Classes, Soccer, Dances, and Celebrations

Karla & Alejandra

Raul--we went to his soccer game. He loves soccer!

Independencia celebration at the stake center!

Branch Pres. Soriano, his wife and one of his daughters.

So much good food!

We're still here in Tampico, Mexico. We're still teaching English Classes. We're now teaching Book of Mormon in English as well. We love it. Always, we're looking for new ways to teach. We're still doing the Hokey Pokey, This Little Light of Mine, The Grand Old Duke of York, I've got that Learning Spirit, and the Bunny Hop. Yes, our training in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts has really come in handy. We also sing I am a Child of God, and As I Have Loved You and have the students learn about and repeat scriptures. That's a little more missionary-like right?

Seeing a former student, Francisco, unexpectedly at Church with a brand new white shirt and tie is a wonderful tender mercy that we have experienced. He was having the missionary lessons when he stopped coming to class. He attended faithfully and when he stopped I worried if something had happened. So seeing him at church was a wonderful thing. He told me his work schedule had changed and he couldn't come anymore to English Class. That's OK. He's coming to church.

Another student, Diego, was baptized last month. It's a great feeling even though we're not directly involved in that side of things. His contact with the missionaries was made in my class.

Most every Friday, there's a dance somewhere. Of course, we try to go to them all if only for an hour. The picture posted is a Spanish theme dance (can't remember the actual name). It's fun to see the kids in their outfits and it's especially fun to watch them dance. They all love to dance here it seems.

Each stake here and apparently throughout Mexico celebrate Mexico's Independencia (Sept 16) with a big party. There's dancing and performing and lots and lots of food. We enjoyed the food and the beginnings of the dancing etc. but were too tired to stay until midnight when there's really a lot of celebrating. It was lots of fun.

We're making visits still. Sometimes we go out with the full time missionaries as they can help us in locating where these youth live. We were invited back to one of the homes with the sister missionaries to give a FHE and were surprised with dinner--Frijoles Charro (not sure on spelling). It was very good. We just feel bad that we forgot the camera. We've been forgetting it a lot.

The rain has been coming a lot lately. It's good because they've been experiencing drought conditions here. It doesn't feel like it. It feels humid, humid, humid. Always. I can't count how many times my glasses fog up. When I go outside our door I feel like I'm in one of those tropical rain forest zoo areas. With all the birds, it sounds like it too.

We are especially grateful to be here in Tampico, Mexico. We love the people. We love the area. We love teaching. Most the time, we love visiting. We look forward to working with PEF (perpetual education fund) training. We miss our family and friends. We miss a few American products, but I can't think of them now, so we must not miss them that much. This is a wonderful growing experience.