Goodbye CCM

The district on their way out to the mission field.

Packages

http://www.missionarypackagemx.com/#!discounts-and-promotions/c1l3e

The website possibly can get a discount, and it works for my whole mission as well! I thought it was just for the CCM but since I'm in Mexico City it works!

He is here and he is happy

We have ten minutes today to explain travel plans or whatever. I am going to be in my actual mission Monday at around 8. Our mission is actually coming to pick us up.  That's how close it is. I'm not sure when my P day will be next, so if you don't get an email Tuesday, I'm not dead; I just have a different P day.

(Today, Ryan left the CCM and reported to the Mexico City East Mission.  The mission president sent this letter and an email that said, "He is here and he is happy.")

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saint Days

Mexico East Mission, Mexico City

March 2015

Dear Brother and Sister Haggard

We want to express our deepest feelings of gratitude to you and at the same time notify that your son, Elder Haggard has arrived in the mission field with good health and a sweet spirit of love and service.

We are on your service and we know that the Lord fill you of blessings for all the work that your son is doing in this great work.

We recommend you for the strenght and health to him, write him by e-mail every week , so it will help him to be in contact with you and your words uncourage him to follow every day working faithfully , we hope these words can be full of optimistical and faith

If in some ocassion you desire to say him some familiar matter, don´t feel you can´t do it, but call to the mission office or mission house but not directly or if he has our permission

President and sister Anaya

Mexico East Mission. Mexico City

Last Week in the CCM

We are doing something fun in our teaching practice now.  We are each investigators for the other companionship in our district. It's kinda fun being an investigator, but at the same time kinda difficult. It's hard to have preoccupations about something you know is true.

I've got some small world stuff. Elder Tuia, our district leader, got his patriarchal blessing from "Grandpa" Nash. (I put quotes because he is my cousin´s grandpa). Then also I met Hermana Terry from Aliso Viejo, who knows Anastazia, my cousin whose grandpa gave Elder Tuia his patriarchal blessing.

It's crazy that I only have a week left in the CCM. Then my mission starts. Then there is no trying to speak only in español. It is solo español. 

​It's fun here in the CCM. There are just little things that make it great. The fact that people play their nametags as kazoos. Playing Volleyball, Ping pong, basketball, soccer. Our teachers being the coolest ever. 

There are sometimes in our life that there are impossible things in our way. Things that seem that you can´t move how hard you try to overcome them. They are mountains in our way. "For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, remove--and it was removed. And if he had not had faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith." Ether 12:30  If we trust in the lord, He will help everything. He will help your mountain become a grain of sand that you may overcome it. Pray for help. He will hear and help you.

Elder Tinoco, our teacher in the morning

The tree

I love scripture study!

Hahaha my companion with Elder Tinoco

Dang the pic of my companion and teacher was squished.

the classroom

Sleepover.  The whole district in the living room

Tree Mystery Continues

(Letter from home talked about college decision time for Becca.) 

For prayer to receive answers, Becca can pray and make a choice. If the choice is one that makes her feel peace, it will be the correct decision, but if no answer is given, it just means the Lord trusts her to make the right decision. Or to pray specifically.  Presidente Tinorio shared about that this week or last week.  He said to pray with faith and say that you will do something, and "let it come to pass," that a thing you specify will happen. One example he gave was of an hermana who wanted to know who to marry. She said a prayer to let it come to pass that the one who called at 1:15 and said "I was reading my patriarchal blessing and was thinking of you" would be the one.  And it did happen exactly.  And he also shared many more experiences.

(photos from home trying to identify "the tree")

No, that's not the tree. It's a thick trunk and leaves are shorter.

The letter sent on February 16th arrived at the MTC on March 16.

My stomach is fine.  I got used to it a week or so ago. I'm drinking plenty of water. The rain is nice and there is tons of thunder so it is cool.

Cage Soccer is the Bomb!

Senior District

The weather is good here but we get rain every night. The first night was very hard rain, hail, wind, and lots of lightning. It was right after devotional last Tuesday, so we were all in our classrooms talking about the devotional and how important our calls are to save the lives of those who don´t know the truth. I started thinking about how Satan will try hard when important things are about to happen, and at that moment the hail ramped up to a point where I had to yell to share my thought. One of the hermanas in our "sister district" was completely terrified of the storm and we gave her a blessing. It was so powerful the spirit that was there. As soon as the blessing started, the hail calmed. It was still going on, we could hear it, but it was not on our building. The power of God through priesthood blessings is immense. After the blessing, with all the people in our building, we sang Paz, Cálmanse (Peace, Be Still) and by the time we finished the song the rain was gone. Oh, point of importance: we couldn´t return to our casas because of the rain. Just a huge spiritual experience. 

Hno. Polo told us something interesting about the ruins in Teotihuacan. The temples there are built with three levels, and there is the temple of the sun, the moon and some smaller things. the Positioning of these is significant. There is a road that goes through this site starting at the stars, then goes under a river to get to the Temple of the Moon and then the Sun. 

