Week 51~November 22, 2017~SIT DOWN...BE THANKFUL

Thankful

Be thankful. Say out loud something you are thankful for. Don't complain. Be thankfulllll.

I will start by saying that I am thankful for sandwiches. A good sandwich with some mayo, un tomato, and some ham. 

Also I am thankful for the opportunity to breathe. Life wouldn't be life without breathing. 

Also, I am thankful for family. Family is what makes me happy. When the family is all together, it's always a good time. 

Also, I am thankful for freedom. 

Also, I am thankful for the people that I have met and known in my life. All very good, all helping me along the path. 

I love you guys.

Week 50~November 13, 2017~CANA, CONOZCA LOS MORMONAS CON AGUA GRATIS, GENEROUS

Caña (CANE)

There were selling caña (cane) on the side of the street for 10 pesos. My companion asked me if I had tried it, and I said no, so he bought a bag. I'm pretty sure it's raw cane sugar in plant form. It has the texture of an apple, until all of the sugar and liquid is sucked out, and then its a mouthful of dried grass. It was super good, but then after like the 6th piece, I got a cavity, so I had to stop. 

Conozca Los Mormonas con Agua Gratis (MEET MORMONS FREE WATER)

We all had the super good idea of handing out free Jamaica water (water made with a flower that they call Jamaica) in the street, with little bags of chicharron (fried pig skin). We went to a super busy corner and started passing out cups of water and the chicharron to everyone we saw. It was a good time, although the majority of the people were just staring at us and wondering why we would do such a thing. 

Generous

The people here are very generous. If they like you, they take care of you. Even if they don't know you. For example we passed by a tortilla shop and they just gave us a tortilla for free. Also, if we visit someone, they will send their kid to go buy a coke or soda to give us. Little things like that are awesome. 

Week 49~November 6, 2017~RAUL, RUNNING, LIGHTtheWORLD, & PHOTOS

Raul

This week I earned my first Mexican name. We were with a family and they asked me my name. I told them Elder Sweat. They said but what about your real name. I said Elder. Then they bestowed upon me a Mexican name - Raul. Super macho y poderoso (powerful). I felt at least 6 inches shorter and 1000% more macho walking out of that room that night, purely for my new identity.

Running

Trying to run more this week. Its good for the body and brain. I feel like when my brain gets all stuffy, running helps it out a little bit. 

LIGHTtheWORLD

We are excited to help LIGHTtheWORLD this December. It is time to get helping. It is time to get serving more than serving yourself another helping at the dinner table hahaha. But check out the video, get pumped, and share it with todos (everybody). 

Photos

1. Trying to set up a timed photo, but forgetting to put the timer.

2. Timed photo with Elder Sevilla. 

Week 48~October 30, 2017~ESCUCHEN

Escuchen (Listen)

We met a man that belongs to the International Church of Christ. We set up an appointment to talk more in depth with him. We decided to listen to him without battling every little point that he brought up. We then taught him about what we believe. We both left the appointment edified. Too often we just want to be right more than anything else. But I think that as we listen to others to understand, we begin to become closer and respect each other more. 

Week 47---October 23, 2017---LOS ARCOS, NEW COMPANION, FAVORITE FOOD, COINCIDENCE

Los Arcos

Now we are working in two congregations: Los Arcos and El Molinito. We are excited for the new opportunities here. 

New Companion

Elder Sevilla, coming from Guatemala, is now my companion for the next 6 weeks. He is a champ and speaks perfect Spanish, go figure. We both have something in common: we like to eat Mexican food. 

Favorite Food

We often are asked what our favorite food is here in Mexico. The typical response is a list of 10 different dishes that are all equally delicious. Here there is no 1 favorite type of food. 

Coincidence

One of the coolest things about the mission is that we get to see a lot of coincidences happen. We will meet somebody in the most random way and find that they have been looking for the message that we share. A belief in God makes coincidences a thing of beauty and a sign of divine love. We stop believing that things just happen randomly, and start to believe that there is a being that is watching over us and giving us opportunities to grow, to love, to learn, to experience this life. 

Week 46---October 16, 2017---SWEAT COMO SWEATER, CHORIZO, AND PHOTOS

Sweat como Sweater

Everytime I introduce myself, I say "Me llamo (name is) Elder Sweat, como (like) Sweater." And now we have matching sweaters, slash baseball tees as an area. Although the two events are related in theme, I realize that they are not very relevant in relation to one another.

Chorizo

Mexico should be on everyone's list of top 1 places to visit, solamente (only) for the chorizo. 

Photos

Week 44---October 2, 2017---FINALLY & ON SERVICE

Finally

We got a chance to head out to a pueblo that was more damaged in the earthquakes, and we were able to spend a day there helping transport bricks for the fallen homes in that area. We were all super happy to finally get the opportunity to help in a physical way here in the city. 

On Service

One of the end purposes for what we teach and learn from Jesus Christ is to love those around you. Love without action is not love. We can get caught up in lavish statements, posts, and videos, etc. that preach love, but until we actually do something for someone else, we have not loved anyone. Many of us are comfortable in saying we love others, but have yet to love another person other than ourselves with our actions. We will dedicate large portions of time, building our image, wealth, skills, etc. but rarely dedicate time to help anyone else. It is not easy, but it is a worthwhile pursuit to truly love others. Our world needs love more than anything.