This year we held three Missionary Reunions, one in October in West Valley, Utah and two in December, one in Vera Cruz, Mexico and the other in Mexico City, Mexico. Dennis and I
always knew we were very blessed to be able to serve a mission in Mexico with our
six children at a young age, but this year as we traveled back to Mexico
and we were overwhelmed with emotions of gratitude and humility with the outstanding
brothers and sisters (elders Y hermanas) that truly and deeply blessed our
lives and the lives of our posterity. Our missionaries and their families literally showered us
with love, hugs, tears, gifts, kind words. As they shared their experiences of their
missions and their lives since their missions, we were in awe. The Latin people have something
extraordinary about them. Genuine faith, patience, humility, unconditional love. Even though I couldn't understand everything that was said, I could always read their hearts and souls. They shared story after story, miracle after miracle. Many of them travel by bus 12-24 hours to see us. They are true disciples of Jesus Christ in every way. They are perfect examples to me. I love them so much and am forever grateful to have served with them.
Elder Ernesto and Sister Emily Canton
Dennis receiving a hug from a missionary granddaughter!!
In front of the Vera Cruz Mexico Temple
The Rafael Baez Story
Our first reunion in Mexico was in Vera Cruz. After the first 4 to 5 hours, I whispered to my husband, that I needed to eat! He announced to our missionaries we were going to break for about an hour for lunch. One of our Elders, Elder Salcido took us back to our hotel where we had lunch and then I told my husband I needed a quick power nap. Elder Salcido wanted to take my husband on a tour of the city of Vera Cruz while I rested. Dennis said, he would rather go find one of our missionaries that wasn't at the reunion, Elder Rafael Baez. Elder Saucido said he believed he knew the general vicinity in which he lived. The first house Elder Salcido knocked, the man knew where Elder Baez lived because he was the local mailman so they went directly to Elder Rafael Baez' home. He was not home, but his wife, mother, daughter and grandchild were. His wife told them he was at the Bishop office at that moment. They called his cell phone and Rafael came home to find his Mission President and one of his Missionary buddies in his home. Dennis and Elder Salcido brought him back to the church and he spent the remainder of the reunion with us that day.
Dennis and I got up the next morning and flew to Mexico City for another reunion. That evening we were surprised to see Elder Baez again in Mexico City. When Elder Baez got up to bare his testimony, he shared the following. He said that when he was talking to his Bishop yesterday that the Bishop told him to go home because two important visitors were waiting for him at his house. Also, he said that two weeks ago, the Bishop had called him into his office and told him he needed to get his life in order because the Lord may want him to be the next Bishop. Elder Baez' response was, "I'll only be Bishop if I can see my Mission President again." Two weeks later Dennis is standing in his living room. Elder Baez had told his wife he needed to take the bus to Mexico City so he could attend our Mexico City Reunion so he could share that story. I love the gospel!
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