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.