MERIDA!!!

HOLY SMOKES THIS IS AWESOME!! 

I don't know my companion's name. but I like him a lot. 

Anyways--so we got here at about 8 o'clock this morning, and I get off the plane and its already like 83 degrees. So hot. And humid. 

Anyways, they greeted us at the baggage claim, and that was super cool. So we go to get our companions, and he called me up the the podium to tell me, and when he said my comps name the Spirit just filled my body. It was amazing and I already know were gonna change this area. 

I'm in the city called Kukulcan--and its like 20 minutes from the temple. So that's cool. 

My companion says they try to get three investigators a day, so I proposed to him next week we shoot for 5. 

Right as I walked into our house (yes, we have a house), I took the area book and started looking at it. We only have 1 investigator!  That will be changing. This elder seems like he really wants to work, so that's good. And if he doesn't wanna work--well, too bad--we are.

My last week in the MTC was honestly my worst week of them all.  To begin Hermano Hernandez pulled Elder Linnarz and I over and basically told us that the Spirit can't be with us when we don't get along.  So I asked if we could talk alone to figure it out. So we did. I listened to that kid pick me apart for 30 minutes straight--my personality, my family, my emotions, everything about me basically.  I just sat there and listened. It was really like high school all over again--and if you know me, you know what happened in high school, and you know how I felt about myself in high school.   I felt that same way until about 5 o'clock last night.  Me and Hermano Alvarez (the first counselor) talked, and he told me that it was uncalled for and it was not my fault. 

My comp called me racist. He said I talk differently to the Mexicans than to the white people,  and I said, 'Yeah, you are correct on that one. Maybe its because I know zero Spanish! hummm--I wonder how that works? 

I told my district about mom's car and he tried making me feel bad for it. He said, 'You know, I come from a family that lived off of food stamps, and lived paycheck to paycheck, and your hear talking about your mom buying a car'.   Sorry? Not sorry. I really tried being nice, and I told him at the end of the conversation that I was gonna try all I can to be a better friend and improve my personality. :}

Anyways, I'm pumped to be here in Merida. I'm in an internet cafe right now, and its hotter than an oven up in here.  I'm sweating so much.  Then I wanna go tracking after, so we'll do that hopéfully when we finish emailing. 

Its good to hear everybody is doing well. Sorry this week wasn't very eventful, but I'll be on for a little longer, so email me and we can talk. 

Elder Hall

5 DAYS!!!

Well hola todos personas en estados unidos. Its good to be able to talk to you. Tts been a rough week due to some district leaders and a zone leader but I'm doing better. 

Let's start off with the challenges this week.

So we have one particular elder in our district (he's our district leader and he doesn't really like having fun). Everybody accept the Hermanas and the one zone leader disagrees with everything they say but we just tell each other '4 more days'. '5 more days' and so on. Its hard--they honestly use their 'power' to like punish us if we don't do something. I think the mission should be fun--but you need to work hard. 

So we set a goal to memorize 63 scriptures as a district this week and as a high goal to memorize 126.  So I was like k let's do it. So I went to work. I memorized 10 scriptures the past 5 days, and every day he comes up to me and says, 'Recite your scripture'.  So I do and then he says, 'You need one more by the end of the night'. Like bruh, who are u?  I memorized my two scriptures that night and it was 9:50 and were supposed to be in our room by 10, so I just memorized 'Jesus wept'.   Yep, and he told me to recite it to him, and I did and I went to bed. Its super frustrating, but I only have '4 more days'--I got this. The Hermanas and the two guys came to a conclusion that 'there wasn't going to be any more joking around and no more telling jokes'. This made me mad and I held my emotions back. So I just say jokes anyway. Then they always say 'Elder!'   I say 'What?'   'No jokes'. Okayyyyyyy. Just annoying and tedious stuff like this. 

Like for example we were setting goals for our mission. And one that I set was that I wanna work my guys out. My district leader got mad and told me that that was slang and that I wasn't allowed to use that. You best bet I argued with him about it. I had some things to say to him that time

I broke my suitcase while bringing it to recepcion yesterday, and now I have to pull it with on handle. Kinda ghetto but its all good. 