An illustration of what I think Teotihuacan is set up like.

There is also a monument with one stone in the center of twelve other stones. The significance of these things is not known to historians, but we can understand these references. The sun and the moon represent the celestial and terrestrial kingdoms which can only be achieved by baptism, going under water and back out, and the twelve apostles that were called by Jesus here in the Americas. The name of the place also holds significance: Teo meaning Dios (God), Ti meaning lugar (place) and Huacan meaning llegar a ser (to become).

I have talked with some of the Latinos here and it's awesome to be able to understand and speak with them. (somewhat) 

The 13th was Elder Tuia's birthday, so we got some cheesecake smuggled in from outside. 

We said goodbye to 14A and it was cool, sad, and weird. Even though we've only known each other for 4 weeks, we got really close. And it was weird because we are now the senior district, and in two weeks we will separate and be the newbies. 

 

This Sunday was again, as always, amazing. Presidente Tinorio spoke on specific prayer and remembering Lot's wife. Specific prayer was cool to hear about because if we ask exactly we will receive. The example he gave was of the story of Rebekah at the well. The servant, sent to find a wife for Jacob, prayed that a daughter of one of the men of the town would come and fill for water. Then when he asked she would give him water to drink, and give for his camels as well. And that exactly happened. Presidente Tinorio also gave some examples of missionaries who prayed exactly and received.

We then watched Joseph Smith, the Prophet of the Restoration. (cllick to watch) It was great. Everything I watch is different because I'm a missionary. There were a lot of things that stood out more to me. I want you guys to watch it; it'll be great I promise. One of the things that stood out to me was the way Joseph Smith shared the gospel. He shared it by having the person read the Book of Mormon, then to pray for the truth. The same way we preach now.  Then when in the movie Alvin died, I thought of Russell (a friend who died young). I thought of the picture of him pointing up because he didn't know where he wanted to go on his mission. I thought of how I'm sure he is preaching in the spirit world, doing the same work as I'm doing here. I then felt a small hug.

I am glad to know that I have support with me from the other side as well as from home. 

I sent in a previous email of how I realized the Holy Ghost has a body but of Spirit, In 1 Nephi 11 when Nephi sees what his father saw in a dream, he is shown it by the spirit "for I spake unto him as a man speaketh; for I beheld he was in the form of a man; yet nevertheless, I knew it was the Spirit of the Lord." (verse 11)  I had never realized that before but I had read that verse many times. That is a testament to the importance to continue reading the scriptures.

How is everything back home? What exciting things have happened?

I want to hear from you guys.  It's awesome to hear how you are doing.

Side stuff and questions: you don't have to put these in the email. I want a calendar of all the saints so I can know for whom the fireworks are celebrating on a particular day. (sent) I also want to know some base words or something of aztec, so I can translate the city names and stuff.  (see this Nahuatl or Aztec language page)

And also ¿what is the eso si que es joke? I want to tell Tinoco it.

You have to tell this joke in English...

A Latino man who spoke very little English went into an American department store to buy socks. He found his way to the Men's Wear department where a young lady offered to help him.

"Quiero calcetines" said the man.

"I don't speak Spanish, but we have some very nice suits over here." said the salesgirl.

"No, no quiero trajes. Quiero calcetines." said the man.

"Well, (still unsure) these shirts are on sale this week." declared the salesgirl.

"No, no quiero camisas. Quiero calcetines." repeated the man.

"I still don't know what you're trying to say. We have some fine pants on this rack." offered the salesgirl, beginning to lose patience.

"No, no quiero pantalones. Quiero calcetines." insisted the man.

"These sweaters are top quality." the salesgirl probed.

"No, no quiero súeter. Quiero calcetines." said the man.

"Our undershirts are over here." the salesgirl fumbled more frantically.

"No, no quiero camisetas. Quiero calcetines." the man repeated.

As they passed the underwear counter, the man spotted a display of socks and happily pointed them out as he proclaimed "¡Eso sí que es!".

"Well, if you could spell it, why didn't you do that in the beginning?" asked the exasperated salesgirl.

Week Three, March 10, 2015

We went to the Temple Visitor Center today, and that was pretty cool. The temple isn't as big as I thought it was from the pictures, but it is the biggest temple outside the United States. It's really cool looking, and I'm excited for the rededication.

I don't think I saw any volcanoes on the flight in. Maybe I did, but I didn't recognize it.

Happy Birthday to Ethan and Connor.

On Thursday we went to the immigration office in the Centro (middle of Mexico City where no one lives. There is just offices, malls, shops, etc.)  We were there to make our visas into ministerial visas.  There were statues and things on the streets on the way back and a few of them were: Tepanquetzal (? I dont really remember the name), a monument to Benito Juarez, and there were some ruins right in the middle of the city.

The same day we did TRC which is kinda like just doing the conversation after dinner with missionaries. So we just taught a quick 10 minute lesson with a member from around here.

