Connie and Dale CLAM: 5th WEEK-OCTOBER 10-16, 2011

Different Countries

As we travel around our two assigned wards and back and forth to the Los Angeles Temple, we go from a feeling of being in any of many different countries to being in a down town metropolis with skyscrapers and all of the big name stores. We could be in Korea, Bangladesh, El Salvador, México, Guatemala or Beverly Hills within just a few minutes.

The Hair Stylist

It seems everything is an adventure on a mission. I have tried to find a Salon that uses the same hair dye I have been using. I couldn’t find anyone so I emailed Brad and Mary. Brad emailed me back and said according to the internet there are 700 stylists in Los Angeles using those products. He gave me a website to find them. I went to the website and put in salons within 10 miles of where we live. Now I know that doesn’t seem too far away for most of you but many times it takes us 1 hour to go 10 miles so I felt I was being quite generous with the mileage. Five salons popped up. We drove to the closest one. It had gone out of business. I then got on the phone to see if the rest of the list was still in business. Something the lady on the line said made me ask how much their haircuts were—THE ANSWER: $250.00! I was sure I had heard wrong. I said, “Pardon me; please repeat that again.” I had heard correctly. Upon calling the remaining three salons, came the same answer. I didn’t ask how much for a tint since it is usually more than a cut. I had visions of coming home at the end of our mission with long white hair! There are signs all over for $10.00 cuts but one of the sister missionaries warned me about them. She had found a bargain at $80.00 a cut. I was about ready to pay for Mary to fly down every 4-6 weeks when I found a little Korean stylist for $25.00. I made an appointment.

THE HAIR DO

When I arrived I told her what color I had been using. She was sure that was not right. She showed me the color she thought was correct. I told her it was way too red. She disagreed so emphatically I gave in thinking she knew her brand. As I sat in the chair and the minutes ticked away, my hair was getting redder and redder and redder. I was going OH, NO! When she came to check it she was horrified. Pretty soon there were two Korean stylists picking at my hair chattering in Korean. They talked and talked and talked. Finally they put another color on. It was better but not what I am used to. By that time I had been in the salon over 2 hours. She then announced, “I cut.” When she cut it she grabbed some hair on one side and SNIP. Then very fast she would grab some hair on the other side and SNIP. She did this very fast for two minutes and then announced, “Done!” Let’s just say I have had better cuts.

MISSIONARY WORK

Fairly typical week, we had some cancellations and some great spiritual experiences. Dale says it seems we can only have one really good experience a day. We decided if we have one good experience a day for the rest of our mission that would be great.

Monday we had pupusas from San Salvador with the Ordonez Familia—Gabrielle, Jeny, Gabrielle Jr. and Jeny Jr. They were delicious. Brother Ordonez made us something special. It looked like maybe boiled liver or some chocolate concoction. I was praying for chocolate. It ended up being a vegetable—guisquil. It was boiled in black beans and water so that is where it got its color. I quite liked it. It tasted like the artichoke heart when you boil or steam artichokes. I would have liked it better if it had a dip of some kind with it. Dale wasn’t too fond of it but ate it anyway. They have to be one of the nicest families we have met. We were supposed to get together Saturday but they called and cancelled.

After the dinner we went to Garnicas loaded down with everything for a Family Home Evening. He came to the door and said they were having a meeting and couldn’t meet with us. We think they were making some arrangements to get their hyperactive little boy some help.

We met with Xiomara Ramirez. She is the 3^rd ward mission leader’s daughter. She has 3 girls—Karen who is 12, a 4 year old and a baby. She had her friend, Lucy Gutierrez, there to help her understand English and translate her Spanish to English. It worked out well, because we talked in English so that Lucy could be more involved. We had a really good visit with them. Lucy told us that she was Catholic, but was interested in what we had to say. We told them about how there was a falling away from the church in each of the dispensations after the prophets like Moses and Isaiah died, This happened after Jesus and the apostles died. Then we gave her a short Joseph Smith story and testimonies of him and President Thomas Monson. She was quite inquisitive and wanted an English copy of the Book or Mormon to read. We are going with the elders this week to teach them some lessons.

Alejandra Carrillo is a fun, little Mayan lady. She has lots of spark and enthusiasm. Most of her children are grown but living with her. Her youngest son is about 16 yrs. old. They all work hard. Her husband, Brian Patrick was there. We were told by the bishop were separated. He said he goes to an English speaking ward. She invited us back if we can catch her. She works 2 jobs and is going to school. She said she wanted to come back to church. We talked to her about attending an English speaking ward since they all speak English fairly well.

We met Emma Perez. She is battling cancer. She is raising a grandson, Matthew, whom she has had since he was 9 months old. He is only in 7^th grade and wants to quit school and be on the streets with a gang. He was there and he seemed very likable. We hope he doesn’t make that choice. We told him we would help him with his homework and that Dale would show him the power point presentation on Rocket Engineering. He seemed pleased with that. Her husband is a member but has a drinking problem.

We met Irma and Alvario Castro. They have a daughter, Stephanie (13), and a son, Antonio (8). Irma has had a very hard life but is a survivor. She is so much fun to talk to. They want to get Antonio ready for baptism and they want to be sealed in the temple. She is trying to get her GED. She works in an assisted living center. She would eventually like to be an RN and I would bet she accomplishes it. He works long hours in a print shop and would like to get some kind of training also so that he can become a CAD designer. We are going to help them with their school assignments. Dale will be especially good at helping her with math.

We read and discussed the Book of Mormon verses that contain the word Jesus and what these verses teach us about the gospel with Luis Ambriz. He is devoted and is trying to do what is right. He said that he had quit his job as restaurant cook so he can come to church on Sunday. He had to work Thursdays through Sundays. His mom is working everyday now in a clothing factory. Learning to read will have to wait. We did leave a DVD of the Sunday afternoon session with them

We read the Book of Mormon with Maria Samos. Her husband was supposed to read with us but he went with some buddies. We get the feeling he doesn’t treat her very well.

Friday night 3^rd Ward had a Cultural Night that was just fantastic. These Latin people know how to party and eat. What a fiesta! Each group had a display, sang songs, danced, had terrific food samples, and dressed in their native costumes from their birth country. They did a fantastic job. Lots of work went into it. It was supposed to start at 6:30. They didn’t get going until 8. I think that is par for Latinos also. You just love their ways. They had groups representing Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and the youth did the United States. Elder Filiaga did a beautiful job of singing the Star Spangled Banner. It was one of the funnest evenings we have spent. There was a fairly large group representing each country. You can see we have a fairly well balanced Latino ward. We took lots of pictures and will show a few below.

GUATEMALA

HONDURAS

A SISTER FROM HONDURAS WITH A PHOTO OF HER WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNG QUEEN FOR A LOCAL ACTIVITY.

DISPLAY

PERU

GUATEMALAN DANCERS

EL SALVADOR

Brother Yern is quite the person. He is a specialist in Family History and has been called as a Family History Missionary for the area(?) He has a very gruff loud way of talking and this seemed very out of character to be holding the quiet little Latina girl.