tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57478936057035869132024-03-05T00:08:51.702-06:00Elder y Hermana HoffmanMama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-65481869168603156062014-02-27T18:39:00.002-06:002014-02-27T18:39:11.918-06:00Welcome Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have the best neighborhood kids in the world. Shortly after we returned home, I heard some noises out in front of our house. As I peeked out the front window to see what was happening, I saw four little girls decorating our driveway with "Welcome Back" notes, balloons and hearts. It was just what I needed after not feeling well for so long! </div>
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Thank you Emma, Christina, Amelia, and Riley--you are wonderful neighbors!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole effect of the message.</td></tr>
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-56721290031071121112014-02-20T23:09:00.003-06:002014-03-02T23:19:40.956-06:00Colorín, Colorado...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the end of fairy tales and children's stories in English, we always say, "And they lived happily ever after," or sometimes, "Snip, snap, snout. This tale's told out." In Spanish we say, "Colorín, colorado, este cuento se ha acabado." (Bright yellow, bright red, this story's all said).<br />
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So this is the end of our story--este cuento se ha acabado. After struggling with an out of control dental infection for six weeks with no relief, lots of pain and "dinero", the dentists in Monterrey declared that oral surgery was necessary. Without extracting the tooth, the infection would not clear up. Due to the length of time that the infection was active, there was a great deal of bone loss. This meant that not only must the tooth be removed, a very large bone graft was needed, requiring six to eight months of systematic dental oversight. Due to this complication and the urgent need to get the infection under control, we decided to return to the USA a little earlier than planned.<br />
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The decision to leave was made very suddenly because of the nature of the infection and the timing of the surgery in the USA. We decided at 5:00 p.m. February 3rd and left at 7:00 a.m. February 4th with the Mission President and Temple President's blessing. We were deeply saddened that we couldn't say goodbye to our dear friends in the temple and our ward. The "<i>Norteños" </i>are the most generous people in the world and have become part of our hearts and souls during our 16 months in beautiful Monterrey.<br />
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These are some of the things we will always remember about Monterrey:<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Fundidora Park</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Fundidora, Chimney #2</td></tr>
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The old metal foundry on many acres of land now sits at the east end of downtown Monterrey and is connected to Old Town by the lovely canal, Santa Lucia, that was seen in a previous blog. The foundry is now a museum. From the elevator ride up to the catwalks, down to the bottom of the huge chimneys, it is full of tubes, pipes, gears and amazing stories. It was a city in and of itself--with its own schools, housing and hospitals. It now serves as the largest and most beautiful park in Monterrey.</div>
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The Elevator to the Top</h4>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
The Catwalks</h4>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Two Modern Foundry Workers: </span></h4>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Acres of Playgrounds, Exercise Pods and Bike Paths</h4>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Parque Río de la Silla</h3>
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(The Silla Mountain River Park)</div>
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This park was our favorite walk. It was filled with giant Ahuehuete (Sabino) trees, birds, flowers, kids, exercise classes, and lots of surprises. This is where we took our almost daily six-mile walk each day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John and Linda in front of giant Ahuehuete tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz7yVYf6RUpG8Z0XdEjzE8BawmyCHFeQZAD3T4FjsYFGG2rVI7zAHFQFtJa7cKv8LZw6HJaQTR99Iu4fqmqXX3NYtHJcdS3r4YKHQFF4Qz9iCi_ae_659hR49dNdwjF7Fdr5JVw5uAhA/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz7yVYf6RUpG8Z0XdEjzE8BawmyCHFeQZAD3T4FjsYFGG2rVI7zAHFQFtJa7cKv8LZw6HJaQTR99Iu4fqmqXX3NYtHJcdS3r4YKHQFF4Qz9iCi_ae_659hR49dNdwjF7Fdr5JVw5uAhA/s1600/IMG_4029.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga classes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwQTpTmWjXWghSqYHN52qfsRobp7sqfzP6tCENrT5deIeJmqQrmNMpCgYlidKR-SnYR991uNt0M3R2UVXVB3sA0JLynAV7Z7S43WT4641M-9XMQRYHZq-OEu0rX7e-D8oj2gWNGFx7EY/s1600/IMG_4030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwQTpTmWjXWghSqYHN52qfsRobp7sqfzP6tCENrT5deIeJmqQrmNMpCgYlidKR-SnYR991uNt0M3R2UVXVB3sA0JLynAV7Z7S43WT4641M-9XMQRYHZq-OEu0rX7e-D8oj2gWNGFx7EY/s1600/IMG_4030.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerobic Classes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CLnG-RlNdsU9fn2fo4kRBq2sywj8K2M_qLJGh-V2ZDd2RaDzATDkufUNgBYSAvZRwt_Ktt4ZZEAkL38_pTKfXUDyRxkBc_nxGcqzszqHbNHvmIMtqNqBHgvQWWQ2ymdbrUjRjqgAXb4/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CLnG-RlNdsU9fn2fo4kRBq2sywj8K2M_qLJGh-V2ZDd2RaDzATDkufUNgBYSAvZRwt_Ktt4ZZEAkL38_pTKfXUDyRxkBc_nxGcqzszqHbNHvmIMtqNqBHgvQWWQ2ymdbrUjRjqgAXb4/s1600/IMG_3751.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball games</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zyGvuwBmXYFdV7TitAhnTWKW7zxrCbCtVXneq2fL79LjCXSY8XlBobh67DGDUwONomhD5sa80NkOziAdqHfcqpM2DiKmQCL5yN6G6a9fKNxD5Hh8NUhvOGo-dApa7837NkvFLEx3qXA/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zyGvuwBmXYFdV7TitAhnTWKW7zxrCbCtVXneq2fL79LjCXSY8XlBobh67DGDUwONomhD5sa80NkOziAdqHfcqpM2DiKmQCL5yN6G6a9fKNxD5Hh8NUhvOGo-dApa7837NkvFLEx3qXA/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many surprises in Parque Rio de la Silla</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16D80cf3bIkGUStYZQo7sU7AIe5fjvNPe1bgjwP-o8sYJi48KN9c2WIthyphenhyphenpW55-9EwcdxFHr5Hj2jSFJsUIyi_FR4BSQ6U2NTu002m2Yg7HnW3O743mEFCh_Iyp0xIE3hkIbnisk5gaU/s1600/Rio+de+la+Silla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16D80cf3bIkGUStYZQo7sU7AIe5fjvNPe1bgjwP-o8sYJi48KN9c2WIthyphenhyphenpW55-9EwcdxFHr5Hj2jSFJsUIyi_FR4BSQ6U2NTu002m2Yg7HnW3O743mEFCh_Iyp0xIE3hkIbnisk5gaU/s1600/Rio+de+la+Silla.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silla River in the spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NQms7ZIEEYOh7c-6eCbWH8dEE1OYZOFy7FsURy7JrDS_KSPlapYyrvWkGl4X0DojHFc4qvTP-gwMoxvpWKUdRtsv1j8aFiNWBAnKOvT2xSxDGNLpQWaxaQqNjlq53fCGefnaaN39xPs/s1600/IMG_5348+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NQms7ZIEEYOh7c-6eCbWH8dEE1OYZOFy7FsURy7JrDS_KSPlapYyrvWkGl4X0DojHFc4qvTP-gwMoxvpWKUdRtsv1j8aFiNWBAnKOvT2xSxDGNLpQWaxaQqNjlq53fCGefnaaN39xPs/s1600/IMG_5348+2.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silla River in the winter (December)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Downtown Monterrey</h3>
<div>
Monterrey is a sprawling city embraced on all sides by rugged, fortress-like mountains. The skyline is broken by modern skyscrapers and the many hundreds of parks are softened by graceful palm trees and fountains. </div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Nuestros Hermanos</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We will remember always these dear brothers and sisters. They hail from every corner of Monterrey and many of the surrounding states. These people taught us, fed us, guarded us, entertained us, and testified to us. They are filled with the "pure love of Christ" in heart and soul. Our lives will never be the same!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
What did we learn from our "hermanos"? </h3>
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<b>1. Be happy--You will live longer and have a lot more friends.</b><br />
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<b>2. Have lots of parties--You will live longer and have a lot more friends.</b><br />
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<b>3. Serve gladly and generously--You will live longer and have a lot more friends. </b><br />
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<b>4. Be faithful to your covenants--You will live forever with your best friend, Jesus Christ, </b><br />
<b>the Savior of the world. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YUc1-rFU6M5yge2JJRJNOKMv19yuqnjwoenARazjbIqqBzpbNq_9lQSpNRAHrPgI8m5JqTDhlSJ0xcwhh_R19huP5iyu2L3zB7EO2t7YxoKRU2suczazOy6JcVuDVv4MxlT80b4F0Xk/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YUc1-rFU6M5yge2JJRJNOKMv19yuqnjwoenARazjbIqqBzpbNq_9lQSpNRAHrPgI8m5JqTDhlSJ0xcwhh_R19huP5iyu2L3zB7EO2t7YxoKRU2suczazOy6JcVuDVv4MxlT80b4F0Xk/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" height="149" width="200" /> </a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Colorín, colorado, este cuento se ha acabado.</h2>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-54282389571276790832014-01-30T08:59:00.000-06:002014-01-30T08:59:17.934-06:00Because my Mother Loves Clouds...<div style="text-align: center;">
Today is my mother's 91st birthday. She loves clouds, so as a little gift to her, </div>
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here is a selection of some of Monterrey's finest. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday, Dear Mother!</span></div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-15854140887722420132014-01-29T15:39:00.002-06:002014-01-29T15:39:53.507-06:00Yikes, Snow!Well, not real snow like in Alaska or Utah or Japan; but snow nonetheless. When we posted the last blog entry, we only thought we had seen our coldest day in Monterrey. (Mother Nature is such a tease!) This morning we awoke to 30 degrees F. (-3 C) and snow on the cars. None of the snow stuck to the roads, but they were slick and icy for several hours.<br />
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Blessings? Oh, yes.<br />
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<ul>
<li>Elder Chica from Colombia can now say he has seen snow.</li>
<li>Everyone stayed home because of the cold, so we had almost no traffic as we crossed town.</li>
<li>We can drink hot chocolate and eat soup again.</li>
<li>Señor Nero Ríos came by our house and fixed the heaters Monday afternoon so we are no longer living like natives--with all heaters running, we are almost up to 67 degrees F. inside. </li>
<li>We got a reprieve between storms and walked in shirtsleeves on Monday--you only need one beautiful, warm day every week to keep your spirits high! </li>
<li>The mall was warm and empty--we walked to our hearts' content and resisted the urge to stop for a cheese and spinach crepe; but vowed to return at a later date.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on the Toyota, Monterrey January 29, 2014</td></tr>
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Stay warm everyone, for the peaches are in bloom and there is a promise of spring in the air.<br />
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XOXO</div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-69503981911621856422014-01-27T22:57:00.006-06:002014-01-29T15:19:31.487-06:00Going Native<h4>
Unheated Houses</h4>
In December and January, our winter, the cinderblock houses here in Monterrey become refrigerators--so cold that residents often have to step outside to get warm. We experienced a real Monterrey winter last Friday. At 4:30 a.m. our little mini-split wall heater quit working. It was a very unkind thing to do since Friday temperatures began to fall at the same time, dropping that night to near freezing. The inside temperature in our house is usually is about 8-10 degrees warmer than outside--that means our cozy little cottage was hovering at about 45 degrees when we awoke the next morning. Though this was a bit of a shock to us, it is what our neighbors and most people here experience every day throughout the winter.<br />
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We tried to prepare ourselves for the cold since we knew a repair was not possible until the next Monday. Linda put on her pajamas and then pulled a flannel nightgown over that. Her feet were covered in heavy socks and extra covers were put on the bed. John topped his PJs with a hooded sweatshirt. That proved to be too cumbersome, so he traded it out for a knit cap and neck scarf. We closed the bedroom door to keep body heat in and cold drafts out. We discovered quickly why "kerchiefs" and "caps" are important for sleeping on cold winter nights--noses and ears chill through very quickly. We were wishing for the luxuries of the olden days when our parents would tuck us into bed with hot water bottles at our feet!<br />
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We had only a couple of days in our refrigerator house, but the vast majority of the population in Monterrey has never lived any differently. One of our shift coordinators said that her new little granddaughter is never taken out of the bedroom--the warmest room in the house--which is still nothing like warm in North America. Another sister in the temple was late for work one day. When asked why she was late, she dropped her eyes and quietly replied that it was just too cold to shower so early in the morning without heat in the house. Our landlords (he works for Microsoft) have a lovely big home with many wonderful amenities; but have admitted to only turning on the gas wall heaters when the temperature falls to freezing. Their children were visiting at Christmas time and never stopped complaining about how cold they were--she just told them to go put on more clothes!<br />
The costs for gas and electricity here are just too high in comparison to the wages--many must choose to eat or be warm. <br />
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Though we have not even come close to experiencing the cold that the pioneers lived through, we now understand clearly what it means to live "like the locals"--they are very hardy people!<br />
<h4>
Romeritos with Shrimp and Mole</h4>
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Our dear friends, Jaime and Gloria Meneses are trying to teach us all of the local food traditions. They want us to leave here knowing EVERYTHING about Monterrey. Romeritos with Shrimp and Mole is a traditional dish served on Christmas--we tasted it during the celebration of Three King's Day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romeritos (the herb)</td></tr>
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The dish is called <i>Romeritos</i> after a wild herb that looks like Rosemary leaves. It includes the herb, onions, potatoes, chopped cactus leaves (quite delicious), a local vegetable called cambray, and dried shrimp. The dried shrimp is sold in shops and on the highways all over town. It is ground and rehydrated, and then made into small patties (shell and all). It is all mixed into a red mole (mole-ay) to stew until tender. It is much better tasting than it looks!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romeritos con Camarones Secos y Mole Poblano</td></tr>
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For those of you not familiar with "mole," it may well be the best dish to ever come out of Mexico. It is a secret combination of peppers, herbs and chocolate and traditionally comes in red, black and green--though there are literally hundreds of different types of moles sold throughout Mexico. It's birthplace is Puebla, but our personal favorite is the black mole from Oaxaca. </div>
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<h4>
Bacalao</h4>
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Bacalao is a salted, dried cod also used in a traditional Christmas dish. Its origins hail from Portugal in the 1500s. Before it can be used in cooking, it must be rehydrated and desalinated by soaking in cold water for several days. The water must be changed two to three times a day. Here in Monterrey, they use the European style which includes cooking with potatoes and onions in a casserole. It is then eaten on tortillas, on a <i>bolillo </i>(large sandwich bun), or with rice. Gloria and Jaime also add green olives and mild chiles to their recipe. So many recipes--so little time!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bacalao</td></tr>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-83209973418269474412014-01-20T15:59:00.000-06:002014-01-26T21:13:31.749-06:00Mexico, Cuba, Florida and Colombia<h4>
Visas</h4>
We crossed a huge milestone last week--Linda received her visa extension. It means that she can now stay in Mexico until October of 2014 and can cross the border at will. Regretfully, John is still only half-way through the process. Since September of 2013, we have had a dozen or more visits to immigration--it is a lengthy process that usually ends with: "Not complete! You still need ______." Then each time you successfully get "______," somehow several more pieces of paper are suddenly needed. We will not recount all of the gory details, only that when you walk into that building, all time stops and your life is slowly sucked out of you one line, one paper, one photo, one fingerprint at a time. It is almost a relief when they close the office at 1:00 and send everyone home to try again another day.<br />
