Christmas 2011

Our Christmas in Puerto Rico 2011 was a lot of fun for those who came: Mandy, Ani, Vale, Lexi and Ale. They went to the beach almost everyday. Unfortunately, I had to stay in most of the time to finish my last class at BYU which was super intense. I hated having to do that, I wanted to go out with them so badly but I knew I couldn't possibly finish all those papers due before the end of the year. We or I should say Daniel took them to the usual, yunque forest, Old San Juan and all the beautiful beaches. I managed to go out once but was super nervous that I was not working on my papers or reading some books. The last class was an English class where I had to read the novel, write a paper and take a open book essay test super hard. There were 8 novels left for me to finish by the end of the year or I should say, two weeks so needless to say, this was one Christmas that got skipped.

Celebrating Thanksgiving in Utah

Thanksgiving is not the same unless you are in the United States. It is a US holiday after all so what better than to go on vacation to Utah to celebrate it!

It was also Mandy's birthday on the 26. She turned 20. Wow, we no longer have teenager children. We were able to stay in our unit in Park City and also to see Pablo, Sydney and Charlotte. Hernan and Rachael, Valentina and Jami, Andres and the children: Sariah, Layna, Danielito and Joseph. All the grandchilren are so adorable and doing well ! Our children are all doing well with good jobs and for that we are so thankful.

Be a light unto the world

Again this year we were invited to attend the October Conference in 2011. It was also a chance to see the children living in Utah and this year it was Layna's baptism as well. We did the usual running around here and there but the hightlight was Layna's baptism. there was such a good spirit there. Layna was so happy and excited. Andy baptized her, Daniel confirmed her and I said a talk. We also had a chance in October to attend a convention for the seminaries Institutes of religion in Punta Cana and the Mission President seminar in Casa de Campo. Elder Clarke was our special guest and the theme was to focus on real growth.

Remembering September 11th

On Semptember 11th 2011 marked the 10th year anniversary of the New York's twin tower attack. A memorial was built to remember those who lost their lives there. September 11 is also a date that will always bring a tragic memory to my personal life as well hense I also mourn a dear loss barried in my heart. Ironicaly, what I celebrate every September 11 now is not a loss but a gain. a better understanding that my life can be renewed after devestation. Once tinted with trials but now, something like a beautiful flower has come out of those experiences. For many years from birth to age 42 I had been presented with an extrordinary life. No challeges to speak of and so very blessed until one day some unimaginable tragic hardship ruined my beautiful life. However,by the same token, I was given many angels who came into my life right when I needed them the most, bringing flowers and a sweet smile, providing me with hope and faith for the future. To all of these dear friends who have brightend my day at a crucial time in my life, I have no way to thank you. I especially can't thank my sweet husband enough who brings me flowers continously, not just on special ocassions. I of course feel thankful for my Lord who provided me with all the strengh and hope to keep going and to endure to the end.

A Piece of Heaven on Earth

On Sunday August 21 2011 elder Eyring dedicated the San Salvador temple. This picture in front of the temple was taken after our family had attended the dedication. From left to right: Cristi, Brooks, Aunt Dina, Paola, Maricela, mama Gloria, Liz, veronica, Daniel, Joseph, Bianca, Vanessa, Mandy, Andres and Alex.

There is no other place on earth that truly feels like Heaven. A place dedicated to the Lord where we feel the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus. A place where we can find peace, we can meditate and pray. A place where we can seek answers to many of our questions. A place where we leave behind our street clothes to change for white clothes to sybolize purity. A place where we are all the same. A place for service and love. I had the opportunity to attend a session, an initiatory and to witness Mandy, Paola and Andres do baptisms for dead family members. In San Salvador, this is the place that will bring hope to people in a land that has suffered so many hardships. For members of the LDS faith, the temple is the ultimate goal.

Hooked on Family History

I attended the BYU 43rd Annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy and found my new love for Family History. I mostly remember the top ten tips I want to pass on:

#1 Work from the known to the unknown and contact family members you know.

#2 Research more recent data before moving back in time to find out what has already been done.

#3 Never presume that you have been told the truth in family histories.

#4 Focus on missing or incomplete information about an individual.

#5 Find and copy original records available such as: newspapers, marriages, birth certificates, journals, letters, photos, death certificates, census, biographies, etc.

#6 Look for background records such as: History, geography, economy, culture, etc.

#7 log on to familysearch.org, new family seach, Google, Ancestry.com, Roots Magic, Ancestral Quest, and Legacy Family Tree for starters.

#8 Keep track of information you find using a reserch log.

#9 Evaluate your findings by using real evidence.

#10 Share! make copies, share files with family members and submit information to databases on line.

