Culture Shock Even For The Mexicans

These past couple weeks have been truly amazing! Ive enjoyed being a trainer but more importantly Ive loved learning how I can be a better companion, friend and leader! I feel as though I’m learning more than my companion which might be a problem but I’m trying to work on that. It’s been awesome as well to be able to speak better spanish and truly understand and get to know these people personally!

First and foremost funny story #1! We are so truly blessed to eat with members each and every day. They are so unbelievably kind and I can’t speak highly enough about the people here. BUT that also means sometimes you're going to have to eat things that you don't particularly love. That may have happened yesterday. Mole is not something that sits very well with me, but our mole was topped with old fried banana amd pork that I couldnt even chew. The Hermana's here give food quite liberally as well. A whole plate later CHUGGING my coke get it down... I finished. But its rude to not accept an offer for seconds. So I did what I had to do and said yes to seconds of rice and beans. What I wasnt aware of is my rice and beans came with a free side order of more bananas and mole!!! How can I say im not blessed. As my comp was making funny eyes at me choking down the food and laughing as I recieved my second plate, I took a couple bites and truly couldn't help gagging. I really did want to like it. BUT THAT DIDNT STOP ME FROM FINISHING!!! This is the Mexico experience! AND I LOVE IT! An hour later we stopped by another house and they bought us EVEN MORE FOOD. I’ve decided its time to get rid of this dad bod Ive made myself.

Funny story #2 My companion is hilarious and it’s been funny to see my companions culture shock even being from Mexico. Our very first day I was washing dishes in the morning and he went to get in the shower. There is a window that opens up in the shower that is right by where we wash dishes. As Im doing my do he slowlyyyy slides the window open and looks at me with the eyes of a wounded puppy and goes "no tenemos agua caliente "(we don’t have hot water?) Unfortunately notttt, Poor guy... but I thought it was funny.

I don't have much for a spiritual thought today but as I’ve been struggling through the ups and downs I’ve learned so so much. The love I have for the people that have supported me throughout my life is unexplainable. The parents who have molded me into the young man and disciple of Christ I am today. My silbling that know how to make me laugh and love me to bits and pieces. What a privileged life I live! With more amazing people than I can count. I could list a million people that have been such incredible examples to me in my life and to those people I LOVE YOU AND IM ETERNALY GRATEFUL!!!

I truly miss you all so so so much! I’ve missed hearing from you guys. Your sweet notes get me through the hard day and push me to be better when I become complacent. You guys are my strength! I love hearing from you guys!

I love you, God loves you and keep on going!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST MERRYYYYYY CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSS