Feliz Navidad ! 2009 Christmas Newsletter

This year we celebrate Christmas in Tampico, Mexico-- very much missing our family and friends from home, but enjoying the young adults and many new friends we have met here serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Just like the climate, the people here are very warm and encompassing.




It's been a whirlwind of a year! Many challenges! Many Blessings! Many things to do! Many new things to learn! The highs and lows include:

A CES/PEF Mission call (Church Education System/ Perpetual Education Fund) to Mexico

Traveling to Utah, Texas, California and NewYork to see mothers, kids, and grandkids

Checking off the endless list of “to dos” to get ready to live in a foreign country for 18 months

Making it through yet another busy tax season (Mary Ann)

Trying to learn Spanish over the telephone

Getting an unexpected offer on the house at the last possible minute—Yes we sold our house.

Receiving so much help from our Gallup friends and neighbors! (cleaning, moving furniture, offers to run erands, dinners, fix up projects, hugs, and love) THANKS!

Jeff's root canal the morning we entered the MTC and its ensuing pain and problems

A wonderful and overwhelming experience at the MTC (Missionary Training Center)

Driving to Tampico, Mexico—stopped for speeding (?) $40 payable on the spot. Driving the speed limit the rest of the way and being passed by EVERYBODY!

Having 50 kids show up to our first English class and being left to our own resources. Check out Jeff's singing the Hokey Pokey at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ilLu8QmlUM

Attempting to understand and speak Spanish. Everyone speaks so fast!

Realizing we're not through with late night activities with young adults—dances, karaokes, firesides, etc.

Enjoying the native cuisine! We love it! Contrary to prior information they do have some “hot” dishes here.

Speaking a little bit more Spanish—poco a poco

Jeff singing “mucho” -- solos, choirs, quartets....

Teaching Book of Mormon to a great group of kids.

Enjoying Temple work

Typing “registros” at the Mission office on Wednesday's. (Mary Ann)

Visiting young adults in this tri-city area of a million people and trying to find their house in the many colonias, often on unmarked streets, and illogical house numbers and incredible traffic. We're learning to ask for directions which is really the best way to find places once you get to the right Colonia.

Hobnobbing with the missionaries. They're another great way to find addresses and youth. And fun to be with!

Feeling more and more a part of things by participating in Family Home Evenings, Weddings, Christmas Choirs, Dances, Celebrations.

Getting to know the youth and being strengthened by their love and testimonies of Christ.



We feel so blessed! We count you as one of our many blessings! We hope that you have a memorable Christmas and a uplifting new year! We look forward to hearing from you!

Love, Jeff & Mary Ann

This is a giant tamale served at a wedding celebration!