Hey Dad, sorry I should have sent this to you a while ago... these are public links to albums on Facebook of Christmas in Mexico and El Salto y Labarinto. Just in case you wanted to include them in the journal. Well, too late for that! Or, you can at least enjoy them!
Christmas in Mexico:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021979&id=1522200140&l=5ca5a3d2b2
El Salto y Labarinto:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022265&id=1522200140&l=6c77adc914
Bryce
Friday, January 8, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
A Mexican Bus Ride
Because of different missionaries extending their missions, and some sudden transfers that needed to be made, my dad asked if I would be a companion to an elder who had no companion for the next week. In my church, it is required that you be with another Priesthood holder at all times while you serve a mission. He had already been using youth from the congregation in his area, but it was very inefficient and the work was going slow. I accepted the “call” and went to Piedras Negras, a little town on the border of Texas and Mexico. It is the hottest place in the mission and would be the hottest time of the year. I was extremely nervous, to say the least. I knew no Spanish, hadn’t been to the MTC, had been living in what can only accurately be described as luxury for the past 4 weeks, and I was simply feeling inadequate.
The day came and I packed my bags, sure to take multiple pairs of pants and short sleeve white shirts. I even got a “Futuro Missionero” badge from my dad’s awesome office assistants. The method of transportation was charter bus. This was an adventure in itself. Here’s the travel log:
12:30 - I leave for the bus station.
1:15 – The bus I had planned on taking is full, so I have to wait for the next one to come. Unfortunately, this bus is not the upper-class one, and it’s going to take 3 hours longer than the other one. Instead of arriving around 5, I’ll get there at 9. I say goodbye to mom and Brooke, since they have to leave. I am officially on my own. I will have to wait an hour by myself, so I find the only open bench in the bus station and take a seat.
1:16 – I discover why it is the only empty bench in the entire station. It’s right next to the most foul-smelling restroom with the most intense poop scent my nose has ever been graced with. I find another location, using my luggage as a bed of sorts. I brace my nostrils and decide to head for the restroom, but to my surprise it costs money! I hold it. There’s a lady on the bench across from me who looks like she either wants to seduce or kill me. I have absolutely no idea what anyone or anything anywhere says. What am I getting myself into?
2:15-2:45 – I wander around the bus station desperately looking for my bus. I finally find it, relieved to find that it’s late and that I haven’t missed it. It pulls in and I hop on. One minute later, we take off. How’s that for a boarding window? It truly is a miracle I have made it on this vehicle. There’s an elderly man in my seat, so I sit in the one behind him.
3:00 – We pick up a man on the street who certainly does not have a ticket. He and the bus driver talk, and the man hands the driver a small MP3 player, which he proceeds to stash in a grocery bag full of trinkets. Oh, the art of bartering.
3:10 – A family boards. As we take off, they say a prayer and cross themselves.
3:30 – A most definitely illegal copy of The Fast and the Furious begins to play. The menu has an Apple logo in the bottom right corner. It’s all in Spanish, and as much as I want to learn the language, I can’t stand this movie. In contrast, it seems the lady in her 70s sitting next to me is very excited for the flick. Not me. I opt to nap.
5:00 – I wake up to see on the flickering screen McDreamy in a Bill Clinton mask. Romantic comedy + Spanish + sexual humor = No thanks. I’m a “missionary” for goodness sake! Back to sleep.
6:00 – Now McDreamy is in a kilt and playing Celtic games to impress some ladies in Disney Princess costumes which look comparable to a Party City ensemble. Again, no thanks. How about The Last 5 Years’ "For the Next 10 Minutes”.
6:25 – Really, McDreamy? You’re going to run (more like get thrown off a horse, how cliché) into the middle of the wedding and steal the bride? Not cool. Not cool at all. I would have punched him in the face too. Worst ending to a romantic comedy EVER, and I couldn’t even understand it! The “dinner” cart comes by, if by dinner you mean Bimbo bread sandwiches and Mexican soda. I don’t know if I have to pay or not, and instead of trying to understand what the woman has just said, say “No, gracias” and choose to starve.
