Birthdays, Baptisms, Despedidas, a Desfile, and a Change in the Weather

 It has been 3 weeks since our last post. Back then, we were still dealing with heat, humidity, mud, and mosquitos. Then, last Tuesday, we had a whole day with high winds and now its cool. It has been so cool that I (Martha) am almost tempted to drink mate. Almost. 😏 We have spent more time in the kitchen and continue to enjoy feeding the Elders once a week. 


                        This was our response to Elder Cluff's request for Asian food.
 (Teriyaki Chicken, Stir Fry, and Rice.) 

Brian was just trying out an apple fritter recipe when he went to light the oven and there was no gas. We had just changed the tank a few weeks ago...Could we have used that much gas with all of our cooking? No way! Brian went outside to check the tank and it was gone. Someone stole our gas tank!😲


The Ensanche Norte group had an activity to celebrate Luzmila's birthday.  

When we arrived, we were asked to come up with some games. 
The kids and youth were pretty good doing the Limbo
 with the broomstick from the janitorial closet. 
 We couldn't convince the adults to participate.😑
Here, Elder Simmons, was teaching a lesson about the doctrine of Christ,
 using the birthday girl and his companion, Elder Cluff.

A few days later, Yanet, celebrated her 15th birthday!


All of these great people were baptized and confirmed members
 de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias in the last few weeks.

They made a BIG pot of hot chocolate to celebrate.



We said goodbye to Elders Simmons (de San Diego &Wyoming) and Villa (de Buenos Aires).
These great young men had been serving in Ibarreta for 4+ months.

Last Friday, most of the town gathered at the city hall
 to celebrate the elementary school's anniversary.
 Each school class dressed in costumes and performed a little dance.
A sister in our ward, Carmen,
 made some of these frog costumes for the teachers.
Random pony and llama available for photos

In the past few weeks, we haven't had any grand adventures. We have gotten into a comfortable routine, trying to help the people here in small and simple ways, each day. I have tried to follow this counsel given by Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai in April 2025 General Conference:

If you would like to feel the love of God more abundantly in your life, may I invite you to consider the following:

First, pause frequently to remember that you are a child of God and think of the things you are grateful for.

Second, pray daily, asking Heavenly Father to help you know who around you needs to feel His love.

Third, ask sincerely what you can do to help that individual to feel the love of God.

And fourth, act promptly on the inspiration you receive.

If we consistently pray and ask on the behalf of others, God will show us the people we can help. And if we act promptly, we can become the means through which He answers their prayers. By doing so, in time, we will receive answers to our prayers and we will feel God’s love in our own lives.

If despite your best efforts life is overcast, if you feel that your prayers are not heard, or if you can’t feel God’s love, please know that your every effort matters and, as certain as the stars above us, that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know, hear, and love you.

And we love you, too.
Elder y Hermana Francis







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