I have two goals this summer: to catch a fish and to spear a fish. While in Mexico, I was able to complete the latter part of that goal! I went snorkeling for the first time (Jackson had to teach me in the pool before we tried it in the ocean). While I was expecting to see all sorts of tropical fish like Dory's and Nemo's and bright colors, what I saw was a lot different. There were some tropical fish, but most of the fish blended in with the rocks they lived under. It wasn't until you held still and just floated above the rocks that you could see all the life below you. I picked up the act of spearing fish pretty quickly, and caught the first fish of the day! Unfortunately, it was too small to really cook (said Jackson) and we just left it in the ocean. I hope that fish doesn't come back to haunt me.
Mexico is definitely not America. This was my first time leaving the great USA, and I was surprised to see that Mexico is not anywhere near as clean as America. We couldn't drink any tap water (which also meant that we had to brush our teeth with bottled water). There were a lot of buildings falling apart and left desolate. Nothing looked like it was given as much thought as things do in America. Vendors walk up and down the beach all day long looking for a quick dollar selling stuff like sunglasses and bracelets to tourists. Experiencing Mexico really helped me to appreciate all the good things I have here in the states.
The beach is so wonderful! We spent the majority of our time just relaxing by the beach or the pool, reading books and getting sunburnt. At night, when the tide is out, we would go looking for life in the tide pools. We found hundreds of hermit crabs! One night, we even found an octopus and a sand crab! The sand is literally made of tiny shells, and you can find all sorts of perfect shells lying around. The water was pretty warm the whole time. There is nothing like just being lazy on vacation.
Mangoes. They are amazing in Mexico. We got mangoes every day from the Mango Man. These guys walk up and down the beach every day with a cooler in a wheelbarrow full of mangoes. They shove the mango on a stick, peel it, flower it open, and then top it off with lime and salt. They are seriously one of the most delicious things I have ever had the privilege to taste.
Jackson and I loved walking on the beach together. Although we were on vacation with the whole family, we still got to spend time together just the two of us. We would go swim in one of the three pools at the resort, walk on the beach, and even went out to dinner one night. I love that man so much. It was really nice to spend some relaxing time with him during a busy summer.
Overall, the trip was amazing and provided some much needed relaxation. We were even lucky enough to go through the Gilbert Temple before we came home! I have never seen or been in a prettier temple than that. You can tell that the Lord is pleased with it. Every single part of the inside and outside of that area has been given attention.
A year ago today I entered the temple for the first time and received my endowments. I am so grateful that I was worthy and ready to go to the temple. I love being in the temples of the Lord! They are filled with such peace; every time I go I literally forget the struggles of every day life and find myself relaxed and at one with myself. The temple is a wonderful place to go to, and I'm lucky to live so close to so many. I know that my life is better since making covenants with the Lord in His holy house. I love the gospel, I love the temple, I love my husband, and I love life.
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