Clowns, dogs, drunks...and some teaching opportunities.

Well, I've only got one more week left out on this change! This past 5 weeks actually went by really fast. I hope that Elder Dahlin and I get another chance because I really think next change this area will have a ton of baptisms. Although it’s gone by fast, every day is really hard. Once I get out in the street it doesn't feel as bad, but the mornings are and forever will be a challenge. I don’t have quite as an exciting week as last week, but I will share a few things that happened. 

We are teaching this lady named Ruth that I told you about. She is amazing! She is the one who calls us her children. But she never can get our names right, so yeah I guess we are her children. (cough*Dad*cough) :)  She always thinks my name is Francisco. Her family has been super difficult with her because she is going to get baptized and they are all super Catholic. She has decided though that it’s her life and she knows what she needs to do. She is going to get baptized tomorrow!  I am so excited for her. I think I am baptizing. (I will send a picture to you from my camera. Let me know at this email if you end up getting it. If not I will send it next Monday). She is going to be the best member. 

Last week we went to visit this inactive member who was super excited we were there because their mom is sick so we gave her a blessing.  We then sang a hymn and it was kinda awkward because they recorded us singing. Also these little 14 year olds were taking pictures of me during the lesson. People here don’t see a lot of Americans I guess. Anyway, we are teaching the inactive lady’s sister and her family. They are the parents and 4 kids, but the kids are in their 20s. They are very Christian and know the Bible SOOO well. Elder Dahlin luckily knows it super well to. I have been super frustrated because I really don’t know the Scriptures. I know they are true I just don’t know the doctrine and stories very well. 

We are teaching some other ladies named Gloria and another named Maria del Carmen. They are pretty calm people and it’s hard to tell how interested they are. They did come to church yesterday though. Here, to get baptized, kids needs to come 5 times and adults 4 times before they can get baptized. 

My Spanish is slowly coming. I need to learn more vocab words because I mainly know how sentences here are formed. People can understand me, but I am sure I sound like a 2 year old to them. Keep praying for me! :)

That’s mainly it. We have been trying to work hard reactive members. We have gotten 2 families back to church and that is a really good feeling. We are trying to see people as reaching the temple, not just baptism. 

Some odd things about Mexico or things that have happened to me:

1. Clowns.  People decide to dress up like clowns and walk around intersections hoping to get money. I think it’s the new way to beg for money. Some juggle on tires and make whistle noises. It’s kinda creepy.

2. Last Monday we were walking up the street and a stray dog came up to us and almost bit me. I jumped to the side and it missed me. To get dogs to back off you have to pretend to pick up a rock and they will back away.

3. Almost everyone here is obsessed with the Virgin Mary. It really is a problem because they all pray to her and focus on her more than God. Look at the picture. There was a parade yesterday (mostly everyday you see some group parading her around). 

4. There are a lot of drunk people. A few weeks ago this guy came up to us and said he needed help and we talked to him about the Gospel. He realized we weren’t going to give him money so he left. Then the next day we saw him again. He was really drunk and came and gave me a hug. It was really awkward. I kinda just stood there stiff while he breathed his drunk breath on me. Blehhh!

5. People here honk when coming to a stop sign to let people know they are not stopping. So safe.

6. People are professional liars! haha I swear they each pick an address that doesn’t exist to give to us. Sometimes kids will answer the door and we will ask if their mom is home. They go check and then come back and say "my mom says she isn’t home"...okay maybe not so professional.

Yup.  So there are some interesting facts about Mexico. Hope you all have a great week. I miss you all so much. Love you!

-Elder Thomas

Deja vu 5 years ago - CO poisoning

Wow, this week has been crazy. I had probably what will be the most scary event on my mission. It’ll probably be the entire letter. It’s something I believe I was prepared for.

