I only have 6 days left in the CCM, I can't believe my time here has almost come to an end! I am so grateful to have had the chance to come to Mexico with these 18 other American missionaries. We've made history and we've had experiences that nobody else will ever have. This truly has been a remarkable opportunity. I love the people that I have met here with all of my heart. In the last five weeks I have been taken out of my comfort zone in every possible meaning of the term, but I have grown in incredible ways because of it. I know that this is only the beginning and that I still have so much more to learn as I move on to Panamá. Nathan warned me that everytime I got comfortable I should expect change because the Lord does not want us in our comfort zones. We learn the most when we are outside of our comfort zones. It is then that we are truly humbled and must rely on the Lord. It is then that we become teachable and the Lord can provide us with pieces of our full potential.
Most of our appointments are just instructors who take on the roles of 'investigators'. We also have TRC, which is when voluteers (usually members) come to the CCM to meet with the missionaries. This gives us a chance to speak with native speakers in a real-life situation. We always learn a lot from these experiences. Usually we just teach individuals, but a couple of days ago we were able to teach a family of four. I loved teaching them. Talking with them reaffirmed to me that this gospel is true in any language, in any country.
We've also been given the rare opportunity to teach a real investigator. Our instructor's friend is not a member and has been coming for a couple of weeks. His name is Itzvan. He believes that truth is inside each of us and we don't necessarily need to attend a church or have organized religion. He is also quite fond of marijuana and hallucinogens. All of the American companionships have been able to teach him. At the end of one of the lessons last week, he mentioned to our instructor that he felt something amazing that he didn't think he had ever felt before. Our instructor explained that he was feeling the Holy Ghost, like he had been taught. He expressed that he wants to be baptized! Teaching Itzvan has been an incredible experience. I have felt such a love for him even though I don't know him very well. I've been blessed to feel a little bit of how God loves His children. I was praying in preparation for our lesson with him last week when I received the distinct impression that God had been calling Itzvan's name. God is calling Itzvan to return to Him and wants nothing more. I could feel that same desire that God feels for His children to return. Unfortunately, we later found out that Itzvan was not going to make it to our appointment because he had overslept. My heart broke, and again I was able tot receive a glimpse into the way our Heavenly Father feels towards His children. It's amazing the love we're able to feel towards our investigators, there's nothing like it. I know something very good is about to happen with Itzvan and that's why there is an added measure of opposition. Thankfully, I also know that the will of God will be accomplished, despite opposition.
It rains quite a bit here, but last Wednesday we had the rainstorm of all rainstorms. It poured buckets for about 6 straight hours. We were walking through about 2-3 inches of water on our way to dinner. I loved it! There's something about watching such an awe-inspiring storm that brings a smile to my face. It was breath-taking. I have more of those kind of storms to look forward to in Panamá.
We get to go to the temple for the last time today. The Mexico City temple is beautiful and we've been very blessed to have the opportunity to go every week. It's been just one of the innumerable tender mercies that I receive every day here.
One last thought . . . we watched a devotional by Elder Richard G. Scott on Sunday. At the end of His testimony he shared something that really hit me. He said, "I know Jesus Christ lives BECAUSE I love Him." I'm not sure why that thought hit me as hard as it did, but I was grateful for it. Just a thought to ponder for the week :)
I hope you are all doing well and I love you all more than words can express!
Go foward with faith,
Hermana Falslev
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