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Fireworks or Gunshots?

October 16, 2019

I feel like I am in an episode of Naked and Afraid. Except I'm not naked, I am just afraid. Haha just kidding, but I do feel like I am on survival mode, because we made popcorn in the drying machine because our house doesnt have a microwave. My district also likes playing a game that we like to call, "Fireworks or gunshots". Every night we hear loud bangs, and most of the time it is fireworks. But sometimes, it sounds more like a gunshot, and then we usually hear police sirens afterwards. So we all make guesses on if its a firework, or if someone got shot. Kinda sketchy, but theres not very many other games we can play haha.

The CCM is starting to grow on me! Its literally prison but I am used to it. I am on week 3 of 6, so I am halfway done! The first 2 weeks were really, really hard, but I think I have adjusted to the lifestyle by now, and warmed up to everybody. But staying inside the classroom all day, everyday is driving me crazy! I am counting down the days till I can go to New York and roam free, rather than be inside these walls for so long. Also, this week we finished our "Basic Core" Spanish book, and moved on to the "Intermediate Core" Spanish book, so its starting to get harder. My companion and I teach 2 lessons EVERY DAY to 2 of our "investigators" who are actually just our teachers. Its kind of scary teaching multiple lessons a day in a language I am not confident in yet, but it usually turns out okay. Usually. Sometimes its a mess. I am definitely far from perfect but I think I am able to get my message across in Spanish. Elder Booth, who isnt my companion, but is in my district, is such a cool guy! I think I talked about him in my last email, but I am mad I didnt meet him a long time ago! We just talk and talk about everything, and its nice having someone else other than my companion I can talk to on that level, you know?

Spanish is coming. Its overwhelming but I continue to learn new things everyday. A lot of the teachers here speak little to no English, so I am kind of forced to figure out what they are talking about haha. Speaking of teachers, Hermana Rueda, who is like a grown up Dora the Explorer (I absolutely love her) transferred districts and isnt teaching us anymore! Her replacement is much less exciting, so I feel less motivated to pay attention, but I do anyway (dont worry mom). My companion Elder Martin is alright. We definitely have our differences but we are also one of the better companionships when it comes to getting along. He is great at Spanish but he joined the church like a year ago and has never read any scriptures and he honestly doesnt know his stuff. Most of the time, he is super depressed because he doesnt feel prepared to be here. Its hard on me too because he knows Spanish but not the scriptures, so the lessons we teach are kinda wack, because I am the opposite. Its a little frustrating that he didn't come here prepared, but I try to be patient.

Its been a good week! Learned some Spanish, learned about Jesus, I am going to the Mexico City temple today, and I have been working hard. The highlight of my week is that on Tuesday, Elder Davis fainted and got sick and was told he needed to stay in the casa the rest of the day, so we all joined him for "emotional support" and took a nap. Last night we had a devotional with Quentin L. Cook, and he said that he was companions with Jeffery R Holland on his mission! He also showed us the ORIGINAL documents of Alma 34, and some other scriptures translated by Joseph Smith, like the real deal, original copies. It was really cool. Here is my favorite scripture that I read this week.

D&C 11:21
Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then your tongue shall be loosed; then if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea the power of God unto the convincing of men.

I liked that scripture because it is a perfect explanation of why I need to be in the CCM, so I can first obtain His word (which is Spanish, and also more principles of the gospel) and then I will be effective in New York. It was nice to read that my work here is necessary.

I HAVE LOTS OF PICTURES TO SHARE THIS WEEK.

Con amor,

Elder Webster

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