You Better Belize We Had a Great Time.....

Soon after we arrived in Belize in 2017,  we were able to meet Margaret and Rodrick Cardinez.  We became friends and enjoyed visiting with each other.  Below, we are at Rodrick's retirement celebration as he retired from being a high school principal.  Just before we left California to come to Belize, Scott also retired from being a high school principal.  

We were privileged to teach Margaret the Gospel of Jesus Christ and participate in her baptism. Her family was a great support on that special day.  

Rodrick and Margaret have family in the United States.  So, we invited them to come see us in Utah any time they came to visit their family.  In 2019, they took us up on our offer. We had a wonderful time showing off all the beautiful sites in the Salt Lake area.  

We were so excited when they told us they wanted to visit us again this January.  Little did they know how different life would be in Utah in the winter.  Margaret had never seen or touched snow before... 

Every day, we compared our weather with what it was in Belize.  Check out the weather forecast on January 10th! 

Each day we bundled up as we went out on our daily adventures.  This view of the Salt Lake Temple is a lot different than it was two years ago as it is going through renovation.

The sister missionaries who served as our tour guides were awesome!

Although we are BYU alumni, we enjoyed a tour of the University of Utah campus.  It was fun for me to think of my parents as we walked the campus.  They met at the "U" while they were students there 70 years ago.

As we left the Costco parking lot, how could we not take a picture of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains in the background?   

It was fun introducing the Cardinez's to some of our favorite games-Blokus, Qwirkle, and Pass the Pigs.  

We walked along a canal trail above our home in South Jordan and enjoyed the view of the valley across the highway.   Don't let the sun fool you--it was a little chilly.  

On Sunday afternoon, we enjoyed reminiscing over dinner with Forrest and Jolynne Flake of our days together in Belize.    

One of the highlights was attending the Oquirrh Mountain Temple with Margaret.  

The view of the valley below was spectacular as we exited the temple that night, warmed by the spirit of the Lord's House. 

Goodbye Cardinez's.  We look forward to seeing you next time you come.