The Insects Strike Again!

MAMA!

Church is amazing isn´t it!  I am SOOOOOO excited for General Conference!  I hope that I will have the gift of tongues by then so I can really know what they are saying!  But you should choose a talk as a family that you absolutely love and send it to me just in case!

First off....mosquito love me.  We had quite the experience this week with them.  One day my companion woke up and said, ¨Compañera! Look¨  I looked over and her mouth was swollen.  HAHAHAHAHA!  I couldn´t stop laughing, it was so great!  Well my companion had her pay back.  I woke up the next morning with a Quazi Moto eye....  Luckily my glasses covered it up....

Me with my Quazi Moto eye!  Dang mosquitoes!

For p-day we made cookies!  They were delicious and I was so excited to cook again!  Do you think that you could send me some recipes?  Cookies, brownies,  rice krispies....I love it muchly!

I have had a lot of people come up to me lately and tell me that I look like Taylor Swift.....Not sure how they see it.  BUT it is a great way to start a contact!

The most spiritual thing that happened during this week was listening to a priesthood blessing.  I love the priesthood with all my heart!  Even if I don´t fully understand all that is being said I know that it is something amazing!  

Everyday we try to find a new and fun thing to do.  This week we went to an area called El Arco.  It was really hot  and we were trying to find some less actives.  On our way to the house we ran into a family of 7 and two of the girls showed us the way.  We basically went hiking and there was a little stream.  I wish that I didn´t have to wear flats because we go ¨hiking´´ a lot.

My companion with a ward member.

I try new foods everyday!  This week was chicharron or pork rinds....not a good experience for my whole district....

My Spanish is improving everyday.  I had one lesson where I just whipped out a part of the lesson and it was amazing!  I wish it would happen more often.  I can understand people now! I just need to improve my vocabulary.

We had a meeting with President Whitehead.

(Dad's Letter)

Dad,

Sounds like things are going just swimmingly in good old Enoch!  3 NEW MISSIONARIES!  How exciting!  I can't believe the success you are having in the ward!  I bet the missionaries are glad that you are so willing to help them along in the work!

We are having a movement ourselves here.  Our goal is to have a ward instead of a Branch.  The Branch Pres. is very serious about this work.  A lot of the members are willing to help us out.  I love working with the members and It helps the investigators have a friend in the church.

Dad I have a lot of recipes.  One of our investigators gave me 5 cookbooks.  I am going to collect some of my favorite recipes for us to try when I get home.  We are going to have some good eats!

For finding people we do street contacts and referrals.  We are outside practically all day.  My area is great.  We have a lot of less actives.  We do teach a lot though.  The only thing is that a lot of people have to work on Sunday, so attendance at church is low. We will keep working on it.  The people are very loving and giving.  

Thanks for all of your work!

Love you tons!

Hermana Drew

Me at the Lake

Sunset in Valle de Bravo

The front door of our Chapel

This Week Marks Two Months!

Mama Mia!

Can you believe that at the end of this week I will have been out for two months!  Crazy how time is flying already!  BIG NEWS!  I got Tay's Valentine....oh and Toby's but I haven´t seen the others.  Sounds like your week was full of adventures and learning!

My week has been full of excitement!  We had my first Zone Conference and I absolutely loved it.  It is like a big seminary class and I learn so much.  Elder Huffaker is in my zone and so is Clark's friend, Elder Wanner.  Oh and remember when we went to the temple to do sealings and That old man said his grandson is in my mission?  Well he is my District Leader.  Elder Thornley.  Crazy how small the world is in the Church!

We had the sister training leaders here for three days helping us with lessons and contacting.  We were able to get so much done!  I did my first street contact and let´s just say it was awkward,  I forgot what I was supposed to say and there was a lot of silence.  It is my goal to do 10 contacts a day this week.  I think it will help my Spanish.  

I had a little hard time understanding things this week and that made me a little frustrated but most of the people here are really nice and help me understand.  The only funny thing that has happened with my Spanish is mixing up the word corn (maiz)  with the word nose (nariz).  It is very important that you know the difference when you are talking about food.

Speaking of food...almost every house that we go to gives us something to eat and it doesn´t matter if you are full or not, you have to eat what they give you.  Yesterday I was so full of food I was hoping and praying that I would not throw up.  I have a list of my favorite foods in our casa and I absolutely love tortillas.  

I had some salsa that tasted just like yours Mom!  Way to go and make salsa like a native!

It has been raining a lot and yesterday was the worst.  I was really glad I had my boots.  They keep me nice and warm and  dry.  I love to splash in the puddles!

I learned something really important today!  Heavenly Father is always with us!  It gives me the courage to talk to people in Spanish because I know that if the people need the message, the Holy Ghost will carry it to their hearts and interpret my Spanish.  

I love you tons and know that I am so close to you!

Le Amo

Hermana Drew

First companion, first apartment

MAMA!

I was just about to tell you all about my amazing companion!  First off she does speak a little English but she understands English more than she can speak it.  All of the Latinos have to learn English while they are out here.  So we are helping each other.  She doesn´t want to go home.  I think that for all missionaries we get into this routine of how life is and just like coming out, going home is a scary experience full of emotions.  I love how she knows exactly what I need when I need. She is truly inspired and she helps me to be happy every moment!

My Companion,  Hermana Cabrara

Man oh man....my apartment...Let me say that our kitchen at home is massive compared to this one.  When I first arrived I was a little nervous because it was so dirty.  Bugs and critters everywhere.  I was sweeping and I found a scorpion.  I held back my scream.  And no we don´t have AC.  We have a fan but we don´t usually use it because it cools down at night.

