Life is Very Different in Mexico Than It Used To Be

I thought I would show some pictures that show how Americanized Mexico has become consumer-wise through the years. The culture is very different of course, and that is wonderful, but it is also nice to have some very familiar stores to go to when a person just wants to find something quickly that they know they would find back in their home country. Here are the three big ones in town here, and there is also an ACE Hardware, and a store called Soriana - which is actually a Mexican chain but a person can easily find anything there, and I guess I can't leave out MEGA then either. I was asking a sister when we were out the other day where the best place to food shop is in town from a Mexican standpoint, for prices and selection, and she said her family and friends all go to Walmart. I thought maybe she would tell me small shops, so I was a bit surprized. However, she did say that for vegetables and fruits the absolute best place is the huge outdoor market.

The meetings this weekend have been great. One point that was highlighted on Friday night that I think was really good is what was brought out about the label Christian - many people nowadays have called themselves Christian because they think that Christian means someone that believes in Christ, but in reality it means a person that follows Christs ways and lives by his standards that he taught. I thought this was very good food for thought. It actually reminded me of a HOUSE episode I was watching this week, where there was a woman who called herself a vegetarian...but she ate meat. :-/ She was asked how she could refer to herself as a vegetarian and eat meat, but she wanted to be one so badly that she ignored the fact that she wasn't living by the true definition of what one is. ...and another point I found fascinating was extra research by a couple of the brothers. In the scriptures, God says to withstand trials he will make a person like a copper gate. :-/ Mmm...why not gold or diamond chiseled? Well it turns out that copper is one of the few metals that actually is extremely difficult to penetrate because when it gets hit by heated items it doesn't puncture easily or get hot and melt but rather absorbs the heat (guess that's why it is used for making pots and pans for cooking), so that is why it was used as a protective metal in ancient times. So what Jehovah God was saying is that you will be like a copper gate and when you get hit by hot items of life and are under attack you will be able to figurately be just like a copper gate - if we make him our refuge. I thought that was extremely interesting.

Anyway, I am sure everyone else had great meetings too. :-) Have a wonderful week.

Love,

d :-)

$74 From Phoenix and The Misting System

I thought this was interesting information for anyone that wants to come visit. Apparently Phoenix is the cheapest airport to fly into for travel this direction. THEN there is a shuttle that does door-to-door delivery to Hermosillo for only $74. I thought that is was a fantastic price because years ago in Vancouver I used to pay almost $50 for the shuttle from Burnaby to Vancouver airport. Anyway keep it in mind, the ones I have talked to that have used it says that it is great service.

Today I spent the afternoon installing my misting system. Before moving here I was worried about how Harvey and Pearl would cope in the 50 degree celsius heat of the summer months, then I read on line of a dog breeder in Arizona that uses a misting system to keep her dogs cool through the summer. Sounded like a good idea to me, so after lots of research reading consumer reviews of misting systems, I bought the Ocean Breeze brand from Amazon for $20. It installed very easy but I will give you some tips. At first, I thought it would make it even more effective if I had all the misters facing the same direction inward - seemed like a good idea at the moment until I turned it on and immediately the patio area became exactly like a Korean sauna with mist so thick you could cut it - nice and cool mist albeit - but too thick for enjoyment...more like a VERY misty day in Vancouver - except you'd need to wear goggles and a windbreaker. :-/ After tinkering with things I figured out that the misters should be actually facing away from the intended cooling victim, and a person should buy one of those two headed faucet thingys so that the regular hose goes one direction and the one serving the mister can be turned to minimal water feed to control the amount of mist coming out. Now that it is done though I think we are ready for the 35 celsius heat predicted for later this week.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Love to everyone,

d :-)

