I'm a Man!


I finally became a man this week. I’m no longer in the prepubescent baby phase of my mission. I’m now out of training and in the awkward transition phase of junior companion. I'm still in Obregon but in a suburb part of it where there are a lot more deep green palm and lime trees, fields, drunks, and an odd amount of tiny cats and puppies around our house. My companion is Elder Quiroz from Hidalgo. He’s another great companion with whom I've connected quickly. He finds joy in random English phrases and words like “cockadoodledoo.” 

Our area has a lot of people that are interested, including a family of 3 kids and a grandma that are progressing rapidly with their love of church. I've also been learning a lot more about the culture here. The other day we met a man that has a lot of questions and ideas about religion in general. He asked about how the prophets, Jesus Christ, Budda, and Joseph Smith all work together. We somewhat naturally responded about dispensations and prophets. His retort was about some stories from Mayan and Aztecan stories about different gods and creations (I believe something about the Mayan propubu). My companion handled everything while my boggled mind left my mouth hanging open. My companion told me about a few more different stories and cultural tidbits as well as about some different kinds of Mexican foods. It’ll be a good transfer. 

Along with our friends we are teaching, there are also a lot of those that are struggling. One person told us about how 3 of their children died, another about how her old aged mother has Covid and they don't know what to do, another had their spouse die a week ago and cried to us on the phone, saying they wished they could see their spouse in a dream and could hug them again. One member asked us how we keep going so positively when there are days when it feels like you can't get up in the morning. As one can imagine, it's hard to respond as a young adult gringo. It's very different from always hearing about these kinds of things versus being the one who needs to respond to them directly. Something my parents have talked a lot about is about sacrifice and altars. Part of what I shared with some of these people is about the grace of Jesus Christ; there are things that we can't do ourselves, but He can. I'm learning more of what that truly means to completely rely on Him. 

I hope everyone is doing well and you have a grand ole’ week! 
 Viva Mexico! 
The slightly tanner Elder d'Evegnee

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