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Linda is celebrating never having to return to "migración." John figures he will not see a visa before leaving the country--very possible since two sets of senior missionaries have finished their missions "visa-less."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración), a.k.a. Immigration Office</td></tr>
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<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Dinner</h4>
Last Sunday was Stake Conference. Since the missionaries were going to be out of their area at the Stake Center, we offered to feed them dinner. This very eclectic group had a delightful time together--especially when the cinnamon rolls came out for dessert.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Brother Ruíz, Ivan, Elder Havlicak, Enrique, Elder Chica, Elder Hoffman</td></tr>
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Hermano Ruíz</h4>
Brother Ruíz is a computer systems analyst with two Master's degrees from the hot, northwest corner of Mexico. He and his wife Olga have three beautiful sons who are full of energy and fun. They stay three steps ahead of the primary teachers and leave no question unspoken. Because Brother Ruíz is the newest employee at the company, he got Christmas and New Year's duty. Since he wouldn't see the family during the holidays anyway, he sent them off to grandma and grandpa's. He was still alone at conference, so we took him home with us.<br />
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Iván</h4>
Iván is a recent convert from Cuba whom we talked about previously in the post "Barrio Central." As he put it, he "swam" over to Florida where he worked for a year or so. He hated it and was planning to return to Cuba, when he met a couple from Utah. They were frequent visitors to the restaurant he worked at. He told them of his plans and they asked if he would want to see another part of the country. They showed him photos of Provo, Utah and he fell in love with it. He headed off to Utah living with a family recommended to him. They got him a job at the Provo LDS Mission Training Center where his job was to call countries all over the world to check on missionary visas. He eventually left and was hired by the UN to run social programs in different countries. While doing that (as well as two other jobs at the same time), he met the missionaries. Iván was sustained in conference to receive the Melchizedek priesthood and ordained right after the meeting.<br />
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It was the first time we had seen him in a suit--we almost didn't recognize him! When we commented on how handsome he looked in the suit, he explained that it was from the family he had lived with in Provo. When they heard that he had been baptized, they flew the whole family to Monterrey to celebrate with him. They left him with the suit in anticipation of this day. When he came out of the Stake President's office, he was shaking and weeping--he was overwhelmed with the experience. He said, "I hope I can do this. I am going to do this. Somehow I will do this!"<br />
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His sister in Cuba has been hunting down the church there. She found a small group of Saints meeting in a "Casa de Oración" (House of Prayer) that he will join up with. His sister told him that she has been to two of the meetings and that they study the Book of Mormon every week. There is a representative from the government that is always in attendance to make sure that nothing subversive is taking place. He thinks it is very funny that this sister has been attending the meetings--he says that she is the "wild one" that never obeyed his mother. She works as a dancer in a club in Havana.<br />
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Iván returned to Cuba last Wednesday due to an assignment change. He has taken some key books with him, but doesn't know how much he will be able to get into the country. He has had to cut out the title pages and copyrights of all the books and re-cover them with covers from novels. He says that the worst thing that can happen is that they will take them away--but there is a wonderful chance they will get through. If they do, there will be other scriptures and manuals from which this little group of Saints can study. He is one of the blessed--he will have access to the Internet for one hour/week and can keep and use his email account during that time. He is feeling very blessed.<br />
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Our Elders</h4>
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Elder Havlicak (pronounced like the basketball player: Havlichek) joined Barrio Central this week. He has been in the mission just over a year. He comes from Florida. He brings a gentle, deep spirit with him that has warmed the hearts of all in the ward. He spoke in church on the blessings we receive as we share the gospel with others. It was loving, inviting, enticing and reminded us that sharing the gospel covers a multitud of sins. </div>
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Elder Chica joined the mission seven weeks ago, but has been a force to be reckoned with ever since. He is from Medellín, Colombia and is delighted with the opportunity to learn about the Mexican culture, its special vocabulary, and the incredibly generous people that live here. He is very well founded in the gospel and readily shares his love of the gospel and the Savior. </div>
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We love our Elders!</div>
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Investigator</h4>
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Since Enrique was at Stake Conference with the Elders, we included him in the dinner invitation. He has worked between the US and Mexico all of his life, chasing the ever elusive dollar. He is interested in the perspectives of the gospel on family. His wife wouldn't let him teach his children to work. He believes work is important, and so are fathers and the things they can teach their children. </div>
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Our new theory is that you should never pass up an opportunity to invite someone home for dinner. We were well taught by this group as we asked what impressed them most about the conference. </div>
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These were their answers:</div>
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1. Continue to invite your children to participate in Family Home Evening and teach about the sacrament, the temple, and service.</div>
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2. The father has a responsibility to take the lead in directing FHE.</div>
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3. Study the gospel as a family: Read, ask questions, listen, confirm the truth.</div>
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4. Respect the role of the father in the home and strengthen families. </div>
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5. Remember that President Monson says we must find an eternal companion and be sealed in the temple. </div>
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6. Focus on the principles that President Monson teaches--learn about them and apply them. </div>
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7. Text, write, and phone your children--be with them; share happy experiences and be joyful! </div>
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-2627661725020628162014-01-11T18:11:00.002-06:002014-01-11T18:11:34.569-06:00Welcoming in 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Welcoming in a New Year is a long and festivity-filled process. Ours began on December 30th about 2:00 p.m. President and Hermana Alvaradejo (temple president and matron) stopped in front of our house, rang the bell and handed us a dozen Blue Crabs from the Gulf of Mexico. A "little bird" had told them that our New Year's tradition was eating crab--so they delivered! It was the surprise of all surprises and what an adventure! </div>
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We learned a lot about Blue Crabs and how they are different from the Dungeness we usually eat. First of all, they needed cleaning so there was a quick Internet orientation (thankfully, they had already been killed so we did not have to plunge a knife into the heart and listen to the death rattle). We then plunged them into boiling water until they turned bright orange. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Crab</td></tr>
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It was then necessary to cool and crack them so we could dig the meat out of the shell one tiny tidbit at a time. These crabs were about five-inches across the widest point and with much work and persistence, we were able to extract about a tablespoon of meat from each crab. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cracking the Crab</td></tr>
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It was definitely not enough to feel the two of us, so we went local: We made blue crab and cheese quesadillas for New Year's Day. We discovered that it is much sweeter and much softer than other crabs. We will never forget the year we were introduced to true Mexican Gulf Blue Soft-shell Crabs and true Mexican generosity!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab meat from 12 soft-shelled Blue Crab</td></tr>
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Lulú's Missionary Lesson</h4>
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That same evening, the Meneses, invited us to their home for Family Home Evening on December 30th. It turned out that their friend Lulú was meeting with the sister missionaries at their home for a short lesson and then dinner. Lulú had attended the Campestre Ward Christmas party and loved the people and the warmth of the gathering. She was so surprised at how much fun everyone had and how close they were. She was invited to meet with the Hermanas after that and this was her second meeting with them. As the Hermanas taught about the Savior, prayer, and faith, Lulú quietly wept and occasionally asked a question or made a comment. After we closed the meeting with prayer and prepared to have dinner together she said, "Why do I always cry when the missionaries are teaching me?" We weren't at the next meeting, but feel sure that the theme of that meeting was the Holy Spirit. </div>
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The Meneses always, always have a gift of some sort for us. This night, Brother Meneses presented each of us with an envelope. John's envelope said, "Elder Hoffman: Reciba y regale mucho de esto." (Receive and give much of this.) Linda's envelope said, "Hermana Hoffman: Usted se ha ganado y regalará un sin fin de esto." (You have gained and will gift to others an endless supply of this.")</div>
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Inside were tissue fold-up cut-outs of the XOXO that is the "secret code" between us and our children. He remembered this from another visit because we took photos of the crossed utensils at the side of the round plates to send to our grandchildren. </div>
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New Year's Eve</h4>
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December 31st was cold, very cold and rainy. We were delighted because we thought that maybe the fireworks wouldn't be as numerous as last year. It is clear that we know nothing yet about authentic Mexican cultural practices! Perhaps because it was raining, there were only 50,000 people downtown at the Fundidora Park celebrating--the rest of Monterrey was partying on our street. At 10:30 the music started. Now this is not just any old kind of music, this is serious Mariachi music with lots of big bass. It was turned up as high as the speakers would allow and our house began to dance right along with the revelers moving to every beat of the booming bass. </div>
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At 11:30 a few fire crackers went off and we were duly alerted to the excitement in the air. From that moment until 5:00 a.m., there was a steady stream of rockets, fire crackers, cherry bombs, etc. Our thoughtful neighbors made sure that we didn't miss a thing by lighting them off right in front of our house! Our windows shook in their tracks. Debris dropped constantly onto the roof. Packaging regularly hit the grating around the front of our house with a loud "crack" and the house filled with the smell of gun powder. </div>
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We know one thing for sure now. You have never really celebrated the New Year until you have done it in Monterrey, Mexico! </div>
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Temple Reopens</h4>
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The temple reopened with a bang on Thursday--missionaries at 7:00 and again at 9:00. Imagine not only clothing, herding, and helping 90 missionaries; but then washing, folding and storing all of their clothing. We came early to take the first session and helped until nearly 10 and then returned in the afternoon at 4:00 for a full shift. Makes for a long, but sweet day! </div>
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January 4, 2014--A Visit from Zacatecas</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Familia Román, Hna. and Elder Hoffman, Elder and Hna. Rodriguez, Familia Jacinto</td></tr>
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One of our dear Hermanas from the Visitors' Center in Mexico City came to Monterrey for a couple of days from Zacatecas. Hna. Elysa Perez-Klein is now married to Alejandro Roman and they have three adorable children. We met with them, Hermana Elena Rodriguez and her hubby Augusto Jacinto, and her parents Maria Elena and Dante Rodriguez. At 11:30 in the morning we had a full turkey dinner! It was great to share testimonies, stories from the mission and great memories of experiences shared in the Visitor's Center. All have big, big challenges--but they also have big, big testimonies of gospel and deep faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Ex-Elder Román is now a bishop and his wife, besides being mom to three adorable children, teaches pre-school and is working on her Master's Degree. Ex-Hermana Elena Rodriguez is Relief Society President and Augusto works for the Electric Company here--a fabulous job! They are in the middle of adopting either two or three siblings into their family. The senior Rodriguez's are serving as live-at-home missionaries in the new Welfare Program teaching life and work skills. Our lives have been lifted, filled and energized by these valiant servants of the Lord. </div>
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Three Kings' Day</h4>
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Linda struggled with a bad tooth infection all weekend and by Monday morning, Three Kings' Day, she knew that a dentist was immediately necessary. The Mission President gave us a referral and the earliest appointment available was at 4:00 p.m.</div>
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We were invited to the home of some friends from the temple at 6:00 that night for chalupas, Rosca de Reyes, and hot chocolate. We planned on about an hour and a half at the dentists and then were going to drive straight to the party. Finally, after the second set of X-rays and the second consulting dentist, we realized that there would be no partying. We were tied up with consultations and pharmacy searches until after 7:00 p.m. However, the good news is that we found some excellent dentists that know what is wrong, knew what to give me for the infection, and have a plan for putting it all right. Elder Hoffman also has a new skill--he learned to give intra-muscular injections via Internet instruction. Linda had immediate relief and John has a new marketable skill for his retirement years. </div>
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Farewell</h4>
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On January 8th we bid farewell to Elder and Sister Morris. They have been serving in the Institute as English teachers and class instructors. They have also been a great support to the mission installing water heaters, repairing heaters, making curtains, and acting as the official Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus for the last two Christmases. The next Senior Missionaries to disappear from the local scene will be us. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Chaparral Pro; font-size: medium;"><b>May you have more peace than you need and enough hope to sustain you through 2014.</b></span></div>
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, </div>
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to give you a future and a hope.</div>
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Jeremiah 29:11 </div>
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-69293736175765050002014-01-05T20:05:00.003-06:002014-01-05T20:05:47.959-06:00Apologies...To anyone who may get automatice updates on this blog--our apologies. In a fit of organization, Linda "cleaned up" her online photo account and accidentally deleted a plethora of photos from the blog. As they are replaced, you may get irrelevant updates--if you get several in a row, you can be sure that it is not new :-/ .<br />
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Moral of the story: Read the fine print. Read it again. Wait 5 minutes and then read it one more time before hitting DELETE.<br />
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Thank you for your patience.Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-37008462797394784512014-01-05T16:57:00.001-06:002014-01-05T16:57:27.180-06:00The Not-White Side of Christmas 2013 in Monterrey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little celebration of Christ was also part of the Monterrey Christmas 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Monday, December 16th</b>—Family Home Evening for the Temple Workers. This was a dinner that someone else made with each person paying for themselves, so we didn’t have to cook all day. It was sweet to just show up and eat! This party also began with a spiritual message by the president and his counselors. Presidente Alvaradejo spoke about the stereotypical image of Mexicans sleeping under a cactus with a sombrero pulled down over their eyes. He then referenced the image used for Peru—a very poor Peruvian sitting on a bench made of gold. When he asked why this image, the Peruvians replied that their country is very, very rich in resources; but the people continue to be poor because they don’t access it. He then related this to the temple and asked, “Are we sitting on ‘a bench made of gold’ completely unaware of the riches at hand through the temple, of which we are not taking advantage?” </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Temple Presidency and wives Cortez, Alvaradejo, Hernandez</td></tr>
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<b>Monday, December 23rd:</b> Since we had a couple of days off from the temple, we got up early Monday and quickly cleaned the house from top to bottom. We then drove down to the Santa Lucia River Walk, and strolled from the top of the Fundidora park to the heart of downtown. It was a beautiful, peace-filled day as we enjoyed the Christmas decorations and the friendly people along the path. There is something about walking near water that soothes the soul. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas downtown and John singing with a creative beggar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, colorful trees and decor from all over Monterrey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">December 23, 2013--traffic downtown at a complete stop. It seemed like all four million residents were downtown!</td></tr>
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<b>December 24, Noche Buena</b> (The Good, or Blessed, Night) was spend with our landlords (he is also our Stake President). Two of their children were in town plus her parents, us, and the other senior missionaries at the temple and their son who was visiting. We began the evening with a Family Night, reading the story of the Nativity from the scriptures while enjoying beautiful artwork depicting the different segments of the story. We sang some carols, which always brings the spirit of Christmas. Our new favorite is only found in the Children’s Songbook in Spanish (Estrella de Luz). It is a marvelous song about the Christmas Star!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clockwise from bottom: Christmas Eve dinner, pins for Relief Society sisters, Santa run, Missionary celebration--complete with Santa. </td></tr>
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The entire city of Monterrey shuts down on Christmas Eve. Restaurants and grocery stores close—even 7-11 shuts down. It was almost eery to be on the streets all alone in such a big city. However, Christmas morning Walmart and its competitors were open bright and early, and the buzz of the city was back to normal. </div>
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<b>Christmas Day</b> we enjoyed dinner at the home of President and Sister Bird with President and Sister Swapp. It was a relaxed, intimate evening. It was a yummy American dinner of ham, cheesy potatoes, spinach salad, carrots, and hot rolls. The best part of all was an evening filled with the hard, clipped sounds of the beloved English language. It was a very Merry Christmas! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of La Silla Mountain from the River Walk. </td></tr>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-14494636713003540292013-12-29T22:15:00.001-06:002013-12-29T22:47:42.517-06:00A White Christmas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Snowy Egrets:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our first hint of a white Christmas came with the glorious return of the Snowy Egrets to the Silla River Park. Our first sighting was a flock of nearly a dozen. They were feeding serenely right next to the path--the closest we have ever seen them; but--and there is always a but--we had no camera! We continue to see them in ones and twos, though too far away for a clear shot; but are grateful for each glimpse of snowy white.</span><br />
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<b>Sunday, December 15th</b>: We had the Bishopric over for dinner after church. There is only one counselor and Tony and Claudia Loredo are moving soon, so we wanted to thank them for their service. He was the Elder’s quorum president and then first counselor, and she has been Primary President and back-up chorister. </div>
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Since it was close to Christmas, we decided to ask everyone to share their family Christmas traditions. Much to our surprise, there were almost none to speak of—not even trees or lights or special dinners. When it was the Bishop's turn, he tearfully told of his youth on the streets of Mexico City. He left home at the age of eight to escape an abusive father. Homeless and fending for himself, he said that he never experienced any aspect of Christmas--no gifts, no traditions, no family parties, no Christ. </div>
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It was a dangerous and depressing childhood laced with immorality and addictions; but he managed to actually finish high school—paying the fees himself by begging and stealing. He said that in spite of many bad decisions, he also made some good ones. For instance, at one point his uncle was training him to use a gun in case they “needed” to kill someone during a robbery. He said, “ I knew it was wrong and never went near him again.”</div>
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He was introduced to the missionaries about four years ago—and as his wife says, “He is now a completely changed man—completely and totally different from when I met him!” We have never heard a more powerful testimony of the redeeming power of the Savior in someone’s life than the one that comes from this man who was “lost, and now is found." This new man who now helps others find themselves. </div>
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A white Christmas, as promised by the Lord: "...though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 1:18)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Saturday, December 21st</b>, three people from our ward went through the temple for the first time. They have all been working diligently toward this for many months and were very well prepared. I wish I had been as prepared as they were—the church has improved that process so much in the last 40 years. The blessings of modern revelation just continue to pour forth. The three people were Martha, Francisca, and Franciso. They were so happy with their day and the things they learned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many of the ward members accompanied them to the temple, creating a very warm and comforting environment. As they shared their testimonies the next day in sacrament meeting, it was apparent the spirit had tutored, filled, and cleansed them. So, once again, our Christmas really was a white Christmas—temple white!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One last white: </b>In the Silla River park where we walk nearly every day, there are a few cultivated flower beds near the main office. Most of the flowers this time of year are red Poinsettias, but in the foremost flower bed, stunning white Poinsettias call out their message of hope to us all: "...though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 1:18)</span></span><br />
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-76196362975260839182013-12-22T19:02:00.003-06:002013-12-22T19:04:28.482-06:00Christmas ChurrosDecember is all about churros here in Monterrey--crispy, long pieces of fried dough rolled in sugar! They are everywhere during December and we never pass up an opportunity for a taste test. This are the step-by-step instructions of how they are made:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrxTT_s_-0DjFK-URhBpLFs376bj-YQEMPOCKJ_a5rl154HSXdaNKs9pExizRDJwHhsuwDWGA1BWU9Mbr_SCYBcq-G9lGXtk_wChA-ABRTac-MkXM2gCdYc5zdVXlR2Qu3DskL6iT8yk/s1600/IMG_5419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrxTT_s_-0DjFK-URhBpLFs376bj-YQEMPOCKJ_a5rl154HSXdaNKs9pExizRDJwHhsuwDWGA1BWU9Mbr_SCYBcq-G9lGXtk_wChA-ABRTac-MkXM2gCdYc5zdVXlR2Qu3DskL6iT8yk/s1600/IMG_5419.JPG" height="400" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Step #1--Fill the churro press with dough made from flour, salt and water.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG2QqmrFXKx-hxzLmUc9j-dQWzBva_5p9-fXBUdqRi4W-WvOSENEOPflPla1qa7FRxA21j7dPI8zkrDAyFee4_Fv-v9bPM5Rrd8kcbRIq1G563O98Kp9Nrg-cBE3lRNNkq4blNgIArGA/s1600/IMG_5416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPG2QqmrFXKx-hxzLmUc9j-dQWzBva_5p9-fXBUdqRi4W-WvOSENEOPflPla1qa7FRxA21j7dPI8zkrDAyFee4_Fv-v9bPM5Rrd8kcbRIq1G563O98Kp9Nrg-cBE3lRNNkq4blNgIArGA/s1600/IMG_5416.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #2--Brace the press against your chest and press the dough out into a perfect circle into a vat of hot oil.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfxGigRxhf1qHBqqj-gwgq8AI5DoLPcOo3Mf7B0duUFLPyERh9yZ79o7uu19uAKkz0BovKUVqum_CBtMsbo8Go_48xnmx9tCwowbzt5zmpmYE7XZaOHpVUXonPVZ1sozMc2pZ0G9rjmA/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfxGigRxhf1qHBqqj-gwgq8AI5DoLPcOo3Mf7B0duUFLPyERh9yZ79o7uu19uAKkz0BovKUVqum_CBtMsbo8Go_48xnmx9tCwowbzt5zmpmYE7XZaOHpVUXonPVZ1sozMc2pZ0G9rjmA/s1600/IMG_5428.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #3--Stop adding dough to the oil when it is within 1-inch of the side of the vat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgRTPfckP4qyqQb27CdO1UuNb4hc4GAub972cXie7vAYVz1ZNhQlV_Y1mbg51N5aUZJPhCGEllCPM84nVHZxfqhkZnHhM14LYOS3C3NgO3SVcLqRObnu-6mmnptpxFQ4PL82EceuY4g8/s1600/IMG_5420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgRTPfckP4qyqQb27CdO1UuNb4hc4GAub972cXie7vAYVz1ZNhQlV_Y1mbg51N5aUZJPhCGEllCPM84nVHZxfqhkZnHhM14LYOS3C3NgO3SVcLqRObnu-6mmnptpxFQ4PL82EceuY4g8/s1600/IMG_5420.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #4--Cook slowly until nicely browned on the bottom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuoqLRtfcUXm3GO8AhFxrQ7F2peMgD98BaWnv0Lno0H68GhdGlDNtZyHZbp82e8VKongFpwk4HRt-SG91Obd8hK6SM5nLnQJEkijbNv5hJpMdkhZsvATlqSr2KNQ8dtFc3HC6uH-LaBg/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuoqLRtfcUXm3GO8AhFxrQ7F2peMgD98BaWnv0Lno0H68GhdGlDNtZyHZbp82e8VKongFpwk4HRt-SG91Obd8hK6SM5nLnQJEkijbNv5hJpMdkhZsvATlqSr2KNQ8dtFc3HC6uH-LaBg/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #5--Turn carefully using two long, stiff wires. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0ZeyzYGx1-f8cLFTiwCV3HJH-_bDhDoKYjMyL-8H8XHsFlSXurzozcjyoqEyl8_beGHIBNwmXijcIDojn6R2i4dbtX6kbqMtJn43Oevgs9BnxMJ5lh6AWdZ0lXEx1UKMlC2e6bXWpu0/s1600/IMG_5423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0ZeyzYGx1-f8cLFTiwCV3HJH-_bDhDoKYjMyL-8H8XHsFlSXurzozcjyoqEyl8_beGHIBNwmXijcIDojn6R2i4dbtX6kbqMtJn43Oevgs9BnxMJ5lh6AWdZ0lXEx1UKMlC2e6bXWpu0/s1600/IMG_5423.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #6--When thoroughly cooked, remove from vat to cool--do NOT drop it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEUJ41ZJGMqxfUDbDk8FOj5DtVNHS5n3PxlSOegYXGgexNJgoRuIQsOuy1cvXUVmH1uPAOBlLDFMotDvTSBZaueO4MIsb-WNFhldHB6TGqn4NP7k0pONBuDskmwA5rNV-zfakrWZaByQ/s1600/IMG_5426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEUJ41ZJGMqxfUDbDk8FOj5DtVNHS5n3PxlSOegYXGgexNJgoRuIQsOuy1cvXUVmH1uPAOBlLDFMotDvTSBZaueO4MIsb-WNFhldHB6TGqn4NP7k0pONBuDskmwA5rNV-zfakrWZaByQ/s1600/IMG_5426.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #7--Cool slightly on metal tray and then quickly chop into ten-inch lengt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GOfh1PtYAogslqlxmEggVhGYhcRSiyPldyDV32aNJSDqx3oIM5AgPRAOjYP3OoGYH2oUpa9RoDeZ9aQxGRRV4Rrr8-X7sSaAhZPwBJ3w0QMFKtNv4JRbkjcU1RtmqaUrLDp2EfZljL8/s1600/IMG_5418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GOfh1PtYAogslqlxmEggVhGYhcRSiyPldyDV32aNJSDqx3oIM5AgPRAOjYP3OoGYH2oUpa9RoDeZ9aQxGRRV4Rrr8-X7sSaAhZPwBJ3w0QMFKtNv4JRbkjcU1RtmqaUrLDp2EfZljL8/s1600/IMG_5418.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step #8--Roll each churro in sugar (cover hand with plastic bag for hygienic purposes), place in paper bags, <br />
collect money, and watch with delight as the customers come back for more.<br />
Cost to the consumer is about 40 cents/churro--worth every penny! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-25394434964467376752013-12-19T12:46:00.000-06:002013-12-19T12:46:26.069-06:00What do you do? <div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Since Tuesday through Friday we only work seven hours a day, either in the morning hours or evening, many of you have asked what we do with the rest of our time. Here is a recent, abbreviated version:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Friday:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Morning shift, 7:30 to 1:15.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lunch! (Main highlight as well as main meal of day).</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Six-mile walk along river. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Make Chili con Carne and Jalapeño Bread for Sunday guests.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Bedtime 10:00--two hours later than hoped for!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Saturday:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Up at 4:15 a.m.--work to 1:45 p.m.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Lunch!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Very short, much loved siesta.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Clean church downtown.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Soup at Mission President’s house and then the wrapping of 167 gifts for missionaries. Short walk to the “churro” stand for a late night snack.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Make salad, set table for Sunday dinner.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Sunday:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Leave early for church due to road construction at both ends of route.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Practice song for Christmas Sunday program</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Final preparations for farewell dinner for first counselor and wife, who are moving. The second counselor moved three months ago, so that will leave the Bishop counselor-less. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Serve dinner to the four people invited and the extra person that the Bishop brought along--rearrange table, find more dishes and cutlery, smile and make many welcoming noises. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Take two people back downtown to their apartment after dinner so that the Bishop could go in the other direction to a meeting he had.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Clean up dinner--trying not to finish off the rest of the chocolate turtles left over from dessert.</span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Monday:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Drag ourselves out of bed just in time to get the recycle sacks out for the early pick-up.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Six mile walk at the park--first snowy egret siting!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sweep floors, dust floors, and mop floors of our little bungalow. Clean, clean, clean!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Wash patio, sidewalk, and street in front of house.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Quick, very quick lunch!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Even quicker showers to get ready for Temple Worker’s Family Home Evening.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Arrive one hour early to fiesta to practice song we are singing with another couple. Hermano Aguirre, the guitarist, arrives on time; but the neck of guitar he borrowed is broken. Using a tuning strap, the guitar is “tied” back together and tuned. Miracle of miracles, it works! We practice with the guitar (for the first time) trying to figure out how to turn the song into a duet. It is too high for Linda’s voice. Fifteen minutes before the program begins, the other two voices show up. One run through the song and Hermano Aguirre quietly says, “It would be much better with the piano.” We tried it with the guitarist both singing and playing, and added Linda on the piano--much better! One full run through and we head to the chapel. (It turned out pretty good, considering the challenges.)</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Everyone is late to the party. It turns out that most of them work for a living. The devotional begins 15 minutes late with only a handful of people present--45 minutes later, the chapel was full. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We make 100 photos of the temple to share with our friends that work at the temple--we run out of photos. Many of the people we have never seen before. We wonder where they came from and where they go.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Dinner and dancing follow the program. Not much visiting due to incredibly loud speakers. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We are asked to coordinate the morning shift the next day. </span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"> <b>Tuesday:</b></span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Work the morning shift at temple as coordinators, 7:15 to 1:30.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Stop at grocery store to buy Fritos to put in the leftover chili.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Eat leftover chili and salad, with lots and lots of Fritos.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Eat leftover chocolate turtles.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Clean up kitchen.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Put feet up for 15 minutes.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Return to temple for afternoon shift, 4:30 to 10:00.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Returning home, we find that the chocolate turtles are gone--every last one! </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We discover someone’s Christmas present in the back room. </span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is chocolate. We eat chocolate!</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Before retiring, we make a note to replace the Christmas present.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">So, there you have it--what we do in a nutshell. </span></div>
Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-24666046637669933092013-12-08T23:33:00.002-06:002013-12-08T23:33:56.033-06:00Butterfly Migration and MoreMid-October to Mid-November is the time of the butterfly migration. They pass through nearby Estanzuela Park where favorite plants, bushes and trees have been planted for their feasting enjoyment. When we arrived in Monterrey last year, the air was teeming with butterflies--literally tens of thousands dancing around the beautiful blooms at the temple. This year, the weather has been colder and rainier; but a few lovely friends survived, much to our delight. (<i>The noting of butterfly placement is for my benefit--I keep losing them--Linda). </i><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Idzyi3V-I3iACFTfiGEgz0O-CUVol0gJxWv_nMj2YwHa7aO4UM_OTX_TNbyXjoFd9_IodUOJXtJFVRRnZFKHmM_ssRoVVsvyw2TKO-W2J-RLhFoXDk0_V3MDvbobW_WMjtaI7anG_1A/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Idzyi3V-I3iACFTfiGEgz0O-CUVol0gJxWv_nMj2YwHa7aO4UM_OTX_TNbyXjoFd9_IodUOJXtJFVRRnZFKHmM_ssRoVVsvyw2TKO-W2J-RLhFoXDk0_V3MDvbobW_WMjtaI7anG_1A/s1600/IMG_4404.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4b80a8ObyXrPPNIKeDUM7vFpDO4uqLm-BZk9WeoQjwaJEyLYW-3fgpnJDfNwWKArjqtKXKQkoq0CH5nLwdPldUWnWp2nF3YWT5_sOd8aoEYaPU2VgeZNz-LFWFDWmsxW3mteUEjzp7o/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4b80a8ObyXrPPNIKeDUM7vFpDO4uqLm-BZk9WeoQjwaJEyLYW-3fgpnJDfNwWKArjqtKXKQkoq0CH5nLwdPldUWnWp2nF3YWT5_sOd8aoEYaPU2VgeZNz-LFWFDWmsxW3mteUEjzp7o/s1600/IMG_4403.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly pre-cursor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YU8Gg2aqMGLLyYIQzHszFqXmc9xB8zJ79wZOZ8w8BLXw_iT4Vhj-o244bc_pk9somXbOv7o-z-thH_DHNc1MPNOXA6grapCJQRYSaF44wkevNtnIzVQLkJdzKa1BxKrxhngIFgYduzU/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YU8Gg2aqMGLLyYIQzHszFqXmc9xB8zJ79wZOZ8w8BLXw_iT4Vhj-o244bc_pk9somXbOv7o-z-thH_DHNc1MPNOXA6grapCJQRYSaF44wkevNtnIzVQLkJdzKa1BxKrxhngIFgYduzU/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"> Zebra Heliconian next to tiny white flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRmxzvpJYBq1eNOVmS5WSK_gjTrtVvAa1QCjZlMihip-3sSXw5kb1AxfCxPhw_a36kwAdqfDjecRHncFlKzFK-RaZrf5qAjMkIsv6tuRBLVge0w4RbqdbeyzJVYqNLaKXKsbSSb5ZxQs/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRmxzvpJYBq1eNOVmS5WSK_gjTrtVvAa1QCjZlMihip-3sSXw5kb1AxfCxPhw_a36kwAdqfDjecRHncFlKzFK-RaZrf5qAjMkIsv6tuRBLVge0w4RbqdbeyzJVYqNLaKXKsbSSb5ZxQs/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" height="640" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mazons Scallopwing, feasting on fushia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzdWj1-GdEDOs2Q2mH2WeYgH7cbsbFw9IGjjUI_evDRPtJyrOnVy3ME3vlGMVBOKkW01I9oPvhLiUWbT29TR9N_Y2HPS5FNkkrpiUv3Bj3k8Vu17qxpOeUKfMooPS-30rh1k35zVhvnY/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG" height="515" width="640" /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfR3Y25GoHxlC6m8ugwYzyEtCrW_vo8JvQzoH_L-gZXzrBS6k4ZGXpIAjSOTo8BkXZ35UFHjfx4uKXz01DKAJ_K6J4Fy-Wp3k0E9UCWnl3Pva2IQZqwTXDeOu4vXXsqU8GcOGT9jEDS4/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfR3Y25GoHxlC6m8ugwYzyEtCrW_vo8JvQzoH_L-gZXzrBS6k4ZGXpIAjSOTo8BkXZ35UFHjfx4uKXz01DKAJ_K6J4Fy-Wp3k0E9UCWnl3Pva2IQZqwTXDeOu4vXXsqU8GcOGT9jEDS4/s1600/IMG_4473.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arizona Sister Butterfly (Adelpha Eulalia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k_Ma2j0dd3RjeT3G6E_yl8O6MbU0tCm-q2ypaI_xa2OyCxwuJWc2qf3kIlJQ4TbXeneYTHF4BzF-SEHy0-zhEgJJ1wAmyBEQZHayyUgyqwcB3y6UkK000hFuU5Y8xWqkM7L55OVTJzo/s1600/IMG_4278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7k_Ma2j0dd3RjeT3G6E_yl8O6MbU0tCm-q2ypaI_xa2OyCxwuJWc2qf3kIlJQ4TbXeneYTHF4BzF-SEHy0-zhEgJJ1wAmyBEQZHayyUgyqwcB3y6UkK000hFuU5Y8xWqkM7L55OVTJzo/s1600/IMG_4278.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdqScOVZFUFTK9VXJidLDQjSHh6U0h4_tiuRPBWSosGgmQborLckMto3br4bmtVGOsXnRkmaCMeySOzdLr0dQcw8IzAUvi0PHbWofjegIto61eL-r6SHCDwHcfsb0rhAYbLAyzr7HLt0/s1600/IMG_4277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdqScOVZFUFTK9VXJidLDQjSHh6U0h4_tiuRPBWSosGgmQborLckMto3br4bmtVGOsXnRkmaCMeySOzdLr0dQcw8IzAUvi0PHbWofjegIto61eL-r6SHCDwHcfsb0rhAYbLAyzr7HLt0/s1600/IMG_4277.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Brown, long-tail butterfly, above.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkaSGcQ-AU5WAipyomrVZm2MYuqw59B_Xc11FqM_W1u49iIsT6yh7Ogkq_TqRzj8R-vLXpyM05jU6xUsXlB3RqxCLaqg3TM-eOfuWzT9a6VdTkUrG4NTg48NP565PY3iRSVawSZpEeHQ/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkaSGcQ-AU5WAipyomrVZm2MYuqw59B_Xc11FqM_W1u49iIsT6yh7Ogkq_TqRzj8R-vLXpyM05jU6xUsXlB3RqxCLaqg3TM-eOfuWzT9a6VdTkUrG4NTg48NP565PY3iRSVawSZpEeHQ/s1600/IMG_3755.JPG" height="520" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mimosa Yellow Sulphur butterfly feeding on purple flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c6fTGlZoRF8WoFCM5FOjhqzj5CZfuYXsaoMkRQ6CgGr6KsOCrL_8UjgAhyphenhyphenEOXDxKX4dbtlY4OuED5_2xQ3fG8_W6flbhT1ncE-6C7AdP8PvBeCinSJ_Rj5PPoo2JuCFz2a9_EkQec6g/s1600/IMG_4471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8c6fTGlZoRF8WoFCM5FOjhqzj5CZfuYXsaoMkRQ6CgGr6KsOCrL_8UjgAhyphenhyphenEOXDxKX4dbtlY4OuED5_2xQ3fG8_W6flbhT1ncE-6C7AdP8PvBeCinSJ_Rj5PPoo2JuCFz2a9_EkQec6g/s1600/IMG_4471.JPG" height="640" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Monarch feeding on wild flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsdb4BhRVSRLeigQNv9FvduEMIyNiJ_T043lBRBFyUw-T9K0G88sLn1AGQmtanZdcqe8BH8pocebNkIDzpk1MY-wQrqcuvmUWiIv_VFAqAx5o1466P_qbjnNIhl7wnV0nZ1KmgvwSIkw/s1600/IMG_4517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsdb4BhRVSRLeigQNv9FvduEMIyNiJ_T043lBRBFyUw-T9K0G88sLn1AGQmtanZdcqe8BH8pocebNkIDzpk1MY-wQrqcuvmUWiIv_VFAqAx5o1466P_qbjnNIhl7wnV0nZ1KmgvwSIkw/s1600/IMG_4517.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Chestnut Crescent butterfly above the red flowers--about 1-½ inch across. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4n4oKpgU9RXtiH7f677T2r52UsQ7zDLRadJLmiJT503rXZGhFlOoUOPOFlsSAZq-naYE65Hj96JlY-mfm3H8aKRoH1c9T4Aa5owmqeAT6CAyvPJB56a0I2HHkc5JJnyLyf9iRkib5nU/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4n4oKpgU9RXtiH7f677T2r52UsQ7zDLRadJLmiJT503rXZGhFlOoUOPOFlsSAZq-naYE65Hj96JlY-mfm3H8aKRoH1c9T4Aa5owmqeAT6CAyvPJB56a0I2HHkc5JJnyLyf9iRkib5nU/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">White Falcate Orangetip butterfly in center.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unidentified, but still looking...</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1OosbLQDEVhCq174kWDMUrMqw3A3JEyG2UYIerXDsWRshIMwAgo8Kqq1WxMpUjRz-ExEpwx-NEqhNGE1Qpb72ONxiJWWy25hFHJ8BpJD832MU4KgpSeba_ssqg4Oxhj35eVZHpFphWs/s1600/IMG_4369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1OosbLQDEVhCq174kWDMUrMqw3A3JEyG2UYIerXDsWRshIMwAgo8Kqq1WxMpUjRz-ExEpwx-NEqhNGE1Qpb72ONxiJWWy25hFHJ8BpJD832MU4KgpSeba_ssqg4Oxhj35eVZHpFphWs/s1600/IMG_4369.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly to right of large leaf--about 1-inch wingspan (above and below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lsOmRdnugjC9Dd9eAWHhyphenhyphentBEMEdaE8msps_xxAOUvKm9njU5Zxmzrop4lyTRKkpTmm9Hv7_UiEGM_zb1r7xUPuUZJr65KD78CetthlcewBKon4N5eiSyNBG-kWzX-zCYmOLiSA4aZmA/s1600/IMG_4409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lsOmRdnugjC9Dd9eAWHhyphenhyphentBEMEdaE8msps_xxAOUvKm9njU5Zxmzrop4lyTRKkpTmm9Hv7_UiEGM_zb1r7xUPuUZJr65KD78CetthlcewBKon4N5eiSyNBG-kWzX-zCYmOLiSA4aZmA/s1600/IMG_4409.JPG" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly to left of green and yellow leaf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e0tLt8Ure7JioTBXS46tUehGZI7anKHyDYQ_VvGOZ7L8OF_rSviFkQ32OHVFGLclpkh9T09eG4l3E0WjKFXM8dMruOzuxuKlzNHkNL5UflW9gFUIX8Sh-6yaGKWhOYtLKpzL2pQXGHw/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5e0tLt8Ure7JioTBXS46tUehGZI7anKHyDYQ_VvGOZ7L8OF_rSviFkQ32OHVFGLclpkh9T09eG4l3E0WjKFXM8dMruOzuxuKlzNHkNL5UflW9gFUIX8Sh-6yaGKWhOYtLKpzL2pQXGHw/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" height="640" width="616" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black butterfly with yellow edges.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZpraIBWWCtDZlBfY-D5Yyxeo-3reougQ5WIKC_K_uM6zokMIchGkgk0sD_L88etJ8kUOlahCtt3ALKXFjWHpPAWoVBoMe9UtPxmdwG6XWyPYIAKTw2GxlMOhcLhj7_s7QkTUdU4_FBo/s1600/IMG_4339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZpraIBWWCtDZlBfY-D5Yyxeo-3reougQ5WIKC_K_uM6zokMIchGkgk0sD_L88etJ8kUOlahCtt3ALKXFjWHpPAWoVBoMe9UtPxmdwG6XWyPYIAKTw2GxlMOhcLhj7_s7QkTUdU4_FBo/s1600/IMG_4339.JPG" height="492" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown butterfly with yellow spots on small green leaves.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIQqWrTJO4CreNr4uNF6LQ5wJQ2LfxFOm2kk-fA0JM72AYJ_kR8A5z4ZmYna15mWnAcU_N4FaIJycgFlR_NxrPTxvpqtPY_y66aJ9xHgSI1yh6XlU4F78eT-BnmPbxJxF2rltEdFW0KQ/s1600/IMG_4521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIQqWrTJO4CreNr4uNF6LQ5wJQ2LfxFOm2kk-fA0JM72AYJ_kR8A5z4ZmYna15mWnAcU_N4FaIJycgFlR_NxrPTxvpqtPY_y66aJ9xHgSI1yh6XlU4F78eT-BnmPbxJxF2rltEdFW0KQ/s1600/IMG_4521.JPG" height="640" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rust-colored butterfly in upper left quadrant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj1x2TrFUiz3tp6WnuyHm-hoh_3XCde_X-rRZzF3LCtVigrETSl50cU4RP7-bm33rXw8Whyphenhyphenqnz1f4iJ8OkhjAZNP_k4fkiPw-nhgr7ltn2Ws0uAe2JNiY5ogTxcp2N2M3nTvSzsXA9Ro/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj1x2TrFUiz3tp6WnuyHm-hoh_3XCde_X-rRZzF3LCtVigrETSl50cU4RP7-bm33rXw8Whyphenhyphenqnz1f4iJ8OkhjAZNP_k4fkiPw-nhgr7ltn2Ws0uAe2JNiY5ogTxcp2N2M3nTvSzsXA9Ro/s1600/IMG_4354.jpg" height="486" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rust and white butterfly near center. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ArSPmciXCDVeYbpxivWslv984pt_glTYRMgiaZXie67jfmt8VV8-ybJoq4A86H_DLpJdCZ03R8mRC1oG1gpdDbOFuGTwONGg288WLVJzbnSBlpsPlJeMr0gXh2aUxgQPsnzMB4NxIhQ/s1600/IMG_4383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ArSPmciXCDVeYbpxivWslv984pt_glTYRMgiaZXie67jfmt8VV8-ybJoq4A86H_DLpJdCZ03R8mRC1oG1gpdDbOFuGTwONGg288WLVJzbnSBlpsPlJeMr0gXh2aUxgQPsnzMB4NxIhQ/s1600/IMG_4383.JPG" height="640" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown butterfly lower left, Black with Yellow and White top, center. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPljieZPUSeezPrriSLpTdH3hVTBg-zqVUqgNpUPlnBeElI61zNxjADOfBGp5UPZIZxy5FAnclaiTPjRIHQ_Vbv14zO4188bSJZCuSTRM6c9xZtGVXuNFI-yxSPxXu2mAM36LVDfxPtJw/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPljieZPUSeezPrriSLpTdH3hVTBg-zqVUqgNpUPlnBeElI61zNxjADOfBGp5UPZIZxy5FAnclaiTPjRIHQ_Vbv14zO4188bSJZCuSTRM6c9xZtGVXuNFI-yxSPxXu2mAM36LVDfxPtJw/s1600/IMG_4470.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three butterflies: Brown at 7:30, black and gold at 10:00, and black and yellow at 1:30. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKwS8I_WOhWZhX-6PJ4bZB0qaO_7HtEOr0kCUVO4VxrZtWX0AuUrPrH4UD-d1cJhgLQCehhEzDn_Kde0iJj39j9otqti_aEjmh-iGYomHhebdVPdXyJ-eOmqxHCLqsHbr2uCrZvsfhek/s1600/IMG_4525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbKwS8I_WOhWZhX-6PJ4bZB0qaO_7HtEOr0kCUVO4VxrZtWX0AuUrPrH4UD-d1cJhgLQCehhEzDn_Kde0iJj39j9otqti_aEjmh-iGYomHhebdVPdXyJ-eOmqxHCLqsHbr2uCrZvsfhek/s1600/IMG_4525.JPG" height="462" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tan moth--I think</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavvnHE_t5QElPkVliGUeriyrCDFCWALgeDkZhDm9WI56nb4Qm9ay3c2HPT5CtdtgN0fPR_24SCkEJuhFAkTQzQgelZQu24TmKVZ3KJZ09QHo2AFXb6hXfzwA_ZgX54grG9tMhyphenhyphenyeDcw4/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavvnHE_t5QElPkVliGUeriyrCDFCWALgeDkZhDm9WI56nb4Qm9ay3c2HPT5CtdtgN0fPR_24SCkEJuhFAkTQzQgelZQu24TmKVZ3KJZ09QHo2AFXb6hXfzwA_ZgX54grG9tMhyphenhyphenyeDcw4/s1600/IMG_4530.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQatiSS8o2_qFQWnRIv7JBRvteInYe4Y-c7zDA2nXawA44jldDDDWP5cQVWiA8QTetsI2B2afdqYvKcSm0M5QmENYrvcMQwwJtRx8MJtXEvWIP9okPGU6b5LbJlIULCOE2LAGC_YtPIqE/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQatiSS8o2_qFQWnRIv7JBRvteInYe4Y-c7zDA2nXawA44jldDDDWP5cQVWiA8QTetsI2B2afdqYvKcSm0M5QmENYrvcMQwwJtRx8MJtXEvWIP9okPGU6b5LbJlIULCOE2LAGC_YtPIqE/s1600/IMG_4531.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">…And more from Estanzuela Park</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One small, lonely frog:</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN1pN_FZsWsSJBGVR9UbaWCDgjPlEaOGBr6aF-JTf6PPaVcrDkm72QcusW51w8sm9IWlXZIwLsNPGZgG6ZTIfDXa8z5bueoAJRmHjZtPH4i7nNQ4byH-oOX8uGidTT3K-gpsoUcL6Ftg/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtN1pN_FZsWsSJBGVR9UbaWCDgjPlEaOGBr6aF-JTf6PPaVcrDkm72QcusW51w8sm9IWlXZIwLsNPGZgG6ZTIfDXa8z5bueoAJRmHjZtPH4i7nNQ4byH-oOX8uGidTT3K-gpsoUcL6Ftg/s1600/IMG_4496.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One large, poisonous millipede </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">(<i style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;">Narceus americanus, about five-inches long):</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9QAgzu_ewH53h5JwCz8SJOvAmolA0n4PZldMV10wEapioB-LF98YtYcAK3mPzW68nWP8tawRrSJswBwlikBWI2r54uxSo8OZ1IXtewWB4TWVFryMh_Gl-XD2L_HXdFlD2INuOfft58Q/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9QAgzu_ewH53h5JwCz8SJOvAmolA0n4PZldMV10wEapioB-LF98YtYcAK3mPzW68nWP8tawRrSJswBwlikBWI2r54uxSo8OZ1IXtewWB4TWVFryMh_Gl-XD2L_HXdFlD2INuOfft58Q/s1600/IMG_4425.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A plethora of beautiful plants:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FCB20HWyonoZySJMiNCy5L9oa1O7B7S1ef5pMLPFhyZDyLPeKKpwyLqE8pP4IKEH78UiF5tO1w496i41v5q0yNk4qB_WoRo2Mwyun6YsLK25Ufm8hLDeBJ_ee8y0OxPjO0LMZjmUUPg/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FCB20HWyonoZySJMiNCy5L9oa1O7B7S1ef5pMLPFhyZDyLPeKKpwyLqE8pP4IKEH78UiF5tO1w496i41v5q0yNk4qB_WoRo2Mwyun6YsLK25Ufm8hLDeBJ_ee8y0OxPjO0LMZjmUUPg/s1600/IMG_4513.JPG" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And a few other lovely things: </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3yeM3x4PoYGzBLYWP0IMXdoB5rmWQByFH5m2WVQFB5DULp7NsDKwhfpdG644Ft0N29JEUGTuN8lPspjuP1TjY_H4gPpC4dPwoFSYJCJEhCKZWANTZtG7pRJ3an8euXzgPvoukHxkgBU/s1600/IMG_4360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3yeM3x4PoYGzBLYWP0IMXdoB5rmWQByFH5m2WVQFB5DULp7NsDKwhfpdG644Ft0N29JEUGTuN8lPspjuP1TjY_H4gPpC4dPwoFSYJCJEhCKZWANTZtG7pRJ3an8euXzgPvoukHxkgBU/s1600/IMG_4360.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This became a raging river that took out roads and bridges during the hurricane.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYN172L4tiqcVdnZ4XIEZzJllv4o6GgOK_uz_dX_Q_UyTR9sIAJ8uWYzws14x4CtmHnWQ5qIBdgxQLOhxaIng8lN7fZ8jA5rf_ArVJtYCe3J4FEa5GQjTDGd8YhpVlnOCtEUGtF9o-qM/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYN172L4tiqcVdnZ4XIEZzJllv4o6GgOK_uz_dX_Q_UyTR9sIAJ8uWYzws14x4CtmHnWQ5qIBdgxQLOhxaIng8lN7fZ8jA5rf_ArVJtYCe3J4FEa5GQjTDGd8YhpVlnOCtEUGtF9o-qM/s1600/IMG_4542.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note Cacti on the roof</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRUk0sZYwbzv0eD8GmoaMJgNExdTcGkmwONzWbjOTGMD9YSUo9IMKNJYxMOvs9gZKbn2fQdhv9-0DX0HVH6xKrqt6PlFkc7WETwZaWdHZ0JUbVdc2ZV5YDIAqtDm1F6vN9cFowzAj7oQ/s1600/IMG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWRUk0sZYwbzv0eD8GmoaMJgNExdTcGkmwONzWbjOTGMD9YSUo9IMKNJYxMOvs9gZKbn2fQdhv9-0DX0HVH6xKrqt6PlFkc7WETwZaWdHZ0JUbVdc2ZV5YDIAqtDm1F6vN9cFowzAj7oQ/s1600/IMG_4539.JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walking path into Parque Estanzuela with Sierra Madre mountains in background.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88HQ4GjSyS0RTYiYMpZlw3XtEgFaonhIl9HlswGzcXlyHTeBWIr88czNkaEEAJpg46eYJL8BGufKU8sU7tm6GerjMQaa_qhxycaWASu5XbukooVqK_GZCsvgwie6AuNUyTMEgdPg8u-Y/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88HQ4GjSyS0RTYiYMpZlw3XtEgFaonhIl9HlswGzcXlyHTeBWIr88czNkaEEAJpg46eYJL8BGufKU8sU7tm6GerjMQaa_qhxycaWASu5XbukooVqK_GZCsvgwie6AuNUyTMEgdPg8u-Y/s1600/IMG_4541.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Truly worth a little side trip to Monterrey!