El CCM is muy fantastico...it is too hard to switch the keyboard and what I wanted to say had a lot of accents in it...downside to spanish. But I love it with all of my heart still! I am improving so much with my Spanish that I feel my English dwindling so now I will be bad at two languages! I love getting emails from you all, it really helps me when I have a hard time. I am starting to collect conference talks and articles from the ensign so if you guys end up reading something that you liked, send me a copy and tell me what you liked about it! You would be so surprised at how much it helps when I teach my investigators. This week is my 5th week here in the CCM and stuff is getting real. I just realized how short my mission is actually going to be! This Saturday I will have been gone for a month and I feel like I just said goodbye to my family yesterday! I have learned so much in such a short amount of time, it is truly the Lord's work.
Right now I have two investigators, Omner and Jazmin, and I love them dearly. I have been watching them grow in the gospel, even though they are my teachers they do an amazing job of playing a role, and from them, my testimony of this work deepens. This past lesson we were planning on teaching faith, repentance, the word of wisdom, and baptism but we only were able to talk about the first two because our investigator had questions. It was such an amazing experience because I was able to recall words and phrases that I have learned in class to help her understand why faith in the Lord is so important and the power and blessings that come from repentance. I love teaching people the gospel because every time they realize how simple it is, they get this sliver of hope and that hope increases to a desire to want to know of the truth. When they have that desire, they ask questions, and when they ask questions, we can better help them in their individual lives. I love this gospel because, even though I am on a mission -some people think we know everything-, I am learning so much and I can feel my faith in my Savior deepen every day.
My companion and I had some struggles this week, I won't go into detail about what happened but I know that this is the Lord's work because of how we were able to overcome our difficulty and strengthen our relationships. Also, just a heads up, because I had to do this this week or I probably would have exploded, talking to your bishop or branch president is not a bad thing in any way shape or form. Yes, when you sin a sin that is extreme enough you need to go talk to the bishop, but bishops are also called by God to help us and lift us up. As I went in and met with my president, the spirit was able to lift the burdens I had been feeling all week. I had an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort and I knew what I needed to do. I knew how I needed to change and how I needed to approach the situation. We always have help. Always. Anyway, we are doing fantastic now and we have such a stronger relationship. I love this work and my companion!
Every week we have to write a talk for sacrament meeting, and this week was on repentance. I loved this topic and I was super proud of my talk because it only had 20 errors! That seems like a lot but I promise you that is a huge improvement. I will send it home and have my family type it up or I will type it up sometime but this week I do not have time! I have so much to say!
Our latina casa mates left this week so we took pictures together and shared our testimonies before they left. The spirit was so strong which only proves to me that they Spirit testifies of truth and not of language. My investigators may have a chance!
Earlier this week we got two districts together and had an ultimate day of games. We played tag, zombie tag, sharks and minnows, ninja, and partner tag. I have never had so much fun in my life! It was the most intense work out I have had while here at the CCM. When the elders chase you around at full speed you feel a little bit scared and when you are scared, you run fast! Or in my case, moderately medium, but faster nonetheless. I love our buddy district! They share the TALL labs with us so we are with them everyday and they are like family to me as well!
I met someone here at the CCM that I went to seminary with in West Jordan my sophomore year! His name is Elder Simon Pope and at first I thought it was his little brother. So when I stopped and asked him about his older brother Simon he laughed and explained that that was him! Such a small world! There is also an Elder Berg here and an Elder Child and an Elder Blazzard but I doubt there are any relations to the people I know.
Today we went to the temple, we didnt get to do a session because the temple was closed for remodeling, however, we were able to drive through Mexico City and explore outside the compound. That is what some of the missionaries call the CCM. Mexico City is really dirty but for the most part the people are super nice! The temple is so beautiful because it is just surrounded by ghetto and is sparkling white. I loved it! We took pictures with our district and we selfied it up a few times throughout the day. My favorite part was when we were able to see the statue of Christ. This past week I have really been thinking about the similarities between the Savior and Joseph Smith, explanation later, and taking the time to think about what He has done for me really helped me develop a greater love for Him. The spirit was so strong there and it was absolutely beautiful!
This week we watched Joseph Smith, the First Prophet. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! I loved it so much and have never seen it before. I loved it because it showed me what Joseph had to endure and had to overcome to bring forth the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an amazing example for me and I love learning about him as I continue to study the restoration!
I have lots of scriptures that I found this week but I forgot my scriptures at my casa, the only one I remember is 2 Nephi 4. Read that, have repentance in mind, and try and make connections to why I felt the power of that chapter. If you don't know what repentance is, it is an opportunity given to us through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ, where we have the ability to wipe away all of the bad that we do. First we recognize that we are doing something wrong, Apologize for what we have done, ask God for forgiveness, try and make up for what we did, and then we forsake that sin. Forsake means to leave behind. I don't know the dictionary definition but when we forsake sins we strive and struggle to never do that sin again. Another part of repentance, as I have learned this week, is continually striving to become more like our Savior. I know that when we apply these principles in our lives we will receive blessings that we cannot number. The Savior lives, he loved us enough to die for us, and He is there for us to lean on. I know that this is true. I love you, God loves you, and we have the power to change lives today if we live righteously! I love you all have a fantastic week and try to recognize the hand of the Lord in your life!
Love from Mexico,
Hermana Kunz