Happy Thanksgiving from Sunny Mexico

Hola familia,

Sorry, I have just 20 minutes to read and send emails today so this is going to be short.

Dad sent me an email this morning saying that today it's cold and rainy in Utah--the kind of day that makes you want to stay in bed all day. Well, today is another cloudless, hot day in Mexico. The kind of day where you want to sleep in a hammock under a tree with jugo de piña, fresa, and naranja [pineapple, strawberry and orange juice] mixed together. Not that I'm rubbing it in or anything!

If you've ever questioned the value of Ecco shoes, don't. My non-Ecco shoes are totally shot after just five and a half months in Mexico. The other day I poured 6-9 oz. of dirt out of the sole of one of my shoes. It finally clicked why my one foot would be black and the other white at the end of each day. I can't believe how much dirt and dust was in my shoe. I have tried to glue the holes shut but it isn't working. I am going to take it to the shoe guy in town to see what he can do.

This week we baptized a boy named E___ and we hope to baptize A___ and A___ this weekend. Sadly, their dad loathes us and I think that is what is holding up the baptism. E___ was super-excited to be baptized and even showed up to the service in a new suit and tie. He wants to serve a mission.

I have been a little stressed lately and I feel like I may have gotten out of touch with what it means to be a true missionary. This week didn't really have the excitement and love that it normally has for missionary work. I am stressed because I have to manage a lot of things like an area, a missionary, and investigators. Don't worry though--I am doing fine health-wise and I am not a depressed mess :).

We should be having a classic Thanksgiving this week...with a Mexican influence of course. The bishop of our ward here very kindly did Thanksgiving dinner for the guero [white] missionaries last year and he's doing it this year too. I can't believe how kind and thoughtful people are here.

I found out changes may be before Christmas (December 20 to be exact). If so, and I get moved from Alpuyeca, I am going to be so sad. I have grown to love these people so much and I want to spend Christmas among my new friends and family.

That's it for this week.

Love,

Elder Bosque