Mexico Is Turning Pearl Into A Dare Devil

Service was absolutely fantastic this morning. Worked with a young sister named Karina. She owns a candy shop in town here. We worked a territory not far from the Kingdom Hall which has a vet hospital. It worked out nicely that the vet spoke English and I was able to start a Bible study with him. Tomorrow will be our first session. So the day got off to a great start. However...after service I came home to eat lunch. I put Harvey on his lead and let him walk around outside. Pearl on the other hand prefers to lay on the couch while the door is open letting the air circulate. As you know I pretty much don't worry about her doing anything or going anywhere because she has so many phobias...liking walking up stairs...or down stairs...or through doors. Just last night as I lay reading in bed she stood at the bedroom door and cried for me to come a get her because the door to the room was not fully open and in her tiny chihuahua head she does not think she can fit through a door unless it is 100% open...."Pearl, come here...you can make it...the door is open enough...you have at least 8 inches on either side of your 4 inch body...you can fit" - but she stood there until I came and opened the door completely. :-/ Anyway, today I got a shock. I was talking on SKYPE to mom while eating lunch, and then got up after - no Pearl. I started ripping the blankets off the bed, hoping to find the white gerbil curled up underneath - nothing! So I run frantically out into the yard of the RV park and yelled PEEEAAAARRRLLLLL!!!! with all the worst scenarios racing through my over active imagination. Believe me, I am positive that everyone in a huge radius of the park including the university campus heard Pearl's name echoing off the hills...but then almost too good to be true, the skinny white dog comes running full speed across the park. As my mom said last year, one thing she noticed about Harvey and Pearl is that they both know their names and respond quickly...THANK GOODNESS...:-/ ...because I would have had to call Joe and Colleen and have them set up roadblocks checking vehicles for the munchkin at all exits from the city. :-) Other than this heart tremor, today was just excellent...as I said...good service and pretty skies.

love,

d

*ps Pearl is not allowed to lay on the couch with the door open anymore.

The Life of Harvey and Pearl in Mex

We had an excellent meeting with the congregation this morning. A brother from Guaymas (originally from Medicine Hat) gave the talk about the Trinity, and how the teaching is not found in the Bible. The scriptures he used as evidence were excellent, and his reasoning ability was great - thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here is a pic of Pearl, and Harvey's squirrel baby, sunning themselves in the yard. It is really nice here in the park as they have a lot of room for running around...and then laying around when they are pooped out.

Love to everyone,

d :-)

Something Clicked With Pearl This Week.

I have attached a picture of Pearl's face this week because something clicked behibd those eyes yesterday. You will remember that three months ago I bought Pearl a set of steps so that she could walk up onto the bed without jumping. I didn't think that jumping was safe for her because she is small. I even bought the model that was covered in sheep skin because I thought the softness might encourage her to use them. Well for three months this has been the drill: Pearl stands at the bottom of the steps and mews like a cat until I come pick up her bum and force her little legs to walk like chopsticks up the stairs. This has gone on several times a day in an attempt to teach her how to use stairs. Harvey on the other hand had no one touch his bum for stair training and trotted right up them. :-/ (Cocker spaniel smarty pants). Anyway, yesterday I was working at the computer and heard Pearl mew. I was just about to get up to help her up the stairs when I raised my eyes to see her venture up the stairs on her own - albeit was kind of like watching robot dog as she was kind of stiff and choppy...I thought she might "timber" off at one moment...but the high point is that she actually got to the top. I feel quite liberated at the moment as this now means not only will I not have to do the "Pearl chore" during the day, but during the night when she gets out of bed for a drink of water I will now not have to get up to pick her back up onto the bed. Life really is good. :-)

Had a fabulous Bible study today, so very happy. Also dropped the posters off at the university so will keep everyone posted on that one. Everyone in the congregation is doing good - sure enjoying being in a small group. You know that old news show called EVERYONE HAS A STORY. The point of the show was to show that everyone has a much more interesting journey in life than most of us know...well it really is interesting to see where people have been in their lives and how they got to where they are today....including some of the ones down here.

Anyway, have a great week. Love to everyone,

d :-)

Big Announcement Last Night

The letter came and we are a congregation now, as of last night. The brother that read the letter did a really cool thing too...he recounted the different ones arrival times to Hermosillo. I don't think I have ever heard everyone in a congregations name read from the platform before, but because there is such a small group it was possible, and it made it very personal for everyone I am sure. But anyway, now if any of you want to come to work along in the ministry work here, there is a REAL CONFIRMED congregation for you to attend. :-)

Love to everyone. Have a great weekend.
d :-)

The Coolest Trailer Pulled In Last Night.

