HELLOOOOO!

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Guys! I made it! I'm in Mexico! Mexico is something else... its beautiful here 24/7. The CCM is practically all outdoors. Its so nice! There are palm trees everywhere and so much color... the CCM is right in the middle of Mexico City so you can hear just about everything... the bombs and police sirens and fireworks. All I can say is these people sure know how to party. EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY. Ees all bueno, though. But these are these hills that just surround the CCM and every house is painted a different color... its a rainbow.

So I dont even know where to begin. This week has been full of an intense amount of emotions. I have never been so unsure of myself before. The language... gosh dang. I was so discouraged the first couple of days. 

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to talk and express myself and write. I love words. So not being able to express myself about the gospel and about our Savior and about how beautiful life is is so frustrating.

BUTTT (pero), el don de lenguas es real. God has helped me get through 4 lessons with an actual invvestigator, say a prayer en Espanol, y bear my testimonio on Sunday. I know for a fact that Gods grace is filling me up. He is filling in the gaps. This has been such a huge and incredibly humbling week.

So about my vida here! Every single hour of the day is scheduled for us. We have lots of time for studying (I studied for 3 HOURS. TRES HORAS!!!), we have language classes, Book of Mormon classes, meals (la comida.... ooohhh boy muy buen). We also have tons of devotionals as a district.

My district is so great. We all get along so well and its honestly been a blessing. There are 4 hermanas and 4 elders in our district. LOVE them all. 

Mi companera es Hermana Hudson. Shes a sweetheart. It was a little awkward at first because I would try and say something funny and she wouldnt laugh so it was like no bueno pero shes warmed up to me A TON! I love it! 

Our first investigators name is Samuel. Boy oh boy was that first lesson terrifying. Its been going really well though! We feel comfortable now and are able to better understand his Spanish. We just havent gotten so good at responding perfectly yet lol

Overall the CCM is amazing. The spirit here is so strong. All of the elders and hermanas are so friendly and so willing to help all the time. I have ran into so many people that I know!! Like Nadia and Elder Bentall (Abby, he was in our ward at BYUI) and three sisters going to Nebraska! And I hear Michael Murphy is coming here soon! YEEEEE.

So I have a spiritual thought for all of you. I heard this on Sunday (Sunday is the best ever) and it hit me like a wave. I cried and cried because I knew God had prepared that thought for me.

In the Bible, do you all remember where a boy brings loaves of bread and fish for the Savior and the Savior feeds to multitude? Jesus Christ took something so small and so seemingly insufficient and made it feed thousands. THOUSANDS. I thought about this and it clicked. I dont feel qualified to teach and preach in Spanish, but I am willing to try my hardest. If I give my heart and just everything to the Savior, he will make me into something so much more than I could ever make myself into. The Savior is our Savior for a reason. He is here, willing and wanting to pick us up, carry us, make us stronger. We need to be humble enough to allow him to work on us. 

I know that this church is true with my whole being. I wouldnt be here, missing all of you so much, if it wasnt for my love for this church, the gospel, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father. I know that I am being backed up 100 percent. I can feel the love from all of you and Im honestly sitting here in tears because I am so grateful for the people in my life. Golly sakes you all are incredible.

I challenge each of you to find out what you need to sacrifice in order to become stronger. What can you do to become closer to God? I know God loves each and every one of you so much.

BUT LIKE I ALSO LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH TOO.

Keep on sending those emails!!!!! And letters. Letters are cool too.

I love you all. I miss you all. God is good, just remember that. Jesus Christ lives.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould