Every day is passing super quickly....and hamsters.

Hello my family!

Sometimes I feel like singing the song about the little town from Beauty and the Beast. Everyday is strangely the same but a little different. There are bread shops all over, people selling things all over the street, and there are even sheep in a bunch of places. Every day is passing super quickly.

This week we weren’t in our area a ton. We survived el día de independencia, probably because we were doing other stuff. On Tuesday we had the junta. I decided to do a jeopardy game with missionary stuff and a section about Mexico history. I made Karla and Edgar help me out with that section because I really don’t know that much about Mexico. haha. It was a good junta. I got everyone little Mexico flags as a souvenir. We also took a picture with Hermana Herlihy and her companion. She is the hermana capacitadora and is in my district. She knows Eric and Teri’s family really well. Later that day we just went to the hermanas’ in Tecnológico 2 to contact and find news. We had to enter into the house at 8. Missed out on all the parties...

Wednesday in the morning I had to go to the zone leader’s area to do some interviews. We got back and didn’t have the much time to work. We fortunately missed the fireworks in centro. They aren’t like what we do for the 4th of July. They are just a bunch of kids throwing flour, confetti filled eggs and fireworks at people. A bit dangerous, but I am sure it would be fun. 

I think the highlight of the week was the noche Mexicana on Friday with the ward. We had some investigators there and they had karaoke and lots of food. Everyone wanted me to go up to sing, but I am pretty sure we aren’t allowed to sing karaoke ‘worldly songs’ as missionaries. Everyone started chanting for me to go up. I told them that if it was a hymn I would do it but I don’t think they wanted to hear that. I really did want to go up and show off my karaoke skills...maybe some dance central skills as well. I did successfully get Edgar to go up and Keven and Brandon.

We have been teaching Angela these past few days and she is progressing a ton. She went to the noche Mexicana and went to church again yesterday. She is pretty excited about the church and we are hoping to start teaching her other family. She is one of 12 siblings, she has 10 kids and 29 grandkids. She is only 53 though. We are planning her to be baptized this week. I am excited for her and her family.

We also have been teaching this 16 year-old kid name Martin who is pretty good. He said he would go to church and we told him we would pass by for him. When we went though this lady came out yelling at us ¨SOMOS CATOLICOS! EL ES CATOLICO Y NUNCA VA A CAMBIAR! ADORAMOS A LA VIRGIN MARIA! LA IDOLOTRAMOS LA VIRGIN!¨or in other words “We are catholic. He is Catholic and never will change. We adore the virgin mary and we idolize her.” Then she went off to find the police and so we decided to head to the church. I told “muchas gracias hermana. muy amable” (Thanks sister. Very kind!).  Patience.

We also had this random guy who came to church yesterday for the first time who just showed up to learn more about the church. He could have some potential. His name is Juan. We have a cita with him tomorrow so I hope it goes well!

This past week there was a TON of rain. 1/2 of our area was flooded and we had to take other paths to get to places. Every day except yesterday it poured. My shoes are slowly dying... 

I got your package today mom! We went to D.F. to renew my companion’s visa and it came. That’s a new record! 2.5 weeks!

There is another week here in Mexico! Sorry this letter is extremely random. This next week is changes already! WHAT!? Who knows what will happen. I feel like I will stay here 1 more change. We will see in a week. Love you all! Have a great week!

-Elder Thomas

PS - So a few weeks ago I was walking in the street and there is a little pet tienda and I saw hamsters. I told my companion I wanted one. I asked how much they were. $25 pesos! that’s like 1.5 dollars! We can’t have pets unfortunately, so for this one member’s birthday, Perla, I decided to get it for her! We usually go to their house on P-day so I can see it! Last Monday I gave it to her in the cage. It was only like $8 dollars for it all (cage, bedding, food and stuff). She walked in the house and I said “feliz cumpliaños!” She screamed so loud. Not out of joy though. She ran to the kitchen. Then the mom came and saw it and she screamed as well “RATON! RATON!” It was pretty funny. However, now they love the hamster. They play with it all the time and make little running contraptions for him. His name is Elder. I am pretty happy to have a little pet for a little while. 

Temple Dedication, Mexican Independence Day

Buenos dias mi familia!

This week wasn’t super eventful, but I am sure this next week will be good as well. Mexicans love their parties. Their Independence Day isn’t just 1 day but 2 days. I hear that the 15th and 16th are filled with lots of fireworks. But they aren’t quite as organized as in the states. Instead they are just 13 year olds throwing fireworks at people. Hopefully they aren’t too racist and don’t throw them at 2 güerros.

The highlight of the week was the rededication of the temple. On Saturday was the celebration that we watched in the chapel. It was like a show about the history of the church in Mexico. It was a bit cheesy, but it was good. Yesterday was the temple rededication. Elder Holland came and President Eyring as well. It was super good. There were 3 sessions. The Spirit was so strong. The talks that they gave in each session were so powerful. Elder Holland’s talks were so good. He talked about the keys that Elijah restored. He also talked about how even though we may not be able to assist the temple frequently, we still can have it close to us through the covenants that we make. President Eyring’s testimony is so strong. They are such powerful men.

I am so excited for the people of Mexico to have a temple close. I am so happy for the converts I have seen in the mission and how they will be able to finally be able to enter in. Edgar and Karla’s family were also able to be there for the rededication. They are excited to be sealed in one year.

 

So that was the highlight of the week. Some other things that happened this week.

- Monday we made bandarillas (corn dogs). They are kind of fun to make :). 

