Previous occasions have been a fireside or a reception, but we got an old-fashioned Mérida Temple party de traje (potluck)
and lots of good Yucateca food.The program began with the trio singing
and afterward they posed for pictures. It was a grand send-off, and many Temple friends came to express their love and wish us well. Because space is limited. I will include pictures of workers who have a special place in our hearts and tell a little about each.
Sis. Socorro Espinoza left her husband ill at home and came to bring her part of the potluck dinner and tell us good-bye as she couldn't stay. Bro. Espinosa is the oldest of the workers presently serving, and has enjoyed good health. He always has a big smile and a pleasant greeting.
Sis. Esperanza Herrera felt that she had learned to be more patient and show more love while we were serving in the temple. She was very grateful, and it was hard for her to ask to be released as Tuesday morning coordinator when she needed to begin a business out of her home.
Sis. López from Champotón, the farthest unit in the temple district. She had been relegated to simple tasks, but Sis. Soto worked with her until she could do all the ordinances from memory. She was thrilled!
Bro. and Sis. Cetina - Gerhard worked very closely with him in his business as a contractor. She is a doctor and helped the missionaries with medical needs. They are both workers, with Bro. Cetina coming Fri. nights as coordinator and Sat. morning for training of new workers.
Sis. Gloria Aguilar has taken the responsibility of Tues. night coordinator. Her husband is not active, but it has been inspiring to see their love for each other, and she hopes he soon will return to activity in the Church.
Sis. Valeria and Bro. Abel Ordáz who are true pioneer leaders in the Church. He has been the first bishop, stake president, etc. and now is a patriarch and a sealer.
Bro. Aldaco worked in Temple maintenance most of the time we were there, and Sis. Aldaco was also a worker. They came Fri. nights.
With Mauricio and Mayte González in our corner. They are in charge of Family History in the Peninsula, and are both temple workers. Their daughter received a scholarship to BYU-Hawaii for the coming year.
A hat used in the Danza de los Viejitos was on the chairs by us. I don't know whose idea it was to put the hat on Gerhard, but it got a lot of attention.
Nothing like a good photo-op to draw a crowd.
Alicia Acosta came to give us a hug. She was one of our greatest helpers, coming Saturday evening, and making us feel part of their family all the time.
Bro, Ignacio Tuyub (Nacho) and Bro. Alberto González, two of the men Gerhard relied on. Nacho for his master carpentry and González for his ability to get things done in the FM's office.
Bro. and Sis. Garrido - he had been the first counselor to Carl Call and then to Pres. Dyer before we came. He continued to serve Tues. and Sat. mornings. Sis. Cruzita helps on Saturday morning. Their story of the change the Gospel makes in their lives is wonderful, and they have a strong family, even with many problems in their children's lives.
Sis. Leny Perera, who was serving as a missionary in the Employment Center when we came. She was baptized 50 years ago, and now hopes to serve as a Temple missionary in Mérida.
Sis. Dina Trejo, with her daughter, often missed her shift as she has fragile health and suffers from anxiety attacks, but she came to tell us of her love and best wishes.
Sis.Maricela Castillo is married to a non-member, but he is very supportive of her in her calling as a temple worker. He teaches school, so had to take time off to come with her to the party. We hope he will soon join the Church.
Two of our most dependable coordinators - Sis. Teresa Fernández (left) and Sis. Lupita Roca (right). They never miss for their shifts Thurs. night and Sat. early morning (respectively) even though they have multiple responsibilities and large families.
(right) Landy Dominguez, who became involved with a divorced man with a family, and stopped coming to work at the temple. She is such a special person that we hope she doesn't make a serious mistake in her life. She knows that she needs to come to the temple often.
Euridice Espinoza and her sister. Eury is single and a professional woman who travels often. She comes in for an hour or so at least two or three times a week. She is a lot of fun to work with. Gerhard called her "the elegant one."
Bro. and Sis. Rubio who made us feel like their children. They invited us to their home for dinner when we visited their ward and we were happy when her cataract surgery turned out very well.Sis. Cortazar faithfully came as coordinator on Fri. nights, especially when she was going through a very difficult time in her relationship with her husband.
Sis. Esther Rivero (right) and her family were taught the Gospel by Elder Tony Jones from Col. Dublán. He was happy to hear that she and her mother are faithful in their temple attendance.
Sis. Dulce Aguilar was an assistant to the first matron of the temple. She and her husband are dealing with many stressful situations and health issues, but they have complete faith that the Lord will bless them as they serve in the Temple. She gave me her terno, which will be a special keepsake.
Bro. Dorantes became a Temple worker about one month after his wife died. He comes every night for the first session and bears a strong testimony of the peace that is found in the Temple.
Sis. Carmen Hernández and her sisters grew up in the ward in Puebla where Pres. Oropeza was bishop, so when he came to Mérida, we enjoyed their association.
Wakaka, Anna and Victor Romero were a family that was struggling. He works for FamilySearch, and she came to find a listening ear for her problems. We know that Jesus Christ helps marriage partners to find love and progress in their relationship, so we tried to help them learn to rely on the Savior.
Bro. and Sis. Flota came in once a week from Izamal, a drive of about an hour. He had been a sealer previously, but now was called to serve as coordinator on Sat. nights.
Sis. Maria Góngora came twice a week for over a year, but then had to cut back to once a week as her husband's health deteriorated. Because he couldn't move by himself, she would get him settled for the evening then lock the door to the house. A neighbor would come over several times to listen at the door while she was gone. She supported them by doing sewing.
Micaela and Jose Pérez were the Wed. evening coordinators. His story is nothing short of a miracle, as he had a brain tumor for eight years. We knew him the last year before his tumor was finally operated on, using the latest and least invasive techniques possible. During our last year at the temple we saw him make an almost complete recovery and saw that their faith had been rewarded.
Sis. Rea and her husband came even though she still had her arm in a sling after being squeezed between two city buses. They are helping with grandchildren, as so many couples do, and have a son on a mission, so making ends meet is difficult. She does tailoring and helped with Temple sewing. He is not a member, but always brings her to the Temple and comes to pick her up on Tues. morning after her shift.
Bro. and Sis. Herrera have our greatest respect. He is carrying on the family tradition as a baker, but suffers from diabetes. Lately they have had legal issues, their work and their children face economic difficulties, and even depression. He asked to be released as a coordinator because his problems don't allow him to be dependable on Thur. night.
Sis. Zamario and Bro. Campos found a place in our hearts through their desire to be married--except her divorce has dragged on for over two years, even though the marriage ended over 20 years ago. They need inspiration to deal with her children's problems, economic problems, and discouragement, so they come faithfully.Pres. Dyer requested music from his era, so the evening ended with Glenn Miller and big band sounds while we danced .
And Pres. Schill ended the evening with his own special twist.
No comments:
Post a Comment