Hola reyes y reinas!!! I've officially made it one full week here! Only 4 more to go yay!
Google Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QBqRnzJBCkan82Bb8
This week was so good! I'm definitely still adjusting to missionary life. Everyday is pretty much the same here. We wake up, study, eat, go to class, eat, go to class, eat, go to class, go to bed. Hahaha that sounds kinda horrible but I promise it hasn't been that bad. I've learned so much here already and it's so cool that I get to live in a place where I can feel the spirit everywhere I go. It's funny though because everytime I look out the window I can see people walking on the street or cars driving by and it feels a little bit like prison. But the good prison! The prison where I get to learn about the Gospel!
Here's some funny things from the week:
-So far the MTC has brought in Taco Bell, Subway, AND Chick-fil-a for all of the missionaries. However, since the apostles aren't here anymore I can tell the food is slightly getting worse and worse.
-I joined the Choir! Never thought I'd say those words. Everyone knows I can't sing but as my Branch President says "Branch one sings in Choir." So yep! Guess I'm singing in choir now!
-On Sunday during sacrament meeting there was a Sister and an Elder who both gave talks. I won't lie, I was so tired and I may have started falling asleep. Both the Sister and Elder finished their talks really fast and there was a lot of time left over. So a member of the presidency got up and said "Okay we are now going to hear a testimony by Hermana Anselmo." I was literally so confused. I opened my eyes and whipped out of my chair so fast. I kinda killed it with my testimony though.
-On Wednesday we were able to pick up the new missionaries that came in and take them to their rooms. I love myself some service but when I tell you that I carried 2, 50 pound bags up 4 flights of stairs MULTIPLE times, I was not feeling so good. It didn't help that it was 90 degrees outside too. I was sweating so bad it looked like I just took a shower. Hahaha it actually made me kinda sad though because seeing the new missionaries say goodbye to their families sparked all those feelings of when I had to say bye to my family a week ago.
My Spanish is still no muy bueno. This week during tutoring we had a sub and he was so nice and encouraging and I don't know what happened to me but I literally just started sobbing in the middle of class in front of my whole district. Guys IDK why I was crying. I mean I don't know Spanish so I was feeling a little overwhelmed but something about the way he talked to us made me emotional and it was really super embarrassing. I haven't cried since, so maybe that means I'm getting better at Spanish! Hahaha just kidding. So far I pretty much know how to pray and I kinda know how to bear my testimony.
Tonight my district turns to immersion which means that every single one of our classes from this point on is fully in Spanish. Wish me luck because I'm definitely not going to know what anyone is saying!
My district laughs at the dumbest things here. Literally EVERYTHING is funny but if I told any of my friends the jokes they would probably be confused why I'm laughing at something so dumb. I have never laughed harder though than I have here. I guess that's how it is when you are isolated from the rest of the world. I love it. Everyone in my district is hilarious.
Here's a Spiritual thought:
We've had some awesome devotionals this past week!!! The first General Authority devotional was given by Elder Kearon from the Quorum of the 12. It was extra special this week though because instead of just him being there, 11/12 members of the Quorum of the 12 were there and 1 member of the first presidency was there. It was SO cool but sadly President Nelson never made an appearance.
The second General Authority devotional was by Elder Dushku from the 70. It was an amazing devotional. He talked about how us missionaries are living miracles and went through some of the principles of power that missionaries should know. The one that stuck out to me specifically was to "BE ALL IN". He said
"1. Keep your mind and heart in the day that you're in. You can ALWAYS get through the day that you're in
2. You miss out on a lot of things when you aren't present
3. Time will fly by when you are present.
4. By not living in every moment, you will miss the Lord on your mission. If you don't pay attention, you will miss the little miracles in each day."
This was something that I really needed to hear because I've recently been in the mindset of "I can't believe I still have a year and a half until I'm home. a year and a half until I get to see my family and friends." It's so important to take everything day by day, and to be ALL IN. Don't be the missionary that puts half their effort into the work. You are here, so you might as well put in everything you have.
He ended by explaining that alone, we can't do this, we are totally dependent on Jesus Christ. Through him we can make weak things strong, we can work miracles!!!
I love you all so much!!! Sorry this email is kinda long but I hope you all know that I'm thinking and praying for you guys. I love hearing from you all, my MTC pday is Friday but email me literally whenever! 🥰🥰
ALSO shout out to my mom and aunts for all the treats they've been sending me. Thanks for fattening me up while I've been here!!!
