2-6-12- 3 studies-clouds & kids.

Had a small group for La Paz today, Debbie Eiseman joined Elaine & I and that worked out good. Debbie knew enough Spanish to have a discussion, and Marlene enjoyed it.

Maria reading MY Book for Elaine, and Debbie.

While they were studying inside, Miguel & I studied outside. Had some distractions but not serious ones.

They seem to like the puppy. It had worms and they took it back to the pet store and the man gave them worm medicine. If they hadn't it would have died more than likely. But it is happy now, and sleeps thru the nite.









Miguel is up to Proverbs in his memorizing the Bible books in order. He had done the 1st column, and instead of realizing that the Hebrew list shifted over to the 2nd column he went straight down to Matt, Mark, Luke John, Acts. Had a good laugh at that. He has a good sense of humor. Maybe thats necessary when your learning, I know it is trying to learn spanish. When I stopped in to talk to our table maker, who is studying, he wants to learn english, we were kidding around, because his english is about like my spanish. We are always telling each other to .....s......l.....o.....w....... down. So I was trying to tell him "I speak" I said, "mi amo", or that is what it sounded like. He looked at me and started laughing, and then told me I said "I love". Whoops. We had a good laugh.
Then after study, Miguel had Maria, the kids were off, school, national holiday, read a paragraph from her Book of Bible Stories,

She was nervous, but did what Papa asked. The picture above then is Maria reading same for Elaine.
Then we did a call, on the hat man, Israel. Elaine & Amelia found him 2 weeks ago, and I called on him last week. He had been called on by a brother from San Miguel, when they had the town, so had Bible, & BT book. He is going to university over internet. I tried to see if he had time to study, and if he wanted to. But he's in the middle of a term paper, or a project, so I asked him if spanish would be better to study in. He said yes, so will try to connect him up with spanish brothers, like we did with Gustavo. We are a funnel for spanish congregations for most part. As I have said before, there are no native english speakers here, in Dolores or La Paz, with very few exceptions. So when you can start a study with the man, families here are very tight, the wife may initially get interested in order to find out what husband is doing. Then she gets interested, and then you turn over to spanish congregation. So in Israel situation, he is willing to have spanish study with him, or try. His comprehension is better for spanish. In some instances, with the learned, Drs lawyers, educated or wealthy class, they won't allow humble spanish brothers to even talk to them, but they will americans. Perception is we are more on there level.
It is a cold hard fact. But as I have tried to understand this, and ask the brothers who have been here longer and have experience, it just is that way. Then when the person studies, and applies, what they learn they change there thinking and become part of congregation, with no prejudices. "when in Rome" right. But it is difficult thing to grasp. Usually in the states, if a wealthy person rejects the truth it isn't class distinction, or maybe it is, just more subtle. Here it is a fact of life.
We ate at a walmart type store had a sandwich, then did territory for an hour or so. Then it was time to see if Carla was home, Elaine is doing her study for Eva.

So we had a nice day, 3 studies all together, and made a good call on Israel. We'll see if that develops

on way to La Paz- newly planted fields

Bug birds in the tops of faraway trees.

Miguel with his study bag, Keeps his bible, & book there. Very rewarding to see the truth affect peoples lives. If we feel that way , we know Jehovah does too. In seeing the closeness that develops, with your study, reminds me of when Ted & Charlene studied with Elmer & Vicki, and what a closeness there happened that turned into lifetime friendship, that helped spawn several congregations, who had qualified men to serve there. Like Elaine's folks in Dayton, and all over. I hope I can see that same thing with Miguel & his family.
All for now
Love Tom & Elaine.

Saturday stuff

We took day off to head to Celaya. to check out a Sears , and go to Costco, for supplies and some super bowl orders. Cheese mostly. The cheese here locally tends to fall apart, very dry, and won't melt easily. Not sure if that is a good thing or not. Maybe the fact that it doesn't melt easily means it doesn't have water added? Anyway left Tom & debbie's at 8am. and headed for San Miguel on way to Celaya.

