The Home Stretch

My 3 months in Cancun is officially coming to an end, with now under 2 weeks to go. I truly cannot get over how fast time has gone by. I am really looking forward to being home...family, friends, my own room, my big bed :) But when I dwell on the fact that I really am leaving it makes me sad to think about all of the amazing brothers, sisters, and friendships that I will be leaving behind. I have made some life-long friendships that are going to keep me coming back to Mexico.

It's been about 2 and a half weeks since Amanda and Yaya were here. It was wonderful having them here and we had such an amazing time!! I think that week was the busiest I have been while in Cancun. I'll give you the whirlwind version of what we did because the long version would be WAY too long.

They arrived Wednesday afternoon, and after they got to the house and got settled in I got them mangoes and kiwis and then we went to the store to pick up some groceries. Thursday morning we had an eventful morning out in service which included doing Arabic calls and getting freshly made tortillas (SOOO GOOD). After service Yaya, Amanda, and I went to the Hotel Zone and hit the beach. Friday morning we went out in service again, though we didn't last very long seeing as it was extremely hot. Friday afternoon we were hanging out at the house trying to figure out what to do for the weekend. We tossed around a few ideas for excursions for the day on Saturday. However, after a little online research we decided to pack up our things and leave that afternoon for Holbox, an "island" about 3 hours driving and 30 minute ferry ride from Cancun. Wally oh-so-graciously drove us to pick up our rental car and we embarked on our expedition.

By the time we arrived at Holbox it was dark and of course we had neglected to find out exactly where our hostel was located on the island. We DID know that it was near the beach so we just started walking, stumbled upon the beach, and eventually (after walking for what felt like hours) someone pointed us in the right direction and we found it! The woman who was working at the hostel couldn't have been more helpful. She had waited up for us to arrive, and after we got set up in our cabana she showed us around the town and suggested a place to eat. It was an Italian restaurant and the food was excellent. We just sat there soaking everything up as best we could, still not completely sure whether it was reality or a dream.

Saturday morning we set off to the explore the island. I cannot even describe the intense beauty of this small, modest island. We couldn't go very far without stopping to take a picture of a thatched-roof house, a glimpse of a white sand beach, or one of the many rustic hotels hidden in the island's tropical gardens. We really lived it up in this dreamland oasis; walking along the quiet dirt roads, napping in the hammocks of our cabana, and relaxing on the pristine beaches. It was a day of complete bliss, delight, and peace and exactly what I picture paradise to be like. I just find it so amazing the things that Jehovah created so that we could enjoy life to the full, and I can't wait for the time when we will all be able to live life the way he intended. And what better way to end the day then at a traditional Mexican restaurant, complete with INCREDIBLE guacamole and the most AH-mazing mango margaritas!!!

Sunday morning we woke up early and went to a small cafe for breakfast before getting back on the ferry in order to make it to Cancun in time for my 3:00 meeting. After the meeting we went to Omar and Jessica Gallegos' house for a party. I'm so glad that Yaya and Amanda got to meet so many from the hall and spend time with everyone in a relaxed setting...and just hang out!

Monday morning we set off for Tulum. It's a couple hours away from Cancun...I think. I'm not exactly sure because I slept most of the way there. Monday night we stayed in a cabin hut type thing with a tent inside, inside an ecological park. We had a crazy gorgeous view from our porch of the ocean to the left and a big lagoon to the right. Monday night we had quite an interesting experience at the restaurant at the place we stayed at. I'm getting very sleepy and it would take a while to tell the story in detail, so if you want to hear what happened feel free to ask Yaya or Amanda...or me when I get home! Ah man, good times. We had to leave early Tuesday morning because we had plans back in Cancun for the rest of the day. When we got back to Cancun we went to Wayne and Alma Keenan's house so that we could spend the day with them. We piled into their car and headed for the ferry that would take us to Isla Mujeres, a small island right off the coast of Cancun. Wayne and Alma took us to a beautiful part of the island where we were able to go snorkeling! We got to see some really neat looking fish; it was the first time I have gone snorkeling in the ocean and I loved it! We went back to the Keenan's oceanfront condo and Wayne grilled out for us. We enjoyed the delectable dinner outside with the ocean just off in the distance while listening to Wayne tell us stories of his hippie days :)

Tuesday night we went back to the house and Yaya and Amanda packed up their things so that they could leave in the morning with time to return the rental car and get to the airport. That was their visit in a nutshell! Whew...THAT took a while to recount! And not a moment too soon. I'm ready for bed!

