A Talavera Saturday, then usual Sunday, Monday, Tuesday!

THOUGHT:  "OUT OF DIFFICULTIES GROW MIRACLES."   Jean de la Bruyere

Saturday Jan 16, 2016

We got back from our zone conference in the little city of Ajalpan late - had a late dinner and instead of driving back late to Mexico City (2 1/2 hour drive) we stayed the night with the Stellmons and got a good night's rest.  We got up and were on our way by 9:30.  We went downtown to the talavera markets (dishes made of a special pottery) to get some pieces to replace the ones that broke when Peg went home last May.  There was lots of traffic and it took more than 2 1/2 hours to get home.  We did have pretty good views of the volcanos that watch over Mexico City.  We had dinner with the Griffins and watched Concussion.  Not sure how I feel about our grandson playing football.  

Downtown Puebla shopping for Talevera

I like this statue of a family with the Priest!

Sunday Jan 17, 2016

Took all morning to make my report to Elder Schwitzer.  I did have time to review the list of hospitals with which we have contracts and update them to the mission presidents.  We had boundary changes in 5 missions so I had to redo their list of doctors and hospitals that I keep for them.  Church was on a missionary theme.  Peg did a roast and we had dinner with the Griffins and the Toblers who leave in 2 weeks.  We have had problems with our wifi and pulled our hair out trying to connect and find out about the shooting that happened on our street in Salt lake.

Monday - Tuesday, Jan 18-19th

I am writing on this post because not much happened for these two days.  We are going on an actual vacation (with the mission phone) to Cabo tomorrow so we have been shopping for new swim suits (now that is always such a fun adventure for your self respect).  We went to Ruebens for a hamburger.  I try not to eat much.  I probably should put my new suit on and wear it everywhere I go as a reminder of my shape!  Missions are not for getting fit!  At least this one isn't!!  On Tuesday night we talked the Toblers into making us hamburgers that they make the young missionaries all the time.  They cook up the meat and add bacon and an egg to the top!  Yum!  We are going to miss the Toblers.   Sister Tobler makes the best chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.  They are made out of the same mix as the chocolate bundt cake I make at home with the sauce!  
We are buying the Toblers treadmill they purchased down here.  Maybe in the last 3 months I can get going and get some good exercise!   

Yummy hamburger with a toasted bun and guacamole,
along with the bacon and egg!  

Happy Birthday Spencer! Here we come Puebla!

THOUGHT:  "DO NOT WAIT FOR CONDITIONS TO BE PERFECT TO BEGIN.
                         BEGINNING MAKES THE CONDITIONS PERFECT!"

Monday, Jan 11th  HAPPY 14 MONTH ANNIVERSARY YESTERDAY!!!  4 MORE TO GO!

Today has been a peaceful day.  I was able to get some things picked up and thrown away and I was able to work on the afghan I am trying to get done.  Greg had all kinds of errands so he was in and out, in and out for most of the day.  I got my hair colored by Bonnie so I don't look 100 any more.
We went for a long walk this afternoon and sat on the roof in our chairs for awhile in the sunshine and breeze.  It is a beautiful day.  My friends called me while they were out to lunch and complained at how cold it is in Salt Lake.  Ha!  It is perfect here right now.  It feels like spring has sprung!
We had spaghetti and went to FHE.  President De Hoyes talked to us and showed a movie about the the Nephites and Lamanites and the Book of Mormon lands are in the south part of Mexico and northern Guatamala.  The movie was a little long and it was very warm in the room so you know what a bad combination that makes!  At least the movie was in English so we could understand it!
When we got back to Teca Once where we live the guy at the front desk handed me the calendar by brother Jim sent me in November.  At least it came in one piece and wasn't ripped or demolished!  We have been waiting for so long for a calendar.  Greg finally gave up last week and we bought one so of course ours came from Jim.  It is much nicer than the one we bought so we will use it for the last 4 months we are here!!
Elder De Hoyos read from 2 Nephi 4, 5 - 9 which contains the promise of the Lord to the children of Laman and Lemuel that in the last day they will be remembered, the Lord will be merciful to0 them and "but in the end thy seed shall be blessed."  We are seeing that now in Mexico in great abundance. The city I started in and saw 5 people attend services the first week I was there now has a mission, 3 stakes and Elder Renlund is going to be there to speak to them in 2 weeks.  Most missions in Mexico have gone from 60% American elders to 85% Latin elders - they come from all over latin america.  I review mission applications of young men and women who have neither parent members, and young men and women who have both parents returned missionaries.  The Blessings of the Lord are truly being poured out on this land and I am glad I am here to see it.

