Mexico City Bible College

This year Elder Wakefield has traveled to Mexico City each Monday evening to teach a Bible class at Pastor Isai's church. The Bible class focused on how to study the Bible. 

Sometime he'd go alone, but most of the time Sis Wakefield would accompany him or the Garcia family. I also was able to go a few times when I had school off. 

A sign they had on the front of their church that I liked - the plan of salvation, very clearly explained.

Setup ready for class

Before class, my friend, Lety, taught an hour of guitar lessons to a couple of ladies from the church in Cuautla.

Pastor Isai and Elder Wakefield

The first time I accompanied Grampa to his Bible class, I was so happy to see my friend Lety. We hardly ever get to see each other, only at conferences, so when we do, there's a lot to catch up on! We sat together and before the class started we chatted a bit. She happened to ask me if I ever get called out by Elder Wakefield in church. The answer to that is yes - it's actually kind of a common occurrence. 

Class started and we had our papers to fill out to go with the lesson. Lety and I would each say the word we thought was going to be the answer before Elder Wakefield announced the correct one. I guess Lety jinxed us by her previous question and as we tied, Grampa put a stop to our competition. So I guess Lety and I are equally knowledgeable about the Bible...! And equally unable to cover our snickers of competitiveness.

 Sometimes there'd be little surprises in the lessons - emojis that went along with the subject matter.

This always got an amused laugh out of the students! 

Talking about the devil - LOL

After class, the church always served a snack. This time it was coffee and sweet bread. I always enjoyed this time to visit with Rosa and Lety!

I miss these girls so much and wish I could see them more often! One more reason to look forward to conferences and special services.

~Bethany~

Watermelon Surprise

Emphasis on the surprise. 

The other day I was making frozen watermelon bolis (kind of like a popsicle but in a little baggie). I'd taken the lid off the blender and was trying to scoot it back when...whoopsies. I bumped the lever. Talk about SHOCKING! 

Watermelon juice went everywhere and into the air....

...as you can see.

It was one of those moments when you literally have to make a mental decision to either laugh or cry. I chose the former, along with some picture-taking so my friends could also get a laugh out of my clumsiness!

~Bethany~

Santa Cruz and a Trip Down Memory Lane

This summer we took a trip to California. There was nothing unusual in that, but this time we ended up going all over the place, doing all kinds of things. We had a wonderful time!

One of the main reasons for this trip was that I had to get my passport renewed. Do get this done quickly, we went straight to the embassy in San Fransisco.

Pier 39

 This place makes me so happy! I was born in the Bay Area and we were always going to SF on the weekends. This all brings back so many good memories!

Had to get some salt water taffy! 

Alcatraz there in the back

 Lunch - fried shrimp and some kind of seafood sandwich....

This guy invited himself to our picnic on the peir.

We were egging him on, coaxing him closer and closer...

In the end, he received his reward! 

After taking care of business in SF and doing some sightseeing, we headed up towards Santa Cruz. 

Parasailers... we pulled over and watch them for bit.

 We kept stopping at random beaches we drove by...

It was so so so COLD...as you can see - HA!

LOOK AT THAT HAHAHAHAH

 Dad said to act like it was hot...

 

 We spent a couple days at the beach in Santa Cruz and also went to the amusement park on the boardwalk. Super fun!

 

We rode the "ski lift"...beach lift? 

Look behind us ... hahahaaaaa!

Dad was having a good ole time. 

Creeper....

(It's soda.)

 Dinner!!

A huge fat hunk of lard...

 We passed an Episcopalian church in town - do you see what I see?

A homeless looking lady came running up to mom when we were in town and gave her a big hug and these flowers. She said she was "spreading the love". 

 

Breakfast - carrot cake and soda. 

Yikes :-/

I had my FILL of cherries during this trip. Man oh man! Is it possible to have too many or get sick of them?

 We came back to Yuba City after our little beach vacation. We got to spend time with my sweet grandparents that we hardly ever get to see!

Me and the Grampers

The grandpa, the grandma, and their two onery little troublemakers

Uncle Gary, me, Mom, Austin, Grampa, Gramma

Austin finally met his match in Uncle Gary. 

 

This sight just filled me with joy. 

 

We set a pool up in the backyard and it provided many hours of entertainment...

 We celebrated Mom's birthday while we were there...

 Austin went to his appointments at UC Davis...

Mom and I went up to Antioch one day to see our old stomping grounds...

Silvia's. I remember going there after church many times and ordering a side of maraschino cherries. It was the highlight of my life as a five year old. 

Our old house

This is the street I learned how to ride a bike on. Unfortunately, our house was on top of a hill and I didn't know how to work the brakes. I remember flying down the hill and having to make a life or death decision. Crash into the sidewalk on the side of the road, or continue down the street where cars might be passing by and crash there?

I remember careening down the hill and thinking, "This is going to be the moment when I break a bone." I chose to crash into the left sidewalk in this picture. I went over the handlebars and the bike came crashing down on top of me. 

That's all I remember, but apparently I did survive, and I didn't break anything.

 Back in Yuba City, we got donuts for breakfast early one morning...

It is a must when we are here.

 Main Street

Good times! 

~Bethany~