Not too much is new around here. Just service and going out to eat, hittin' the beach and hanging out with friends when I can. We have the assembly coming up April 10th and 11th, right before I leave. It's in Merida, a city about 4 hours from Cancun. I'm really looking forward to it. We will leave Friday morning and go to the Pioneer meeting that afternoon. I have heard that Merida is a really cool city and that there is live music and dancing in the evenings. It should be really fun!

If anyone wants to see my pictures you can see them online through my Picasa albums. I think there is a link somewhere in one of my other posts. If not or if it's not working, just let me know and I'll get it to you.

I look forward to being back home with my friends and family super duper soon.... <3

Half way...

6 1/2 weeks down, 6 1/2 weeks to go! As I was looking at my last post when I hadn't even been here 3 weeks I realized that #1. My trip is flying by and #2. I haven't written many posts. I know, I know, everyone has been telling me to post more, but I'm really, truly not as busy as everyone assumes! :P

Last week I was out in service a lot in an attempt to reach my goal of 100 hours for February. I go out almost every morning during the week and Saturdays as well. I went out a few afternoons last week also. The afternoons can be rough, especially when it gets really hot. But it's worth it to support the sisters who can't go out in the mornings because of working as teachers and also when you find more people at home. On Wednesday I joined a group going to preach in the Hotel Zone. I was a little nervous about it, being my first time doing service. The brother taking the lead said that we had a mission for the day: We couldn't leave until I had a study and that we would return the next day so that I could conduct it. SCARY! I was a tad skeptical that we would actually accomplish our goal, but I was willing to do my best. It didn't take me long to get into it...talking to people in malls and flea markets is my kind of preaching! And to make it even better, the people we spoke with were very receptive! When preaching in the Hotel Zone we mostly target workers, whether Mexican or from abroad, because they speak English 99% of the time. I had a really great time and we had a very productive day! A few of us started studies and we all placed literature. I placed a Bible teach book with a woman, but wasn't able to study with her because she didn't have her glasses. I placed another Bible teach book with a young woman sitting on a bench. I was very nervous, but Brother Henry encouraged me to just go up and start talking to her. I did, and it actually worked! I made arrangements to study with her the next day, same place, same time, but unfortunately when I returned she wasn't there. Hopefully I will meet her again one of these days. I now love spending the day preaching in the Hotel Zone and I look forward to doing it again soon.

Last weekend we had a going-away party for my good friend Ditte who went back to Denmark Thursday. She was here for 3 months and I came right about half way through her stay here. Living together for a month and a half, we had some memorable times together (such as going to the beach together and being "attacked" by a giant iguana) and I am going to miss her very much. I look forward to seeing her again, maybe over in Denmark :) But the party was great...dancing the night away, eating, and spending time with the brothers and sisters from the Cancun English congregation.

For those of you who don't know, Yaya and Amanda Fernandez are coming for a visit March 10th!!! I am sooooo happy! And no, it's not just because they are bringing some extra clothes for me :) (...as I am extremely sick of the ones I have here). They will be staying here at the house with me and so far we are planning to do some service, an overnight in Tulum, and of course, the beach! They are here for a week and then after that I will be engaging in some intense field service during the memorial campaign. Less than 2 weeks after the memorial, I will be going to the Circuit Assembly down here in Merida, April 10th and 11th. 3 days after that, on the 14th, I come back home! It is going to be an eventful and speedy last several weeks here.

Below is a link to my pictures, that way you can see them all instead of just a few uploaded to the blog. Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/xlindseymaix/CancunFeb2010#

Almost 3 weeks...

