June 17th & 18th

runaway horse

interesting flower we saw at the Volcan Gringo Market (we look for English speaking people there)

fascinating tree/bush..looks like bells (outside some Friends house)

In service :)

so many beautiful views in Volcan, here is one of the many

this is beside some Friends house, this was built/is used for baptism (it gets deeper the further back you go in it)

Asa pretending to get baptised :)

one of the baby goats on the friends property (I think it wanted its mama)

Zoe and a young sister originally from Panama, but has been living in Texas most of her life (came back to visit family)

here is her brother :)

Aliah attaining parasites via the chicken, hahaha

Here are some of the friends visiting from Texas (tho some of them are Panamanian and the brother with the hat on is from Ecuador.. all of them were soooo very loving)

in service this lady had a rescue center for abused animals, this tucan was one of them..?

so is this guy but we couldn't remember what kind of animal it is, he was very energetic and somewhat aggressive

this monkey was trying to eat its way out (his little fingers and toes were sooo adorable)

beautiful raccoon!

there were 8 of us in a 5 seater, this is how.. here in Panama there is no laws for the backseat and beyond (fortunately we didn't go far)

the storm was coming- after service (this pic is out of order)

this house (and the successive pics of landscaping) is only used as a 'weekend getaway' one weekend a month!! Rediculous truly. So much money in this one place. I've yet to see anything like it the whole time we have been in Panama. Unfortunately it is likely that this is bought/maintained with drug money :( (the house was soooo huge I couldn't get it in one shot)

some of the yard (notice one of their waterfalls)

another beautiful view of their yard, and another waterfall

still part of their yard

Zoe in service (I was trying to be discreet..)

we stopped at a coffee plantation (the friends wanted to buy some in bulk), notice how the bushes are cut.. very creative

this view is from the plantation too

very unique plants at the plantation for sale

leaving the plantation, here is our eye candy :)

another view from the plantation (sorry it's out of order)

again a view from the plantation, notice the rain rolling in

The past two days have been great!! Yesterday, Friday, some friends picked us all up to take us to a location that on Friday's have a lot of Gringos (foreigners, and typically are English speaking). It went well (the local friends try to establish friendships with the people there) and in doing so they asked if we could swing by this one ladies house to see her sloth. That's how we ended up at the place with the monkey and raccoon, etc.. But we beat her there and didn't get to see the sloth. I'm dying!! to see a sloth here in Panama. But it was fun seeing the other animals too. Also we went to some return visits and had a productive morning. After service we changed our clothes and were going to hike up a mountain to a 40 ft waterfall, but the moment we pulled up to the area to walk to the waterfall the rain started pouring down. So we took a raincheck on that trip. So then we went home and just piddled around the rest of the afternoon. Zoe and Harriette went to the grocery store at some point and enjoyed doing that and checking out different shops.

Today, Saturday, we woke early to get ready for Sat service and then met at Doug and Peggy's at 830 here in Volcan. They had a full house. Let's see.. there were 17 of us :) We all got assigned to different car groups and areas and headed out on our way. My family was divided up except Zoe and I (we worked together). The friends we were with are really awesome! Very strong in the truth, very sure-footed, very industrial, very compassionate and loving. We had the best time together, continuing to get to know each other. Zoe and I assisted them and took some of our own. I was able to place some literature with a gentleman who spoke wonderful English, but he was in his vehicle and was kind of in a hurry. We met several people who were "content" with their religion and was uninterested in talking about religion. Typical and understandable. So we just enjoyed the views and kept going. There is sooo much interest here and so between that and the relaxed-ness (I know that isn't a word) it's hard to let apathy dampen your attitude. It's truly refreshing!!

Well after service once the whole family returned home my girls and I took a nap. It seems we have been go-go-go since the moment we stepped on to Panamanian soil and it is really catching up with us (we napped yesterday too). We woke a little before 3 and began our Family Worship. Us and the Gonterman's did it together and it was really enjoyable. (Tomorrow morning after breakfast we are going to study our Watchtower all together and I hope it goes as smoothly as it did today. Our meetings on Sun isn't until 2p so it feels like you get 2 days out of 1:) After FW I called Chris to get the "low down" on the Johnson City convention. This is what he said... Just kidding.. I know many of you like for it to be a surprise so I won't ruin it for you:) Then after that the 6 of us went to Doug and Peggy's for dinner. They had tacos and then we watched the movie Secritariat. It was a very enjoyable evening!!

As for now..I'm about to get to bed. The house is quiet, at least the inside is.. Everyone is in bed.. But outside, that's a whole different story. The dogs are actually quiet right now, I just hear a rooster (who must be disillusioned with the time), cheering, a whistle blowing, and neighbors laughing. Fortunately no loud thumping Spanish music right now.. Not like last night. Ut oh, I hear some yelling.. Hopefully all is well, I have no idea what is being said.. Well folks, that's all she wrote. If you suffered through this post, more power to you :) All my love <3 Good night