On Friday we did practice teaching. We do a lot of things with district 8a because they only have two elders. The practice teaching was just one on one and I taught/was taught by Hermana Ogden, who funnily enough is going to Ogden on her mission. It was kinda hard to be an investigator because I had to create a person to be.

Sundays really are the best! We watched a broadcast of Elder Holland, and it was great as he always is. One thing he taught was that we have investigators and we are investigators. We are just farther along the process than they are. So we need to do all the commitments we give: to pray, to read the Book of Mormon, etc. so that we can feel the joy of the spirit as well.

I have been blessed with calmness. Even though there is contention around, I can stay calm. 

I love all the people here at the CCM. All the maestros and staff. The Maestros in our building are all very funny and loving. Silva is very fashionable and entertaining; Polo is really funny and jokes around a lot and good at massages; Cayetano and Tinoco are our teachers and very awesome. And also the people in the comedor and other staff are the same: awesome and funny.

I got a Spanish missionary joke: Que es la diferencia entre una manzana y una novia? 

No es pera! ahahahaha

Whats the SOCKS joke?

The Temple! so Awesome!

​Our District and the Cristo Statue in the Visitors center.

Since the temple is in our mission we met some of the hermanas that serve in the visitors center and the mission office is right next to the temple.

​The visitors center (the middle pane is shattered with two holes) 

​In the visitors center was cool. There was cool church history in Mexico room in the back.

​Repping the West Coast.

​Selfie with 8A. Sorry Elder Inskeep, the hermanas looked better in this one.

​The sick bag I got at the tienda next to the visitors center

​Better pic of the district.

​More of the city. Most of the houses look a lot better up close. It's just that they are all grey or bright that they don't look that way.

The robin sounds right. (Rufous-backed robin) The tree is straight, single trunk, kinda thick, rough dark bark. I am going to get a CCM t-shirt with a aztec medallionish thing on it.  

That's really cool about the OC Fair!  I know that the Lord is blessing you because I´m here. That's awesome.

That looks like a cooper´s hawk.  (Mom sent a photo from the backyard.)

I got the blog post, but I had to confirm my email first and It looked like it was blocked but I guess it worked. I was kinda scared to click the link even though I knew it was ok, just because it was "the internet".

The weather is nice.

3 March 2015

The weather is nice. It's kinda hot when we are running around but other than that it's great.

I want to know what trees and birds there are around here, so can you be my internet? :) The tree in question is a full tree, dark bark and kinda blade like leaves.  There is a robin here but doesn't have the same call as an american.

We do email on Tuesday around 2 here. Tuesday is our P-day. We play volleyball about every day for our gym time. The CCM is in a valley so we can't see Popocatépetl.

The CCM is so great and pictures don't do it justice. Sundays are the best. 

We are soon to be receiving new missionaries in our zone so that will be fun. 

Our investigator that we taught is now our teacher Hermano Cayetano. He is really cool. We now have two investigators (Hno. Tinoco y Hno. Cayetano) and a limit of a 20 minute lesson. It's hard to teach only 20 minutes. 

Nearly every day there is a fire nearby. I don't know if they are set or natural, but they don't seem to spread.

In Mexico the people celebrate saints and they do so be lighting off fireworks. There is a saint for every day. It's kinda noisy here. Especially with the sirens and other car noises. and parrots.

It's nice how things are cheap here. I will go to the tienda and buy a bunch of stuff for around 3 or 4 dollars. The sweets here aren't as sweet and it's kinda nice.

CCM (or MTC in English)

tacos

CCM

The District. (Elders: Lightheart, Clark, Willis, Haggard, Te, Inskeep, Tuia, Turner)

​I am the Cuchara Hechicero. I can't tell you what it means to be the hechicero, but if anyone goes to the CCM you may find out.

​Doing Laundry.

...

...

JK we have washer/dryers in our casa.

I have been reading Jesus The Christ (by James E. Talmage), and it is excellent. So many things in there that are awesome to think about.

Spiritual Thought: I never thought of it this way before but the Holy Ghost has a body. He has a spiritual body just like us, but is omnipresent and omniscient. In the Godhead there is: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. It is good to know and to remember that we are teaching with a God helping us, directly with us.

Another: For us to be wise we need to allow ourselves to be helped and to ask for help. When we need help our Father in Heaven wants to help.  We just have to come to him and ask.

For future missionaries: bring more Tshirts.  I only have two and I'm sick of them already.  

They give us an allowance of 100 pesos a week. That's enough to buy a shirt. The money doesn't transfer to our mission so we spend it all. :) (getting drinks, snacks, ice cream, etc.)

The Temple isn't open now but will be reopened in September, i think, and that will be an awesome experience because we will probably be there doing something. From the CCM each District gets to go to the visitors center sometime and it will be cool.

I dont know if Connor or Tanner are subscribed to the blog. Could you make sure they are? 

On the blog, can you put missionarypackagemx.com? Packages will not likely get through if you send them from the US, unless it's private postage (FedEX).  On the missionarypackagemx website you can order things, and they will send it from here in Mexico. (Run by CCM pres' wife.)