Family - Week 5

Somehow another week is gone, we all woke up this morning feeling like the last P-Day was two days ago. It's a little scary how the time is moving pero, esta bien. Last Sunday was great as usual, another great sacrament meeting, still haven't talked yet, but this might be the week, we'll see after the opening hymn this Sunday. It still amazes me how strong the spirit can be when you can't understand all the words someone is saying. Elder Siow, Elder Jones, and I had a great time for companion studies, working on the language, and that night was a devotional. Elder Gong??? We had heard that, which was true, that he was meeting with the CCM President midday Sunday, and prepped ourselves for a devotional from him, which from what we had watched online were fantastic. But alas, no. But nonetheless another great devotional, all of them have been fantastic. This time we watched an older devotional from Elder Holland, If ye love me, feed my sheep. And Holland, as usual is so good about getting a point across in a sincere, direct, loving, and motivating way all bundled in a perfect package. The mission I've chosen to go on is not just these two years. I can never go back to what my life was before. This mission is for life, don't go back to your nets. But if you love Christ, Feed His Sheep. John 21.15-17. Family. This week has been so great for our district, we have had our challenges, but together, as a family, we have grown through it and become stronger. It's all just becoming more real in these weeks. We only have one more week left. One more week to help each other and have the CCM resources to grow into what God needs us to be. But as much as the Lord loves effort, he doesn't expect the same perfection as we often do of ourselves. It is so easy to get caught up in our end goals, and forget about those little goals we've set that we're accomplishing each day to reach that. It always seems so much farther away than our progress. I can have a 30 minute conversation with someone in Spanish, and be able to get almost every thought in my head out, even if its through some creative methods, but yet it is so easy to focus on the fact that I still have so much vocab, frases, and grammar to lock in. But as we keep working, and focus on growing one paso-step at a time, we can accomplish great things and find peace in doing so(Alma37:34). And as we work through the trials and tribulations in this life, see them from the perspective of our most-inspirational Elder Siow, as opportunities to learn and grow. An opportunity to improve. In my personal studies this week I did this and I would like to invite you to do the same. Read 2 Nefi 2:2 and fill in your name and where you are at in your life. I know that in this life God truly does "Consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." ¡Pizza Time! Always a good day in the CCM with pizza time. We've been sitting together at meals a lot with the other districts in our zone and its been great for working on our Spanish and their English, as well as just getting to know these other amazing Elders, and now good friends, from Mexico. If Elder Jones says he is winning in Pickle Ball this week...lets just say I walked away with a mango Jumex and he was orange-juiceless. We've been playing a lot as a distritio this week during our exercise time, and its been super fun. I finally understand why Dean likes it so much. Went to the temple again today, and got to do ceilings for the fist time and it was another great spiritual experience to be a part of. (Note for Dad, I´ve brought my own names these past two weeks and that has been super cool. Lots from the Shepherd side). The gift of an eternal family through Christ is incomprehensibly amazing. Elder Fe'a is still in Somoa, but is in our prayers, and is such an inspiration. I just know from the little we get to see him, that he is working hard, developing in this third language, and his testimony and diligence inspires me daily. I love this gospel, the hope it brings, and how we can grown through it, personally and juntos. I love this district we have in the CCM, we are not perfect, but we were perfectly placed together to help each other learn and grow. We are a family. I know that the trials in our life our for our gain, and that I have a lot more opportunities to grow coming on my mission. Love you all, Hasta Mañana.

