WEEK 11!

Que dice familia y amigos_!

I hope things are going great in Orem, and I hope it isnt as hot as it is here haha.

We had a great week here in Mixqui! Claudia and Maria got baptized on Friday and it was such a cool experience! The spirit was so strong, especially hearing Claudias testimony at the end of the program. I was able to sing (Yo se que vive mi Senor) which I think most of you are able to translate into English without my help haha. But it all went really well! I picked and played the other hymns for the service and I picked How Great Thou Art for the first hymn and the next day Claudia told me that that is her all time favorite song and she almost started to cry when we started singing it! She is going to be such a strong member, she has a great testimony. They both just looked different after the baptism, they were so happy! All of the people she knows have been telling her she has more of a light in her eyes and that she looks different. And most of those people dont even know she was baptized. Baptism is truly a door we all need to enter in to be in the straight and narrow path of the gospel that leads to eternal life!

I've been teaching quite a bit of piano lately! I'm the only one in both the wards in the city that knows piano haha. A lot different from Utah thats for sure haha. But it was so fun to teach all of them! The goal is to have them each play a simplified hymn for the primary program coming up! I was kind of thrown off at first though because piano is spanish is actually a little different! The piano notes are in solfege instead of the alphabet letters haha. So I had to relearn the piano notes in solfege and then teach them all the notes haha. But it{s super fun, and it gives time for some of the young men in the ward to do splits with Elder Howell while I{m teaching.

Guys we have the coolest stake president on the planet. Hands down. President Lozano is super smart, and kind and has quite the background. He used to work for the government, and then he realized all of the corruption that was there. They started ordering him to scam people for money and do other illegal or inappropriate things. He refused to do them and so they send him to jail. Guys this jail was two blocks from his house but he was in there for 20 months before he was proven innocent! In Mexico you have your trial after you spend a lot of time in prison. It{s backwards and its so unfair, and corrupt. But he made the best of the situation and he befriended all the inmates and taught some how to read and some others about the gospel. And get this, he bought a cake for one of the inmates every week. They all loved him! The government ended up offering a lot of money to the inmates if they would kill President Lozano, but nobody would do it because they all loved him! Cake literally might have saved his life. There is no order or rules in some of the Mexico prisons and for that reason they are super dangerous. But Pres Lozano was just telling us how much he learned from his experience. He grew closer to Jospeh Smith and what he went through in jail. I look up to that man so much and his ability to look on the bright side and endure his afflictions. I can't imgagine how hard that would be, especially for his family. And since that experience, he had seen the tv series Prison Break so we talked about our bud Michael Scofield together haha.

We have found a lot of new people this week so every day we are stacked with several lessons and barely any time to contact! But thats a good problem to have haha. Yesterday we had an appointment fall through (Whats new?) but I think it was for a reason because we met a girl named Alicia who is so amazing. She said shes been looking for someone to help her with English for her test coming up, and she also just had one of her family members pass away. God truly sent us in her path so he could help her through our hands. Our first little lesson with her was so spiritual and she has so much potential to be baptized! 

I already feel so blessed here in the mission. Especially with the language. Guys the gift of tongues is real. My comp told me I have better spanish than some of the missionaries with more than 9 months in the mission. He tells me every day how amazing it is that I can already speak about 80% fluent (which I definitely think is too high of a percentage haha) but let me tell you guys, it isnt me! I feel like I've done my part with studying the grammar and practicing as much as I can but God has made up the difference and now all of a sudden I can actually talk really well with these people! I still have soooo much more to learn but I have been so blessed and for that I am very grateful.

Don't get me wrong, the mission is not easy. It gets hard at times. Especially at 6:30 AM haha. But theres nothing The Climb by Miley Cyrus and some solid street tacos can't fix.

Elder Howell and I have been blessed for our efforts. Every sunday theres a miracle with church attendance for our investigators! In order for someone to get baptized, they have to assist the church at least three times so we really like when our investigators attend haha. We had an army of 10 come yesterday which isnt including Claudia and Maria who are now members! Sure, most of the people we invited didnt come, but thats normal here because people are legit so flaky haha. The Reyes family were touched by one of the talks in sacrament meeting and now most of them are set to be baptized on the 8th! We also had a woman named Vicki come! We{ve taught her about three times now and she is so awesome. But we didnt think she was gonna come to church because she always tells us she has her other church! Today she came with two of her kids which really surprised us! After the meeting and after Vicki left, the bishop and another member came up to me and told me about how big of a deal it is that Vicki came to the meeting. Apparently she had been a leader of the (Espiritualistas) and a lot of people know her and look up to her. Her husband was also the president of Mixquihuala and they are LOADED with money and they{re low key famous. Haha I had no idea! But I{m so glad she came, hopefully she can feel the truth of these things during our upcoming lessons!