Tuesday, Jan 12th  HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPENCER!!!

Today is Spencers birthday!  He is 25 today.  Wow!  Where did that time go??  Today has been a quiet day around home.  We are going to Puebla tomorrow so we got packed, and ran some errands.  Nothing much around here today.  I wish I could have been home today to take Spencer out to dinner.  I think the family will take him out next week!  Greg is trying to get the last two missions to agree to let him come and teach their missionaries.  We have been to 32 of 34 missions so far.  We are going to make it for sure!  I made dinner and we had the Griffins over then went to their place and watched a movie!  Good times!!

We went to the roof of our hotel to check out the weather!
Beautiful clear day in Mexico!
This doesn't happen very often!

Another pic off the roof of our place!
We love clear air!

Wednesday - Saturday Jan 13th- 16th

We woke up today to a very cold spell passing through.  It was raining this morning.  We drove over the mountains to Puebla where we saw snow!  Yay!  I love snow!  We made it to Puebla to meet the Stellmons at their mission home.  We are training in the Puebla South mission for the next few days.
Their home is quite old and made of cement.  It was freezing in their house and their is no heat or air conditioning.  Greg got to wear President "smoking jacket"  Well, at least that is what it looked like!  It was a thick plaid jacket he wore around the house!  We sat in the family room wrapped in blankets with a little heater going!  Hot chocolate was perfect for this weekend and the Stallions make great hot chocolate.  We got up early on Thursday and headed to a zone conference for Greg to do his schpeel.  It was in Izucar de Matamoros.   Then we drove about 2 hours to another city by Popo the volcano to do the next zone conference in the afternoon.  We never did see Popo due to the cloudy and stormy skies.  That huge thing hides very well in the clouds! So we did 2 zone conference meetings today and drove for about 5 hours total.  We got home around 8 pm.  Sister Stellmon had put a roast and potatoes and carrots in the crock pot this morning.  That tasted so good after being gone for the long cold day!  We love being with the Stellmons.
 Friday we got up and took off and did the same thing as yesterday.  We did 2 zone conferences again.  The most entertaining thing about the meetings this week was that I got to give flu shots to all the sister missionaries.  The different personalities about the shots made for an exciting time!  We only had to chase a couple of sisters around the room to give them the shots!!  I don't think Greg had that much excitement with the Elders.  Shots bring out the crazies!!!  We got back to Puebla late again and went to dinner at this little Mexican place we have been to before with the Stellmons.  We got home and had more yummy hot chocolate and life is good!!!  We were going to drive home tonight, but our plans of going to the Basilica got canceled for tomorrow so we are staying in Puebla till tomorrow so we can go shopping downtown and buy some talavera to be sent home.
I didn't get a pic of us with the Stellmons!  Dang!

Driving up the mountain pass looking at a tiny bit of snow!

Greg with his ocho vasos de aqua!

Yes!  Moses with his stethoscope and medical staff!

Greeting the sisters.  I hope I remember not to do
this back in the states, but in Mexico all the sisters greet
with a hug and a kiss on the cheek!
I love it!

One group of Hermanas after their flu shots!

Popo

Popo in the background!

Popo

Another volcano!  We have put up pics before of this one
because we were at the base of it but it didn't have snow on it
Iztaccihuatl  is the name of this volcano.
We call it Ista (eestaa)

Another shot of Ista

The snow covered mountain and then the desert!

Mexican sunset!

A parting shot of Popo!
Popocatepetl is its real name!

b

Finishing the Northwest mission tour.