Alright, on to the good things that happened this week,. For the most part, it was a good week. Just those small little things made it a bit challenging, but its all good. 

So first I wanna say thanks to Seth for the letter. At the beginning of the week I was having a hard time and I got it and read it and it made it better. I liked one line he said and it was this--'You carry His name over your heart everyday.' You know I haven't really thought about it like that ever. My name tag is legit over my heart every day. And in big letters it says Jesus Cristo. He is always with me, even in the deepest of times. so thanks for that. 

Oh my--so we met with Presidente Lyons two times this week. I'm not kidding--he's seriously the nicest guy on the planet. He's so awesome. Anyways, his wife had to get a kidney transplant about 6 months ago here in Mexico, and she wasn't supposed to live. So Elder Nelson from the Quorum of the 12 came and he gave a devotional to the CCM. And this is when Presidente Lyons broke down and the Spirit was so strong. Elder Nelson sat with his wife before  the devotional and talked about what was going on. And Presidente Lyons before promised Heavenly Father that if a blessing was offered they would accept it.  So Elder Nelson offered to give Hermana Lyons a blessing. And they said 'yes'. So they went into the room behind the stage and gave her a blessing. Before the blessing Elder Nelson asked Hermana and Presidente Lyons if they had faith that she would be healed. And they said 'yes'.  And so he said 'good, good'.   Presidente lyons did the consecrating.... idk what they call it in English.  And then Elder Nelson gave Hermana Lyons an apostolic blessing. Wow--how amazing would that be?  Once in a lifetime. They went to the surgery that next week and the surgery went just as planned. The doctors were texting Presidente Lyons during surgery saying 'We aren't totally sure how this is working, but its looking way better than we thought'. They came out to tell him how the surgery went, and the doctors said, 'We honestly don't know how she survived the surgery, but she did--but were aren't totally sure how she's going to do, or even live while recovering'.  She is walking around the house everyday. and they're almost done with their mission, and by the time their done with their mission shell be able to be doing everyday stuff. Can't tell me that that isn't amazing. Power of God.

Hey dad--I'm not sure if you sent me the letter this week or not, but thanks for it--it helped a ton.

Alright, so yesterday was a tough one for me emotionally. I got on to email my parents about my bank issues and I saw Kourtney's email. I couldn't help but to open it and read it. I thought it was okay to do so. So I did. And I read that Hudson had a fall and hurt his head bad and is in the hospital. I couldn't help but just sit there and think how grateful I am for him always screaming. He's such a sweet boy, and I am so sorry for being irritated whenever he would scream. He's a little kid. I have noticed I have missed it a ton. Every time I look at the three kids I miss them and to be honest they're the three people I think I miss the most.  Anyways, I got back to studying in class and I asked if everybody could leave the room real quick.  So they did (with a little confusion on their faces), and me and my companion got on our knees and prayed. I said it and it was an emotional one. I got up and let everyone back in. About an hour later I felt I should also ask the whole district to fast for Hudson tomorrow (which is now today). So I told them what happened and asked them to fast for Hudson today--and so we are. I have been praying for him all day yesterday and today.

Well I leave Monday at 2AM !!!!!!!  Way early, but way pumped. I'm so excited to teach real people and get to know real people.

Alright, so probably yesterday was my most spiritual day, but I think it was Sunday we had a devotional and it was about the Atonement. Part of it was a story from Matthew. I forgot my scripture, but basically its the story about when Peter and the Apostles are fishing and Jesus is on the shore. Long story short--Jesus asked Peter the first time, ¨Do you love me?¨  Peter responds and says, 'Yes I do love you'.   And Jesus asks the second time,  'Peter do you love me?'  And peter says,  'Yes i love you.'  And Jesus asks the third time (you know He's being serious when He asks you three times).... ¨Peter do you love me?¨  And Peter responds and says, 'I love thee.' 

DO you really love Jesus and our Heavenly Father? Do you honestly love them? Could you give up all your earthly possessions for the presence of God and Jesus.? Seriously--would you?  Do you honestly love him? 

