Feb. 16, through Feb. 22, 2015

You know every time I write or type 2015 it still makes my heart do a funny little skip, I just can't wrap my head around the fact that it is even 2000 sometimes, let alone nearly 15 years into the century! Time certainly does pass in the blink of an eye.

 

We have gotten the biggest kick out of watching the construction across the street, see the backhoe, it was sitting, with the driver, most of one day while the 5 workers just kept digging the hole by hand, he would fill the dump truck with the dirt from the pile,
then sit and wait for the dump truck to get back and then fill him up again. Meanwhile the workers kept digging.
they also loaded and hauled all the broken out cement patio (broken out by hand) in a pickup.

 

This weeks progress, with 5 workers working 6 1/2 days this week and 6 days last week digging the foundation out by hand.
 Part of the time they were removing the old cement pad.



Last Sunday night we were able to go to the temple and help prepare for the workers to arrive Monday morning. We took down all the veils and put away all the sacred material, boxed up all the clothing etc. in the brides room and in general got everything ready for the painters and workers. It was fun to be able to help with that. Monday I went to the temple and helped with a lot of the extra laundry, we were done by one o'clock and then Ross and I did a little shopping and just hung out. Tuesday we decided to go downtown to the Zocolo, we also had to meet with Brother Villanueva, the brother who is letting us stay in his condo in Huatulco, at 6:00. So we went and wandered around downtown. The teachers still have booths and tents and banners set up and there are of course lots of vendors selling their wares. A beautiful Zapotec girl with her baby strapped to her back caught our eye and we stopped to look at her goods. She was selling shawls and belts, unfortunately the shawls were imported from Pakistan! The belts however were handmade, so we bought a belt from her and dad snapped a picture, we thought she was so regal and beautiful.

These are the Photos of the girl showing me the shawls, look closely to see the baby peeking out of the carrier on her back.

 

We met with Brother Villanueva at his home, he had a map printed out for us and had it set up on his computer, connected to the big screen TV, so we could see exactly where to get off the bus and where to catch the Taxi, etc., where all the shopping, grocery stores, banks, etc., are, a list with phone #'s and all the info we might need. What a great guy to make this available for us to use. His house is absolutely gorgeous. We understand he is very wealthy as is his entire family, they own a public transportation company. (One of the bus lines) They are all very active in the church and very kind and generous.

Wednesday evening we went to a missionary homecoming, it was held in the chapel, the family all spoke, mostly bore their testimonies, then the return missionary, then the Bishop , who by the way is a temple worker, then there was a delicious dinner. the missionary was Luis and Laura Perez's son Andres, he served in the same mission that Doyle served in, Bahia Blanca, Argentina. What a great looking and great young man.

 

 Andres and Luis Perez, Andres plans on working at the CCM (MTC) in Mexico City for a little while and then going to the states and attending BYU. He was impressed with dad's Spanish.

Thursday evening the Roseberrys got back, it was great to see them, we had dinner together and played dominos. Friday we were going to hang out and Jan got sick, but  she was back to Normal Saturday, so we did a bit of shopping for our trip and watched a movie together then went to their place for dinner. Today we are having dinner here, we have invited the Roesberys, the Atkinsons and Pres. and Sister Madson, the Mission Pres. I just pulled bread out of the oven, I have been making artisan bread, it is so easy and really good, you mix it the night before and let is rise for up to 18 hours, it is a no knead bread and only has yeast, flour, salt, and water. This time I made it with all whole wheat, so we'll see how that turns out. We are also having chicken with cream sauce, brown rice pilaf, salad, and Sister Madson is bringing desert. Yum!!! Good food and good company.
That is our week in a nutshell or in a blog! Next week we should have some fun pictures since we leave tonight at 11:45 for Huatulco. We don't know if we will have internet but we do know that Jared has been able to call us on dad's phone if for some reason you need to get in contact with us.
Remember we love you more than you can imagine and we miss you, take care of each other and of yourselves.
 We talked about the Sermon on the Mount today in Sunday School and as we talked about the beatitudes we couldn't help but think how much more simple and beautiful the world would be if we truly could put pride and self love aside and become meek and humble as Christ, peacemakers, lovers of  righteousness, willing to turn the other cheek or to not be easily offended, but to give others the benefit of the doubt. But oh how hard it actually is! We are so grateful for our Savior and for ability to repent and be forgiven, for we truly need that gift daily.
Love to all.
















