June 6th-More Volcano Clean-up and Goodbye to the Tomkinsons

When we arrived at the clinic on Monday, the girls were out of school and were busy cleaning up volcanic sand. Black sand describes what is here more than ash.Paul even got up on the roof and cleaned. Someone asked me if everything was cleaned up yet and I guess it is hard to imagine the magnitude of cleaning up. People are cleaning all the time and I'm not sure it will ever be done. Everyday big bags full of the sand are left at the edge of the road and picked up and the next day everyone is hard at work again and the bags continue to pile up on the sides of the road along with big piles that are not bagged.

Our volunteer was unable to come because the airport was closed and we had scheduled for 3 dentists so we were extra busy this week.

We waited for the Cranneys, a senior couple, to come from one of the villages. It took them 6 hours to get here because of mudslides and detours. Sister Cranney's crown had come out and she had to have it re-seated. Brother Cranney was the Mission President in Bolivia after President Clark was there and now he is in Guatemala on a mission. We still managed to get away in time to not be late for the Farewell Dinner at the Clark's place.

Monday evening we had a Farewell dinner for the Tomkinsons and the Blackburns on the Patio at President Clark's apartment building. We are always a little worried about having enough of the main course but even though we had several extra people we had plenty and there were even desserts left over.The Cranneys came to the Farewell Dinner along with Brother and Sister Sandburg another Senior Couple. I brought about half of my Texas Sheet cake home so we have been enjoying it, unfortunately. I just inherited some scales from the Tomkinsons. For almost a year now I have been weighing every day and never gaining a pound. After 3 months of eating really good meals and having dessert with Paul almost every night and never weighing, the results are not good. I am going to have to quit cooking!!!

Wayne and Suzanne Tomkinson-Farewell Dinner.

Adele and Bill Blackburn-Farewell Dinner--Accounting Mission

President Torres, and President and Sister Baldwin.

Myrna and Richard Graff- PEF Missionaries-leaving in July

Sister Clark and Sandy and Steven Blackburn, the missionary doctor.

Brother and Sister Hatch---our inspiration

Donald and Virginia Cazier--Executive Secretary to the Area Presidency

I know it looks like all we do is Party and Eat but we did work really hard all week on Future Missionaries, CCM Missionaries, Senior Missionaries and Tio Juan Boys and Girls. The Tomkinsons worked mainly in the mornings because they are trying to pack up and leave this Monday. Paul and I have been working on organizing our lists for seeing patients and our 6 month recall lists. Paul also had a successful visit this week with the dental school. We are trying to make contact so that the 5th year dental students can come in and work in the clinic in the afternoons and work on the tio juan kids and pass off their requirements under the supervision of Paul and Dr. Tobler. We could get so many more kids taken care of if we can get that underway and it would also be a good community project with the school.

The saga of our car continues. We have spent a lot of time in slow traffic this week because of road conditions and repairs from the storms. Our car overheats and and we have to stop and let it cool and then add water. We went out for some screws Saturday and it turned into a 3 hour errand. Paul has asked the Church Fleet Man to look for another car for us to buy. He has one for us to pick up and drive tomorrow morning. In the 3 months since we have been here we have had the car in to the garage 10 times. It is wasting too much of our time and energy.
So here we are again having a Victoria Suites Farewell Break the Fast with the Tomkinsons. It was at our place and I supplied all the toppings for sundae's. I made some delicious hot fudge. Sandy MacArthur made Navajo tacos and Rexene Tilley made Gorditos-real ones. It was a
great (fattening) feast.

Our home. The Calm before the Crowd. We had 18 for dinner this time!

Paul surprised me and brought home fresh flowers on Saturday

Sandy MacArthur

Paul and Dick Johnson

I actually made a few comments in Relief Society. The women are so helpful and encouraging and really want to help me learn to speak Spanish. I just need to study and practice more. Paul has been very patient with me and really tries to encourage and help me.