TEOTIHUACAN

We had the marvelous opportunity to travel with the Institute students to Teotihuacan this week.  It's one of the major archeological sites of the world--said to have been built a couple of centuries B.C.   It is very impressive--two very large pyramids-- the Pyramid of the Sun, and the Pyramid of the Moon, as well as many other massive structures and areas. 

Resting on the steps with the Jarvis'

All the institute kids.

We actually climbed the Pyramid of the Sun.  It was steep and the steps are narrow and high.

We made it to the top.  The pyramid of the Moon is in the background. 

We can check this off our bucket list !

Eating "comida tipica".

What a great 35th Wedding Anniversary !

A Whirl-Wind of Feelings, Changes, and Events…

On March 3, 2010, we accepted a call to serve in the Church’s Perpetual Education Fund (PEF) Service and Call Center in Mexico City. Since that time, our lives have been a-whirl wind of feelings, changes, and events.

Our friends at the Institute

Feelings

Accepting the call to serve in Mexico City meant that we would be leaving Tampico prematurely, and along with it, all the people and the things that we had come to love so dearly. Our heartstrings have been pulled and stretched so much this last month they hurt terribly! We know they will stop hurting as we come to know and work with the Saints in Mexico City.

Our Book of Mormon Class!

Our English Class!

Changes

Responsibilities: The PEF assists young adults in the church in planning for successful lives, and in some cases, provides financial assistance for education to those in need. We will be working in the Mexico PEF Call Center, assisting staff and volunteers in the daily administration and support of students in the PEF program. There are about 5,000 young adults in Mexico that are enrolled in PEF.

PEF Staff and Trainers

Where we live: We are now living on campus of Benemerito, a high school sponsored by the Church. It has the look and feel of the BYU campuses. The kids and grounds are beautiful! There are about 2000 kids that attend Benemerito. Half of them live on campus in dorms or in group homes, and the other half live at home. The dorms are just like Heritage Halls at BYU-Provo, except that there are no kitchens in them because everyone living in the dorms eats at the school cafeteria. The group homes have about 18 kids per home, and each home has a couple/family that provides for, or otherwise cooks for them! We live in a converted dorm room at the girls dorms. One of the 3 bedrooms has been converted to a kitchen. It reminds me a lot of Anna Min and Jereme’s place at BYU Idaho. The campus is safe and includes a security gate manned 24 hours per day by security personnel.

The front door to our new home.

The view outside our front door.

The Institute in Mexico City with Elder & Sister Jarvis

Where we work: The PEF Call Center is located in a nearby Institute building and is only a 15 minute walk away for us. We work 8:30 AM – 5PM, Mon through Friday, and 9 AM -1 PM on Saturdays. Being so close to and working all day at the call center/institute is a good thing because the traffic and drivers here are crazy! Right now the only place we plan to go in our car is to Walmart, which is 5 minutes away! Otherwise, we’re walking or if we have to, going by taxi!

Events

Transito Police: While working with the missionaries, I got stopped in the car (again) by a Transito (Traffic) policeman. This time, I ended up paying the policeman what he asked for.

Flight to Mexico City: Four days after we received our new call, we flew to Mexico City and stayed for a week of training about the PEF program. We stayed at Benemerito in the apartment we now live in, and ate almost all of our meals at the school cafeteria. Eating at the cafeteria was wonderful not only because it was convenient but also because the food was delicious! While in Mexico City, we attended a PEF board meeting with the Mexico Area Presidency in their downtown offices! The meeting was great but the taxi ride was crazy!

At the Beach

Anna Min’s Visit to Tampico: Anna Min came to visit us in Tampico! As is the Nolte custom, we packed everything we could in those 3 ½ days she was with us! Eating out for fish and Mexican cuisine, buying at the street market, walking the dike at the Madero-Tampico Playa (beach), attending our English and Book of Mormon classes at the Institute, going to our branch for Sunday Services, and of course, traveling to Tajin (Totonacan ruins) and Costa Esmeralda (Best Western Noray-Hotel on beachfront of Gulf Coast). We sure loved having her with us—it was a real boost!

At Costa Esmeralda

Costa Esmeralda with Anna Min

Our Move to Mexico City: Last Thursday, and three days after Anna Min flew home, we packed up our belongings and moved here to Mexico City! It took us 9 hours to make the trip. Although some of the roads were pretty precarious, the scenery was beautiful, especially climbing up and traveling through the mountains. There were a few times along the way that we took turns or routes that at the time we thought were incorrect but later turned out to be exactly where we needed to go. We recognize the source from which we were assisted along the way and the power of your prayers being offered in our behalf.

A Warm Welcome: The Jarvis’s and Olsens, two other missionary couples serving in Mexico City have treated us wonderfully! Thanks to them, we have already been to the temple and visitors center grounds, had our refrigerator stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, and been invited over for dinner on several occasions, and even seen a video or two since arriving.

We are grateful to all who enrich their lives with their love and friendship.

Love,

Jeff and Mary Ann

A beautiful morning

The Nelson's Come to Tampico! HOORAY!

