Visiting Family in Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Idaho

Before and after Guatemala we had a wonderful time visiting Jim and Kelli and Rod in Colorado; Cathy, my brothers and sisters and Aunt Loye in Utah; Mary Lynn, Jim and D'Ann in Idaho; Dave and Jana's family in Nevada and Mark and Tiff's family in Idaho.  It was wonderful to spend time with so many people we love.  We had a great time.  Tiff, Jana and I did the Spudman Triathlon in Burly, Idaho, on Saturday, July 26.  We celebrated Oliver's 1st Birthday on Sunday, July 27, then on Monday and Tuesday we went to the City of Rocks for a campout.  We actually stayed in very comfortable yurts.  It was great.  The weather cooperated with overcast days that weren't too hot and we had a very fun time.

Guatemala

From July 4 to July 15, Patricia and I were able to travel to Guatemala as part of a "Nutritour" arranged by the Liahona Children's Foundation.  It was a wonderful, eye-opening experience.  It is impossible to describe all the sights and feelings we experienced.  Our principal activity was to measure the height and weight of children between one and five as assess whether they suffered from malnutrition.  The main things we came away with were:

     1 - a profound appreciation for the wonderful people we met and who were so very kind to us, 

     2 - a feeling that we ought to be more aware of some many people in the world who struggle just to survive and to help their children have enough nutrition for normal growth, 

     3 - a feeling that we ought to find ways to help more, 

     4 - the thought that we have so very much and should use our resources more wisely,

     5 - a new-found appreciation for many of the blessings we have that we are so prone to take for granted and

     6 - a deep appreciation for the work done by those involved in the Liahona Children's Foundation.