Como El Ejército De Helamán

Hello everyone!! I just finished up my last week here at the CCM! I leave for Puebla on Monday and I literaly couldn't be more excited!! But it was a crazy final week here and so much happened!!!

First and foremost the CCM itself still has been treating me really well. We went to the Temple again today and it was awesome once again. The weather has been absolutely perfect and I'm sorry for all of you back home in the cold and in the snow while I am here getting mad sunburned. But I am going to be sad to leave this place because they are preparing the CCM for Christmas!!! They're putting lights on all the trees and replacing all the flowers with beautiful poinsettias too. I'm really gonna miss the CCM and also my district too. We've learned and grown together and also we've had so much fun during these past 6 weeks. Just the other day I beat an Elder in my district so bad in an arm wrestle that he fell out of his chair. Also, this week we've continued to teach Latinos our lessons. It was pretty hard at first but we've hit a groove in our Spanish and being in tune with the spirit.

Something really interesting that happened this week is my district went on exchanges with a Latino district. So during all my studies, meals, and gym time I switch my regular companions to a Latino companion! His name is Elder Mendez and he is an absolute baller. He doesn't speak too much English which is clutch because my Spanish has really been improving. He calls me my Brother from another mother he is awesome. Our districts love playing volleyball together and we even introduced them to the world of Bioings. All of them are absolutely hilarious and one of them is going to Puebla South too!!

On a interesting note, I am a member of the CCM choir!!! Buuuuut, if I am being completely honest everyone is a part of it so I guess I can't flex about it haha. But it is seriously one of the most powerful things I've been apart of. Imagine 800 missionaries all singing together in a giant auditorium. We've sung If the Savior Stood Beside Me in a mix of Spanish and English, I Know That my Redeemer Lives in Spanish, and this week for our special visitors we pulled out the EFY Medley in Spanish. I literally get chills everytime we sing it. The spirit is so powerful and I wish you all were here to experience it with me.

We've also had a pretty crazy week in terms of visitors as well. We had the executive director of all MTCs in the entire world as well as the General Authority head director of all missionary work worldwide this week at the CCM. The CCM presidency explained to us that this was a once in a lifetime experience that has never happened before in the same week. They both stayed for a couple of days and gave devotionals as well it was seriously an insanely spiritual experience.

OK so here's a quick spiritual thought. This week I have truly gained a stronger testimony of the power of music. It is because music is the easiest way to invite the spirit into your life. John 14:26 says, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." The Holy Spirit is so important in our lives because first and foremost it comforts us in times of need. Second, it will testify of the truth of all things. Finally, and this one is very important to me as a missionary, it will bring you to remembrance of all things.

Also BIG shout out to my younger sister Eliza. She has been dominating her singing competitions and will actually be performing in a state competition soon!! So, if possible i encourage you all to wish her good luck and show her your support!! I can truly testify of her ability to share the gospel through her music and invite you all if you have the opportunity to take advantage of the powerful spirit her voice brings.

Anyways, I am so grateful for you all and hope you are doing good! My next email will be from Puebla!! I've only heard amazing things from the Latinos about Puebla and how it's soooo beautiful and the food is absolutely amazing. I literally could not be any more excited that it is finally my turn to be in the field!! Love you all!! See you in Puebla!!

Pictures!

Sunset

My Latino Brother

Oreo Cereal

Elder "Beast Mode" Stevens

The whole squad

Los Tres Nefitas

#11E

Colorful Houses

Esther

Mexico Puebla South boys

Lad Banderas