The Day It Rained

It rains often here but today's rain included a huge electrical thunderstorm.  We remember this day well because it is the day Mom's laptop died when the electricity hit too close to home and her computer was charging.  We got a ride home with the Briones after the morning session at the temple so we didn't get soaked.  It poured until it was time to return to the temple when it had let up a little. We walked back to the temple under our umbrellas but were rather wet when we got there.

Ruben's Rice Bag

When Hno. Saldivar told us that Ruben Sacramento loved to sit in his hot car because it made his back feel so much better, we thought of ways that we might help him.  We decided to make a rice bag that he could warm in a microwave and put on his back.  Keeping in mind that Ruben is 87 years old, we designed it in such a way that we thought would be useful to Ruben.  We shopped for the hand towels and went to another store of matching thread.  We borrowed the temple's sewing machine and went to work to create what we thought would be a functioning gift to help Ruben.

We were pleased with our work and rather excited to take it to Ruben so he could try it out.  After we explained the bag to him and how it works, he tried it on and could work the straps ok.  He appreciated our thoughtfulness.  When we asked if we could heat it up in his microwave so he could actually feel the warmth, he simply said that they don't have a microwave and he wasn't sure why they would have one or how microwaves work.

We would be happy to buy a microwave for Ruben but we aren't sure if he would feel that it is useful.  He already struggles to pay his electricity bill from his pension money and instead of helping, we might unintentionally add to his financial burden.  Sometimes we forget how simply others live.

Mothers' Day Bouquet

There are so many blossoming trees and shrubs here that Dad was able to put together a lovely bouquet of flowers for me on Mothers' Day by just walking around the neighborhood with a pair of scissors in his hand.  

Clinic Construction Continues.

Work continues to move ahead.
Here are photos showing the exterior progress.

19 February 2015

19 March 2015

3 April 2015

We are not sure why the dug this channel, poured cement,
and then covered it with dirt after putting up the wall on the side.

16 April 2015

17 April 2015

17 April 2015

A Long Day and a Welcome Home!

Sherryl spent her entire birthday in airports and in airplanes heading back to Tampico.  She had a layover in the Monterrey Mexico airport while going to Texas and on the return trip.  While wandering around, she found this indoor putting green and spent some time practicing.

Sherryl's email to Jen:  "My adventures included:  My backpack was checked in the Dallas airport and they dug around and found some sunscreen I had forgotten about and that had made it TO Texas without any problems.  So that is gone.  When I was in the Monterrey Customs line a dog came up and was sniffing my backpack and the lady with the dog asked me if I had any food in my bag.  I had an apple and two mandarins that I had to give up there and the dog got a treat.  Also at Customs, there is a button to push and if a light turns red when you push it, that means ALL of your bags are opened and someone with gloves goes through every square inch.  I pushed it and it turned green so I was free to go <whew> not that it mattered, I think M&M's are still legal.  Since I had been in Monterrey before, I knew there was a shuttle bus and I needed to use it to get to the other terminal and it was right outside the door and a nice guy helped me get my luggage inside.  Still in Monterrey I was ready to recheck my bag through to Tampico and the agent said I only had a 1 hour layover in Mexico City. She was concerned that it wasn't enough time so she booked me on an earlier flight out of Monterrey. I kept myself entertained in the airports by writing in my journal and reading The Mysterious Benedict Society that I really like.  I made it through the Mexico City airport where Dad and I have been a couple of times and felt comfortable there.  I only waited in Tampico about a half hour before Dad and Berenice and Marcopolo came to get me.  All in all, things went well.  The right people helped me where I needed help.  What a nice ending to a very nice 'tender mercy.'"

"Hmmmm  people still speak Spanish down here!  And it is still hot and humid.  Go figure!"  

Paul was happy to greet Sherryl and welcomed her with Happy Birthday and Welcome Home signs. 

Her avocado trees had grown some in the week Sherryl was gone.

Having Fun In Texas

It is hard to believe that Jen and Nathan had gotten home from the hospital just a few hours before I arrived.  I was so excited to be with them again.

Nothing is quite as relaxing as holding a sleeping baby.  

Daddy got to give Nathan his first bath while everyone watched.

Daddy mowed the lawn while M. followed in his footsteps.  E. just loves to be outside.

Nathan was finally opening his eyes and looking around--much to A's delight.