Mosiah 2:41 teaches us that those who keep the commandments of God will be blessed both temporally and spiritually. It tells us to remember the blessed and happy state of those who keep the commandments. I have seen these blessings in my life and in my mission. If we have faith that God will bless us, if we follow the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we will receive those blessings. Strive every day to learn more about what we can do to follow and become more like Christ, then, as the scripture says, we will dwell with God in a state of never ending happiness. I love you all!

Les quiero muchisimo,

Elder Millard

Week 10!!!

Aug 20 at 2:50 PM

Que honda familia e amigos!_

I hope al lis well in O’Town. It's crazy to think some of my best friends are about to start their senior year and I'm just chillin in Mixquiahuala haha. I hope all the best for good ole MV this year. I miss my second home haha. Once a bruin always a bruin. Amen.

Wow things are so good here in Mixqui!! Elder Howell and I are having a freakin blast out here, and we are working so hard. We've met so many people that have so much potential! God has placed us in the path of so many people that want to hear the message of the gospel. Elder Howell and I now have about 9 people with a baptisimal date! And so many more that are progressing! I've really been banking on the promise in my mission call that I looked back on recently that says "As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized."

This past Thursday, Elder Howell and I had another meeting with Claudia and Maria and we were planning on asking them how they were feeling about their baptisimal date that is coming up. Now understand that we had been pretty nervous to see what their thoughts are because they have had a lot of doubts. But then CLAUDIA TOLD US SHE DIDN’T WANT HER WATER TOO HIGH IN THE FONT FOR HER BAPTISM. Hahaha I've never been happier to hear those words. Claudia and Maria were already planning for their baptism! Haha we were so stoked the entire rest of that night. They are going to be my first baptism! They will be baptized this coming Friday! We're so excited for them!

We have been teaching a little girl named Lily and she is just a little champion. She is eight years old but knows literally everything and she's just so cute haha. Her mom and grandma have been inactive for 15 years but they came to church the past week and we have had great lessons with all of them where they have felt the spirit strongly! Long story short they are basically active again and Lily accepted to be baptized! Since her mom is technically a member, and she is 8 years old, she is actually under the jurisdiction of the ward to get baptized which makes it complicated for us to baptize her. But the last lesson, when we proposed a date for Lily's baptism, Lily's mom told us they can't because they'll be out of town for HER 9^THBIRTHDAY!! Haha this means that since she is turning nine, she'll technically be a "convert" which means we can be in charge of baptizing her! She's planning on getting baptized on her birthday on Sept 3^rd!! We're so glad to have contacted her grandma on the street!

We had exchanges again this week, but this time I stayed in Mixqui and another Elder came to take Elder Howell's spot. This means that I was the leader, and had to schedule everything and know where everything was. A little nervewracking but I was able to do it! It was nice to be able to see the things I need to work on personally since I didn't have my trainor to help me out with things.

It's absolutely insane that it's already week four of this cycle. And yesterday was my two month mark! It's weird because it feels like it has been an eternity but it has also flown by haha. Especially in the field, time basically doesn't exist anymore haha. But things are really good out here. The people are so kind, the food has been legit incredible (well other than the pig skin I had this week haha), and we haven't even been robbed yet! Haha but Elder Howell and I were saying it's gonna be really hard to leave this area when the time comes, even though we do have tadpoles in our water hahaha. It's just such a cute little town with such amazing people, and a center that's always bumpin with different activities. Reminds me of the Orem summerfest haha. Gotta love Mixquiahuala.

This week at church we had an army of 12 investigators come! We were running with our heads chopped off trying to show them all their classes haha and it didn't help that I had to play piano for the Progreso sacrament meeting during the other meetings of our church haha. But we were so happy! Also 10 minutes before the meeting started, bishop told me I had a 15 minute talk on missionary work. Hahaha so I had five minutes to prepare the talk and I felt pretty jipped haha but I guess he had sent us a text, we just didnt get it. But its ok! It went really well and Im grateful for the opportunity!

