Elder Brighton Fox: August 2017

HOLA AMIGOS!!!

I made it :D I have been told by a lot of y'all and basically everyone here that I just need to make it fto the first P-Day, and I did it! haha, for real though, the first week was absolutely insane. Lets start with the plane. For those that could make it, thank you, for those that culdnt, thank you too, haha it was really crowded XD. I kept my cool through the Moving Sidewalk of Tears, but once I finally said all of my goodbye's and got through security, I saw my dad start to get everyone to head out, once I saw that, I bawled, haha. I ran into my bishop right after security and that was really awesome, he gave some real good advice. Then I got to try and find my plane, which I almost missed because by the time goodbyes were done, it was about 15 minutes till take-off. The plane was awesome, it was roughly 7/8 full of missionaries, but his is when my typhoid immunization shot started to be a jerk.

I had gotten the immunization the day before (normal Fox last-minute things), and the doctor told me that it might make me weak and sick the next day, I told him I was leaveing the next day, his expression should have been a good warning of what day 1 was going to be like... Once we landed and got through costoms, my arms and legs felt like they had been working out hard the day before, they didnt want to do anything. Which was really fun when we had to walk to a waiting room, and than all the way across the airport and down a street to where the busses were parked. Than we got to sit in the (no AC) bus for an hour XD full suit and body pain made it a very fun expierience. Driving to the MTC (CCM in spanish) was awesome! Mexico traffic is insane, it felt like a Disneyland ride, and the rule here is the bigger you are, the more right you have (pedestrians=none, motorcycles=ver little, semitrucks=all, etc), so as a large bus, we just kind of dominated the traffic. Got here in about an hour. Than we waited on the bus for another 30 minutes to let the rain stop (it basically rains hard for an hour everynight here). We all got off and they took us to sign in and than food. Apparently I was looking pretty bad (by this time I had the body aches, a huge headache, and some pretty nasty naseau), because a lady (later found out it is the presidents wife, super awesome and kind) asked if I was doing okay and my response "didnt make a lot of sense", long story short I got to skip all the day 1 dumb introductions stuff to lay in a clinic bed and eat crackers, 10/10, would recommend. Than finally got cleared to head up to my dorm and got to meet my companion and my district. (10 missionaries who go to all of our classes together).

The next few days were...busy. I quickly realized just how fast they move here. I learned how to pray and testify in spanish on day 2, and by day 3, we had to give disscussions in spanish only to "investigators" (teachers pretending), but they don't like help you if you dont know a word, you just gotta work around it, and she (her name is "Carolina") asks a lot of questions that I would have some trouble answering in english. Yeah, its craazy. They also gave us all this sheet of 300 words, 60 phrases, and 4 scriptures called Basic Core that we had to completely memorize in 10 days. Sounds a lot easier than it is, because our days are loaded with language study (where we dont practice the Basic Core XD), "investigator" lessons, Book of Mormon; Doctrine & Covenants; Bible study, and (my personal favorite) food.

As many of you know I am a somewhat picky eater and cant handle the spice of a bell pepper, so I was terrified for the food, but HOLY COW, its amazing! They always have a Mexico option and a MexiUSA option, and I often just go for the Mexico option, because it is incredible (I am going to gain at least 20 lbs during these 6 weeks). I could not explain most of it, because it is some pretty different stuff, but it is always meat based, so solid plus. The drinks they have here are really good too. They have these "drinkable yougurt"s that are mango flavored that most people dont like, but I LOVE. They always have a ton to eat (lots of side things to grab). Also, small side note, I like salad now, haha (or rather I discovered that ranch, ham, and cheese can make lettuce taste good). I still love your food Mom, but this stuff is Awesome.

A lot has happened in this one week that I dont have a lot of time (limited email time) to explain. My companion is awesome and got called as our district leader (which means I get to follow around to all the meetings and have an input, but none of the responsibility)! We got the chance to go to the Mexico City Temple, It was INCREDIBLE. It had a lot of aztec inspired designs and was absolutely beautiful. I have never felt the spirit as strong as I have had here, and I feel it almost always. I am super grateful for everyone who made this possibe (everyone recieving this email) and love all of you. I have to run :( so I have to end here. I love each of you more than you could know, and am so excited to be out here (no matter how hard). till next week, LOVE Y'ALL!!!

<3 Elder Fox