Three Busy Weeks

It's been a busy three weeks since our last post. Mexican Independence Day was celebrated on September 15th and 16th with parades, dancing, and even a Mexican rodeo. It was three hours late in starting, which is typical. As I've said before, there is much time spent waiting here in Mexico. Our branch had it's own little fiesta at the church with pozole (a type of soup), jamaica (hibiscus) punch and my chocolate chip cookies. I think I have baked more desserts in our three months here than I do in a year at home.

The week of September 9-11 was Mission Zone Conference here in Huatulco and District Conference in the Puerto Escondido District. We traveled to Puerto Escondido on Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday afternoon. After three visits, we finally found a hotel we like there. I don't mind visiting, but I'm glad we don't live there. It's too much of a "surfing beach bum" environment for my liking.

While there we inspected two missionary houses and spent time with Pres. and Hermana Madsen. When we visit other branches, the members are so welcoming and want us to return soon. One of the branches in the Puerto Escondido District is in Rio Grande which is one hour's drive. There were members who came to both the Saturday evening session and the Sunday morning session. Many of them traveled together in the back of a truck taxi. So dedicated.

While in Puerto Escondido we drove to a little place in the jungle where a man will take you in his little boat out into a lagoon with beautiful birds and crocodiles. We also went back to the beach where they release the baby turtles into the ocean. It's fascinating to watch.

The day before Zone Conference we went on a nature walk with Sigi through the jungle to a beach  called Chachacual which is only accessible by boat or through the jungle. It is a beautiful beach just barely out of the trees and very secluded. I've mentioned Sigi before. He is a church member and tour guide here and we still think he knows everything there is to know about this area.

We love the people here so much and continue to meet more church members and people around the town. There are baptisms nearly every week with several more planned for October. We are extra happy about the Santos family who have returned to church the past two weeks. Hermano Santos especially will be a strong leader one day.

I was also excited to receive seven keyboards and instruction materials through a grant available through BYU which will allow me to teach seven branch members to play the piano. If they complete the course, I will send an application for them each to keep the keyboard. At the end of the course they will be able to play the hymns in the simplified LDS hymn book.  Classes begin next week.

Last week was transfer week for the missionaries and we have five new elders in the zone who we will get to know over the next few months. Thirty missionaries are either currently serving here in our zone or have served here since our arrival. We will miss those who were transferred but hope to keep in touch with them throughout their missions.

This past week (Wednesday evening through Monday morning) we had so much fun getting to know our newest grandson, 3 month old Will.  His parents, Brandon and Netell, were kind enough to bring him down for a visit.  While they were here, we ate lots of yummy Mexican food, went on a boat ride to see four of the nine bays and the guys did a little snorkeling. Brandon and Netell were able to meet Pres. and Hermana Madsen and many of our friends here. Baby Will was the big attraction with his blue eyes and red hair. He seemed to enjoy all the mamas and grandmas speaking Spanish to him.

One mini disaster while our family was visiting was that our power went out in our apartment for a day and a half. We ended up spending the night in a neighboring hotel so we could have light and air conditioning. We would have braved staying in our hot apartment but, without even a fan, we surely would have baked overnight.

We have had rain here over the past two weeks. It usually comes in the evening or night time and rains really hard for about an hour. It doesn't cool the temperatures but it's a nice change to the mundane hot, humid weather day after day.  We are happy here and love serving these wonderful people of Mexico.

Beginning our walk through the jungle to Chachacual Beach.

Chachacual Beach. (I am not using a cane. It's a hiking stick!)

This cute little man took us in his cute little boat out into a lagoon to see beautiful birds and crocodiles.  He propels and steers the boat with a long, thick stick.

This is Violín Beach. It is another beach accessible only by boat or a short hike through jungle.

Independence Day Parades

WAITING again...for a parade to start.

Missionary Life

I still like pictures of missionaries walking down dirt roads, even when it's us.

Teaching

Inspecting missionary houses

Another Monday lunch with the local elders.

At the baptism of this awesome young
man, Gabo. His mother was inactive
and now is one of the strongest
members of the branch.

Puerto Escondido District Conference

Conference Choir

These members took a one hour truck taxi to attend conference. They are eating lunch while waiting for the taxi to pick them up for the one hour ride back to Rio Grande.

Baby Will's visit

Pony Boy

Brandon was super nice to make his "Costco Cookies" (family joke) for the Zone Activity on Monday. Of course the elders loved them.

People, kids, and creatures

This indigenous man and his wife set up their wares every day in the plaza.

We love our cold water!

Pony Girl

Occasionally a child will have an electronic device. The others are entertained just by watching. These boys were waiting for their parents after church.

Below--sometimes church is just too long.

The school children here learn to march. Not a bad idea in my opinion. This is the school next door to us.

A typical humble home on laundry day.

Our garden



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If you were born in the 50s or 60s you may remember Chicken Fat. Hermana Madsen does it with the missionaries at zone conferences to encourage them to exercise daily.