6:30 – Iron Man starts. I am very happy. We pick up some construction workers. One stands next to me, hanging onto the luggage wrack. Thus, his armpit is in my face. The smell is beyond description. When they get off 15 minutes later, I thank all forces of heaven and earth. Is there a method of torture via aroma? If not, I can certainly attest that it would be very effective.
8:30 – Iron Man in Spanish was actually quite enjoyable, although I still can’t understand why Pepper runs all daintily in her little high heels during the finale. Your life is in danger woman! Take them dang shoes off and BOOK IT!
8:35 – A BBC production called Planet Agua starts. This is probably the only legal thing that’s been shown so far. I stick my iPod in and get lost in Ben Folds’ “Rockin’ the Suburbs”.
9:30 – I am panicking at this point. I was supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, and have no idea what my stop is called. I gather up my tiny bit of confidence in Spanish and attempt to ask the woman in front of me for help. This is the literal translation: “Hi, I don’t speak Spanish. Final? …..Oh, do it again?....uhh ….crap (that part was in English).... uhh, Thanks!” I got absolutely nothing from that except for embarrassment.
9:35 - Kung Fu Panda! I’ve always wanted to see this! Yep, funny, just like everyone said, even in Spanish. Maybe it's not so bad if I miss my stop...
10:00 – To my intense relief, I’ve arrived. The only reason I know is because I see my heroes in white shirts, ties, and name badges waiting outside. I assume they are a bit scared I have missed the stop too. About 45 minutes late, I get off and meet my new companion. First item of business? A bathroom! After the soothing sensation of what I like to call “poophoria”, I start my week-long mini-mission.
I’ll post some experiences and lessons learned from my mini-mission a bit later this week. As for now, I’ve got to get back to homework! College is a blast and a nightmare at the same time.
The day came and I packed my bags, sure to take multiple pairs of pants and short sleeve white shirts. I even got a “Futuro Missionero” badge from my dad’s awesome office assistants. The method of transportation was charter bus. This was an adventure in itself. Here’s the travel log:
12:30 - I leave for the bus station.
1:15 – The bus I had planned on taking is full, so I have to wait for the next one to come. Unfortunately, this bus is not the upper-class one, and it’s going to take 3 hours longer than the other one. Instead of arriving around 5, I’ll get there at 9. I say goodbye to mom and Brooke, since they have to leave. I am officially on my own. I will have to wait an hour by myself, so I find the only open bench in the bus station and take a seat.
1:16 – I discover why it is the only empty bench in the entire station. It’s right next to the most foul-smelling restroom with the most intense poop scent my nose has ever been graced with. I find another location, using my luggage as a bed of sorts. I brace my nostrils and decide to head for the restroom, but to my surprise it costs money! I hold it. There’s a lady on the bench across from me who looks like she either wants to seduce or kill me. I have absolutely no idea what anyone or anything anywhere says. What am I getting myself into?
2:15-2:45 – I wander around the bus station desperately looking for my bus. I finally find it, relieved to find that it’s late and that I haven’t missed it. It pulls in and I hop on. One minute later, we take off. How’s that for a boarding window? It truly is a miracle I have made it on this vehicle. There’s an elderly man in my seat, so I sit in the one behind him.
3:00 – We pick up a man on the street who certainly does not have a ticket. He and the bus driver talk, and the man hands the driver a small MP3 player, which he proceeds to stash in a grocery bag full of trinkets. Oh, the art of bartering.
3:10 – A family boards. As we take off, they say a prayer and cross themselves.
3:30 – A most definitely illegal copy of The Fast and the Furious begins to play. The menu has an Apple logo in the bottom right corner. It’s all in Spanish, and as much as I want to learn the language, I can’t stand this movie. In contrast, it seems the lady in her 70s sitting next to me is very excited for the flick. Not me. I opt to nap.
