from south of the border

26 June 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

We are writing tonight from the beautiful but very warm (95 to 100 degrees each day) city of Monterrey located in Northern Mexico about 150 miles for Laredo, Texas. This is a beautiful industrial city that supplied a large amount of steel to the United States during World War II. The city is surrounded by majestic mountains that are spectacular in view. We took a picture or two from the freeway and we will post them on the bog.

We flew to Monterrey last Thursday and had two very productive meetings with the couples in the two missions here in Monterrey. One of our meetings involved some training for the two couples that have been called to work with Young Single Adults. We were impressed with the great abilities of these couples and their organizational skills. They are all enthused with the chance to serve young people in one way or another. We also met several young women who will be helping with the Young Convention next month. They are on top of their game and we feel so comfortable with their plans and all of the logistics necessary to make the plans work. 250 to 300 people at Sun Valley are no comparison to the logistical problems with housing and taking care of 1,500 teenagers for three days. An exciting program with lots of activities and fun things to do is the answer and we see that happening in each of our visits.

Yesterday we rented a car and drove to the city of Torreon for two meetings we had scheduled there. Torreon is a four hour drive west and north of Monterrey. The drive was spectacular as we crossed very dry desert, drove into a mountain valley where we experience rain both coming and going in the same place and finally arrived in Torreon located in a fertile agricultural area but also a very dry area at this time of year. We saw a lot of well cultivate melon and watermelon fields with plenty of large corn operations along with alfalfa hay and lots of cattle and goats. We were told this arid part of the country does have a good deep well water supply allowing for what we perceived to be an expansive area of intensive agriculture production. All the modern farm equipment we see at home was being used in these production areas.

When we travel we stay at a hotel chain called “Fiesta Inn.” Every one of these hotels has met our expectations and we have been treated very well. They also operate the larger upscale hotels called Fiesta American and have another new business travel chain called “One Hotels.” If anyone is planning travel at all in Mexico, this is a good chain to work with. The prices are very reasonable ($75.00 to $95.00) per night which includes at least one continental breakfast. We say one breakfast because sometimes we get two, sometimes only one…we never know.

Following our visits in Torreon where we attended church and Dad was asked to speak for 10 minutes about two minutes before the meeting began, we returned by car to Monterrey. Tomorrow morning early we will be traveling to Chihuahua by airplane and then we will drive to the Mormon Colonies located north of Chihuahua. These two historical colonies populated by many members of the Church have been in existence since the days of early migration west. Many great leaders in the church have their roots in Colonia Juarez and Colonia Dublan. The Church operates a high school in Colonia Juarez and most of the church members are involved with growing fruits and vegetable as well as cattle operations.

We are looking forward to our visit there with the Dalene’s who are managing the Excellence in Leadership for Youth program. As well, we are excited to be able to visit with John and Ellen Robinson. John was dad’s missionary companion many years ago and Ellen was one of mom’s roommates at BYU. The Robinsons have lived their entire married life in the colonies where John was born and raised. John has been a mission president in Mexico City and is the serving as the President of the Colonia Juarez Temple. We have not see these good friends for many years and look forward to the visit with them as well with the Dalene’s.

Following our work in Chihuahua we will visit the cities of Tijuana, Hermosillo, and Culiacan along the west coast of Mexico. We head back to Mexico City on Thursday; spend Friday getting the washing and ironing done and then we drive to Tampico for meetings on Saturday and Sunday. By the time we get back to the city we hope to have visited all twenty one of our missions prior to the beginning of the first conference in early July.

We want all to know how much we enjoy working with and training these wonderful people. They are so anxious to do the right thing for the right reason. They are dedicated servants of Heavenly Father and we feel so blessed to be able to help were we can to lift them and help them have success experience working with young people.

We send you all our love and very best wishes. Have a great week and we will continue to keep you posted regarding our adventures.

Mom and Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Dave and Elaine

Elder and Sister Smith