Sunday,  April 9, 2023  Easter Sunday

Hermana Chappell has been planting flowers.  Aren't they pretty?  We had a hard time finding a place that sells live flowers/plants.  There are all kinds of trees, shrubs, flowers etc. here so we knew there had to be someplace to buy living plants,  google saved the day.  It is not always what it says on google here though.  It listed three nurseries nearby but when you turn the map into satellite view,  it is obvious that some of them are not really nurseries at all.  We did find this one not too far out of town.  The selection wasn't great but we got three flowering plants.  So we got them planted in this pot that was already sitting here in the front yard.  the small succulents,  were sitting here inside little plastic containers so we put them into the ground also.  I think they will do much better in the ground rather than how they were.  The two taller pots were here already with plants in them, the one is flowering and the other one I don't know what it will do.  

We took this family to church today, Easter Sunday.  It was a good meeting. supposed to be one hour, but ended up 1 1/2 hours, they like to start late and go way late here.  But it was a good spiritual meeting about our Savior and His Atonement offered for us.  The lady here, Doris, was very sick a while ago and we went to see her in the local Hospital.  SCARY place.   No AC, everyone brings their own bedding, clothes, food etc.  They helped her to get better though with the help of a trip to San Pedro Sula for her, but she is finally getting better.  She so wanted to go to church today.  We were glad to be their taxi today.  

This past week has been Semana Santa here.  Holy week, the week beginning with palm Sunday and ending today with Easter Sunday.  It is like a national holiday,  spring break type of a week.  Since Tela is on the beach it is where a lot of people come for vacation.  It is hard to contact anyone because they are either working extra to cater to the tourists or they are on vacation, so we did not do much this past week that was worthwhile.  We did try a smoothie in the blender with ice pineapple and coconut milk,  it was not bad but we need to try it again and change something.  I have never done much with smoothies but there are tons of places here that have smoothies, slushies, juice, etc.   Some are pretty good, others, not so much.  I suppose it all depends in what you put in it.  Sort of like life I guess, we get out of it what we put in it.  hopefully we are contributing somewhat to the good people here.  

I am so thankful for our Savior and His willingness to go through what He did for all of us.  As we close this Easter season I am so thankful for Him.  For His resurrection which allows each of us the same opportunity to one day be resurrected and live forever with those we love.  This Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ on the earth today.  President Nelson is a true Prophet of God.   

We went out to the "Lancetía" a nature preserve just outside of Tela that was so pretty, we will be going back for sure. It is so pretty, and quiet.  Lots of bird sounds and just a great place to get away from everything.  It costs a little bit to get in but it is a nice quiet park, and there were really not that many people there either, so that was nice.  There are little walking paths where you are supposed to go to make a loop through the park.  It was fun to spend the day together as a district and to get to know each other a little better.  It is going to be fun during this next transfer to get to know these wonderful young Elders and Hermana's.  Elder Steele is our District leader now, he is a great dedicated missionary from St George.