So this past Thursday during our weekly planning session, some hermanas in a different area called asking Elder Dahlin why the zone leaders weren’t answering their phone, because they had an appointment with them.  Elder Puerto and Elder McCubbins (zone leaders) said they were sick and that Hermana Whitehead (mission pres. wife) told them to sleep. The Hermanas sounded worried but Elder Dahlin told them they probably were asleep and didn’t hear their phone. 

About 45 minutes later, the APs called and said they wanted Elder Dahlin and I to check on them with the hermanas because we were the closest elders to them. They wanted to make sure they were okay. When I heard all this I instantly knew what was wrong. We got a taxi and went to the other elders’ area. We ran to meet the hermanas to go to their place. I just had this feeling to prepare myself for what to do. I almost even told everyone what we were going into wouldn’t be what you expect. I had the same feeling as five years ago... I didn’t say anything though because I didn’t want to be thinking the worst.

We ran up to the door and Elder Dahlin rang every doorbell. Some workers on the roof looked over and we told them to open the door. We ran upstairs and pounded on the elders’ door. There was a blanket covering their bedroom so we couldn’t see them. I opened a small window in front but it was too small to get into. Elder Dahlin and I climbed a ladder on the roof of their place and I reached down and opened the bathroom window which was also too small. Elder Dahlin climbed on the back of their apartment and a window in the kitchen was unlocked. I climbed down while Elder Dahlin climbed in the window and I followed. In their bedroom, Elder Puerto was lying on the floor and Elder McCubbins was between the beds on the floor as well. I yelled to Elder Dahlin to open the door and get them out. He grabbed Elder Puerto and I grabbed Elder McCubbins. They were covered in throw up that seemed like spit.

Elder Dahlin was taking care of Elder Puerto and I was taking care of Elder McCubbins. I gave a priesthood blessing right away. I told him that “you have enough faith, and I have enough faith, and that you will be healed”. Still nothing. They were completely unconscious. It was like they were in a deep sleep breathing really deeply. I was completely terrified. The hermanas were crying saying their names over and over again. I felt so alone trying to save his life. The hermanas called 066 (911 here) and they took forever to come. Every 7-8 seconds Elder McCubbins would breathe again and when he wasn’t breathing I was worried he wouldn’t respond.  I felt so lost, not knowing if CPR or something would help. There was a pile of wet cement out on the roof where we were that was getting everywhere. It was simply chaotic. We put them on their sides to make sure they didn’t choke on their throw up. We then put them on their backs and their feet on chairs and wrapped them in blankets to make sure they didn’t go into shock. At one point I just cried out “I don’t know what to do.” Every time Elder McCubbis stopped breathing I would panic and kind of shake him to breathe again.

Elder Dahlin then said that Elder Puerto was responding a bit. He could hear us and was trying to move. Elder McCubbins was still in the same state. I just kept thinking, "Not again. I can’t lose someone else to this." Finally the paramedics showed up. They seemed like they were moving so slow. Elder Dahlin was on the phone with Hermana Whitehead and he said that the elders were doing okay, but the paremedics weren’t.  She was like “What!?” haha.  They took over at Elder McCubbin’s side and sometimes would leave. I would go back over and just tell him it’s going to be okay, and just keep breathing. They put him on oxygen and then put him in the ambulance. Elder Dahlin went with them and I stayed with the hermanas and Elder Puerto.  About 4-5 minutes later another ambulance came. We decided to go to Toluca Centro hospital. They got Elder Puerto and they wanted me to go with, but I can’t speak spanish, so he went solo. I felt so helpless and frustrated because I wanted to help. 

The hermanas and I took a taxi to the hospital and met Elder Dahlin. I just started crying there realizing what had happened.  All of the memories of that day with Clayton just came to me. Waiting in the hospital with Mom, hearing them trying to save Clayton. Luckily I didn’t hear the same sounds as I had before and they were in a different area. The AP’s and President and Sister Whitehead showed up. We all just cried and prayed in the waiting room. President went in and Elder Puerto was fine, but they were worried Elder McCubbins had permanent brain damage. President gave them each a blessing. We just kept waiting to hear some news. President told us 2 by 2 any updates. When I talked to him, I told him that this is how my brother died. Then Hermana Whitehead came over and president told her about Clayton. They apologized that I had to go through this again. Then the doctor came over and said there is nothing more we can do but wait till tomorrow. He said he thinks he will be okay, but we need to wait. I grabbed my bag and some members took Elder Dahlin and me home.

