Tis the season to be busy! Weeks of Dec.14th to 27th. 2015

You would think that the weeks leading up to Christmas would be more calm and relaxed in the mission field, after all, we really have no shopping to do, I am not doing a lot of baking, my house is much smaller and a whole lot easier to keep clean, but life is life where ever you are and it seems that the busyness of life creeps in no matter what. I guess the key, as in all things is to set priorities and stick with them, remember what is most important and what is best and let the rest go! It is so easy to get distracted by the things of the world, I am so grateful for the gentle whispering of the Spirit to remind me when I am getting to far off track and the reminders that this Season of Christmas is and should be all about Christ.

Friday the 18th we had the opportunity to attend a beautiful program put on by some of the missionaries in the area, it was amazing. We kind of drug our feet a little about going as it had been a busy day at the temple and we were tired, I had come home early with a migraine, but was feeling better, so we (the Roesberrys and us) caught a taxi and went. We were all so glad we did, the purpose was twofold, to celebrate Christmas and to introduce investigators to the Gospel. As we listened to them sing and play piano it is so evident to see that the Lord really has saved the best of the best for the last days, these kids are all so talented and beautiful and the light of Christ shines brilliantly in their eyes and faces making them even more beautiful. One of the missionaries that we know is a big Samoan, Elder Anono from Salt Lake, you would think he would have a big booming bass voice, nope, he has the softest, sweetest, most beautiful tenor voice. He sang several duets with different sisters and as well as a solo. This program was just what I needed to remind me of what is really important and connect me with Christ

 With flowers blooming and weather that is warm enough to cause sunburn it has been hard to believe it is Christmas. These are the Noche Buenas (Poinsettas) outside our front door. 

Sunday the 20th we spoke in the Independencia Ward of the Atoyac Stake, we always leave with plenty of time so we are not late, it was a good thing. We have been to that building twice, but we still got lost! We ended up taking a cab and a moto taxi to get there.

 This is a moto taxi, quite often they will put 3 people in the back seat and one next to the driver.

One of the cute families from Barrio Independencia.

When we went home we could not find a yellow cab anywhere, we needed to get home early as we needed to be there to help prepare for the Temple Workers Devotional. We finally ended up taking 2 buses and 2 moto Taxis, travel is quite often an adventure when you don't have a car. Ross has teased since we first got here about buying a car and driving home, I have been pretty adamant about the fact that when it is time to go home I want to get there in a few hours by plane! But, oh there are times a car would be nice! Except then we would probably really get lost!

The temple workers devotional went well, we thought at first it wasn't going to be well attended but as with most things here by the time it was about half over there was a pretty good crowd. Ross and Jan and the rest of the Choir did a great job. We planned a family night for the next evening (Monday) to get together with the choir and sing in the neighborhood ( just for fun) and have hot chocolate, we ended up making dinner for the group instead. Unfortunately only one couple was able to come, we still went caroling to the neighbors and took cookies, we got hugs at several houses, then we came back and ate, they were pleasantly surprised when we served Mexican food. We all had a great time and feel like we are good friends now.

 The couple that came to eat are the Alcazars, the man next to Ross and the Sister with the long hair next to Jan. He has an amazing voice and has sung in choirs a lot and is the go to guy for funerals etc.

I keep starting and stopping on this blog, I work on it a little here and there, eventually I ill get it done and posted!  Merry Christmas everyone! We hope and pray you are all enjoying this special time together and that you feel the love of  the Savior as you celebrate. We had a very enjoyable Christmas Eve, we met with the Cardenas' at their home, The Pena's, Sister Zarco and her daughter from Provo, and some surprise guests. The Cardenas' brother, who is the temple recorder in Mexico city, along with his family and two of the Cardenas' boys came and surprised them. We had a wonderful dinner a very nice program of songs and thoughts and great visiting. Christmas day we all got together again, this time with the Roesberrys and 4 sets of young Elders and had another amazing meal and wonderful conversation. In the evening of Christmas day we got together with the Roesberrys and President and Sister Madsen and played Tensies and cards and ate more treats! We are going to really have to up the diet and exercise program after this week.

Dinner at the Cardenas' house, they are very gracious hosts, both thier son and Sister Zarcos daughter are great musicians. They both play piano and sing so beautifully as does Brother Marco Cardenas' daughter. 

The best part of the day was skyping and talking to each and everyone of our kids and grandkids and knowing they are all well and happy. We even got to see and talk to AndiJo through the miracle of technology. What a blessing it is to live in our day and age!

You can see Andi on one screen and us on the other, it was almost like being together! We also had several sets of the Elders skype home from here. It was fun to say hi to their families, but more fun to hear the joy in their voices as they talked to family. Joy sounds the same in any language. 

Christmas Eve or Buena Noche is the big Celebration here, families get together for the evening and spend time together playing games and singing etc. At Midnight if you are Catholic, you go to mass, or you go set off fireworks, if you have been good, while you are gone, Santa comes, usually with one gift. Then when you return home you have a big middle of the night meal and it's off to bed. Then on the 5th of Jan. you set out your shoes, with hay for the camels, and the wise men bring gifts again. 

We went back to work Saturday and the group we expected turned out to be 6 people in a car not 60 on a bus. We had a bit of a slow day but still a great day, we were home by 2:00. The cutest little 2 year old was sealed to her adopted parents. What a happy day for them. 

Today we went to the ward that Greg and Jan usually attend, La Noria. It started at 12:00, all 4 of us gave talks. (The talks went well, Jan and Greg did  fantastic.) It was Greg and Jan's last week in that ward as they are now officially in the same ward as us, since they have moved. 
We will have a week off of speaking and then we start our assignment strictly in the Amapolis Stake until we come home in April.

During this last two weeks we managed to sneak away and watch the new Star Wars Movie, we enjoyed it, although it wasn't a lot different than any of the others, just upgraded special affects. Still they are fun movies and a good break. Jan said it is kind of like seeing old friends. It is amazing how many parallels you can draw to the gospel and Star Wars if you look, and you don't have to look very hard either! I like movies and stories with clear cut good and evil and not all the grey areas. 

We are busy in the office trying to organize for the  New Year and the change in horarios, we are going to be open different hours, and the workers will be changing to different shifts, it is up to me to get it all organized. We have decided that we need to start training the secretaries to take over as many of our responsibilities as we can so that we can spend the last month as back up for them. It looks more and more unlikely that there will be a replacement for us. There will be some of the things that Ross does that he will have to train the Presidency to do but there is a lot that the secretaries can take over. We do love the work and the temple but we plan on coming home in April!

It has been a busy two weeks filled with reminder's of Christ's birth, His mission, His great love for each and every one of us, the joy of family and friends, the privilege of  serving in His holy house, visiting new wards, listening to and singing sacred music, all this celebration has been centered in and pointing to Christ. It brings to mind a Scripture from 2 Nephi 25:26 " And we talk of Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." And I would add that they would know where to look for true joy and happiness in this life and in the life to come for it is only through our Savior and Redeemer, he who is the Light and the Life of the world that we can and will find peace, he said 
" Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
We pray that your hearts may be at peace now and throughout this coming year we love you!