Cleanliness is next to Godliness.....

I always show up to the missionary apartments and they are napfests. My first goal, always, is to clean things up. There is just a different feeling after I’m done and a much better place for the spirit to dwell.

I LOVE FAMILIES!!!!!

President Tervort focuses so much on the family, and I’ve realized more and more the importance of a good family. We report how many families we find and baptize. They truly are the purpose of life. When Adam and Eve were kicked out it must have been pretty gloomy, but the commandment to have kids must have made them so happy. Lehi’s son, Jacob, who was born in the wilderness, was born in a time of much affliction. I just know that he was a comfort to his dad and family. God always gives us what we need to be happy, and that which makes us most happy is the family. What a comfort it is. I hope that makes sense. I just love my family!

I love this work and know the church is true. We get to hear from a living prophet of God next week. Pray to feel the witness of his calling and you’ll know for sure. Love ya!!!

Mariachi Yell

Elder Cervantes was in a mariachi band and was the yeller. I was so happy when I found that out that I took this video.

Birds eye view

Vochos (slug bugs)

I counted the Vochos that I saw in

one day: 216. Yup. 216 in one day.

Elder Juarez, my new companion

I am in my first area again and back in the Cuauhtémoc ward. The call came Thursday morning and I had to pack and meet up with my zone at 4 in the afternoon. CRAZY!!! I am always on my toes in this mission. Our first day together was rough. Nobody was home, so we tracted a whole bunch and only sat down twice the whole day. YES! Not even the member to feed us was there. Gotta love the little tests the Lord puts for us. Sometimes I get a little down, then I think of all that the Savior has done for me. He gave His life so that I could have the strength to work hard for Him. Then Ian sends me an email with his testimony so strong and everything just seems a little better. It doesn’t hurt at all. I love the renewing power of the Holy Ghost and the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

A few questions about Mexico City:

Are you in a tall apartment building?

I am not, but there are a bunch. In my area right now the tallest is 5 floors. Mostly there are houses crammed together and made out of cement or something. There are pieces falling of of all the houses. It seems like some might just fall over. Poor buildings.

*Do you do your own laundry or do you have everything dry cleaned?

We wash clothes with an Hermana that has a washer and they dry in our apartment or outside. I only took stuff to the dry cleaners because they were looking pretty rough.

*What are the meals like?

We eat every day at 2 o clock-ish with the members. They make a lot of food. I don’t really know how to describe it. A lot of tortillas, some salsa (They are all so impressed that a white kid can eat spicy hot food), meat, beans, and some flavored water.

*Do you wish you had some Ranch Dressing? (Almost everything John ate here at home had Ranch dressing or ketchup on it)

Sometimes yes. We could get some at the store, but usually I really want it when we are served salads. Here salads are straight up lettuce and some veggies without any dressing. I’m not the biggest fan, but that’s what goes down.

*What do you do on P-days?

Wash clothes, shop, (we played soccer and basketball today), clean the apartment, email, write letters, have a meeting and get back to work. We visited a Cathedral the other week - so big and abominable.

*Will there be any chance to play soccer?

The ban on soccer has finally been lifted. We played today. I scored some for ya mama.

*What’s your branch like? Do you meet in a real chapel?

We meet as a ward and we meet in the stake center that has two chapels - pretty legit. In Elder Morley’s new area, they have a branch and the building looks smaller than our garage. Nice. Still true.

*Are there definite seasons in Mexico City?

It is hot in the day, then it cools off. The seasons are less defined. I think it will get a little hotter and then cool off a little through the year. I think there is a rainy season as well. YES!

Just one more door.....

This week we really hit it hard again - walking fast and using the instruments President has for us. We saw miracles. Our days were filled with appointments and we taught more lessons than I have taught my whole mission. One night we found some time for tracting, because the people weren’t there for their appointment. We found some atheists and some uninterested people. Then I suggested we head to the next appointment, but Elder Cervantes was like, “Let’s knock on this one to see who comes out”. The women who came out immediately invited us in. She had been praying for a sign or someone to help her because her daughter was sick. Right then, we knocked. I know that God provides the miracles when we are doing all we can. I’m so happy we knocked on “just one more door”. When we make a plan and our day is filled with appointments for tomorrow, all we have to do is think of back up plans and then hit it hard. I love it. It feels so good to teach so much and help more people. I just want to be the best instrument in God’s hands that I can be.

I love how God gives us His tender mercies when we need them and that he is so watchful over us. I just have to work hard so that I can gain His trust. I love this gospel. There is no other way to find happiness. The Savior lives and loves us. Heavenly Father answers prayers and is a God of miracles. I love being here and working my butt off - so sweet. I am here to help people find the joy I have, and then my joy will be even more full.

Elder Pope and his greenie, Elder Cervantes ....

Always handy to have a "boxer" as a friend....

Ah, cool thing. We taught Seth (going to be a pro boxer) and his mom and set baptismal dates with them. Seth said he’d accompany us, which is a good thing, because his street is a rough one. I was a little ahead of my companion and Seth when a hooded man suddenly turned for me and grabbed my wrist and pushed me against the wall. This is the cool part. Seth came up nice and quick and said something like, ¨Hey, what’s up - (que paso)¨ and waved him on. Investigators are good things to have around, especially when they are almost professional boxers. It got my heart going, but all is well in Zion. We are protected. I’m glad I can tell you these things without you worrying mama. You are cool beans.

