Week 3 - still going strong!

Elder Farley photo bombing!!

Dear Mom,

I have been helping as much as I can with my companion learning the language as I think he needs. I did the thumbs up because the people I took pictures with insisted. And yes, Andrew had my scriptures the entire time and forgot to tell me so that is fun! Dallin told me that he was learning Spanish right now so he will not be left out when we get back haha. I am glad to hear that my prayers for Caden and Jordan are being answered, that is really great news!  I knew of her but we didn't exactly know each other, that is still sad to hear! Who were the other 2 besides her and Hannah? I admire your diligence with the horse and forgiveness because if that were me I would have shot the horse! That is something I need to learn to control I guess haha! I got to visit the Mexico City Temple today! it was so cool! Andrew is exaggerating about the food! It is good 90% of the time, trust me! However, yes there are spaghetti and bean burritos but I just get cereal instead. I would like a blue blanket. If you can, send me my Tennis equipment for P-days, I have been getting so good here that I haven't lost a single game against anyone so far! If it is allowed, I really want to do that in Lubbock for a P-Day exercise. I have so many awesome pictures of the temple and paintings that I will send in some seperate letters. 

I am starting to get along with the sisters more so that is good news! Elder Savidor of the 70 talked to us last week and he gave a good talk on christ-like love. I learned this week that when you are obedient, you will still have trials but the Savior will help you with everything! I also learned that Sisters are very good at giving really spiritual lessons! I am getting a whole lot better at Spanish grammar and that is truly a blessing! There are so many missionaries here right now! Only 90 left and 200 arrived this week! It is getting really crowded in the lunch room! I feel really bad for Andrew because his companion is pretty boastful and has been trying to be sent home since day 2. He makes up stories about a Hernia that can only be detected when he has surgery back in the U.S, Andrew says it is really damaging his learning because they have to skip class 4 times a week on his companion who is the district leaders command! It really hurts me to know that my cousin isn't able to get the same experience as me because of his companion. It is even worse because they are going to Mexico City which means they need to know Spanish more than I do! 

I saw a video about this couple who were like Grandma Heath as the man had parkinson's and his wife was not able to speak and their love for each other really made me cry in the bathroom because it reminded me so much of Grandma! I know that she is in a better place! A bomb went off at the water pumps a few days ago and took our water supply out for half the day, so that was an interesting event. The catholic church has a thing where they will fire a cannon every weekend to honor a patron saint and it is funny because the newbies think that they are rifle shots haha, we don't tell them because their reactions are priceless! I am so happy to be halfway done with the CCM and in the mission field! I learned how to perform blessings and baptisms in Spanish this week too!

I also stayed awake in Sacrament meeting for the first time on my own so that is a progression. The elder from Lubbock and this other elder made a bet on who can live longer on a pure diet of peanut butter and water the longest and they gave me the honor of being the judge. After 3 days their health deteriorated so much that Elder Speed (from Lubbock) couldn't stand straight and the other was near the point of passing out! They called it a draw at dinner and ate 5 chickens. A devotional was given by the training director and his teaching style was just like John Bytheway so I liked it a lot! I led a Book of Mormon discussion in my district where we read about Ammon's conversion of King Lamoni which I thought was a perfect example for the missionaries! Yesterday I found a sticky note on my scriptures from Hannah saying " We cleaned your chairs for our Service Project, so you are welcome!", I had to thank her haha! Me and the teacher had a heart to heart talk and that was great! It has been great and I am excited for next week!

Love Austin!'

He learned to give blessings in Spanish this week!

Austin's CCM District at the Mexico City Temple

A friend from Weber - Elder Arrington

Street in Mexico

Mexico City Temple

Zarahemla Room

He found a Book of Mormon in Tagalog - which I learned!