I thought about that question all day Sunday. Do I really love Jesus and our Heavenly Father? Would I give up everything to be with them? And you know, I realized I need to have more love for them. I have been trying to be more humble this week, and I think I'm doing a pretty good job at it. So please think about that. Do you really, honestly, whole-heartedly love Him?

Alright, so me and my companion are the only ones from our district going to the temple today, and so I'll email later the pics from the temple. I'm so excited.

While I'm at the temple I wanna buy a el libro de mormon so I can give it to someone sitting next to me while heading to Merida. 

K to my friends. Let me tell you how much I miss and love you guys. People here are my friends (kinda) but not like ones I have back at home. I have one friend here that I can go to and talk to about anything, and that's my Heavenly Father. And just like I want the best for my friends here, I want the best for you guys. Have you guys ever really thought about what your purpose is in this life?  Why are you here?  Have you guys read the Book of Mormon?   If you haven't (and I challenged a couple of you before I left and I hope you have started (please let me know how your doing with it)).  So for you guys--read it.  Ponder it. I know for a fact it will bless your life for the better. It is the truth. I honestly can't put into words how important it is to me. The book is my life. Literally, I am forced to read it everyday (in a good way).  You friends know who you are. Don't be shy to read it or ask the missionaries for one. They're actually normal people--and they aren't weird.

Lastly--I love you guys. I miss you guys. I'm so excited (but a  little nervous) to go to Merida. But every missionary I talk to that knows about Merida says its one of the nicest and safest cities in Mexico. The food is awesome and the beaches are crazy awesome.

Well I'm gonna send some of my pics from this week right now so I'm gonna peace out. 

Elder Hall

This week was tough, so let's start off with the bad stuff and get it out of the way, and then we talk a little about the good stuff.

Alright, so this week was a tough week for me emotionally. At the beginning of the week somehow we came up with a rule that since we were in our 5th week we wouldn't be able to speak any English. And if we did we would lose a life. We had 15 lives a day. I soon realized that it was a lot tougher than I thought. I became very frustrated very soon. At one point I wanted to express myself in English, so I started talking and one person in particular said 'Que? Like what I didn't understand that.' So I tried to say it in Spanish and they just laughed. So I'm like, 'I'm done with this stupid rule' and they said 'Que?'  So I just didn't wanna have it with anyone so I just stopped talking. Basically if you spoke English nobody was to respond to you. How stupid is that? 

So Hermana Sanchez pulled me aside once again and she asked me how I felt about it and I told her straight up.  I said, "I think this is the dumbest rule.  I can't express how I feel, and I'm getting punished for doing so." And she said, 'I agree' and then told our other teacher who made the rule that this wasn't going to be happening anymore. 

So I talked with Hermano Hernandez again (just because) in the middle of the week.  I felt I had literally no drive to do anything, mainly because of 'the rule'. So we talked for a bit and the guy knows what's up. Its crazy.

Alright--so to be honest, I'm a little frustrated that Mom and Dad got the car right as I left!  They know I've been craving that car for a couple years haha. Its all good--I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Just keep it so I can drag race it when I get home. 

Alright--so that's all the bad stuff. You know I shouldn't say bad--I should say 'challenging'. 

Let's talk about some really cool things that happened this week.

Yesterday the Hermanas asked for blessing in the morning. So of course I said yes and we went into a different room. If you've been to the CCM you know they mow lawns literally all day. So it was like 7:00 in the morning and we go to this small (what we thought would be quiet) room and to give the blessings. You won't believe what happened next. Keep in mind (no joke) the mowers are right by the windows and they are all open. Right as Hermana Thornton sat in the chair and I put my hands on her head the room and the mowers went completely silent. I didn't hear a single mower. I Kid you not. Amazing if you ask me. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways.

Here's a quote I really liked from the Tuesday devotional: "You can't help others till you help yourself"

"Each night ask for a do over and wake up the next day and do better than the day before"

"The smell of smoke and alcohol in sacrament meeting is a good smell"

Here's my question of the week: que mas hacer mejor misinario y persona?