Our mission is over the half-way mark now. It seems to be going faster and faster. We're still busy with English and Book of Mormon classes, Young Adult activities, and the usual odds and ends. Jeff has been asked to sit in on the various institute classes, take notes, meet with the teachers, and make comments and report back. He really likes this responsibility. It's fun to attend the classes and meet with the students and teachers.

Boyd, Emily, Gavin and Eli have blessed us with their coming to Mexico, Feb 16-23. So Wonderful! For a whole week even! We were able to search for alligators at Laguna de Carpentera(?), explore El Tajin, relax on the Costa Esmeralda at Best Western Norays, eat lots of yummy food, play at the beach in Tampico as well, visit the institute and English classes with presentations on New York City, and most of all we've been able to be together and reconnect with kids and grandkids, play games, and have fun. WE count this as a tender mercy.

Other news:

We've continued to have an extra cool winter, but we now that Spring and hot weather are going to be here soon. We'll enjoy this last bit of cool weather as long as it lasts. We're glad the weather improved while Boyd and Emily were here.

Jeff has lost the privilege to complain about other drivers--as he has shown he can drive even crazier.

Everyone says that I'm talking more Spanish. I don't feel like I know much more--I guess I'm just not as afraid to try.

I did give my first talk in Spanish at the baptism of our new student, Arely. Jeff has been able to sing at church and at some baptisms. He really enjoys that.

We look forward to Anna Min coming in a couple of weeks! Hooray!

I still can't figure how to easily move pictures around in this blog.... OH WELL...

NEW YEAR, NEW SEMESTER, NEW EXPERIENCES

Toby dressed for the cold!

COLD WEATHER--Apparently, Tampico is having its coldest winter in 17 years. It's been soooo freezing cold! A couple of weeks of 50 degree weather and then three days of 40 degree weather. I know that doesn't sound bad, but with the humidity, and with the lack of heaters, and limited winter clothing, we've been cold. I've been wearing Jeff's socks, two tops along with my sweater and rain jacket all day long, inside and outside. We are fortunate to have a space heater to use courtesy of our landlady. Still we jump under the covers when we get home. Sunday, everyone was sitting in Sacrament meeting in their stocking caps, gloves, coats, and scarves, boots, and long socks . And at the institute, everyone was busy at their computers shivering in their winter gear. I took pictures on the cell phone, but I can't figure out how to transfer them to the computer.

Naranja, Veracruz, Mexico

UPDATE: I wrote that paragraph a week ago. We're back to some 70 degree weather. So revitalizing. We've had a lot of rain, but today we had sunshine. Love it!



TRIALS & MISHAPS: Jeff somehow completely erased my institute gmail contact list containing names, email addresses, phone numbers, addresses, birthdays, wards, stakes, pictures and notes. He felt pretty bad.... At least it happened the week before classes began and it gave us both something to keep us really busy. Most of it has been recovered.


OOPS! Then, Jeff dropped the camera on our second night of classes and it stopped working. We were able to take any pictures of the class. He felt pretty bad about that. He remembered that I wanted a new camera anyway. The next day when we went to go to the store, we discovered that things had snapped back into place and opened and shut as normal. A tender mercy.


NEXT, we couldn't transfer our photos onto the computer for some reason. I complained to Norton since I thought it might be because of the new virus software. They got on remote to help me and what do you know---it started towork.


NEW CLASSES: We started new English classes and have all new faces. It's fun. It's a smaller group than usual and we're not going to divide, but it's really just the right size—about 17-18 students. They are a really fun class. Of course, this means Jeff and I have to team teach. A tricky situation. I get kind of bossy. Jeff's handling the music. I'm planning the class.


Our Saturday Book of Mormon II Class has familiar faces! We appreciate the sacrifice of these kids to give us a part of their Saturday night—even when it is their only free day.

Reynosa Family

CHRISTMAS! We had a very nice Christmas and New Years which involved lots of get-togethers and dinners (Bentley's, Call's, Reynoso's, Trevino's), missionary farewells, BYU sports, a couple of movies, four new books to read. The highlight was being able to travel around the mission and deliver mail, packages, and Christmas wishes to the MEXICO TAMPICO missionaries in time for Christmas. On Dec. 23, Jeff and I travel to Naranja, Tuxpan, Huehutla, Poza Rica, Papantla, and a few other places I can't remember right now—a twelve hour day trip which met with lots of traffic, some car trouble, and some VERY HAPPY MISSIONARIES. It was worth it. Jeff went out with Pres. Call on Dec 24 to make other deliveries in the Victoria area.

Karla Trevino came with us as we delivered Christmas packages & cards to the missionaries.  Here we are in Poza Rica

CHRISTMAS AGAIN—This week (Jan 15) cards and packages arrived! We hadn't had any mail since November. We put on the music, opened the cards, the packages, and ate the candy that came with it. It was fun!

RECRUITING—Come to Institute! We're making the rounds to the different wards to invite the Young Adults to Institute! It makes Sunday's our busiest days. Yesterday, after visiting 3 wards and their Single Adult classes in the morning and early afternoon, we ran home for a quick bite and then ran out again to a fireside which the missionaries arranged for us to speak at. Afterwards, they served “Moyetes”. MMMMM..... good!