Saturday Jan 9, 2016

We started early - we had the final Zone conference in Coacalco - the northern most part of the Northwest mission.  It took us over an hour to get there.  It was a beautiful, big stake center.  Pulling in to the parking lot someone tried to pass Peg on the L as she was turning L and I think angels protected us from a nasty accident.  I gave my presentation and we gave flu shots and saw the sick missionaries.  We ate with the missionaries and then had to take the empty syringes to the clinic on the temple grounds.  We made it home by about 4:30 - long day.  The Anderson's invited us over to watch a move - The Leap Year - it was ok.  

The church where we hung out today!
Greg thinks it is a cool looking church!

One of the nicer chapels

Beautiful roses for my 14th anniversary!

Sunday Jan 10  HAPPY 14TH ANNIVERSARY!

We spent the morning doing our report to Elder Schwitzer.  President Valenzuela wanted me to to give a summary of our visits - it took me the rest of the day to prepare it.  Church was great - the bishopric spoke.  We had a great dinner at our place with the Griffins and the Andersons - turkey, stuffing and salad.  We spent the evening talking to kids.

My 7th afghan I just finished!!

And now it BEGINS! 2016

THOUGHT:  "ALTHOUGH NO ONE CAN GO BACK AND MAKE A BRAND NEW START,
                         ANYONE CAN START FROM NOW AND MAKE A BRAND NEW ENDING"
                                                                                                                  Carl Bard
Monday, Jan 4th

We really haven't done that much, but it has still been a nice day to rest.  I was able to go through some stuff that I have ignored since we got here.  I packed too much stuff and now I am trying to deal with it.  I will be organized just in time to go home!!  Around noon we went for a walk (a new goal)
It was a little cloudy and cool, but after our stop at Office Max it started to sprinkle.  By the time we got home it was raining pretty good.  We were quite wet!  It did feel good so no harm done!  I guess it is only about 50 degrees here today.  That is very cold for us!  We are used to our typical 75*.  We had tortilla soup (Greg's favorite) and quesadillas for dinner and went to FHE.  Sister Carlson gave the lesson on setting goals.  She has lived in the states for a very long time but her English is only a little better than my Spanish.  They have lived in Sandy, Utah for 7 years - California before that. It was good to reflect on some goals for this new year.  We are all going to start out small so we have a better change of reaching those goals.  WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT!!!

I found our travel plans for coming to Mexico
I am putting them here until I can figure out how to get
back to the first blog where they belong.  

Tuesday, Jan 5th

Back to the grind.  We are doing zone conferences in the Northwest mission this week.  Today was our first one.  We left at 8:30 for a 30 min drive to the church to start the zone conference at 9:30.
We were still 5 min late due to a massive traffic jam on Palmas.  Palmas is the main road out of our area heading towards the city.  We sat for 15 min and never moved an inch.  What's up with that??
We made it and Greg did his schpeel.  After his deal we got the give all the missionaries their flu shots.  I am sure the girls do lots better than the boys when it comes to handling shots!!   It is always fun to be with the Halls.  I helped her set up the stuff for a big lunch she was serving the missionaries.  She made BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.   We had to have a taste before we left to return home!  YUM!  We did end up being invited up to the Griffins to watch James Bond movie - Spectre.  They also served us a little sandwich - pulled pork!  Different but still yum!!  I won't eat for a week now.  The movie was great and very exciting.

 
Wednesday, Jan 6th  Happy Day of the Kings (DIA DE LOS REYES)  Christmas day for Mexico.
This is the traditional day that the Mexicans exchange gifts.
I guess I better take my Christmas tree down now that Christmas is officially over!  The traffic is back to its normal crazy, busy self, so the holidays are a thing of the past!!
We have a day off in-between our zone conferences.  I have been working on my last Christmas stocking this morning and am almost done.  Greg has had a few errands.  He gets so bored - so fast when nothing much is going on.  What would it be like if I got bored???  He has no answers!!!
We went on our daily walk and that got our blood pressure going again!!  He has begun the downhill slide of what he wants to get done and who stills needs a medical visit before we go home!  We went to a fun party tonight for day of the kings.  Today is the day that the king brings the kids their Christmas presents  - like Santa.  The adults gather and eat Dia de los Reyes bread and hot chocolate. When they bake the bread they put little plastic babies in the bread.  If you get a slice with a baby in it you get to be king for a day and also you have to bring the group you are with tamales on Feb 2nd.
The Hackings got 2 babies, Greg got one, and Sister Carlson got one so we have to plan a big tamale party on Feb 2nd.  We will probably do it on the 1st for FHE because the Toblers leave the next morning to go home.  The problem will be where to get the tamales on Monday because it is some kind of a holiday!  So many problems!!!   The hot chocolate was very yummy as well, but the bread not so much!!

