News from the Hughes

I just realized that the last time I updated the Blog was April 2nd (almost 3 months ago).  Alot has been happening the last 3 months, as you'll soon see! In fact so much has happened that I'm going too divide up everything between this Blog and the next update (don't scoff, I'll try and do an update before September)!

Ok, here we go......

You’re Never Too Old to Experience Something New….

One of the highlights the last few weeks was the visit of my parents to Bolivia. At 75 years old (I mean 75 years young) they embarked on a new adventure and came to see us for a 3-month visit.  I was so proud of them! 

It was a wonderful visit, and they headed back to Indy on May 27th.  Life in Bolivia isn’t always convenient – no Super Targets or Wal Marts – you visit your bakery lady, then your butcher, next it’s off to buy veggies and fruit, and let’s not forget the all essentials of toilet paper, shampoo/conditioner – which is yet another stall by another lady.  My dad liked going into Tarija with us for shopping.  He even found his own little bakery lady, and with the little Spanish he learned since coming he was constantly starting up conversations with Bolivians.  The local people liked how this elderly man from the U.S. wanted to talk to them and get to know them.  The altitude was a bit hard on mom, but she did good!

One of the highlights of their visit was that we all got to attend the Memorial together.  Not only was it the first Memorial for our congregation, but for the first time in many years I got to share this with all three of my children and my parents.  That was pretty wonderful!

We did have one little hiccup.....  2 weeks before my parents were leaving for home, and while we were at our meeting, my dad fell and hit his head really bad.  The neighbors across the street saw him fall, got him to a clinic next to my house, the clinic then called an ambulance to take him to the hospital in Tarija -- ALL WHILE WE WERE AT MEETING.  By the time we knew dad had been hurt, he was already on his way home from the hospital complete with stitches.  



He was really impressed how kind and helpful the Bolivian people were -- even though he couldn't speak any Spanish.  I was just relieved he wasn't hurt more seriously.  Still, we had to do our part to care for his ouchie!

HE'S GOING TO BE SO IRRITATED AT ME FOR PUTTING THIS PICTURE IN THE BLOG.  I gotta say this for my dad, he's one tough old guy!

Our Second Memorial in Bolivia….

It’s hard to believe that the girls and I have been in Bolivia for 1 ½ years (2 ½ years for Connor).  The girls and I just applied and got our 2-year residency, so the plan for now is that we’re going to stay here for at least 2 more years.  As part of that plan we got to attend our second Memorial in Bolivia (the first Memorial for the San Lorenzo congregation).  

So, while the brothers had their many meetings to make plans and get things ready (who would do what), it was up to the sisters to have our own meetings to plan the decorating of the space for the Memorial including who would make this year’s unleavened bread – stuff like that! That’s one of the cool things about being here – it’s all hands on deck when it comes to everyone being involved. 

BUT JUST LOOK AT THE RESULT……

Saying Good-bye to A lot of Dear Friends…..

While the last few weeks were nice, we also found ourselves having to say good-bye to a lot of friends that had been visiting for 3 months.  It included us having to say bye to Haley, Stephanie, and Chantal from the United States……

 

And also having to say bye to Mikail and Andrea from Sweden. Bolivia just ain’t been the same since they all left!

Spoiler Alert – we’re hoping to see Mikail and Andrea at Connor’s wedding in October!  

Stephanie and Haley even got to visit Trinidad, Bolivia (the tropics) for a few weeks to help with the preaching there.  Later, we all enjoyed meeting and spending time with both their mom’s who came to visit the girls for 2 weeks.  It was nice meeting and making new friends!

We also had to say good-bye to the Borg family (also from Sweden).  The Borgs were Missionaries in Bolivia but after the little surprise of their son (Carl Amillo), they moved back to Sweden.  But they visit Bolivia every year for a few months to help and to give their son the experience of serving in another country.

Of course we couldn’t pass up this opportunity to have a Going Away Party for all our dear friends that were leaving. Once nice thing about being in a small congregation is that you can invite everyone to every party.  

So, we had a nice Going Away Party complete with some good food, and of course TRADITIONAL DANCING…….  Can you find Aubri and Priscilla in this video?

Everyone got into the spirit of things and the Borg Family with Mikail & Andrea also put on a little show for us…… A Bit of traditional Bolivian dancing with some Swing Dancing Thrown in for good measure.

Even my mom had to get up for a dance…..

YEP, WE PRETTY MUCH DANCED LOTS!

A Visit to Lake Titicaca….

One thing we had to do in May was to visit the city of La Paz so that Pris could take some AP exams for High School.  Pris graduated from High School on June 4th - HOORAY!

  We all wanted to go but the altitude is really high and I was worried about my parent’s health.  So, while Connor stayed in Tarija with my parents -- myself, Pris, and Aubri had to head to La Paz. Pris had been stressing about her exams and they took 9 hours.  So to celebrate we decided to take a little side trip to visit Lake Titica (about 5 hours from La Paz by bus).  Aubri had been once before but me and Pris had never seen it. The truth is that while I’ve visited a lot of cities in Bolivia, I haven’t done much Adventuresome trips.  After visiting Connor last year in Tipuani I felt like I had enough adventure to last me a lifetime.  BUT THAT WAS A YEAR AGO….

So, one year later I felt like I was ready to do something adventure-some again. I had heard a lot about Lake Titicaca -- I knew it was the highest lake in the world at 12,420 feet above sea level, I knew it was cold, and that it was pretty.

But..... I had no idea just how massive it was.  It took us 5 hours to reach the lake and 2 of those hours was spent driving along the lake itself (which to me is more the size of a sea).  I could almost picture myself living here except for the fact that it’s sooooo stinkin’ cold and I can’t seem to catch my breath.

Still, we reach the lake and the next day head off for an all day tour of boating and hiking. If the last 7 months of preaching in the mountains of San Lorenzo has prepared me for anything – it’s hiking up the mountains in Lake Titicaca. OH WAIT, I WAS WRONG!  There’s a huge difference between walking at 6000 feet above sea level and 12,420 feet above sea level.

We arrived in Lake Titicaca and stayed in a cool little bungalow-type thing.  The place even had a couple of alpacas running around the grounds – SO BOLIVIAN!  Of course Pris (always the animal lover) couldn’t wait to try and be friends – The alpacas didn't really like that idea!

The next day we head out for a fun day of boating and hiking on the Lake.  I had gotten us a guide (just in case I slip and fall off the cliff).  He was Aymara (the native people on the lake), and was sooooo patient, going at a pace I could handle, all while telling us many interesting stories regarding his people and their history. 

I was impressed by the sheer beauty of it all, and found myself wanting to exclaim many oohs and aahs, but drat – my need to beathe and take in oxygen at 12,000 feet always seems to win out.  JUST BREATH TRACY, JUST BREATH! 

I can’t explain how or why but everywhere we go, Pris seems to find animals and bond with them.

I really did enjoy the day despite getting a bit of altitude sickness and losing a really nice jacket I had bought in Spain – DON’T ASK, IT WAS TOTALLY MY FAULT -- THEN AGAIN I BLAME THE LACK OF OXYGEN!

Update on Connor’s Wedding….

So, plans are moving along for Connor’s wedding in October. Brides Maids and Groomsmen have been picked, dresses chosen, and we even had some friends bring us the fabric for Aubri and Pris’ Bridesmaid dresses.  Mama (that’s me) still aint’ sure what she’s gonna be wearing.  Anyway……  We realized something a few weeks ago – the time in Spain is actually 6 hours ahead of the U.S. and Bolivia.  And so with the wedding being around 1:00 in the afternoon, people aren’t really going to be able to attend while it’s happening. Instead, we’re going to video the wedding and then send all our friends a link to watch it on YouTube at a more convenient time.

I had also sent out a mass e-mail to everyone asking if you could take a  photo of your family holding a sign for Connor and Carla?  Her family is going to put together a slide show of photos received from friends and family. It can be a simple sign that says, “Congratulations Connor & Carla….. or We Wish You the Best…..  or something more creative than what I can come up with.”  We were hoping to get everyone’s photos by JULY 3RD -- if you can help a gal out.  Just e-mail your picture to me at tracyhughes49@gmail.com.  Thanks Everyone!

And thanks to all our dear friends that have already sent us pictures!

Fun, Fun, Fun in the Ministry…..

Here are a few fun photos of us in the preaching work – San Lorenzo style….

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Update on the Puppies…..

YEAH, ENOUGH SAID ON THAT!  UNTIL NEXT TIME. 

We've had quite alot of excitement going on with Pris' graduation party, which I'll tell you about next time.

LUV THE HUGHES