Serving in San Antonio Texas: First Email... February 15, 2019

Hola todos!!! This one will be a lot longer than the rest because it's been TEN DAYS (which has felt more like 10 YEARS) of so much stuff happening!! It has been super hard but I knew it would be and I'm still hanging in there!! The first week was the best week of my life and I was truly happier than I have ever been, and then Sunday was the first time I cried since saying goodbye to my family, but I want to thank everyone for the emails (& packages hehe thanks mom)because they have been my motivation every day. This week has been hard, but I'll get to that later.

First of all, the CCM is absolutely amazing!!! I haven't been sick yet (knock on wood) but the food has been my favorite!! Every Tuesday is pizza night, and there is some weird thing here where they put nutella, yes NUTELLA, on the pepperoni pizza. It's actually surprisingly good!! Don't knock it until you try it!! The CCM is also like it's own little town! We live in a pink house and it's amazing! Waking up at 6:30 actually hasn't been too hard since I woke up at 5:30 a lot before I left(thank you Sara). I do usually hit a wall right after lunch, but I somehow always pass through it!! My Spanish is also getting better every day!! It's amazing how true the Gift of Tongues is!!!

My companion is amazing! For all of you who follow me on social media and would see "Morgan Carlson" commenting on my posts about going to the same mission at the same time and stuff, well that's my companion! We never met before we did at the airport, but we had talked quite a bit over social media before our missions. I found out she liked pageants and all that stuff, and you all know I'm not the girly girl type, so I was super nervous we wouldn't get along at all. We were flight companions so we thought for sure we wouldn't be mtc comps, but we are!! And we get along so well!! Its challenging at times because she has never taken Spanish before coming here, so I can't really talk with her in Spanish to improve or anything, but it's all good! I'm learning a lot about patience! She's also not a typical pageant girl so that's good!! Also for all of you who know how much I like back scratches and always told me how I'm going to have to get used to 18 months without one, y'all were wrong because my companion LOVES to give back scratches hehehe.

My district is the best, no joke. I know everybody says that but honestly I couldn't ask for any better of a family here!! The elders are the best and seriously like the little brothers I never had (because they're all younger than me haha) I have had two blessings so far and they are always so sweet about offering to give them. We had 4 elders and 8 sisters in our district before we had to say goodbye to a couple people. Two elders and five sisters in our district are headed to San Antonio, and two elders and two sisters are headed to New Jersey, Morristown, and the other sister is headed to New Mexico. The first two weeks have been hard on everyone, and the outcomes haven't exactly been the same for everyone.

Elder Bagley is the first one I want to talk about because his situation is different, but the outcome is amazing. So this is actually his second time in the CCM. He was here last July, but deals with super bad anxiety and had to return home the second week. This last week has been an absolute roller coaster for our district. Elder Bagley had a ticket to go home three different times. Tuesday was the worst time because he was struggling really bad. He was for sure heading home, he was more sad and depressed than he ever has been, but then president walked up to him and said "Elder Bagley, you leave Friday to San Antonio Texas, English speaking." He hasn't had a problem with anxiety since and we are all super sad he's leaving us, but also so happy for him (and we will still get to see him because he's going to my same mission)

Wednesday was probably the worst day so far because Hermana Hale went home :( She was the most amazing girl with the purest heart, but she didn't exactly come out here for herself, so she needed to go back home and figure out when she wants to come back for herself. Although we were all super sad after saying goodbye her, we just want what's best for her so we understood.

I have had four friends here in the CCM from highschool!! Hermana Hall leaves next week and Hermana Harold just got here this week! Elder Boehme and Elder Durrant have been here as well. It's been so amazing to have some pieces of home and people that I know here! Also for everyone that knows Olivia Wade, we are like best friends here at the CCM! We played soccer against each other for many years haha but my first day she came up to me and helped me with tips and pointers and since then we have become the best of friends!

We have had three devotionals while being here and they were amazing!! Last Friday Elder Cook from the Quorum of the 12 came to speak to us and I can't even tell you how amazing the spirit felt the moment he walked in that room. Then Tuesday night we watched a devotional from Elder Soares from the Provo MTC and it's amazing how they just know exactly what I need to hear that day!

My scripture that has helped me get through these past 10 days is Ether 12:27. I've just has to keep reminding myself that whenever I feel weak or like I can't continue my work, that Heavenly Father will make me strong and I will be able to continue with strength.

I promise next week will be shorter haha but I just want everybody to know that I miss them and I love them, and I am always so happy when I see emails pop up on my phone! I couldn't ask for any better of support. I look forward to talking to everyone next week!

*** LAST THING : HAPPY BIRTHDAY (on the 20th) TO MY BIG BRO, I LOVE YOU KADEN & YOU'RE THE BEST BIG BRO EVER!!! ***

I love you all!
♡Hermana Griffin♡