Ate BF here, Debbie said it was good, and as usual it was. 3 had the egg bowl, eggs, cheese, onions, and they had the best nutbread to go with it. Real good butter, and jam.

So then headed to Celaya. It is a big town, that has parts of 2 spanish circuits in it, according to what I heard. Maybe 700,000 or so population. wasn't very charming as Dolores, or other towns we have seen, but it is old. Headed straight to Sears , which is next to Office Depot. Shopped there, found a mechanical trimmer on a push rod, so you can trim grass/weeds w/o bending over, so trying that out.
Couldn't find my old style wacker that you swing like I had back home. They do everything with a machete.
Looked at chairs for Moms sewing desk, and looked at slacks for service.
The headed to Costco, to sample free food, and buy stuff.  After we finished there went to drive around the city, None of us had been there before in heart of city, so explored that for a bit.
Following that we went to home Depot, Tom wanted to check out some electrical stuff for KH, possibly.
Then since it was about 3 headed back toward San Miguel & Dolores. Wanted to eat at san Miguel, but it was so crowded that we decided after seeing a couple of restaurant lines we would eat closer to home.
Went to a good place none of us had tried and ordered, I had emoladas, with mole. Elaine had quesadillas. Debbie had Aracherro, and Tom got same as I did. wasn't the best we've had but was clean, and had a view of the road.
Headed back home, and collapsed.
all for Now,\Love Tom & Elaine.
PS- batteries went out on camera so missed some good shots.

Great day, much accomplished but lost pics.......

Had a wonderful day in la Paz. Tabitha & Eva went with elaine & I. Tabitha & eva speak enough spanish to talk to Marlene, Miguels wife about #6 in Tr Tr. After dropping them off(by foot) at Miguels, Marlene told me Miguel may not have his study, because school had a contract for parents to ratify for the english teachers contract. So I called Miguel & he confirmed we would have to wait until Monday to get together. bummer, but what can you do? So I made some calls, called on the old mercado(flea market) to see if anyone from Spanish cong had called Gustavo yet. He said No they ahdn't. So that worried me not a small amount. Has been over 6 weeks that I stopped at spanish cong with Vickys help to give his ph# to brother there. So I left him and headed to jardin to start a new territory adjoining jardin. I heard that 1 of the shoeshine guys spoke english, found him and while talking to him, by the way this one didn't but he was a brother. But his my spanish is still so bad that I couldn't make out he was a brother. But as we talked along came a family, who were JWS, and a big brother named Victor did speak some english Told him about Gustavo, and asked if he had time to go there now? He said yes, He asked his family all JWS to wait, So Victor & I went to mercado, & I introduced them. 10 minutes later study is et up for tomorrow with them. Victor is a pioneer. So I can stop worrying. Then we got back to jardin and I met Victors family. So in 2 sundays Elaine & I will come over, attend spanish cong at noon. and bring Miguel & his family. Hopefully will turn over Marlene to victors mother, and she can start her in BT book chapter 1. They finished last point in Truth tract. Then Victor took me over to 2 spanish sisters who were in jardin also witnessing. 1st time I have seen spanish brothers there. 1 of the sisters spoke fair english. then Elaine Tabitha, and Eva came back from study, so everyone was introduced.
Then her husband showed up also, and I found out that he had been trying to call Gustavo all along, but no answer. maybe wrong numbers were involved. So we went to take a break, and saw Miguel in front of a school selling his hicama, his father had drove him back from school so now we arranged to have his study later at 3pm. Then after lunch, we worked some territory, went on calls, Elaine was going to try Angelica, for Vicky, and Eva was going to see if Carla was home, Angelica wasn't there and wouldn't be back till after 6. It was almost 3 then, So we drove back to Tabitha call, dropped her & elaine off, and Eva & I went to jardin. Then went and had Miguels study, this time at a different spot, but real close to where Elaine was going to be for her 4Pm study with Lucia, whose family has a pinyatta store, she is about 15, and this was her 1st official study. In Tr Tract. So as I was studying with Miguel on the corner Elaine walks by to her study just 1/2 block away. They finished up and came up to where we were. Now its 3:45 or so, and we went back to Angelica's, was too early, but I remembered a man, that I talked to once, he was on his roof patio, and called down to me he was busy, but come back another day. I tried 4-5 times, it is right next to Angelica's. So since we were there I knocked, no answer, put book bag away and was going to head home, and here he pulls up in truck. gets out and I stick my head out the window, and ask "daniel you remember me"? 45 minutes later I came out of his house having made a friend, with his invitation to come back next thursday, maybe a new study. So perseverance pays off doesn't it? just like the KM tell us to keep at it. I adjusted my time to call there 1 hour, and caught him coming home.
We had a little tlk this morning by Brother who handled the FS arrangement, on finding Joy in the ministry. Read Luke 10:17,21, on how the disciples after being sent out by Jesus returned with there experiences, and had great joy, and Jesus having heard them was "overjoyed". Shows how we need to have joy, and we can impart joy to others too. Good reminder that if we aren't having Joy need to examine what we can change or add to find that joy.
So we left La Paz a little after 5pm and headed back to Dolores.
Here is the new puppy, Maria & Miguelito have.

They had a young puppy but he got out, and never came back, kids were sad, so now they have a new 1, and are happy with it. I gave Miguel the Listen to God brochure, with all the pictures and maybe 1 scripture, that sums up the picture, last week. He read it to Maria and Miguelito, and before he was done reading each page, they bombarded him with questions. What an excellent tool for limited reading ability ones in the field we find. Especially is it helpful with the language difference. that brochure from from to back tells the whole story of why, how, and when. the issue of sovereignty will be settled. Maria loved seeing the new system picture where the dead are raised and coming to the garden, and the other ones.
Jehovahs organization is taking into account all the sheeplike ones needs aren't they? from the very learned to the least learned, there is the right tool for each one. We just have to familiarize ourselves with what is in the tool box. I left a video with Miguel for them to watch, this week.
Who can you call on, with what tool the king has provided?
All for now,
Love,
 Tom & Elaine

New stuff!

Well we had an exciting day. Elaine's sewing table/ bed was delivered.

As you can see, it is large. And that presented a problem, stairway is 28 1/2 inches, table is 32 1/2 inches. Tried to angle up but no way. My 1st option was to have carpenter take back to shop, cut off 8 " of legs drill a 9/16 hole in the top and bottom at 8", then insert dowel rod, 4" into the leg when we got it into room. 2" in top & bottom, and that would work and allow us to move table. BUT the carpenter didn't have a big enough table saw to do that accurately. Option 2- take table outside on street and then hoist up 20FT. and pull over wall. however we only had 2 men to do it, and the table was too heavy.
Called Davis, and he brought his brother, and we went with that plan. Used my old rigging experience boilermaking, not quite the same as being on a rigging crew where we lifted 253,000 lb duct work in Ohio with a huge crane that was floated up the Ohio river, but it was just a bit smaller scale. About 120 lbs up and over a 20 ft wall onto the upstairs patio/ laundry area, then we could bring in thru the doorway around the corner and into Elaine's sewing room. So after going over our jobsite safety sheet. and realizing we're in Mexico, where anything goes, no OSHA rules, we made decision to go for it.

I rigged the sling, made a few adjustments and signaled lift crew to go. Of course we padded the table well. Tom Lipperd's "home depot" came in handy. he has everything there including the kitchen sink, tools, etc. So got his moving pads, duct taped them to protect the freshly painted table. By the way the painters compressor quit, again. So Tom took him his compressor to allow carpenter to finish the painting yesterday. I didn't even know that. Tom told me later.







Then here is the lifting in stages, courtesy of "cub photgrapher" Kari Vince, our neighbor. My usual photographer was busy(me).

There is the crew, David on right, Alex in yellow shirt, Davids brother, Victor on left. You Can't see Carpenter, Alberto below those guys on the patio roof, and me. We were hanging on to the rope & Sling as the other 3 got their hands on legs and table to hoist out over the tile that caps that wall at top.

