Mexico Day 4

 Zip lining day.  And I was not thrilled.

I have spent the past 6 months losing weight and trying to feel and look healthier.  I told Del that if and when I lost the weight, I would be willing to try and do a few things that I had never tried before - basically, 'go outside of my comfort zone' and do something  I would probably regret.

For this trip - that was going to be zip lining.  I am petrified of heights - more than just that - it's a real phobia for me - to the point, that if I were close to the edge of a cliff, instead of enduring the fear of falling off, I would just jump - to be done with the fear.  I know it doesn't make sense to anyone but me - but it's real.  AND, I'm not real fond of hiking - both of which we were going to be doing.  

So, I put my big girl panties on and off we went on our adventure for the day.  It was also Phil's birthday.  I was able to have a nice private discussion with him about some of my difficulties growing up with him and how I have never felt a real connection with him, even as my brother.  I did tell him that I would try to maybe let things happen a little more naturally, but we both agreed that being siblings doesn't automatically mean that you have tender and loving feelings for that person.  We agreed we would probably never really be close, but that we could certainly be cordial and kind to each other when around each other.  

It was Garth and Annette, me and Del and Phil.  The speedboat ride out to the island was AAAMMAAAAzing - fast, beautiful scenery, saw a pirate boat and huge rock formations etc - about 45 minutes long.  By the time we arrived to the island, I already felt like our money had been well spent for the day.  We docked alongside some other speedboats and waited our turn to be helped off onto the dock.  Locals were everywhere, trying to sell their goods to the visitors on the island and I immediately flashed back to Chile - specifically Arica Chile.  The homes, the roaming chickens and dogs, the little children running around with no shoes and dirty clothes - clean clothes being hung out to dry, public bathrooms with painted doors - the whole picture was Chile for me.  My heart was very tender.

Our boat guide took us to a van that was waiting to drive us to the location where we would zip line.  Off we were, driving in and out of small spaces, single lane roads with oncoming traffic - pedestrians owning the dirt roads - I was totally relaxed enjoying the whole experience while the rest of the group had just ash-panic stricken looks on their faces.  Ha ha ha!  I remembered those days.

But I had never been zip lining before - so the 'look' came to my face soon enough.

The experience??  I did it - but I would probably never do it again.  If I hadn't of been latched on to the zip line, I probably would have let go and just dropped.  The height was petrifying - But the worst part of the whole thing?  Climbing up to each level on the mountain to get to the next zip line.  I have NO, I mean NO, ZIP, NADA leg strength and climbing was almost impossible for me to do.  The mountain was steep - the steps were steep and it finally got to the point that Garth was pulling me from in front while Del was pushing me from behind to even get me to the next point.  I was exhausted and was completely out of energy and strength to even hold on to the handles for the rope. I quickly acknowledged how I had no ability to keep myself going, so they had me rest for great lengths of time and then I was assisted by one of the young men each time I went down the line.  I had no idea that losing weight had caused me to have no muscle or ability to be strong.  By the time we had zipped down the last line, I was completely done - my body could not move.

Now.  I can say I zip lined.  There was even a moment that I was in awe of the whole experience.  But that moment was fleeting as I was trying desperately to stay focused on holding on to the bar so as not to end up upside down; which mind you, Garth, Annette and PHIL did on purpose.  Stupid people!

After zip lining, we were able to enjoy some of the other features of the excursion - feeding and petting birds, monkeys and other animals.  Del decided to go roaming down the street of this little village where he somehow, met this little old man who didn't understand a lick of English and Del , who didn't understand more than 'hola' and 'taco' in Spanish.  But this man has a horse - and somehow, Del ends up on this horse in costume of sombrero and blanket and having his picture taken.  I was humored by Del's excitement in telling the story.

My sweet Mexican cowbay.

