Week 1 Mexico CCM

I figured.. I´m doing well! I´m smiling from ear to ear hearing your stories! I wish I was there for the balloon festival and things, the pictures look awesome, so glad to see it´s back in the valley. Good for garrett! Ha I might have to be getting my own bike in a couple years it sounds like. That´s sad to hear about the firetrail incident, it would be a very easy thing to do rolling a fourwheeler, and yet a very tough situation.. And ya, cortez wasn´t exactly the greatest guy. Oh, and i apologize for any typing errors, my keyboard is in spanish ha! little more tricky..

It was a very long day getting here but once we got through immigration in Mexico I ran into Parker and Blake and we stuck together the rest of the night. It was cool driving through and seeing the city from the bus on the way here. We went through orientation upon arrival which included firing off a quick email to you. we got our ´casa´or house and unpacked and the next day the adventure began!

My companion is Elder Carlisle, i´ll try uploading a picure. he´s a gymnast and it´s fun doing workouts with him. Very easy guy to get along with and will be going to the same mission as me. While no tears have yet to be shed on my part thoughts of you all kept coming a lot and I finally let myself think about you all and read letters the 3rd day. I´ve certainly been busy though! I´ve never had the privilage of attending so many meetings in a single day! But the schedule is changed to more classes and personal study at this point which is better. Also the 3rd night we were all interviewed and my companion and I were asked to be the District Leaders (watching over 10 others). As well as two nights ago I was asked to be the Casa or House leader for Casa 3 with currently 20 Elders. It´s a lot of responsibility. But it´s a great opportunity to always serve others and go to a lot of leadership meetings which i truly enjoy. I often get less study or work time but i get everything done anyway so it´s not a big deal and being busy is good. As promised in my Patriarchal Blessing, I have been assisted here by the Gift of Tongues. though i don´t mean to compare I´m doing better than most missionaries though my companion does fairly well also. At this point I can describe several doctrine principals in spanish, say a full prayer, and give a descent testimony straight from the heart ha. We´ve taught 4 lessons to an investigator and commited him to baptism last night for the 1st of september! He´s a former catholic and has lots of questions about all of that, baptism, babies, the commandments of the church ha but i think i´ve been able to answer them all! Oh, his name is Giovani. Tonight i´m going in for a lesson with him empty handed and am going to speak with him. Should be interesting! Definately a challenge. I like teaching though, and our investigator is a cool guy. All the natives down here love us and want to talk a million words a minute but I try haha. 

I read the whole story of Joseph yesterday because it talks about it in my Patriarchal Blessing. I really like that story! Joseph was an awesome guy and it´s fun to compare my blessing to the story and the promises given. 

The weather has been nice! a little humid but not what i was expecting. It rains a lot and lots of lightning which accompanies the catholic canons ceaseless fire, honking cars, noisy street racers, car alarms, and midnight street venders that seem to be a nightly occasion here! we´re adapting though.. We also have an incredible violinist who plays almost every night, it´s a fun thing to listen to! He has a full ride to the U.

Sunday I went to leadership, priesthood, sunday school, worthiness interview, fireside, movie on the restauration, and sacrament which I was able to bless (neat experience). But certainly the busiest sunday i´ve ever had. I´m having fun though, spirit is always strong, big smiles and I go around singing hymns and country songs everyone loves to listen to ha. 

As for food, it´s overall okay. you get some things that arent so good and a lot of things you´re willing to eat. nothing really to look forward to though. I had to lay off the meat, bean, and rice burritos i started getting the runs and stomach aches, but I think that´s clearing up? ha

I still have a sore spot on my forehead but no evidence ;) sounds like you and garrett need to go up the firetrail! haha

If you have a chance in the next hour to write back, do so, i may still be available. If not, then I love you very much! I want to be there almost as much as i want to be doing this.. But thank you for this opportunity. I love making people smile! Have a good week Dad.  

Much love, your missionary  -Parker Wilson