New From the MTC in Mexico City!

July 2, 2013

Hello everyone!

I'm currently sitting in the Mexico MTC and, wow, it is beautiful! When I was told that it was a school, I really underestimated its size. Many different nice looking buildings, enough athletic equipment to make a sports gym green with envy, and a massive green park all make up this campus. It is gorgeous!

 

My flight went very well as well. I only had to wait for a few hours before getting on, and had a great time laughing at Jenna´s book. Some of the stories in here would be perfect for your joke book, Dad, if that gives you an idea of the quality and sheer amount of queso in them.

 

Once my flight started, I was very comfortable in my little window seat, and got a great view of the Valley as I left and Mexico City has we arrived. Speaking of the view, I had a kick seeing a nice green football pitch, two more fields right next to each other, an indoor field with its roof open, a soccer stadium, and a dirt patch with goal posts at the end all in the space of 30 seconds. I love this country already!

 

So, my flight went much, much better than expected. I sat next to a lovely couple named Richie and Audrianna, who I was able to open up conversation very quickly and smoothly. I found out that they were visiting family down in Mexico City, and were from Oregon! Close by to where Mom lived! Small world, huh. The best part was them asking about my trip and finding out about my Mission. They were a bit stunned to find that I'm willing to commit two years of my life in a country that I've never even been too sharing the Gospel. Over the three hour flight, I had several conversations with them about spiritual matters by breaking the ice with a humorous comment. A good sense of Humor is truly a gift from the Lord! (I might have even talked to them about the Articles of Faith, since it came up, but the drink cart came by and ruined the moment. I really despise alchohol right now!)

 

A few hours, a short nap, and a healthy amount of Scripture reading (Gadianton Robbers! It's truly sad to see how happy the Nephites could become in a short amount of time, only to throw it away with the sin of pride. It's like watching an abusive relationship on tv; they just keep coming back for more.) later, we arrived in the great Mexico City. I said goodbye to my new friends, and even had conversations with a few people who had sat in nearby seats, all wishing me luck on my journey and teaching me Spanish phrases I might need! I was blessed to sit by so many nice people.

 

In the airport, I almost got lost several times. The airport is massive, and the missionaries on the plane had no way to gather or find each other. Luckily, I talked in broken Spanish and quite a few "Como se dice's" to a few people and found my way to the Immagracion area. After meeting another great family, all a bunch of great teenagers on their way to their grandparents, I was able to find another Elder! I called him out by his title and we smiled and waved. After we both were through the gate, we joined up and started talking in full. His name is Elder Elsgren, and he is from Chandler, and we have all kinds of things in common. Sadly, he is going to the Houston South mission, Spanish Speaking. Isn´t it funny? We have several people in our group who came South of the Border just so they can head back up to places like Texas and Pheonix Arizona.

 

We met up with another Elder, a Dodds from Denver Colorado. He's actually going to Pheonix, and we had a great time talking about weather and the scary neighborhoods around there! Our two MTC greeters showed up soon after, but neither of them spoke a lick of English! Luckily, a bit more of my vocabulary is showing up then I expected, and we didn't have much to trouble communicating. After we waited an hour for another missionary, who we later discover had gotten lost in the airport, we got on the MTC bus and met the rest of our little group.

 

There are seven Elders and one sister, most going to Chile. One is even going to Concepcion, but he isn't my companion. Who is? I have no idea. We then packed in, and here we are!

 

This has just been a super fantastic experience! I feel like a whole different person when I'm talking about the Gospel with my fellow Elders. Better, more spiritual, and a brimming confidence that is kinda weird but really cool at the same time. I can't wait for more!

 

With love and prayers,
Elder Richardson