¡Me Encanta a Ver el Templo!

Oh my goodness this week has been soo good, but at the same time soo hard. Who knew always having to speak in Spanish would be so hard y draining. So as I believe I mentioned in my last email, because of the change in districts I now have to hablo solo español, which is not easy. I have felt a many times that I probably shouldn't have been moved up but at the same time I know it's good for me. I just found out today that the tres otros misioneros en my district had all been in either dual immersion or solo español immersion programs since kindergarten. Like mi compañero Élder Adams learned everything in español in elementary school, which explains why I have felt so behind. But as I'm having these thoughts of not being good enough, I'm also noticing how well mi español is progressing. I started last week by having Élder Adams carry me through all of our lessons whereas now I am able to contribute to at least half of the lesson. The Gift of Tongues is real! I've been watching it bless me as I have been studying the language, Predicad Mi Evangelio, y las escrituras en solo español. 

Now as the subject suggested, I got to go to el templo! Oh my goodness, was it beautiful! The Temple has definitely been something I've missed since being in la CCM. So to end this week with a trip to the temple was the best ending I could have asked for. The peace that you feel on the grounds and inside is amazing and I wish I could feel more. 

I also got to give my first Priesthood blessing this week. And boy was that an amazing experience! One of the Hermanas in my district asked me for a blessing, and not gonna lie, I was pretty scared, but of course I said yes. How could I not? So later that night, Élder Adams y yo went into our class room with the Hermanas and one other companionship of hermanas to give her the blessing. Before I started the blessing I had no idea of what to say. I stood there for a couple seconds and couldn't think of anything, and the longer I stood there the more nervous I got. So I just began, and as soon as I began the prayer, thoughts of what to say started to flood my head. It was so amazing! The spirit in the room was so strong and I could feel the love that the Lord had for this Hermana and her willingness to serve as a misionera. 

There's so much that I have been learning here a la CCM and I'm so dang grateful for this experience that I get to serve for two years. I am so stoked to be able to get to Guatemala and begin my service there as I serve the Lord's people in Retalhuleu. 

Also may I end this email with one piece of advice. To all those who wear glasses... take them off before you begin doing pull-ups in a doorway. I found out the hard way that when you hit your face on a door frame, certain glasses can be quite sharp.