Another win for the Bears!

Ryan's whole team had a great game last night. Ryan contributed two touchdowns to the winning score of 26-7. It was great to watch him play. He has really improved - and so has the rest of his team.

Here are a couple of action shots and one of him after the sweet victory! :)

Way to go Ryan! Way to go Bears!

Unity

In an effort to help create unity between the stakes in our mission, under the direction of Elder and Hermana Cabrera, we hosted a dinner for some of the Stake Presidents and their wives last night. We have a total of 14 stakes, and invited seven to the dinner. We had six that said they could come, and five couples showed up.

This picture includes the Cabrera's, the five Stake President's and their wives, and also the second counselor in the mission presidency, Pres. Torres & his wife, and their cute little son Alan.

They all seemed to have an enjoyable time, talking and sharing experiences. We are planning to hold another dinner next month for the rest of the couples.

Zone Conferences

Last Week we had three days of Zone Conferences. It was great to see all the missionaries again. This time we had Elder and Sister Thomas with us. Elder Thomas, a psychologist, is the mental health advisor for the area of Mexico. He and his wife visit each mission periodically and give a presentation during zone conferences.

I really enjoyed hearing his message - he taught that the key to our mental wellness really begins with controlling our thoughts. If we get depressed or down, by examining our thoughts, we can change ourselves. Negative thoughts bring a negative result in our lives. Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts can make all the difference.

He gave each missionary a gratitude rock. Each time they start feeling down or depressed or discouraged, they are to get out the rock and put it between their thumb and index finger and rub it while they think of all the things they are grateful for. By the time they have named several blessings, the discouragement will be gone! I've tried it and it works - and I'm grateful that Elder and Sister Thomas were able to be with our mission this week.

Happy Birthday Ryan!!!

Today is a big landmark for Ryan - 18 years old! Hard to believe that many years have passed since he joined our family. He's done a lot in those years, including attending seven different schools, soon to add an eighth (BYU, baby!) in the winter. He's moved four times, and has had a good, happy attitude each time.

He has been a lifesaver when it comes to reading maps and getting us around this city. I think when he goes home, and when he goes on his mission, we will be sending a map and a cell phone with him. If we get lost we'll call him and he'll get us home!

Ryan loves to laugh, and he laughs really hard. It makes me laugh when he is laughing :) He is a great young man and we are very, very proud of him.

Here are some pictures of him with his brothers in the past year or so. I don't have any others of when he was younger, they are all packed away at Grandma and Grandpa's house :)