Transfer 1. Week 1. (in Mexico)

Well, I finally made it to Mexico. And let me tell you, if the MTC hadn't been so bad, I would say this was the longest week of my life.  Culture shock has taken on a whole new meaning in my mind. During my first few days, I was absolutely blown away, not to mention how hot it is. It's so freaking hot and humid here. 


Location
So, where I am . . . I am in Tierra Blanca.  It's a city in the southern part near the border with Oxaca. This is the hottest area in the whole mission, but I guess I would rather start here so that everywhere else seems to be a lot better.  


Culture
The culture is so different than I expected. We can speculate based on what we see at home, but really, it's so different than what I ever imagined. It's crazy. The food has been alright. Most of these houses are made out of cinderblocks and tin roofs, which is nice. I guess it keeps us dry. I learned how to wash my clothes by hand today, and I'm working really hard at getting used to using only cold water for a shower. But I'm here for a reason! 


Companion
So my companion is Elder Castaneda. His parents are the Mission Presidents of the nearby Villermosa Mission. He is a good Elder, and most importantly he is obedient. I have a lot to learn about living here--it's crazy. There is just so much that I don't know yet, but I will learn in time. Fortunately, I'm not dong this alone.  


The Mission
The baptism rate here seems to be about the same as SLC South Mission surprisingly. It's kinda crazy, but many of them sadly go inactive, so I'm starting to think that I would rather baptize people that will actually stay members instead of just baptizing tons of people. Quality over quantity I guess. But no worries, all is good.  Because of the hurricane, they had us all stay in the stake center. There were about 15 missionaries there. I got to talk to other greenies and learn a lot about how to live in this mission and what not, which is really helpful because any Mexican companion won't be able to understand where I'm coming from and why I do things the way I do. The way this culture thinks is so very different from our own--it's crazy.  But all is well. I'm learning and doing my best to stay positive and just process everything.  We don't have any flodding here, we just got some rain. There are alot of fruit trees everywhere, but unfortunately it's not mango season yet.  But all is well.  


Family, I love you and thank you for everything. My piece of advice for you guys is to enjoy everything you have because a lot of the things you have don't exist all over the world. Believe me, I know. But I love you all! Hopefully I will have more interesting things to tell you next week!

Transfer 2. Week 3.

Well, we are already going on week 3 of the transfer. There certainly is no time to get comefortable in the mission field--thats for sure. This week was definitely a learning week and a building week. Just as in sports: some years are bulding years. In the mission, some weeks we have to be building weeks. There's nothing you can do about it. I just gotta take what I get and roll with it! 


I have applied the concept of talking to everyone and so far it has worked. According to the PMG definition, we have 4 new investigators, but I don't feel confident enough to call them that yet. Spanish people are definitely easier to contact. The problem is getting them to follow up with stuff, but it's where the success is in this area so far.  


My comps are good. They like to work hard. We just gotta work on fusing our ideas and what not. It's almost like the difference between Republicans and those daggum Democrats with our different philosophies and what not. But we will work on it! 


SO, the trees are starting to change colors here! Meaning, it's getting COLD! Man its cold! But it's so beautiful. I'm really falling in love with the place. Down town Park City is a really neat place. (Thats where the family tree center is) ;) ha ha. This week I have learned some good stuff about myself and what im turning into. 


I'm still really working on getting letters to everyone in the fam, so just be patient. They will come, I promise! It certainly is interesting to have nothing but greenies in a companionship, but it's happening for a reason, and I know we can do this and that there are people here that we can bring to repentance. 


Sorry we don't have time to write a fatty letter today. Yesterday the library was closed; that's why we are doing emails today.  Dad, good luck at the horse competition. Jake, good work on your eagle project. By the way, you stuill owe me a letter after that fatty one I sent you for your birthday! Everybody, I love you. Mom, thanks for the packages. They are so great and helpful! I love the mangoes! Take care, and I love you all so much and thank you for everything! TTFN!