The Anthony Mission Blog: Our First Full Week

Hello to our good family and friends! This week has been packed with cleaning and getting the necessary things for our apartment, meeting new people and learning some of the things we will need to know in the coming months.

Monday morning we arrived early in the Mission Office and met the Elders who have been keeping things going there. They are wonderful young men who have been doing a great job, working to keep the finances, communications and records straight.

Elder Hicks (West Jordan) Elder Sotello (Guaymas, Mex) Elder Castillo (Monterrey, Mex.)

It was a P-day, when the missionaries can do their wash, get their food and do whatever else they need to get done for the week. That also means they can come to the office to get their mail, pamphlets and record sheets. It turned out that the office was an extremely busy and crowded meeting place. We met many people and are hopeful to remember a few new names each week. Dave is doing quite well with the Spanish, and Marilyn is, well, shaking hands and nodding her head like crazy. We can tell already that it's going to be a process to learn everything we need to know...especially since the Elder that is teaching Marilyn only speaks Spanish and that Google maps is a bit complicated in a city of millions. Elder Anthony is finding out that many of the young missionaries had problems getting their money from the ATM's this week, too.

Elders Medina and Mollotte (Washington)

Monday Evening we met with the other couples to hold a home evening. It was good to get to know them and to hear their advice. It was a very spiritual and enjoyable evening.

We have been cleaning out the office this week to make way for an overflow of furniture coming from apartments that are being closed out from Elders and Sisters going home after the big influx of new 18 and 19-year-olds a couple of years ago. It has been a huge undertaking, but we can see some progress.

Elders Sotelo and Hicks

Saturday, some of the Elders took us to an open-air market (a mercado called a tiangue, not so sure on the spelling) for a great experience in Mexican culture. Fruits, vegetables, clothing, meats (which we didn't purchase) and many other life necessities were being offered for sale. We purchased many fresh food items at very reasonable prices. These we need to take home and soak in a clorox solution for several minutes before they can be put into the refrigerator, but have been very delicious.