Happy Anniversary

So Dalene informs me that this is our one week aniversary in Mexico. It seems like a very long and a a very short week, all at once. We have been drinking out of the proverbial "firehose" at our new assignment. We have met wonderful people, staff and fellow missionaries, who have all been so kind to us. We went to Church here for the first time, had a Family Home Evening with our fellow missionaries (where we had to offer the two prayers) and the Area President and his wife Elder and Sister DeHoyos. Whew! And se still had to eat, shop, learn to navigate a bit, work on visa issues, and generally try to figure which way is up.

Our apartment (read loft) is quite nice, although it has its quirks, but it will be comfortable enough for us. Its funny that we miss things like... say, a garbage disposal or any of the thousand other things we'd like to just go get, 'cause we can. Dalene even wants her car, so she can just "go get it", instead of walking or riding in a taxi. Traffic here is something to behold, so she'd have to put on her game face, but it would be handy.

We are located on the "PH" or top floor of the building where the Area Offices are, for the moment. We will probably be moving to Los Verdientes, which used to be the Mexico City West Mission office, right next to the chapel. It is about a 10 minute walk across the bridge and up the hill from our apartment. There are a couple of other couples in there, kinda... the Matas, from Puebla, who are doing Family History and the Stevens', who are the Area Doctor and assistant, although they could be anywhere. (Elder Doctor Stevens only has responsibility for 7,000 missionaries in Mexico). Great fun people!

The front door to our office bldg

Sister Hacking's Birthday was same day as Jennifer's May 11

Our next loft neighbors are the Hackings, who have really taken us to raise. They show us where to find food and supplies and let us know where to be and when. Very important this first week, just sayin'. They are also in the same upstairs office and are assigned as Welfare Missionaries. We would still be looking for ourselves if they hadn't come along.

Dalene spreading out already. Alejandro and Armando on left

Alejandro taking group photos of Sr. Missionaries
(Pococks, Matas, Andersons, Sandebergs) 

In our office, we are staffed with a Manager, Sandino Roman, who is super. He has two other people on the team: Alejandro Saldaña and Armando Gonzalez. They have been exceptionally helpful and even moved desks, so we would have a space to work. They are very hard working and work to fill all of the requests from the initiating departments. It is amazing the work load they all have.  We kid them that we are the newest release of their department, their 3 and our .5, which makes this the release 3.5! We hope that we will be up to speed soon, so we can lift some of their burden. Again, they have been very kind and loving to us, as has all the Area Office staff.

We have also met a couple of outside vendors (read contract employees) who help in various projects that they are tasked with: Dulce and Omner. They seem to be a fun bunch to work with.

I might also add at this point, how valuable our time and contacts we made while training in SLC have been this week. They may be sorry they even let us in the building there, let alone admit they know us. We have been talking with Kate Lloyd, our contact, and Marriane Jennings, the Media Library Manager, a lot this week. They have been working hard to bulldoze out paths for some of our request and to understand some of the issues and concerns from Mexico. We really can't thank them enough for all the help and support. We have the unique position that we can't be offended and can push as hard as we can to get things done. Pretty cool place to be.

I should mention that Elder Bednar and Elder Christensen arrived in Country yesterday and are traveling the Area. Our office is tasked with making sure we have photographs and notes from all of the places they visit. It was incredible to see the Church system at work as they reached out to Stake Presidents across the Country to provide photographers and notetakers, who will send their material back to the Area Office for compilation and publication. Dalene will help in a Stake Conference this Sunday, with Elder Christensen, taking photos. She won't admit it, but I think she's a bit nervous (not just a bit). One of the big cameras that the Office had went down, so they asked if she would use hers, which of course she will. They have been blown away by all her mad photo/printing/editing/business experience and the fun resources she thought to bring with her, in spite of my protestations. (She is usually right...) Elder Bednar and Elder Christensen will both be at the Area Office Thursday to do a Deviotional for staff. Which we will get to help with photos and attend.

We also met President and Sister Whitehead, of the Mexico City West Mission. They are super nice people and very "busy", and still took the time to visit and invite us to their activities in the Mission as well. A couple of their Elders are working on our visas, so we have had a bit of contact with them. The Toblers are the Mission Office couple and live in Teca 11 with us and the other couples. They are equally impressive. We will have to fill you in on all our other couple friends as we go along. They all have unique stories and skills and have been kind and helpful.

We have missed the contact with all of our family and friends, but seem to be in regular contact, in spite of being here. We especially miss our kids and grandkid's squeezes, but know that we are about the Lord's business and this is where we are supposed to be. We love you all.