GREETINGS FROM MEXICO

¡Hola!

I AM IN MEXICO!!!

I am sorry there are no pictures this letter because I forgot my memory card reader :( grr. I made a special effor to take pictures today and I can't send them. BUT I PROMISE NEXT WEEK!!!!

When I landed in Mexico City Airport, my stomach was feeling all sorts of things. Nervous. Excited. Upset stomach from the rough landing (that never happens to me...). Excited. For the most part, it still felt like a dream to be in Mexico!

My mission president, President Mejorada, is FANTASTIC! He speaks a little english which made it less intimidating to talk to him. The Mejorada family is so kind and reached out with open arms to all of the new missionaries.

My companion is Hermana Miguez! I love her already! She is from Uruguay but thank heavens she knows english, too! (Her last companion, Hna Kitchen, is from Salt Lake so she knows how to work with an American companion :) ) She said that before the mission, she learned most of her English from the movies-- that made me laugh so hard!! Sometimes she quotes lines from movies (in English, of course) and it makes me laugh :)

My first area in the land of Mexico is San Miguel de Allende!! Oh my is it GORGEOUS!! This is where I really regret not bringing my memory card reader! The streets are lined with bright colored buildings and each door is unique. If you find the time, and if it is possible, go to Google Earth and walk down the streets because they take my breath away EVERY DAY.  It keeps me from getting bored walking up street after street. Oh yeah, did you catch that I said walking UP streets? Yeah, the streets are quite the hike. My main concern is my weak ankles on the rock road. It's like hiking, but times one hundred (if you have ever been hiking with me you would know that I trip on just about every rock placed in my path. I am pretty weak in the ankles).

Anywho, San Miguel de Allende-- Hna Miguez and I were assigned to open this area-- how cool is that? I think we may be the first Hnas in San Miguel, at least as far as I am concerned. This means we do a lot of contacting in the streets, searching for people to teach. Our teaching pool is pretty small, but I can't wait to see it improve!

The weather is nice and warm-- like a good May in Utah, maybe even June, but really it is March. It is absolutely my favorite kind of weather.

I am struggling to learn how to use pasos but I think I am starting to get a hang of it. 

Spanish... haha, that's funny. Everyday I am drained of all my energy because I am using every ounce to focus on what people are saying. AHH THEY SPEAK SO FAST! I have learned a little bit and can understand just about every other word. If they are talking about the gospel I understand a lot more-- ha :)  I have learned to not focus on every word but the general idea, general words they are saying-- whatever that means!

We live... I am not sure how to describe it but we live in a house extention next to some members in our ward and also the Elders. The floors are tile and the walls are cement. I will send you pictures next week. (grr)

The food-- so far not too spicy and it is bareable. All the members say that the more spicy/Mexican food I eat, the better my spanish will become. Ha. I sure hope so because my tongue is on fire!

Well, I hope I answered all of your questions and I will write more next week!

Con mucho amor,

HNA BEARDALL