"My knuckles are chapped I'm going home" - Elder Hamp

Holy cow the weeks are starting to fly by, I cannot believe that I'm going into my third week here at the MTC! Before I go into what happened this week I thought that I'd probably go back and clarify a few things I missed in my previous email. First of all, you may have noticed that there are only five elders in our pictures. Elder Downs was our district leader but had the courage to open up about some things and ultimately was sent home. It was really hard even though it had only been a week plus a little. He was a big part of our group of Elders and we miss and pray for him every day. He was a great leader and set a great example for everyone. Because he went home, we had to move to a casa. Keep in mind, this was all happening in the middle of me splitting up my email time so that was difficult. So we got all moved into our new home, which does not have hot water for as long as you want (if any). We've made it work and just work in a trio at times when we're doing our daily activities.

 I guess I should give a brief introduction to the Hermanas who I failed to address last week: At this point, we have 5 elders and 4 hermanas which is very odd in terms of the regular district, but we're all really close and are grateful that we can learn and grow together. Hermana Hoopes is killing it at Spanish and shows us up in lots of the things we do and she lopped off a bunch of hair today which was a bold move. Hermana Hungerford is real solid in Spanish as well, she's quieter, but we're all slowly opening up more. Her and Hermana Wallace are both John Mayer fans which I love, I helped Hermana remember the name of a song she couldn't remember which was quite a proud moment for me. Hermana Wallace's favorite movie is La La Land and I can relate to that (You still need to see it mom! And don't take this out so people don't see it, they can help me get you to finally watch it). Hermana Feser is big into travel and is probably the best at building our togetherness which is great. 

Okay now onto the current week. It's hard to remember everything that's been going on, luckily I've got a good journal going and can always look back at our massive schedule. Shawn Hamp and I still go to the gym to get absolutely massive. The CCM gym is probably one of the only places on Earth I can go and not feel like I'm being judged in the weight room. At the moment I can't recall much so I guess I can talk about Christmas. I had the best Christmas breakfast of my life... instant potatoes over spam, what a meal am I right! After lunch we all got to call home. It didn't end up being a Skype which was too bad, and they also literally put a countdown clock of 30 minutes in front of us so that was a little frustrating too. Anyways, we blasted through that phone call with as much information as we could cram into so little time, but it was just great to hear from everyone and get to talk. We had a devotional at 11:00 that was streaming from the Provo MTC with Elder and Sister Bednar which was really great. Bednar is always so straightforward with his message which I really enjoy. He mainly talked about missions in general and some about personal revelation. 

Afterwards we did pinatas which was really fun, the candy was pretty ehhh but that okay. It was just fun to do with our entire zone. Right after that we headed to the gym and did a big service project for refugee relief where we packed tons of boxes full of supplies and such. The whole MTC split into two shifts I believe so we were there with hundreds of other missionaries. At the end of the day we had a big Christmas Devotional or program or whatever with a ton of music which is always my favorite. It always brings the spirit so strongly. Let's see... the most notable things that've happened are first and foremost, I gave my first blessing. Wow! I was incredibly nervous, but Hermana Feser was having immense head pain and her ears were screaming and she just couldn't focus and was in a lot of pain. Alsop and I quickly said a prayer of comfort together before proceeding with the blessing. I don't remember what I said but I was burning up with the spirit - it was crazy. Immediately after the blessing her pain eased, she could focus, and later said that she had the best nights sleep at the CCM. Miracles truly occur today and I'm so grateful to be able to do what Christ would be doing if he were on Earth: serving. 

Lastly, we had a fat party in our room the other night with the entire room and we had everyone bring food. Hamp and I feasted because we were gonna start a fast the following day. It was super fun and just helped to ease some of the tension and stress we all are experiencing. Fasting truly works! That day I blew through some Spanish memorization that I had really been struggling with. I learned so much in the classes that day as well which was a huge blessing. 

Today we went to the temple and did a session. Being in Spanish was a whole new experience but was really cool at the same time, I had a nifty little translator to listen to in English but I tried my best to listen to some Spanish as well. All in all it was really spiritual and I just love the sweet spirit in the temple. Take advantage if you life close and can go because its always a learning experience and brings so much peace. 

Oh, Hermana Feser just gave me her blow dryer so I can finally do my hair normally, phew. Anyways, that's gonna have to be it for today. I love you all and I'm thinking about home everyday!

-Elder Shepherd

"My lips are chapped. I'm going home."

