Hey my people,
Every night my
companion and I have a mosquito hunting ritual. We have two fly swatters that
we hang on the wall, like a coat of arms. Let's just say we don't get mosquito
bites anymore. #professionals
There was a moth in
our classroom the size of my palm. HUGE.
There was also a
cockroach two-thirds the size of my pointer finger, just its body. It had big
antennas too.
While we were walking
to our class, two parrots were flying down the road, they must not be used to
seeing any 6'4” Mexicans because it almost hit me in the head. I had to duck.
All of the parrots here are bright green.
Funny story. We were
watching the old Mormon movie called "Legacy," and in it there is a
clip of governor Boggs signing the Mormon extermination order, and he was
saying how all Mormons need to be driven out and if necessary, killed. Elder
Ballard leans over to Elder Boggs and says "Elder Boggs, when you see him
in heaven tell him he's stupid." Then Elder Boggs says with a
condescending chuckle "He's not going to Heaven." That was
hilarious.
Another funny moment
with Elder Boggs. Here at the CCM they serve grapes the size of ping pong
balls. They're huge! Someone said something about puffy bunny, and before I
know what has happened, Elder Boggs has a plate full of grapes and he's
stuffing them into his mouth. Word spreads around the cafeteria, which is what
we didn't want. Pretty quickly, all eyes are on Elder Boggs. He fits 17 into his
mouth. My back was turned because I was grossed out, and it was funny to see
the expressions other people had. Mostly disgust and horror. Anyway, he hits
17, my back is turned, and then I hear him explode. The grapes poured out of
his mouth, along with a waterfall of spit, and I could hear them pounding onto
his plate. The moment that happened, everyone in the cafeteria went
"OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" in unison. Just like in the movies, it was
great. And then another elder tried to match him. He only got 16 before he
exploded because the grapes were flirting with his uvula in the back of his
throat. Great times.
I've also had some
spiritual times this week. I testify that 2 Nephi 25:23 is true. It is by grace
we are saved after all we can do. This also applies in our daily lives. When we
do all we can to fix problems, overcome bad habits, get a good score on that
test, learn Spanish, live on our own for the first time, follow through with
promptings from the spirit that scare us, etc. I testify after we do all we
can, that is when the grace of God saves us. When we do our best, God makes up
the rest.
This week Presidente
Tenorio taught us about specific prayers. From Genesis 24. Lay out the terms
for God to answer our prayers, be specific when asking for blessings and how
you'd like to be answered, and then watch him work miracles. If it's a
legitimate need, then Heavenly Father will answer. I've tried it and I know it
works.
I love you all.
Elder West
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| Another View from the CCM (missionary training center) |
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| Some cool-looking local currency |
Email just to the
family, but we will share it:
Hey! Will you please make a cool binder out of my emails, so
I can see them all when I get home? Thanks!
I've dreamed about you all twice.
Please tell Sam Nelson I love and miss him. Please thank
Matt and Sherry Forsyth for their kind letter.
I've been craving the Oregon coast and scorching orange Utah
sunsets. We don't have either here in Mexico. -smiley face.
I love the hymn
"Brightly Beams our Father’s Mercy." Mom, I remember you singing me
to sleep with that one when I was a kid, along with a bunch of other hymns that
are tender to me. That was the first beginning to my testimony. Thanks. I
also love the hymn “I Need Thee Every Hour" in Spanish more than I do in English.
The translation is just the best.
I love you all. Choose the right. I pray for you every night,
often individually. I pray for what the Spirit gives me to pray for about each
one of you. I love you.