Hola everyone! I figured it was about time for another update on things here in Cancun! I am feeling more and more at home here and getting more accustomed to things with each passing day. I am also really beginning to feel like a part of the congregation. I'm getting to know everyone and becoming familiar with all of the names and faces. The congregation is very hospitable and I enjoy the local custom of greeting most everyone with a handshake or a hug at the meetings, out in service, and at gatherings. It's something that I am going to do my best to bring back with me to the States when I return.

This week has been a productive one for me out in service. Wednesday and Thursday I began at the local bus station at 6 am. Yes, it is very early for me, but I balance it out by napping in the afternoon :) Thursday morning I spoke with an older man who gladly accepted a magazine. A while later I glanced over at him and saw him reading it. He looked up and gave me a big smile and a thumbs-up! He walked over and asked if we had a place of worship of some sort. I gave him a map with the meeting times and he is only in the area part of the week, but he said he would be at the meeting on Friday night. I went back to 2 of my other return visits and left the Bible Teach book with both of them. I made arrangements with one of them, Candelario, to come back with a Bible and begin studying with him. The week ended with one of my favorite experiences in Mexico thus far. Linki (the mother here at the house) got together some of the kids' old stuffed animals and filled 3 garbage bags with them. Friday morning out in service we went to a part of town where the people are very very poor. They have basically just claimed the land they live on, building small shacks for their families out of whatever materials they could find. We parked the van and Linki asked one woman working outside if there were any children around. Before we knew it, the van was surrounded by little kids. As Linki handed out stuffed animals to the children, the rest of us handed out Spanish literature to the mothers. It was a really great experience and I'm hoping to do it again.

In the last post I wasn't very clear about the orange house. Some people thought that's where I live, but that's where a couple in the hall live. Below is a picture of Lesia and I in front of our house!

Well I'm sick of trying to think of things to write about so I'm going to quit now :) Hope everyone is doing well! Lots of love from Mexico...until next time...

My new home

So I have come to the realization that I'm not a born blogger. Everytime I think about sitting down and typing out in detail what I have been doing I cringe. But alas, I am going to break down the overwhelming wall that is blogging and write a post!

I'm sitting here in my room with my 2 roommates, Lesia, 15, who lives here and her friend Alysha, 18, from Canada. Living here in the house we also have Lesia's parents, her older brother Wally, 19, and Ditte, a pioneer sister from Denmark. I am having such a fantastic time with all of my new friends and I already feel right at home here.

We usually start service at 7:30 am and do street work right around the house. We just walk around for a while, maybe grab some coffee and just talk to anyone with whom we come in contact! It is so fun and an enjoyable way to start service for the day. After that we come back to the house and then head out for the meeting for service which starts at 8:30. We'll go out until 12 or so and most of the morning is spent walking. My first house that I did was very scary because the beginning of our presentation is in Spanish, telling the householder that we are looking for people who speak English. And it didn't help that there were 2 people outside the house speaking to each other...in Spanish. I mean, that is nerve-racking in your own language!! Neither of them spoke English, but it gave me the confidence to do more doors. I have only spoke with one person who knew English and he wasn't interested, but I'm sure there will be more :)

Our school and service meeting is Friday nights at 7:45. We have a Spanish meeting before us and that's why it is so late. The congregation has around 60 publishers and between 25 and 30 pioneers. Amazing!! This past Friday we had 89 at the meeting, due to all of the visitors. It is so interesting to always have new people at every meeting, from ALL over the world. We have our Sunday meeting at 3, so I will be doing that a little later today. And then this evening, we are going to someone's house for dinner and to hang out and watch The Sound of Music...that should be fun. Yesterday a couple in the hall had a ton of people over to play beach volleyball. It was such a gorgeous spot right on the ocean. We had burgers and hotdogs and rounded out the evening with playing guitar/singing and Rockband. I also had real Flan! Very delicious :D

Eve of Cancun

Almost 1 am and I'm finally winding down for the night. We're shooting to leave the house around 7:45 am and my flight leaves at 1:09. If all goes as planned I should be in Cancun around 9 pm local time, which is an hour behind time back home. Ok well this is probably the shortest and most boring blog post of all time, but I'm just getting into this whole blogging thing and I think it's going to take some getting used to! Next time you here from me I'll be in my new home for the next 3 months!