The Most Perfect Man On Earth

Hey everyone what is going on?!?! Its been an absolute blast these past 2 weeks in good ol ash-covered Atlixco. Some wild things went DOWN and I can't wait to tell you all about it.

First of all, my new missionary son is the absolute most perfect human on the planet earth and I will betray and/or sell out each and every single one of you all to protect him. He is HUGE too!! Hes like 6' 4" and he makes me feel like an absolute clown walking the streets with him. His name is Elder Pacheco and he is from Sonora, México. I absolutely love training him and he just has that New missionary energy and that is such a blessing for me and our área. Also he is so cute because he asks permission to do literally everything like, "Elder Ritchie, can i go to the bathroom during personal study?" Yes my son of course you can. Also, he is a baller!! Me and him make up that father son dúo on the basketball court, and let me tell ya that were unstoppable. I know that I literally just trashed on the mexicans for being horrible at Basketball, but he can Ball. This is the most hype thing ive ever done and I literally love him so much.

Also, Im sorry because I talk about the Volcano a lot, but things have taken a turn for the worse here. Popocatépetl has been unusually active here these past few days and the government is like making a whole ton of procedures because they are worried about the amount of activeness. There is so. much. ash. Literally it is crazy. Its like snow. Like every time we are outside, we have to wear masks to protect us from it. And our mission president sent us a message saying we have to prepare a emergency backpack because there is a possiblility we might have to evacuate soon. The government is already preparing like evacuation routes and our ward is literally flooding the group chat with information. I dont know it just has been absolutely crazy i never thought i would be living under an active volcano on watch to explode, so thats fun. Im gonna drop 3 videos down below to show you all whats really going on and you have to watch them because its crazy (sound up btw). Sorry Im gonna double up the email but its worth it.

At our Last big huge transfer meeting we had 2 weeks ago, I saw Elder Taggart!! He was in my CCM district and it was so hype to see him, he just arrived from being reassigned because he was waiting for his Visa.

Also, we had the bautism of Ximena!! She is the sweetest and really smart Girl. We found her family just visiting inactive families in our área Book and the change we have seen in her and in the process of bringing back her family too is absolutely amazing and makes it all worth it when people rediscover the relationship with their heavenly father.

One scripture that i fell in love with this week is, 2 nephi 2:1-2. It says, 

"And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren. 2 Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain."

There are 3 fountains in this life in which we experience pain and afflictions. 1. Simply be just being in the World. 2. Consequences as a result of our own agency or actions. 3. Pains as a result of actions of others. And the 3rd is probably the worst, because we didnt do anything wrong or to deserve it. And it was the same for Jacob. He suffered many afflictions as a result of the rudeness of his brothers. But, the promise is the same for us. We know the greatness of God, and he will make it so that we GAIN something. We have to put our trust in the Lord. Everyone has their agency, but the Lord is BOUND when we do what he says. And so he is bound to bless us and make our afflictions our gain.

Well, thats about it for today. But also I owe you all a big apology. I have been absolutely terrible at responding to email. I always feel bad because all of you are so supportive and send me so me so many amazing emails. But i hope you know that you all are literally the Best thanks for everything and Im gonna get better at responding to every email. Have an amazing week!! Love you all!!

Pics!!!

Mijo

A sick oven in a bakery

Elder Taggart!!

Our Masks

Baptism

The 3 vids