Huatulco is a little-known tourist destination in Southern Mexico, southwest of Oaxaca, not far from the southern border. Jill's parents are on an 18-month mission there, and one-by-one they have brought the families of each of their children to visit. Our family is the last of the four families to see them in this amazing remote part of the world.
Above is a picture I took at an overlook. This is the end of Huatulco's "dry season". Below are three pictures of a much greener Huatulco (from the Huatulco facebook page). Apparently, it only takes a day of rain until everything comes alive.
Day 1
Taking a family of seven on an international vacation can be intimidating. But we had fun and made it to our destination safely. The only casualty was a lost ipod, left in the waiting area of the Mexico City airport during our layover.
The Huatulco airport is small and very quaint. We walked off the plane to a thatched-roof building where we collected our luggage.
Brent and Leila (AKA Grandma Leila and Grandpa Bish, or Elder and Sister Johnson) were waiting outside the airport. Having not seen them for nine months, it was a great reunion!
James opening the gate to Grandma's house.
After getting settled, the older kids went to the church while the younger kids went to bed. In the background of this picture, four missionaries are playing a game with a group fo members and investigators. Brent and Leila provided a very popular dessert, peanut butter chocolate bars and cups of caramel corn.
A tree outside the church
Day 2
Catholic Cathedral in the center of town - picture was taken from the park across the street
Waiting for breakfast at a small restaurant - Saturday Morning
Most of the family ordered an American breakfast, but Bryce went for the eggs and salsa. He said it wasn't bad.
Watching the LDS General Conference broadcast. These four missionaries are from Utah, Oregon, and Arizona. Their native Spanish-speaking companions were in the chapel watching the broadcast in Spanish while we watched it in English in this room.
Logan, Emma, Camryn, Brent and Leila, Elder Herrera, Elder Matheson, Elder Baker, and Elder Ringle. This room and the chapel are air conditioned - a tremendous blessing. Forecasts this coming week are mostly in the upper 90's and lower 100's with high levels fo humidity. I need to remember to wear a hat. My head is already sunburned.
Outside the Huatulco branch church building
Between AM and PM sessions of conference we visited Sofia at her home and restaurant by the beach. Notice the impressive clay oven.
Following the afternoon session of conference our family couldn't wait to go back to the beach!
Bryce took some interesting notes during the Priesthood Session
(It was a GREAT session!)
Emma and James watching the NCAA semifinals with Grandpa
The missionaries came over for banana splits after conference
Bryce fits in nicely. He is just over three years away from serving a mission.
I put Emma to bed in a blow-up mattress next to our bed. I was laying on the bed reading while she was trying to fall asleep when something landed on my forehead. I instinctively swatted this monstrous cockroach from my head... and it landed in Emma's bed and ran right over her leg. It must have looked comical to Emma as I chased the cockroach around in her bed until I finally swatted it out and onto the floor. Emma just smiled and cooed with interest. The cockroach ran into the bathroom where I cornered it into some laundry and smashed it with a shoe.
It took a while, but Emma finally fell asleep.
This sticker on the toilets is interesting. I've never been taught how to care for my butt plate.
Day 3
Conference again with the missionaries
Fautino has a great conversion story. He was raised in the Church but had not been active as an adult. He moved to Huatulco with his wife, but was didn't feel good about his life. He prayed to Heavenly Father for guidance. The following day, he said Elder Johnson (Brent) on the street and yelled at him from his truck, asking where and when church is. Brent gave him the time and directions. He felt it was an answer to his prayers and he hasn't looked back. He recently baptized his wife. Brent had us buy a suit for him and bring it with us. This is Foutino (Tino) in his new suit with his wife by his side.
The Elders and Paula joined us for lunch between Conference sessions. Paula was baptized by Brent in the ocean not too long ago. Brent and Leila say she is like a daughter to them.
After Conference, Brent and Leila took showed us around town. We drove to a couple of fantastic overlooks.
Later Sunday evening we visited a few members. Above and below is the home of the Branch Mission Leader, a carpenter who also raises chickens.
We also visited the Peneda's (above and below). President Peneda is the District President. Although there was a significant language barrier, he and I felt a bond through our church service. Interestingly, he is also quite a good runner. Above Diana Peneda reads to Camryn. Diana leaves for a mission to Chihuahua in two weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment