Hola friends and family!
This last week has been amazing, hopefully I can fit it all in one email!
First, last Friday was Mexico Independence Day, they celebrate pretty much the same way we celebrate the 4th of July, so you can only imagine what it would be like in a city of 22 million people. The climax of the holiday is Thursday at midnight, the CCM president showed a video of the main ceremony that the President of Mexico does, it gave me goosebumps. He gives a short speech and then shouts things to honor the history of Mexico with the phrase "VIVA"(which means "long live") in between.
The CCM president wanted us to be able to experience this great cultural event in some fashion, so he organized a celebration in the gymnasium. On Friday night all missionaries (nearly 1000 total) packed into the gym. He announced that we were celebrating Mexico but also the independence and religious freedom of all other countries because they had been prepared by the Lord to be able to receive his restored gospel. It was an amazing experience, we shouted "VIVA" for each country. The one for the United States was the loudest:).
On Monday I experienced hopefully the biggest earthquake of my life! We actually had an earthquake drill scheduled for 12:19pm that afternoon. The drill came and went like normal. My companion and I went to eat lunch, and as we were walking out of the cafeteria, we heard the siren again! There was a lot of confusion since we had just gotten finished with the dril about 35 minutes prior, also there wasn't any apparent distortion of the ground. There were CCM staff members driving around yelling for people to get to the safe zones so we did just that. Turns out it was a 7.4 magnitude quake!
This morning there was another earthquake at 1:30. I was woken up by the sounds of people slamming doors and running around. We still don't know much about this one except that it was smaller and even though we were hurrying, by the time we got to the safety zone we were safe to go back inside.
As for more context for the email subject. I have always like the food the serve in the cafeteria whatever day it is, but Tuesday nights are always the very best. It's the closest thing we have to a home cooked meal so it's pretty sacred around here haha. This week my district decided to go for the CCM record which was 76 slices(without crust). We performed well and between the 12 of us ate 89 slices.
It is so crazy this is my last P-day in the CCM/Mexico! The weeks have flown by but I absolutely cannot wait to get to Missouri! I get goosebumps thinking about it. These last two weeks, I have made so many friends while playing basketball during exercise time. Most of them started the CCM earlier then me and are now in their assignments. Having that comradery has been so cool, being a missionary is the best!
"Pues ya no temaís, y escudo seré, que soy vuestro Dios y socorro tendréis"
"Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid."
Hynm 85: How Firm a Foundation
Elder Kovacs
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