The women of the church and the Relief Society birthday celebrated in Xela

This month is the anniversary of the beginning of Relief Society in the church. In Xela (Quetzaltenango) the wards and stakes celebrate it by scheduling trips to the temple. Last year there were 420 women in the temple on one Saturday. Our endowment room normally holds 40. With folding chairs you can fit up to 60. For all of the sessions on the 8th, 15th, and 22nd the sessions have been reserved for sisters only. There will be a brother as a witness and if there are seats available perhaps 4 more may attend. Some of the workers (brothers) enter to assist when it is time for the prayer. This started last Saturday. Of course the moms bring the kids with them, so Spencer and I had HUGE classes. The thing that surprised and touched me was the number of women who got up very early, brought little ones and boarded the bus by 6 AM to come to the temple--but they weren't even going to be entering the temple. Some had tiny nursing babies who couldn't be separated from mom's "pecho" (as I was told) and others were just being reactivated or there were other reasons. They came to be with their sisters and enjoy the spirit of just being on the temple grounds and in the annex. We don't have a Visitors' Center. Some came to shop in the Distribution Center and just fellowship with other sisters. I was touched and overwhelmed by their spirits.

The kids coloring about Heavenly Father's Plan for Us after we finished our charla with them.

Notice the blue ribbon braided in her hair. Many sisters, including workers, braid white ribbons in their hair for while they are in the temple. Some of the beautiful sisters in the gospel who made long trips on bumpy roads to enjoy the spirit OUTSIDE of the temple. Notice their amazing "huipils" the hand-woven, hand embroidered tops these sisters are wearing. They are very expensive to buy, these women make their own and wear them most of their adult lives. They are so beautiful and so tipico! The crowded Dining Room and the crowded bus!