</span></div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-71623147573912867332013-11-21T18:46:00.001-06:002013-11-21T18:46:42.159-06:00Loving those recipes from Monterrey!<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Sopa de elote </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">(Corn Soup)</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Gloria Meneses)</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRohoAkkx8Kd_ydGP-29Z7aEmxmzF5U59ewMnR8JguJ-07yGiP4PTWwiwshCVLvyd4JJDKrAFY2VjVwi9BfatUDp0AuAN66NJuF7tsI4rEWrP_3Dh3wWGAj9R2QOxXVMNDfKSQ2GoxdmU/s1600/IMG_4244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRohoAkkx8Kd_ydGP-29Z7aEmxmzF5U59ewMnR8JguJ-07yGiP4PTWwiwshCVLvyd4JJDKrAFY2VjVwi9BfatUDp0AuAN66NJuF7tsI4rEWrP_3Dh3wWGAj9R2QOxXVMNDfKSQ2GoxdmU/s1600/IMG_4244.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 ears of corn, kernels cut off</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/2 onion, chopped</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 chile poblanos, grilled, deseeded & sliced</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cubes of chicken stock </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-1/2 liters/quarts of water</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 can evaporated milk</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fry onions with corn, onion and chile. Add bouillon and water. Just before serving add one can of evaporated milk. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guacamole</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Alma de Gomez)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBS_r4dYvkWsbuyVawDAfRUXB-zO9TueDdVku9r8ZdNaRZzo-zkpZ-wOOfaGjBA36hkO-vq5O4ScEaXor_bHBN8TuxNVRMPO-VaMObfVVJ8agDvKi9TqjiIMpzUE_xgPilT2veXpMGeQ/s1600/guacamole-blender-646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBS_r4dYvkWsbuyVawDAfRUXB-zO9TueDdVku9r8ZdNaRZzo-zkpZ-wOOfaGjBA36hkO-vq5O4ScEaXor_bHBN8TuxNVRMPO-VaMObfVVJ8agDvKi9TqjiIMpzUE_xgPilT2veXpMGeQ/s1600/guacamole-blender-646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 avocados</span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 ½ med limes</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 whole jalapenos with seeds</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 stems of cilantro about 4 inches long</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">¼ onion</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Garlic salt or one clove of garlic</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">¼ cube Knorr chicken bouillon </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put all in a blender. Add about ½ cup water . Blend until smooth. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Green Salsa</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Hermana Estrella)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;">6 raw tomatillos</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2-inches of Serrano pepper, not roasted<br />Salt<br />1/8 cup water<br />Blend together in blender. Then add:<br /><br />6 stems of cilantro , finely chopped<br />1/4 onion, finely chopped<br />1 whole avocado, chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (garlic and lime optional)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Picadillo Norteño (taco filling)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Campestre Ward Relief Society)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 lbs. ground beef</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt, to taste</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1/4 of an onion, finely chopped</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 large potatoes, chopped*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 chicken (or beef) bouillon cube </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 tablespoons chopped cilantro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 tomatoes, blended in food processor</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook the ground beef with the garlic, salt and a little water. Once cooked through, add the onion and the potato. When the potato is cooked, add the processed tomatoes and the bouillon cube. Bring to a boil and then add the cilantro. Cook over low heat until the color of the tomato changes. Serve with soft or crisp corn tortillas with avocado, cream, lettuce and salsa or as a baked potato topping.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Diced carrots can be added, if desired.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial;">Queso Fundido con Veneno </b><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Melted cheese with chorizo)</span><br />
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Vegetable oil, for oiling the baking dish<br />
6 ounces chorizo sausage, casings removed<br />
1/4 cup chopped onion<br />
1 large clove garlic, minced<br />
2 cups grated Oaxaca cheese <br />
6 flour tortillas, warmed or corn chips<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Directions<br />
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Oil a 3 or 4 cup ovenproof baking dish or cast-iron fry pan<br />
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In a dry medium skillet, saute the chorizo over medium-high heat until almost crisp. Remove the chorizo to a plate. Add the onions and garlic to the pan juices and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Return the chorizo to the skillet with the onions and garlic and stir to combine.<br />
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Put the grated cheese in a baking dish or cast-iron fry pan and sprinkle with the chorizo mixture. Bake until the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned, about 15-20 minutes. Serve with flour or corn tortillas, soft or crispy. <br />
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<b>Aguas de fruta (</b><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><b>Mexican Fruit Cooler)</b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1-1/2 to 2 cups diced fruit (cantaloupe, watermelon, berries*) </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 ice cubes</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup sugar </span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squeeze of lime, if desired</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add water to within 2-inches from the top of the blender. Cover and process until well blended. Serves 4-6. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*If there is residue from seeds, you may want to strain them out before serving the drink.</span></span><br />
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-75193393465592920412013-11-09T22:29:00.000-06:002013-11-10T19:26:11.140-06:00The Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI84tXulOhL5OrXDIl4yxjf-l4gVdt6pjK4qYMjL_ynGSPIXiHN6seTw3JK4FdW82E-2mTv4MXetmabod59rtocegr6CchkjgISE31qfZJByJGr11eo0oJsmYzRkdwB-QFeageuhIXJE/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI84tXulOhL5OrXDIl4yxjf-l4gVdt6pjK4qYMjL_ynGSPIXiHN6seTw3JK4FdW82E-2mTv4MXetmabod59rtocegr6CchkjgISE31qfZJByJGr11eo0oJsmYzRkdwB-QFeageuhIXJE/s1600/IMG_4262.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></h4>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baptisms</span></span></h4>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Linda:</span></span><br />
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week there were extra temple workers on Friday and I didn't really have an assignment, so I was making up things to do. When I drifted through the baptistry, I could see the brethren were getting the font ready for baptisms and asked what was going on. They told me a brother had arrived with some family cards that needed baptisms. There were a few women's names and they asked if I wanted to help. So, I put on the overall and down into the font I went for three baptisms. Now it is official. I have done everything there is to do in the temple that can be done by a woman! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Temple Fills Me</span></h4>
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In one short week, three people in three different conversations, used the same phrase: “The temple fills me!” The first was a young woman in her very early twenties who came to the temple for the first time only a couple of months ago. We needed some volunteers to help with sealings and so I asked in the dressing room if there was someone who would have time. She had just come from a session and immediately responded to my plea. I asked if she had ever done sealings before, and she indicated that she hadn’t. I helped her get ready and told her what to expect. We talked about her temple experiences up to that point and she said, “I have been looking for years for something that I was yearning for. When I came to the temple, I knew I had found it. The temple fills me in ways I cannot explain. I love coming to the temple.” At the end of the evening she thanked me for the opportunity to participate in sealings and said, “It just keeps getting better!” </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another conversation was with a single woman, Hermana Villareal, who is a temple worker with me on Saturdays. She has been serving in the temple for a couple of years; however, she was still struggling to learn everything. I happened to be coordinating one day and needed some help at the end of a session. I asked her to come with me and she said that she had never, ever done that before and couldn’t possibly help. I asked if she knew all of the information and she replied in the affirmative, but added, “I get too nervous--I know I can’t do it.” I invited her to go to the office and get a card to carry with her, so that if she forgot, she could refer to the card. She carried the card, but never needed to look at it. She has been “free” ever since! Afterward, she proceeded to share some of the sweet experiences that she has had in the temple and ended with the comment, “The temple has changed my life--I am a different person. It fills me!”</span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last woman is my coordinator on Saturday afternoons. She is a dynamo of energy and testimony and everyone loves working with her. She is single and because of financial restraints, lives with her daughter’s family. Hermana Vasquez shares a bedroom with their disabled child who has trouble sleeping and cries out and wanders around all night long. Most people would feel very sorry for themselves in this situation--especially when they have a long temple shift ahead of them the next day. She just smiles and expresses how grateful she is that she can love and support this little granddaughter. One afternoon, she shared with me that her Bishop had asked her to serve a mission. She said, “Oh, how I would love to serve a full-time mission for the Lord--but you need money to do that. I have no source of income to support me. Not only that, what would my daughter do without me to care for this child? Not only her, but so many in my family need me--but I guess if I was gone, they would find another way. But how could I not be in the temple for 18 months? It fills me--it fills me. It gives me the strength to go on. I just have to trust the Lord that he knows what is best for me; but oh, how I need the temple! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><h4>
Hastening the Work</h4>
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John: </div>
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I had an interesting conversation with a young bishop here, Bishop Santana, who recently set a goal with his ward council to baptize 30 people by the end of the year. At the time of the challenge, just a few weeks ago, the group had no one in a "teaching pool." The bishop, however, has led the way and has two families receiving the discussions at this point. At first, his ward council members were highly skeptical of his challenge, but he told them this story from his mission: </div>
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Early in his mission, he was joined by a new-to-the-mission elder who had served as a mini-missionary in the mission where the now Bishop Santana's father was President. In the Bishops' mission, the average weekly number of gospel discussions being conducted was 4-6. The new elder, having come from his mini-mission, wondered why there were so few discussions being held. He challenged his companion (now Bishop Santana) to try and get a larger number of gospel discussions during the week. Together, they "made a prayerful covenant" to do 30 discussions a week during the following month. The other missionaries working in the immediate area scoffed at their goal, declaring it impossible. </div>
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As the bishop related, he and his companion set out to find people to teach, not having anyone, really, at the time that was a prospect. They worked hard. By the end of the first week, they had done 18 discussions, but were still working toward a much higher goal. The other missionaries in the area took notice and began making the same kind of covenant to the work. The mission became so successful that church headquarters began to take notice and wondered how it was being achieved. </div>
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Long story short, the bishop's testimony is that we first have to act in faith, make a covenant with the Lord to do something, work hard to do it, and he will help open the way for us. He said that people in his mission just came out of the woodwork, many approaching them without solicitation. </div>
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So this was his testimony to his ward council as they knelt together. He said, "We may not make 30 baptisms, but at least we have made a covenant and have something specific to work toward." There are now 23 people in the teaching pool in that ward--and people are starting to "come out of the woodwork." One woman called a member of the ward council this week and said, "I can no longer wait for my husband nor my children. I have waited too long already. I need the gospel in my life and want to be baptized now." She was taught the gospel over two years ago, but only now is she ready. </div>
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The father of this powerful, young Bishop is a faithful temple worker who works closely with me. He's a brilliant man, humble, grateful to be able to come to the temple. As with many members here, he has diabetes and is losing his eyesight, so doing some of the tasks required is a struggle, but I learn something from him every day. Great is the work!</div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Farewell</span></h4>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last three weeks have been completely consumed with farewell parties for the outgoing temple presidency--¡Oh, how the Mexicans love to party! We have learned much more than just how to "party" from these dedicated servants of the Lord. They have taught us diligence, patience, compassion, generosity, dependability, the importance of paying attention to the details, and the spiritual power that comes from enduring faithfully to the end. We love these wonderful "amigos!" </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sfMbSD0VhPOKK3iE-tCqX_0BNUDyebWUy7wU0IMbiuXgiZmPJoW0q0t-27mK_I0yMaI9Hk3t5KiW5O5OBRdDVDAmKDqcBcW9GkOIcb6kJd2DImmeTE4JZZftHGLnkTOqGPmogvvYs8s/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sfMbSD0VhPOKK3iE-tCqX_0BNUDyebWUy7wU0IMbiuXgiZmPJoW0q0t-27mK_I0yMaI9Hk3t5KiW5O5OBRdDVDAmKDqcBcW9GkOIcb6kJd2DImmeTE4JZZftHGLnkTOqGPmogvvYs8s/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" height="312" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: The Calderon's (First Counselor), The Machuca's (President), The Jones' (Second Counselor)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXKWZZT8aYn5M6Fu9iWNfMtAEF4mX5YHvoQWxL-wEC7CmU9Vq8rRYY_OG7JgHwbEy11jvHPjQxeN4rSta4OJNRteuKK3NzFFOrn4-7bgzWpKER6ZLCsG9pXIGmHVK8TgxM_ZxgMbvomg/s1600/IMG_4256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXKWZZT8aYn5M6Fu9iWNfMtAEF4mX5YHvoQWxL-wEC7CmU9Vq8rRYY_OG7JgHwbEy11jvHPjQxeN4rSta4OJNRteuKK3NzFFOrn4-7bgzWpKER6ZLCsG9pXIGmHVK8TgxM_ZxgMbvomg/s1600/IMG_4256.jpg" height="320" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Machuca gives the oldest temple worker (86 years), Hermana Campa, an honorable release because of failing health. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_YSQJEQ9OAlQARIZgllDVLShX2FdFBqQpW2YJ6y8TYbtrWChWQVoRpXF7BSy-wR70V2r-XEqfoTysbJJdpDuDOhhNNZXywFkI3tXIiL2piqa8op6AEiB-DADEDRnFlZ5zWySyWyJs-k/s1600/IMG_4269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_YSQJEQ9OAlQARIZgllDVLShX2FdFBqQpW2YJ6y8TYbtrWChWQVoRpXF7BSy-wR70V2r-XEqfoTysbJJdpDuDOhhNNZXywFkI3tXIiL2piqa8op6AEiB-DADEDRnFlZ5zWySyWyJs-k/s1600/IMG_4269.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best surprise of the night--A Mariachi band! What a show!!</td></tr>
