Mann's In Mexico

One of the unique parts of my calling is the opportunity to chat with each missionary before he has an interview with my husband  - once every six weeks.  I usually sit in another classroom at the church building and talk with one missionary, while his/her companion is in with my husband.  It has been delightful and inspirational to get to know each of these remarkable young people! I am so impressed with the strength of character, spiritual sensitivity, faith in Jesus Christ and courage of each of these missionaries!  Many are pioneers - first member  of the Church- first missionary in their families.  Perhaps I can share one example... We have an elder from South America who is the youngest of three boys in his family.  Their family began listening to the missionaries message and he, at age 16, was the first to be baptized in his family.  His mother and step-father were baptized sometime later.  He is from a tiny branch with perhaps onl...

SINGING HYMNS, PRAYERS AND TESTIMONY MEETINGS HYMNS- I have come to appreciate the reverence of the Mexican members of the Church.  They are an inspiration to me...and a reminder to  me to be as reverent as they are. I don't know why but most chapels have very few hymn books.  At the beginning of Sacrament Meeting there are a few hymnals stacked on the side of the podium for audience members.  However, many members bring their own hymnal or use their smart phones while singing.  Very few congregations have a pianist.  Most meetings the chorister either sings the first line of the hymn by himself/herself or says "1,2,3" for the audience to begin singing.  The members love to sing.  I have not been to a single meeting they conduct where they sang less than all the verses of the hymn!  They really enjoy singing.  It is not half-hearted or dragging whatsoever - they sing because they enjoy it and it brings the Spirit. In nearly eve...

We have been in "La Ciudad" for 9 days now.  The most notable custom is the hugs men share with each other and the cheek kisses women share.  We have received a very warm welcome everywhere we have been!   We both have a giant learning curve about most everyday living skills:  driving,  getting water,  parking the car,  getting gasoline,  buying groceries...even using the washing machine!   Two "snapshots" I want to share occurred this week. The first- I was in Relief  society and sitting a few seats down for me was an older woman who seriously looked like a noble Lamanite woman. She had the most beautiful face and long hair and she looked like she came out of one of the paintings that we see in the Book of Mormon. To see her there in Relief Society with her cell phone out scrolling down the Relief  Society lesson with all the other sisters in class just seemed surreal. The gospel is true in all ages and all times! The second Snapsh...

ANOTHER GOOD-BYE BEFORE A BIG HELLO... It has been a fabulous week in the Provo Missionary Training Center!  We have sat at the feet of the Apostles for the past four days, being taught and inspired.  It truly has been just like Christmas!    We have been privileged to meet 127 other Mission Presidents and their wives who will, like us, travel to all parts of the world to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And so we say good-bye to our many new friends we have become acquainted with here in Provo and prepare to meet the wonderful missionaries and people in Mexico City whom we will have the honor of serving with and getting to know. Our hearts are so full of gratitude for the support of our family and the adventure that is before us.

Saying Good-Bye... It has been much harder than I ever imagined to say good-bye! On Dec. 1st we were called to serve as mission president/wife of a mission.  On Dec. 15th we received a letter assigning us to serve in the Mexico, Mexico City Southeast Mission!  We were excited, thrilled, and nervous all at the same time. Since that time, we retired, sold our family home of 22 years, sold our cars, and most of our belongings and even gave our cute little dog, Patches to our daughter, Andrea. And now the time has come to say good-bye and it is much harder than I thought it would be!  Right now, from where I am sitting, three years seems like a long, long time to be gone from friends and family.  How can I possibly say good-bye to my family, my children and grandchildren for three years?  With a little less than a week until we depart, I have found myself crying off and on every day.  Such bitter sweet feelings!   I am excited to serve, and thrille...