Mexico Day 3

 It had been decided on one of the first days, that we would have Monday, Wednesday and Friday be beach or pool days and then that Tuesday and Thursday would be excursion days.  So first thing Monday morning, we were up and in our bathing suits for the day.  Now mind you, Del and I are not really 'lounge by the pool' or 'lay on the beach' type people.  I have had too much skin cancer removed to want to go through any of that again, but we did want to show up long enough to get pictures and at least show some interest in what the others were doing.  But before any of that could happen, we needed to make arrangements for the weeks excursions.  I, somehow, got elected or took it upon myself, (probably the latter) to make all the arrangements.  But at some point, everyone ended up in the office, helping to set up the excursions.  Tuesday would be zip lining day for all those wanting to go.  It would also be Phil's birthday and so Del and I were paying for him as a gift.  Thursday would be sailing and snorkeling day.  That initially was going to be us and Lance and Rebecca - but then everyone decided they wanted to be with us, so we ALL ended up signing up for the day.  All excursions were booked, paid for and then we hit the beach. 

By the time Del and I got there,  several were already into reading their books, listening to headsets and swimming in the ocean.  I took several pictures, Del and I dipped in the ocean and then we all just layed around and talked.  It was Paul's birthday that day, so us girls took a picture and sent it to him.  Afternoon was spent playing games, swimming and then getting ready for dinner that night.  We had great seafood that night - fun conversation and of course, more game playing.

The night ended with the expected beautiful sunset - 

Note: While waiting for dinner, I had the opportunity to visit with Garth for a little over an hour.  Our discussion?  What had happened 20 years before and why I hadn't talked to him for 15 years.  I was able to share with Garth, for the first time, the experience from mine, well, and Rebecca's perspective as to what had happened.  He never knew some of the information or how it had affected us, but he finally understood.  And with great sorrow in his heart, he apologized for his part of the whole incident.  I too, apologized for the feelings of betrayal and hurt I had harbored for so long and we were both able to come to a sweet resolution of love and forgiveness for each other.  He later, away from me, apologized to Del, of which Del was both surprised and grateful for.  

Mexico Day 2

Sunday.  Our plans were to attend a local barrio (ward) in Puerto Vallarta for the 12:00 noon services.  So we had a nice leisurely breakfast and then we all met up to take a taxi to the church. We ran into other gringos at the church, even some we knew here in Texas when we lived over in Frisco.  We arrived early, so we were able to observe things from a visitors point of view - a chapel, but no pews - individual chairs.  Cute little Mexican families with little children - all men in white shirts and ties - few, if any cellphones; youth arriving and visiting with each other before the meeting started.  It was all taking me back to my days in Chile and I felt such a pull to the customs and the people.  I found my Spanish coming back to me and I spoke with several members in their own tongue.  They were surprised that I was a gringa but speaking Spanish.

After Sacrament meeting, which I was able to understand and really enjoyed, I snuck in to the Young Women's room and introduced myself to the young ladies as the leader in my young women's group in the states.  They asked questions about the girls - what they wear - do they have phones? drive cars? had I met the prophet before? I noticed none of them had any of the before mentioned items - they didn't even have drivers licenses or cars in their families.  They took the bus to church.  Their clothes were not the best, but they were clean and they all looked beautiful.  And they were happy.  I could tell.  I had such a nice short visit before my family left to go back to the resort.  I realized what different worlds we lived in and how they were so content and happy with what little they had.  And they were at peace.  No contention - no anxiety - no tense emotions.  Just peaceful.  made me miss my days in Chile.

After a nice lunch as a group, some went back to their rooms for naps and rest.  Del and I decided to go down and walk along the beach and talk about our day so far.  The water was beautiful and felt not too cold, but nice.  We had a great conversation about what we had observed at church and felt about the people and the gospel.  We were so grateful to be part of Heavenly Father's church and have so much in common with those we had met that day, even when we lived so very far away.  And that differences didn't affect the truthfulness of the gospel.

It was fun to see that Becca and Lance had the same idea as we met up with them on the beach.  We took some photos and then just went sightseeing through some little shops and had fun laughs while we continued to walk the beach.