"Don't walk out of the grove"

It has been a kind of tough week. Every appointment fell through. One person replied to the question ¨Will you follow the example of Jesus Christ¨ with ¨No, I would like to but I don’t want to.¨ What? It was hard to see that happen. I was so sad for her, but we just went and kept working. One morning I was with Elder Morley, because our companions were in a leadership meeting and I just gave my best on the contacting and talking to everybody. Elder Morley is awesome and obedient and we contacted 40 people before lunch and taught a lesson. YES! Sadly all of the return appts were not there. Wooflebeans. I anticipate excitedly the good that always follows the rough. One brother in the MTC, Brother Palmer, taught about the Joseph Smith vision, and how Satan went for him, but he stayed in the grove and had the most amazing experience ever. Bro. Palmer always said, ¨Don’t walk out of the grove¨. With that, I’m looking forward to the good that should be just around the corner. I’ll just keep working and trusting that all is in Heavenly Father’s hands. What comfort that brings to me. So comforting. There’s just nothing in the gospel that can make us sad. This entire gospel just makes us happy. It’s as simple as that.

Blessings abound...

The spirit truly does testify to the people of the reality of this work. The only problem is that the people in the city are so busy and for the most part they don’t let us talk. When they do let us, we can use the spirit to help their lives.

I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ. He came to the earth and set the perfect example for us to follow. He showed us the way to true happiness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so simple, but the rewards are unimaginable. Christ died so that we have the chance to be happy, as a family - an eternal family. He died, and he rose again, triumphant from the grave and is with the Father. I know that they love us and are watching over us in every moment, in every difficulty. Hope, happiness, and peace can only be found on the path that Jesus Christ showed us. I know that that is true with all my heart. I love you mama Jane and all the family. I hope that the joy of Christ’s doctrine can fill our home and the homes of those that follow Him, our Savior and Redeemer.

We work hard so that you can get blessings back at home as well as helping the people here change their lives for the better.

Typical excuses

We’ve started a list of excuses. It’s great. Here’s some:

I’m busy - (can we help you?) - no, I’m busy.

We are in a hurry

I’m three times your age

Don’t waste your time

One man just said - almost no – and laughed awkwardly while backing into the door, nervously looking at us.

I’m good where I’m at.

Him I’m busy
US We’ll help
Him Well, I’m almost done
US We’ll wait then,
Him uhhhhh... there’s a .... well. .... uhhh I’m busy.

Nice.

It makes me sad to see people reject the thing that could make their lives truly happy. So many people work alllllllllllllllllllllllllll of the time to give their kids a better life, but really, the way to give kids a good life is to spend time with them. Why can nobody understand that? Satan is winning that one. That’s why we’re on missions - to help families unite and be eternal.

Tid bits about Mexico

*Mexicans are always whistling; to guide people backing up cars, or to greet each other. I whistle lots now. It is just a great thing. And the people that are true Mexico City-ites talk differently. It is almost sing-songy. It has rythum and ups and downs. Very cool. I’m still working on my accents.


*Outside of almost every apartment complex is a little box, usually decorated with nice lights and flowers that have the Virgin Maria or another Saint in them. I always just give them a little wave and then we go and try and convert the people living there. There are also some of those boxes with Saints just randomly on the sidewalks.

*The day that kids get Christmas presents is called the Day of Kings (Día de Reyes). Also on this day we cut the Rosco (bread) and eat, and there are little figures in there. If you get a piece with a little baby in it you have to bring tamales or something to the next party on February 2nd I think. Pretty cool.

*I think I’m allergic to cats.

*The people here say "every 8 days" if they want to say every week. Hmmmm...

*Every day, usually in the morning, there are just men who walk up and down the streets and yell what must be a word, but not even my companion knows what they are saying. I think they could be selling something, or..... I don’t know, but it is part of life. They have crazy loud voices as well.

*Three or four times a week and man in an orange work jumpsuit comes rolling around our apartment yelling for trash. Everybody just gives it to him and he takes care of it. It’s either him or dump it on the streets like lots of people do. Nice.

*It’s cool if you want to drive your motorcycle on the sidewalk, heck, even your car is cool. If it fits, go for it. There aren’t traffic rules, really - just go for it and if you’re lucky, you drive a Slug Bug. (By the way, I counted the Slug Bugs (Vochos) that I saw in one day: 216. Yup. 216 in one day)

*Construction here is particularly different. There’s a huge project going down outside our apartment since I got here. You can wear hard hats if you’re feeling it. People can just walk through anywhere and they are not too worried about it. They still use handsaws instead of the nifty power tools, and they work 24-7. Pretty sweet. More casual I guess, but more laborious and I think it even takes longer than UT construction. Nice.

*Phone numbers are always at least 8 numbers and sometimes 10 or more. It is really nice when contacting and writing down information in the little space in our planners.

*There are street signs, but they are all in different locations on the corners and most are bent up and end up facing the wrong way - very handy.

*Lots of people offer us agua (water), but agua here is always mixed with something (usually a fruit). It is usually good, but I tried one this week that tasted like vomit. YYES!!!

*In the subway, I noticed how nice the people are to guide the blind people to where they need to go. Right after I noticed that I saw a blind person running into walls a little and we were able to help him on his way. I was happy for the example of the Mexicans and the opportunity to help the man.

Just do good to others....

Christ will never reject someone who is willing to come unto Him and do what he asks. He’ll help us with everything if we just do good. If we smile at someone, or invite them to church, whether we’re a bishop or have the smallest calling in the church (like when I chose the hymns for priesthood). He sees our desires and blesses us for those.