 

Week of Feb. 9th to Feb. 15th, 2015

This week has been a little bit busier than the last few, that is a good thing for us, busy days keep us occupied and less homesick! We started out the week with a trip Monday morning to the bus depot with the Roesberrys. They needed to buy tickets to Tehuacán, where they will visit some friends they made from when they were here before. We also needed to buy tickets to go to Huatulco and for us to go to Mexico City.

We wish we would have waited on the Mexico City tickets as we didn't get permission to go! Our papers didn't get to the committee in Salt Lake and so it didn't get approved and they don't meet again until this next Wednesday, since it is outside of our temple district we can't go without permission, plus right now they are being a bit careful about letting missionaries travel outside of their assigned areas to sight see so it most likely wouldn't be approved anyway. No biggie we can turn the ticket in and we can actually help in the temple with some of the cleaning the first part of this week. We will work with the Peñas and we love to be around them so we will really enjoy that.

Spring has already come to Oaxaca, look at the beautiful flowers
we saw on the way back from the bus depot. In reality there are flowers all year round!
 

   At 2:00 on Monday we were invited to a house warming and dedication for the new home and business of the couple that were married in November, Ruth Araiza and Max Martinez.  Max used to have a restaurant and he cooked a seafood meal, the temple Presidency were invited, the Normans, Roesberrys, Us, their Stake President, the Paras, (another temple couple), Pres, Seranos daughter and spouse, and another couple. We had a great time! The food was fantastic! There was one dish, a meat to put on  tostados that was really good, come to find out it was his own specialty, made out of SARDINES and EGGS! He put them in the blender with spices then fried it up, believe it or not it was pretty darn good, of course if you put enough hot sauce on anything it tastes pretty good!(or your mouth is so hot you can't taste anything)

Sister Pena, Sister Norman, and Sister Serrano
 

The Serrano's Daughter and her family, this little girl was such a little doll, she really warmed up to grandpa.

Me with Sister Para and Sister Atkinson, Sister Para is one of our Temple Coordinators, she is such a wonderful lady, I love her to pieces!

 

 Friday evening the Atoyac Stake, Greg and Jan's Stake, held a Valentine's party. They talked us into going with them, it started at 7:00, we arrived at 7:00 and were the first ones there other than the ones setting up. It was decorated beautifully, there was a big balloon heart in the entry for pictures and a photographer to take pictures. the chapel was set up like a movie theatre (yes, the chapel) and the movie Frozen was playing! The cultural hall was set up for the dance and dinner, with a live band.
After about 40 minutes when more people got there they started the movie Fireproof, with Kirk Cameron. By 9:30 Greg and Jan decided we better go since we had to be at the temple by 6:00, as we left they made us take a plate of food, I thought it was great, a taquito and a little quesadilla. They had gone to so much work and it was supposed to last until midnight. It was a night to teach and instruct how to love and appreciate you partner, plus a dinner date and a dance, they had popcorn and drinks, decorations, etc. It was so nice and so well done.




Dad in the Cultural Hall where they were prepping for the dance.



Movie theatre in the Chapel.

  

Doesn't it always seem like when we are told we can't have something or something is going to be taken away that we want it more? I think that with the temple closing for 3 weeks everyone wanted to get one last session in for the month. Most of the sessions were pretty full this week. It was so nice to see full sessions and to have people there for all the ordinances, the temple was even open for several late special sessions through the week. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we had busses, in fact Saturday  I think there were 5. We went in at 6:30, worked until 2:30, took a 2 hour break to run to the grocery store and eat lunch, and went back until 7:30, it was a wonderful day! Dad had worked with a couple who had been there for both Friday and Saturday, Friday to get their endowments, in fact we both helped them Friday and then he helped them Saturday. They were outside getting pictures as we were leaving Saturday and we got pictures with them. Their parents invited us to come stay with them in Mexico City, they are such a loving, gracious people. The couple had a little girl, maybe 1 year old that was so cute and so happy, she never cried all day! She smiled and laughed for everyone in the temple. It was so sweet.