I want to share some knowledge that we have in the church that I'm super grateful for. This knowledge  can be used as our motivation during our hardships and trials. Romans 8 says "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God; And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." WOW what a cool scripture. Guys if we bear with patience our afflictions, and endure to the end, we will become joint-heirs with Christ which means we will have everything that Christ has. What an amazing opportunity. Don't take this life for granted, we need to better ourselves everyday and serve our fellow people always.

I love you all, and I'm so grateful for your example and support in my life. Enjoy your hot showers, clean water, and washing machines because I sure miss them haha. Our house has been having serious issues but hopefully we'll get at least our boiler going again soon haha. Have a great week!

Que les vaya muy bien!

Elder Millard

This is our drunk friend who doesn't know his name and says that he has an extra body at his house for when his current one runs out haha

Week #9

hola familia e amigos!

How are you all doing_ I love hearing from home, you guys seem to be killing it. Also not a big deal but MY SISTER JUST GOT MARRIED!!! Congrats best  friend, I love you so much. Best of luck to you Maddi and Jarrad!

Things are great here in Mixqui! We  had exchanges on Wednesday because my comp is zone leader so I went to Progreso with Elder Javier and it went really well! It reminded me of my Latin district in the CCM where I couldnt speak a word of English haha but the day went really well. We went to a place called Moreno which was way up in the mountains. Pachuca is already 8000ft elevation but this place was even higher and it was gorgeous. At the end of one of the little lessons we had, I was saying goodbye when I noticed the lady sneaked a picture of me hahahaha. She was trying to be so sly but I definitely caught her. Didnt say anything but I thought it was so funny, I dont think shes ever had a guerito like me visit her house. At the end of the day, Elder Javier told me about his time in the Mexican army. He told me about how committed he was to his leaders in the army and about how now he is completely committed to the Lord. I really respect him, and I{m glad I got to spend the day with him.  Let me just say though, I was excited to get back with my comp. Elder Howell teaches and contacts so well, and I'm glad I have small little exchanges to help me realize how good of a trainer and missionary he is. I really need to  take advantage of my time with him.

Here are some other highlights of the week. One day, Elder Howell and I were walking back from a little pueblo called Taxquahda (the names of towns are legit all insane, imagine how hard it is to write down directions of houses lol) and next thing you know this huge water balloon smashed right beside us and got us a little wet. We looked up and saw a girl hide behind the roof. She barely missed us but it caught us off guard, and it was so frickin funny. We walked to the other side of the street to get a better view of her and she just kept on peeking to see if we had left yet. I cant imagine if the balloon wouldve actually hit us hahaha. 

There are so many drunk men who tell us to go back to $%&#$ America, and sometimes theyll try and pick a little fight haha but dont worry we are always smart enough to just get out of those situations.

Guys soccer is life here. In fact, Soccer in Central America originated in and near Pachuca! E Howell and I have played with a bunch of little kids and they are always so fetchin cute. I always look forward to times we get to play with them. 

The food has been sooo good so far and I've been adjusting really well! Some Elders have gotten sick and have been throwing up so I{m knocking on wood. But we eat so many different foods. We have a lot of [tuna[ which is the fruit from cactus and its super good! We also had some chickin feet called [patas[ and those I wasnt the biggest fan of haha but maybe not as bad as youd think. Just not the biggest fan of the sound of the cruch of the toes when you bite them off haha. Its a no for me haha. But guys the churros, tacos, bread, and tamales are hands down the best things Ive ever tasted. Unbeatable. I love Mexico haha.

We have watched the restoration movie three separate times this week. It really is a great tool to teach the restoration and our investigators have loved it! I love to use the videos and media of the church but here in Mixquiahuala most people dont have phones-internet. When/if I'm in Pachuca, everyone will have them so it will be a lot easier to show stuff haha.

So we have some pretty bomb investigators. Claudia and Maria have a date to be baptized on the 25th of August! We have faith that theyll be able to be prepared for that date, theyre progressing super well! This past saturday they came to a  baptism with us, and we all felt the spirit super strong. I had the opportunity to play the hymns but also sing a musical number for the baptism! It went really well, and I think they have a greater desire to be baptized now! We started teaching them about the plan of salvation and when we showed her the scripture in the bible and taught her about the kingdoms of glory, she lit up and started laughing from joy and said that she understood. I loved to see that immediate joy from this amazing knowledg that we have. In our last lesson she started crying when talking about how she felt when taking the sacrament. They could very well be my first baptisms, and it'd be way cool because they were actually my very first lesson in the field as well! 

