Monday July 6th to Sunday July 12th, 2015 farewell parties and flight home

 

I thought this week would drag by, boy was I wrong, it has been a whirlwind! Everyday has been busy ad full of things to do and remember and learn, I am not sure my brain is going to hold all the information, well, I am sure it won't. I came across a quote that I like ----

“Paper is to write things down that we need to remember. Our brains are used to think.” -Albert Einstein

This last while I am so grateful for paper, now if I can think where I put the paper I need!

Monday our week started with an 8:00 am cooking class at the Norman's house. Brother Norman makes killer cinnamon rolls (among other delicious food items). Several of us have been bugging him for the recipe and we finally got a tutorial AND the recipe. As soon as these were done we made a quick trip to the Barro Negro store in San Bartolo Cayotopec to pick up the last few items we had on order there. We then came home cleaned shopped did laundry and prepped for the big despidida (going away party) for the Normans. they wanted to hold it while we were still here. We held the party at the Madsen's in the back yard, Laura Perez surprised everyone with a Mariachi band, it was a lot of fun and will be a great memory for all of us. the cinnamon rolls were a great dessert!

Sister Peña, Jan, and John working on the rolls 

Ready for the oven

 

Mariachi Band

John and sister Peña working on the cinnamon rolls.

Tuesday and Wednesday were normal days, or as normal as it has been lately, Presidency meeting, Missionary Meeting, working in the office, we actually got to take a session and even go on one. Thursday the excursion canceled and so it was a bit of a slow day but also nice as we got to go on another session and got a lot accomplished in the office, Friday and Saturday we had excursions with Saturday being the busiest, some days I really wonder how  we fit so many people in this small temple and where they all are, I see them come in, I know they are there and yet the reverence and peace and spirit of cooperation are just amazing. You would never know that there are bus loads of people inside.

Friday evening we went with the Normans and Peñas to the Roesberrys or dinner, it was so nice not to have to worry about fixing dinner, we have been trying to pack and clean out the fridge and we didn't really have anything to eat, they made us a wonderful dinner and the company was fantastic!

Saturday after the temple we had a secretaries party at the Normans, these amazing ladies have gotten so close to the Normans over the time they have been here and wanted to get together to show them their appreciation. Normans also wanted to let the secretaries know how much they love and appreciate them. Normans fixed dinner (yummy Café Rio Salads), it was a huge hit! Most of the  secretaries wore traditional Oaxacano clothing. We had games, sang a traditional song, testimonials, gifts, and photos. What a fun and memorable evening. It started at 5:00, we thought it would end by about 7:00 and we could play cards with the Roesberrys, the last people left about 9:00! These ladies are going to be such a blessing to get to know and work with for the next 9 months in the office, they are all so different and so great. Each one has so much to offer and is so willing to give and share their talents, time , friendship, and love.

Martha, Teresia, Claudia, Anita, Sister Canteras, Nayeli, Sister Peña

Graciela and Anita

Sister Lauara Perez making a presentation

John and Chris (Lupita)

 .

John and Chris (standing) Laura and Sister Cobe (sitting) We are not going to say goodbye to John and Chris, because we know we are going to keep in touch and be eternal friends.

    Tonight we have a Temple workers devotional, the main speaker is our Area Authority Seventy Elder Miron. We also have some guest musicians, the Normans have been their hosts and we were lucky enough to be invited to lunch with them. We think it was out of pity as we had nothing in our house to eat, but we could contribute a little fruit, rice and soy sauce! We are excited to hear them play and sing. It was fun to hear about their histories in the church over lunch.

I better close and finish packing, so we can head back to Ut. for a visit in the morning. It will be so good to see everyone! We love you all and can't wait to see you!





 

June 29th to July 5th, 2015 Chili Rellenos and wedding dances

We hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July. We had a great day celebrating in the temple!

This is Elder Pitchford, he came to the temple on Friday with one of his converts to see he receive her endowment, he is an amazing missionary and a great guy, we have gotten to know him pretty well. He is from Bear Lake, Idaho. Check out the shoes, can you see how worn out they are? The Elders do a lot of walking here, he says this is his 3rd pair, he says his mom will cry when she sees these shoes and he will wear a different pair home but will keep these. We love Elder Pitchford. 




Monday we got to go early to the temple, the group that came to do the Monday cleaning requested a session before they cleaned but needed help with the veil so I got to go over and help, it's always a privilege and a great way to start the week. We also went downtown with the Roesberry's, Jan and Greg have a new grand daughter and wanted to get a little dress to send home with us so we can mail it to her. There are still so many teachers in the Zocolo area so we avoided that area and went to one of the markets, mission completed and we caught a taxi home just in time to meet at Sister Peña's house to learn how to make Chili Rellenos. (Ican't wait to make these for the family) Sister Peña had made these a while back and brought some to us for dinner and had promised to teach us how to make them before John and Chris leave. We made them then got together to eat them ate our house, just added a salad and cupcakes that Chris made. Later we played games. We have such a great time with these good friends who have become more like family.

Tuesday starts early now, it used to be a half day, now with dads new responsibilities it starts by 8:00 or sooner to prepare for Presidency meeting, then the meeting, hopefully a quick lunch break then missionary training meeting, then temple.

Wednesday we worked in the morning and then we made a quick trip back downtown, the Normans have a Diego Rivera print they had framed, they don't have room to take it home in the frame and were going to give us the frame, we love the print and would buy the same print to go back in the frame, so rather than take it out we went and bought them a rolled print so they can take that home and we will hang the framed one in our apartment. While we were downtown we saw a group of dancers in front of the Santo Domingo church, turns out they were part of a wedding dance.

Wedding Dancers in front of Santo Domingo Church



Tree Stump Carving Downtown

 

 

 

 https://youtu.be/lpNr7P05hek

To see more of this and the Church and part of downtown go to this link and view this and other traditional wedding videos.

 

 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we had excursions, one of our favorite groups was there all three days, they come from Cuatla and always bring enough family names and some of their own workers. They are always so prepared and reverent, they are great people, the Stake President and his wife are such kind and loving people and we have come to love them and look forward to their visits.

 

Saturday evening we got together with the Roesberrys and the Normans for cards and snacks, we are taking advantage of the time we have left with the Normans, we will miss them so much when they leave.

 

Today we met with resident Atkinson after church and had some training on our new responsibilities and his expectations, then Ross was set apart as the Assistant Recorder, he was give a beautiful blessing with some great promises, I was also give a beautiful blessing. Then President left us alone in the temple to ponder ad discuss with each other, what a sacred and amazing experience. We feel so blessed to have been given these opportunities we truly feel the Savior's love in our lives and know without a doubt that He is aware of us, of our doubts and fears, and that He will help us and comfort us, that He wants to reach out and bless our lives that he does stand ready to pour out those blessings on us if we but reach out to Him. Psalms 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." 

We love you all and can't hardly wait until next Monday when we will get to see you.