Week 6

Well, every thing has to have an end, ya? The time has come my friends.

First, let me tell you about Thanksgiving. It was a glorious day and probably one of my favorite thanksgivings. I missed you all terribly, but I was so happy to spend it with my little district family here. The elders played their own "turkey bowl" in the morning. Someone brought a football and they got their fútbol americano fix. We decided to be the cheerleaders and took pictures to support them. It was all fun and games until a teacher came out and told us we weren't allowed to play it anymore. Whoops. It was fun while it lasted. We joked that it was only because it was American. We had class after that. I was expecting it to be a normal day, but our teacher was like "You are all good teachers, we will write grateful notes and listen to Christmas music." I was totally fine with that. He brought us some paper and we started writing. We each took a piece of paper, put our names on the top, and passed it around so everyone could write something on it. My elders were sweet - it was fun to see what they wrote. We had lunch after that. I was honestly expecting the normal pollo y tortillas de maiz that we have every day, but boy was I surprised. We walked into the comedor and they had white table cloths everywhere. They had made the traditional thanksgiving meal. Ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls with butter, pumpkin and apple pie WITH haagen dazs ice cream and gravy. OH MY CUPCAKES. After a month of eating unidentifiable Mexican food, it was heaven in my mouth. Definitely not as good as a home cooked meal, but I was SO grateful for it and the expression of love from the staff to honor our holiday was really sweet. It was great.

For the rest of the day, we studied a bit and taught one of our investigators. They had  special Thanksgiving devotional for us that night. Our evening teacher (vargas) told us he would bring us churros..the authentic kind..before the devotional. We waited for him, but he never came so we just went to the auditorium. Right before it started, he came and found us, brought us out side, and gave us the greatest thing I've ever tasted. It was a churro with marmalade in the middle. Some had chocolate, raspberry, or strawberry. Dang. It was so good. He was like "Happy Holiday" in his little accent. It was so cute. It was a really good day.

Yesterday was a bit rough. We had fast and testimony meeting and our district leader, Elder Fearnley, was the first one to bear his testimony all in Spanish. As soon as he was done his companion, Nelson, jumped up and bore his. Just like that, the rest of the elders in our district bore their testimonies one after the other and then Hma. Gates and I finished. I was sobbing. It was so cool to hear all of them bear their testimonies in Spanish. I just made me realize how much we have learned here. It was a powerful meeting. We took pictures with our Bishop and the Presidency afterwards and he gave us these organic, native made bookmarks. It's gorgeous and a fabulous way to remember Mexico. Last night, the Elders gave everyone blessings. Such a great experience, again. I was inspired to ask Elder Nelson, and it turns out he really wanted to give a blessing. I love how the Lord works. We watched Legacy last night, after the blessings, and then took pictures and said our goodbyes. Gates and I actually woke up this morning at 3:30 to see them off on the bus to the airport. That's where the real goodbyes are. It was so bitter-sweet, but I'm so excited for our Elders to have a fabulous mission. They will all be wonderful. We leave tomorrow at 2:30am. Yay for no sleep! It's great, I'm way excited to meet my mission president and see the area where I will be for the next 17 months. I love you all and can't wait to talk to you on Chistmas..yes I'm already looking forward to that. I know this church is true, and I know that there are people in Tempe who I promised before this life that I would come find them and teach them the gospel. I have been so privileged to grow up with the fullness of the gospel, and I am so glad that I get the opportunity to give back a little and bring it to my friends who have been waiting so long for it. I'm ready, and I know they are too. I love you all and I encourage you to find someone who needs to hear about the blessing of the gospel this week. Have a fabulous day! ADIOS MÉXICO.