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The food at the farewells just kept coming: homemade corn tortillas, Arrachera steak, red and green salsas, Carnitas (pork), prickly-pear fruit, rice pudding, Zapote fruit sauce (amazing!), tamales, refried beans, black beans Veracruz style, fried plantains, chicharrón (fried pork fat) casserole, nopales (cactus) with shrimp, shredded beef, shrimp ajillo, fish in mole sauce, homemade corn tortillas, corn soup, and many more delicious things that we cannot even name.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiO1j2OaQDfWPDEaxjgBITqYmHINJAZDJ3fXjDVvPxK4jrXFGU0kPtGO45QcGBwiQlFDvBIPGgZOxbzGbc8OVcoH9_eOePSeDo6w78UNoFF9tHbrP3Qd_lJ3jizDNRPulDwGMl6LwFZI/s1600/FarewellFoodJones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiO1j2OaQDfWPDEaxjgBITqYmHINJAZDJ3fXjDVvPxK4jrXFGU0kPtGO45QcGBwiQlFDvBIPGgZOxbzGbc8OVcoH9_eOePSeDo6w78UNoFF9tHbrP3Qd_lJ3jizDNRPulDwGMl6LwFZI/s1600/FarewellFoodJones.jpg" height="350" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Really--you should have been here!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKu6qNHYKY7kqX3WEsxOgnGlAlj_oRmg6e-JvBznYhBh6SufMdxPbGDFDw88JjlrCr1XiyaEGXBIIM0ZhBrW3ZvzigKyc1IU3NuUxijATLdRJP3UrlqweuzieyE_Z11__r7R8AAxrFhM/s1600/Farewell+food+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKu6qNHYKY7kqX3WEsxOgnGlAlj_oRmg6e-JvBznYhBh6SufMdxPbGDFDw88JjlrCr1XiyaEGXBIIM0ZhBrW3ZvzigKyc1IU3NuUxijATLdRJP3UrlqweuzieyE_Z11__r7R8AAxrFhM/s1600/Farewell+food+2.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h4>
The Newcomers</h4>
Our new Temple President and Matron are the Alvaradejo's. They are lovely people who bring a powerful spirit of peace to the work. We are grateful to be able to work with them. The First Counselor is Gustavo Cortez (a sealer and second time around as temple counselor). The Second Counselor is Juan Sergio Hernandez (also a sealer). They are dearly beloved by the people of Monterrey and by us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6tvzRU55Naz4mppSz6KeOK2KttR48aXHsRYh3rM0bzlpPwNiZg5yblkKfJ-GwJrFK6JMrdQ6II1ZiDQWIUURa5Kc7DPxRrM796zqd7w67nbxZTPdbKeAUkbe3n70jTgQMgVvbHVVvs/s1600/Alvaradejo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-6tvzRU55Naz4mppSz6KeOK2KttR48aXHsRYh3rM0bzlpPwNiZg5yblkKfJ-GwJrFK6JMrdQ6II1ZiDQWIUURa5Kc7DPxRrM796zqd7w67nbxZTPdbKeAUkbe3n70jTgQMgVvbHVVvs/s1600/Alvaradejo.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-19035283309590093102013-11-06T08:17:00.000-06:002014-01-20T14:04:45.258-06:00Barrio Central (Central Ward)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Barrio Central has been very busy lately. The really big news is that the Primary program went off with only one minor hitch. One of the children, who was going to give a scripture and an Article of Faith, didn't show up; however, two other little girls, did show up. They came dressed for the program and fully expecting to participate, even though they hadn't attended for over six months. Our wonderful Primary President quickly rearranged everything and helped the two little girls give the scripture and Article of Faith that was assigned to the "no show." It is an adventure every week! </div>
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<h4>
Our Precious Primary Children</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f3sJuCMFKxNVc2uM12hsj9_GELmpIvrBpWShw-iokyWmjlJrF4Ti1-3S2rTuZgqNsPuiESFzP1t_RV7vO25bvQZv6800ygH1uYGDNrbhnKpKROleY0mV6CveeMwtbJaj7BIyCwge4A0/s1600/IMG_4203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f3sJuCMFKxNVc2uM12hsj9_GELmpIvrBpWShw-iokyWmjlJrF4Ti1-3S2rTuZgqNsPuiESFzP1t_RV7vO25bvQZv6800ygH1uYGDNrbhnKpKROleY0mV6CveeMwtbJaj7BIyCwge4A0/s1600/IMG_4203.JPG" height="307" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R: Isaac, José, Daleare, Dante, Walter--the heart and soul of our Primary</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT66E9zG7uHHMxPEsxxSHaPGVxMLY_TFcqfVi94PyFvVcdSSmXBRrxvYLkbx-vovUf5p-yJxZE5dSnS5rz2K77ijMShwWcTrghmCdDiFrVw5m_SR6zQu8mbJnjwqmytKPv3kP8CBNC2D8/s1600/IMG_4206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT66E9zG7uHHMxPEsxxSHaPGVxMLY_TFcqfVi94PyFvVcdSSmXBRrxvYLkbx-vovUf5p-yJxZE5dSnS5rz2K77ijMShwWcTrghmCdDiFrVw5m_SR6zQu8mbJnjwqmytKPv3kP8CBNC2D8/s1600/IMG_4206.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back: Adám (only nursery age child), Hermanas Olga (counselor), Claudia (President), and Andrea (Secretary)<br />
Front: Isaac, Walter, Dante, José, Daleare</td></tr>
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Each of these children gave a scripture, an Article of Faith, and a five-minute talk. They were amazing and sang with the voices of angels. It never ceases to amaze me how it always comes together.<br />
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<h4>
Baptisms</h4>
<div>
There have been about 4 baptisms in the last six weeks--all of them single adult men. The latest, Ivan, is from Cuba and is here working for the United Nations. Much of his income is sent back to Cuba to the government. He works a rotating schedule moving every year, usually to another country, where he implements social programs for the UN. </div>
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While he was taking the lessons, his Cuban boss noted that he seemed different from before. Ivan told him that it was because he was studying with the Mormons. The boss replied, "They are part of the Imperialists, no?" Ivan laughed and said the Mormons were a worldwide religion and it was wonderful. Two weeks after his baptism, Ivan gave the lesson in Elders Quorum and thought it was the most incredible experience of his life. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau-WENDcLYf_-W535RuzdePFUVSZW8Vb_MgjGCaiJb3rEOupqvQEJtotbKymmRLtKLr7iPy7LIATGS0rDpFRgB3BqySoEzMNMjsvxQbtBKHym55GwpyDHB3Ed_Q7D3B-6br-ZZtEaViM/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgau-WENDcLYf_-W535RuzdePFUVSZW8Vb_MgjGCaiJb3rEOupqvQEJtotbKymmRLtKLr7iPy7LIATGS0rDpFRgB3BqySoEzMNMjsvxQbtBKHym55GwpyDHB3Ed_Q7D3B-6br-ZZtEaViM/s1600/Image+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mission President and wife, Ivan, and our Elders</td></tr>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-7081927386314019272013-10-31T21:55:00.003-05:002013-10-31T21:55:59.615-05:00Happy Halloween!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Halloween happens in Monterrey, too. In fact, the stores were filling up with Halloween treasures by the first part of September. Mexico has adopted some of our northern traditions to flesh out their three-day holiday called "Day of the Dead." This is what Halloween looks like here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> In the Mall:</span></h4>
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<h4>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the grocery store:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the department stores:</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the blending of the two holidays--witches on the left and dressed skeletons (calaveras) on the right.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These skulls are made from sugar and are a favorite delicacy.</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the local traditions is to write poetry about a person's life with a humorous twist. One of our friends, Jaime Meneses, wrote the following for us:</span></h4>
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<i>2 de Noviembre 2013 (Día de Muertos)</i></div>
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<i>Ciudadanos del mundo fueron,</i></div>
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<i>Por este México pasaron,</i></div>
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<i>Gracia, simpatia e inteligencia</i></div>
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<i>A su paso derramaron.</i></div>
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<i>En su misión eclesiástica,</i></div>
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<i>Con celestial música</i></div>
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<i>A todo el Barrio Central,</i></div>
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<i>Mas, a la muerte convencieron</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Very loosely translated it says that in our world travels we passed through Mexico with grace, kindness and intelligence (poetic license at its best!). On their mission they helped Central Ward sing celestially and then convinced "Death" that only with their drill bits would they dig their graves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Halloween we said goodbye to the Machuca's (temple president and wife) and hello to the Albaradejos who are taking their place tomorrow (more on this later). We will celebrate the Day of the Dead tomorrow and Saturday working for our ancestors--a tradition that fits in perfectly with the real spirit of the Mexican holiday. </span></div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-10915578414551161602013-10-20T22:24:00.000-05:002013-10-20T22:24:02.831-05:00Hermana Serna<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hermana Serna is one of my favorite temple patrons. At 79 years of age, she stands about four-foot seven-inches tall on a strong, thick frame. Her light-auburn hair is only lightly touched with occasional strands of grey as it weaves its way through the long, thick braid she can sit on. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Her eyes are lively and bright and her honey-colored face folds into a hundred smiles as she talks. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">She loves telling stories about her childhood out on the ranch in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It is easy to believe that she really was better than any man in the family at training and riding the horses, as she claims. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">This rugged little jewel of a woman bore 12 children. She can't remember how many grand-children she has; but she is absolutely sure that she has ten great-grandchildren--so far! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">When asked how she came to join the church, she started to laugh. She said that she was a terrible trial to the Elders. Her husband was taking the </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">lessons, but wouldn't get baptized without her. He and the Elders tried everything, but she refused to listen to the lessons. They would try to surprise her at home to sneak in a lesson, but her house is on top of a hill and she could see them coming from blocks away. As soon as she caught site of them working their way up the hill, she would go out the back door and down the street to hide in her mother-in-law's house. Finally, she gave in and listened to the Elders because her husband would not give up! She not only listened, she believed. She says now that it is the very best thing that has ever happened to her and she will be forever grateful for her husband's persistence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">With all the trouble she caused the Elders, I wondered out loud if she remembered who it was who taught her the gospel and baptized her. "Oh yes," she said. "It was Elder </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Joel Brett Smith, a cowboy from Idaho. He baptized me in Monterrey in 1972. I have tried everything to find him, with no success--oh, how I would like to thank him!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The night I spoke with her, Hermana Serna was in the temple with two very handsome young men. She introduced one as her grandson, who was leaving to serve a mission in Coahuila, Mexico the next week; and the other as his brother, who had recently returned from his mission. You have never seen a prouder grandma anywhere in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I want to take Hermana Serna home with me! </span><br />
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-8306188901503688342013-10-13T21:11:00.000-05:002013-10-21T13:41:57.065-05:00John's Temple Buddies<h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">José Francisco</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I have been meaning to write about a couple of my temple buddies for some time. I have some wonderful friends in the temple, but my two week-day coordinators are my favorites. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The first is my friend Pepe Pancho or P2 (short for Jose Francisco). As usual, I was the one that came up with P2 or P-cuadrado for him. I realize such naming is highly “un-temple-like”. However, this guy is such a good guy and such a fine man, that I had to give him his own handle. Don’t worry, I am discreet in it’s usage......generally. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">P2 is a long-time member of the Church. He grew up in a family that converted when he and his four brothers and three sisters were young*. Although his parents were participants during most of their life, P2 quit participating in his teens and did not return to Church for some time. He married and began his family. His work was as a bus driver for a private bus company here in Monterrey. He did that work for 40+ years. You’d have to live in Monterrey to appreciate what 40 years of bus driving could potentially do to a man. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">P2 has served in the Church since early in his first marriage, becoming a bishop and stake president. He began working in the temple shortly after his release from being stake president. Prior to that, his wife left him, and he later met his current wife, Mirna. She was attending another ward with a large group of young single adults. However, the stake president told them all one day to find their way back to their home wards because that is where they were needed. When Mirna returned to her own ward, he was waiting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">They currently have a son on a mission in Hermosillo, who is a son from his first marriage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">P2 makes 7000 pesos a month or about USD 540. Except when I substituted for him twice so he could go to the doctor, he hasn’t missed a shift. He runs the shift in an orderly, kind but efficient way. He has taught me much about how to make the temple experience special for the patrons. I so look forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays with P2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Pablo</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">On Wednesday and Friday, my coordinating supervisor is Pablo Aguirre. Pablo is a long-time Monterrey resident. His wife died when his three children were very young and he raised them himself. He retired from the railroad a few years ago on a 7500 peso/month pension. He lives alone, but his children are nearby. He became acquainted with the Church after his wife died. In order to make ends meet, he played in bands around the area as a guitarist. For years he wore his hair shoulder-length because of his moonlight work. He was quite the partier during the years leading up to meeting the missionaries. Shortly after he joined the Church, he played for the wedding of a young couple, both returned missionaries. He didn’t see them again for several years. When he did see them again, he was officiating in an endowment session and they were patrons. He said the couple were making signals to each other about his lack of hair and changed demeanor from when the knew him as a rock musician. They were both rather shocked to meet him in the temple.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Pablo</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> lives on the other side of town from the temple and often takes two buses to arrive </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">at the temple, some days at 0530 in the morning when the missionaries come. He also comes often on Saturday afternoons when he is not busy with his catering business. Periodically, he travels to Laredo to do some serious trading. He’s the temple go-to guy for sourcing pretty much anything having to do with cooking or household stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Perhaps what I like most about these two guys is their common touch and wisdom. Both have led tough lives, and both have ended up giving service to all kinds of people, in and out of the Church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Pablo is currently supporting a young kid who is on a mission in the D.F. This kid was rescued by him from a life of indolence and drugs. He got him going to church, baptized, and then coming to the temple to do baptisms. We mentioned his baptism work in an earlier blog. The young man has not been on his mission long. Shortly after arriving in the mission field, he told his president he was through and didn’t want to continue. Pablo talked with him on the phone, talked with his mission president and both encouraged the young man to hang in there. Well, he did, and he has turned out to be a great missionary and is loving his time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">There are many stories like this that I hear often. An older fellow I was talking to just yesterday told me his story. He was branch president of a small branch in a poor section of Monterrey years ago. The congregation was only around 100 people, many with needs of all kinds. During the time he was branch president, they were able to meet all the branch’s needs from the fast offering donations as well as keep as many as 8 missionaries in the field at one time. He was asked many times how he was able to do what he did, and he said he just loved the members and worked at getting them to be self-reliant and inter-dependent rather than asking the greater Church for funds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Northern Mexicans typically are very proud and self-sufficient. This tradition has persisted since the area was first settled by the sephardi (descendants of Jews from the Spanish Inquisition). As with many places we’ve been and lived in Latin America, attitude trumps resources when it comes to happiness. We hear a lot about wealth inequality in the U.S. currently. It’s a favorite theme against those who have prospered and their duty to give up their prosperity for the “common good.” No one understands wealth inequality and consequent disdain from the wealthy toward the poor like Latin Americans, and vice versa. However, we’ve seen so many people put off the disdain and pride associated with social class and join efforts to take care of each other, regardless of background. It is a beautiful thing to see. Consecration is a beautiful thing when it works.</span><br />