Aren't they a beautiful couple, they were so happy! 

 

  Someone is building a house right across the street  from us, I thought a few pictures each week might be interesting to the builders in the family. This week they have been working on digging the footings, etc. by hand. We couldn't help but think how much more efficient it would be to have one of Doyle's or Jared's machines here for a few hours!



This is the workers digging.

Finished or at least part way after most of the week of manual labor!




We Sure do love and miss everyone, we hope you have a wonderful week, you are always in our thoughts and prayers.
We appreciate your prayers for us, we feel them and feel your love, it is amazing how you can feel your families love from so far away but we can. Thank you for all you do for us and for each other we often think of the beautiful Primary song "I feel My Savior's Love" If it wasn't for this love we could not be so far from home and those we love, may His love fill your heart and home with His peace this week .





















 

 

Feb.1st through Feb. 8th, 2014

Happy, Happy Birthday this week to Doyle, Erika, and Debi. Debi is having her birthday today and we hope she is being spoiled rotten and treated like a queen. Tomorrow Doyle and Erika share a birthday. We wish you both a very happy day and hope you both get spoiled also and that everyone treats you extra special and caters to your every desire. What we really wish, though, is that we were there to enjoy cake and ice cream with you!

Again this has been a bit of a slow week, Monday we went to Sam's club with The Roesberrys and Normans, did laundry, etc., then got together at 2:00 at our house for tamales, this is to celebrate  Candlemas, it is significant because in Jewish tradition or Mosaic Law 33 + 7  (or 40) days after a child is born it is time for his mother's purification  and his presentation in the temple to the Lord. And to make a sacrifice to redeem the first born, commonly the sacrifice was a lamb without blemish , but for poor people it was a pair of turtle doves or 2 young pigeons. Thus Candlemas celebrates Jesus' presentation in the temple. Sounds similar to a naming and blessing ordinance. It was also a way to give thanks to God for the child after his birth. (Many Catholics keep their decorations and nativities out until after this date). It was when Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple that they encountered Simeon, who had been promised that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. After seeing Christ he said "Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart I peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:29-32)  

It is also signicant because it falls midway between the winter and spring equinox.
The tamales are a Mexican tradition that corresponds with the Christmas bread we ate with the baby hidden inside. The person who got the baby provides the tamales. I also found out why they hide the babies in the bread. It is symbolic of the Jews hiding the babies from King Herod when he was having all the babies killed because he heard a new king was born. Now it all makes much more sense!

History lesson 101 over for today - oh how I love the internet, it is so much easier than encyclopedias or running to the library when I want to know something!

Wednesday we call missionary day because in the morning we generally have young missionaries in the session, President Madsen has the missionaries come to the temple once a month and we love having them, they bring such a great spirit with them, each Wed. we see different ones and are getting to know quite a few of them. What amazing young people.

Each of the 4 Oaxacan Stakes are all assigned a different night and we are also starting to recognize the regulars. For example Pres. Junco (one of the Stake Pres.) and his wife are there every week. Our Bishops counselor and his wife are temple workers 1 day a week and come at least one other day a week. There are some extremely faithful members here, and like everywhere some extremely inactive members. Thursday and Friday we had no busses so the Presidency decided to schedule sealing sessions all day both days. They had Sister Norman call all the workers and try to get them to commit to a certain schedule of time, it didn't really work and most of them just didn't show up so we spent a lot of time on our knees! It was a great experience though, and during the 2 days the temple was able to seal over 900 couples! We had been behind in couple sealings and that will really help. It is so wonderful to listen to the words and blessings promised in the ordinances, we were talking and saying how much it strengthens our testimony of the love our Father in Heaven has for us, His children, when we really listen and hear all he desires to bless us with, it truly is amazing.

