December 22, 2016

Christmas is right around the corner everyone! The CCM is doing a spectacular job hyping us up for this season of our Lord Jesus Christ with a tiny nativity scene way in a back corner of the compound. They also decided to put some lights on a few small bushes. They are really trying to bring us into the Christmas spirit. I can feel it. The weather is a balmy lukewarm degrees, just cold enough to put on a coat and just hot enough that you sweat. But if you take it off, you're cold again. The food reached it's pinnacle, we had hamburgers on Monday and Corn dogs on Tuesday. Since then, let's just say I've been fasting daily. There will be no pictures this week since I got my hair cut, and they made me look like Dobby from Harry Potter.... I will be sure to send some pictures next week when I have hair on my head. In other words, the CCM is still terrible. However, I am really grateful for the spirit that resides over this place, because the spirit testifies new truths to me, every. day. I'm also really digging into the scriptures (in English, you try translating 2200 year old writing in spanish) and I've been learning so much cool stuff. In the spirit of Christ, I invite you guys to read 3 Nephi 12-19, where Jesus himself teaches. As it says in 3 Nephi 26;6, the ministering recorded in Nephi are less than a hundreth of what he really said. so take heed to those verses as you realize, only the best 1% was written in a book that was meant for you. I have had a temporary companion switch. I went from Elder Lloyd, the gentle giant farmer from Washington, to Elder Jones, the ginger from the hood in South Virginia. We really get along and we teach really well together. Would you like to know why? It's because we poop together, stall by stall and we plan our investigators lessons there. We take our scriptures and pamphlets into the stalls and come out with some of the best 15 minute lessons you'll ever hear. This week, we've started a tie trading fiasco. It's pretty much an olden day auction, with so many ties flying everywhere. Needless to say, through my Wilson charm, I have aquired several great ties and almost got a really cool llama tie. We trade just about everything right now, it's almost like we don't have anything to entertain ourselves with....(weird, huh?). Also, Elder Lloyd purchased some really slick looking green capris. He rocks them every other day during gym time. They really compliment his white legs. I like my companion haha! On a real spiritual note, I have loved being with my district. We have had a few district meetings, where all we do is talk about spiritual things, and to see everyone grow , and to see someone grow from my words (that the spirit gave to me, no pride), is absolutely amazing. It's quite easy to see why we have the MTC/CCM. Because over time, sure, you pick up the language. Most of us already know the lessons by heart. Heck, most of us can already teach the lessons in Spanish. But the real point of the CCM is to give the missionaries a testimony of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. To strengthen them, and to convert them. You cannot ask someone to walk down a path that you yourself aren't walking. The MTC is terrible, I pretty much hate it here, and I think my district is planning my accidental death, but I enjoy it so much, on account of the Holy Ghost accompanying me daily. As we enjoy these last few days of before Christmas, I urge you to get on your knees and pray a prayer of gratitude to the one who gave you your chance for eternal salvation. I urge you to stop concerning yourself of the pointless, worldly things and focus on the one who knelt in the grove for everything you will ever feel. I urge you to spend time with your family, cause the next thing you know, you'll be on a mission in a foreign state, wishing you had more time to spend with your family and loved ones. Remember who you are and what Christmas is really about! I hope you all enjoy an amazing holiday, and I bless you all with the spirit, that he will pour out blessings upon you and your families, that you will feel the love of Christ within your lives if you will have the desire to feel him!! I send my best wishes from mexico and I love you all so much! Merry Christmas!