Alright, so if you've been here, the first real day they bring all the new missionaries up to the TSM. and they have a class about how to teach an investigator the Restoration. So since I'm the new piano player for the branch I was practicing, and they heard me playing came in and asked, 'Can you be a missionary for us for the acting for the first day missionaries?'. And I said, 'Of course. So we go and I'm like, 'This is gonna be cool to show these missionaries my Spanish'. haha jk   They told me, 'Your gonna have to teach in English'.   I was like,  'Oh, that's gonna be so easy then'. I get in there with my companion and I literally was speaking more Spanish than English. I have no idea how. I invited the investigator to read the Book of Mormon and I said 'leera el libro de mormon' instead of 'Will you read the Book of Mormon'. And everyone was like, 'Uuhhhh...' And then I said it in Engliush and then he took it and said 'yes' and I said 'Gracias' hahahaha. It was so embarrassing. 

But you know that just taught me something. This week has been quite humbling. At the begging of the week I had probably the most difficult time since being here--people weren't talking to me because I made everyone mad, and I literally was like, 'Why am I even here?'  I was asking myself that question for three days--kid you not.  I was having a really hard time. But when I walked out of that lesson after not knowing how to speak my native language in English, I decided I wasn't gonna care what other people thought of me. I'm gonna keep being me and striving to better each day, but I cant change how much others like me. The mission isn't a popularity contest, Its about serving others and changing peoples' lives. I don't care if they talk about me behind my back, I have one more week left and I won't have to talk to these people ever again. I know that if I'm doing my best and striving to make Heavenly Father happy, He's going to make up the rest for me. This isn't about my friends--I left all my friends back in the US and I'm not focused on making friends. I'm focused on how I can help the people of Merida. My Spanish really isn't that bad, and I kinda have an accent (my teachers say) which is weird to think about.  I don't mind though because I love what I'm doing, and I really do love the people already. Its a weird transition. You know I didn't really talk to the Mexican people before my mission, but I wanna talk to every worker that works here at the MTC cause they're all so nice. I said 'beunas dias' at like 9 pm the other day, and the guy just carried on with the conversation. In America if you did that they would just look at you weird.. He corrected me but it was so nice how he went about it

Alright so then yesterday we taught Roberto (our investigator). We taught him about prayer because he won't pray with us. We aren't too sure if he prays. So I straight up called him out (and was trying to be nice about it) and trying to get my point across. Well I did that and I got him to open up to us and it was amazing. Usually in our lessons my companion basically talks the whole time and I leave it with my testimony every time. This time I was like, 'I'm getting to Roberto this time'. Like lessons before we couldn't get to him. This time I'm like, I'm getting to him this time'. So I did. He prayed for us and he wants to be better. He wants to be baptized and wants  his son to be baptized when he's 8.

Hey Brock--thanks for the letter. It was pretty nice to get that. Its always nice to get little notes to make my day brighter. So if you feel you wanna send me one send me one. I get it within one day. The website is dearelder.com--so ya. 

Pretty sweet that people are liking the Roadster-hoping you  guys are taking good care of it. Have you started on the bug yet? 

Well we just got done at lunch. We wanted to do some service, so we did dishes for the comedor and it was so much fun. 

Holy smoke dog, its  going by so fast. 

Oh side note--I'm getting so tan this is awesome. I've started to used the restroom and going solids again so that's good. I got a bug bite this morning. I think it might be as spider bite but the "doctor" (he ain't no doctor--maybe a costco perscription counter person for real)  said it was a mosquito bite. My finger is so swollen. Hope it goes down cause I cant bend my finger. Someone will say I'm sick with diarrhea and he'll just go get pills for every one! 

Oh my I feel so bad for Gordon Hayward. The Celtics will suck now--which kinda sucks--but its alright.  The Blazers are still healthy. 

Alright, so since I've been here I've gained 7 pounds and I feel so gross. So next week I'm going on a papaya and fruit diet in hopes of losing a couple lbs. 