Moyetes!

Didn't think this would be sooooo long! So I won't go on about the language struggles, the traffic scares, Jeff's backache as a result of carrying a car battery 4 blocks, sniffles and colds,or the grandkids that we miss! I will just say that we are looking forward to having Emily, Boyd, Gavin and Eli here in a month! WHOOPEE!

Barrio Aeropuerto Young Single Adults

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!

Milestones, More Discoveries, & Gratitudes

Book of Mormon Class Surprise

We've reached a few milestones:

1.  Jeff turned 57 last Saturday.
2.  We've been on our mission for 6 months now.
3.  We've celebrated our first Thanksgiving here in Tampico.  (A few days early).
4.  Mary Ann answered a question in Sunday School Class on Sunday in SPANISH.
5.  Mary Ann is singing in a choir for Stake Conference next week.  Jeff thinks that's a milestone.
6.  Mary Ann hasn't needed the English headsets in the temple for the last two times. 

Thanksgiving with the Bentley's, Call's, and Bro. Alvarez

New Discoveries:
1.  I learned today that you can't put fresh pineapple in jello.  We had soupy jello at our Thanksgiving meal today.   Oops.

2.  Three couples at the dinner share a common ancester--Sally Tiffany and Cyril Call.  And we learned today that following back Sally Tiffany's line that we have ancesters that came over on the Mayflower.  Pretty nifty, huh?

Gratitudes:

1.  The tradition of Thanksgiving dinner.

2.  Opportunities

3.  Family

4.  Friends--here and back home

5.  Freedom

6.  A loving Heavenly Father

7.  Our Savior, Jesus Christ

8. We're grateful for the people we work with as well.

NEW DISCOVERIES

Hey! We've been in Tampico for five months. We are learning new things all the time. Thought we'd share a few of them.



We have a pepper tree growing in front among the avocado tree and the lemon tree. Didn't know that black pepper grows on trees.

I did this 999 piece puzzle (lost one piece). It was fun. Jeff was glad for the computer time.

We've discovered that when Jeff hit the gate in a downpour of a rainstorm a couple of Saturday's ago and ripped off our side mirror, it was a good thing. It led to our meeting our Elder's Quorum president in the branch who is now our new mechanic. He was able to resourcefully fix the mirror and charged us less than five bucks. And when he changed the oil in the car and saw how dirty the oil was, he informed us that the gas in Mexico is very bad and we need to use the premium. Another discovery.

The best time to drive is on Sunday, especially Sunday mornings. Not as much traffic. Driving to Church is so nice. After Church, we usually have appointments and have been traveling to some of the outlying areas. The roads there are worse, there are even fewer street signs, and it's a little less modern than Tampico. We wish we would have remembered to bring the camera. Anyway, we are very pleased with ourselves because last Sunday, we were able to find an address in one of these outlying areas without a map, and only by learning the general area from a branch member and by stopping a couple of times to ask directions along the way. (A hard thing for Jeff) When we got there, no one was home. A common event. But we were so happy that we even found the place, we didn't care. We've had some earlier stressful experiences--like driving around for 2 1/2 hours and not finding an address that was on the map and getting lost. We won't talk about that.

Moving on to other new discoveries---Mole. Hma. Christel invited us to dinner yesterday and served us Mole. It was great. Couldn't tell you exactly what it is--a type of sauce served over chicken. Today we tried "Enchiladas" at Sanborn's--not anything like the enchiladas we're used to, but very good. We've also discovered a new restaurant--Pipilos. It serves very good local dishes buffet style.

Shopping. Sister Bentley, the temple matron, took me and Sister Call to the mercado. It's a little outdoor market place that comes to the street by the institute every Thursday. Pres. Martinez took us there once and told us it was the best place to buy fruit. Sister Bentley convinced us it's the best place to find clothes, especially modest, missionary-appropriate clothing. Most of the clothing is used, some of it new. It comes from the United States as we see "Goodwill" and "Deseret Industries" and"Ross" and other store tags on some of the clothing. She convinced us to try some clothes on over our clothing to see if they fit. So we did. I picked up 2 skirts and a jacket for about $20. Good deal.

The Mexican people are so resourceful. At a carnival activity, darts for the balloon game were made from straws, straight pins and hot glue. They worked great. Rings were made from packing tape only. A friend went to pick fruit from a tall tree with a milk jug and old broom handle. Vendors on the street, "in" the street, actually, will wash your windshield, even replace wipers while you wait at the light. Other vendors sell candy, toys, balls, fans, etc. etc. There's even flame throwers, jugglers, and entertainers all in the streets hoping to earn some pesos from those stopped at the red lights.
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This is Luis. He's 13. Jeff and I teach him English once a week. We usually come up with a game to play as Luis isn't always interested in learning the usual ways. He's a good kid and we really like to teach him.

Can you tell today is wash day?

We're having our ups and downs, but we love the students, teaching English, visiting, and especially teaching Book of Mormon. We feel very blessed to be here. We feel more at home all the time.