Week 4: Temple Visit

Today we escaped the walls of the CCM and got to go to the temple visitor center in Mexico City.  The city is crazy, and I am so happy that I am going back to the United States.  We learned that there is still real life outside the walls.  Most days you just feel really trapped and you just have this itch to get out.  It was so nice to talk to people and associate (not that I could really talk to them that much anyway.. but I still tried).  

Field Trip to the Mexico City Temple Visitor's Center 

My District

My Roommates

And. I have a package coming your way with stuff that I purchased for you in Mexcio. Keep your eyes peeled in 3 weeks. :) 

I hope you had a great birthday Mom and Julia.  I thought about you all week long and really wanted to celebrate with you. :)  I know that I am where I need to be and that the Lord wants me here.  Even though most days are hard, I know that the 3 weeks that I have left at the CCM are to help me prepare to do the Lord's work. 

Last week I worked really hard to use my Spanish in the lessons that we were teaching.  I am starting to feel that I am getting the hang of it, and I can actually have a very small conversation with another person.  It's a great feeling.  Every night that I am laying in bed all the thoughts in my head are Spanish. It's crazy.  I never thought that I would get to that point.  I still dream in English, so I haven't moved up levels .. yet. haha

Next week.. I can say.. I have been out for a month.  When the missionaries say that the days go by slow, but the weeks go by fast... they mean it.  I look back and feel like I just got here, but at the same time, it's weird to say that I have already been hanging out here for three weeks. 

I have been learning a lot here at the CCM and one thing that I have had to work on and learn the most is to draw on the strength of the Lord.  I am grateful for the Atonement and knowing that my Savior knows exactly how I feel every second of the day.  There is an Elder here that is leaving in the morning to go home.  It broke my heart to hear that he was struggling so much.  I wrote him a letter and passed along a talk that one of the sisters in my zone gave me when I was having a hard time.  I wish that I would have known that he was having such a difficult time before.. and I just wish that I could help him feel better.  I know that when I focus on the happiness of other people, and not focus on myself it's easier for me to get through the day and the week.  I know that is what the next 17 months are going to be like. 

The Best Meal of the Week and Baby Mangoes

I was talking to my district sisters this week and we were discussing how when we get to the field we will have 12 transfers left.  It sounds like such a short time... even though we haven't even made it through one.  We are all so eager to get to the field and actually teach and talk with real people.  I am sooo ready! :) I just have to make it 3 more weeks! 

District Sisters 

Ok.. listen to this.  I was talking about my humanitarian trip in my class this week and someone in my district said that they had gone to Peru last year for humanitarian.  I asked him what group he went with.... YUP. YOUTHLINC.  HE KNOWS MY PEOPLE!  I was so happy!  Elder Anderson and I had this long chat about all the people that we had met and all the crazy things that went on in that cute little quaint village.  It made me so excited that Liv gets to do that next year. :) 

Our sisters from the zone left yesterday.  It was really sad, but I am so excited for them to get to Peru and teach all those wonderful Peruvians that are waiting to hear their message.  It was like losing family and saying goodbye.  I can't even imagine what it is going to be like to say bye to our district.  We will have spent 16 hours a day for 6 weeks together.

Sending off Sisters to Peru

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the Krispy Kreme!

We learned something crazy this week... our teacher can read minds and it's crazy.  We learned that when we are with investigators we need to look at their facial expressions when they talk and we can tell when they are telling the truth and when they are making things up.  I will let you know how the mind reading goes when I get to Florida. :) haha 

I know that missions are hard, but they are worth it.  On Sunday we were sitting in Relief Society and I just started to cry.  I realized that I am on a mission so that others can feel the love of Christ in their lives.  I am leaving my family for 18 months so that they can be with theirs for eternity.  It is not easy at all.. and I am not the best at always being happy... but I try.  Some moments are harder than others... but I just have to remind myself how much I am blessed to have the family that I have, and the blessing of being an eternal family, and then it makes me realize my purpose and why I am here. 

I want you to know how much I love you all.  I think about you all the time. You never leave my mind. I tell my companion how much I wish that you could be here to see all the cool things that I see and learn all the amazing things I am learning.. but I am doing this so that others can feel the same way about their families and enjoy the eternal temple blessings. 

Our favorite bench called Sophia the First

Package #4

I love you and thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support.  I miss you like crazy and wish that I could be with you but I know that I am here for a reason.  Keep up the hard work and keep sending me updates.  I am really looking forward to seeing your handwriting on letters in 3 weeks! :) 

Con amor

Hermana Snow