!

Neilyn had her cheeks puffed up as she helped Elder Munroe blow out the candles....

Finishing up the night with a little "after dinner" music by the kids. They love to play on the keyboard when they visit us.

Neilyn decided that she would have some more cake instead of playing the keyboard with the boys.

Friday, May 13, 2011

President Galvez visits Los Santos....

We got a call this week and were told that President and Hermana Galvez wanted to visit us along with the Zone Leaders. They planned on being here for a visit around noon but got held up in the wild rain that we often have here in the mountains. They got here later in the afternoon and we had a nice visit. We chatted about the area and then shared some apple cake that they brought. It was nice to see them and have them in our home.


Elder Zapata, Elder Romney, Elder Munroe, Presidente y Hermana Galvez.....

Elder Romney, Presidente Galvez, and Elder Munroe....

Thursday, May 12, 2011

The Move....

Honorio, Maria, and their children have been living in a house in the coffee fields above our house. It is owned by the man that Honorio picks coffee for. We have always referred to it as the "Rio House" because it is set in a low valley between to hillsides that have been carved by a river. After a few recent visits from various members of the church, it was recommended that they try to find a new home closer to the school and town. They decided to take the offer and personal and monetary assistance by a few of the members who wanted to see their family in a better place. Maria, who is pregnant, will be able to cut out the 2 mile hike to town for groceries, appointments at the clinic, or to take Jason to school. Either Honorio or Maria had to take him and pick him up each day.....that is a lot of walking. The only downfall to living in town is that Honorio will have to walk the 2 miles up to work in the coffee fields each day. Oh well, it is better that he walk it than mom and the kiddos.

This is the new house, in San Pablo, where they now live. It is a very humble home but a big improvement over their house in Rosario. A wood floor is much better than a dirt floor. With that said, there were many things that needed to be repaired before they could move in. We spent many days meeting with other members (specifically the Ballestero and Jimenez families) to try and make it a more stable and safe place for them.

Elder Munroe and Honorio working hard at the new house....

We finally made it to the big moving day. Hermano Ballestero, our branch mission leader, came with his truck to help move their things. Everyone joined in and we were ready to head to San Pablo....


Jason and Neilyn.....

Honorio, Jason, and Hermano Ballestero strapped on the last few items. They threw on a bird cage and a branch of plantains and bananas and we were off. It will be sad not to see them walk past our house every day but we are glad to know that they are in a better place for their family.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Happy 36th Honorio....

We took some goodies and blow horns to Honorio and Maria's house to celebrate his birthday. It was a fun night with their family and the kids had fun blowing the horns and getting their fill of sugar. Happy Birthday Honorio!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Feliz Dia de Madre....

Happy Mother's Day! It was a nice Sunday for Hermana Munroe even though it wasn't Mother's Day in Costa Rica (they celebrate Mother's Day in August). Presidente Jimenez surprised her by wishing her a Happy Mother's Day during sacrament meeting and the ladies in Relief Society gave her some presents and a nice card that they had all signed. She received phone calls from home and a nice package earlier in the week that had two nice dress scarves and two silver necklaces. Elder Munroe cooked a delicious dinner and got some flowers to make it feel like a special day so far away from home. Wishing you all a Happy Mother's Day across the miles!!