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*Linda's addendum to the Jose Fransico story: After the parents became active in the church again, the children followed. The parents eventually served a two-year mission at the Mexico City Temple, and serving in the temple became a family affair. Three of the four brothers of José Fransico serve in the temple with us here in Monterrey--two of them on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, another on Wednesday evenings, and the last on Saturdays. While welcoming people to the temple at the front door one morning, Mario (one of the brothers) turned to me and said, "That is my aunt." The woman who had just entered the temple (Sister Rivera), comes twice a week and spends the entire morning serving in the temple, often bringing others with her. She is his mother's sister and is in her eighties. The father, and four of his five sons, have also all served as Bishops. They are a powerful influence for good here in Monterrey.<br />
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-571484786057068502013-10-06T19:33:00.000-05:002013-10-06T19:34:48.515-05:00Celebrating the Founding of Monterrey<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The Fun</span></h4>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Right on the heels of the Independence Day of Mexico on September 16th, Monterrey celebrates its founding on September 20, 1596*. This occurred after two false starts near a spring in the center of town called, “Ojos de Agua” (where the lovely River Walk now begins). </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">In honor of these two important dates, Monterrey hosts a three week cultural event called "Arts in the City." </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">It includes lectures, educational activities, art expositions, drama, dance, and music. There are three outdoor forums where they have held drama, folk dancing and musical groups. There are dozens of indoor facilities that have had presentations, but we chose the beautiful <i>Teatro de la Ciudad</i> (Theater of the City) to see the building, and </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">a Canadian performing group called “Les Parfaits Inconnus 2.” It is a combination of circus, band, and farce--it kept us smiling with the juggling, musical balancing acts, and humor.<span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></div>
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The city was hopping with activity: folk dancing, drama, percussion, bands, symphony, balloons, gourmet hot dogs, and street vendors everywhere. We went with our dear friends the Meneses, who are always up for an adventure and make sure we are safe. </div>
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The Flag</h4>
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During this celebration period, the largest flag in Mexico is on display on top of the <i>Cerro del Obispado </i>(Bishopric's Hill). It is an impressive site--not only the flag, but the views of the entire city tucked tightly up into the clefts of the surrounding mountains. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Mexico's largest flag--note the tiny people just to the right of its base.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The flagpole weighs 120 tons and is 100.6 meters tall. The flag is 50 by 28.6 meters and weighs 230 kilograms (a kilogram is 2.2 pounds!). The flags lining the walkway are flags from military campaigns or wars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Bishop's residence (above) served as a fort during the Mexican-American War ( not a popular topic of conversation here) and now is a museum. The huge flag is on the hill behind this building. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The life-size games invite you to stop and play, enjoy the view, and escape from the crush of the city for a few minutes. Since our grandchildren weren't here to play with us, we are sending them a secret message instead. </span></div>
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XOXO</div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">*For more information on the history and infamy of Monterrey's colonizers, see the following links:</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alberto_del_Canto" target="_blank">Alberto del Canto</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_de_Carabajal_y_Cueva" target="_blank">Luis de Carabajal y Cueva</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_de_Montemayor" target="_blank">Diego de Montemayor</a></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">It is interesting that all three of these explorers were of Jewish descent--an influence that is still notable in the culture, architecture and food of Nuevo Leon. </span></div>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-3859632697116774552013-09-26T15:52:00.002-05:002013-09-26T15:52:56.292-05:00Elder and Hermana Salinas<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Elder and Hermana Salinas, from Mexico City, spent a week with our Monterrey West Mission (think mission tour/review) last week. We met them the day before our "training" when the Mission President invited us to join the four of them for lunch. He wanted us to hear about Elder Salinas' job, where he is in charge of the new "Self Reliance Program" the church is developing here in Mexico. Apparently, "Employment" and "PEF"are being merged into this group called "Self-Reliance" which includes all enterprise, employment, and education support. It is already active in the US and is being introduced now in Mexico, Brazil, Ghana, and the Caribbean.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is basically recruiting Senior Missionaries to help with this project--so here is the plug: Senior Missionaries are needed to run the whole program in each country, manage the program in various areas of each country, and help with teaching, mentoring and set-up in each stake. They need hundreds of Senior Missionaries! </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;">You can even serve by telephone or Skype from home--So, tell your friends, especially the Spanish and Portuguese speaking ones.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As Elder Salinas described the scope of this program, it is going to change the world--really! So, get your papers in and come and help!</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">The following day, we had a great training last week from Elder and Sister Salinas in our Zone Meeting. We were especially touched by Hermana Salinas. She taught eloquently and specifically of real service: "Do NOT ask someone what they need done! Look, listen, pray for guidance. Announce what you will do and then do it." </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">She told a story about a missionary that asked a sister who was cooking for them, to teach him how to scrape the needles off of the cactus* that she was preparing for dinner because he had always wanted to learn. She was very surprised because no one wants that job! She proceeded to teach him the technique and soon he was working alone while she finished up the other dinner preparations. As they prepared to leave her house, she told the Elder that he had done such a good job that she was going to buy a whole crate of cactus leaves for him to do the next day. He replied, "Then I'll be back!" </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sister Salinas promised the missionaries that if they would prayerfully seek real ways to serve, they would receive all the referrals they could handle. </span><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0px;">She then told of a missionary that received a reference every week from one of the sister's who fed them because of his service to her--but not only to her. He was serving everyone who fed him, and consequently receiving referrals from all of them. His last month, he taught and brought to baptism 29 people because of those sweet referrals. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">*The "prickly pear cactus" is a mainstay of the Mexican diet. The spines of the "nopal" (the Spanish name) must be scraped off of the wide, flat leaf before it can be cooked. Depending on what it is cooked with, it can taste much like green beans or like a slightly pickled, firm zucchini. It is the mainstay vegetable here and is served with nearly everything Mexican. Try it, you'll like it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-68936682214705670932013-09-22T20:37:00.000-05:002013-09-23T09:17:26.219-05:00Hurricane Ingrid<h3>
Monterrey, Mexico July 2010--Hurricane Alex</h3>
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Though we were not here when this hurricane swept through Monterrey taking bridges, roads, houses, and landmarks with it, we see its effects every day. The damages were estimated at $1.885 billion dollars and the word "hurricane" puts the city and its citizens on high alert. </div>
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The two largest freeways in the city hug the Santa Catarina river. Due to the damage from "Alex," the road on the north side of the river is now one-way going west, and the road on the south is one-way going east. Google maps still doesn't know about this exciting change and routes all interested travelers down the wrong side of the freeway. This phenomenon is repeated in GPS systems throughout the city, making travel a thrill a minute. </div>
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Monterrey, Mexico September 2013--Hurricane Ingrid</h3>
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Fast forward three years and you have Hurricane Ingrid. The huge impact from this storm was on the east coast of Mexico, especially in the Tampico area. Monterrey, though hit hard--especially in the citrus growing areas--was relatively unharmed this time around in comparison. After nearly 15 days of constant rain, the geography began to take on a whole new look. </div>
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River: Rio de la Silla</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... And after Ingrid</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR62ctCC0DTCiRW0wvJDDi6xD9mS_g7Q2ckrGcBElSoHKmCvywp-S88EhwgAGj3HeHPx1QemklxSp95nDbYJxW2sVb_GQz6dN45Uo_NTRrTjeGSOi9p8w9RxqLiIVrHaiLl-1n_ISjf2M/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR62ctCC0DTCiRW0wvJDDi6xD9mS_g7Q2ckrGcBElSoHKmCvywp-S88EhwgAGj3HeHPx1QemklxSp95nDbYJxW2sVb_GQz6dN45Uo_NTRrTjeGSOi9p8w9RxqLiIVrHaiLl-1n_ISjf2M/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" height="475" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river walk before...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And after Ingrid</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjJN5HjQ1yrFBc_pS5bAwr2FOdiIOiVrauK823aTtqFrs7fzIXEhfTiqe6jkiZq9_UZVf_Jok4X-fLAmJYPrU2fzAOtlrWONTi725VwMxzRcd7off9Ve-sBbQQifkOiJL1JHjeC-CbK8/s1600/IMG_3456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjJN5HjQ1yrFBc_pS5bAwr2FOdiIOiVrauK823aTtqFrs7fzIXEhfTiqe6jkiZq9_UZVf_Jok4X-fLAmJYPrU2fzAOtlrWONTi725VwMxzRcd7off9Ve-sBbQQifkOiJL1JHjeC-CbK8/s1600/IMG_3456.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river bed before...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And after Ingrid.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8Mduzgustm0qEBEm4M3isoSMJEDBy6zcL43CEmbGxsEifceCDDUF_F3WF_q20FRwmHzexrXPomk2O8RcBvCzbQaeIin4uOXErYj2kPqDXPegGxGDZeGbcuwOmFAR-nAxPWbPgYqKlzQ/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8Mduzgustm0qEBEm4M3isoSMJEDBy6zcL43CEmbGxsEifceCDDUF_F3WF_q20FRwmHzexrXPomk2O8RcBvCzbQaeIin4uOXErYj2kPqDXPegGxGDZeGbcuwOmFAR-nAxPWbPgYqKlzQ/s1600/IMG_3995.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Dam" in the river, which isn't stopping anything anymore...</td></tr>
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Around town:</h4>
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Everything is wet! We had to walk at the mall and discovered many, many pails, buckets and large garbage cans catching the rain water.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecubxlNwX0_3cauEJr7Os-5GoDM6inFpmaXOQ_Z8cOH77Rtdu7j93zqe9Mf1MMrd_3sFY1DzSekLBcldpd7LUOI5M6PWoOuguVNUNSXDZ9FC9VrNUqI5rQCCR_i5oq3QwV1S5eNky-sA/s1600/IMG_3971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecubxlNwX0_3cauEJr7Os-5GoDM6inFpmaXOQ_Z8cOH77Rtdu7j93zqe9Mf1MMrd_3sFY1DzSekLBcldpd7LUOI5M6PWoOuguVNUNSXDZ9FC9VrNUqI5rQCCR_i5oq3QwV1S5eNky-sA/s1600/IMG_3971.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Front</b>: catching leaks; <b>Back:</b> buying the new "Grand Theft Auto" video game</td></tr>
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Since everything, everywhere is wet and constantly dripping these days, we weren't surprised by the leaks in the mall roof. We were surprised, however, to see the aerial artist swinging around like Spiderman on ropes and pulleys as he fixed the leaks in the ceiling of the shopping center. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAORfeIAI5FtJAYdE5B28_wdTtl5xVsBYTNelXN7nTysxTFAW_OQ4r733s6hJA0hi5X_K4_80eyUxd7M-MVTP3OUXilSwG_FsbI5BRQbOQ2UnCJONaQ6ikzovXGY21X-hL3xxTCpBsITI/s1600/IMG_3967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAORfeIAI5FtJAYdE5B28_wdTtl5xVsBYTNelXN7nTysxTFAW_OQ4r733s6hJA0hi5X_K4_80eyUxd7M-MVTP3OUXilSwG_FsbI5BRQbOQ2UnCJONaQ6ikzovXGY21X-hL3xxTCpBsITI/s1600/IMG_3967.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiyLeJrN2u0U58mFN82OhyphenhyphenLe5IP_3H31ARLhCingX1AW8NDaDOg0phbagC75ve0nSfzojfVXNSqvtq9hm8uB_AY4Ce2BD3ang5pWsrRPzJ88rYw1XV_uCXXe7znowXzk9LAp0d6VoVBg/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiyLeJrN2u0U58mFN82OhyphenhyphenLe5IP_3H31ARLhCingX1AW8NDaDOg0phbagC75ve0nSfzojfVXNSqvtq9hm8uB_AY4Ce2BD3ang5pWsrRPzJ88rYw1XV_uCXXe7znowXzk9LAp0d6VoVBg/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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Driving around town became slow, wet, and difficult. It was especially exciting driving around the geysers blowing up from the manholes in the streets. Sunday and Monday the schools and many businesses were closed because of the combination Independence Day holiday and Hurricane Ingrid. The following photo was taken on Tuesday, after the brunt of the storm had passed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eebXEJVwXrsau66ds4HPahGLGFcjQF6P3-lNC1TUGm9YcbOvN6-wJQWyG96o6NWnQhe5nLQ3UrD8bYOCnM6bTrnHwmo2Gnof13VbTmDW-psiXPpRQhzIIdy0iKMMJxPXE0WtkvFa1kM/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3eebXEJVwXrsau66ds4HPahGLGFcjQF6P3-lNC1TUGm9YcbOvN6-wJQWyG96o6NWnQhe5nLQ3UrD8bYOCnM6bTrnHwmo2Gnof13VbTmDW-psiXPpRQhzIIdy0iKMMJxPXE0WtkvFa1kM/s1600/IMG_3964.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 4-inches of water on the well-drained streets</td></tr>
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Today we are celebrating! The hurricane has passed. The roads are mostly drained and open. The sun is shining--a perfect thing for a Sunday! </div>
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*For more information on the Mexico hurricanes see: <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24203404" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-24203404</a></div>
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-39514012557978552292013-09-15T18:55:00.001-05:002013-09-22T20:43:47.423-05:00¡Viva México! <h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Mexican Independence Day</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACi9nIpm40X_YpLMcUuaOQw8WQfGsuHuVpTRWygVyHkK710N7BIkydsppyWyeSVUCbbmOFAg7EIscNZPLZrGquR_KbGvVb2s45Ru9QftEZnoDJLlC_89v1CkDIjUtJqgZIlu9YWd-oQc/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACi9nIpm40X_YpLMcUuaOQw8WQfGsuHuVpTRWygVyHkK710N7BIkydsppyWyeSVUCbbmOFAg7EIscNZPLZrGquR_KbGvVb2s45Ru9QftEZnoDJLlC_89v1CkDIjUtJqgZIlu9YWd-oQc/s1600/images-1.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Mexicans!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live the heroes that gave us the Fatherland!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Hidalgo!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Morelos!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Allende!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Galena and the Bravos!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live Aldama and Matamoros!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Long live National Independence!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><b><i>Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico!</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><i>(Shouted by Father Hidalgo, September 16, 1810 in the fight for Independence from Spain)</i></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This is the "Grito," or the cry, of independence that is given in every city and town in Mexico on September 15th. In Monterrey it is at 11:00 p.m. in front of the Government Palace, followed by fireworks at 11:10 p.m. The real "Grito," given by the President of Mexico at 11:55 p.m. in Mexico City, is then televised around the country and shown on large-screen displays in the plazas. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Government Palace Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico</td></tr>