We have an investigator named Bryan who we almost dropped because he hasnt been home and hasnt been answering but I felt that we should call him one more time. We called him and he told us we could come over right then and there to teach him! We went over and taught him and his mom and aunt. The spirit was so stronng and him and his mom started to cry. There are no  coincidences and I'm so glad we were able to get a hold of them and teach them in this time. Bryan has had some serious problems with drugs and so we gave him a blessing and he has been able to start taking less and less. He is progressing very well and we have good hope for him and his mom!

We feel so blessed here in Mixqui. We started off with nothing guys. But God has blessed us and now we have mas o menos 20 progressing investigators and many other contacts with potential! Things are rolling here in Mixqui! We have been working so hard to find the people that are ready for this great message. I{m so grateful for this gospel and all that it teaches us. We  have so much knowledge and hope that some people havent been blessed with quite yet. Thats why we are here as missionaries.

I love a talk from Elder Holland that talks about the difficulty of missions. He said, and I'm paraphrasing, missionaries often have questions such as, why is this so hard president_ Why is everyone rejecting us president_ We know our message is true so why doesnt everyone just flock to the font_ Why is this so hard president_ Then he saidÑ Why did we ever think this was going to be easy_ This life, and this work, is not easy and will never be easy because salvation is not easy. Salvation is not an cheap experience. Christ suffered for our sins. It was never easy for Christ, so why did we ever think it would be easy for us_ Sometimes we may ask ourselves if there is another way but Pres Holland testified that someone much greater and much better already asked that question. But Jesus after asking, said that his fathers will, not his will, should be done. We, likewise, need to do not our will, but the will of him who sent us. We have to feel at least the smallest token of what Christ felt in order to appreciate and understand the atonement better. But take peace in knowing that during the hard times, we are standing side by side with Christ, because he already went through our trials. He is there for us, and by him, we can do anything.

3 Nephi 27:33 says Enter ye in at the strait gate; for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it. Guys we need to realize that we are an elect people. It is hard to follow the path but wow it is well worth it. Keep being strong in the gospel and share it with everyone!

I love my mission. I don't know how many times I'm going to say that throughout my mission haha but it's true. My testimony is growing ever day. We forget so often about the grace and beauty of God and I'm blessed to be able to live in the midst of it every day. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Jesus Christ lives. Study his life, search for him, live like him, and you will be become perfect like him one day. This is our goal and our purpose. This is what will give us joy.

Que esten bien mi familia e amigos, !les amo muchisimo!

Elder Millard

Week 8!!!

Hola familia e amigos!!

I have absolutely no idea where to start! I love it so much here in Mixquiahuala!! It's just a cute little outskirt and it really is only dangerous in certain parts at certain times. It's soooo humid and hot though, wowza. So me and Elder Howell started here with basically nothing. Just a few references and our mission leader to help us around. Lalo, our mission leader, is the absolute best though! His family is bomb and they have been a great help to us! And get this guys, our first two days here, we set four baptisimal dates!! Haha we were killing the game those first two days! Things then kind of slowed down. We get rejected so much, and yelled at so much from random people driving by. Haha it kind of makes sense though, we are just two gueros that everyone stares at because we definitely stand out haha. Things have been a little rough though. My comp says it's been his hardest area. People are just so flaky and will never be there for lessons. But guys there is definitely potential and we have been working so hard! God has blessed us with some bomb people to teach and they always seem to appear at the end of the day. That's because of the scripture that says, God will bless you after all you can do! All the miracles seem to happen at the end of the day when we're wasted and have done all we can do. We have just been like contacting machines and are trying to find the people who are prepared!

Guys my comp is such a stud! I definitely scored a bomb trainor. We get along so well and it's actually kind of a curse because we never want to speak spanish to each other! We'll get there though haha. He's taught me a lot already and I really appreciate his example. There was one day last week where I did an exchange with some other Elders because Elder Howell had a zone leader conference in Pachuca and it was then and there that I realized how lucky I am to have him. It was still way fun to be with the other Elders but they simply just don't work as hard! I'm glad I'm with a workhorse because that's what I came here to do. Work and have fun!

