Scouts

Cherilyn does such a great job with these cub scouts; I really can't say it enough. This is such a meaningful activity for Abe.  A couple of weeks ago, Cherilyn took the boys to meet her husband Jim in the Security Office of the Embassy to be fingerprinted.   Abe has informed me that if something happens to him, we will not be able to identify him because the FBI has a copy of his records. That is a pleasant thought.

I have swiped the following photos from Cherilyn's blog. :)

Jim with Ethan, Cade, Nicholai, Loren, Dallin and Abe.

At the end of February, Cherilyn took the boys to the school to learn about the importance of the American flag, to fold it and how to raise it.

Visitors

Scott, Robyn and their two oldest kids came to visit in March.  They were just with us a few days in Lima, but were in Peru for 2 weeks!  It sounds like they have a great time visiting Machu Picchu and the jungle in Iquitos.

Sadly, I have hardly any photos.  Here are a few that I stole off of their camera before they left.

Tanner has grown up so much.  He really is a pre-teen.

A cute photo in a famous Catholic church in downtown Lima.

Plaza de Armas in Lima

 I love when visitors come because I can see the city through their eyes.  This didn't phase me.  However when I think about it, it is pretty different. :)  After nearly 5 years in Latin America, I forget how different things really are around here sometimes.  

There is a large market downtown that is anything but touristy.  This is a common birthday party wholesaler.

We bought a pomegranate and a mamey to take home and try.  These needed their clorox bath before they would be edible.

Common sight along the highway.  Most of these people do not have running water.  Can you even imagine having to walk up and down these hills everyday?

I took Scott to an orphanage that we like to serve (it is well run) and he saw about 15-20 patients for minor colds and fungi.  This saved the center a lot of money because a trip to the pediatrician at the reduced rate is about the equivalent of an average salary for 2 full days (s/80).  While Scott tended patients, Robyn played with kids, rocked a baby to sleep and the girls played with another little 8 year old and made jewelry out of flowers.  

Last Day of Swimming for the Year

At school, the kids rotate through a swimming unit during their PE hour a couple months of the year.  Here are a couple of photos from the last day of class.  She has her stitches removed just in time to participate in the the last day.  It was disappointing for her that she had to have stitches in her knee for 2 weeks during this unit.  She loves to swim.

Embassy Easter Egg Hunt

The Embassy always hosts a great Easter activity for the kids.   All three kids were talking about the odds of finding the beloved golden egg for days before the event.  They had all decided that they would share the prize if one of them found it.  The sibling who found it would get 50% and the other two would get 25%.

It was little Sophia who came through for Team Barlow!  What a thrill is was to spot the "very shiny one"!  They still haven't eaten the large Peruvian chocolate eggs that they won as the prize - it was simply all about the find!

March Lunch Bunch

The North American Sisters from around the Lima area meet on the 2nd Monday of each month for a pt luck luncheon,  It has been such a fun tradition and something that I really look forward to each month.  We have so many missionaries here serving with their husbands and they are so much fun.  This is a great way to catch up.

Last month, Carol Waddell hosted what turned out to be a smaller group.  We were able to enjoy lunch around her table.  It was great.  The tall sister in the back standing next to me is Steve's Mission President's wife.  We both love bright pink and have great taste in earrings. :)  It has been so fun to get to know her.

A big thanks to Chris, Cherlilyn's MIL, who is serving with her husband as the Family History Directors of the area.  She documents everything.  I admire that.

Sister Schiffman, Chris Bloomer, Jane Gough, Sister Cavanaugh, Sister Manning, Brooke Sorenson, Carol Waddell, Maggie Johnson and her friend visiting us from Utah.

Tomorrow, I am hosting this group at our house for the last time before we move.  Bittersweet.  I truly am going to miss Lima.

Armstrong Despedida

The biggest blessing of living overseas in an expat community is the incredible people that we meet.  These people become like our extended family.  We could truly call on any one of the people in the group photo if we were in need.  We even call on each other when we just want to escape the bars on our windows or set off on another Peruvian adventure.  Our time in Peru has been such a blessing and these people are a large reason for that.

We said goodbye to this great family last week as they head back to the States for a couple of months before heading to Montevideo, where Brother Armstrong has been called as the new mission president.  

