More butterflies! We attended a cultural-historical celebration in Zapata on Saturday. We were too late to see the flamenco dancers, but we did see the historical presentation, the mariachi band, and the butterfly garden. We learned the history of the monarchs (and other butterflies) on the wing to Mexico for the winter season. Many years ago a monarch butterfly garden was planted in Zapata to attract the migrating insects. That is how the Zapata/Laredo area became a stop on the way to wintering grounds in southern Mexico. It takes five generations of monarchs to make the migration from Canada to Mexico! Caterpillars, cocoons, and butterflies appear all over the place as a new generation readies for flight. The beautiful adult monarchs flew around and through the outdoor presentations.
The missionaries (Elder & Sister Shaw and two sets of elders) were busy teaching family history and assisting those who wanted to search their family trees. Genealogy is a huge part of the work. We really wanted to tour the historical museum there, but it was not open yet when we left. We will definitely go back—plus, we want to catch the birdwatching and fishing attractions. Zapata is know world-wide as a migration crossroads for all kinds of wildlife.
We attended two Spanish and one English testimony meeting yesterday. In the Spanish branches the faithful line up to bear testimony. The branch president has to stop them when they are over-time, but they were certainly inspirational meetings. Some of our amazing seminary and institute students were rushing to bear testimony. The theme seemed to be heeding the prophet’s call to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. We also witnessed five more new converts being confirmed. Sundays are busy for us, as we try to attend three branches, give three piano lessons, attend Spanish class, YSA council meeting, and YSA Family Home Evening.
We had a new student at Institute this week. Eric just moved here with his parents to Rio Bravo. He was baptized in April in Iowa. We LOVE teaching and working beside these faithful young adults.
We keep teaching about likening the scriptures to ourselves. I wrote about Cameron’s application last week to “deep sleep” in Mosiah 24:19. This week he really perked up reading Alma 8:19-20: “And as he (Alma) entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat? And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom ad angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.” Now any of you who know Cam know that he is all about the SLEEP and the FOOD! Ha, ha!
Another “likening” really hits us as we look around at the crises and chaos around us and see that the BofM alerts us (as Ezra Taft Benson taught) about false political ideas. The Book of Mormon warns us of dangers to society, and it is very easy to see that the same troubles we see now were wrestled with in the Book of Mormon.
South Texas climate: Yesterday our temperatures were in the 90s. Today the winds had picked up as we left seminary at 7:00, bringing a powerful storm of thunder, lightning, and violent rain. The temperatures plummeted into the 60s (it almost felt cold) and are expected to fall to 40 tonight. We miss the colored leaves and crisp autumn air of Utah. Our beautiful flowering bushes here have been rejuvenated by the rain, leaving Laredo looking like late spring. Pink, red, white, yellow, lavender, and every shade of green! We welcome the lower temperatures.
It lifts our hearts when we get phone calls, messages, and FB picture posts from our family and friends! It is awesome how much our grandkids grow up in five months. We love you all and pray for you. Please pray for us and the people of Laredo, Texas. One of our YSAs bore testimony yesterday about growing up calling Laredo the “gates of hell” because of all the iniquity here and across the bridge in Mexico. That young man accepted the Gospel and was baptized this year. God will prepare His elect. We need your prayers for safety, for health, and for the work. Happiness in this life and the world to come is only through Jesus Christ. Sending our LOVE!
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