Getting a good start out of College

Alejandro and Lexi are now moving to Miami Florida. Alejandro got a job at Capital Premium Financing and Lexi at Prize Waterhouse Coopers. Their huge smiles can't describe better their joy at getting real good jobs when unemployment in the U. S. is so high. They are now in our home in Bountiful while they get ready for the big move Southeast. Lexi just celebrated her birthday on July 20 and made a nice big UP (like the movie) piñata. A tradition in her family. Alejandro will celebrate his birthday on the Fourth of August. What a great birthday present for both of them to get amazing jobs and a head start in life.

San Salvador Temple

No matter how many pictures you see of the temple, it is not the same as actually going inside to see it with your own eyes. I feel very blessed to have been able to be with one of the first groups to enter its doors. I was so excited that I hardly could sleep. My mom also came who I had not seen in months. It was also so neat to see friends I had not seen in decades. The trip was all worth it and time flew by so fast but I missed Daniel so much. Sometimes I wish I could be in two or three places at the same time. The open house is going on for almost a month and they expect to get about 100,000 people to come through. Liz and I hosted a few VIP's. It was a lot of hard work but very rewarding.

Hernan's and Rachael's wedding

The day was set for May 26, 2011. Herni and Rachael had decided to begin their life together. All the chidren were there except for Gabriel and Danae. Gabriel got the visa to come to his brother's wedding but not his wife; that was the only thing that we had wished it had turned out different because everything else turned out great. We invited Rachael and her parents to have dinner with Hernan and us at a Brazilian Restaurant in Trolley Square in order to finally meed the in-laws. The next day, we got to the temple early morning, on that Thursday, a very amazing sweet man sealed them and off we went to take pictures. When our turn came, the photographer said: now I only want the immediate family members, and we said, "we are the immediate family." Later we took off to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building for lunch. Got a little break and again headed North to the reception in Kaysville. Even though it had been raining all week long, this day couldn't have been more beautiful. The happy couple went off to Park City and on a cruise. So far the Almeida family has had, five weddings within the last five years. Having seven out of ten of our children married. By 2012 we hope one of our girls would say YES to a wonderful young man to keep the tradition going.

Photo shoot

This is by far one of the cutest photo shoots I  have ever seen done by no other than our talented Cristi and Bianca. Mustaches rule!

Visit from the Farnsworth Family

June of 2011 was a month we would never forget. We got back from our trip to Salt Lake to wait for the Farnsworths who were going to be vacationing in Puerto Rico. The only problem is that right from the start, I borrowed a car in order to fit all six of us. I felt that it was important that we all had seat belts. As we were coming back from Vieques, we got in a car accident by following the GPS that took us to a one way street going the wrong way. All I could feel from that point on was STRESS and more STRESS!! What it should have been a fun weekend get away celebrating mother's day turned out sour. Daniel was in shock; the last time he was in a car accident was before he was even married. Despite of it all, we are thankful that no one got hurt. Daniel didn't even want me to post the picture of the car. It is that painful.

Women's Conference 2011

This is one of the special women events I wish I could do every year. This year so it happend that I was in town already. My soul and my spirit get charged in a way that I can't even explain. All I know is that I come out a better women each time I go. I heard my Aunt Silvia speak and saw first hand how much people love her.

Easter fun

I had the fortune to be at the Merkley's cabin at Sundance for Easter and had the extended family over. Cristi prepared the Easter egg hunt for the grandchildren. Bianca went to a seminar for local artists there at Sundance. It was a way of celebrating the graduation too.

A quadruple Graduation!!!!

Valentina, Lexi, Alejandro and I graduated at BYU this spring 2011. It was the highlight of our Easter trip. According to the children who seemed so happy by looking at their smiles, nothing must feel so good than to finish something that you have started. I am still finishing a couple of classes but by December of this year, I should be done!

2011 cluster meeting

At the Orlnado cluster meeting Daniel and I went to the Church owned Deseret Ranch in Orlando Florida. It was an interesting field trip. I never knew there was so much to a ranch than raising cattle. It was a nice visit with the wives too who normally are not invited to these cluster meetings. We spent a day at the Epcot park and later went to Disney town. It was fantastic!

A day running the city of Salt Lake

I decided to get ready to run a half marathon. I know that running is not what I enjoy doing but it is a good way to get in shape. On Friday April 15, after I got my packet, I went out to eat pasta and got to bed early. On April 16, I woke up early to drive from Lehi to the gateway where the race ends and where people park to find the shuttle that takes you to the start line. I started following a group of people that had a number on their shirt thinking that they were going to the race just to find out that they were the fans from a radio station. I then realized that I was in the wrong place and needed to take the trax so I run as fast as I could to get take the train but I got 10 minutes too late and the race had started. I didn't stretch and that caused me to get a bad hamstring strain. It was very painful. It happened right at the start of the race, so all I could do was to walk. It was the longest 13.1 mile walk ever but I did it.

What's in a name.

Working on genealogy, finding out more names related to my mother and grandmother and their origins. For now, I want to find more details about: Virginia Alvarenga, Sebastian Zelayandia, Soledad Melara, Carlos Marroquin, Clara de Jesus Henriquez, Romualdo Ayala, Joaquina Cerros and Juan Lopez. I plan to do research when I visit El Salvador this year.