We returned home and cleaned up (it was about 5:00 pm). Then Hermana Whitehead called Elder Dahlin and said Elder McCubbins was starting to respond. Elder Dahlin and I were so happy and we cried and hugged each other. We each prayed to thank God for saving them.

We saw them yesterday at church. Elder McCubbins was back to himself. He still feels a little light headed and it hurts to breathe because his lungs were burnt. There were so many miracles that saved them. If we showed up 10-15 minutes later they would be dead. Also when we opened the windows, the pilot light was still on to the boiler. The mixture of the oxygen, carbon monoxide and flame should have caused the place to go up in flames. Maybe it was the order of opening the windows because the last window we opened was the one right next to the boiler. What caused it, was where a stove should be, the switch got turned on by accident. I am so grateful that God was able to save the two elders. I have been reminded that we have a purpose here on earth. For Clayton, his time was then. He was needed on the other side. I am so grateful that through everything our family has stayed together. 

That pretty much was a big part of my week. Thanks everyone for your prayers. I miss you all and love you!

-Elder Thomas

Still workin through the homesickness but good thing happening.

Dad,

Wow! What a crazy week! I have thought about you and mom and Aaron so much this past week. It seems like you had an awesome birthday. I am glad you like your note. I would have come up with more but I hardly have any time on the computer...The pictures look awesome. I love the serious mini golf picture. cracks me up. Also I love Aaron's shirt. I wish I could sleep more. I only get like 6 hours a night. It's been really hard for me. I miss you so much! thanks for your advice. It really helps me. I still am pretty homesick. I don't know if I will ever not long to be in contact with you all. I know this is where I should be though. I reread your letter today that you gave me before I left. I love you so much. Thanks for everything you do! You are the best!

-Tanner 

Hola Famlia!!!

So today I have officially hit 2 months! Wahoo! 11 more times. Haha. I love the work, but I am excited to see all you friends and family. I will try to write you all back individually, but I think I will send a general email to everyone about my week.

First off, we had a meeting with the zone for some training. I found out that we are now allowed to email girls! So that's exciting to be able to write my friends, but I still don't get anytime on the computer. We have an hour to email president and read and write emails. But I would be happy to get emails from my friends!

We also had our first baptism this past week for our area. This girl, Mayte, is 9 and her parents are living in an union libre, so they aren't married just like most people here. The wife wants to get married, but he doesn't They have been having some money problems and other issues, so the dad isn't sure God exists. We had a really tough lesson with him the other day, and he said he doesn't want to meet anymore. One of the members in the ward talked to him and he said he still will meet with us which is super cool. Anyway, we baptized his daughter this week.  (see picture with Mayte, her sisters, and mom).  

The other picture has a kid with long hair. He was one of the hermanas' investigators that I baptized.

We have been teaching the family that speaks english that we met last week when writing emails. It has been fun and weird at the same time. The son Renato came to church yesterday. He left though after the first hour because he said he wasn't feeling it. He is Christian and usually goes to those churches with bands and such so I think it was very different for him. We told him to read Alma 32 and pray to know if this is true. We will meet with him on Wednesday with his mom, so hopefully he receives an answer. Ironically here we are again writing emails on the other side of town in a different cafe, and they are here again! That's crazy! 

We are still teaching Ruth and her nephew Jerson. She is so great. She came to church again even though she missed her sister's party in the morning. She knows that this is where she is supose to be. She is also very patient and tells me not to worry about my Spanish. 