Looks like a roaring party!

Showing the wreath of bread with plastic babies
hidden in it!

Greg with the baby he almost ate in his bread!

Thursday, Jan 7th

Again, back to the grind!  We had another zone conference with the Northwest mission - the Halls.
This time the Griffins went with us to take a video of Greg doing his schpeel for Dr Heder and to have on record for any mission presidents to use when needed.  I also face timed Dr. Heder so he could watch Greg and how he presents the schpeel.  I hope it didn't blow him away!  We wouldn't want our replacement to be scared off at this point!!  After Greg's part of the conference, we divided up  - I took the hermanas into another room to give them their flu shots and talk to them about any questions they have about their health or otherwise  - like I always do.  Greg gave all the Elders their shots as well.  He was able to visit with a few of the missionaries about their problems.  We, then were off to the MTC here in Mexico which was just up the street from the church we were at.  Greg tried to hunt down the Longhursts that are coming to live at Teca Once with us.  Greg and Elder Longhurst were companions 43 years ago.  Greg is excited to see him again. We never did find the Longhursts because they had gone to the Temple.  Greg keeps living his old missionary life down here!  We ended up having lunch with the MTC counselor - Pres & sister Call, the Packards (psychologists) and a few other couples from the MTC.  The food isn't bad at the MTC and I love to sit and watch the new missionaries come in for lunch.  They look all so sweet.  I want to give them all a hug!  We finally got home put our stuff away and ended up at the Griffins to watch a movie -
The Walk - about the guy that walked on the wire between the twin towers in NY.  It was so stressful. Even in the movie it gave us all the willies in our tummies!

Just a snippet of the city going up the hill!!

Friday, Jan 8th

Today was clinic day at the Temple so Greg did that and I went and did a session at the Temple.
It was a good session, not very full.  All went well with that.  The Stutzneggers came over to get some meds from Greg so we met up with them and drove over to the Linda Vista mall for some lunch at Italiannis.  We had a good lunch and a great visit.  I think these two are my favorite Mission President and wife!  I love them.  We stayed at the restaurant for a long time and visited.  We got home in time to clean up some stuff and head up to the Toblers for game night.  I am sad we haven't been doing game night all along.  We all had a great time.  We played Balderdash and How's yours!
We had a good time laughing together.  I can't believe the Toblers only have 3 more weeks.
Greg didn't even get very many calls from missionaries tonight so he could participate!
I am very sad I haven't taken any pics for awhile!  I better get back on the program!

arthritis and outlets

THOUGHT:  "MAY LIGHT ALWAYS SURROUND YOU;
                            HOPE KINDLE AND REBOUND YOU.
                            MAY YOUR HURTS TURN TO HEALING;
                            YOUR HEART EMBRACE FEELING.
                            MAY WOUNDS BECOME WISDOM;
                            EVERY KINDNESS A PRISM.
                            MAY LAUGHTER INFECT YOU;
                            YOUR PASSION RESURRECT YOU.
                            MAY GOODNESS INSPIRE
                            YOUR DEEPEST DESIRES.
                            THROUGH ALL THAT YOU REACH FOR,
                            MAY YOUR ARMS NEVER TIRE."
                                               --D. Simone


Saturday Jan 2
We were still recovering from a late night Thursday - I received a call about a sister with symmetrical arthritis in her small joints and positive rheumatoid arthritis tests.  She was not doing well on just anti-inflammatories so we drove north for almost an hour into the North mission and I met with her to explain how to take her new medicine and what side effects to expect.  When we got her all set we returned and passed a large outlet mall.  We ate at "60's burgers" and did some shopping.  Not much of an outlet mall when the sunglasses are still $170.  It had all the usual outlet places such as Nike, Etc plus the outlet for Palacio de Hierro - the high end Mexican department store.  We came home and stopped at the store for veggies for our big meal for fast sunday.  We caught the last Hunger games movie and called it a night.  

