MEXICO MTC WEEK 1

I have officially served my mission for a whole week.  This week was full of both excitement as well as spiritual experiences.  My plane arrived to the CCM (Mexico Missionary Training Center) at approximately 10:00 p.m.  After a long plane ride, we we´re delighted to see there was cold Costco pizza waiting for us.  I was also paired with my first companion, Elder Pullman.  Elder Pullman and I are both serving in the same mission.  I couldn't have been more excited to be paired up with him, because we had already become friends on the plane ride. The next day, we were very busy with orientation meetings.  Some of the Elders said that once you make it to Sunday, the days will just fly by. After hearing that statement, I could not agree more.  Sunday was one of the most spiritual days of my life.  My companion and I were also made district leaders of district 15A.  Our district is amazing.  We were asked to teach a practice investigator on just the second day! Oh I forgot to mention, IN SPANISH!. The Spanish language is very difficult, but I really hope I´m doing well for my first week.
As far as the food, it´s alright.  I never expected to have tamales and tacos for breakfast.  However as the days go on, I´m learning to love the food more and more.  Our living quarters are very nice and I´ve truly enjoyed getting eight hours of sleep for a change. In regards to Mexico, it is AMAZING here.  It is so interesting to see how compacted the houses are outside the MTC  and the weather is absolutely wonderful.  It´s about 85 degrees here every single day!  Therefore, we play sand volleyball, tennis, and kickball almost every day for exercise.  Some people don´t enjoy their MTC experience, but I am truly having the time of my life.  Being surrounded my so many incredible missionaries and teachers is truly a blessing.  My teacher for Spanish doesn't´t speak any English, which makes it very hard to learn quickly, but I know I will learn more this way.
I love you very much and would like to leave you with my testimony.
Yo tengo un testimonio.  Yo se que Jesucristo es un hijo de Dios.  Y El Libro de Mormon es una palabra de Dios.  Soy muy agredicido por el evangelio de Jesucristo y la Expiacion tambien.  Este evangelio es verdad, yo se con mi corazon todo.  Tengo fe en el profeta Jose Smith y yo se Jose Smith es una profeta de dios.  Madre, padre, y hermana, deben leer el Libro de Mormon y preguntar a Dios por ser verdad.  En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.
Love,
Elder Smith

Elder Smith is in the MTC!

Elder Smith has made it to the Mexico MTC! After a long flight delay he is finally there and it looks like he already loves it :) Here is the email he sent Mom and Dad :)

1/29/14

Hi Mom and Dad,
I just got here and love it already! I also just received my first companion and my name tags. Mexico is absolutely incredible. It was such a culture shock driving through the city and seeing a much different culture. And yes my flight got delayed quite a bit, therefore it was a long day of traveling. Everyone here is so sweet and I know I'm in good hands. And as far as leaving, you did an incredible job! You barely cried, although you probably did afterwards. Please show this to Dad and tell him that I love him very much. And I did meet the 13 other missionaries and have befriended all of them including the one you met in Long Beach. The guy I got along most with is actually going to my same mission and he is my first companion. I honestly couldn't be happier mom and dad. And I'm trying my best to take photos. My first companion wants to be a photographer so that works out huh? Truth is, I did not expect my first day to go like this at all. The airline service was awful, but we as missionaries have to be patient. It is eleven o clock and we are heading to bed soon so I have to go, but I love you guys very much. I couldn't be in a better place.
Love you, Christopher
Hasta Luego!

I got a much shorter email, but it made my day knowing he was safe :)

Tara!
I GOTTA GO BUT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Miss you already!