Sister in Seattle : Week 3: For the First Time in Forever‏

Dearest Familia y Amigos,

I never thought that it would come to me singing "Frozen" songs, but today they let us go beyond the wall and moat of the CCM into the real world. And guess what? I really am in a foreign country. It was nice to get a change of scenery, but the CCM is like a piece of the Celestial kingdom placed right in the middle of a crazy, big, worldy city. Anyway, so we just got back from the Visitor's Center at the Mexico temple.

My District at the Mexico City Temple

When my mom and I were Google mapping everything in Mexico, we didn't realized that we were looking at the old MTC that is right next door to the temple. We had to drive from the new MTC (where we are) for about 45 minutes to the temple. Unfortunately the temple is closed due to reconstruction, but the outside was beautiful and of course that landscape is always perfect. The Visitor's Center was super cool and super nice.

Inside the Visitor's Center

We talked with the sister missionaries there and they gave us a tour. I also bought some sweet Mexican scripture cases for my Español scriptures.

My new scripture case

So to clear things up, no I didn't and I haven't yet received the Mexican virus. I was sick with a cold last week, but I got betta. No, for reals. Thanks for all your prayers in my behalf because I only felt crappy for like 2 days and now I am feeling so much better. Hermana Bills has had a rough week, though. Last Thursday she found out a friend had passed away so between that and having the virus she was struggling, but she is doing better now. She seriously is the funniest! Sometimes I have to mellow her out, but we have way too much fun. She does this amazing Bear Grills impression and we walk around being like "We gotta eat this bug, in order to survive". And then of course, the black lady impressions come out in both of us and things just get crazy! Pretty much the Elders just think we are a hoot.

Rachel & Hermana Bills

Yeah I am kind of getting sick of the food. I will definitely be grateful to have something else. Not that it's terrible, but its basically the same thing everyday. Except for Sunday...oh..man...oh man... They gave us some bomb steak! Like I have never had anything so delicious placed in my mouth before. Wow! It probably tasted so good because it wasn't bland torquitos with rice and beans.

Sunday was the best! THE BEST! Our Branch President is just so inspirational and our days are filled with devotionals and movie night! We have had several Seventies come and we get broadcasts from the Provo MTC. We also had this Elder in our district who is struggling. Hermana Bills has been praying for him and he was saying specific prayers. And just like that Hermana Bills answered his prayers in one of our meetings. The spirit was so strong it was tangible and there are just so many miracles happening here it's loco!

It's been warmer lately and we have had 5 complete days total of no rain so far. But when it decides to rain, it's not kidding around. We were doing our weekly service project of delivering water jugs to all the buildings and houses when a full blown monsoon came. Like rivers of water with hail! We were all soaked through, but it was so worth it.

My Spanish is coming along. We try to do full days of no English, which is easier than I thought it would be, but after awhile my brain just hurts. Sometimes I forget what language I am speaking. In a lesson the other day I ended up saying "Will you oreo?" instead of saying "orar" or prayer. I also said that Jesus came to the homework instead of the earth. So that was cool. Haha!

I am so glad that they sent me here for 6 weeks though, because I am learning so much doctrinally and spiritually too. Actually, I already knew a lot, but its hard to make it simple and easy to understand for investigators. And even though its hard, I really do love the Spanish language. I think that everyone should have to learn a new language. (Mosiah 1: 2, 5) You see things, like the scriptures in a whole new light because of the difference between the English and Spanish wording. It is such a humbling experience as well. One of our teachers told us that he loves teaching North Americans because they are so humble when it comes to learning a new language.

Rachel's Art vs 2 Sisters' Artwork

So a little more about my district. Elder Shin is our district leader and he is a 22 year old convert. His companion, Elder Munson is from South Dakota. Hermana Burnham is from Arizona and then the rest of us are from Utah. All the rest of the Elders are 18 straight from high school. Sometimes we have to remind them that they aren't in high school anymore and to study harder and to take life more seriously. They are a lot of fun though. Elder Ellis and Elder Thompson are going to my mission though so I get to see them for the next almost 17 months! I feel like I have lived here forever, but at the same time, I am going to Washington sooner than I think.

Have a happy pioneer day! Oh and I know Kris's birthday is coming up (I want to say the 28th?) so shout out to him! Hope it's all you have ever dreamed of! I love this gospel so much. I don't know how to live without it. And soon I need to go and help those people that are struggling without it in their lives. I love you all to pieces!