Mann's In Mexico

WHAT EXACTLY ARE ZONE CONFERENCES?? Every six weeks, we host a Zone Conference for each of our missionaries. In our mission we have 8 zones and we arrange to have 2 or 3 zones come together for a day of special training.  All the missionaries in the assigned zones are to arrive at one of our stake centers at 8:30 AM.  We do three zone conferences each cycle in our mission, 3 days in a row.  They last from 8:30-5:00PM.  Missionaries from the zones arrive at a stake center by 8:30AM.  Some missionaries get up very early (5:30AM)  and use public transportation arrive on time. They  bring their scriptures and study quietly in the chapel for 30 minutes (while an elder plays very quiet, reverent hymns).  At 9:00 we begin our zone conference with a hymn, this time we sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives".  It was so inspirational!  The President and I were tears by the conclusion of the song!  Singing together with all ...

Members of this family were invited by the missionaries to "Come Unto Christ" and now they are very happily on the covenant path!  Inviting others to "Come Unto Christ is what missionaries joyfully do every day of their mission. ********************************************************************************* One of my favorite parts of my calling here in our mission is the opportunity to talk one on one with missionaries while their companion is in an interview with the president - which happens once every six weeks. We talk about a variety of things - but anytime the Elder/Sister brings up something he/she wants to talk about...that trumps everything, of course! I always ask about the missionary's family members and love it when they bring family photos to show me.  We talk about their health, grooming, learning Spanish, adjusting to missionary life, etc., etc. Latin Elders and Hermanas that are motivated to learn English get a healthy dose of ...

Let me introduce you to President Quinoes, one of our branch presidents here in our mission.  In July, this branch was allowed to have a House of Prayer, and this is the photo we took when he was given the keys to the building.  It was a glorious day! But, life is fragile.  We were reminded of that again. Sadly, a week ago Sunday,  President Quinoes had a heart attack and died in the early afternoon.  What a shock!  We had just been with him a few weeks earlier, celebrating the growth of this branch! And now this beautiful House of Prayer would be the place where the first funeral---his funeral, would be held.  I learned that---                                              "Sweet is the peace the Gospel brings!"                                 ...

One of our favorite things we do as mission president and wife is feel the "JOY" that missionary work is!  We feel that joy all the time  --   as we see the growth of missionaries, converts and members as them follow our Savior, Jesus Christ. One very poignant place we feel this "JOY" is when we attend baptismal services for new converts!  What a special experience for us to share these experiences with our wonderful missionaries. Every baptismal service is unique and wonderful, but let me share just a bit about two of the services we attended recently. The first photo above, shows one man who was about to be baptized.  I don't know all the details of his story finding the Church and gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I do know that one of the sweetest moments we all witnessed at his baptism, was to see him be raised up out of the waters of baptism, and see him burst into tears and hug the missi...

On Monday, May 27, 2019, the mission presidents in Mexico City were invited to a dinner hosted by the Area Presidency and their wives.  It was an opportunity meet Elder Holland, feel his love and appreciation for our work here, and chat - including asking questions.  He talked about his nearly two years living in Chile and establishing the Church there.  He said what he learned there, helps with other countries that the Church is now growing in very quickly.  He answered questions about the Church in China, Cuba, Africa and Russia.  He talked about the 100 year history of the church in Mexico and how ideal the slow, steady growth of the Church has been here.  He talked about the goal of developing strong families, disciplined priesthood members and the desire to always have pure doctrine  taught throughout the world. On Thursday, May 30, 2019 our missionaries had the opportunity of meeting Elder Holland and attending a devotional with him, ...

  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 ...