How do you begin Christmas celebration at the Temple? With a Nativity scene and a Devotional for the workers featuring the Area Authority. You invite the missionaries to decorate a table and serve refreshments made by the experts--the bakers, Bro. and Sis. Herrera (left) and the caterer, Sis. Roca (right) .



Elder and Sis. Smith, the decorating committee, with Pres. and Sis. Oropeza who will be leaving on Dec. 15 this year.

Nov. 30, 2009 was a great spiritual feast and a wonderful opportunity to see many of the workers all together. As we sat on the stand and looked over the chapel full of friends we have made here and loyal workers who sacrifice so much to come, we were filled with love for them.

We heard the testimonies of the counselor and his wife who are leaving in two weeks. We know they have been blessed for their obedience and their humility. Sister Oropeza tells us that they have learned to live with less material possessions. Their children have not had their parents nearby to solve their problems, and that is a blessing, too.
President Oropeza told a story about the devil's imps who were planting seeds of Discouragement and having a lot of success -- except in hearts that were filled with Gratitude. I've been thinking about that idea and see how true it is. If we start counting our blessings, it's hard to feel discouraged, angry, hurt, etc.
Our Area Authority, Elder González, carried on the Oropezas' idea of the need to receive individual revelation for our lives by telling experiences that he and his family have had. He closed by encouraging us to "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit" and become "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit" (quoting Mosiah 3:19), in order to find peace and improve our lives.

the Mérida Yucatán México Temple Presidency July 2008-December 2009


Gerhard didn't have to worry about anything for this party :)

For good measure, we have a picture of Bro. Jose Perez and his wife, Micaela, with Pres. and Sis. Oropeza. They have been good friends, through their connections to their home town of Puebla, and in the medical needs of the Perez family. Two days after this picture was taken, Bro. Perez entered the hospital for surgery on a brain tumor.