"You would have to drag me out with a broken back to get me to leave this place!"

It's finally here: my first p-day! I feel like I have been waiting so freaking long for this.

I think the most important thing I have learned so far is that the person I was before the mission is who was worthy and called to serve, so I don’t need to change myself into what I thought a missionary should be. I just gotta work hard, be myself, and have faith. I can’t begin to stress how important it is to keep the rules here. The spirit is so important for this work, It’s ridiculous. I have been called to be the district leader over my district, which is named 13A! It’s pretty cool to be district leader because I’m in charge. And if you know me, you know I like authority…haha!

I’m in charge of 13 elders! And I get to be the one who checks the mailbox, which is nice, Except for the fact that everybody forgot they have a missionary out! hahah jk. It actually made it easier to forget myself and get to work. So now I’m over the whole homesickness thing, which is nice, and it makes it a lot easier to work.

We study so much here it’s ridiculous. Each day lasts like a week, but this last week has gone by so fast! I just wanna get lost in this work so bad. I cant even begin to describe how real this calling is and how Amazing our God is and how generous he is. He loves each and every one of us so much and he loves us for who we are no matter what because he made us the way we are. I hope we can all learn to accept ourselves for who we are and learn to love ourselves fore who we are and what we do. God made you the way you are for a reason, he gave us all of our talents and abilities and we need to show our gratitude to him by working as hard as we can, and giving him everything we can.

So, I challenge all of you to bear your testimony at least once a week to some random person—or just whoever! It will affect them more than you know, and it will make you feel so good. Don’t even think to hesitate about praying, even about the smallest things. God loves us and he is always willing to show it however he can! We just need to accept him and show our gratitude.

OBEDIENCE IS KEY!!! I love this calling. This whole last week has been soo stressful, but it’s soo good for me and it’s making me such a better person. I live to work, and now I get to work and serve, so what an amazing thing.

There is purpose and wisdom in all things. My district and my companion have been assigned to me for reasons that I don’t know, but I know it’s to help us serve, love each other, and prepare us for where we are going! This work is the work of God, and I know now why young women are so pushed into marrying a Returned missionary because just in the last week I have been strengthened and have grown so much! It’s ridiculous!

There have been a few times here when I was homesicker than a dog in a birdhouse, but I know this is where I belong and that as long a I continue to pray sincerely and about everything and anything, and as I go through the process of converting into a missionary, I will be able to do so much more than I can even imagine!

This Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ, and the power of the priesthood and Holy Ghost are unreal: they are soo Amazing. I’m planning on sending home a hand-written letter with more information about the MTC and stuff. I’m just so rushed here on the computer. I love you guys so much and thank you for your support. Your prayers help me more than you know, and I am working my hardest and studying more than and neuro surgeon times 10.

I want you to know the gift of tongues is real! I have learned more Spanish in the last few days then I have ever learned in my 2 years at school. This place is soo amazing and I hope all young men step up to the challenge and qualify themselves because this is God’s work and we have been called. He doesn’t have to have us, but he wants us and he is more than wiling to pay you back. No matter how hard you try to make your mission about Him, he always ends up blessing you so much more. And he makes every stomach cramp and every tear and every drop of sweat more than worth it. I’m so thankful for this opportunity of growth and strengthening. It’s like my spirit is going through boot camp hahah.

I can’t wait to serve me hardest for the people of Veracruz, Mexico. I already feel such a strong love for them and I wish to serve them the best I possibly can! I love all of you and I know this is where I need to be and I’m doing what I need to do! So thank you so much for everything and I love it here. You would have to drag me out with a broken back or something just to get me to leave this place!

I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS, I love you and I’m anxious to hear how things or going! Don’t forget that Dear elder is Free.