I love my area!  There are a lot of hills so I have an awesome leg workout everyday.  It is very touristy and the water borders my area.  We split Valle de Bravo with two elders and the elders have the really steep hills.

Church is in a house that use to belong to a gang.  Amazing how Heavenly Father can take something bad and make it good huh?!  I absolutely love sacrament meeting.  Nothing feels me up with the spirit like the sacrament.  I always look forward to that renewal. And we have 30-40 members, a lot of less actives.  This past Sunday we had more people attend than any other Sunday! 52!!!!! It was amazing!

On p-days we clean, do laundry, go shopping, take pics, and prep until 6.  Then it is back to work.

The members feed us everyday for lunch.  It is the biggest meal that they have here and it is at 2.  It is impolite for us to not finish our food so I am learning to stretch my stomach.. Most times we eat cereal for breakfast and dinner. For lunch we will usually have some Taco type thing.  I love tortillas so much!  There are a lot of fresh fruits and veggies but we don´t usually buy them because they have been sitting in the sun for a long time....

My clothes are perfect for the weather here, and I can feel my body getting stronger every day!  My shoes work great! 

I never got your valentines and I am sad you didn´t get mine.. I guess it wasn´t meant to be.  

So they say for packages it is best for you to use the US postal system and send the package and letters to, 

Hermana Drew

Avenida Fuente de las Pirámides No. 1, Piso 1,

Lomas de Tecamachalco, C.P. 53950

Naucalpan, Edo. De Mexico

We get pouch every once and a while so ya.

Thanks for All of your prayers!  I am praying for you too!

I love you tons!  More than Ice Cream!

Hermana Drew

First Day in Valle de Bravo

Mamá!

Just writing to let you know that my P-days will be on Monday too! I arrived in my area late Monday night and we worked really hard Tuesday.  I am in an area called Valle de Bravo (bi-yay de bra-vo).  Look it up! It´s beautiful here!  There is a lake and all of the streets are cobblestone.  My feet and ankles hurt from walking so much.  It´s also really hot here...

My Spanish is getting a little better but I am only on my third day in the mission field.  

Turns out I am related to Pres Whitehead.  He told me that Adolphus Whitehead Lund was a recorder in the St George temple and he recorded the baptisms for our founding fathers.  How cool is that?

President and Sister Whitehead

My companion is HNA Cabrera from Baja California and this is her last transfer.  She is excited about everything and she always lets me know what is going on.  We work really hard.

Mexico City West Mission is all about working hard and obedience.  Fun fact for you, it´s known as the Gran Misión because they are the leaders in baptisms throughout the world.  I am extremely grateful to be a part of it!

I know this is what I am supposed to do and I am excited to work hard!

Love you tons!

Hermana Drew

Valle de Bravo

Another view of Valle de Bravo

Snow In Cedar?

Mama!

SNOW in Cedar!  Well I guess that  was bound to happen right?!  The weather is so nice here.  It's been really hot lately and I have been sweating a ton...

It´s weird not having Hermana Johnson.  It´s seems like our lessons don´t flow as well, but I have learned a lot and so has Hermana Spencer.  We are learning that things might come up in companionship's and that we have to work through things and still keep going.  Hermana Johnson has some problems with her intestines.  She is getting a test done on Monday if things go well, she can return to her mission and skip past the MTC.

My Spanish is coming great!  I do lessons and I think I am so good at Spanish and then I go and talk to a native and I basically end up doing charades for them.  It´s coming though.  I am going to learn so much more when I am out in the field.

My whole district leaves on Monday in the AM.  My mission president is suppose to pick me up at 8:00...I think.  I don´t know if I will get to call you but keep your phone handy!  

I am most excited to teach real people and see my Spanish improve.  Plus eating the food is pretty great too.  

I have enjoyed everything about the CCM!  The people, the teachers, the food, the classes, everything!  I am sad to leave but I can´t serve my mission here always!

Every Sunday they make our district write talks and its completely random who gets to speak.  I have shared my testimony and spoken and this next Sunday, I get to share my testimony again. We have sacrament with our zone.  I wasn´t really nervous to speak because I know people can´t understand me anyway.

Kenna writes me almost every week We share a lot of advice.  It´s great!

So this week David Archeleta and Carolina Muñoz, the boxing lady from Meet the Mormons, came to the CCM.  I didn´t get a picture with them but they waved really big and friendly at me.  It was the best day EVER!

I got to welcome the new missionaries and escort them to dinner!  It was really fun and the Hermanas are all so cool!  They will do great things!

So I was really scared to go out into the field, this last Sunday.  There were a lot of tears involved.  Luckily all of our teachers received revelation and gave lessons that were exactly for me.  I said a prayer and I got an answer.  One of my teachers reminded me of a story I heard where He is telling us to come closer to the edge of a cliff and even though it is scary when we jump off we are going to soar.  I am still scared to go but I know things are going to work out.  I am really excited too.

Mom I love you tons and I can´t wait to possibly speak to you on Monday!

Love you more than delicious Mexican Ice cream!

Hermana Drewbedrew

Hermana Drew and her zone

Hermana Drew and Hermana Spencer and a couple of Sista friends

Another selfie!

A couple of teachers from the CCM and Hermana Spencer and Hermana Drew

Hermana Drew and her District

Great Elders in Hermana Drew's District

The Elders and Hermanas  and their Branch president and Leader.