Ok guys. I didn't realize how annoying Jehovah's Witnesses are! They are such an issue here because they are everywhere and are never willing to hear anything about our message! Haha but most of the people here are Catholic and thats where we really thrive. So we have a new investigator named Axel and he is quite the guy. He is soooooo nice and wicked smart when it comes to the bible. He cites several scriptures by memory during our lessons. He doesn't have a specific religion because he can't find any that will answer his questions. When we had our second lesson with him, before he came into the room, his wife came in and told us that we can try and teach him, but he is not going to change, his goal is to change our beliefs haha. He has talked to countless people from countless religions and he is just so smart. He asks us some deep questions about our religion that would be very difficult to answer in english let alone spanish! But he is honestly so cool and we have confidence in him. He would legit be a stake Pres. Our other investigators our low key just not committed. They are always working and it's hard to progress with them. Claudia and Maria are the only ones that made it to church this past sunday even though about 7 people said they'd be there haha. But teaching all these people is so fun, Elder Howell is a great teacher, and I've learned a lot of analogies and ways to teach. We're unified and ready, now we just need to find the people who are ready!

We got to go to Pachuca this past Saturday because one of Elder Howell's old investigators asked him to baptize him! It was so fun! We legit contacted the entire bus both on the way there and back haha. Pachuca is so awesome guys. I low key can't wait to serve closer to there. Here there isnt a lot to do or stores to get stuff. We are more of a small town. But pachuca has everything haha. 

It was fun to go to our ward this past Sunday to meet all the members! Pres Kimball came to our meeting and told them that he sent his two strongest missionaries to this area because he wants to see it grow in the gospel! There are a few that are just the best and give us references and stuff. I played piano for the sacrament meeting because no one else could haha. I'll probably start teaching the primary kids piano too which will be fun. We've had some members attend lesson and their testimonies really add to the spirit. Plus we get to eat with a different member every day and guys the food has been so good! I thought I'd have a problem with it but I'm embracing the spice and it's actualy been way good! I've definitely been blessed haha,

This place is still so gosh dang hard to navigate. There is only one landmark, and that is the center. Everything else looks the same and it's so hard to know where we are! We have like no other resources! So we have definitely had our fair share being lost haha. It took us no joke two hours to find our house the second day. But we'll get it with time, our area is just so big! 

This is just such an adventure! Just two 19 year old gueros preaching the gospel in little Mixquiahuala. We have seen the hand of the Lord. We are trying our best to be led by the spirit. I have already grown so much closer to the savior because I have experienced a little bit more of what he went through. Being here I realize how freaking good my life was back home. I had everything, and at times all I want to do is hot tub or spend time with friends or go for a drive blasting music. My family and friends mean the world to me and it's hard to not be there with them. But this is more important! And I'm loving it! It's just very very hard at times haha. I'm up for the challenge though, and I know the Lord will lift me up. 

One of my favorite things is all of the music here! Everyone I swear owns their own little street business and all of them have their own music so when we walk down the streets, there's just all kinds of bumpin music that keeps us motivated. Miley Cyrus definitely gave me the little boost of energy I needed last Thursday lol.

Today we had a combined zone activity with two zones! We went down to the river in Progreso and it was GORGEOUS. Guys that place was so cool! We did a little hike to a cool bridge and played lots of soccer and ultimate frisbee with water baloons! Haha it was fun to get to more people and spend time with them! A nice little break from the work. They were definitely blasting the greatest showman music the whole time and all the latinos knew all the words even though they couldnt understand them haha. But dont worry, our pres is so chill and he lets us listen to anything we would feel comfortable listening to in front of Pres Nelson. Also, one of the zones got permission to watch coco and greatest showman for an activity haha. Our pres is so chill and I love him so much haha.

But guys things are great here! I love the mission field, I love my comp, I love Mexicans, and I love my God. People are so humble here, and there are definitely some that are ready for the gospel, and we will find them! It's kind of overwhelming thinking that I still have 22 months left haha but time is already flying and I know it's just gonna keep getting faster and faster. I love you all so much and I hope you are all doing great! Make sure you are reading the Book of Mormon every day, it is essential to read from every day. But at the same time guys we really do need to be reading the bible. People out here know so much about the bible and I kind of wish I read it a little more than I did. Especially the New Testiment, that book is powerful. I miss you all so much but I appreciate the support! I am praying for all of you daily, and I love you all so much!

Elder Millard

 

Already!?

Elder Howell and Elder Millard take Mixquiahuala!

Week 7!!

Hola familia e amigos!

Monday is officially my new pday because I'm out in the field baby! More on that in a sec, first lets talk about my final days in the CCM!

Truly I'm going to miss that place so much. I met so many people who mean so much to me and I learned so much! Not much to say about the last days in the CCM but we had some bomb lessons and the teachers had farewell parties for us and stuff haha. Hermano Ordoñez said that my companion and I were the best missionaries in the lessons! My last pday, I took a picture and said goodbye to president Bennett. What a guy, he is who I want to be when I grow up. Also he said that he rarely emails the mission presidents about the incoming missionaries but he said that he would call president Kimball about me. Woohooo! Haha I loved developing a relationship with President Bennett, and I'll miss him. 

Now to the field!!! I left this morning at five AM and we arrived in Pachuca a couple hours later! So when we arrived in Pachuca and got our bags, we were waiting for Pres and Sister Kimball and then in the distance we see two gringos sprinting towards us and sure enough it was them!! Haha what a great first impressions! They sprinted to give us hugs and welcome us! They are so full of energy and I already love them so much! We then all went to the historical clock made by the English to take pics. I got to drive with President Kimball and we got in a good conversation! He runs so much with his wife and they always go to the national Parks in the area, apparently its gorgeous. They're from Provo so it'll be fun to keep in touch after the mish too. But I love them so much! They are very adventurous and very chill. We have our entire area open to us on pdays and the options are endless! We're going to get to see the pyramids often too!

So President Kimball has a very strong belief that the city of Teotihuacan was the area that Christ came to visit in the Americas! Because it was the biggest city in all of the area at the time, and there's a lot of signs of the Book of Mormon! There are statues in Tula which is close to Teotihuacan and the statues are literally in temple clothes! They are thought to be from the Jaredites! HOw cool right!!? This could very well be the very area that Christ came. President Kimball calls this the 3rd Nephi mission! So my first interview with Pres Kimball..... wow. I was so amazed! He started off by talking about when he was called as pres and the advice that the apostles gave him. He said that his goal is to make us truly converted, and all of our descendants as well. So his motto has been to live and make decisions exactly as the savior would! That's how im going to strive to make all my decisions in the mission as well. But guys.. as soon as he talked about following the saviors example, he talked about how one of the last things the savior did, even though he couldve done thousands of other things, was wash the feet of his apostles, and how important that was. So as soon as he summarized that story, he then asked me if I would allow him to polish my shoes. He then proceeded to get on his knees and shine both of my shoes in complete silence. Wow guys. This may not seem like a big deal but it meant so much to me. I felt so uncomfortable and unworthy to have my president polishing my shoes and I'm sure that's how the apostles felt. The silence gave me time to reflect on the importance of service and meekness. I really appreciated that he did that. What a man, I've already learned so much from him. So at the end of the interview, he talked to me about my new companion! So my new companion's name is Elder Howell!!! And yes he is a gringo! But don't be fooled though guys, he is a wizard with spanish because he's been out here over a year! Pres testified of his hard work ethic and his strong feeling to put us together. Usually gringos are put with Latinos but he things we can do a lot of good together! He expects a lot from us! And he told us to not get in the trap of just speaking English, which is very important. Elder Howell is also the zone leader, so I'll get to see how the leadership works here too!

Elder Howell is from Idaho and he is such a stud! He played football and basketball and he's very good with the people here! I'm so excited to learn from him, and it'll be nice to be able to ask him how to say things 24/7 haha. And the area that I was assigned to..... drumroll......... MIXQUIAHUALA!!! Give that word a shot haha, it took me a hot sec to learn.

Guys this place is insane. It's just a tiny little outskirt and unfortunately it's pretty dangerous. There is a lot of robbery and all of the houses are completely barred. Our house even has broken glass on the top of the wall to keep people out haha. We scored on our house though, its so nice! When we first arrived, we couldnt get the key to work for like 30 minutes, so then I helped Elder Howell over the wall, which was no easy feat haha, and we finally got it open haha. The house is super hot but we cant open the windows because there are dangerous bees right outside our house! Haha this place is low key creepy. And I'm genuinely scared about the food, I've heard some crazy stories. These people are so humble and poor and offer the craziest food. Our mission leader here is the one who picked us up and took us to our house, he's super nice! It was super fun to just ride in the back of his truck to our house and see where I'll be living the next lil while! There are legit no rules here so there are lots of motorcycles stacked with like four people haha. There are lot of farms in this place and so there are just sheep and dogs that chill out everywhere, including in the streets too haha. 

Elder Howell and I are white washing this area so neither of us know anything! We don't know the members, places to go, or anything! Quite the challenge and adventure that I'm super excited for! I feel so clueless but I'm sure I'll get the hang of things soon. It's hard bc I just want to talk like my companion right now but I know it'll take time. He told me I know a lot more than he did when he was knew so I think I'm off to a good start. There is just so much slang here, it's like a different language! 

I feel so blessed to be here. There is nothing like this. So much unknown but so much potential! I can't wait to get to work as soon as I send this email. 

The hand of God is all around us. Please record experiences of when you have seen it so that you can look back and see how merciful God has been to us. One of the things that I liked from one of my teachers last messages was a video he showed us from Elder Holland. Elder Holland said that a mission is not going to be easy, because salvation is not easy! Why did we ever think it was? It is very difficult to follow Christ, and that is why only few find the true path and follow it. Salvation isn't easy but the rewards are more than worth it. We have the opportunity to live with our families with dominion never ending in eternal life! Do whatever it takes to obtain this. And don't forget to enjoy life and have fun along the way as well, it truly is a gift.

With love,

Elder Millard

p.s. this internet cafe is the worst and deleted half of this email when I finished it the first time so sorry for the rambling haha. Also it wont let me send pics so you are just gonna have to imagine how truly beautiful this area is. Next week we are going to try and find a better internet cafe. But check out mexicopachucamission.blogspot.com to check out the pics Hermana Kimball takes! Until next week!

Week 6 Last of the CCM!

Hola familia e amigos!!

How are all of you doing! You a reading an email from an uncle to two brand new nephews and one brand new niece! Congrats Tiff and Kryss! Im excited to meet those thygerlets and lovelets. 

This is my final email from the Central de Capacitacion Misional en Mexico!! Wow time flies. Twas a great past week! We started having mission field orientation where they taught us more about our purpose and working with members and stuff, we also have all of our plans for our departure! I will be leaving at four AM this coming monday to PACHUCA!!! I don't think you guys understand my excitement. Literally everyone is jealous of missionaries going to pachuca. The people are so open to hear the message and they will take good care of us! The weather is basically paradise and there is so much potential to teach there!! Words cannot describe how bad I just want to be there right now! I've also heard only incredible things about my mission pres and I can tell we are going to be really good friends.

So this week, the hot topic of the CCM was obedience. There were some things that happened with some of the district leaders getting in trouble and pres Bennett wasnt so thrilled. He had all the zone and district leaders skip breakfast to come to a meeting about obedience. He said that we have all made covenants in the temple concerning being exactly obedient. His main point was that if we are covenant keepers, then he won't have to worry about us keeping the CCM and mission standards. It was a great wake up call for all of us. Some district leaders were sent home. We are all now striving to be exactly obedient and making sure our district do the same. It really is so important to be obedient our entire lives. Christ was perfectly obedient. Obedience is the way we can qualify to receive blessings! I love how in Mosiah 2 it talks about how we owe everything to our God, even the air we breathe, and all he asks of us is to keep his commandments. Be obedient folks! 

In one of the mission field orientations, we had a fake baptisimal interview with a video of a guy on skype. We start the fake little interview, and the person is Brother Hess!! Hahahah I was dying!! I couldnt hear his voice because there was a spanish voice over his but holy moly that was hilarious. I've seen so many people I know in the church videos haha. Jackson McBride's mom is in a different video than the one I already saw her in, Megan Charlesworth is in another. I love to be from Utah County and just know so many people involved in the church haha.

Being zone leader has been great! One of our district was one of the ones that got in trouble because of the district leaders, so we actually have another district leader for that district now haha. But it`s been fun to get to know so many more people and have great zone meetings every saturday night! My favorite parts of those saturday night meetings are always the testimonies. I decided that the district that would be leaving the upcoming monday should bear their testimonies in that meeting and its been so powerful! It'll be me and my district bearing our testimonies this saturday!!

