This week, Seth experienced what us gringos would consider the quintessential Mexican experience.

Here is his report on the candy. "The candies here are a little different because a lot of them have spices around them, but I like them a lot." Piñatas - you can't beat 'em.

Those of us who have been struggling in frigid temperatures and plentiful snow have a hard time relating to his struggles. "...yesterday it was pretty cold, as well as today. I think my body has already adjusted to heat, because I checked the weather just now and it said that it's about 75 right now and I was guessing about 50. The people here have on heavy coats, long pants, and yeah in general we are suffering ;)."

Here is some advice he received from his president. "One thing that I got out of our interview was to really try and think about others, and that really our purpose as missionaries isn't to have some sort of boot camp for young adults in the church, but to really help the people where we are."

I had never considered the young adult boot camp concept before. A mission is that, I guess, but so much more.

There was considerable unrest in parts of Mexico this last week. "This week there has been a lot of hurt for the people of Mexico. Starting January 1 the price of gasoline rose a ton, and everyone is feeling it. The saddest thing is how some people have used it as a reason to cause chaos. Thursday we received a call to enter our houses at 5 because mobs of people were assaulting Plazas and big stores. The next two days we had a shortened schedule again because of these protests."

In spite of that, Seth had good news concerning investigators. "...the joy of the gospel has entered the lives more in many of our investigators this week. Marisol and Juan Daniel (the mother and brother of Alejandro) have accepted the gospel with open arms, and are anxiously waiting to be baptized. Marisol was very sick this past Sunday, but still Juan Daniel insisted on going to church. He enjoyed the experience. Also Reguro y Romana De La Cruz have decided firmly to get married so they can get baptized. We were overjoyed to learn this, and now we can see this influence working in their children."

Here is a portion of his testimony and a challenge. "Testifico a todos de ustedes que van a tener mas felicidad en sus vidas al servir Dios con amor que cualquier otra cosa. Háganlo para probar las promesas de Dios, porque Él no puedo mentir." (I testify to all of you that you are going to have more happiness in your lives as you serve God with love than from any other thing. Do it so as to prove the promises of God, because He can't lie."