5:00 – I wake up to see on the flickering screen McDreamy in a Bill Clinton mask. Romantic comedy + Spanish + sexual humor = No thanks. I’m a “missionary” for goodness sake! Back to sleep.
6:00 – Now McDreamy is in a kilt and playing Celtic games to impress some ladies in Disney Princess costumes which look comparable to a Party City ensemble. Again, no thanks. How about The Last 5 Years’ "For the Next 10 Minutes”.
6:25 – Really, McDreamy? You’re going to run (more like get thrown off a horse, how cliché) into the middle of the wedding and steal the bride? Not cool. Not cool at all. I would have punched him in the face too. Worst ending to a romantic comedy EVER, and I couldn’t even understand it! The “dinner” cart comes by, if by dinner you mean Bimbo bread sandwiches and Mexican soda. I don’t know if I have to pay or not, and instead of trying to understand what the woman has just said, say “No, gracias” and choose to starve.
6:30 – Iron Man starts. I am very happy. We pick up some construction workers. One stands next to me, hanging onto the luggage wrack. Thus, his armpit is in my face. The smell is beyond description. When they get off 15 minutes later, I thank all forces of heaven and earth. Is there a method of torture via aroma? If not, I can certainly attest that it would be very effective.
8:30 – Iron Man in Spanish was actually quite enjoyable, although I still can’t understand why Pepper runs all daintily in her little high heels during the finale. Your life is in danger woman! Take them dang shoes off and BOOK IT!
8:35 – A BBC production called Planet Agua starts. This is probably the only legal thing that’s been shown so far. I stick my iPod in and get lost in Ben Folds’ “Rockin’ the Suburbs”.
9:30 – I am panicking at this point. I was supposed to arrive 10 minutes ago, and have no idea what my stop is called. I gather up my tiny bit of confidence in Spanish and attempt to ask the woman in front of me for help. This is the literal translation: “Hi, I don’t speak Spanish. Final? …..Oh, do it again?....uhh ….crap (that part was in English).... uhh, Thanks!” I got absolutely nothing from that except for embarrassment.
9:35 - Kung Fu Panda! I’ve always wanted to see this! Yep, funny, just like everyone said, even in Spanish. Maybe it's not so bad if I miss my stop...
10:00 – To my intense relief, I’ve arrived. The only reason I know is because I see my heroes in white shirts, ties, and name badges waiting outside. I assume they are a bit scared I have missed the stop too. About 45 minutes late, I get off and meet my new companion. First item of business? A bathroom! After the soothing sensation of what I like to call “poophoria”, I start my week-long mini-mission.
I’ll post some experiences and lessons learned from my mini-mission a bit later this week. As for now, I’ve got to get back to homework! College is a blast and a nightmare at the same time.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
No More Journals!
Because of sensitive information which has seemed to leak out, we will no longer be posting full journals of our mission experiences. If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, just email us at the address below!
We will keep this blog open to keep pictures up. And we will post adventures of some not-so-sensitive stuff.
Hope you all are loving life like we are!
Brent and Ella
We will keep this blog open to keep pictures up. And we will post adventures of some not-so-sensitive stuff.
Hope you all are loving life like we are!
Brent and Ella
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Brielle's Mini-Mission
My cousin, Kristin Romney, and I had the amazing opportunity to serve a mini-mission. Two actually: one in Monterrey and the other near Saltillo. We served for 4 weeks total, and had the times of our lives! We were both put with a companionship, each having one of the Mexican Sisters as a companion. It really opened my eyes to missionary work – the difficulty, but mostly the amazing rewards. We happened to be in Monterrey during the hottest time of the year, and we were undoubtedly sweating every second of the day (even inside the houses). But the thought of being able to serve and teach others about the gospel of Jesus Christ was the definite motivating factor. And we didn’t mind the food too much :) We thought it was actually quite delicious!