Good morning everyone! I can't believe that it's already almost been a week and a half, that's insane. The first day was really long and I was super exhausted from not sleeping the night before. I was able to meet up with some missionaries for my flight down which was really helpful because I probably would've been pretty lost in the Mexico City airport even though it wasn't nearly as difficult to get through customs. We cruised through all the check points after we had finally found where to go. The bus ride in was INSANE! The city is so different. Buildings are packed together in slum conditions but they are all painted super bright colors. Streets are super dirty and the traffic basically has a mind of its own, as lines are nearly invisible. There was a point where there were about five lanes of traffic moving in one direction and one lane going the opposite direction. I doubt that's how it's supposed up to work. I was pretty shy and timid that first day; the initial adaptation was really slow but I was doing my best to help people with their bags and just reach out to people. I was really missing home most of the day and was getting really nervous about what was going to happen because I hadn't found my companion yet and I had been walking around by myself for a while so I was feeling really alone. Finally, after a really great opening devotional and waiting around in the dorm for a while, my companion Elder Rich and Elder Alsop finally showed up. They had gotten in late and then got shown to the wrong room, and after being to and from reception a few times they finally found there way to our room. I had just met Elder Downs because he too hadn't found his companion. We went back and helped our new companions bring their fat bags and carry them up and down three flights of stairs. There are fireworks CONSTANTLY, they've calmed down now but around La Dia de Guadalupe (if that's right) it sounded like a straight war zone. It's such a different environment but the campus is incredibly beautiful. The grass is well maintained, there are flower beds with poinsettias and other flowers in beautiful arrangements all over, huge palm trees decorated with Christmas lights, parrots and other exotic birds. The teachers here say that the birds only live here in the MTC and you'll never see them out in the city which is really cool.

The first full day was pretty crazy, I'm starting to implement a really good routine on top of learning Spanish and having to memorize all kinds of palabras, frases, y escrituras (excuse my Espanol, I can't help it sometimes so you might come across some odd words). We went to one class where we watched a live teaching session that at surface level seemed real, and we had to help the missionaries to improve their tactics and give tips on better teaching with love. At the end of the meeting, all of the new missionaries were able to teach one of the "investigators" which was really nerve-wracking. Eventually, I worked up the courage to share an experience with her about the Spirit and love I felt once when my mom and I had prayed about a fear I had. It was a really good moment that built my confidence, so it's been my goal to share as much of my experiences and love with people as much as I can. Here are all the boys in my dormitorio. First is Elder Downs, he was called as district leader and has been a great leader in helping us with our studies as well as just keeping us from staying up too late. He' was struggling with Spanish a lot but worked really hard. His companion, Elder Alsop, is just a straight goon and makes us all laugh so much. I love being able to laugh and enjoy ourselves but then turn around and have really spiritual conversation. Elder Hamp is my homie. He has an incredible story of repentance and change and has such a strong testimony. His bishop is some sort of well-known author and he wrote an article that made it into LDS Times about his story so go look for that, he is a great member of our district and he's working on getting me jacked out of my mind. Elder Bennion is a character all in his own, he plays the piano like no one else, loves theatre, and seriously has such an incredible story. He was having a really low point in his life when he felt the spirit prompt him to go and play the piano (he didn't know how to play) and explained that he just continued to have the spirit tell him what to do and just starting playing the piano. He's incredible, he's already given a couple blessings to the Hermanas in our district which were really sweet experiences and he brings such a sweet spirit. Elder Rich is my companion, I've had a little bit of frustration with him which I never expected to be my biggest hurdle, but he's a really cool kid with a lot of similar interests as me. Basically we just laugh and joke in Spanish all day long and pound out the Spanish in class. I've come sooo far with my Spanish it is literally incredible. I'm praying in Spanish now and I can also hold a simple conversation with a Latino. Having the spirit so strong is amazing for learning, the Gift of Tongues is real, and I can't imagine what I'll know by then end of these six weeks. I have so much more to say, but I want to save some time to talk in person with people, so I'll be back on around 2 o'clock my time (I think that noon at home). I'll send a bunch of pictures later too! Last night we had a shooting right outside our window about 200 yards away so that was neat, we watched cops and ambulances rush there for like ten minutes so all in all, it's really great here. I'll send more of my experiences later as best I can. I'm fitting in so well and everyone loves me and I just feel like I'm able to be myself. The growth is amazing. I love you all so much.

Elder Shepherd

 PS - Okay, so along with my other email, here are the best moments or moments that stood out throughout the week. I guess first off my companion is Elder Rich. He's from Utah right around Salt Lake. He ran track in high school and played in the band some. He plans on going back and working back at his old job at an insurance company that his dad works for. We've had some tension because he doesn't always have the best work ethic but I'm really the one who needs to improve and just be more loving and understanding. We had a really amazing night early on where we all talked about our testimonies and why we came out on missions and that was super inspirational and I felt the spirit so strongly that night. I feel so close to these guys already it is truly unreal. While I was having some issues and frustrations with my companion and just feeling down my Zone Leader, Elder Kriser (who is just the happiest human you've ever met) pulled me aside, not really knowing me yet, and said that he'd prayed in the temple to see who he needed to specifically help and said that I came to his mind. It was exactly what I needed and I explained all that was going on while breaking down, but it was just a testament to me of the power that there is here and how the Spirit works within us all. I have two teachers, Hermano Trujillo and Jimenez who are both just so incredible. I can speak so much Spanish and understand even more, it's really incredible. I shared Mosiah 2:17 with my district which I've been keeping really close to me, we've done a little service but I'm just working on loving and being my fun-loving goofy self. One of the kitchen workers posted a selfie on instagram I'm in. I should be tagged but if not his name is Esteban something so hopefully you can find it. I love you so much, I'll probably remember more things to share later and I'll find a better way to send everything.