I was able to help out with the example of a lesson for the new batch of missionaries again! This time I was roleplaying as one of the missionaries! And this time I didnt know any of the missionaries in the room so that made it easier to roleplay haha. So the first time we taught, it was supposed to be a bad example on purpose so the new missionaries can find ways to critique us. When we had time for their comments, they did not hold back hahaha I don't know if they understand that we were bad on purpose but their were elders raising their voices at us and I was actually really close to laughing haha. But its always fun to roleplay for them, and that was the last I'll be able to do it!

So every night I help out my comps a little bit in their efforts to learn English! So a few nights ago Elder Bolaños told me that with all of the letters ive been getting (shoutout to Sheri, Maddi, and my mom) he wants to try and translate some! So I picked one of the funniest letters that Sheri sent me and he went off translating!! It was the funniest thing trying to explain Sheri's humor in spanish! Definitely impossible, but it was great practice for Elder Bolaños! I sincerely look up to his efforts of trying to learn English! Elder Rivas on the other hand, has no desire to learn even though its a rule to. Hahaha what a guy. President Eves asks Elder Rivas how his English is every time he sees him and Elder Rivas just laughs hahaha. We switch off who says the prayers in English every night, and in order to get Elder Rivas to pray in English, me and the other elders steal his blanket until he'll say it hahahha. He's perfectly capable of doing it, I translated one of his prayers in spanish, but he just wont do it! Its so funny haha. Honestly though Elder Rivas is great. I've had some hard times with him but I've learned a lot and we have a good relationship now. It's crazy I only have four days left with him!

My district never ceases to amaze me!! I love them so much! There is an Elder Bencomo who is serving in Pachuca until he gets his visa for SLC baby!! So he knows pretty good english and he's been helping me out with some of the complex forms of spanish! One night I walked in to our classroom and they all started betting on what leader I'll be when I'm older. They came to the conclusion that either I'll be the prophet or an apostle or the CCM president hahahaha. Legit though, I would love to come back and serve a mission here with my future wife. This place is so special and I'm so glad I wasnt sent to provo hahaha.

Spanish is such a blessing in my life. It is also such a trial in my life. But things are getting a lot better and I'm hopeful for the future! I love a quote that Sheri sent me that says "To know another language, is to posess another soul" which is so true! I have to find different ways to express myself because there are many times not direct translations. I love it! Also in my green book that I love with my whole heart and that I learn most of my spanish said "One who does not know another language, knows nothing about his own" deep huh. Honestly though haha I have learned so much from this beautiful language and I'm so excited to be fluent one day.

Everything is good here in the CCM! This place will always hold a special place in my heart, the spirit is so strong here. During personal study the other night, I was studying at the tables outside with Elder Rivas and then I looked up and so the most amazing sunset. I put my book down, stood up, and just gazed at the sunset for a little while. I felt so much peace and love in that moment that all of my hard work will pay off and that I have a lot of support from heavenly father and my family in all my endeavors. I also felt strongly that Jesus Christ really did create all things. There's no way that sunset created itself. There is a supreme creator, and his name is Jesus Christ. Alma 30:44 has been a life saver in my life and in lesson with investigators. "All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a supreme creator" Wow I love that scripture. We are so blessed to have this world.

We got to go to the temple again today! This time we got to see one of the newer films, and once again I listened in Spanish! I was able to feel the spirit so much stronger this time and I was really moved by the film. It spends a lot of time on the creation and it made me realize how amazing this universe is, and the things that God has prepared for us. And the best part is that he has prepared a way for us to become like him! Romans 8:17-18 says "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" ummmm ok no big deal..... WHAT!? We have have the opportunity to be joint-heirs with Christ which means the we can have everything that he has. We are so blessed guys. Do your absolute best to be strictly obedient, and do not your will, but the will of him who sent us. Then we will be blessed for our efforts.

I love you all so much, and I am so lucky to have this opportunity to serve a mission. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. I'm just glad I still have more than 22 months ahead of me and the field is so close!! I cant wait any longer!!

Elder Millard

P.S. I tried to get picks with a lot of the people I know since it's my last pday but I failed and only found two haha. I went to the temple today and missed the rest of them. So you can just imagine the other pics with Joe Felix, John Francis, Lexi Reeves, and Luke Smith haha.