Coming Home!

Last month of our mission has been completed.  There are some other senior missionaries here who are supposed to be working on education.  However the couple to replace us was assigned to a different location and so we needed to train the Longhurst’s our duties so they can do them until a new replacement can be called and arrive.  Our time has been occupied with this and a final assignment to compile a book of success stories. 

It took quite a bit of work to get the stories compiled and then to get them printed.  But we think we have a good product to leave in the office.  We did a big Spanish book and a smaller book in English. 

Bonnie has served in the nursery for the past several months.  The parents of the children planned a little farewell party for us on the 19^th.  When we arrived at the church there were the children outside playing, when they saw Bonnie they ran to give her a big hug.  It was a lot of fun and we took lots of photos.  The children played a lot of the games that we have played in the nursery the past few months.  Each on having their own balloon was a favorite activity, they could do that for hours. We did some songs and they played with musical instruments.  Also, I had made some fishing poles with magnets and fish with paper clips that they played with for a long time.  The fishing always settled them down.  Bonnie will miss their calling her “Hermana Anderson” and giving her their unconditional love.  What a great reward for serving in the nursery.

The senior missionaries had a nice dinner out at a good restaurant to bid us and the Stevens (who leave the same day as us) good bye.  Then our last Family Home Evening as a good was a farewell of talents to also bid us farewell. The office also took us to lunch the week before we left and gave Bonnie this huge flower arrangement about as big as she is.  It has been very sweet. 

We have had a very good experience with the Mexican members and seeing them grow in the gospel and in temporal things has been very rewarding.  Our love for them has definitely grown and we feel that the Lord knew where we needed to be at this time.  We will miss what we have been doing, but we look forward to what is next for us.

Also our family at home has been really blessed.  We are so grateful to each one of them and the support they gave us while we were away. Also, our friends who have lovingly read our blog and sent us messages. 

We are home now and we are adjusting to life back in the states.  Staying busier than ever.

The office staff gave us a nice TalaVera plate as a gift.

We now have retired the missionary badges.

 

 

 

Thank you all.  See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month of our mission has been completed.  There are some other senior missionaries here who are supposed to be working on education.  However the couple to replace us was assigned to a different location and so we needed to train the Longhurst’s our duties so they can do them until a new replacement can be called and arrive.  Our time has been occupied with this and a final assignment to compile a book of success stories. 

It took quite a bit of work to get the stories compiled and then to get them printed.  But we think we have a good product to leave in the office.  We did a big Spanish book and a smaller book in English. 

Bonnie has served in the nursery for the past several months.  The parents of the children planned a little farewell party for us on the 19^th.  When we arrived at the church there were the children outside playing, when they saw Bonnie they ran to give her a big hug.  It was a lot of fun and we took lots of photos.  The children played a lot of the games that we have played in the nursery the past few months.  Each on having their own balloon was a favorite activity, they could do that for hours. We did some songs and they played with musical instruments.  Also, I had made some fishing poles with magnets and fish with paper clips that they played with for a long time.  The fishing always settled them down.  Bonnie will miss their calling her “Hermana Anderson” and giving her their unconditional love.  What a great reward for serving in the nursery.

The senior missionaries had a nice dinner out at a good restaurant to bid us and the Stevens (who leave the same day as us) good bye.  Then our last Family Home Evening as a good was a farewell of talents to also bid us farewell. The office also took us to lunch the week before we left and gave Bonnie this huge flower arrangement about as big as she is.  It has been very sweet. 

We have had a very good experience with the Mexican members and seeing them grow in the gospel and in temporal things has been very rewarding.  Our love for them has definitely grown and we feel that the Lord knew where we needed to be at this time.  We will miss what we have been doing, but we look forward to what is next for us.

Also our family at home has been really blessed.  We are so grateful to each one of them and the support they gave us while we were away. Also, our friends who have lovingly read our blog and sent us messages. 

Thank you all.  See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marching through March

March was quite eventful.  Were able to take a trip to Tampico, where Craig served his mission there nearly 50 years ago. Craig had a list of people who he had baptized and with the help of Brother Abraham Martinez he was able to locate and speak with 2 of the people he baptized.  While we were in Tampico we called one of the ladies he had baptized and we were able to visit with her and her family.  She is now 75 years old and most of her family is active in the church.  In fact, we attended a party for her grandson who was leaving on a mission to Oaxaca Mexico.  What a fun experience and to see that the seeds of testimony that were planted so many years ago have borne fruit was very rewarding for us both.

