Mexico City and I

October 26, 2018

MEXICO CITY AND I

Heyo!

My first email comes at the end of my second week here at the CCM. There is a lot I want to get to, and I'm going to organize my emails in the same way my friend Elder Pocock does his. Hopefully it'll keep everything more structured and convenient for you all. 

General Información

The CCM is everything and nothing I had thought it'd be. It was a long 3 and a half hour flight to Mexico City, buy my family had written me letters to help pass the time. Saying goodbye to them was one of my hardest moments in my life, but I know my mission is where I need to be. After a drive in a school bus through crazed Mexico City traffic, we arrived and my first impressions weren't great. The power was out in the whole faculity, and stayed out for most of the day. We grabbed our badges, pizza and then headed to our first devotional. I was horrified to find out the whole thing was in Español! The speaker spoke only in Spanish, and a translator would hope in every once in a while and translate it to English. For half a second, I was like what am I doing here, all I've heard i Spanish and I don't get any of it. But after a prayer, I felt the spirit of the place and knew I would be alright. Missions are based on attitudes, and once I started looking for the good I found it in droves. After my meeting I found my companion, Elder Blazzard, who is also from Utah and we get along great. The next day I met my district and I got made District Leader! I am positive we can become the best district in the CCM if we continue to work. Ever since then it's just been studying Spanish todas las horas, but there is a happiness that comes along with the work. My Spanish isn't great, but el don de langues is real and I can feel it's effects. Mediante el Dios, podemos hacer todas las cosas. 

The Sound of (No) Music

A unique challenge of the mission I wasn't totally ready for was the lack of any music. Since I've been here, I'm confident I've had every song in my library stuck in my in my  head at some point. I even thought I heard Minecraft music in the distance walking to class one day. But, all it's made me do is appreciate the hymns more. I even sang in the CCM choir at the devotional on Tuesday! I don't understand what we are singing, but it sounds great, and I feel the Spirit which is all I can really ask for.

The Fireworkless Fireworks

A few days ago my district and I were woken up at 5 in the morning by the sound of explosions. We wrote them off as fireworks and got ready for the day. But after leaving our casa, we still heard the explosions, but didn't see the fireworks. Hoping they were just behind the mountains, we continued to breakfast. They kept going though throughout the day, and finally we asked our teacher what they were. Apparently, they are cannons the locals set off in celebration of things, but to a bunch of Americans it just sounds like cannons. The CCM even had to make an announcement because people were thinking they were gunshots. Either way, it's a very interesting way to wake up. 

Conclusion

I am so happy here! The work is hard, the language is tricky, but the Spirit is here, and I can feel it. Although I miss all of you, I know this is where I need to be. Hope you all have a great week, and my Pdays are on Wednesday from now on so I'll be emailing then! 

Hasta luego! 

Elder Jackson

1. My uncle Kurt and I at the airport before I left

2. Me and Elder Call!