Mann's In Mexico

Everything in the mission is set up on a 6 week cycle.  When we arrived here in Mexico City, all the missionaries kept using the word "cycle" and I didn't know what that meant, but now I am totally in sync! Here is an example of what happens each of the 6 weeks: Week #1 Monday:  New missionaries arrive, are trained and out "into the mission field" with their companions. Many other changes are made the same day with missionaries changing companions and areas. All the missionaries going home this week have a final, much longer interview with the President. All the Latin missionaries that have worked to learn English during their mission take an English         Exam online through an accredited rating agency and are certified at a certain level. Tuesday:  The President and I take all the missionaries returning home this week to a session at the Mexico City Temple, followed by a nice dinner and testimony meeting at the mission home. Wednes...

I realized the other day, that before serving this mission, I really had no idea what goes on in a mission.  So today I am going to write about what the first day is like for a new missionary. The day we receive new missionaries is the beginning of the 3 busiest days in a cycle, (everything repeats each 6 weeks in the mission - we call this a cycle.) We receive new missionaries and have missionaries depart each 6 weeks.  Sometimes the number of missionaries we receive and the number we have depart are very similar - sometimes not.  That number controls whether we have to open new areas, get new apartments, more furniture, or if we have to close areas, apartments, store furniture, etc.  It is a big job. Plus each each missionary we receive needs a trainer - and trainers are carefully and prayerfully chosen and trained to give each new missionary the best start possible in the mission field. All new missionaries come on Monday morning.  Our two assistants ...

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...