Wow isn't it crazy to think that I'm almost done?  I have one more week and I'm outta here. I love it here but I wanna get out. I wanna teach real people. I wanna realize that my Spanish really isn't that good and I need to work hard. The time has flown by, and its crazy to think that in a week and a half I'll be in Merida talking to ordinary people

I love you guys and miss you all. We are only allowed an hour to email now which sucks. So be yourself, remember who you are, and love everyone around you. 

Come home at the end of the day and ask for a do ever and do better the next day. All we can do is try.

K-- love you guys and miss you. Be good. 

Peace out

Elder Hall

K 'fo real' where do I start?  I'll start with the challenges and end off with the best part of my mission I think so far. 

I'm doing it so I don't cry in front of all my companeros

Alright--so you guys know my companero can be challenging at times, and I almost got to the breaking point this week.  I broke down to Hermana Sanchez (maestro). He insisted after gym to get a drink (and remember its 3:57 and our class starts at 4 so I'm like, 'No, we're not going to the tienda.  You don't need a drink--you can drink water if you want a drink.'  

And he told me, 'No, I need this drink.' 

So me being me (I don't really like being overly rude) and I just said, 'Hurry up please.  I don't wanna be late to class.' 

We get to the tienda and there's a fat line of like 15 people. 

I'm like, 'Yeah comapnero let's go.  We're gonna be late.'

And he said, 'It will only take 5 seconds.' 

So I just said, 'Okay. Whatever.' 

So we legit sit in that store for 10 more minutes while he stands in line for a tiny little drink. (They aren't even good....)  We show up to class at 4:10 and everybody is like 'tarde tarde tarde'.   Hmmmm--I wonder why. 

So I was just in a horrible mood and I didn't  wanna speak Spanish to anyone, and my maestro came over and she was like, 'Something is wrong--what's going on?' 

And I'm like,  'I don't wanna talk about it with him sitting right next to me'. 

And so Hermano Sanchez and I went out to the hall and it was like 'My companion doesn't care about anything.  He doesn't care to be on time to anything'. 

And she just gave me some advice and I moved on.  Just annoying--I'm trying to be the best missionary I can be, I get up on time, I try to be on time to everything. I go to bed when I'm supposed to--but he's the total opposite.

Alright--I'm over it.  Let's move on to some other bad things that happened this week.

So Tuesday my companero got super sick and we had to go to the enfermia, and they told us to go the casa and to sleep for the rest of the day. So we did, and I just slept and caught up on sleep. Anyways, about an hour in, I hear a knock at the bedroom door and its our branch presidente Presidente Leyons. I swear he's got like special powers or something. Anyways he knocks and then just walks right in and we're both sleeping, and he's said, 'Elders--its me President Leyons.  How are you feeling Elder?' 

My companero said, 'Not good'.   

And he said,  'You know that blessing I just gave you yesterday? I guess it wasn't from above, but it was from below!' hahahah   It was pretty funny. So when the other elders got back from class to go to gym I went out and someone stayed back to make sure my companero didn't die. So that was good he didn't die!

Alright what else? Just when I thought I had got used to the food.....not just yet home boyz! haha  The salsa tricks you here. Its so stinking good, but let me tell ya it does some voodoo magic to your intestines and it does not feel good. You know its gonna be a bad night when its really spicy going in...   So I got super sick for like two days and I just got over it--I'm glad its over.  

I got my first (kinda) calling in our little branch we have. Can you guys guess what it is...? Playing the piano!!  Yep-- and I suck at it, but I like it a lot. 

Alright onto some amazing things that have happened this week.

1. We had devotional on Tuesday night and Presidente Bennit cracked down on some missionaries. I'll let you put the pieces together, but his main line was, 'If you need to hide in the shadows, you don't belong here'. haha Basically elders were going over to each others' houses past 10:30 and Presidente Bennit caught them--pretty funny. 

2. We just went to the temple. I'll send some pics, but oh my it was so pretty inside and out. The Celestial Room had this ginormous chandelier. (Reminded me of the song aha jk)

3. So one of teachers is Hermano Rodriguiez--and he's from Mexico Ciudad.  He's legit a genius. He can tell your personality by just looking at your handwriting. So basically he told me I was prideful (which he said was good but I don't believe him--and I don't think I'm prideful at all. Maybe I am and I don't know it). 

