Mann's In Mexico

  La Familia Perez  -- Families Can Be Together Forever  --  celebrated here in Mexico City! We happened to be at the Ixtapaluca Stake Center to attend the baptism of three wonderful people, when we noticed a special event happening in the Cultural Hall.  A couple had been to the Mexico City Temple earlier in the day to be sealed, and they were celebrating this wonderful event with family, friends and ward members that evening in the stake center.  We were thrilled to be able to go in and congratulate them and celebrate with them for a few minutes.  This couple, the Perez's, had married two years ago civilly and now had been sealed.  This couple chose to celebrate with many loved ones around them - with great, humble joy.  She wore her wedding dress including the veil, and he had on his best suit. A simple meal and simple decorations adorned the cultural hall.  As we entered, the Hermana Perez, (the bride), was handing out simple f...

Today I have chosen to share a letter my husband wrote to our children and siblings, which shares a little about a typical day in our work here in the Great Mexico City Southeast Mission: "Happy Easter from me and Lesa here in Mexico City!  We love you!  We miss you!  You and your wonderful families are the best!  I have thought to write you if not once, at least 10- times in the last few months! As you know we are fully and completely engaged in the wonderful work of sharing the incredible message of Easter - of the Living Christ - 365 days each year! Just a few quick thoughts.... This week Justin happened to visit our home and sent us a brief video including our tree swing under one of the trees.  This swing has inscribed on it the words "Out in the fields with God".  These words come from a delightful children's poem that has become a favorite in our family.  It reads as follows: The little cares that fretted me I lost them yesterday ...

While the President is interviewing each missionary (once each six weeks) I have the opportunity of visiting with each missionary.  It is one of my favorite parts about being the "Mission Mom"!  Occasionally I ask the missionaries to share their family history fan charts and stories with me...and it has proved to be most interesting! Frequently I ask missionaries if they know the first person to join the church in their family line.  In the case of Elder Walter, he told me about his grandparents - the story of how they met and of his grandfather "Tim"  joining the church.  I thought it was kind of fun...and taught me how we can live our lives with "intention" and that truly Heavenly Father is preparing people to receive the Gospel.  His grandparents,"Tim" and "Elaine", had known each other through their friendship in the neighborhood, but began to date after Elaine broke up with her boyfriend.  (Tim prefaced this history with sev...

Pictured here is the Sanchez Family with two of our elders, Elder Lopez and Elder Thompson.  The family consists of the mother, Elena,  her 23 year old daughter, April and her 18 year old son, Alan. You can see Alan and April pictured among this group "all arrayed in spotless white", as they prepared to be baptized in November 2018 in Los Reyes Stake. The miracles began unfolding when Elder Lopez and his former companion, Elder Hales worked in this area of our mission.  On one preparation day in June 2018, they received a reference from the Mexico City Temple and for one reason or another they were never able to contact this family.  Some weeks later, Alan called the missionaries and set up an appointment with these missionaries!  They were very excited (!!!) to meet this family. On the day of this first appointment, the missionaries prayed that this family could find the true Gospel through their teachings.  The missionaries taught and testi...

December has been a historic month here in the Mexico City Southeast Mission.  The "Master Plan", under the direction of the First Presidency---a plan to strengthen families and the church by realigning boundaries for wards and stakes---was enacted.  (It has been years in the planning, inspiration and now implementation.)  As a result,  two new districts were created within our mission:  Chilmalhuacan and Texcoco.  These districts were created on subsequent Sundays this month.  These Districts, unlike Stakes, are under the direction of the Mission President.  Each district has a district presidency, district auxiliary leaders and  four branches - each with a branch presidency.  District presidents provide much of the leadership, under the direction of the Mission President So, needless to say, December was a busy and exciting month. Although it is exciting to be a "stake in embryo", it is still an anxious time for the saints. As the...

Our senior couple, Elder and Sister Carollo are truly "heaven sent". Our mission and our missionaries are blessed to have them serving here.  Sister Carollo was born and raised in Pachuca, Mexico, which is about 1 1/2 hours from our mission.  Recently she invited me to attend her Uncle Ciro's birthday party - where many of her family and extended family would be attending.  "Of course!"   What a rich opportunity to meet her family and step into a big, extended Mexican family for a few hours. The night before the birthday party, we went to say "hola" to her parents.  Living with her parents is one of Sister Carollo's brothers, Efrain,  who "un  nino con necesidades especial" - a special needs child.  This couple has 12 living children and one who passed away.  Her parents are, in brief, truly remarkable! When we arrived, we were greeted warmly - it is the Mexican way:  kisses on the cheek, hugs and pats on the back, with re...

When I have to get around Mexico City alone, I use an Uber.  (I could write a whole post about driving here - suffice it is to say - it is way, way, way beyond my comfort level! And too, Uber's are very inexpensive to use here in Mexico City.) Recently I was going alone to a stake activity in our mission, so I ordered an Uber and hopped in.  (FYI  --- I am learning Spanish, but I would never describe myself as someone that "speaks" Spanish.)  As I got into the Uber,  the driver looked at the address that came up on his phone  and it said "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints".  He asked me in Spanish "Usted es Mormon?"  (You are Mormon?)  I answered "yes" and he said told me he was too!  (Remember, this is all in Spanish - and I am just learning...)  Then he looked at my name tag and asked if I was President Mann's wife.  How fun is that - he lives in our own mission! (FYI - our home and the mission office a...