WEEK 2: - Changes

Hello world!!

First of all I want to express how heartbroken I am for Keli rutledge and her family. She was an amazing person, and she may have been one of the most talented singers I've ever known in my life. It's such a shame that something as quick as a car accident can bring such drastic changes. I always told her to remember me when she got famous... because it's very likely that she would've. She was starting to get the big time gigs in Arizona that I could only dream about.  Her and I would always joke around that I was gonna be the one to 'turn her into a mormon...''

But I do know one thing and that's that if anyone asked her what the one thing she loves more than music is, she would without a doubt say Jesus Christ. We may have belonged to different religions but her faith and love for Him was always an example to me. I like to imagine that He welcomed her with the biggest hug ever. May God be with her family during this hard time.

Another sad thing, sorry guys... My companion had to go home on Monday. His anxiety was getting too bad and he just wasn't mentally able to focus. He just needs some time home to figure things out and better prepare himself for the demands of a mission. I was there with him through the thick and thin, but sometimes it's hard not to have feelings of "could I have done more?" and stuff like that. I love that guy and I wish him the best. He has a lot of faith. It would be so hard to go home early.

So now because he had to go home I've been paired up in a trio with the two other elders in my district. They are like best friends so it's been a little bit hard to just join in... but it's okay. One of them came to the CCM with a suitcase full of ONLY protein powder. He used to be a legit body builder and model. So... that means there's been a lot less volleyball and futbol and a lot more weight rooming. oh well.

Alright enough of the sad stuff. I am physically mentally and everything still doing great. I feel really good still. The spanish is still going awesome... I don't understand why everyone says that the spanish that you learn in high school doesn't help at all, bc since I have that under my belt, I've been able to start ahead and stay ahead and focus on the harder stuff. Different for everyone I guess... Big thanks to good ol melinda hoopes for that one. #1 spanish teacher. 

ALSO connections... So the medical doctor that my companion had been talking to before he left his name is Elder packard. (I can't remember his first name)... but anyways he is blair packards brother! He used to live in Gilbert and has been to mozambique with care for life and both him and his wife think that they remember meeting you at a dinner or something, dad. crazy. He's such an awesome guy and talks to me all the time and has really developed my interest in the psychology field. Smart man. NEXT one of the hermanas in my district, Hermana Garcia, was in Ginna and Larry's ward in Aztec NM!! crazy. 

So today's been our first full P day since we didn't get the first one and we were at the temple for most of the day last week. It's been nice. I got a fresh cut from a nice mexican lady and we played some ball. Not bad.

Seriously though the CCM is such a fantastic place. The teachers here are the coolest dudes ever and are actually super super good teachers. The food is great and the latinos are the funniest/friendliest guys ever, not to mention they really help with the spanish. Every time they see my body builder companion, they yell SUPERMAN!!!! and run and give him a hug. He's basically Elder Superman instead of Elder Mendez. It's hilarious.

Anyways I love all you guys so much and I hope you're all doing well!! Someone please update me on real world stuff like politics and sports and music and stuff!! You guys are great!!

Love,

Elder McBride

p.s.

please add the fact that you can email letter@mtcmexicocarepackage.com with ELDER MCBRIDE DISTRICT 13C in the subject line and i will receive the letter the next day!! also it might be worth it to check out or google missionarypresents.com mom and dad because it might be worth your time ;)