Saturday we had 2 buses and a large van, so we were busy, I had the opportunity to be in the doorway greeting people and as I was watching out front I was able to observe the people waiting. Whole families come, one member will stay outside with the young kids and babysit and then after the first session they will trade off and someone else will come out and that person will get to go in. The kids were running and playing on the grass of the church house  and the temple, one group was gathered around a grandma and she was telling stories, one darling little girl in a pink coat and a beret was playing on the steps, it was such a beautiful thing to see and the kids were learning early the importance of temple attendance and a love for the temple.

In about an hour we are getting together at our house for Sunday dinner, it is great to have a good group of friends, it helps us not to be quite so homesick. We love and miss you all so very much and keep you all in our thoughts, hearts, and prayers.

Sunday Jan. 25th to Sunday Feb. 1st, 2015

Good afternoon, I suppose for a lot of people today's preoccupation is the big Superbowl game, for us it really isn't even an option. We weren't even certain which teams were playing until we were eating lunch today with the Peñas, Atkinsons, and the Normans and we were talking about it. To me it seems like such a big waste to think of the amount of time and money spent on one day's game, when that money and time could do so much good in the world. Not that I think there is anything wrong with pro ball in general, just that things are a bit out of proportion.

Last Sunday Jan and Greg decided they wanted to have everyone over for dinner, but their house is too small, so we ate at our house. They made chicken cordon bleu, and rice, we made salad and dressing, Peñas brought fruit and Normans brought desert, we do eat well!

Peñas



Sunday dinner this week with the Penas, Normans, and Atkinsons



President and Sister Atkinson, dinner this week Feb. 1

Just about ready to eat!
 

 

 

 Monday we went to a lab downtown to get a chest x-ray for me, the lab did a lot of testing and looked pretty full when we got there and I thought great we will be here half the day! We checked in and went to pay first and found out they wouldn't take our insurance, but the x-ray would cost 320 pesos, roughly 21 dollars. Then we sat down to wait, in about 15 minutes they called me back took the x-ray and said it would take 20 minutes to get the film ready for me to take, so we waited, it was more like 40 minutes, but they brought the film out with the typed report and handed it to us to take to the Dr. We left called the Dr, who came by the house at 1:30 looked at the x-ray and read the report, said the lungs are looking good, no abnormalities, everything is clearing up, the broncials are still a little inflamed, stay on the meds a little longer, charged us another 200 pesos, about 14 dollars and said to call if I get worse again. I am doing so much better and think I will just continue to improve. Sister Norman has to have an MRI on her knee and we found out that they will take our insurance but you have to call ahead and arrange it through the HMO. Although I'm not worried about it for the amount we had to pay. That was less than our deductible would have been at home, although we understand we have no deductible here.

Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty good days in the temple, the sessions were nice, I ended up being the coordinator Wednesday evening shift. Thursday we had 2 busses come from Cuautla, they brought 22 kids and the rest were adults. They are what is called an autosuficiente estaca, or a self sufficient stake, that means they bring enough family file names that they do not have do use any temple names and they also have enough temple workers of their own that they need very little help to be able to run the sessions etc. Their Stake Pres. is an amazing man and the people adore him. They come for 3 days, this is the second time they have come since we have been here and we are getting to know some of the people, they recognize us and of course hug us and tell us they will see us the next time, the temple has an amazing spirit when they are here! President Ziga told me how much he loves and admires Ross and what a wonderful man he is, I had to agree with him.

We also had a bus from Nialtican with 42 youth and  their leaders, coming to the temple was their reward for doing indexing! After baptisms they got to go to Monte Alban. Ross was the baptism coordinator for most of the weekend and Friday there were 86 kids, that is a lot for a little temple.

It was great to have a busy weekend! You can see the joy in the faces of the people as they enter the temple, We love the feeling we get of pure love for people that we don't even know, we know this love comes from our Father in Heaven and He is allowing us to feel just a tiny bit of the love He feels for us. His gospel is a gospel of joy and peace, He loves us, we know this with more certainty each day, He wants us to love one another and care for one another, we love you all so much and miss you, take care of yourselves and each other.