Mann's In Mexico

Today we visited the Volcanes Ward, Ixtapaluca Stake (yes, we do live within sight of, but not  dangerously close to Popocatepetl, an active volcano).  At 8 AM this morning, when Sacrament Meeting started...it was cold in the chapel!  Here in Mexico all the chapels are built of cement block, and have tile floors.  I have only seen carpet a couple of times. Chapels (nor homes) have central heating.    Homes, including apartments of our missionaries, have small electric radiators, but chapels have nothing.  We don't have any snow or rain in the winter, but it can be cold, especially in the morning, evening, and any time you are in the shade. All the members know to dress warmly with their coats, boots, and occasionally,  even little blankets to cover their laps.  Today, one of the priests was wearing a scarf around his neck and rubbed is hands together to warm his hands. However...even though the chapels are cold, the rooms are "warm", in f...

Hermana Flor - Mother of Esteban Nava Solorio President Mann and I planned to attend a baptismal service in Chimalhuan - and allowed lots of extra time for bad traffic (which is very common here) arriving very early at Barrio Xochitenco.  Since we were so early, we decided to do a little shopping at a local indoor shopping "mall".  Soon after arriving,  a woman stopped and asked if my husband was a brother in the church.  After he said "yes", she introduced herself and guess what?  It was the mother (Hermana Flor) of the famous, Esteban Nava Solorio, the chef at the CCM!   Esteban Nava Solorio, CCM Chef, Extraordinaire! All our missionaries adore Esteban because he finds all our Sureste missionaries as soon as they arrive at the CCM and he gives them extra special care, (of course!) because they are coming to his own part of Mexico City - Mision Sureste!  Hna. Flor is just as warm and wonderful as Esteban! Hna....

We are so thankful for 138 amazing missionaries, who work hard everyday to share the Good News of the Gospel with the wonderful people here in our mission! About half our missionaries come from Mexico, one quarter come from the United States  and Canada, and one quarter come from Central and South America.  They come enthusiastic to share the gospel.  We love them all! We are thankful for our one senior couple, the Carollo's!  They are do everything to keep our mission running smoothly and we can't imagine mission life without them!    How grateful we are for our brother and Redeemer, Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel! We are thankful for our Assistants, Elder Gonzales and Elder Corzo.  They are outstanding missionaries, wonderful examples and gladly do absolutely anything we need them to do! We are thankful for wonderful local leaders, such as the stake presidents in our area whom we work hand in hand w...

Today I am writing about the importance of food - la comida - in Mexico.  Let me tell you - it is very, very important! First, food, prepared food, ready to eat food,  is available everywhere:  a person can set up an umbrella and a table or cart, with a propane fueled hot plate anywhere and sell hot food - virtually anywhere - without any license or permit.   Thus, hot tasty food is available everywhere there are people that might pass by.  Prepared food from street vendors is much less expensive to buy. At various corners in our neighborhood there is a little food vendor at all times of the day.  In the morning there is one on the corner selling hot breakfast tamales.  She always has a line when we drive by.  By my grocery store there is a very popular vendor with freshly prepared, hot tacos with salsa everyday.  I am not exaggerating when I tell you in the 7 minute walk from my house to the grocery store, I will pass 5 people sel...

  One time every six weeks President Mann interviews each of the missionaries.  While he is in the interview, I get to chat with his companion - and it is one of my favorite parts about the mission.  Getting to know each of these remarkable young missionaries is a very enjoyable. Today, let me tell you about Elder Mercado, from Durango, Mexico.  He is a great elder and his family's conversion story is unique so I thought I might share it with you. Elder Mercado's father converted to the church at age 15.  He later met and married his wife, who was Catholic.  They had a very loving marriage.   Elder Mercado's Dad was always a faithful member of the church.  His Mom, didn't have interest in the church, but was always watched and noted how faithfully his Dad studied his Book of Mormon every day.  Occasionally she had dreams about the church. Elder Mercado was the second in his family to be baptized, at age 8.  He has one sister...

There is a pueblito here on the outskirts of Mexico City, called San Francisco.  It is a humble area, with happy people.  There aren't many cars, because people can't afford them.  The streets are very bumpy, and you might see a man with a burro pulling a cart collecting trash.  About 15 months ago, the missionaries had tremendous success there teaching repentance and baptizing many converts. It would have been a hardship for these new converts to travel to the nearest chapel, so one sweet elderly convert, Hermana Jasso, offered the use of a small three bedroom brick house on her property for the church members to gather in.  And so was born, the "House of Prayer". This group of saints has been faithful!  They have shared the gospel with others and the missionaries have continued to work side by side with them to help this little congregation grow.  A few Sundays ago, President and I were privileged to attend their first branch conference.  An...

We are privileged to have our first "mission tour" by Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela and his wife, Sister Pilar Valenzula.  Elder Valenzuela is the first counselor in our Area Presidency, and a General Authority, member of the Seventy.  They are both natives of Mexico and are both bi-lingual - which was such a blessing for me.  They stayed with us in their home and enjoyed getting to know them personally.  They are lovely, lovely people. We held two zone conferences and one mission leadership council under the direction of Elder Valenzuela.  These events were spiritual meetings and very motivating to us all. May I share with you a few things we were taught, and invite you to consider these practices in your life as well? 1.  He asked the missionaries to share with them their favorite Book of Mormon scripture.  After they read it, he asked them this question:  What are the promises made to you in this scripture passage and what do you need to do t...