January 26, 2018

Week 2: SEMANA 2


Hola!

Whats up everyone? I´m sorry I didn´t email on wednesday! Our P Day was friday this week because we had to get some visa work done for the missionaries staying in Mexico. So much awesome and hard things have happened since last week and I hope I can remember all of them. Probably one of the hardest things that has happened since last week is my companion Elder Haun went home. He had some really terrible feet problems that kept getting worse and worse. He is going to have surgery soon and will be back to the CCM in 3 months! That was extremely hard for me. But, now I am in a trio with the other elders in my district which are SOOOO awesome! My companions Elder Saunders and Elder Urmston are the best. They are both from Utah and are the best Elders in the CCM. Elder Saunders is super awesome and a great example to me. His español is killer and it blows me away. Elder Urmston is the tallest and funniest person on the planet. He also does magic so we have collaborated on some tricks which is so fun. One of the most amazing things that happened this week was last sunday. HOLY CRAP it was so good. I made a list of all the amazing things that happened that day. The first thing that happened was amazing. Me and my companions were getting ready for a branch council meeting but we couldnt find Elder Urmstons nametag. We searched EVERYWHERE and it was no where to be found. I said a silent, simple prayer that we would find his name tag and get to the meeting on time. As soon as I said amen (immediatley after) Elder Urmston yells FOUND IT. I was amazed. Heavenly Father is so aware of us and he definitely answers our prayers. Next after Sacrament meeting. Me and my companions gave the most amazing lesson about José Smith and the restoration. The spirit was so strong and it was powerful. After that, we had a KILLER lunch. It was fish tacos which was excellent. After that was my favorite part of the day. We had a devotional were we watched the José Smith video about his life and the restoration. I was emotion for about 97.8462% of the time because of the testimonio I was reminded I had about José Smith. I know that he was a true prophet and that he translated El Libro De Mormon. One thing I especially like about José Smith´s life was the amazing faith that their family had but especially his mom Lucy Smith. Lucy Smith has also always been an example of faith to me of never doubting the testimonio of the things you know to be true. She always supported her son and always believed in him and knew the gospel to be true. She will always be an example to me. Anyways, that Sunday was killer. Today at the Consulate/visa place in Ciudad Mexico was so fun and crazy. I love being in the crazy city. After we were done, I did magic for about 40 missionaries with nothing but a couple coins. We had the best time. Everyone was tripping. As far as teaching is going, I am learning slowly. I am hardcore practicing español everyday and trying to be the best I can. I know it will come but it is HARD. As far as our district goes, we are growing so close. We are literally a family. I love everyone in our district so much. Anyways this past week has been hard and so great. I know this is the place I need to be and I love it. Thanks everyone for the amount of support you have given me! Until next Sémana....

Giddy Up
Elder Smith

January 17, 2018

Week 1: FINISHED WEEK 1 BABBBBYYYYYY 

Hola! 

I SURVIVED MY FIRST WEEK! Holy crap where do I begin? So many things have happened this past week and this week! When I first got to Ciudad Mexico (Mexico City), some missionaries and I went through customs and went to find our bus to the CCM (MTC in spanish). When we found the bus it had the Light the World picture on the side and in big letters CCM MEXICO MTC. It was so rad. When the guy started loading our bags into the bus the CCM Representative was like "watch him close to make sure he doesnt steal any of your bags. That was probably my first "we arent in Kansas anymore" moment hahaha. The traffic in Ciudad Mexico is crazzzzy. There are no lanes and not many lights. The first day at the CCM was good but really exhausting. From minute one everyone just starts talking to you in spanish. So 3 minutes later....... my brain exploded hahaha. No it was totally awesome but I definitely had plenty of "my brain is getting hot" moments. That day, we had orientation, met our companions, and got our name tags. Holy Crap that was so cool. Later that night we saw the Thomas S Monson devotional and it was seriously so cool. President Monson was such a great prophet and person. His example of service is something I strive to be like everyday as a missionary. My teachers at the CCM are seriously so rad. Their names are Hermano Martinez and Hermano Calis. Both of them served their missions in Mexico and are from Ciudad Mexico. My companion, Elder Haun, is sooooooo tall. I look like a flippin monkey walking beside him when we are going to class. Elder Haun is from Ohio and knows sooooo much español. He is so helpful when I am learning español and learning how to teach. To put into perspective how much improvement I need in español, me and Elder Haun were teaching a pretend investigator named Fernando and he totally laughed at me because I didnt say anything hahaha. It was funny though we all laughed about it. I know the language will come eventually. Also, the second day here, they called me to be the district leader and i was freaaaaaaaaaking out. I was like I dont even know what a district is yet and now you want me to lead a bunch of Elders y Hermanas? But, I think I am getting it under my belt. As far as the food goes, its pretty authentic. Except on pizza tuesday hahaha. That is the one day of the week that all the gringos look forward to. One day in the cafeteria, I was performing magic for like 30 latino elders and they were going LOCO. It was so awesome. Also the other elders in our apartment are latino and we have had the opportunity to teach them english and they teach us spanish. This is seriously one of my favorite things. I love them both so much and they are so fun to teach. My favorite word in español is provecho which means "enjoy your meal" or "eat up". Everyday when our distrito is eating we all yell PROVECHO before we eat. I think its so funny. The main thing that I have learned spiritually here at the CCM is that Heavenly Father is aware of all his children and he loves every single one of us. Dont forget to do the little things like reading el libro de mormon and Oración (prayer). These things are so important. Serving others has been my favorite part so far. Service brings me so much happiness. Remember to do these things. I hope you all have a great week!

Reporting to you live from the CCM,
Im Elder Smith, giddy up.