I have to show everyone this trailer. A man in his sixties pulled in with it. He came over later to visit so I could ask him lots of questions. It is a teardrop and he pulls it with an XB. He used to pull it with a mini-cooper but just changed up. He has logged over 50,000 miles traveling through the continent. He says he gets 33 miles to the gallon and yesterday did the Durango Hill drive which is one of the most dangerous, but he said everything handled great. I LOVE hearing about people's travels.

Also, here are some pics of Harvey and Pearl and me in San Carlos on Monday. We just drove down to eat lunch on the beach. Gorgeous still bay water that was crystal clear. When I threw Harvey into the water for a dip, you should have seen how fast Pearl moved - it was like suddenly she became a rock crab. Never saw a dog cover 30 feet so fast to get away from me. :-)

Okay, hope you are having a wonderful day.

d :-)

Okay, This Is Not About Bragging...

Hey hi everyone, :-)

....instead it is about being so happy about something and wanting to share it. This morning we had such a great time in service. Cheryl Keller sent me a great presentation for the Bible Teach book this morning and I decided to use it. I was able to start two Bible studies, and hopefully a third with a man who took the book and is considering the study course. Then on the way home I decided to stop and talk to the administration office at the big university. They were exceptionally nice. I actually just wanted to know where I could post a little notice letting the students know my name and number if they wanted a study, but the woman took me upstairs to meet the academic director of the university, and let me show her the book (Bible Teach book) and tell her about the course of study in it. She thought it was just grand and asked me to make 20 posters so that she can have them posted around the campus for the students to call me. It was really unexpected, but I am so thankful in many regards for the opportunity. All the brothers and sisters are having wonderul results in their volunteer (ministry) work here and I am just so grateful I can be part of it. :-) ...other than this the weather has been awesome and life at the rv park couldn't be better. :-)

Have an absolutely wonderful week!

Love to all,
d :-)

Congregation Bonfire

We had such a great time tonight. A couple in the congregation that have a home WAY out in the country invited everyone over for tamales, corn and a bonfire. It was absolutely super. Before going I was a little worried because my GPS said: "This route takes you on dirt road, are you sure?" So to be on the safe side, with visions of my head of that family that got lost and died in Death Valley Nevada, I decided to phone Joe and ask him to confirm the directions. In the end I ended up following Patricia and their group as they drove, but the GPS was right - dirt, rustic, road for part of it. Anyways, there are some brothers in the hall that are excellent guitar players and it was so fun listening to them. Brother Norberg knew some Johnny Cash and some other great songs (good voice), and the other brothers knew some beautiful Spanish songs, so it couldn't have been a better time. I attached a little clip for everyone. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend too!

Love, d :-)

Great Week, Getting Organized

Hey hi everyone :-)

Hope everyone is having a great week. This week is still one of organization but it has been really good. Went out in the ministry work on Tuesday and had a really good time. I personally didn't speak with anyone but Joe and Col were saying of the nine homes they visited something like 4 of them had serious discussions that they are returning on.
My internet connection is almost installed. The park internet has been fabulous but I am still going ahead with the private internet connection too to be on the safe side due to work. Couldn't ask for a better park though - super clean, secure, with great internet connection as I mentioned.
Harvey and Pearl and I are heading down to explore Kino Bay on Monday - Joe, Col, (Sophie their dog), Alejandro and Patricia, are going that day too so it should be really nice. I will show some pics of course. Getting one of Harve with a snorkel on his head may be difficult, but one of him rolling in the sand or Pearl chasing a bird may be doable. :-)
I feel like I have been all over the city now...and I like it. It is definitely not a tourist city, but for someone that wants to have all the amenities of a city and still enjoy the Mexican culture then it is perfect. It feels small compared to Seoul, but the roads are nice and wide for the most part, and it is easy to get around.
Okay will run. Yesterday I had a headache but today back in top form so I have a bunch of little projects - including studying my Spanish - before the meeting tonight. Everyone have an awesome weekend.

Love,
d :-)