22 months in El Salvador!

It's been almost 2 months since I last wrote. And it's gone very fast. We've been busy.  The first week in August is Agostinos, a national and state holiday. We had a few days free so we went to Roatan, Honduras to stay in a friend's condo there. My sister, Karen, met us and it was a perfect 5 days. Aside from Jim getting stung by a scorpian, we had a wonderful time and felt refreshed.
Since the middle of July we have had speaking assignments all over the country in stakes and a couple of districts. We have now covered all but one stake and one district in the country.  About 16, but we can't remember! We have logged almost 15,000 miles on our little Honda and the country is only 150 miles long!!
About 6 months ago we started the procedure to extend our mission until the completion of the temple but decided it was best to return home and be released from our 23 month mission.  It's due to the IRS and tax laws.  There are grey areas that one should not try to interperet concerning the IRS!  So, because our project has been so successful, and because we didn't want to leave before it was finished, we are returning as "consultants" until a new mission call is issued after a time period.
It's bittersweet to return home and have to leave again, but we are so grateful for the opportunity to hug those babies!!  (4) And see the kids, home, Montana, and friends and loved ones.  It'll be quick. We fly into SLC on the 8th and then to Kalispell a few days later. We're back down here on the 19th.
The best is just starting with the temple. We have granite on 3 sides going up, the flor de izote (national flower) granite relief is amazingly beautiful and simple. It's on 3 sides this week.  When Jim does his fireside, he shows the members this flower motif, which is throughout the temple. He tells them that this is the izote flower opened, not closed  as found in their food. They eat the flower so never see it opened. They get a big kick out  of this! But love that their temple is Salvadoran. The interior is progressing and the work is detailed and lovely. Furniture is arriving. I am purchasing items for the furnished apartments.  It's a wonderful priviledge to be able to be involved with the construction of  a temple.
The worst the last month has been the rain. It's been so humid we're growing mold on walls, clothing, purses, shoes! The best is the great people, food and beauty.