Unfortunately we were not in one area long enough to see a baptism of an investigator we contacted. But we were able to see those we taught progress, as they came to better know the Savior and His teachings. One man got baptized after attending church for 6 months! It is just miraculous to find people who listen to the message we deliver, and who try their best to study the gospel and live their lives according to the standards of the church. We saw increases of self confidence and worth, happiness, and reception to the spirit in our investigators. Serving a mission may be hard and tough at times, but seeing that one person or family change their lives and come to know Christ makes it all worthwhile.
Personally, I felt an increase of spiritual reception and the increasing love my Heavenly Father has for me and ALL of his children. It was difficult to communicate with the people and often my companions, due to the language barrier. But I was still able to feel the spirit and love of our Heavenly Father. I know the doctrine we taught is true, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I know this is His work, and I know he is always there to help us – whether on a mission or not. It’s hard to put this experience into words, but my testimony has grown tremendously. As I have always wanted to serve a full-time mission, this experience has not changed that desire but rather made it grow even more. I know that as I try my best to remain worthy to have His spirit with me at all times, Heavenly Father will make my life’s work known to me. And I know the greatest work we can do on the earth is to serve others. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve, learn, and grow spiritually. I hope to take this experience with me for the rest of my life!
This is a slideshow of our first area, Monterrey.
This one is of our second area, in Saltillo.
-Brielle Romney
Unfortunately we were not in one area long enough to see a baptism of an investigator we contacted. But we were able to see those we taught progress, as they came to better know the Savior and His teachings. One man got baptized after attending church for 6 months! It is just miraculous to find people who listen to the message we deliver, and who try their best to study the gospel and live their lives according to the standards of the church. We saw increases of self confidence and worth, happiness, and reception to the spirit in our investigators. Serving a mission may be hard and tough at times, but seeing that one person or family change their lives and come to know Christ makes it all worthwhile.
Personally, I felt an increase of spiritual reception and the increasing love my Heavenly Father has for me and ALL of his children. It was difficult to communicate with the people and often my companions, due to the language barrier. But I was still able to feel the spirit and love of our Heavenly Father. I know the doctrine we taught is true, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. I know this is His work, and I know he is always there to help us – whether on a mission or not. It’s hard to put this experience into words, but my testimony has grown tremendously. As I have always wanted to serve a full-time mission, this experience has not changed that desire but rather made it grow even more. I know that as I try my best to remain worthy to have His spirit with me at all times, Heavenly Father will make my life’s work known to me. And I know the greatest work we can do on the earth is to serve others. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve, learn, and grow spiritually. I hope to take this experience with me for the rest of my life!
This is a slideshow of our first area, Monterrey.
This one is of our second area, in Saltillo.
-Brielle Romney
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Mount Chipinque and Bioparque
We headed up Mount Chipinque, a mountain about 5 minutes from our house, for an evening because some members of the ward told us about a resort up there. We thought it would be a fun idea, as they said it included a rock slide, playgrounds, and a beautiful view of the city, and it certainly was! Here's a slideshow of our little outing.
This second slideshow is of our trip to Bioparque, a park centered around nature. We went on an African safari and had many other adventures. The experience was incredible, and one that would not be possible in the United States.
If you come and visit, these are certainly places we want to take you! They're a blast!
The Romneys
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Contact Info
We have been receiving requests for our contact info, so we've just decided to post it on here. We are still new to the internet, so don't know if this is dangerous or not, but it can't be that bad, right?
Address:
President and Sister Romney
Calle Eucalipto #630
San Pedro Garza
Sada, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Email:
romneyeight@yahoo.com
Phone:
214-628-6968
A note about the phone - It is through an internet service, and so acts just like a phone from the US. There are no long distance charges as we have a 214 area code, but we have to be home and have the computer on for the phone to work, which is about 40% of the time. However, you can always leave a voicemail!
We hope this helps. We'd love to hear from you!
The Romneys
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
And So It Begins!
Here are some pictures of our adventures in the MTC!
Even more pictures of our house and Mexico!
Hope you all are doing great! We are happy and busy! Love you all!
Brent and Ella Romney
Even more pictures of our house and Mexico!
Hope you all are doing great! We are happy and busy! Love you all!
Brent and Ella Romney
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