Almost there, got it past the tipping point! Albert & I are below receiving the table.











Then its over and being lowered down to floor of patio/laundry room.

So we got it done, didn't have to cut the legs, and NO SCRATCHES! We had the inspector ( Elaine) get her inspection glasses on to be sure. Then we put the cloths lines back up on the laundry roof, so everything was back in shape.
But don't think we will be able to dry anything for awhile the thunder just hit, and its pouring rain, and lightening and thundering like crazy here! Maybe we will finally see actual water in the rio's here?
Back to the tale of the sewing room/ bed. Here is the final product in place for her sewing table.

Albert really built it nice didn't he? The original thought we had was make a Murphy bed, that could be a sewing table in everyday use. So looked up plans on internet for Alberto. He said he didn't know what we were talking about, So get him some pictures to look at. So after talking to him, and going over dimensions of a table that would double as bed for company, looking at mattresses, we came back to him and decided we would not worry about having it fold up.the walls here are all masonry, so that would be feasible. So decided we'd just have mattress stand on side, and Elaine will have a drape type material cover it when she company isn't here. The she can use as a shelf, for sewing. Have her layout table, and we will have a spare dining rooming needed, upstairs. Will hold a 72" x 32 inch mattress. In out efforts to explain to Albert the dimensions, I wanted the legs to have 24" clearance, for a chair. Then have top on that level. But Alberto, added 8" to create a better looking piece, in his mind. I had figured 24 inch legs with maybe 3'4 plywood top. But he built the 8 inch band board to wrap the table with, and allow cross supports. I believe it will support "Andre the Giant" weight wise. Maybe not length wise. Now it stand 32 inches high. So I told Alberto he owes me a 2 step ladder to be able to get on top of an 8" mattress on top the 32 " = 40 Inches to top of mattress!
But as we say in the boilermaking work, after a Big lift. everyone had all there toes & fingers, so it was successful. No one got hurt.
Never a dull moment here in "Casa Plank"
Rained hard for 20 minutes , so maybe we are past the heavy stuff. Can't find a good waether map with dopplar radar here.
Love,
Tom & Elaine

Rain finally- and Sunday fun!

Biggest news is we have real rain. 1st time since we've been here, other than about 10 drops 1 night. Really a needed shower. Will settle the dust, for awhile, and we may even get some tomorrow. Maybe we'll get some greening up. Tired of ll this brown.
So got up and did a 2 1/2 mile walk this morning. Took about 50 minutes, up hill on the outgoing leg, down hill on way back. Felt good, knee held up, but right heel was barking when I got home. Achilles tendon is very tight in heel area. On way back ran into a little ranch with big cows.

I came back a different way, and startled some dogs, people and cows. You just never know what you will see here.
Then after meeting we had hospitality, our group, and Reeds had us over with some others. Sister Reed and some one else fixed us tostado's, beef & chicken, which were good, and hit the spot with our cooler weather.

Here Kari is in forefront, Susan in back left, with Fruciano's backs to me.

Jeremy is far left, then Kari, Joyce, and Bro& Sis. Fruciano. Jeremy and Kari brought a homemade salsa that was a big hit.

Trupianos in forefront, Bro Reed back, with Kari's Mom, Susan Juntunen on right.

Here are Kari's parents, Susan & Mark, from North Carolina now on left, Robert Reed, and Bro Fruciano, from Leon last 13 years, and Florida, & Boston before that.

Here is Joyce & Susan.









