Hi everyone,
We just returned from Esquipulas this afternoon so I thought I'd write a note to the people I love the most--and you made the list!

We have pretty much recovered from being burglarized. We have replaced the computer, camera, watch, credit/debit cards, and telephone. We can't get electronic translators here, so we will live without them. We have also added so many locks and deadbolts to our apartment, that it is like getting into or out of Fort Knox. We now have to carry four different keys on our rings to get from the street to the house and out the back yard. We gave Tere (who comes to clean once a week) three of the four keys--but the one for the dead bolt was wrong and she and Sofi (four years old) sat out on our door step for two hours waiting for us to get home from class last Thursday. Sigh. Both of us had fun harassing Spencer about it (who of course tried to deflect the responsibility). She now has all four keys.

A couple of weeks ago when we were in Esquipulas it rained off and on during the afternoon and evening. We had taken our little portable DVD player (the thieves didn't get it because it was in a cupboard). We didn't take the extra speakers because of bulk. We had a DVD to share with our message of encouragement for our less actives. At two different homes, it started to rain during our visit, making it almost impossible to hear the small DVD player. At the first home, they provided a solution. Since our previous visit, their DVD player had been repaired (they repair everything here). We were able to use their TV and DVD player--problem solved! At Benedicto's home, they don't have a DVD player (maybe not even a TV--we've never seen one there). They have a corrogated metal roof and cement walls and floor, so the sound of the rain echoed and filled the room. It was impossible to hear the DVD. I just said a silent prayer to Heavenly Father to please abate the rain until after the DVD (I think Spencer was probably also praying). Prayers are answered! The rain became a trickle and then stopped completely--right until the DVD ended and then it became a downpour. What a wonderful answer to prayers and a testimony builder. We were able to give our message to the family and Benedicto attended church the next morning--for the first time in a year or more. Reina (his wife) attended the next Sunday--and today they were both there together, for the first time since we started attending in the Branch in February! It gave me goose bumps to see them both there together. Progress is awesome to behold.

Today I saw another little miracle occur. I mentioned in a recent email about our sorrow at seeing endowed members not wear garments. We were at the Nero's home yesterday, and again Juan was working without his garments--and this time without even a shirt. I just felt sad. But today, in Relief Society, at the end of the lesson (JS lesson #42 on Family: The Sweetest Union for Time and for Eternity), the discussion turned to endowments and garments. I couldn't follow all of the comments, because sometimes the sisters speak too rapidly, but I could get the "gist" of everything. Hermana Nero talked about how much she loved her garments because they are an "armor" for her. One other sister (who I didn't know was endowed)--the sister from out near the border to Honduras, where Spencer went and had the ducks biting his pants and where they sang by the light of candles in a little humble home--just to help you remember) also shared her testimony about the blessing of endowments. Another older sister also joined in and I piggy-backed on her comments to mention that in addition to being a protection to us, wearing garments is also a symbol of our love for Heavenly Father and our commitment to keep our covenants. A wonderful discussion followed--and that is when they became more animated and talked faster and lost me at times. It touched my heart. It made me happy to know that even if Hermano Nero doesn't quite "get it", his wife does and he has a wonderful role model in his home. My happiness must have been visible, because Hermana Nero asked if I wanted to say more. I declined, because I had become lost in the discussion and didn't want to mis-step or detract from the great spirit. When I didn't add a comment, she said, "That is OK because your smile (sonrisa) says so much!" Then they all had comments about how much they loved my smile and my spirit. It was touching. I mention that, not to draw attention to me, but because it confirmed to me once again, that the Gift of Tongues is sometimes the Gift of Tongues in the Language of Love. They know I love them and they appreciate my efforts and presence--even when I feel like I will stumble or actually do stumble with spoken communication. I have learned to accept and appreciate whatever spiritual gifts I receive--even if they are different that what I thought I needed. When I compared my language skills to the young missionaries who have been out the same amount of time we have, I feel discouraged--until I remember that it is Satan who wants me to feel that way. When I compare myself to myself, instead of others, I feel blessed. I am so much better than I was at this same point in our first mission and I am so much better than I was when we arrived. I am sure that the tendency to compare ourselves to others is a tool of Satan and I need to avoid it.

Saturday, Spencer told that Branch President that I had a talk prepared. I didn't really--I just had the resource material with me. So of course, he asked me to speak today. But the other speakers both came and with our late start, there wasn't really time, so I am speaking next Sunday. Spencer spent some time last night helping me with the introduction and ending and a couple of segues. My theme is on teaching and learning by the Spirit. It brought to mind something I want to share with all of you as we approach General Conference week-end and the RS broadcast.

During our first mission we attended a mission conference with Elder Ballard. As the meeting was starting, he interrupted and asked that we have a few minutes of silence so that everyone could prayfully consider two questions they would like to find answers to--one should be about our personal life and one about our missionary work. Then he promised, as a apostle of the Lord, that we would receive answers to our questions during the conference. He explained that it might come from something from the pulpit, or a conversation we overheard (maybe not one that even involved us) or a thought placed in our minds by the Holy Ghost--perhaps guidance to a certain scripture. He counseled us to follow this practice before every meeting or class we attend--and the Lord would never let us down. When I have followed that counsel, I have always received the answers I sought. Unfortunately, I haven't made it habitual in my life. But, since then, I have always done it before General Conference. It works. I would suggest that parents discuss this principal with your children prior to Conference. Encourage your kids to have an idea about something they want to understand better or a problem they want to have help with. It gives them a motive to be more attentive, but is so much more than that. It is an opportunity to follow the counsel of an apostle and have their lives blessed in infinite ways. They don't have to share with anyone what their question is.

President Packer gave similar counsel in the Worldwide Leadership Conference in Feb. 2007. Elder Jay Jensen recapped it in the article that is the foundation for my talk (The Power of Diligent Learning, Ensign Sept 2008). I'll share just one quote "...we need to pray--particularly in specifics. Pray formally and informally for yourself and for the teacher. The teacher may not say something quite right. He or she may be weak and feeble in words and expression. But the Holy Ghost is not, and each of us can pray for ourselves and for the teacher: 'Oh, Father, the teacher does not know the load and burden that I currently carry. Help him or her to teach me directly.' When you start doing that as a learner, you start getting answers." I love this thought and felt like it might benefit one/some of you as much as it did me. Elder Ballard and Elder Packer are pretty reliable sources for instruction.

This week is Zone Conference. I always love opportunities to meet with President and Sister Alvarado. They are a blessing to everyone in this mission.

Things are going great at the temple. I am now completely certified at the veil (in Spanish), I will lead a session this Friday, and I am in the process of being certified in other preliminary ordinances. I love our time there. The Spirit is strong. The saints are wonderful and patient and diligent. They ride for 10-12 hours on buses for their excursions to the temple. They wait for hours to get into a session. What faith we see every two weeks when we join them in the House of the Lord. I always leave feeling inspired.

I see that Spencer sat down and started writing a letter (which I will need to type) so I won't write more--I'll let him give you more details on some things and hopefully we won't be redundant.

We love you all and miss you. Write to us when you can. For having such a huge family, we actually receive few emails.

Love,
Mom/Jeanine