(Collin was originally scheduled to leave the MTC on September 24 for Phoenix AZ. He comments on my comment that this may be his last email from the MTC, and wondering when we will be able to hear from him next. Also FYI Anna just got her permit--Cindy-MOM)
¡Hola!
I hope all is well with everyone! Mom, I have heard that I will get to e-mail again this Sunday,
but I am not sure. We haven´t been informed of what exactly will
happen, but I am sure that we will be able to let you know that we have
arrived safely. The Itinerary for the flight may have changed but I will
know by Sunday hopefully!
It sounds like you are all pretty busy! Glad to hear from you guys.
Anna, I hope you aren´t making the rest of dad´s hairs turn grey by
your reckless driving. :) Just remember, those octogonal red signs mean
¨slow down¨ or something. Also, don´t hit squirrels. They ruin the
bottom of your car.
So a lot has happened this week! I will try to give a few
highlights. The whole weekend was Mexican Independence celebration,
particularly Saturday and Sunday. The entire CCM met in the gym Saturday
night for a presentation of ¨Noche Mexicano!¨ We learned a little about
the history, sung the national anthem, watched a bunch of Mexican
Dances including the Mexican ballet...? Haha I honestly have no idea
what was going on, but there was a lot of screaming and shouting ¨¡Viva
Mexico!¨ The dancing crew were all native members and sang that Armies
of Heleman and As Sisters in Zion medeley at the end, it was awesome.
The people here are SO proud of their country, its pretty cool. Also, Sunday
night we got to stay up late and watch the live feed of the Mexican
President do some short ceremony, and the whole nation repeats what he
says saying ¨¡Viva!¨and such. I wish I knew more about Mexican history
and culture, but It was awesome anyway. The whole weekend there was
constant booming and explosions and fireworks throughout the city. It
was very loud, but we all got used to it. They told us not to stay
outside Sunday
night because the people shoot off pistols into the air all night as a
tradition, and they didn´t want anyone to get hit! Kinda sketchy. Hahaha
Oh yea, our district sang ¨¨Come. Come Ye Saints¨ before the CCM devotional on Sunday
night! We are pretty bad!! Half the district is tone deaf, the other
half sings quietly. Haha So I played the piano and we endured it.
Everyone stepped out of their comfort zones, it was sweet. And it didn´t
turn out as bad as we had thought either.
A couple scriptures I came across this week that I really love. The first is in 3 Nephi 18:32
in the Book of Mormon. The Savior explains that those who disobey will
not be numbered among his people, but that ¨ye shall not cast him
out...for unto such ye shall continue to minister; for ye know not but
what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of
heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing
salvation unto them.¨ We cannot give up on people! In the words of
Elder Holland, ¨Any [situation] can and should be a missionary
[situation], if we have EYES to see and EARS to hear.¨ We must always
remember that the gospel is for every individual human being. It is the
power of salvation and happiness in this life, and in eternal life to
come. We cannot judge someone just because they have chosen to take a
different path. Rather, we should love them sincerely, and pray for
them, and continue to minister unto them. We can truly be ¨the means of
bringing salvation unto them¨ if we will listen, both to them and
the Spirit. Don´t lose hope! Show those you love that you love them!
Show them that Christ can and will heal them, whatever their need is.
2nd Scripture. At a certain time this week I was not feeling the
Spirit. In fact, I was feeling anger, irritation, fatigue, boredom,
pride, fear...everything that is NOT of the Spirit. I was struggling
with my companionship, and it was affecting my teaching and learning.
All I could think about was MYself, and how hard this was for ME. I
opened the scriptures to Alma 34:19 ¨Humble yourselves and continue in
prayer unto him¨. I realized that this is the only way we can get
through our struggles. Be humble, accept and believe that the Lord will
and can help you if you continue praying to Him. This is the exact
lesson I needed to learn. We , humble ourselves, we open our hearts to
God, and then we forget ourselves and let Him take care of us. Verse 28
tells us that our prayer will be in vain if we have not charity for
others.
There is SO much to be learned from the scriptures. There is
literally something in them for EVERYONE and for EVERYTIME. If you have
not discovered the joy found in the word of God, and the peace found in
His mercy for us, I encourage you to do so prayerfully. I promise that
the Lord will comfort you, He will run to your aid, if we but humble
ourselves and come unto Him. He is waiting to help us, for he loves us
more than we can know.
I know that this Church, the restored Gospel, and the Book of Mormon are true. I love it.
I love you all!
Have a great week!
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