I guess we didn't get any pics of our fun time at the outlets or at church!

Sunday Jan 3 -
We have a new time for church - 1 pm.  I spent the morning doing my report to Salt Lake and reviewing the local mission applications.  We got to walk to church since the Andersons were out of town - something we don't usually get to do.  Elder Salinas an area 70 in our ward taught the Sunday School lesson (his son is the Sunday School President) and it was great to be taught by an area 70.  We just found out the Elder Renland is coming at the end of the month - I went to Med school with him and hope to be able to shake his hand when he is here.  We had our dinner together at the Griffin's - there apartment is the largest.  The assistants to the president of the west mission ate with us.  I ended up having to see President Anaya's grand daughter who had a little fever and was traveling all night bak to Guadalajara with her mom.  Hope they made it ok.  Nothing like a fussy baby on an 8 hour bus ride.

Happy New Year!

THOUGHT:  "I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.  Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.  You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're DOING SOMETHING.
So that's my wish for you and all of us, and my wish for myself.  Make New Mistakes.  Make glorious, amazing mistakes.  Make mistakes nobody's every made before.  Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is;  art or love or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you're scared of doing.  DO IT.
Make you mistakes, next year and forever!                      Neil Gaiman                                                    

Monday, Dec. 28th

We decided sitting around the house this week was not going to be a great idea so we hooked up with the Sandbergs and their brother, grabbed the Griffins and headed to Xochimilco (floating gardens)
for another little float down the river.  We had a good time.  I'm pretty sure one trip to this place is good enough, but it is always fun to be with friends.  We also saw Pres. & Sister Stutznegger with their family on another boat.  We were tired when we got home so we had some dinner and watched a movie with the Griffins in their place.  They are getting quite a collection of movies.  Elder Griffin walks up the Pueblito and buys them for 10 pesos which is about 60 cents.  They are all illegal but most of them work just fine.  Some  movies are still in the theaters.  Great!!

Finding some shade
The guy is suppose to be selling churros
and he is pulled over to the side of a busy road
and is sound asleep under
the basket on his motorcycle.

Someone even decorated the wall next to the gas station

Xochimilco - canals in a forested part of town.
I guess some years ago a little girl drown in these
canals so every year people come and hang horrific
dolls in the trees as a memorial!

Another pic of all the weird dolls, stuffed animals
pinatas and other crazy stuff!

Our boat

There are homes right along the canal
This little home reminds me of the house
you pass by as you are starting the
Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland.

Lots of vendors with food or jewelry to sell

The boats are propelled with a long stick - canal about 12 feet deep

Nurseries along the shores

Happy tourists

A mariachi band came along side to serenade

Typical boat

s 

Homes right along the canals - 

Watch heron

President Stutznegger and family

A floating garden.

There was a big hole in the bridge when we came -
now we are leaving and someone stuck a tire in the hole!
Ha!

Flowered boats behind us - years ago they sported real flowers

Tuesday, Dec 29th

So we had another fun day in Paradise today.  I don't know why no one can just relax and enjoy some quiet moments down here.  I am so tired of going and doing!  Today we took the Griffins up to Desierto de los Leones - which isn't very far away, but after you turn off the freeway you end up in quiet tall pine trees with the breeze blowing through them.  It feels and sounds like you are standing in the forest at Lake Tahoe to me.  We all loved being up there in the quiet and peace.  This place was a monostery where all these little monks lived.  We have been here before with the Olsons.  We wandered through the big place and took lots of pics.  We walked down 277 stairs to the not so big waterfall we saw last year! It was so nice and cool and calm.  It was the best day in a long time!!
We drove back down to Santa Fe to have some late lunch at TGIF's. It was fun to sit and watch the people walking by out in the mall.

