They made it safely! I don't think I've ever prayed so much in one day as we all waited for my parents to cross the boarder from Laredo, Texas (with their car stuffed FULL) to travel over 150 miles and over a handful of hours to Monterrey, Mexico. The crime has been increasingly worse in that part of Mexico the last few months. (I have got to stop reading the news coming from down there:) My sister-in-law, Karin, recently told me something to the affect, "Don't worry. Go on your faith." And then my mom sends me an email last night saying that some scary things have happened recently near their apartment. (sigh)
That aside, I was so inspired by my Mom's post on their mission blog of their adventure that day. I cried and cried. I decided to share it...and hopefully you feel inspired, too.
Their mission has already blessed us. I feel the spirit stronger in my heart and in my own home. We have learned from their testimonies. You can just hear the excitement in their posts and emails. I can see my Mom's fingers flying across the keyboard as fast as she possibly can, trying to convey so many things that can't be explained or put into words.
October 17, 2010 —
How Gentle God’s Commands. Britney and Ashley sang this song at our “sort of” farewell. It was so tender and their voices were like one voice. They sounded like angels. It brought such a gentle spirit of peace into our hearts. When they had decided to sing this hymn, we read the words and they just touched our hearts—Ashley and Britney and me. Now suddenly the words have became so vibrant and meaningful, because now I see these words with the eyes of a missionary going to a far away (and slightly dangerous) place. The last devotional we went to at the MTC—the closing song was “How Gentle God’s Commands. I just cried. In Conference they sang this beautiful again. Our last Sacrament meeting was with Bryan and Karin. Becky Allen directed the music and she choose “How Gentle Commands.” The words touched us deeply again—our last hymn in America. I just cried.Our first Sunday was today in Monterrey, the opening hymn was “How Gentle God’s Commands.” It didn’t hit me until half way through—because the Spanish tricked me. When I realized what we were singing—I just cried again. This hymn has become a tender mercy to us in our journey toward our mission. How gentle God’s commandsHow kind His precepts are!Come cast your burdens on the LordAnd trust His constant care.Beneath His watchful eyeHis Saints securely dwellThat hand which bears all nature upWill guard His children well.Why should this anxious loadPress down your weary mind?Haste to your Heavenly Father’s ThroneAnd sweet refreshment find.His goodness stands approvedUnchanged from day to day;I’ll drop my burden at His feetAnd bear a song away.Now that we have been here three days—we are have found great peace from this hymn.We went to San Antonio to go to the temple. (It is very similar to Monterrey, but we did not know that then.) Upon leaving San Antonio—the beauty of the San Antonio temple carried with us and as we crossed over the boarder—we felt the comfort and attending care of our Heavenly Father. This phrase—“trust His constant care,” became significant as we crossed the boarder from our safe and beautiful America. We felt the power of His love and Spirit in our car. We had several interesting experiences when we felt His constant care. We saw lots of army trucks, machine guns, and army men. They were kind to us and gave us help when we needed it. We felt complete peace –“that hand which bears all nature up—will guard His children (missionaries) well.”As we entered the city—(we had studied the maps for the trip for almost a dozen hours. We only had google maps that we had printed on the computer—(Bryan helped us in this too.) We knew each street and each turn—over 90 minutes of turns and freeways. What we didn’t anticipate was the evening bumper to bumper traffic and the speeds they drive and the seemingly recklessness that passed in front of your eyes every second. “I’ll drop my burden at His feet..” and we prayed that we would be guided and watched over as we entered the city. We had to go from the North east side to the southwest end of the city. We started across—with amazement of what we passing – poor homes, poor people, fast drivers and huge buses that took all the road, never caring where the cars should go…“Why should this anxious load press down your weary mind?” We plowed forward. When we made a wrong turn, the Lord told us what to do and we got back on the correct road—4 times this happened. We called these— mighty miracles! We had such a dependence upon the Lord that we felt His spirit was right over our shoulders. “Haste to your Heavenly Father’s Throne, and sweet refreshment find.” Dad had driven so well, with such stress. We had been in two hours of stressful traffic—we drove around a bend by the mountain and there was angel Moroni standing above the road—telling all the world that the Holy House of the Lord was here and the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to this earth. We just cried and shouted for joy. We drove into the temple parking lot and had a long prayer of gratitude. We felt indescribable peace. We walked into the temple—very worn down, but “refreshed.” How wonderfully refreshing was this beautiful House of God—His throne here in this beautiful city—in the middle of a world filled with pained and weary people. This was the most glorious vision for us and our little car! (The temple is located in the wealthy part of the city—with mountains on both sides of the street. There are still very poor parts, but basically this is a wonderful part of Mexico. On becoming acquainted with the people these last two days—we are among the “Pioneers of Mexico” and they have sacrificed much to be members of the Church. So many of these older people traveled to Mesa to be sealed and receive their endowments—a 7 day trip—up and back. They are radiant and glorious people. (Our land lord was one of those wonderful couples) Another miracle—I understand them!!!“Come cast your burdens on the Lord and trust His constant care.” This is how these wonderful Saints live. What peace and joy this wonderful city has with this temple. The people have been told that when they go to the temple and follow the Lord’s Gentle commands—they will be protected from the evils in their city. They know this is true. We experienced this on Saturday as we went to the temple at 5:00 AM to help at the temple. There were already 5 buses in the parking lot from a stake 4 hours away and people lined up to enter the temple. (We were told that up to 18 buses come on Saturday) It was so humbling. All day they were there waiting in lines to get lockers, to receive each ordinance and to go through as often as possible. Their teenagers were in the baptismal area, each being baptized for 25 to 50 people. (The Stake President looked like he was only 20 years old) Many of them had family names. You could hear a pin drop—they were so reverent and attentive to the ordinances being performed. They are beautiful Saints that radiate their love for our Savior.We worked until 7:30 that night—exhausted, but totally refreshed with the Spirit of the Lord. The last session for each day has been cancelled because of the danger in their city at night. (We are so blessed in our safe little part of the world in the great USA.) In our Monterrey Ward this morning this wonderful older man (he is a sealer in the temple) talked about the closing of the last session in the temple. He has such humble faith—He said that they are all being watched over and protected. He represented to us the faith of all these righteous people!!! They love the Lord. They know the Holy Temple is where they will find peace, protection and progress into His presence. They are such happy and humble people.“Beneath His watchful eye, His Saints securely dwell,That hand which bears all nature up will guard His children well.Why should this anxious load press down your weary mind?Haste to your Heavenly Father’s Throne and sweet refreshment find.”We want to testify that the Lord is our Shepherd and He is watching and caring for all of us. We love each one of you. You have such faith and we can feel your faith and prayers. We love you! Dad and Mom—Missionaries in the Monterrey Temple!!!! (We finally made it.)Thanks again for your wonderful and sincere prayers. You got us here!!!!!
Visiting with us fresh from the MTC...a few days before they left for Mexico.
I tried to get a picture of just them together, but Blake kicked and screamed when Papa tried to put him down.
You will be dearly missed by all of us, but we are so excited for the adventure that lies ahead!
Anna's first letter to them. She did this all on her own really early one morning, and brought it into me while I was still in bed. Seriously...how sweet!! 
"Dear Mommer and Papa, I prayed about you last night. I miss you. I hope you're having fun. I will always think of you. I am proud of you. I can't wait for you to come back. You are sweet to people. I hope you brought your scriptures. And the turtles are doing fine. I am glad you are doing good on your mission. I am playing church games on the computer. You should see our blog, our JibJab. You and Papa are great at doing everything. And awesome. I can read a huge Bible. And I have a wiggly tooth. I love you guys so much. I love you I love you."
