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,...

It is always concerning when the President's phone rings at 5:30AM.  This time it was Elder Crandall on the phone saying his companion Elder Rivera had been enduring a host of stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting since 2AM.  I grabbed our "Manual de Salud" (a fabulous health manual created by the LDS Mexico Mission Doctor listing symptoms, home treatment and "When to call your Mission President or Wife" for ailments common to missionaries.)  President and I were both on the phone with Elder Crandall as he described everything that had been going on, then proceeded to ask him more questions. (By the way, these elders had only been companions one week.) After hearing all the responses, we both thought it was appendicitis and it was time to get him to the hospital.  They live about 45 minutes away from where we live.  (None of our missionaries have cars...they use public transportation or walk.)  So, we ordered an Uber to pick them up - quick.  "T...

This morning I visited the Oriental Ward for my church meetings.  The President had 2 other meetings in far flung places in the mission, so he dropped me off on his way. It is very common when wards share a building for one ward's meetings to begin at 8AM, which was the case this morning. I didn't realize that I would get to see Edgar today, until he walked in with his little girl. Edgar is a young, divorced father with a 5 year old daughter.  I had met him a couple of weeks ago with the missionaries who had been teaching him.  The missionaries told me what a great person and devoted father he was.  Edgar was warm, enthusiastic and excited about his baptism and confirmation. So, this was Edgar's ward!  And I was going to be able to witness his confirmation! After the opening song and prayer, the Bishop had Edgar stand and announced that his baptism that had taken place a week ago.  Then, he invited Edgar and his daughter to come sit on the stand -...

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!)...