- We had a noche de hogar (Family Night) with this one family that wanted to invite Edgar’s families baptism. We also invited Angela to come with. I was kind of worried because we have been teaching these people that they can’t have images in their house and this family has a HUGE Virgin Mary picture and this altar. It’s the dad’s, but he doesn’t have too much time as a member. I studied in the morning about how to explain that they should get rid of it. I was super nervous to go talk to the mom because I didn’t want to offend her. I told her about the commandments a bit and the example that we put is very important and I looked over at the huge virgin looking at me. She laughed and said that she was actually thinking about it and she would cover it up with a sheet and get rid of the candles around it. It actually looked pretty nice. I was so glad she was okay with it all. The noche de hogar was super good. We talked about the Holy Ghost and I shared some experiences where I have felt the Holy Ghost guiding me and then we had a game where you have to be guided to cookies blind folded while listening to your guide telling you how to get to the cookies. It was also one of the son’s birthdays, so we had cake (see picture).

-We went to visit Jesus with a hermana. Her name is Hna. Colin. She is super funny and always comes with us. She is a bit crazy but helps sharing the Gospel like I’ve never seen before. We went to visit Jesus with Hna and he wasn’t home. So Hermana Colin started doing his dishes. This guy walked by super confused at who we were. He asked where Jesus was (I think he thought we were stealing stuff). Hermana Colin was just like ¨I think he went for his kids at school¨. haha like she would know...Jesus eventually got home. He didn’t have any gas so we helped him make his dinner outside.  Jesus also has a pig. He is continuing to progress. He and his kids came with us to the celebracion cultural.

-after two months of walking on this same street I realized what this giant saying was that somebody wrote on the wall, so I told my companion he had to take a picture of me. If you don’t read Spanish it says “Put yourself on the path to be missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.” I think it’s pretty cool.

So that was my week. Can you believe that I have been out for 16 months!

While studying about the example we put for people I found some interesting scriptures. We can put a good example and be a light to the world; a light that attracts. Or there were those that put bad examples of the church and dragged other people down with the Lamanites. I have thought about the example we put. Is it one that is going to attract others to come or one that is going to pull people away from the Gospel. Just a little thought.

This next week we have noche Mexicana on Friday with the ward. It will be great. Gotta get my stash and sombrerro! Estoy tan animado para escuchar a pura musica mexicana. va a ser epic. Have a great week! Love you all!

-Elder Thomas

Small miracles. Temple open house.

Hey family,

This week was another good week. I honestly can’t believe I am here again writing you in the Cyber. I feel like there is a day between Monday and the next Monday. 

On Tuesday we had the junta. I decided to talk about how the Spirit was like a 6th sense and we had some games using the 5 senses and how we can develop this sense more. It went pretty well. Also I asked one of the hermanas to plan a part of it and we did an activity where you have to use a random object and use it as an example when teaching a principle from the lessons. It was pretty funny.

So I have to tell about this little miracle. About a month ago I contacted this lady named Angela. She is super good. Her family is a bit broken, but she wants the happiness of the Gospel. She had gone to church the first week we found her but because of her random work schedule she hasn’t been able to go the past few weeks.

This past week on Thursday I later contacted this guy named Jesus who has with 3 little kids (8,6, and 3). He is a single father.  His wife passed away 2 years ago from cancer. We visited him and he said they would go to church. He is a really nice guy. They don’t have a lot and live in a small house. 

On Saturday night we went to visit Angela and she said that her work said no one would be working yesterday (Sunday) so she told us she could go to church. 

On Sunday we went to pick them up with a member. We first went to Jesus and then went to Angela’s. Turns out that Angela and Jesus are brother and sister! It was a nice little surprise. I think God planned that. 2 people in the same family that are suffering can both accept the Gospel together. I am excited for them.

We have been helping the family start their path in the Gospel. I am so excited for them. Yesterday they were confirmed. The ward seemed so excited to see a whole family confirmed. They all congratulated (I don’t remember how to write in English) them after. Also Edgar, Keven, and Brandon were sustained to receive the Priesthood! They also had their interviews to be able to be at the rededication of the temple this next week. They are going to be such good members.

Speaking of the temple…on Saturday we had it planned to go to the open house of the temple. On Friday, my companion wasn’t the smartest and ate a ton of chilies. I told him not to do it, but I think he wanted to show off to people. haha. Early Saturday morning he was throwing up for about 4 hours... So I went on interchanges with Elder Castillo (zone leader). We left in the morning to go with Edgar and the family.  It was so pretty. The temple is huge. It was like a maze inside. It was super cool to think that the next time this family is here, they will be sealed. There was such a nice Spirit. This Saturday they have the cultural celebration that is going to be in this famous art place in D.F.  They are going to broadcast it I think. Then on Sunday all of Mexico is not going to have church services. They are turning the chapels into extensions of the temple and only members 8 and older with recommends can enter to see the rededication. I am so excited for the people of Mexico. This will be such a blessing here.

While at the temple I saw a ton of people that I know. I saw many missionaries from the mission. I saw one hermana that was in my zone in the MTC. I also saw the 2nd councilor of the bishopric from my last area in the temple. And the best part was that I saw a ton of my ward from my 2nd area, Plateros – the people that would also give us food and who threw a birthday party for me last year.  Also I saw the 2 little girls that I baptized (where I got their confidence by singing Disney songs).  Their mom was baptized the week after I left the area. I wasn’t sure if they were active or what happened, but they are! It was so nice to see them there!  I wish I got pictures, but it was a little miracle to see them. 

So that was my week! Prepare yourself!  It’s almost the 15th of September!  Independence Day of Mexico. ¡Ay Ay Ay! (I am pretty much an expert at yelling ¡ay!)

Love you all! Hope you are doing well!

-Elder Thomas

PS - Here's a mission photo with Elder Christofferson.  Can you "find Waldo"? (I'm 4th row in the middle.)