Third Time

Third times the... third time is me. Having two older brothers I got to say goodbye at the airport to both and it felt so surreal both times. It turns out it is even more so when you are the one leaving. I took a short maybe half hour nap the night before and then at like 2a.m. we took off for the airport. Dropping my luggage was easy, and they hardly asked any questions about what I was doing. Saying goodbye was weird because I was used to being the one on the other side, but I was so glad to have my family there to support me in the middle of the night. Also turns out people are not social at all that early in the morning in an airport, or probably anywhere. Flight #1 was super empty, and I was the only missionary on the flight. I had a whole row to myself, and the rows in front and behind me were empty. This would have been nice, except for the fact that this flight bounced around like the SpiderMan ride at universal studios, and coming into Dallas was wild. So if this flight went down, no one would have even noticed. Dallas. After holding in my dinner from the night before, I had just walked a couple yards when I spotted a missionary, then another, then Elder Lyon and Hermana Schmitt from my district, and by them at least 20 other missionaries. It was so good to finally meet someone I knew and great to get to talk to them. Elder Lyon within the first minute of talking told me "What-A-Burger, it'll change your life." I'm gonna need to take him up on that in two years. Flight #2 was a 757, so lots of people, somehow most were missionaries. There were at least 50 missionaries total on this flight, very different from the first. After a crazy train of missionaries managed to escape the maze of the airport, we got a traffic-filled bus ride, and made it to the CCM around 9p.m., earlier than another Arlingtonian. Then I got a warm welcome of a cold sandwich, the best I've had by the end of that first long day, and got to meet the rest of the Elders. Except for mi compañero Elder Fe'a. Overall, everything has gone really well and somehow this transition into a new life very smoothly. Except for the constant sirens at night and the food. The food is great on the way in..., but let's just say I've experienced some things the Roskelley's had warned me of that I expected to see much later in Argentina. And sirens are literally constant in the night, which combined with the heat, makes it difficult for me to fall asleep. But when I do, every day I'm excited to get going with the good work. And the work is good. At this point we only speak Espanol in the mornings, and I have gotten to the point where in a conversation led by someone else I can share all the feelings in my mind, but I still struggle to comenzar-start conversations with people. Mainly because I don't even know what I'd say in English. Other than that, the classes have been great so far, and Hermana Garcia and Hermano Dominguez are even better in person, pero I still have a lot to learn. The days are really busy, but they fly by. Mi Distrito es fantástico. I have learned so much from them and continue too. Everyone has different strengths and insights from their lives, and it has been so great to see those things and try to learn from them. After the first full day, we got assignments, and I'm our Lider de Distrito. It has meant meetings and extra responsibilities, but most importantly seeing how our distrito is doing personally and individually and working to facilitate ways we can grow together. Again, if these two weeks have taught me anything, it is that there is so much to learn from the lives, experiences, and strengths of others. There is a reason we've been called together, in this time, in this place, with these people. I love our district and having the opportunity to try and serve in any capacity has been a blessing. I just work for and hope that I am helping them learn as much and crecer-grow from each other, as I have been from them. We had a district council this last Sunday, and it was a spiritual feast. We started just with an overview of our topic, then separated to personal and companion study for a bit, then came back, and discussed. With just a few leading questions, so much was shared in that discussion, and my Preach My Gospel overflowed with marks, lessons, and insights on those few pages. Sunday overall has been the highlight so far, from branch counsel, to Elder Supingers talk that made me have to hold in tears like the cop from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs(in all Español), to district council, and the devotionals. It was a spiritual feast. My soul delighteth to prophesy concerning him. And through faith and repentance in Christ, You will not have to wonder if you belong here. First day I got semi-re-assigned to the trio in my room, Elder Lyon and Elder Supinger, and then after that day to one with Elder Siow y Elder Jones. I love all these Elders, and it has been really awesome to get to know them each better in companionships. Now I've been in companionships with all of my district. But, its been great, and I learn so much from each of them. Our zone meeting Monday was all of us, which was great. We are now the only district in our zone, so when we split into zones, we gotta check up on our district, plan for the two new ones who just arrived yesterday, and work on ways to build and maintain a Christlike Culture here. Near the end of our discussion, President Allread who was there, chimned in and said, "There's going to be one problem with this district..." and we all looked at each other and I was freaking out a little inside thinking that we were planning wrong "...saying goodbye." And now Silly Songs with Larry, idk. Here's just some other thoughts to round out these couple of weeks Elder Lyon "Be of good cheer and focus on the day at hand." 1 Cor. 15 -The work of the Lord -The house of the Lord Elder Jones-Study is an act of faith Shows God we care As we continue to study there is always more to learn because we are in different stages of our life God gives us line upon line Hermano Valadez thinks I make the perfect comic book Spider-Man, gracias But a better missionary, which is the goal Make it Your Doctrine, study, understand, and follow it because you want it in your life. Seek the Spiritual High Ground "...I have the high ground." 2 Nephi 31:21 And lastly a note from Elder Supinger, from Hermana Pogue, and the collective thoughts from our district council- "Don't be a rock at the bottom of the lake and let the water(gospel) pass by you every so often, be like a small pebble and let the water(gospel) guide you constantly because it is impossible to be perfect, but if we are humble and have a desire to continue to learn, we will work towards becoming our goal, which is to be like the water and find other pebbles to guide home."

