Friday, January 5, 2024

This morning we got to go to the temple! We love, love, love going to the temple, and it’s always exciting for the kids to go to a new one -- and even better when it’s with the Ayalas. The work we do in them is so wonderful, and each one is so unique. Except, the curious thing is that the Hermosillo temple is identical in structure to our Detroit temple. They are both “small” temples. Today was especially important for us, because it was the first time that Ian was able to go in the temple. Along with the Ayala-Córdovas and the Ayala-Luna families, we got to share our session with a big group of youth from Culiacán. They had to travel many hours to get there, but they are excited because a temple has now been announced in their city. They have been the group of saints that has had to travel the furthest in Mexico to get to a temple. Not for long.

After we finished the baptisms, Betty and Brianda had to stay behind to do all of the laundry, so I just walked around the temple with the kids and we took some pictures.

After that we drove to the Ayala Luna’s house -- Brianda and Dani’s place -- and we had a delicious breakfast. Brianda’s mom, hermana Rosalva, introduced us to sweet squash (basically squash soaked in piloncillo [molasses]) and sweet and spicy jamaica (hibiscus flowers left over from making agua de jamaica, then soaked in sugar and Tajín). The kids had a ton of fun playing around with each other. As always, River was enthralled with “The Boys with the Hair.”

After that, we drove out to the church of Nuestra Señora de Fátima where Betty’s father and grandfather are buried (actually their ashes are in a niche). Unfortunately, the church was closed, but the kids played around in the park for a bit.

By that time, we were all really hungry and tired, so we drove to a little strip mall and found a nice cafe called Jung that sells smoothies. They were awesome.

In the evening, we went to Betty’s friend Yolanda’s house. Her husband, Eduardo, brought some special Hermosillo tacos called “Tacos de nada.” They are all the rage right now, and they are delicious. I mean, they are just simple potato tacos, but the salsa was good. And the company was even better. The kids enjoyed playing soccer on the front patio.

We finished dinner off with a Rosca de Reyes and some delicious homemade Mexican hot chocolate that Yolanda made. This is a big ring-shaped sweet bread that’s covered in dried fruits. Also, hidden inside the bread are a few tiny plastic baby Jesus figurines. The tradition is to eat the Rosca on the day of the Three Kings (January 6th). Whoever gets the piece with the baby Jesus has to host everyone at their house for tamales on Candelaria (Candlemas), which is when they celebrate when Jesus was presented at the temple.

Betty got one of the Jesus figures, so everyone is invited to our place on February 2 for tamales.