January 15, 2017

January 15, 2017

Buenas noches from Pinotepa.  It was a very busy week for us and I wanted to share just a little of it with you all.

Most of our day is spent researching and preparing for the classes we both teach during the week and last week was especially busy with that.  To begin the week I did some research on an endowment fund for piano keyboard we were told about at the MTC.  I couldn’t remember much about it, but after a little searching and calling we found the information needed.  We applied for two keyboard from the Harman Music Fund.  I received an answer that they would be happy to send us more if needed since we have five students!!!  So we are getting four keyboards for our students to be able to learn and practice at home.  I’m so danged excited.   One of the students is the branch president in a far-flung area of our district who is about 40 years old, and he’s a serious student.  I really just can’t believe that he keeps coming to class.  Oh, and while talking about the piano, today for the first time ever your mother accompanied the music in Sacrament meetings for both branches!  I was so danged nervous, but I don’t think I embarrassed Dad!  I’m hoping that the first time will be the hardest for me and that it will get less stressful.

Then we had our first cooking class at our house on Thursday with about 20 people here.  I taught them how to make banana bread because one of my friends had tasted it and wanted to learn how to make it (Mayra, Lezlie).  They want to learn how to make cinnamon rolls this week.  Fun!  So after that we showed them all dad’s dehydrator and the different types of fruits and veggies he has dried and the fruit leather…they were blown away!  The branch president was also here for the class and he asked dad to bring his dehydrator to church today to show it to the brothers and see if they were interested in making and learning how to use it, which he did and had a really positive reaction.  So, this Tuesday those interested are coming to the church and he will help them build their dehydrator.  Not holding our breath, though, cause lots of people say they will but then they don’t!

President Melchor from our mission presidency spoke today in church about the area plan for Mexico which focuses on temporal and spiritual self-reliance…how timely is our mission assignment?  We have no doubt that this mission was designed for us.  If I could just get past the bug/spider/scorpion/cold shower and who knows what else tests!  My comfort zone has been violated many, many times, and I don’t want to think about what might be next.  The scorpion was pretty darn scary for both of us. 

English class was pretty good…it was fun this time with a totally different group of people.  Can’t ever build a foundation and go from there…it’s kind of frustrating.

We had a few more people come to start gardens and a few of the men have really embraced it. That’s fun to see.

We are so excited about coming to Wes’s wedding and seeing all of you and your chitlins.  That will almost be the midpoint of our mission, so time is flying.

So that’s my story.

We love you all.  Thank you for your support and prayers…we certainly need it.

Love you, Mom and Dad

PS Ryan since you don't do What's App you didn't see the photo of the scorpion that was on dad's shirt the other night...right at the pocket.  Scared the crud out of both of us!

PPS FYI: Someone got a hold of Geoff's information on his phone account (which we are on) and used it to purchase a new I Phone and then used my phone number for his new phone.  That then invalidated my SIM card and we are no longer able to call out or receive calls.  Just use Whats App...it works just fine if you need to call.  Otherwise email.  Geoff was able to get the new phone stopped, thank goodness, but it will be awhile before I will be able to get a new Sim card.

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