I was watching the news about the border crisis and was once again reminded that we are having an unusual experience living on the border in these times. It was just announced on the news that a judge has thrown out the case to prevent the wall’s being built with defense money (ha, ha—de-fence money). One of our YSAs is a border patrol agent now on special assignment in McAllen. He was home for a couple of days and showed up at our Institute dinner. It was so interesting to talk to him about the children who are used to get people into the U.S., criminals who come under false pretenses, and the 1300 apprehensions every day. He tells about the true crisis we have at the border—a health crisis(we saw him at the hospital with illegal crossers every time we had to go with missionaries who were dehydrated or broken playing p-day sports), a humanitarian crisis (children used, trafficked, abused, and separated from their families by criminals), a legal crisis (“rule of law” is broken when it comes to our borders), a family crisis, and a crisis that strains our country’s resources (our taxes) in every way. Another newlywed young adult came to the dinner and reported that, though he loves Mexico (where he just lived for a few months to court and marry his sweetheart who he met at a YSA Conference in Texas), several towns south of the border have been emptied of all their population and are completely owned by the cartels. Scary. He is glad to be back at home in Laredo.
Although we missed three granddaughters’ graduations this year, we did attend graduation for United South HS at the Sames Arena here in Texas. Our seminary class had two graduates at seminary graduation yesterday. The north class had three. It was a beautiful meeting, followed by a light dinner. Our seminary supervisor, Sister Vaca, is amazing! We are blessed to be teaching here in the new Laredo Stake. It is nice to sleep in for the next three months! We are excited for the new curriculum (New Testament until Christmas and then Book of Mormon). This summer we are teaching the new Institute course for Saints. Our Institute students took a vote, and overwhelmingly wanted Saints.
This next weekend is our stake conference, and I am playing for the choir. I haven’t practiced with them yet because the practices coincide with our missionary-prep class, but it should be a good experience. Laredo is sadly lacking in musicians who play or sing. Texas is known for its marching bands, and that is the kind of experience they have with music here. Cameron and Zoey will be here—we are picking them up tomorrow in San Antonio and sending them back to Utah on Sunday night. We plan on Sea World tomorrow and other sights on Wednesday. It should be a fun week! Zoey has never flown, so this will be an adventure in itself—she and Cam together in the friendly skies on a non-stop to SA.
Our mission president (Torres—an amazing man) ends his three years here next week and takes his family back to Honduras. It must be difficult to leave, even to go back to family and church family there. Things always change, though, and life goes on. Endings. Beginnings. We have one more year here and look forward to serving. Love to you all. Thank you for your prayers, love, and support!
No comments:
Post a Comment