4. Okay--if you've been to the CCM you probably did TRC. Its basically when real people come in and you teach them. So we did that Saturday and we taught a man named Gabriel.   He was around 60 or so. He was probably 5 foot 2 and so small. He was so nice. We taught him and these two other boys about the Restoration. At the end one of the boys asked me why I served I mission. And honestly for the first time I had to think about it in depth. So I told him a couple reasons, and then for some reason I got choked up and I told Gabriel and the other guys that I loved them. I just met these people and I already love them.. Isn't that incredible?  I looked them in the eyes and told them with all my heart and the Spirit was so strong. I told Gabriel I loved the people of Mexico.  Right after that he teared up and started crying as well. The Spirit was so strong. If any of you want to feel what I felt, go to the temple and just sit--I guarantee you will feel the Spirit. 

5. You know, I realized this week I need to stop worrying about not being able to speak perfect Spanish. I look around me and I have people in my district who can speak perfect Spanish I feel, but I'm back here still trying to learn how to properly say 'hola'.  For real--that's what I felt like before. But I have come to realize that I don't care honestly what people think about my Spanish. TRC was my evidence that I can speak good enough Spanish. I shared my testimony  and I know each of those guys felt the Spirit, even though they can't understand a lick of what I'm saying. I don't care what people think. I'm working my hardest to learn this language, and I'm going to be fluent one day--I can promise you.

So Mom and Dad (and everybody on my list basically), if you guys could please pray for my (fake) investigators.

Alright here are some things that I want to do while I'm on my mission. 

• I want to work hard everyday.

• I want to get to know not only the members of the branch but every member in the community--even the mayor (leaders) of the other church.

• I want to help those in need and help those who are lost spiritually.

• I want to be bold with everyone--especially my companions.

Oh, by the way, I got your donuts this week Hannah. Thank you.  I shared them with the workers around the CCM. I try to talk with every worker if their available. Mom and Dad--I got your package, but I don't wanna eat it cause I've gained five pounds while being here, so I don't wanna pack on anymore weight. So I'll probably just give it away to the workers. 

I apologize for a million emails, but I swear this one is worth it. You are not going to guess what my companero did this week: 

We were reading and doing personal study out in the hall (hah--get it? stupid missionary jokes), and these hermanas walk by. And he's been eye ballin' this one hermana for a while, and all the sudden he just has this face of horror on his face (like what the heck just happened?). HE ASKED THE HERMANA FOR HER EMAIL!!. 

BRUH!! I guess he said it like this.... 'Hey.. can I get your email so we can talk some more...?' 

How smooth is he? For real--he's so smooth.   He has never talked to this hermana before.. He legit just popped the question and everyone has been so embarrassed for him--and he's not even embarrassed. 

I talked to the hermana the other day, and she was just weirded out. when he asked her she didn't say anything. So embarrassing. (Alright--peace out)

So I'm not sure why, but yesterday I got the feeling I needed to share my testimony in Spanish:

yo se que jesucristo vida. y yo se que el evasngelio de jesucristo es verdad. yo se que nosotros tenemos un profeta en la tierra hoy. y el leads nuestros iglesia. yo se que su expiacion es verdad y si nosotros usamos it nosotros podemos vivir con nuestros familias en heaven con dios. yo se que el dios ama todos las personas en el mundo y el dios ama usted. 

(Hey mi amigos back in the United States--email me!! I'm not going to say your names, but I'm sure your always thinking, ´´Hmm, I should email Elder Hall´´.  Yeah you should follow that prompting.

K love you guys. Have an awesome week. Be good. Work hard. Follow the commandments. Remember who you are.

Peace out--love you all; miss you all a ton like you don't even know. 

Elder Hall

Hermana Monterroso serves in the Mexico City Temple Visitors Center.  Seth served in her family's ward in Guatemala when he was on his mission.