Summer is upon us!

How do  you know it's Summer? You get out the garden hose of course! There something about water and Summer that go hand in  hand like bread and butter. A toast for Summer finally and happy mothers day to all those wonderful mommas out there!

Bianca's first interview

New York singer-songwriter Bianca Merkley’s sultry sweet voice is self- described as “tasty as a cupcake”. Bianca lays sandy vocals over simple arrangements with stirring melodies that come together to rival the likes of Jewel and Tori Amos. Starting at only eight years old, Bianca began performing anywhere she could, from company Christmas parties to the 2002 Olympics. At sixteen, when most teenagers would kill to be gifted with a car, Bianca choose a guitar and never looked back. Armed with the same guitar, Bianca’s refreshing sound and conviction move listeners to “forget their problems”, in turn inspiring Bianca’s debut album. Promise, released in 2007, bakes in everything delicious—from pop to folk and even jazz. Top it off with a dash of Latin influence and you’ve got yourself a tasty treat indeed. You can download Bianca’s track “The Canvas” below, and be sure to check out her interview on MTVMusic.com.

Visit of Elder Nelson to the DR

It was our privilege to translate for Elder and sister Nelson this past Sunday on a stake conference and a devotional. The talks were amazing. At stake conference he had the children stand to sing I am a child of God and to always remember how special they all are. He commended the parents for bringing the children. She spoke on how would we act if we took the word saint seriously into our daily routines, like how would a mother, father, employee, employer, teacher, etc. act as a saint and told a story of a temple in Tonga to be dedicated, had the words Holiness to the Lord missing so they quickly got the words posted or the Temple could not be dedicated. In the evening, at the Institute, over 800 university students came. She gave a different talk because she felt guided by the spirit to tell them of her experience as a young woman turning away proposal after proposal to be married. she would take the question to the General Conference and each time, the answer would come to her but it is a personal revelation, she explained, it had nothing to do with the actual talks. He went over all the personal progress values and asked the young men to look at those values to be at the level of purity as the young women. Each value was explained with stories and good advice. when he got to knowledge for example, he said: The difference between not getting an education and getting an education is that you have the desire to help others and being able to serve others. He also told the parents to teach their children another language. Daniel translated for him in every meeting, and I translated for Wendy. I was nervous at first but got the hang of it, and the words just came out effortless as if someone else was saying those words for me. It is an experience I will never forget, because I told Daniel that I didn't want to do it since there were other interpreters there that had done it before many times and that I wanted to practice in a smaller setting instead. But he encouraged me to translate for her and I am glad I did. In those meetings there were hundreds that came.

First birthday and hair cut

Our newest member of our family turned ONE on February 17 2011. To celebrate his first birthday, Cristi took him to get real boys hair cut at a salon. He did well, didn't cry or move too much. He was a perfect little client.

Mom and sisters

Last year on February 15, 2010 my mother turned 70. My family loves to celebrate birthdays but right then, my husband had to go to Mexico for a meeting, and I went to Idaho for Nixon's birth. That is why I missed being with my mom on her birthday.
It is now one year later. My mom is 71 and still very active, considering that she is diabetic and almost blind. She loves to take care of Manu and is officially part of Maricela and Andres' household. She also loves to travel to El Salvador to visit family and to Mexico to visit Vanessa. She is a great example of a faithful member and a good missionary. In Miami they attend the Orlando temple regularly even though it is a hard trip for them but not for too long because soon they'll have their own temple closer.

My sweet Valentine

On February 14, 2011, I got up to find a singing card a box of chocolates and a pair of nice earrings from my sweetheart. I thought, how thoughtful of him but that was not all.

I went to the computer and there was another box with another pair of earrings with m&m's that said I love you but that was not enough. I go downstairs to find a huge bear and two dozen red roses for me waiting. It is again from my sweet husband.

I must say that I was the envy of all the women in the building. He is simply, wonderful. He makes me feel so special and does so many little and BIG things for me.

Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico

For Daniel's birthday which happens to be a Holiday in the D. R. as it's Virgen Altagracia's day, we went to Puerto Rico. The trip was already schedule because Daniel had an appointment on January 20th to meet with an officer at the airport to get something call, global entry. It lets him get in and out of the US without having to do a line. On January 21st we drove to The Yunque rain forest. The scenery was breathtaking. It reminded me of Costa Rica and parts of El Salvador.

Skype

I love it when my family calls via skype. It is not perfect but it is so nice to see the person on the other side. It is one of those gadgets I am grateful for.

The guest room

So far last year we had my mother visiting us in May for mother's day. Valentina and Hernan visit us twice, John Behner also came a couple of times, Mandy came back for Christmas and Pablo and family for New Years. This year so far we had John and Rosa Behner stopped in the D. R. before they headed to do service in Haiti. They are coming back in two days to go back to El Salvador.