The courtyard of the Monastery 

I love this old wall.  Behind Greg it used to
be a window, but someone filled it in with big rocks
Now the corner above his head is falling out!

Here is the entrance to the catacombs under the Monestary.

Here is one of the room down under.  It has these
holes for light on the side and up on top.
Looks like a great food storage room!

Greg & John standing at the entrance.
You have to walk hunched over
and use your cellphone flashlight to move around in here!

Pretty little gardens all around the grounds.

It looks like spring here.  I love this
huge wall and gate that goes nowhere!

The grounds

Roses are everywhere

The bell tower!

Next to the Monestary is a beautiful place to see.
You have to walk down 277 stairs (John counted)
There is a waterfall, pond, picnic places and
you can take a horse ride.
I wish I would have taken a horse ride out of there!
😩

Here is a very fancy shrine to Guadaloupe.
Señorita Lupita as Greg calls her.
This one has tiny rolling pins and cups and other
knickknacks plastered all over the front.

Here is the inside with Guadaloupe,
a Nativity, a Christmas tree, flowers
and other little stuffed animals.  

A little tree outside the shrine that is starting to bloom!

This is what the area looks like - many tall pines all over the place.
It is breezy and cool and very peaceful here.
A little heaven not very far away from the hubbub of
25 million people in the city!

Then you drive for a few minutes and there it is!!!!
The City with Popo - the volcano in the background.
It is a rare day to have it be so clear we can see Popo!
Yes!  We live in this city!  Hard to imagine really!!

Wednesday, Dec 30th

Today was a great day.  We literally stuffed the Hackings and the Griffins and us in our car and drove over to the Temple for a session.  The traffic was horrible so we almost missed the session.  Actually Elder Griffin did miss the session.  The workers in the dressing room wouldn't let him go up, but we all sat for 15 min waiting for him in the room.  Ugh!!  We had a nice session and Elder Griffin did sealings.  We didn't go until the afternoon - 4 pm session and got out about 6:30.  We drove over to Costco which was a very bad idea!  The place was packed and there were no carts.  Everyone was buying alcohol for New Years Eve.  We bought Martinellis so we fit right in!  We got a hot dog and salad at Costco food place and enjoyed dining outside on the patio with our buddies.

Temple night with the Hackings and Griffins

Thursday, Dec 31st  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  2016

Today has been a weird day.  I haven't felt very good for some reason.  My heart has been pounding and thumping all day.  I must of eaten something to cause so much trauma.  I laid low all day, but did manage to make some Cinnabon cinnamon rolls for tonight's celebration.  We were able to pass out the last of our Christmas treats and still have a bunch of rolls for the party!  We got together with the Griffins, Sandbergs, Pratts, Toblers and Hackings for a New Years Eve Party.  We ate pizza, snacks galore and cinnamon rolls.  We watched the movie "Mr. Holmes" about Sherlock Holmes.  It was OK.  We played a game - heads up and had a nice visit.  We welcomed the New Year with Martinellis and huge sparklers on the balcony!  Good times!  Welcome 2016!

Happy New Year with our huge fireworks!!

Friday, Jan 1st

There was a sister that has been sick for awhile in the Northwest mission - the Halls mission.  We drove up to the mission home so Greg could see this sister.  Sister Hall was putting away her Christmas decorations so while Greg saw the missionary - I helped put away the Christmas tree and decorations.  We had a good time.  I love Sister Hall.  She is so sweet.  Pres. Hall had bribed us with taking us to lunch if we drove up there so that happened .  They wanted to try Fishers.  We have been their once and weren't thrilled, but we were happy to be with the Halls.  I don't think I will be going to Fishers again!!! We got home around 5:30 and the Griffins were calling for us to go see the Mockingjay 2 movie (Hunger Games)  We left home at 6 pm, drove up to Interlomas, got our tickets and had soup and salad (Not very Hungry) at Olive Garden.  The movie was exhausting to watch.  It was pretty entertaining I guess.  We got home after 11 pm.  Oh these missionaries are a bad influence!!!😣

No peach pancakes just hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls on New Years Day!