2 weeks of a lot of stuff‏

Ok, so after getting my mom's email of "hey, haven't received an email in 2 weeks hint hint" I figured i should probably write again this week. In my defense, these last few weeks have been soooooo crazy! The first week of this cycle, when I wrote on monday, we were in the offices all day with the news on monday, Tuesday was changes and a pretty normal work day,we went to Teotihuacan on wednesday (I will explain in a second), Thursday we had to go to migration all day (in super nice part of town called Polanco), and friday one of my comps went with pres ALLLLL day from about 7am til about 11 pm to clean out all the houses that are now empty, and saturday was a normal work day. Sound exhausting? The answer to that question is YES!

First, what is Teotihuacan? Answer, Ancient Aztec civilization that is over 2000 years old. Is it awesome? Uh, YEAH! There were tons of people, all of which were trying to RIP us off for the cheap fake things that they sell to ignorant tourists for 20 times what it is actually worth. But it was an awesome experience! They even had original wall paintings that have been preserved for over 2000 years! Sweet. It was about a 3 hour trip to get out there and then another 3 to come back, we got completely fried because my neck was the only place I didn't put on sunscreen, but it was a blast! 

Polanco? Just a super nice upscale city in the middle of mexico city. We decided that we had a couple of hours to kill while waiting for green cards, so we went and got something for lunch and then we went to an art museum. It was interesting, but I don't think I am a very good art person. I just can't really grasp the whole This woman has a giraffe's neck and drawers coming out of her stomach interpretation, but it was rather entertaining.

Last week we went to Maravillas (second area) to say goodbye to some members and the convert I baptized while I was there! Turns out Raymundo (the 18 year old that I baptized) has now had the opportunity to baptize his younger sister and we are hoping that he will decide to serve a mission soon! Super cool opportunity! 

Yesterday we had to go get green cards again so we ran to wendy's to get some lunch (there are only like 2 in this entire huge city!!!!9  and then we decided to go to a really cool aquarium. It has 3 underground floors that have all different types of jellyfish, sharks, rays, fish, crazy things, and it was a blast too! I don't think i have ever been to a real aquarium before. I have been fish and sharks in tanks, but I think this is the first actual aquarium I have went to. It was a blast!

Now for the spiritual things! The last couple of weeks have had incredible miracles. our companionship has decided that if we want something from God, we must tell him what we are willing to do to get it. Each of us has goals as well as companionship goals that we are going to work on this week to truly show God how willing we are to work to receive his blessings! I have never really thought about that concept before, praying for God and then telling him "look, I am willling to do this, this, this, and this, but I am asking you to please bless me with THIS." it makes sense though. We must decide to be willing to tell God what we are going to do so that he will bless us. "I the lord am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." DyC 82:10. That has been something that has really helped me this week!

We went and made Horchata with the Familia Macedo last week and it was delicious! I love horchata, and now I  know how to make it! Yes! We had stake conference on sunday, and that was an experience! THere were many inspired talks that I really enjoyed! Also, 2 of the members in our ward were given the melquisedec priesthood (one recent convert that was baptized about 5 months ago, and another man who has been a member for 5 years, and is absolutely incredible!) It was such an incredible privelage to see them ordained. I know my life has been blessed by the Melquisedec Priesthood that my dad has held, and that I have never had a great chance to serve than I have while holding it. It truly is the link between us and Our heavenly father!

So, now a funny spiritual story. We found this incredible family last night. Please pray for them. Griselda and Salvador Alva. So this is something that I have seen a couple times in my mission but I love it. The father was willing to offer the closing prayer to the lesson. We explained to him a little bit about how we should pray and he started. He was doing such a great, simple prayer, and then his daughter (less active member) slowly started to help him when he got a little lost, and then finally he was just like "that's all I got" and his daughter just kept the prayer going for a minute and ended it. I have only seen tag-team prayers a couple of times in my mission, but they are a little funny. I am just grateful that the people are willing to try to pray in a way they aren't used to. This family is very special and I hope you can keep them in your prayers as they continue to receive the missionary discussions. 

Also, we went by with a lady named Rosario who is the sister of an old investigator who we were really looking for. we ran into Rosario and she accepted a return visit. She wasn't at the appointment, so we went to the house where we found Griselda and Salvador, and then we went back. As we were walking up to the door, a lady from the other side of the street said "you guys are looking for me." Ummm, what? Turns out, it was the old investigator Adriana that we had previously looked for. We go over and say hi to her and her boyfriend. We start talking to her a little bit. The conversation was a little awkward at first, but then the wheels got rollin. Turns out her dad is sick and has to be treated in a hospital that is in a completely other state (lame) and she and her sister have to be there almost all the time to watch out for him and take care of him. She received the mission lessons for a week... She read up to Alma 42 in the book of mormon, went to general conference and received at least the restoration and the plan of salvation. She know what baptism was and they had talked to her about it; she wanted to be baptized, but then her dad got sick. She has a hymn book, everything. This woman is incredible!!!!!!!!! We tried to set up an appointment, but because of her dad, she couldn't give us a date. She has our number and she is going to call us when she is home! I felt we should sing her a hymn, so I asked her if it would be ok? her words "You guys are going to make me cry. I'm here with my boyfriend, and now you guys show up. I'm just going to be an emotional wreck. God always just seems to send you guys when I need you most. I just don't want to cry right now.... But what hymn are you guys going to sing me?" haha We sang "Abide with me, 'tis eventide". I promise we have never sang that in tune in this entire cycle. I felt as if we were singing with angels to this woman. It was just such a sweet spiritual experience! Loved it!

Well, I think that's it for the next 2 weeks....ummm, I mean, uhhhh...... nevermind sorry mom haha  I'm grateful for the gospel in my life. It is a true gospel and I am grateful to be a representative of Christ. The mission is coming to an end. I literally have less than a month left in my mission. We gotta us the time we are given! I hope you all go out and help someone in need this week. You will know who they are. Don't be afraid, just have faith!

Elder Norr