Climbing the volcano Pacaya

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would combine blogs and just post one. Call me crazy or foolish, but last Saturday I got up at 4:30 to go climb Mt. Pacaya (which happens to be an active volcano). Maria and I went with a tour group that takes you to the volcano and provides the guide. I thought it would be walk in the park (and literally it was because Pacaya is a national park) but it was the hardest thing I have ever done. The bus takes you to a small village of San Francisco where you meet your guide. From

there, its an hour hike up through the forest. I have to admit Maria and I rode a horse up part of the way. It was freezing cold and very windy. Also, it was hard to breath because of the cold and the altitude. But the horses can only go so far. When you get to the lava rock, you actually have to climb. The second part of the hike is even steeper and straight up lava rock. I can't believe I made up to the peak. The path is just a small path through the ultra-sharp lava rock. Its hard to get a foot hold because its like climbing a gravel pile. I feel a couple of times and got cut up pretty bad. But I made it!!! The view from the top was unbelievable. From the top you can see for hundreds of miles and also view two other moutains, Fuego and the Water Volcano. The day that we went was very clear. Also, I got to stand next to flowing lava that was coming out of Pacaya. There are no safety rails or ropes. I have to admit it was a unique experience. I mean, how many people can say they climbed an active volcano. Would I do it again? DEFINITELY NOT!!! But it was an unique experience to say the least.

Mount Fuego (Fire Mountain) One of the two volcanoes you can see from Pacaya

The Beautiful View

Mt. Fuego and The Water Volcano. The Water Volcano is no an active volcano


The lava flow coming of Pacaya. You could walk right up to the lava flow. The heat was incredible

That is a town down below of Pacaya.

But today has been a lot calmer. We are back in Jalapa to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Rickenbach family, and Sara and Zach Roberts with their daughters. Their are ten of us here at the Rickenbach house celebrating Thanksgiving and bit of Christmas. It was great to be back in Jalapa, eating American food and having great fellowship. We got to eat Turkey, cranberry sauce, green been casserole, jello salad, pumpkin pie, chocolate peanut butter pie and cherry cheesecake. We spent all morning cooking and all afternoon eating. lol Sis. Rickenbach put up the christmas tree and played Christmas carols for today. It kinda felt like Christmas and Thanksgiving. Maybe we could call it a Chris-giving. The Roberts two daughters were so cute and we're lots of fun. Two year old, Larissa kept us entertained all day. Sis. Rickenbach had put presents under the tree so that we could open later since we would not be together on Christmas. Poor Larissa, it about drove her crazy to see the presents and not be able to open them. She kepts saying, "Presents, please, permission now." I was taking a nap before supper when Larissa came running into my room. She told me me "Come now, open presents!!! Come now!" Finally we got to open the presents. It has been a great thanksgiving!

I even got to talk to my parents and my relatives via Skype, too. I miss being with everyone but thanks to the internet, I got to talk to them for them at least a little bit. I enjoyed that. I have a lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for my parents and all of my family. I am thankful for great friends and fellow missionaries who I could spend a nice day with. I am also thankful for my friend Maria who is serving with here in Guatemala. I am also thank ful for good ole' American food that just helps makes Thanksgiving, really thanksgiving. But most important I am thankful God. He has been so good to me. How can I not thank Him for his many blessing. I really have so much to be thankful for and I don't have time to rattle off all of it. But God has been so good to me this year, and I thank Him for it.

This was our Thanksgiving centerpiece. As missionaries,we have to be creative. :) We can get Thanksgiving stuff down here since they don't have the holiday here.

Larissa and Eleyna Roberts waiting for Thanksgiving dinner to be ready.

Sis. Rickenbach and Maria preparing a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.



The Roberts girl sitting by the Christmas Tree.

Who was the biggest kid? James and Rachel Rickenbach waiting to open their presents. James couldn't resist shaking it.
Larissa Roberts playing with her early Christmas gift from "Ganpa Lee and Ganpa Sherri"

Happy Thankgiving!!!