Also this past month we were able to travel and visit one of what are known as the ‘magical’ cities of Mexico, San Miguel de Allende.  We went with the Stevens, another missionary couple, and we traveled there by bus.  I was on Sister Stevens bucket list to take a bus.  She usually drives, because they are one couple who has a car.  What a fun place to visit!  It is a very colorful city.  The buildings are painted a wide variety of colors, mostly in earth tones.  The city is charming and small enough to walk around.  We walked from our hotel to the town square (Zocalo) in the center of the city.  The afternoon we arrived, after checking into our really quaint hotel, we took our first walk, snapping pictures all along the way -- well, as least Craig was!  At the Zocalo there were hundreds of people dressed in native Indian (Aztec-like) costumes dancing in the streets. And, they were dancing in groups to really LOUD drums! There were men, women, youth and children.  We were looking for a place to eat and found a wonderful restaurant and had a great meal.  We were hungry after the bus trip which took about 4 hours.  When we left the restaurant there were many more groups dancing in the street. The drums were loud and each group had their own drums.  It was quite a site to see this typical dress and ceremonials that were going on.  We walked around for a while and then found the “churros and chocolate” place that was recommended. We bought some churros and took them back to the hotel and ordered hot chocolate. That was one thing that had been recommended for us to have in San Miguel. Churros are a sort of Mexican sweet cake but deep fried, sugared, and they are in long, thin sections. The next day we went again to the center of town and walked around for a while. Photography was again the order of the day and we took lots of pictures.  We also took a bus tour of the city, and saw many parts of the city we wouldn’t have if we had only walked around. It seems like weddings are very popular in San Miguel. We ate lunch and when we came out of the restaurant there was a wedding coming out of the church on the square. They had mariachis and the bride and groom were in from. There were also these bigger than life puppets of a bride and groom, the mariachis and those of the wedding party marching around the square. It was just really fun to watch, and interesting. They were having a great time, I dare say that the free flowing tequila probably aided their merriment.  What a fun place to go and visit and we don’t wonder why it is a magical city.  Oh, there are also a lot of foreigners in the town.

Easter week is big time in Mexico, and a lot of people leave Mexico City and go to the beaches.  So it is quiet in Mexico City.  We only had to work two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, of Easter Week. On Monday, we did a little artesian shopping at the bazaar and had tacos with our friends the Piepers. Then on Thursday we went to the Ruins of Tula.  On the way we visited a small LDS church in the town of Conejos (that means ‘rabbits’ in Spanish).  The building was built by the members there about 50 years ago. They used local stone, and the walls on the inside of the building and outside were made of the same stone. It is really a lovely building. In Tula are ruins not too far outside the city and we had a nice visit there.  We have been there before, but the two missionary couples that we went with had not.  Just outside the town of Tula is another small town called San Marcos. It is the town where two LDS Mexicans were executed (shot) during the Mexican Revolution because they wouldn’t deny their faith and hand over their weapons (which they didn’t have). There is a movie, available on U-Tube, about the martyrdom of these two men. Their posterity has greatly benefited the church in Mexico and Elder Montoya of the Seventy is a great grand-son of one of the martyrs. We visited the Monroy store (not owned by the family anymore), and weren’t sure of the site of the shooting. I hope the church adds this to their historical sites someday. We also went to the LDS chapel in town. It is a fun little church built in the 1950s, and in a very unusual style. It was open, so we were able to walk around inside and see the building, which was a real treat for us all.

We have been super busy putting together a book of success stories for Elder Salinas, who we work for.  It has been a huge project and we still have to get the printing done and a few other things together.  We are also busy training the couple who will take over our duties. So our time here is winding down!  We are indeed short-timers, but with a lot left to do.

Thank you all for your support and prayers during our mission service.

Tampico Temple 

 Craig and lady he baptized 49 years ago with her posterity

 Craig with Sister Nemoria Altamira

 Purpose for going to Tampico to attend this "Mi Camino" meeting.  It was help in Panuco

 Pictures in San Miguel de Allende

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Chapel in Conejos (means Rabbits) This church was built by members with local stone 50 years ago.

Inside and outside is built of stone

 Look close and see if you see 2 Conejos (rabbits)  Clever isn't it.  This is above the door that leads into the chapel.

 Tula (our second time there)

 Lunch below is the picture of Craig's escamole taco lunch.  He thought it was chicken but it was really ant larve.  (Don't tell him!) Yum!

 

 

February, better late than never

Our internet has not been working very well since Chirstmas, so we are finally able to get this post up.  It is hanging in with a prayer right now, so hopefully it will be fairly good until we leave.