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Tonight's celebration here in Monterrey will be very challenging because Hurricane Ingrid is due to hit Mexico at about the same time as the "grito." As a result of nearly 10 days of straight rain in Monterrey, mild flooding has already begun creating challenges for drivers in several parts of the city. Tonight and tomorrow are supposed to be the worst days for rain. Because Monday is a holiday, there is no school and few people are working--that will help, since the government has requested that driving be strictly on an emergency basis today and tomorrow. </div>
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Earlier in the week, we went downtown to check out some of the Independence Day decorations and events. Here is a sampling:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">¡Viva Mexico! with the pictures of the War of Independence heroes and heroines</td></tr>
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Souvenirs everywhere!</h3>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Yummy Food!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdPX7oIp-PUb_mwLiyHshAyw_BtS6Y6GniwcweoeVv7I8277bPKkzqc7B_6Q3aXIgxLcftfweKyI21FvjjqS_3aMi5Kuca2yWH7H8mCLtVF6-Mk6wnDAvrFxf3SC74z-xzUthPXAYzX8/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdPX7oIp-PUb_mwLiyHshAyw_BtS6Y6GniwcweoeVv7I8277bPKkzqc7B_6Q3aXIgxLcftfweKyI21FvjjqS_3aMi5Kuca2yWH7H8mCLtVF6-Mk6wnDAvrFxf3SC74z-xzUthPXAYzX8/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful taco stand and colorful clothes </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxnh3b3yW48T6sG1sSA_y6DuGHFn6VBBpHAFjvY_B0fmQQYiz7sw4BvlSoHxlnLm4U8Qd9S5VB7MwlxgG5vDBeZcNnl1EiW1ot_TI68ZIHlgL3Vz2SU8-rHL51EZzUXc1m9m6x_lVM9A/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxnh3b3yW48T6sG1sSA_y6DuGHFn6VBBpHAFjvY_B0fmQQYiz7sw4BvlSoHxlnLm4U8Qd9S5VB7MwlxgG5vDBeZcNnl1EiW1ot_TI68ZIHlgL3Vz2SU8-rHL51EZzUXc1m9m6x_lVM9A/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy, warm churros bathed in sugar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkwH6p-BVYfkWuXLqeZ52flIIxq5DCoUdol80P_fEBlVIt4qmOZuYRAthPI83ScVKRnvR01jcO1z1MGVm6sdlQNZ5VGmVrCzglUwLXtqyHs4ByMYPlJ21VRpRLlUs_kImxBeKTLfAz8c/s1600/IMG_3914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkwH6p-BVYfkWuXLqeZ52flIIxq5DCoUdol80P_fEBlVIt4qmOZuYRAthPI83ScVKRnvR01jcO1z1MGVm6sdlQNZ5VGmVrCzglUwLXtqyHs4ByMYPlJ21VRpRLlUs_kImxBeKTLfAz8c/s1600/IMG_3914.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chips, or for more fun--cooked field corn with chile powder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk0CKpaBWaqN2GM2YXK2nhSaTTFZRhIdjOGjEOiwFO96s05dZMYcH6TVebNufv62x1Lba07O-NGyFfxtJJAsOv7PoHPnLiWL1WkBfN5VY9g-jYHxHgCnrWhnCSyHP6Ie6v-QRyQFkmDs/s1600/IMG_3941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmk0CKpaBWaqN2GM2YXK2nhSaTTFZRhIdjOGjEOiwFO96s05dZMYcH6TVebNufv62x1Lba07O-NGyFfxtJJAsOv7PoHPnLiWL1WkBfN5VY9g-jYHxHgCnrWhnCSyHP6Ie6v-QRyQFkmDs/s1600/IMG_3941.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creative candy selling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFosXf8bdAoOCzyN7-PtS0q9EyZ6lVG7nVrDtcJDkgxzTDShmg5Jz8e-5-Wz-hdxWj1Z-zkVnQvsed_ia6-UEvtfM18zjafUvCatHTsjQcgkf7ZZ8MuYKk5s5pgXm_5ZpuLz_FvmqkvYk/s1600/IMG_3946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFosXf8bdAoOCzyN7-PtS0q9EyZ6lVG7nVrDtcJDkgxzTDShmg5Jz8e-5-Wz-hdxWj1Z-zkVnQvsed_ia6-UEvtfM18zjafUvCatHTsjQcgkf7ZZ8MuYKk5s5pgXm_5ZpuLz_FvmqkvYk/s1600/IMG_3946.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit art on a bicycle cart</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Independence Day Color</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">¡Viva México! </span></h2>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-28292157504698300082013-09-09T20:03:00.002-05:002013-09-09T20:03:39.818-05:00Elder Gutierres and Valle Verde Stake<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Saturday: Elder Gutierres </span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">(John) Saturday<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">, I spent the first five hours of the shift at the reception desk of the temple. On Saturdays, the front entrance is a very busy place. We have recently instituted a reservation system whereby unit leaders can reserve places for their youth to do baptisms at a particular time or attend endowment sessions. Consequently, the front desk has become the final clearing house for the various groups with reservations, with the job of ensuring groups are attended to, as well as freeing up surplus “fichas” or reservation tokens for those without a reservation. </span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Among the people who came yesterday was a young prospective missionary named Elder Gutierres, who came to the temple with his parents and some other people without a reservation. Fortunately, we were able to accommodate them, and would have, anyway, because the elder was at the temple for the first time. Among the others with him were his “padriños”. The practice of naming “padriños” (godparents) for one’s newborn is an old practice in Mexico and in many other parts of the Catholic world. “Padrinos” have responsibility as sort of “back-up” parents to the newborn. Often, they provide an endowment or sort of financial and emotional guarantee to the child. What is unusual about Elder Gutierres’ situation is that all were members of the Church and all were eligible to go to the temple with him. Though I hadn’t seen any from the group in the temple before, it was obvious they were familiar with the temple.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">What I noticed about the group was first, Elder Gutierres was an exceptional young man. Though young, he was gentle, sweet and loving to his parents and “padriños”. He was also very enthusiastic about his forthcoming mission to Guatemala. He has a sister currently serving in Honduras, with another year left in her mission. He acted like he had achieved a very important step in his life. Though similar reactions are common among those who come for the first time, for Elder Gutierres it seemed special beyond words. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Second, I noticed an unbelievable unspoken love between the parents and the young man, the “padriños” and the young man, and the two couples themselves. I wanted to spend more time with them, because I could sense there was a very deep, longstanding commitment in the relationships. Just as with any group of people that we meet in life, the implicit strength or weakness of commitment to the group can be sensed. In this particular case, The love among them was almost tangible. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I was fortunate enough to officiate in the endowment session for the group. When I walked into the room to start, a very strong, deep spiritual sense overwhelmed me and I began to weep. The feeling lasted mostly throughout the session for me. I was able to attend to the elder’s experience in the final part of the endowment ceremony and, once again received a strong witness as to the young man’s pending opportunity. It was a very special experience for me. It was obviously a very special experience for him and his loved ones.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sunday: Valle Verde Stake Primary </span></h3>
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The activity with the Valle Verde Stake Primary began Saturday morning when three busloads of children (146 children between the ages of six and 12) arrived at the temple from an area of Monterrey about 45 minutes northwest of here. The Primary leaders in the stake had been preparing the children all year for this day when they would visit the temple, something Valle Verde Stake has done every year for the last six years. The children were all dressed in Sunday dress and many of them all in white. </div>
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They began by gathering in the chapel in front of the temple to watch three videos related to families and temples. After each video, the Primary leaders led them in a discussion of what they had seen and why it matters to them and their families. Next, working in their ward groups, the children researched and then created posters depicting information about specific temples. </div>
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Finally, they walked around the temple in small groups learning about some of the symbolism and the meaning of the words above the door: Holiness to the Lord, the house of the Lord. In front of the temple doors they all joined their voices in singing, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," and then entered the temple waiting room. The President of the temple spoke briefly teaching them that if they are worthy, they will enter the temple when they are 12 for baptisms for the dead, at 18 or 19 to prepare to serve a mission, and then again when they are to be sealed to their spouse. </div>
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The following day, Sunday, John and I were invited to attend their Primary Temple Fireside to share a brief message. The program began with a song and prayer, and then went immediately into a testimony meeting. Many children bore sweet testimonies and shared specific things they had learned that day about the temple. After about 30 minutes of testimonies, each ward had one or two children come to the front to explain their ward's temple poster. This was the truly impressive part! The children presented their information with poise and clarity--without a single note. The temples they discussed included Solomon's Temple, Salt Lake Temple, Mesa Temple, Nauvoo Temple, Mexico City Temple, Nephi's Temple and Monterrey Temple. These children have a clear understanding that temples have been part of the gospel since the very beginning of time and are to bless our lives. </div>
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Without a doubt, we were the ones that were taught that night, not the children. If every Primary and/or family taught even half of what is being taught in Valle Verde, the world would be a very different place! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mexico City Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Temple of Nephi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nauvoo Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesa, Arizona Temple</td></tr>
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Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5747893605703586913.post-33483709523549684192013-09-02T20:28:00.004-05:002013-09-02T20:28:50.819-05:00Notes about Two Weekends<h3>
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Surprise behind the Temple</h3>
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Saturday mornings are chaos 99% of the time. This one was no exception. The temple had a full reservation schedule--literally every seat taken--when three buses from Torreon arrived unannounced. Everyone began the "adjustment game" as we tried to find room for everyone in this very small temple. More or less we were successful, but mostly because everyone here is so kind and generous. Several of the "hermanos" offered to help with baptisms and the laundry. It was a huge laundry day with hundreds of overalls and towels to wash. In fact, there was so much activity that we ran out of towels and had to stop baptisms for a short while. When that happens, it is necessary to take clothing to a large washer and dryer that are set up in another building behind the temple. Linda filled the cart and went out the back door at warp speed. She noticed a young couple walking hand in hand along the sidewalk in the gardens behind the temple and also noticed a young woman with a camera filming them. As the scene came into focus, she screeched to a halt so she would not be in the video. It only took about a minute for them to walk to the camera; but just as Linda was about to put the cart in to motion again, the young man dropped to his knee, opened a ring box and proposed to the young woman at his side. Posters were raised, clapping was heard, and a few squeals were heard from the small gallery that had gathered. Once the camera had been aimed in a new direction, Linda slipped quietly by with her load of wet clothes. </div>
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A Good Place to Meet Your Spouse</h3>
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The temple laundry is where we often meet the most dedicated members. The very busy Saturday morning mentioned above brought one of these beautiful "hermanas" from Torreon into the laundry. As we worked hanging, and folding and giving out clothing she told me her story. </div>
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Several years ago, she was in the temple serving in sealings. Nearly everyone in her ward finished their assignment and decided to move on to something else--she decided to stay. She was at the altar when a very handsome young man walked into the room. He was also from Torreon, but from another ward. They didn't know each other, but both "admitted" to noticing one another. She surreptitiously asked who he was and where he was from. He also managed to find out who she was before the sealings ended. Friends who were there introduced them and they began to date. She said that the first time she went to church with him, she was inundated with people telling her how wonderful he was and that she'd better hang on tight! She said, "We were just friends for about six months. We then dated seriously for four more. We became engaged and were married 18 months after we met--we did it all by the book--and I took their advice and am hanging onto him with both hands!" She and her husband are now serving as Stake Young Men/Young Women Presidents. Who would have thought that one could meet a spouse doing sealings in the temple. </div>
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Apodaca Ward Fireside</h3>
A few weeks ago we were asked by the bishop of the Apodaca Ward to speak to the youth as the closing fireside to the ward conference. He had heard from someone about the talks we gave at the Anahuac Institute on leadership; but wanted a slightly different theme: "The Importance of Education and Balancing it with Activity in the Church." As the date of the fireside approached, we discovered that it had morphed from a small ward activity into a fireside for all the youth of the stake. That information didn't change our talks, but we thought maybe we did need to buy more M&Ms for the attention activity. It is a good thing we did! According to the leftover M&M Minis, there were about 100 youth and their leaders in attendance last Sunday.<br />
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We were very impressed with the youth and their leaders. Just 30 minutes before the fireside was to start, it started to rain cats and dogs. As we entered the building, the bishop greeted us and informed us that the meeting would need to start a few minutes late due to the rain, but that everyone was en route and would be there shortly. We met the stake president, who said that he had just received text messages from the other wards and they would only be about ten minutes late, due to the water on the roads. At 6:05, the stake president turned to the Stake Young Men's President and said, "They are all here. I have sent a text to the Bishop. If he is not here in two minutes call him and tell him we are starting." The bishop showed up one minute later and the meeting began, just as everyone had hoped. We were amazed at the technologically savvy coordination effort that was going on! The youth looked sharp, had scriptures, were full of light, and participated eagerly. It was a very enjoyable evening for us--and as a bonus, we found a new route to the airport via this charming, old-style Mexican town. <br />
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As we greeted the youth and their leaders that evening, we were surprised to see three temple workers that we know and love from that stake who are working with the youth. Two of the young women that Linda had met before the meeting stood patiently in line afterward to thank her for the talk. They mentioned that they would be in the temple on Saturday afternoon to do baptisms for the dead, so Linda told them to ask for her when they arrived. That, however, was not necessary because Linda was working in the Baptistry on Saturday afternoon and there was a grand reunion over white overalls.<br />
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Roma Stake</h3>
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Saturday afternoon was busy with several stakes besides Apodaca. Our stake, Roma, was out in force preparing for stake conference next week. Something very special happens when the temple is filled with people you know and love. Our bishop did herculean work getting our ward out. Four members of our ward who are fairly recent converts participated in baptisms. The two women brought over 20 family names with them for which they and the other ward members did the work. It was a very touching experience watching them perform those ordinances for their loved ones--and it had a profound impact on them. What a loving, compassionate Father in Heaven to connect us both forward and backward in such a tender way!</div>
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<br />Mama Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08203184846889924451noreply@blogger.com2