A McDonalds in Any Other Country Will Smell the Same?

A McDonalds is a McDonalds is a McDonalds. McDonalds, Let me count the many ways I love thee. What to name this week's entry? There were so many choices!
Can you tell going to a simple "American" fast food restaurant and having a meal is reason to celebrate? Elder Guthrie and his companion, along with a couple of other companionships, got a chance to do just that this past week. When I asked Jordy is the burgers taste the same at a McDonald's in Mexico as they do in the good 'ole USA, he said he didn't remember what they tasted like back home. Tears!
Elder Guthrie and Elder Richards are still experiencing a bit of a lull in baptisms, so I am just hoping and praying they don't get frustrated. With only 6 months to go it is easy to start thinking of home and what your future holds, but Jordy knows he has 1/4 of his mission left and there is plenty of work still to do.
Keep praying for Elder Guthrie and the missionaries in the Leon mission. I know they feel your prayers.

BTW: That's Elder Garcia sitting beside Jordy and Elder Richards (his companion)looking a little perplexed by the car. Can you figure out what the sign says?

Happy Birthday Elder Guthrie

Sept. 12th marked the 21st birthday of one mighty fine elder in Mexico. When we "chatted" on Monday I was eager to find out whether he'd gotten a cake. Often Jordy doesn't answer questions (maybe it is the computer connections-always a problem) and when he does it is usually in a round-about way. We hear lots of "sort of", "kind of", "probably", "maybe" and a host of other non-commital responses. So, when he said he "kind of" had a birthday cake I didn't know what he meant. Here's the picture that answers it. So, sometimes "sorta, kinda" is the best way to describe it!




Jordy introduced Elder Tenny to French Toast...now it is one of everyone's favorites. I do love missionaries!!!!

Decisions, Decisions....

Elder Guthrie sounded good today. No baptisms this week, but possibilities for next week. It's hard to get answers from him, and the Mexican internet won't win any awards any time soon, but we did find out that "changes" were yesterday and he didn't get transferred this time. He told us about some "busy" P-Day stuff he had to do and I asked if he liked being the senior companion. He said it was fine, but sometimes there were hard decisions that were his to make. I told him that was just one of the life lessons this time in Mexico was teaching him: not everything about being an adult is fun and easy, but in the end it will all be worth it!

Spotted Yet Another One!

A Mexican Marriage and Baptism

Jordy and his companion had what he called a "freebie" baptism this week. RM Elder Frame returned to Mexico to marry a girl he taught while on his mission. Her name is Carla and Jordy said she is really cool. Jordy was never Elder Frame's companion, but they lived in the same house while they were both serving in San Luis Pitosi.
Elder Guthrie also reported that he cleaned his house today....and did not like it at all. I also learned he has been doing quite a bit of cooking, which, if you knew the pre-mission Jordy, you would be very shocked at that bit of news. He wanted to know what I put in French toast other than eggs and cinnamon. My boy is really growing up!

Happy to See Anything From Home!

Elder Guthrie spotted another NC license plate! As you can tell, he is excited to see anything from his home state.
He seems to have been a busy missionary of late. The whole mission is getting used to a new mission president and new ways of doing things. Jordy is still with Elder Richards, who is of his "generation". They had a baptism this week, a young boy named Paco, who Jordy really seems to have taken a "liken" to. Paco was found by "knocking doors" and he wants to go on a mission one day.
The other pictures shows Elder Richards showing off his latest box from home. I can only imagine how happy they are when they get boxes! I asked Jordy why he didn't show his stuff off like that and he said he would consider it.
Elder Guthrie is a hard one to get info out of, probably b/c he is always so busy and his mind is going in so many directions during his brief time at the computer, but I did get a little information that I thought was interesting. Apparently Jordy teaches English Tues-Thurs nights at the church. If you know Jordy you know his students couldn't have a nicer, more patient teacher. However, if they are learning their English SPELLING from Elder Guthrie thay will bee mitee poor spelers!
Keep Elder Guthrie and the Leon, Mexican missionaries in your prayers as they become accustomed to their new mission president...it is a true growth experience for them. Thanks again to all who follow Elder Guthrie's blog and support Jordy during this very special time in his life. I know he feels the love!

Welcome New Missionary President!

Recently a mom on a Missionary Mom email group I am a member of mentioned that the MTC drop-off, that DREADED Wednesday, procedure had changed. I am attaching the email I sent when I read this bit of news.

Hello Moms,
Someone said they changed the check-in procedure? Don't they have the "sacrament-style" meeting anymore, where we all gathered in the MTC chapel and heard from their Mission President and sung a few songs and THEN said goodbye? It sounds a bit like maybe that is all gone now and you simply drop them off at the curb.
I remember that moment so well. I pulled up to the curb and my missionary got out and started unpacking his luggage, with the help of a very kind older gentleman volunteer. In their packet, they were told to have their vaccination card readily accessible, and I knew right where it was. Problem was, I was sitting behind the wheel crying. I remember so clearly Jordy knocking on the window. When I put the window down, he said, "Ma, I know you've got a lot on you right now, but do you know where my vaccination card is?" That kind of knocked me back to reality. He knew I was sad b/c I was crying...but I needed to show him that along with that sadness, this day was bringing me my greatest joy, literally since the day he was born. So I dried up my tears (with some divine help) and did fantastic the rest of the time we had together that day. (Just ask my sister, Deena)
Maybe that moment when we were told to say "goodbye" is something some parents would rather forgo, but for me seeing all those handsome young men in the white shirts and dark suits and brand new name tags walk down that hall together towards their destiny is a moment I will never forget...and one I will forever hold dear.
Now my missionary has been out for nearly 16 months and I am eagerly anticipating seeing him walk down another hall: Only this time he will be coming my way!!!!!
Congratulations to all you new moms (and repeating ones) who will drop your sons off soon. I started to say "good luck" but we are already the luckiest moms in the world to have sons willing and worthy to serve the Lord on missions.
Sis Lisa Guthrie
mm to Elder Jordan L Guthrie, Leon Mex 3/09-3/11

**As for news from Elder Guthrie....He is always so busy! There is much missionary work to be done in Mexico! This Tuesday he was suppose to have FIVE baptisms and a prospect of 5 more soon.
He has "met" his new MP, but only informally, no interviews yet. I would dearly love to send Pres Karim DelValle (sp?) a copy of Strengthened by the Storm, a book my Uncle Joel wrote about the Mormons coming to Harkers Island and surrounding communities, but I don't think he speaks English. (I need a Spanish version!)
Otherwise, Elder Guthrie continues to do wonderfully. He has been out nearly 17 months now, can you believe it?!