It's been four days, and I'm already a burnt chicken nugget

February 29th, 2020

 Somehow the CCM is everything and nothing how I thought it would be. One thing I do know for sure is that God is mindful of you and that I'm so excited to have this chance to serve...

Alright here goes...

     Leaving my family at the airport was incredibly hard, and as I sat, waiting to board my plane I felt so alone, but the first tender mercy happened when a girl came up and sat next to me and just started a normal conversation and I was able to breathe and remind myself that it was going to be ok. 

     On the plane I somehow managed to sit next to the only non latter day saint in the entire Salt Lake airport, and I was able to bear my testimony and teach a small portion of the plan of salvation to the nice guy who sat next to me on the plane. There were two other hermanas on my same flight to my layover where we met up with two more hermanas. The five of us got to sit by each other, and when we landed there was a man holding a sign that said CCM. He loaded up our bags in a big white van and we got dropped off at the CCM, a mini paradise in the middle of chaotic Mexico City. 

     My days are full of language study and bonding with my district. There are only 4 companionships. One set of elders and three sets of hermanas, and four of us are going to the same mission. This transfer there were only 16 people who came in, and the majority of the CCM are currently hermanas. 

     Now is a great time to be here, it's clearly wintertime with a forecast of 80 degrees, and parrots chirping from the palm trees. The food is fantastic, and the fresh fruit is the best. With watermelon and pineapple in season, I'm in heaven. 

     My eating habits aren't the only healthy changes happening because my companion, Hermana Jensen, is a part of the military so gym time is taken seriously. Very seriously. 

     Overall, it's been amazing. The gift of tongues is real, and I'm so grateful for all of the love and support back home and here at the CCM. I truly can feel your prayers. 

     During one particular scripture study, we focused on the story of Aaron, teaching the father of King Lamoni. The beginning of this story stood out to me because Aaron wouldn't have been able to convert this kingdom without "the generosity and the greatness of the words of... Ammon." We sometimes don't realize the seeds we've planted throughout our lives if we don't get to see the fruit of our labors, but that doesn't mean we don't have an impact on those around us. 

     Dios te ama y yo te amo,

Hermana Udy