Grandma watched S. play soccer.

A truly loves to climb the trees by the soccer field.

We loved holding and taking photos of N. who is a very good natured baby.

Jen, E and Sherryl drove to Deseret Book but found it closed so we took time to look around the temple and E. stood on the front steps and sang "I Am A Child of God."

 Grandma wasn't the only one who liked to hold the baby.

S. is very kind hearted and loves his new brother.

Sometimes Grandma just runs out of energy so E. tended Grandma for a while.

Here's Mommy with her oldest and youngest sons.

Since Grandma would be in the airport all day on her birthday, they surprised her with a birthday party before she went back to Mexico.

 Grandma had lots of help blowing out her candles.

A. wrote a sweet poem and card for Grandma.

An amazing photo with everyone looking at the camera!  

Our Tender Mercy

Sometimes a totally unexpected opportunity comes our way and we have the option to accept and run with it or to let it go. Here is what we are talking about.  This Tuesday morning Jen had called to tell us that she was heading to the hospital for the birth of her son.  We were excited that the time for the baby’s birth had finally arrived and we were excited that this would be the day.  We had a good morning at the temple with the proselyting missionaries there and are always happy to see them and help get them ready for the session.  Just before the session began, Sherryl mentioned to Hna. Briones, the matron of the temple, that we would have a new grandson before the end of the day.  Hna. Briones asked when we would see him.  We would see him in photos and movies almost immediately but he would be at least seven months old before we would hold and be with him.  We knew this is what would happen and Jen knew this and it was all settled in our hearts.  Then Sherryl went as an ordinance worker on the session with the missionaries.  After the session finished, we both changed into our street clothes to leave the temple.  As we walked down the sidewalk, Paul casually mentioned to Sherryl that she had been given permission by the Temple Department to leave her mission for a week to travel to see Jen and her baby.  This was totally unexpected and almost unbelievable news.  Really!  Apparently, Hna. Briones spoke to Paul about the idea of Sherryl traveling to Texas and Paul said we lacked permission to leave our mission.  She then spoke to Pte. Briones about the baby’s birth today and they decided to call the Temple Department to talk about possibilities of getting Sherryl the needed permission.  As it happens, all the people who would have to give their permission for this request were available and Pte. Briones immediately was given verbal approval for Sherryl to travel out of her mission for a week starting Thursday and the paperwork was to follow as quickly as possible.

Our minds were racing and our hearts were full as we made our way home for lunch. We were so excited but didn't even know what options would be available for travel into Texas in two days' time.  At our house we began to check out details and much to our delight, found flights available to leave Thursday and return next Wednesday at a reasonable cost.  Before our new grandson was even born, we had purchased the tickets online.  We decided to keep our surprise a secret from Jen but we needed her husband’s help.  So Sherryl’s top secret mission to travel Texas had begun.  As we thought about what we needed to do, we realized there was a lot to get done in a short amount of time.   Sherryl needed to decide what to pack, what food to prepare for Paul for the next several days.  We would have to retrieve Sherryl’s passport from the safe at the Mission Office.  Just before it was time for us to head back to the temple for the afternoon and evening, Jen phoned telling us Nathan Allen was born, tipping the scales at 8 lbs. 8 oz. and is strong and healthy. Our joy was full.
(From Crockett Chronicles - 12 April 2015)

Our New Banana Tree

29 March 2015

2 April 2015

3 April 2015

3 April 2015

4 April 2015

19 April 2015
(Paul put on the bag to keep the birds off)

This and That for March 2015

Much to our amazement, someone on a backhoe was cleaning up the lot directly across the street from the entrance to our house. We wondered if someone was going to build something there.

However....a month later all that has happened is that the backhoe work stopped, a fence went up and a "private property" sign was added.  There's an ugly mattress on the side of the heap with weeds making their way to the top.

The sewer line running down 3rd Avenida continues to be replaced.  

The crane had to lower the boom between the wires to get to its load.  

We went to the bank where we have paid our rent for the past 14 months and found that it was seriously closed for a while. 

On Good Friday while walking home we saw these folks lined up and we asked what was happening and they were remembering the Savior's crucifixion. We didn't see the front of the line to know if someone was carrying a cross.

The new sister missionaries in our ward are Hermana Wildung from Round Rock near Austin, Texas and Hermana Hernandez, just starting her mission, from Chiapas, Mexico.