EMAAIILLLL (part 2)‏

Well this week sure has been interesting! From my teachers pulling the worst Aprils Fools Day prank ever and saying we had to stay an extra 6 weeks... to having one of our hermana companionships commit a lady at TRC to baptism, ITS BEEN CRAZY. Also yeah can't believe this is my last P Day until I am IN THE FIELD. How did time fly so fast!? This week was all sorts of goodness.

Our district just went on a little field trip!.... to the TEMPLE. Its was amazing! We couldn't actually go in to the temple because construction is being done, but we were able to spend a lot of time in the visitors center. The visitors center was incredible. So high-tech! Plus there was something familiar about the visitors center. It reminded me of America... is that weird to say...

Driving to and from the temple was quite the adventure. I have never been anywhere that was anything like Mexico City. There are colors everywhere, people crossing the street without bothering to look, too many cars to count... its crazy. I wanted to get out and explore, but we were stuck on the bus, with only the windows for our enjoyment. I cant even really describe Mexico City. Just so incredibly different than anywhere I've been. Its just buzzing with activity! It was exciting to be out of the CCM... after being in there for a solid 5 and a half weeks! 

I love the CCM though. So much. Its my Mexican home :)

So this last Sunday after Sacrament Meeting, I started to feel awful. My stomach was aching, my head hurt, and I barely had an appetite. It continued on the whole night and into Monday morning. After breakfast Monday morning, I told my comp that I had to go to the nurse because something just wasn't right. Turns out, I had this issue which caused an inflammation in my intestines. Nasty, right? So I was told to rest for 12 to 14 hours.... 12 to 14 hours of resting TO ME sounds like a waste of time on a mission! So I only rested for like 4 hours... haha I slept and gained a bit more strength back to go to lunch so my comp could eat. After lunch, my body was like, ¨HA nope!¨ And the pain kicked back in again. So we headed back to our casa, and of course, the house was being fumigated for 3 hours! AGH. All was well, though. We packed up our language study materials and headed to the class to study. Sooo long story short... either the food here finally caught up with me or I caught some weird sickness that was floating around in the Mexican air. Or both. I think its both. Sticking to fruit and salad and toast and gallons of water this week.

Annyyyywho not important.

What iiisssss important is what I learned this week. To be completely honest, the fact that I am leaving the CCM in just a few days really does freak me out. Its like all of that anxiety that overcame me the last few days before I left home is coming right back again. Its nerve wracking knowing that Ill be teaching actual people in Spanish. Its sad knowing that I wont see these friends I've made here for 2 years or so. But I was taught a very valuable lesson before my mission which I didn't actually fully learn and understand until a few days ago. Before I left home, I was told that a ¨warm hello¨ was awaiting me in Mexico. 

I wish I would've fully realized this my first week here, but it didn't hit me until I was sitting in my class, and my teacher said, ¨We all knew each other before this life, and we all promised each other we'd be here, in the CCM, together. And here we are! And now, you are going to go teach and be with more people you made promises to.¨ I sat there and was surprised by the forming tears in my eyes. I suddenly regretted not taking every moment to love these people with my whole heart. I felt guilty for not trying my best every single day, every single hour. But I remembered that advice I was given before I left... a warm hello is waiting for you. 

The memories and friendships I have made here in the CCM will always be with me, but this chapter is ending, just like the chapter before the CCM ended when I stepped onto that plane to fly to Mexico. I understand now that in this life, we constantly going to be saying goodbye to people, whether it be for a short time or for longer. Its hard - I feel like the amount of goodbyes I have said in the last 6 months alone is just ridiculous, but I know this... there is a rhyme and reason behind everything. God knows exactly what we need and exactly when we need it. Plus how incredible is the plan of happiness put together by our loving Heavenly Father... we get to be with the people that we love FOREVER.

Being here in the CCM has taught me several things, but one lesson in particular that has really changed my life is the importance of humility. I found myself one night, just on my knees in the bathroom after my companion had fallen asleep, asking for help and forgiveness. Every day I am learning more about my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. The more I am able to better understand the amazing and incredible gift of the Atonement, the more I realize how much I need it. I know now that in order to constantly feel the spirit in and out of my lessons with investigators, I NEED to be worthy. 

So I want all of you to promise me one thing... as Easter is getting closer, do anything you can to be closer to Jesus Christ. Please. Every good thing in this life that lasts forever is because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This is why I am here, serving a mission. Every soul deserves to feel the incredible love from God. Every soul deserves to know our Savior. No matter who you are or who you were, your Redeemer can literally change your life forever. Promise.

I am so grateful for these last 6 weeks. I have been stretched and pulled and made better every day. The memories I've made here are going to stay with me forever. Ah, I just love it here! I love this gospel! I love these other missionaries I am surrounded by daily! I love the Spanish language! And I love the fact that I get to spend 18 months teaching and preaching about my Savior Jesus Christ.

Because He lives, every single person, no matter what (seriously, not matter what), can feel true happiness in this life and in the life after. Just turn to Jesus Christ. Find him.

Yo sé que esta iglesia es verdadera y yo sé que Dios es realmente nuestro Padre Celestrial. Dios ayudará nosotros ser más bien cuando volvimos a él. Yo sé que yo necesito confiar en mi Hermano, Jesucristo, y no necesito tener miedo si tengo confianza en mi Salvador. Yo sé que por el poder del Espíritu Santo, puedo conocer la verdad de todas las cosas. El Espíritu Santo es un don de Dios. Es muy importanta a nosotros tenemos fe en Jesucristo y cuando oramos con fe a Dios, Dios contestará y dará más bendiciones, incluye gozo y consuelo. Dios quiere que todos Sus hijos sienten paz. Yo prometo que nostrosos damos nuestras vidas a Dios y confiamos en El, Dios puede cambiar nuestras corazones.

Lo siento if my español is no perfecto, pero yo sé que the main teacher is always the spirit.

I love you tons. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE. Really focus on your Savior this week. Try your best to love him with everything you've got.

xoxo

Hermana Brie Gould

...soon to be in Nebraska......