Hola Familia!
The reason that the subject is a question mark is because I feel like the days all blend into 1 here at the CCM. It is weird but I honestly already feel like time is going pretty fast. They have a joke here at the CCM that goes:
The first week at the CCM is equal to the rest of your time at the CCM,
and the rest of your time at the CCM is equivalent to the entire rest of your mission!
Haha basically just saying that a lot of Elders hate the CCM hahaha
But honestly, if that is true, I already want it to slow down!
Spanish is coming along...but it is definitely hard. I have already committed one investigator to baptism (; and we have 3 more investigators that still need to be invited to come unto Christ. All of the lessons are in Spanish, and it is definitely a weird experience to say the least. But I seriously love all of our investigators ahhhh even though they aren't actual investigators, there is a certain type of love that comes when you are desperately wanting to help someone change their life. Our first investigator's name was Diego. Our first lesson was so terrible it made me kinda depressed for a sec. But slowly and surely I have gotten better and better.
Funny Story: Diego does this thing where whenever you are praying, he thanks you and Heavenly Father out loud over and over again. For example: in my first prayer with him, I proceeded to thank Heavenly Father for a couple things, including the chance to teach Diego and for Diego himself. The whole time I hear,
" gracias Senor, gracias"
" bendice nos Senor, bendice nos!"
followed with a million other "gracias's"
Since the lesson itself was a disaster, I can't even describe how happy I was to hear those words from his mouth. I literally had to pause to stop myself from crying mid prayer, I felt the spirit so strongly. It was incredible testimony of the gratitude we should have towards our Heavenly Father for everything we have.
Another strange thing I have noticed about the CCM is that the spirit it so much different here (at least for me). Upon arrival I was waiting for some astonishing soak-idge of spirit, but it never really happened. I realize now that it is because I am feeling the spirit constantly throughout my day, I don't need some crazy experience, it is already happening if I listen closely. However, when the spirit does openly present itself, it comes like a storm. It's weird because for me it is like a slap in the face. All of the sudden I am forced to choke back my own tears to avoid outright crying. It is intense, and undoubtedly wonderful. I love it here to say the least.
That isn't to say that is isn't extremely hard as well. I have a few words of advise that I hope can reach everyone preparing for a mission. Especially Benny, Dev, and Isaac:
You need to decide right now, today, why everything about a mission is worth it to you. Too often I see missionaries here lose hope because they honestly don't have the perspective. You have to focus on one thing and one thing only, do you want to be the best missionary you can be? This is the Lords work and He needs people who are willing to sacrifice anything for Him. Don't be those silly missionaries that I see everyday, that come out here to do work for themselves. This isn't about us. It is about God's Plan. It is about the salvation of souls. And both of those things are a heck of a lot more important that you or me. I have faith in all of you.
Along with that testimony, I know that through the Savior, all things are possible. The atonement heals even the most foolish of hearts (mine) Don't let the chance slip away, be prepared! also, Isaac we are going to party so hard when you get here hermano, just wait(;
I honestly I have no idea what else to say, I should have brought my journal with me so I could remember. Thank you madre so much for last minute getting that insulin for me! You are a super-human and I love you with all my heart. The other package was amazing too! exactly what I needed except for the sd card didnt fit the camera:/
Can I ask for the biggest favor? it would be much easier if I could send you back this clunky big camera, I would prefer just those simple square one. And then, Dad could you figure out how to use that film camera and send it to me plleeaasssee(: that would make me very happy!
For the time being, I am trying to get my district to send me some pictures for you guys.
I couldnt ask for better support or a better family! I love you guys too much.
Con amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester
The reason that the subject is a question mark is because I feel like the days all blend into 1 here at the CCM. It is weird but I honestly already feel like time is going pretty fast. They have a joke here at the CCM that goes:
The first week at the CCM is equal to the rest of your time at the CCM,
and the rest of your time at the CCM is equivalent to the entire rest of your mission!
Haha basically just saying that a lot of Elders hate the CCM hahaha
But honestly, if that is true, I already want it to slow down!
Spanish is coming along...but it is definitely hard. I have already committed one investigator to baptism (; and we have 3 more investigators that still need to be invited to come unto Christ. All of the lessons are in Spanish, and it is definitely a weird experience to say the least. But I seriously love all of our investigators ahhhh even though they aren't actual investigators, there is a certain type of love that comes when you are desperately wanting to help someone change their life. Our first investigator's name was Diego. Our first lesson was so terrible it made me kinda depressed for a sec. But slowly and surely I have gotten better and better.
Funny Story: Diego does this thing where whenever you are praying, he thanks you and Heavenly Father out loud over and over again. For example: in my first prayer with him, I proceeded to thank Heavenly Father for a couple things, including the chance to teach Diego and for Diego himself. The whole time I hear,
" gracias Senor, gracias"
" bendice nos Senor, bendice nos!"
followed with a million other "gracias's"
Since the lesson itself was a disaster, I can't even describe how happy I was to hear those words from his mouth. I literally had to pause to stop myself from crying mid prayer, I felt the spirit so strongly. It was incredible testimony of the gratitude we should have towards our Heavenly Father for everything we have.
Another strange thing I have noticed about the CCM is that the spirit it so much different here (at least for me). Upon arrival I was waiting for some astonishing soak-idge of spirit, but it never really happened. I realize now that it is because I am feeling the spirit constantly throughout my day, I don't need some crazy experience, it is already happening if I listen closely. However, when the spirit does openly present itself, it comes like a storm. It's weird because for me it is like a slap in the face. All of the sudden I am forced to choke back my own tears to avoid outright crying. It is intense, and undoubtedly wonderful. I love it here to say the least.
That isn't to say that is isn't extremely hard as well. I have a few words of advise that I hope can reach everyone preparing for a mission. Especially Benny, Dev, and Isaac:
You need to decide right now, today, why everything about a mission is worth it to you. Too often I see missionaries here lose hope because they honestly don't have the perspective. You have to focus on one thing and one thing only, do you want to be the best missionary you can be? This is the Lords work and He needs people who are willing to sacrifice anything for Him. Don't be those silly missionaries that I see everyday, that come out here to do work for themselves. This isn't about us. It is about God's Plan. It is about the salvation of souls. And both of those things are a heck of a lot more important that you or me. I have faith in all of you.
Along with that testimony, I know that through the Savior, all things are possible. The atonement heals even the most foolish of hearts (mine) Don't let the chance slip away, be prepared! also, Isaac we are going to party so hard when you get here hermano, just wait(;
I honestly I have no idea what else to say, I should have brought my journal with me so I could remember. Thank you madre so much for last minute getting that insulin for me! You are a super-human and I love you with all my heart. The other package was amazing too! exactly what I needed except for the sd card didnt fit the camera:/
Can I ask for the biggest favor? it would be much easier if I could send you back this clunky big camera, I would prefer just those simple square one. And then, Dad could you figure out how to use that film camera and send it to me plleeaasssee(: that would make me very happy!
For the time being, I am trying to get my district to send me some pictures for you guys.
I couldnt ask for better support or a better family! I love you guys too much.
Con amor,
Elder Stewart-Chester