Our new sisters arrived July 27, 2009 to begin their missionary service in the Temple. There has been a flurry of excitement with carpenters, masons and electricians working to renovate a Church-owned property just down the street from our apartments so they could be safe and comfortable. The miracle came to pass and they are settled in, although we joke that the missionaries can be found next to the cantina when they are not at work.
For home evening, Aug. 3, the Dyers invited the missionary couples in Mérida to meet the sisters and have dinner. Pres. and Sis. Dyer barbecued the chicken and provided a gracious setting, Sis. Oropeza brought a mango drink, sliced fruit and 3 kinds of icecream--mamey, coconut and corn (believe it or not); we made baked potatoes and green beans; the Smiths furnished a vegetable plate and garlic bread; the Mortensons stole the show when they unveiled home-made apple pie, and the Verlindens treated us to chocolates.

On the left is sister María Sánchez from Saltillo, Coahuila. When her family was young she and her husband searched to find the Church and they overcame many hardships to attend and bring up their 9 children to be faithful. Now 5 of the children have served missions, she is a widow of 2 years, and they are supporting their mother and grandmother on her mission. She loves the Relief Society and provident living. Her willingness to serve wherever the Lord wanted her, has brought her far from home to a temple. Her first Sunday she met a missionary from a stake in Tlaxcala where her son is the stake president, so she was happy for that. Her mission is for one year.
Sister Flor Soto, who comes from the Distrito Federal (Mexico City), met the missionaries as a young girl in Chiapas when they knocked over her basket with goodies she was selling. As soon as her family heard the Gospel, they were baptized and they have done extensive family history work to provide ordinances for generations of family. She served as a worker in the Mexico City Temple for 15 years, while professionally counseling troubled youth. Her mission is for a year and a half.