Well, my friends... I survived my first week in the CCM (Mexico MTC). It has been such an adventure and I will try my best to recount all the amazing blessings I have received, for there have been MANY!
My companion's name is Hermana (Kaitlyn) Riggs. She is a CHARACTER. I love her. She never stops talking or singing and we are so comfortable with each other. It really is a blessing. We have a lot in common. We are both going to the Massachusetts Boston Mission. She is from Pleasant Grove, Utah and she was born in Washington state, too! She went to a year of college at Snow College, but said she hated it. She's an only child and she says she's kind of shy, but I am here to tell you that she is wrong. Heavenly Father knows I am not the most patient of people, so I really think he blessed me with a companion that I could truly get along with while preparing here in the CCM. I love Hermana Riggs!
Our roommates are Hermana (Winter) Buttars and Sister (Charlie) Hanson. I LOVE THEM TOO! We have so much fun together and every night before we go to bed we spend that time getting to know each other. They are both from Utah (Huntsville and Bountiful) and we just joke with each other and have heart to hearts. I love it here. I go to bed every night so happy because of my companion and my roommates, but mostly because of Jesus Christ.
There are six of us in my district, and we are all going to the states. Elder Blakley is our District Leader and he's going to Baltimore, Maryland, along with Elder Nelson. Elder Graf and Elder Fenton were just called as the Zone Leaders and Graf is going to Atlanta, GA and Fenton is going to Mesa, AZ! I love our district. We all get along, but the boys are super ADD. Hermana Riggs and I know WAY more Spanish than anyone in our district, so they are always asking us questions, which helps us to learn even more.
I already know WAY more Spanish than I did before and I know it's because of God's help and blessings. I have tried SUPER hard to obey the mission rules, and Hermana Riggs and I have done pretty well, but not without help from Heavenly Father. He is real. I know it.
Our teacher's name is Hermano (Brother) Medina. This is weird, and don't judge me, but he is super attractive. I dunno, I guess I just have a thing for Mexicans. Speaking of Mexicans, I LOVE THEM. Everyone here is so kind and accepting. The workers, the teachers, the leaders, the missionaries. It is such an incredible place and I love learning here.
The CCM is absolutely GORGEOUS! We met our branch presidency this week, Presidente Rodriguez, Presidente Romero, and Presidente Valdez. They are so kind and loving. Presidente Rodriguez told us a little story about the CCM. It's absolutely amazing.
The CCM used to be a school, operated by the Church, and was built around 50 years ago. Last year, The First Presidency of The Church decided they would change the school into a Missionary Training Center due to increasing numbers in missionaries after the missionary age change. This was really hard, though, because many people would have to figure out where their children would attend school (this place is pretty big and taught more than 1000 students). The First Presidency met with the parents and students to announce it, which was really emotional and almost sad, but the parents/workers/students accepted the news. I guess 50 years previously, in the dedicatory prayer of the school, Marion G. Romney, in the prayer, stated, ''This school will be a center of teaching langauges.''
When The Church came to begin construction on the school to transfer it into a MTC, they soon discovered that the classroom sizes of the school had exactly perfect dimensions for MTC classroom sizes. They didn't have to rebuild any of the classes. I think this is amazing, because God is hastening his work. I am a missionary, preparing the world for the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is not far off. I hope we can all prepare for this moment, because it is coming soon. Being in the CCM has taught me that much.
So, after just a week here, I can already pray and bear my testimony! Here goes...
Yo se qué la iglesia de Jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dias es verdadera. Yo se qué Jesucristo es mi amigo, compañero, y salvador. Yo se qué mi familia es eternal y se amo. Está creencia ayudao qué tener paz y amor. En el nombre de Jesucrist, Amén.
It might not all be correct, but it is true. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. I know that Jesus Christ is my friend, companion, and Savior. I know that my family is eternal and I love them. This belief helps me to have peace and love. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Man, I love Spanish.
There are lots of words I could use to sum up my first week here at the CCM... Crazy. Scary. Intense. Spiritual. Invigorating. Challenging. Busy. Wonderful. Lovely. Miraculous. Beautiful.
But of all the words I could use, the best would be CHRIST.
My missionary purpose:
''Invitar a las personas a venir a CRISTO al ayudarlas a que reciban el Evangelio restaurado mediante la fe en Jesucristo y Su Expiacion, el arrepentimiento, el bautismo, el recepión del don del Espiritu Santo, y el perseverar hasta el fin.''
Invite people to come unto CHRIST by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus CHRIST and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of The Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
I am a representative of Jesus Christ. I know Him. I have faith in Him and His Atonement. I will stand with him in these days because he will come to this Earth again soon, and I want to be able to look at him and say, ''I did all the I could.'' I challenge you all the do all that you can to help others COME TO CHRIST.
I love you all! You are in my prayers.
Until next week, para siempre Dios este con voz. (God be with you 'til we meet again).
Always,
