Week #30 back to Cholula

Today is Easter Sunday and we are celebrating the atonement and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his gift to each of us of eternal life and the hope of exaltation with our families. 

Sister Schlachter and I travelled back to Canada, yes, to mourn, but mostly to celebrate my dad's life. I wasn't sure how things would go for me emotionally, but I was open to allow myself to feel which was exciting in a way. I can't really describe what I felt but there was one moment when I felt tears welling up. Barb, dad's partner was standing by dad in his coffin in St. Michael's church during the viewing prior to the mass. I embraced her and asked her how she was holding up, she choked back her tears and told me not to ask again - I found myself mimicking her response. 

I presented a history of dad's life to the community that had gathered at the Legion Hall in Bow Island to honour him. He lived a remarkable life in many ways. I will miss him. Someone told me once that I couldn't really become a man until after my father died. Having now reached that milestone let's see what I can make of myself. All of my siblings and our children came to the service. The luncheon was a noisy, joyful affair, as it should have been. Prior to heading back to Calgary, we stopped to eat at a local restaurant. There were only two other people there and I was delighted that one of them was my childhood and longtime friend, Darren Wilson. Though we now live in two very different worlds, it was good to catch up with him again.

Back in Mexico City our work continues. We are continuing to learn about "The Project", a new education week event that we have been asked to be involved in. On the humanitarian aid side of things, one of my tasked is to complete a preliminary analysis of project proposals to ensure they are complete, and if not to contact the organization that submitted the proposal to obtain any information that is missing. One of the projects that was recently approved by the Area Presidency is to purchase a Canadian-designed and made exo-skelton (Trexo) that will be used for therapy for children with Cerebral Palsy here in Mexico City allowing them to walk, sometimes for the first time in their very complicated lives. Sister Schlachter and I were at a protocol event with this same organization in the fall and I helped connect them to the Canadian manufacturer. The second project that was approved provides hearing aids to group of health professionals that travel across the country in a special train (Dr. Vagón) providing health care for free to those that could not access these services otherwise, including hearing assessments. 

We participated in a three day Welfare and Self-Reliance team retreat that began with a temple session in Mexico City prior to travelling to a place called Oaxtepec in the state of Morelos, a few hours from where we live. I very much enjoyed meeting people that I had only spoken to on the phone and seeing how they interacted with one another very much like a very large family - there were about 40 of us. 

This weekend we went to Cholula, Puebla and visited two families that supported us in many ways when we lived there over 25 years ago. Like us, they are still striving to become more like Jesus Christ and, like us, they too have challenges. A fun highlight was a trip to a stall called "Semitas Juanita" - made right before our eyes and absolutely delicious - our dear friend Cruz was our host.  The spaghetti looking stuff is quesillo de Oaxaca - cheese (or a fresh cheese called panela) on top of a breaded fried pork or chicken fillet (though beef feet - cartilage with some meat was also an option) slices of avocado, jalapeño or chipotles peppers, a pungent herb and topped off with the top of the sesame bun.  

Our son Matthew wasn't born yet when this photo was taken in our San Pedro Cholula apartment. It would be so much fun to re-create this photo in situ - yes, we would need a much larger tub. 

We went to the Puebla Temple open house before returning to Mexico City yesterday. The general public is invited to experience the inside of the temple prior to its being dedicated.  It was beautiful.

I got my hair cut in the pueblito just before we went to Puebla - this video will give you an idea of how difficult navigating a sidewalk here can be - people generally are not very tall, so not only do you have to look down, but up to avoid being clotheslined or worse. Businesses tumble into the sidewalks.

Our travel over the past few weeks has taken a toll on my being able to exercise regularly and I am feeling it. We have two social dinners to go to but this week should be better.