Mann's In Mexico

I thought I'd end the year by posting some pictures that seem to say "Viva Mexico".  I don't want to forget these sights and thought others might find it interesting too! K Before a baptism service, this group gathered to make chocolate covered marshmallows as a treat for everyone at the baptism.  Mexicans love marshmallows: they come in every color and shape!  This is the La Perla Stake Relief Society Homemaking  Display Day.  Each ward set up a table with all the foods and crafts they had learned to make during the past year.  They focused on economical foods made with soy and crafts they made from items they would normally discard - - they made everything possible from soda bottles you can imagine.  They had set a price of $80 pesos ($4.00) or less for heir craft items.  After we all walked around and looked at each display, they called on me, impromptu, to give the closing prayer and blessing on the food. (Good thing I was listening!)...

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...