My Spanish...I don't know if it's coming or not. I understand some people really well and others I have no idea. I have been so silent since being on the mission. I don't know why. I hardly talk. At the MTC my district called it quiet dignity.   I just haven't had a lot to talk about. I really hope it comes quickily because I am tired of not knowing what people are saying and just saying "si" to everything. People talk a lot here. When they say something they talk for like 5 minutes straight. And they interrupt others and so I never know when I could jump in. 

This past thursday we went to D.F. (the city) for my passport visa stuff and to have lunch at the mission home. I saw my district from back at the MTC and the others that are in my "generation" (everyone that came out with me). It was SO nice to see them. It was also nice to hear that everyone was having a hard time too. Like they are pretty silent during lessons and always tired. The mornings are definitely the roughest more me. One, because I am tired and two, because 2 years just feels like forever away. I am trying my best to be positive.

Yeah so that's mostly my week! Tomorrow is Clayton's birthday. I've thought a lot about him.  5 years ago, the church was filled with those that were impacted by his life. I hope I can do the same for the people here in Mexico. Thanks for your prayers. This is literally the hardest thing I have every done, but I know this is where I need to be.  Love you all!

-Elder Thomas

Week numero dos in Mexico City

Well this week actually seemed to go by pretty quickily! What I've learned this past week is that whenever I need help and pray, God always gives a miracle. 

One miracle I had this week was on Tuesday.  I was just not feeling it and wanted to go home. I prayed to help me know I am where I should be. We went to Colonial Santa Barbara (no not California) where we spend most of our time. Then in the street, one after another we ran into members who were so nice to me.  Even though I don't understand what they are saying...haha.

On the 4th of July, I was really homesick because the 4th is one of my favorite holidays, and here we almost forgot completely it was the 4th!  The most we did was wear patriotic ties. The day wasn't successful at all. Then we had this amazing lesson with this lady we found named Ruth. She is the best! She calls us her hijos (sons) and is golden. She was worried about her family not accepting that she wants more out of religion and wants to change.  (She is Catholic, like most people here, but has many doubts). At the end of the lesson I invited her to be baptized.  It was so cool! She is preparing for the 27th of July to be baptized. She also came to church for the first time this past Sunday even though she wasn't feeling well.

On Saturday after having another unsuccessful day because all of our citas (appt.) fell through, we went to meet this family. They weren't answering their door. You have to yell ¨buenos dias¨ sometimes to get people to come.  We were super frustrated and said a prayer. We yelled one more time and right on cue they were home. They also came to church and are great.

I also had the opportunity to baptize the an investigator taught by some hermanas in a different area! It was such a cool experience and I was so happy for Juan, the person baptized.

Another miracle! Here we are about to start writing emails in this internet cafe and these two people next to us are from Virginia but hispanic -- an 18 year old boy and his mom. They have lived here for 5 years. The boy said he wants to practice his Spanish more and he is about to go back with his dad to Virginia. He also said he wants to hear more about the church! We are going tomorrow to his place and teach him in english! That'll be weird!

Some other stories. We are still working with this one investigator who has a bunch of addictions, but he really wants to get baptized. He'll need to overcome those but hopefully he'll follow through.

On tuesday night I found out the next day we would be doing companionship interchanges for the next day. I was so worried because I would have to get another companion for a day and be in charge of the area. Luckily I made it through but I had to carry a map around with me everywhere because I still don't know all the streets very well and they all look the same. Haha

Today while eating our meal, I looked down and there was soup with potatoes and chicken. Of course I got the head. The eyes were staring at me. That was uncomfortable...but the food is really good here. I have started loving tortillas with everything. Haha.  You also make a taco with what you have. Today we went to Walmart (yes there is a Walmart in our area!) and got another blanket and real food! I am excited :)

My Spanish is sort of coming.  I understand what my companion says, but I am still struggling to understand the natives. Some speak so fast! I love when they want me to talk in english because then I don't feel as stupid. :-p

Your 4th of July sounds so much fun! Happy birthday to Aaron and Dad this week! I am thinking about you!  I love you all so much!  You are literally the best family!

Love,

Elder Thomas