How are you guys doing :) I don't have a lot of time so I am trying to hurry sorry!
Mexico City is insane. The MTC is in a poorer part of Mexico City and it is like a paradise island. All night there are sirens and I have never seen so much poverty. But I love the people here. It is such a crazy culture but they are the happiest people I have ever seen. I am learning so much here and loving it. I never thought I would study so much and still enjoy life :)
The language is coming along! We got some Mexican rommates who will help a lot I think. It is hard because after about 3 days we already had an investigator we had to try to teach. It is frustrating at times, but I can feel the help of the Lord as I try to learn as best I can.
We went to the Mexico City Temple today and it was amazing. I felt the spirit so strongly. The spirit has to be my favorite thing about being here. It is addicting, and I never understood it the way I do now. I always want it, and when it is chased away, it scares me. It is so important, and I thought I knew why before. But now I understand much better.
I miss home, but they keep us plenty busy here. It is cool but crazy to be the first Americans here, and some of the first missionaries. They barely have any idea what is going on and it is funny. They barely have the laundry set up, the schedules are sometimes completely wrong, and nobody knows how to do a lot of things. But they are figuring it out just like we are.
I know that this gospel is true and that this is the church of Jesus Christ. My testimony has been strengthened here like never before. It hit me really hard the other day, as we talked and heard devotionals and studied the scriptures, the meaning of 'forget yourself and go to work.'' I realize that in order to be the best missionary I can, I need to completely remove myself from the picture. I am not here to learn the gospel or even to learn Spanish. I am here to learn how to serve and how to be a representative of Jesus Christ to God's children. I will grow more when I focus on others than if I focus on my own growth. I know that I need to not only give the Lord my time, I need to give him my acts, my thoughts, my intentions, my words, and my whole soul to him and to this work. I am trying my hardest to, and it is bringing such amazing blessings.
I'm glad Ashley got to the MTC and is safe :)
My companion is Elder Thomas and he is from Des Moines. He is cool and we get along, but just like me abnd the majority of teenagers, our personalities clash. But it is fun and I love all these elders and learning with them. The weather is super nice down here and I love it :) My p-days are on Thursdays and so yeah :)
I can't wait to get out into the field. I have never felt the spirit the way that I do here anywhere else.
I am not good at writing and I am running out of time. I can't think of too much more to say at this point, except that I love you guys so much. I am so thankful to you for preparing me for this and for giving your support and sacrificing so much so I could.
Yo sé que esta iglesia es la iglesia de Jesucristo. Yo sé que Jesucristo es mi Salvador y el Salvador del mundo. Yo sé que José Smith fue un profeta de Dios, y que El Libro de Mormon es la palabra de Dios. Estoy tan agradecido por esta oportunidad.
Love,
Elder Stone
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