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."