WEEK 21---APRIL 20, 2017----CIUDAD DE MEXICO, RAINY, COCHINITA, FUEGO

​​April 20, 2017

Ciudad de Mexico

Rainy

This week has been a little bit more rainy than usual. And it also only happens to start raining when we get outside. We tell people that you can tell when we are out and about because it starts to rain.

At the bottom of one the hills, there is a bridge that leads to one of the pueblos. This bridge has a lot of traffic and has really narrow sidewalks. So when it rains, all the water drains to this bridge, and there is only one small drain to drain it. 

One rainy day we had to walk across. The water was up to the curb of the sidewalk. The first half of the bridge we were feeling good because no cars had come across yet. We then realized that if we made it across before a car came, we would not get soaked. As soon as we both thought this, we just started sprinting across this bridge. A lady across the street realized the same thing at the same time and started sprinting too. We were all sprinting for our lives and then we saw some headlights flash in the distance. This only made us run harder. Alas, the car beat us. It drove straight through this water as fast as possible and completely soaked us and this lady across the street. I was a little upset about the disrespect. However, like five minutes later, I thought it was the most hilarious thing.

Cochinita

We have a found a little taco stand that sells cochinita tacos and now we are sold. We love it. It is a type of meat made in the Yucutan. 

Fuego

We found a piano that can record, so now I am a happy guy. We spent a lot of our rest day playing and recording.

Week 20---April 11, 2017---BLESSING, WHAT HAPPENED, THOUGHTS

Blessing

A lady that is a member of the church here in our area is off to get surgery for eyes. She asked us to come over and give her a blessing beforehand to help her with the operation and the healing. I felt humbled to see her faith in the power of God. I realized that I can always put more faith in God and His power to bless my life. We can always increase in faith.

What happened

Other than that...this week was one of those weeks where I literally cannot think of anything else that happened. I need to improve my attention to what goes on in my life obviously, because how can a week pass me by and I cannot remember what I was doing during that week? Downright embarrassing. Don't do the week like I did last week. 

Thoughts

One idea that has been in my mind lately has been the power of thoughts. A space can only be occupied by one object at time (I think that is how it goes). And thus it is with our minds. Our mind can only be occupied by one thought at a time. Therefore, we can use this to our advantage if we fill our minds with positive thoughts. This is easier said than done, but I think it may be one of the noblest quests we can pursue. Pay attention to how your mind shapes your day and your life. It cannot be overstated. As we try more and more to fill our minds with positivity, it becomes a habit. That is the goal. Habitually thinking good thoughts. What more could you want?

Week 19---April 4, 2017---COMIDA RETURNS, NOPALES NO PROBLEM, PRINCE OF PEACE, ELDER JONES AND ME, MISSION FATHER AND SON REUNION

Comida Returns

This week I got pleasantly surprised by one of the best meals of my life. A family invited us over for lunch on Saturday, and as we descended the stairs into their front patio, we saw the husband of the family stoking up the grill. At that moment, I knew my life would change. He agreed to show us how to grill the Norteño way (because apparently in the north of Mexico they make better meat). He made us steak after steak (the meat was called arrachera) and chorizo (which is the true fifth love of my life (obviously after God, family, freedom, and liberty (necessary to state twice))). 

It was a really good meal of tacos accompanied by Manzinita soda and Coca Cola. It was a great meal. 

Nopales No Problem

We are still on that health wave craze so we decided to take the craze to crazy and by some cactus (nopales). Since then, we've eaten cactus every night, and Elder Jones put it into his smoothie. Ha it was crazy.

Prince of Peace

Easter is up and coming, and so a new video has been produced to explain the peace that Jesus Christ brings to the world. This video struck a chord with me. I am convinced that the greatest source of peace in this life is Jesus Christ. The peace Christ offers is often criticized because of its simplicity. But, because something is simple, that does not mean that it is untrue or foolish. The peace of Christ is simple but is real. The peace is a personal peace that only comes as we learn more about Him and strive to draw closer to Him.

Video that will change your life and that has a surprisingly good soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly9xk59Qkfc

Elder Jones and me

Mission Father and Son Reunion
Thought I would share this picture of our boys that Elder Edwards sent with this caption: "So Elder Sweat (my child of the mission) was called to be the new finance secretary here in the offices. Father and son reunited in the offices haha. We found a bronze eagle and American flag in the offices and took the photo because...'Merica"  from Julie Austin Edwards Facebook Page

Week 18---March 29, 2017---BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT COSTCO KEEPS THE COSTS LOW, NEW MISSIONARIES, CHARACTER

Because We All Know That Costco Keeps The Costs Low

Before I get any further into the email, I must give credit where credit is due, and that line was definitely from a certified lyricist off of a Supahot youtube video. Moving right along. We have a Costco in our area. I am  grateful to announce that they still have deals like no one else, most importantly, they sell their Costco dogs with a drink for about $35 (mas a menos $1.50). The game changer that Costco Mexico version brings to the table is its condiment spread: ketchup, mustard, mayo and jalapeños.