Dinner and evening entertainment was fun again and then as a whole group, we played some games into the late night and then off to bed.

Another picture of the beautiful sunset to close out the day.

A nice Sabbath Day to be grateful for.
 

Puerto Vallarta MEXICO - Day 1

 After Rachel's funeral, our family consisting of siblings and their spouses, got together at mom's house and we decided that we wanted to start getting to know each other a little better by spending some down time together on some trips.  Inwardly, I was NOT real thrilled as there are one or two, even three that if I'm going to be spending a lot of money. I would want to be a little more particular as to who I spend my time WITH.  But the concept was good.  My brother Mark and Garth's wife Annette were put in charge of this first trip.  It was decided it would be a LAND vacation, versus a cruise, as some wanted.

I will not go into ANY details of situations leading up to the actual trip as it is not pleasant and unnecessary to re-hash at this point, but come flying day, the following siblings were the ones going on this vacation - Sheila, Mark and Bonnie, Garth and Annette, me and Del, Phil and Rebecca and Lance.  I was excited, although I knew there would be a little awkwardness with both Sheila and Phil that I would need to resolve during the days of the trip.  I could do that.

We left Saturday February 26th in the afternoon and arrived in Puerto Vallarta about 4:00 in the afternoon.  It took FOREVER to get through customs and into the country and even became devastating for Sheila.  Come to find out, Sheila's passport had been torn at the airport in Phoenix right before she got on the plane, but American Airlines let her get on the flight anyways.  When she arrived in Mexico, they found her passport invalid and insisted on sending her back to the states.  We were all in shock and just so disappointed at the turn of events.  Sheila left and went home.  That left Rebecca and me as the only sisters there.  But I was SO glad we were together.  We had missed each other a lot since last being together back in September and we had both lost a lot of weight - her over 50 pounds and me 30 pounds.  We both weighed the same now and we looked and felt GREAT.  

We had a wonderful dinner as a full group - laughed, ordered a variety of different foods and desserts and started our daily ritual of choosing our non alcoholic mixed drinks.  It would become the memorable fun aspect of our trip -  Every evening, after dinner, the resort also had an hour long show that they would put on out on the patio by the large pools.  We would sit on the steps and watch each night, the great entertainment that would be brought in for all the patrons.  And it was good - so many different talents and variety of performers.  

Being our first night there and most of us being tired from our travels, we all went to our rooms to unpack and get settled in for the night.  But with Becca's room being right next to our room, we snuck over and played a few rounds of Make a Million before we caught the beautiful sunset and called it a night.  There would be plenty of late nights during the week.

Before falling asleep, Del and I talked about how glad we were to be there with who was able to come and we talked about how glad we were to be together and have some time to ourselves.  The first day had had it's disappointments with Sheila having to leave, but the few experiences and beautiful food we had eaten, entertainment we had seen and sunset, we were excited for all that the week would being to our vacation.

Emerson Turns Eight

I adore this sweet boy.

Emerson and I have always had such a sweet bond.  He makes me laugh.  He loves life and everything about it.  And most people love Emerson too.

He turned eight this year and wanted a fun outdoor party with his friends and family shooting laser guns.  Everyone had a great time.  Emerson has some really cool friends that he really likes, but he also loves being with his family - ie cousins and uncles and aunts.  He treats all of with respect and kindness and especially loves little Peyton.  The party was great.

Emerson won't be being baptized anytime soon.  They haven't been to church n a few years and Emerson really doesn't understand the concept of God and Jesus - so they want him to wait until he does and they all come back to church.  Emerson has a hard time sitting still for that long and staying interested in things that he just has no desire to learn.  I get it.  He's eight.  And I get what Jordan and Lexi are trying to say too about not wanting him to make covenants and promises that he really doesn't understand at this time in his life.  I hope that in the future, they decide to return to the church and see the need and desire to have the Savior in their lives.  

Someday.