Yes...seriously.It is hard to believe that the first semester here in Puebla is coming to a close this week and I will be in California soon! My Spanish teacher has crammed my head full of verb tenses, which I still don't have memorized, I have been well cared for by Margarita, and enjoyed the company of my new friends here in Puebla. I am filled with gratitude for the countless acts of kindness and service on behalf of my family while I have been away. I can never know the wholeness of what occurred for our benefit. I have witnessed the Lord's work through the hands of my friends and family and am eternally indebted. Bill was came down to Puebla for a quick 5 day visit and surprised me by staying 20!
Bill and I traveled to Oaxaca, Oaxaca for a weekend. Here we are at the ruins of Monte Alban. This sight was a center for economics, religion, and politics for the Zapotecs. It thrived from about 500 B.C. to 850 B.C. The city of Oaxaco is in the valley below. While in Oaxaca we ate Tlayudas (large crispy tortilla topped with any variety of toppings) enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the zocalo, and visited some historical sights.
This picture was taken at the ex-convent of Santo Domingo in Oaxaca. This ex-convent house a beautiful chapel, as well as an enormous collection of historical artifacts that mark the long and varied history of Mexico. We spent only a few hours there, it would take a few days to few it all in depth.
Kaitlin (from Las Vegas) and I waiting for LUNA NUEVA! (photo by Bill)
We were able to visit Mexico City. Bill served his mission in Mexico City 1988-1990. We shared some special moments walking the streets together where he once walked. We snapped many photos in some of the same spots where Bill had taken photos that now fill his scrapbook. We were saddened to realize when we arrived to Puebla the next day, we had left the camera on the bus. When we called the bus station, it had not been turned in. This picture was taken on our second trip to Mexico City (with a new camera). We visited the National Antropology Museum and visited the Teotihuacan Pyramids. We are standing a top of the enormous Sun Pyramid with the Moon Pyramid in the background.
This was Thanksgiving Day. On Tuesday, Bill got the gas and electricity turned on in our small apartment that we will be living in this winter and spring. We were able to invite my fellow USAC students and share a marvelous evening together. There are 19 of us pictured, but there was a total of 23 people in this little place! Despite the cramped quarters we miraculously prepared a turkey dinner (thank you Costco for the turkey and pumpkin pie-not easy items to find here in Mexico) with stuffing, potatoes, and even pumpkin pie! Everyone brought something to share. It was definately a day of abundance, and good will. Having such a lively and loving group to share this day with gave us all something to look forward too and I don't think anyone felt like they "missed out" on anything that day. Thank you to my USAC friends for making this a most memorable Thanksgiving!
Happy Birthday, Bill! We ate at a delicious Italian restaurant to celebrate his special day!
Once again, this blog would not be complete without a tribute to Margarita and her dear family. Here she is with her two sons (Paco and Alejandro), their wives (Vivi sitting and Flora standing with Alejandro), her two grandchildren, (Paco -- Pepito and Anapoala or Munse) and her daughter. Lupita (wearing pink). Margarita has been a mother figure, teacher, friend, and an example of faith and family values. I owe so much her, it has been a privilege to be in her home the last 4 months. She has generously given her time and shared her talents on behalf of me and my family. Her children are living testaments of her strength. They have the same genuine kind-heartness of their mother. Despite the language differences, I always felt welcomed and like part of this precious family. Again, I witnessed the Lord's work, this time through the hands of Margarita and her family, and again, I am eternally grateful. We are sitting here in our new apartment, after a Thanksgiving meal. I think it was far too bland for their tastebuds, not a chile pepper or bowl of salsa in sight, but they graciously recieved and consumed the food. Paco, Margartia's oldest son was impressed with the giant bowl of mashed potatoes. He said that on the movies from the United States, during a dinner scene, someone always says "Please pass the potatoes".
