Hey Fam!

Hey Everybody!

Another week at the CCM (Spanish for MTC for all you gringos)! It is so great here, but really cold I must say. It rains a lot, and I have no warm clothes whatsoever – but I’ll tough it out and be a man. I am learning so much it’s incredible!

So you asked for a daily schedule and it goes a little something like this:

• Wake up at 6:30 am, get dressed and go to class at 7
• 7 is personal study which we have to do in the classroom
• Go to breakfast - go back to room and change to gym clothes
• Go to gym - come back and get changed
• Companion and language study - and also missionary directed time (MDT)
• Lunch - then back to the classroom for a 4 hour block of class
• Dinner - then back to the classroom for 5 hour block of class
• Then off to the room and to bed

All in total it is a 14 hour day, but honestly, I haven’t even been getting tired or anything as long as I keep the rules.

So, General Conference was soooooooo good! Has it always been that good? The answer, I am sad to say is probably yes – but I never gave it the full attention that I should have. But, not to worry – I did this time! It is amazing how much more you can learn with a notebook and the Spirit teaching you the whole time. Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk was so amazing. I’ve never heard such a powerful speaker before. Also, I liked President Eyring’s talk on becoming more Christlike, and President Monson’s on Service. Everything seemed so applicable to me as a missionary. It was so cool. I can’t believe I never listened harder before though. The men are ordained of God, and I’m sure that a few of them have even spoken to Christ themselves. I can’t stress enough the importance of listening to them.

So this week was really fun. My District and I are getting in the groove of things and we are really having a blast! It is such hard work, but it is also a lot more fun that I imagined! Matt left yesterday, and Greg left today. It was sad to see them go, but I know that they will do great out in the field. Don’t worry Mom, I have a picture with Greg, and Matt has several pics of me and him. Make sure you ask Aunt Susie for them when he sends them.

My District

I got my flight plans! Trust me, it’s a big deal here when you get that baby! I leave October 15^th and my flight is at 6:00 in the morning – which means I have to wake up at 2am and get the travel office at 3. The estimated arrival time is around 9:00 that night I think. Mucho travelling.

So the Spanish is coming along quite nicely, and now as a District we can’t speak English until after lunch. This really wouldn’t be a problem, except my companion doesn’t understand a word I say . . . oh well, there’s another Elder in the District I can talk to, so all is well.

Ha Ha – so Elder Perkins knows Laurette Platt! He says they’re pretty cool. Anyways – he dislocated two ribs moving something and he has been on painkillers and muscle relaxants all week. He has been hilarious to talk to! He doesn’t know what he’s saying half the time. For example – in the middle of conference, he woke up and started reciting the words to the “Spirit of God” to me. He is a crack up!

Elder Perkins

I’m running out of time, but I love you all! Thanks for the brownies – they were still good. I don’t really think I need anything unless Emily wants to send me candy haha! I love you and will write you again Thursday!

Love, Elder McBride