Ponte Limon

Hola hola hola. I hope you are all doing well. Things are going great here in Mexico. The students got here on Sunday night/ Monday morning. Calvin and I were the ones that greeted them and showed them to their rooms. The students are anywhere from 21-64 years old. They said that the median age is 31 and 54% are married. That was pretty surprising for me. At first I thought that they were targeting returned missionaries that had just got home. In Mexico the boys go on their missions when they are 18-20. Anyways the Academy actually targets those who are a little older because they need it more. Many people here already have their own businesses and they've come to learn how to make it better. There are a couple of bishops here, a stake president, and alot of counselors in the bishopric. I imagine it is a pretty big sacrifice to leave their jobs, families and callings for 6 weeks to come to the Academy. The first day they just clean ALL day. We help them of course. But they clean the offices, the classroom, the greenhouses, the kitchen EVERYTHING. Jeremi and Rebecca want them to gain a respect for the campus and also want them to realize the importance of cleanliness. They have to clean every morning from 6:30-7:30. Jeremi also tells them that if they keep their businesses clean then that is something that will set them apart from their competition. Most of the stores/businesses are pretty dirty here. So the whole time they are here we really stress the importance of cleanliness. If they leave anything out on their beds or on the floor or if anything is out of place they have to pay 10 pesos every time. Jeremi said that they collected more than $500 with the last group of students. And then they take what they get from that and give scholarships to students who want to come here but dont have enough money.

Monday night we had a family home evening with all the students. All of the employees were spotlighted. Then we talked about how we couldn't lift others to higher ground than on what we are standing. Many of these men all they want to do is provide for their family and serve God. It was a really good lesson. Ghandi-a guy that works here who is Mexican, does alot of the teaching with Jeremi. He got up and started talking about how he works here because he loves Mexico. And because he knows that there is prosperity in Mexico. We had a discussion on class whether or not money was good or bad. It was interesting. Alot of the students had very strong beliefs that money is evil and so are rich people. We brought up names of people (both members and not members) who had alot of money and who have done great things with their money.

I taught a class yesterday over kitchen trainings and some health stuff. I think it went pretty well. They had to take a test afterwards. Now whenever we go in the kitchen they look at me like I am the kitchen expert/pro. Some of the questions they ask me are hilarious. It was really fun teaching though. Calvin had a chance to teach as well and according to Jeremi he "stole the show". The students started clapping after cause they really liked what he taught.

Calvin and I always joke around about "limon". Mexicans think that it is the answer to all of life's questions. In the mission whenever anyone would find out that you were sick they would give various remedies but they all had one thing in common: LIMON (lime or lemon). We were talking to Jeremi about this and he said that one time he saw one of his mission companions (when he was here in Mexico) and the companion asked him why he hadn't had kids yet. And Jeremi told him that they had been trying for a while but hadn't been able to. The companion took Jeremi aside and said "ponte limon" or put lemon on yourself and Jeremi said What??? And he said "ya, sobrete limon" or put lemon all over yourself...down there. Haha! It is the cure all.

We started English class today for the first time. Calvin teaches the more advanced ones and I teach the ones that don't really speak at all. It was really fun. I love teaching. It's been such a good experience to learn more spanish. The food is amazzzinnnnng. Jared-Mike: you would love it. Its seriously one of the best things about being here. Amazing Mexican food everyday. I am also in charge of the daily report/weekly reports. I write/take pictures of things that happen everyday. At the end of the week they are sent to the founder, all of our donors, and everyone on the board. President Hinckley's son is one of they guys on the board for this Academy. So that should be fun writing those every day. I think we might go to the temple this weekend. At the Mexico City temple there is a temple square, a distribution center, and the MTC all in the same area.

Calvin is working hard on all of his videos. It's a huge project. Kind of one that you don't really know where to start. But he's doing great. There are 7 Mexicans that work here that have all graduated from this program. It's been really fun getting to know them. We eat all of our meals together. Two of them (Marvin and Janette) are engaged. It's been fun talking to them. Calvin makes them all laugh a lot. Its been so fun with Calvin Tyler. We get to spend, for the most part, all day together. I always think that I am so glad I married my best friend and someone that I love to be around and that makes me laugh. I feel so lucky every day.

Anyways we are loving it here. The Academy focuses alot on changing behaviors and realizing that you have your destiny in your hands. Its cool to see people lifting their horizons and realizing their potential. I hope you are all doing awesome. We love you! -das the skinny