New Missionaries

Every 6 weeks, new missionaries arrive to the mission field ready to get some missionary work done. This 6th week was no different. This week we met 13 new missionaries that will be serving in our mission.

Character

I´ve thought a lot about the difference between reputation and character. I read a John Wooden quote that was shared within a talk given by Elder L. Tom Perry. The quote says, 

"Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is only what others think you are." 

The real success in life is not to achieve a good reputation but to achieve a good character. Character is so much deeper, more lasting, and more worthwhile than a person's reputation. Another interesting thing is that character can only be made and destroyed by one person: yourself.  

Week 17---March 20, 2017---CITY LIFE, LEARNING, WATER SMOOTHIE, BETTER THINGS TO COME

City Life

I am here in Mexico City now. The part of the city that I am in is super nice. It is called Lomas de Chapultapec. It is really different from Valle de Bravo, but still a very pretty place. 

Learning

I have a new role right now, dealing more with the finances of the mission. Because of this, I am being trained to learn how to do all of those processes here. 

Water Smoothie

I decided to make a smoothie out of water, bananas, oatmeal, and cinnamon. The water just ruined it. Just a heads up for the people have thought about making that recipe. 

Better Things to Come

This email was weak. I know. But next week will be better. Hopefully with photos too. I love you all and wish you a great week. 

Week 16---March 13, 2017---TRIPS, MOOSE, HEADED, PHOTOS

Trips

This week we spent a lot of time traveling. We travelled to Mexico City to visit the temple. The temple is viewed as the holiest building we can enter here on earth. The purity and sanctity of the temple is palpable. It is a place to draw closer to God and see the bigger picture of life. I was so grateful to reside in such a peaceful, holy place. The temple is the place where we can rest and focus on the important things of life. I highly recommend everyone to make it a goal to go visit a temple and see for yourself the peace that is there. 

Moose

My companion had to get some money out of the ATM and so I was posted up on the outside just looking out over the calle (street) and then this Moose popped out out of nowhere. It was one of the guys that dress up as a character for a brand and then dance with a sign out in front of there store. So this moose character has the big cartoon eyes and big belly and everything. I couldn't help but stare at him. As I was looking at him, I heard some super dingy club music coming out of the store. Just that kick and snare with just a slimy feel to it. Next thing I know this moose starts busting out some dance moves, shaking his hips and moving all smooth - all while directly looking me in the eye. After about 30 seconds of just sitting in shock, I hurried and hopped inside the ATM to escape the gaze and dance moves of this moose. When I got out of sight, I just died laughing. 

Headed

I am now headed to Mexico City for good. The call came today, and so I will be off on new adventures in DF (another name for the city). The time has moved fast here, and I am sad to leave such a great area and great companion. I am grateful for the people here that have showed us love. So many memories and friends.

Photos

Week 15---March 6, 2017---BACK-TO-BACK, BY DEMAND, GUIDEBOOK TO BE HAPPY

Back-to-Back 

We were lucky enough to have back-to-back meals. We finished our meal, walked over to the next appointment, and they had prepared us a full-on meal as well. It was a bittersweet moment. I was pumped about having more food, but I was also stuffed from the previous meal we had finished less than 20 minutes earlier. I know. Rough problems haha. 

By Demand

We made some signs to advertise for our English classes here. The sign looked so slick and professional. We even put a little asterisk next to the days saying "The days and hours are subject to demand" hoping to up the excitement of the general populace. In Spanish we used the word "demanda" to signify demand. After we had printed out roughly 30 copies and showed them to our friends, they let us know that "demanda" signifies "lawsuit". Needless to say, we had to make a couple new signs. 

Guidebook to be Happy

The more I think of happiness, the more I begin to see it's simplicity. Literally we have a God that loves us because He is our Father. He wants only our happiness. Therefore, everything he tells us to do, is designed to make us happy. To be happy, listen to God, and trust Him enough to act on what He tells you. 

Obey Gods Commandments = Happiness

God is the only person that sells true happiness. And everyone has sufficient funds to buy.