February went by so quickly.  We had a few nice warm days and then the last few days there was rain in the afternoon.  This is a bit earlier than normal but we doubt this indicates the weather will change dramatically. At least not yet. Starting later in March, then in April, we will have more rain but also warmer weather, so humidity, as well.  Right now, the jacaranda trees are starting to bloom.  They have beautiful purple flowers on a leafless tree this time of year.  Those with allergies are feeling the effects, of course, of this time of year as there is considerable pollen with tress in bloom. All throughout the city there are several types of beautiful flowering trees, but our favorite seems to be the truly beautiful and stately Jacarandas. We include a picture of them.

Both of us had colds in February, but we are doing well now and getting back into the groove. We missed a bit of work time, but not too much. Elder Salinas, our leader, asked us to do a couple of special assignments for him -- that is, for the Self-Reliance effort -- before we leave at the end of April. One is to make some special visits to the initial self-reliance meetings conducted at the Stake level, generally. Also talk with a number of different folks involved with these meetings and come back with a set of recommendations as to how they could be more successful. The other is to put together a book of all the meaningful self-reliance success stories we received since our arrival.  It is a lot of work!  But, as we review these stories, it is truly amazing to see how many people’s lives have changed for the better! With a little help, they are helping themselves. It is inspiring.  So, we are busy these last two months of our mission, but that is good!   

Elder Oaks made a visit here in February.  He spoke at a devotional for the church employees, and we were able to attend. That was very nice.  Elder Clayton of the Seventy was traveling with him. He was busy visiting other parts of the country.  It turns out as purely coincidental, but the Pope was visiting Mexico during the same basic time period and both the Pope and Elder Oaks were in many of the same areas, but on different days.  Incidentally, the Pope’s visit to Mexico was really a huge event. His public appearances were broadcast everywhere around the world. Basically, the entire country was really focused on him the days here was here.    

On March 1, we had the second Self-Reliance group graduation in the ward.  There were two groups that graduated.  One for “Starting and Growing my Business” and the other was “My Job Search”.  Six members received their certificates. One sister took both classes and attended all 12 meetings of each class.  She started a little business and also got a very good part time job to help supplement her family income.  Her name is Estella and she is really awesome.  We are so proud of her, and of all the graduates.   There are many success stories that we have heard from other groups throughout the country, as mentioned above, and this is just one more example

Jacaranda Trees

 

Graduation Group 

Pictures with Elder Oak

 

2016 is here!

First of all we want to wish everyone the very best in 2016. For us, 2015 was a super year and we hope that for each of you, and for ourselves, that 2016 can be as good as better.

 

January has been quite an eventful month.  First, our new granddaughter, Grace Anderson, was blessed on January 3.  Grace is the daughter of our son Larry and his wife Liz.  She was born November 27, the day after Thanksgiving.  She is such a beautiful baby and we are grateful for her, and all the other sweet little spirits in our lives. Grace is our ninth grandchild, so we are, indeed, blessed!

 

Then on the 16^th of January, our daughters Anita and Brenda came to Mexico for a little visit.  We were able to take the time to show them around for a few days. We enjoyed seeing them and having them here.  They participated in some of our church assignments and we did some sight-seeing around the city. Their visit gave us the energy we need to keep going the next few months.  We are so blessed to have them in our family. We really have gained a greater appreciation for family during our time here and we are so thankful for them and the joy each one brings in our lives.  They each mean so much to each of us, from the oldest to the youngest.

 

After the girls left we had a week-long conference with all the Self-Reliance managers in the Mexico Area.  They came from all over the country and we first did a temple session together and then went to Cuernavaca (about 1 ½ hours out of the city) for our conference.  It was actually like an in-xxx training or seminar, under the direction of the Area Manager, Elder Salinas. We have mentioned him several times in the past because he is our supervisor. It was wonderful to see all of the managers again after a year, however we do see them on WebEx each Friday in the weekly meeting.  Four of them are actually new managers, replacing some who went for school or other positions.  These are all truly inspiring men, because of the work that they do and the difference they are making in moving the initiative of Self-Reliance forward.  The week was full of meetings of great inspiration and very productive.  We returned to Mexico City with renewed drive to keep us going. And, of course, after an intense week, we were very tired.  So we have taken the weekend to catch our breath before the coming week. It is hard to realize that February is already here! Where did January go????

 

We thank you all for your prayers and support. 

 

 

 This is Grace Anderson on her blessing day.

 

 Visit to Teotihuacan with the Anita and Brenda.

 

Saying good-bye to the girls in front of the apartment.  We will see them in a few months.

 

 At the Self-Reliance seminar in Cuernavaca, Mexico with all of the managers and office staff.

We have a new missionary couple working in our office now.  They are working on Education Projects.