Esperanza-Week 2: Home MTC/CCM

Daydreaming. This still doesn't feel real. Home MTC is a wonderful and strange thing. The classes have been "super-good." I feel like over zoom I'm still learning more than I could imagine would be possible, and my district is great. If anyone who had experience with zoom school saw how productive and connective our experience has been(and how many smiling faces there are), I think it would blow their minds. But it is so strange to be in the MTC/CCM at home. It is like some sort of daydream, living a new life in a world I once knew so differently. There are reminders of my life all around me, and it is so strange to wake up every morning with those reminders constantly surrounding me. It would be easy to lose sight of my mission, as I am constantly reminded of what it is I'm sacrificing for these next two years. But somehow, someway, I have, at least the majority of the time, been able to turn those reminders into motivators. There truly is a reason why I am doing what I am doing, and I wouldn't be preparing to spend the next two years of my life in a foreign country if I didn't have a testimony in this work. Nonetheless it still hasn't hit me yet. I leave Tuesday morning, rainy and early, to catch a 5:30a.m flight, hopping over to Dallas before making my way to Mexico. It still doesn't feel real, probably won't on the plane or once I land, or until despues(after) the first few weeks in Mexico. But I am so excited. The nicest part about this transition is that I know I am going to fly to another loving family in the CCM. My district already feels so close even from over 5,000miles apart. I can't wait to be in person with all of them and our amazing maestros. I feel like I have come so much closer to my Salvador/Savior this week. As we have practiced teaching of him and shared our testimonies of Him, I have felt the Spirit so strongly. Sometimes it is a bit surprising too. One lesson Hermana Schmitt and Maline were teaching, it was just a short practice, and I was in the role of someone unfamiliar, but interested in the Gospel. And as the lesson went on I began to feel the spirit testify of the truth of their message. And I was a little confused...like, I'm not actually in this situation... I'm just trying to help them learn to teach. As I went along with that lesson and answered their questions, I found peace and truth in their words, and it grew my testimony in a way I wouldn't have ever expected. And boyo, that was just 5min of this week. Mi compañero, Elder Fe'a, and I also had our first teaching appointment practice this week, and it was a great experience. I got to ponder lots of questions that I have had experiences with, but that I haven't taken the time to reflect on much and I felt like the lesson went well for who we were teaching. There is so much room for your testimony to grow as you teach others. Another experience was after we had watched a devotional from Elder Gong. When we watch devotionals at the end of the day, our teacher wraps up and leaves. So it is just the 10 of us missionaries, which has been great. We watched this particular devotional together, and once it was finished we shared our thoughts about it, our experiences, and our testimonies. It was such a spiritual moment full of past experiences and the joy, peace, and Hope we have all felt through Christ's expiación/atonement. It was remarkable to see how the blessing of Christ's atonement can be seen in all of our lives. The ability that He gives us to pick ourselves up and continue to grow each day, has distinctly influenced all of our lives in similar, yet very personal and unique ways. Being able to share and listen to all those experiences was so powerful, and I'm so glad we have grown close enough as a district to do so. El Buen Pastor. The Good Shepherd. I'm so grateful for the time I had this week to not only study Español and the gospel, but especially the time I spent studying the Christ. John 10:11,14 really stood out to me this week in my personal studies of the Savior and his Atonement. 11-"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." 14-"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." Yo sé que Jesucristo es el buen pastor y Él conoce nosotros individualmente. Y gracias a Él nosotros podemos arrepentirnos, aprendemos, y crecemos. Gracias a Él yo quiero a enseño de Sus expiación y Sus amor a las personas de Argentina. Yo se que Él tiene amor para tú, mi, y todos hijos de Dios. Él es el buen pastor y gracias a Él nosotros tenemos Esperanza. En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amén. (I know that Jesus Christ is the good shepherd and He knows us individually. And thanks to Him we have the ability to repent, learn, and grow. Because of Him I want to teach of His atonement and His love to the people of Argentina. I know that He has love for you, for me, and all children of God. He is the good shepherd and thanks to Him we have Hope. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.) Still can't believe it, but I'll see you in Mexico. Hasta Luego! Élder Shepherd