Mann's In Mexico

Today my husband had other meetings to attend to without me, so I attended one of the wards in our mission by myself.  I have chosen not to drive long distances in our mission, because driving and traffic is very difficult here and Uber/taxis are pretty cheap.  So I just call an Uber and take the 45 minute ride to one of the closest chapels on days like this. Today I attended in the Oriental Stake, Fovissste (yes, there are 3 s's) Ward.  We have now served here for 9 months so I am beginning to recognize a few people in each of the 55 wards/branches in our mission, which is so nice.  Plus, I always know the missionaries in each ward, which is great! In each meeting I didn't understand a lot, but appreciated the fellowship and Spirit.  As far as understanding what is said - I get about 80% of what an American says speaking Spanish and maybe 30% of what Latin Americans say in Spanish.  Of course, singing the hymns is one of my favorite parts of any meetin...

This is our wonderful Elder Palacios!  He is one of the 30% of our missionaries that are converts to the church.  At our last zone conference he shared his conversion story - which I will always think of as "Galletas" (Cookies). When Elder Palacios was 14 he lived next door to a store called "OXXO" (very similar to a 7-11).   He loved cookies (galletas) and went to this store to buy them anytime he had a craving (even at 1AM or 3AM!).   The clerk, Joel, a returned missionary, took an interest in and developed a friendship with Elder Palacios.   As they got acquainted Joel began to talk to him about the church and eventually invited him to come to Sacrament Meeting. The next Sunday, Joel knocked on his door at 8:45 AM ready to take him to Sacrament meeting - but Elder Palacio was asleep and would not wake up and go to church.  This same Sunday routine, went on for at least 5 or more Sundays, still he wouldn't get up and go.  Joel,...