Had a good time, and enjoyed getting to know the Frucianos. they are in Leon, been there about 13 years. Have seen things really grow in english in Mexico. If I remember right, there was only 2 english when they came. They have become residents. so that has some advantages. Health Insurance, not having to pay yearly renewals for visa, etc.
So a good interchange of encouragement was had. Reeds have a beautiful home, set off from town a few blocks, with sheep, goats, and cows around there home. There landlord really appreciates there being renters,. They told us a problem with some big trees by the back of the home. The roots are pushing up there floor in spots, so the landlord hired some worker to get rid of trees & roots. So man shows up with a chain saw, that didn't work. So out came the hatchet, machete, hand saw, and pry bar. All by hand. Robert said that he brings coffee in the morning to him, but this tree is like 2-3 ft radius! And evidently the pay is not much. Again the term lazy Mexican isn'r in evidence here.
Kari's parents were flying out this morning, and the Frucianos had to get on the road, so we headed home about 7:30, dropped Joyce off. get ready for La Paz in morning. We were glad that we were able to make gathering, its nice to enjoy association with our brothers, away from KH.
Before heading to bed, the rain was pattering steady on our patio roof, Nice. Maybe we will see some Green pics soon!
Love to All.
Tom & Elaine

San Miguel -1-26 & more

Took our day off Friday but turned out to be only a 1/2 day off. Had to get my brakes worked on after seeing the ABS light come on in La Paz. So went up about 9am to the mechanic place, several of friends go there. And he said come back in 1 hour. I brought my book with me & my service back pack, so was prepared for a wait, but an hour sounded good. Came back in an hour and he said 1/2 hour. Read over the Listen to God brochure, they use that a lot here. Simple, yet powerful, and the pictures tell the story.
Then as I was sitting on a rock chair across from repair shop the manager came over & showed me the pad on 1 shoe, and it was cracked, so I told him yes replace it.
4 hours later, at 1pm or so had car back and brakes were fixed.
So we had a late start to San Miguel. Our purpose was to get to library so Elaine could get some new books. She is hooked on Ken Follett, a great author, Pillars, World w/o end, etc. After that we found a new restaurant for us, as we walked toward the big jardin, she shopped a bit on the way. Then looked over menu from the entrance, and since I was starving we went in.
She ordered a nice salad, chicken with it, and I had Quail. Very nice.

I had looked at the steaks, but saw quail and had to try. My cousin Dave, loves quail & so do I.  It was done with some kind of sauce, plus got guacamole,
and a salad with it. Was $12. So felt like i could try it.






Then we left & Elaine wanted to shop some, and I had a good book, so I told her to meet me in jardin.
San Miguel as I've said many times is a very eclectic, Americanized town, that has enough americans/ europeans that gives the sense that your either in a european town, or spanish town, with all the culture and niceties that Dolores, San Luis de La Paz, and some of our other towns in our territory don't have.
Thats is the upside. or 1 of them. The down side is it reminds you of why you didn't have a lot of Bible studies & good calls in states in wealthy areas. But is nice that civilization is within 35 minutes. Or what we are used to anyway.

The guy in the hat was playing harmonica for tips.
Not unusual here. Kind of reminds me of Greenwich in NY, in early 70's or Columbus circle.
Hippies, musicians, all kinds of society weirdo's, castoffs, beatniks, etc.

These gradens just show hat man can do with creation, and the wonder & beauty from working with a creative mind along with Jehovah's creation.






As we drove out of San Miguel, and ran across some other interesting scenes.

This tree is in the middle of street. Which begs the question, How? How did the city not cut it done when smaller? Who? Had the foresight to preserve it? How? did it not get run into hard enough to not kill it? Or is the curve in it from a run  in with something?

Can't resist the bougainvillea.    

Today in service found a return home who has studied with brother that was here, Pat Trainer. His name is Salvadore. He is a teacher, and very intelligent man, but it appears he has trouble finding time to "buy out". Shared the  "Listen" brochure & invited him to meeting. We were out with Eunice & Chandlers.

Made plans with Chandlers to have a bite to eat in evening, after he gave Elaine adjustment. He has practiced Chiropractic for many decades. Had a great time with them, ate at the "Toro Rojo" red bull.

Had heard about it and it was interesting.

They serve a buffet, with all you can eat, featuring different meats, aracherro, sausages, ham, etc. plus sides of baked potatoes, salad, peppers, onions. WE enjoyed the potatoes & salads. meat was not to good. But was fun to try it. Then I stopped by Soriana, our grocery store, to pick up a dessert for tomorrow, our group is feeding speaker. While going into store some very loud music was at entrance, and they had a live singer there entertaining the shoppers.