This is their incredible daughter Stacey who I have had the privilege of really getting to know in Young Women.  She is a light to all of those around her, always has a great attitude and is so full of life.  She always makes me laugh! I would still love her to pieces even if she didn't love to play with my hair. :)

  

Our Expat Church Family

Cub Scouts (technically Lone Scouts)

A big thank you to Cherilyn for all of her effort in organizing great activities for these boys.  Cherilyn took the initiative and volunteered her time to help these boys with their scout certifications.  They meet twice a month and always have a great time!  This was the Blue and Gold ceremony.  

Oh, the things that we do to make our kids happy.

Little Buddies

I really love listening to these two play together.   They are such a hoot.

EDITED: I just found a few more adorable photos of these two little hams.

Peyton

I want a puppy.  No I changed my mind, I want a walrus.

The Sunbeams of La Molina

Kennedy, Emma, Sarah and Sophia

I just wanted to share this cute photo of the Sunbeams in La Molina.  Their teacher is Carol Waddell.  She is a shining example of magnifying a calling no matter how big or small.  Each Sunday afternoon, she sends home an email with the lesson topic, any follow-up activities that the girls can do throughout the week and possible FHE ideas.  Today they learned about the Creation, made a paper flower garden, looked at various seeds and then received a real one to give to someone else.

This is such also a unique class because these girls are such good friends and Sister Waddell can really tailor the lessons to the needs of little princesses.   Emma just moved into the ward 2 weeks ago and it will be fun to get to know her.  Sarah's is the youngest of 5 until Wednesday when she becomes the big sister of two more sweet baby girls and Kennedy spends at least 6 days a week with Sophia.  These two are like cousins who can sit together with a small set of figurines and play for hours - literally.

We are so blessed to be a part of the La Molina Ward.  This ward has helped to strengthen the testimonies of each member of our family and will always hold a special place in our heart.

And just for journaling sake, I should mentioned that Sophie offered a prayer today in Primary.  I only heard about it later, but apparently she blessed Divercity (the indoor amusement park) and all the people so that they didn't go too far into the water and become sharks (or get eaten by sharks, though Abe insists she said socks).  Eventually, she prayed for reverence. The entire primary for laughing, which was just more fuel to the fire.  She is such a ham and keeps us all on our toes.  This was so Sophie.

High Season in Iquitos

It has been far too long since the last time I updated the blog, but life has been going at 80 mph since October.  I can't believe that it is almost March!

I have a few posts, but in no particular order.

A couple of weeks ago, Nina and Papa came to visit.  Steve and I left the kids at home and took my parents to Iquitos to experience the jungle.  Honestly, you could spend weeks there just exploring.  Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip.

This first photo is to give you a frame of reference.  This is a photo of a Catholic church in Belen in October...

 

and here is the same church 4 months later.  The water had risen about 25 feet since the last time that we were there.

The following photos are from our time at Ceiba Tops.

Nina and Papa under the Ceiba Top Tree

Leaf Frog

The strangest beehive that I have ever seen

A butterfly with an eye marking on each wing to ward off predators.

Late night tarantula hunting.  I would not want to find him under my covers...

Papa and the deer

No matter where you take the guy, he always catches the most fish - even with a homemade pole.

Steve kising a baby anaconda.  Oh boy, he (the snake) was mad.

Wild male sloth who tried to pee all over Papa.  Apparently, sloths only come down from the trees when the need to relieve themselves.  We found that to be a true observation.

Chillin' on the Amazon

Papa surprised us with a trip in the float plane.  It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E.  My mom completely disagrees. :)

Cool aerial photo from the plane.

Our guide called this the local McDonalds.  This was at a port only used to transport good inland to the nearby village.  If you look closely, you can see balls of rice and chicken wrapped in banana leaves.

Skewered and grilled chicken parts.

Bring new meaning to "Bucket Chicken"

Adorable girl from the Yagua Village

and her mom preparing lunch.

This one liked me.  Later he tried to steal my glasses.

Steve was obviously missing the kids, so he found himself a monkey to play with instead.

This just can't be real. :)

Afternoon bird came for a snack every afternoon in the hammock house

Commuter boat.  I just love how rustic and primitive the Amazon really is. 

With 4 days of great weather, the rain clouds began to approach as we headed to the aiport.  Perfect ending to a great trip!