One of the most fun experiences I've had since we came was our dinner treat to ourselves on Monday. We finished another group of aggravating but necessary medical and "have to" items. We had decided that if we could complete them by 4:30, we'd go to dinner. We were a tiny bit late but so elated to be through with it all that we sailed out the door on a cloud of success and happiness...to Tacontento! This is a great little restaurant close to us. Shawn and Becca will remember it from their visit in January. The rosa de Jamaica drink is just as good as it was then. | Querido Familia y Amigos: Buenos....and sometimes you'll hear "dias" or "tardes" or "noches" and sometimes you won't....from someone returning your greeting. It is great fun to speak to everyone we pass as we walk in the mornings. There is a Catholic school across the street from us. The guard knows us "by heart" now and this week we saw a nun closing the gate who looked like she might be 20.....maybe. We regularly walk through a park. As we came out, I saw a grumpy? sad? tired? man...until he smiled. Then the world lit up for a moment. What a great way to start a day! As you can see, we are loving all your pictures! Below is a video I found that I think you'll enjoy. I can see all of you clustered in your kitchens, "chattering away" about your day's activities. Dad and I enjoy practicing our Spanish and eating beautiful meals together. We also "decompress" by talking about our "compadres en el templo." Dad said he sat next to one of our new missionaries Thursday and asked him to share some of his favourite scriptures -- all in Spanish. Dad is doing so well with the language! |
For the last post, I included the lovely song "You Raise Me Up". I want to give you my testimony that this is what the Lord does for us and is doing for me. I had a relapse of CFS after all the stresses of preparing, coming on our mission, and trying to get through the stomach bugs here. I had several promptings from the Spirit that eventually took me to the same doctor that President Burk likes so much. Everyone else here thinks this Dr. Castillo is wonderful...and he is! He has me on some new medications. I also received a blessing from Dad and our neighbour Elder Allred that reassured me I'm in the right place for me/us at this time. What a lovely way to find the answers to pesky problems! I really thought I was through with chronic fatigue.
Here's the latest flower and wildlife report:
The jacaranda trees area blooming, colored like lilacs but in a tree:
Here's the latest flower and wildlife report:
The jacaranda trees area blooming, colored like lilacs but in a tree:
This last bird here is not showy in feathers but certainly is in whistles. We stopped this morning to look at two of them on opposite points of a small roof, with their beaks pointed identically toward the sky. They are the size of very large robins or very small magpies. I listen for their bright calls. They're even better than the curved-bill thrashers in Silver City, NM, that we loved on our last mission! From the land of spring and sunshine, where it is gradually getting warmer, Love to all from Missionary Mom |