 So that finished our last 2 days. Always something new or interesting to observe.

Love to all,

Tom & Elaine.

Variety of experiences in 1 day!

Started our day, by making some calls in Dolores, then to pick up Amelia and head over. Had Ron Mudge with us, Amelia & Elaine. There was a new start for us in Dolores, there is a huge flea market, they call "the tianguis". on Thursdays, We usually miss it, because of heading right away to La Paz. But delayed our start there to try to see what all the fuss about the tiengas is. The sisters do approach work and many have good calls they have started. So here is my pic tour of the tianguis.

Steps leading up to the entrance of the Tianguis
Several beggars, 1 of note is a man with the bottom half of his body gone. He gets around on a skateboard, Almost didn't make it past him. Was focused on the whole experience of the flea market, but that was a sobering start. Reminder of why the human race needs Gods Kingdom.

                                     Table of non food items.

Veggies everywhere

                          tortillas anyone?

Sweets anyone?

                                              Strawberries anyone?

Peppers anyone?

                                                   Papayas anyone?

Flowers anyone?

                                                         Hodge Podege table

Fruits anyone?

                                         More food

Flowers anyone?

                                         Fish anyone?

Ron knows his way around the tianguis, he has a follower.

                                                                 Crabs anyone?

Cactus anyone?




So after trying to see tiengas, and finding english speaking here. Ron found a man that is a call. There is so many people that come here it saves trying to find them at home. they are here in tiengas.

Then we gathered up Amelia, and headed to La Paz for meeting Miguels wife, We were a little late, and she had to go to school early. So they did door to door, made a call, while Ron went to a call, and then he & I met in jardin for Miguels study. He was prepared and met us there at 2PM. Had a 1 hour study, but right when he got there, he told me "Tom I'm ready for the 1st ten books". I have assigned him to learn Bible books in order. So he proceede to lsit them and got an "A". Then we started on "judgement day", info on 213-215. He was really on the mark, and had the understanding of what is included in that day. After study i quizzed him on what he would say, if confronted about why only 144,000 go to heaven. He turned to Rev 14:1-3 and showed me. Ron made some good points of reasoning with him too.
Then after I went to find girls in territory, and they came back to jardin, Ron had found the ice cream stand across from where we study with Miguel!

 Then went on Elaines new study, Lucia. Her parents want her to learn english, and so agreed to have her study. 1 of the most interesting  thing to understand in mexico, doing the english preaching, was originally set up as  a way to help educate Mexicans to read & understand english. That was filed with the gov't. So it is not incorrect to approach people as english teachers, who use the Bible to that end. we are trained english teachers of the Bible. The BT book, is a reference book we use. Its taken awhile to get our minds around that concept. especially in Dolores. Elaine had a good initial study with her.

                 As we walked to Elaine call, I wanted to be sure they were going to have it, passed Miguel with his cart. He moves down to this spot after study. A little blurry, but has the Jan awake, and Listen to God brochure.
 Then we went on a call of Rons thru some narrow streets and hills. Made contact with a well spoken man. Who wanted to know where we could go to discuss some things. Ron has a GPS in his phone and uses it to mark where his calls are, so when you are in a new area that is a great tool. Jared are you listening? (hint hint).  Ron had us stop by the mercado to see if a man he knew was there.

Then after getting out of a blocked road, driving 1 way the wrong way to get out, we went to Angelica's. Elaine did her study, and she did well.

Elaine & Amelia at Angelicas. She was ready & prepared.









Then we decided we were all about done in, and ready to head back to Dolores.

So we arrived back in town, and what would my blog be w/o some horses?

As we headed down "pottery Row" had the horse people pull out in street. You gotta love a town where some cowboys can ride there horses around in town right?

Then ended our day as we drive off into the sunset, a pretty 1 at that.
Love to All,
Tom & Elaine