No puedo hacer nada sin Jesucristo, El Espiritu Santo, Y Dios

Hola amorosa familia! 

I brought my journal with me so I'll give you a quick run down of what has happened.

Okay, so the flight was not bad at all.  Although super long and super exhausting. I think we pulled in at like 6ish, and everyone was gassed. At my layover in Utah I met up with not only Theuson, but like 30 missionaries. I made really good friends with an Elder named Elder Templeton, who happens to be going to Chihuahua and is in my District (or group of missionaries).  I met my companion Elder White, and we were real chummy real fast. That's kinda all there was to the first day.

My District, with Elder Templeton in the middle (red tie), and my companion, Elder White, next to me in the navy suit.

 My District

 Elder Templeton and Me

Me and my companion, Elder White

Then it really started. The first few days were crazy, absolutely nuts. But in a good way! Elder White and I had to give a lesson on like day 3 with a fake investigator in Spanish, and it was so bad. I mean awful bad. Like I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be here bad.  But we continued to pray, and Elder White suggested that maybe it was meant to humble us. I don't think he could've been more right.

The very next day, el don de lenguas (the gift of tongues) was sooooooooooo real. The Spirit was so strong and we said what we wanted to say and everyone was crying, including our investigator.  I couldn't help but think of you guys in that moment and I just sat and cried because I know our lives and my life has been sooooo directed by God to get us to where we are now.  I also learned very fast that the Holy Ghost is the teacher, and we are simply the vessels to bring Him to people. Remember how Lauren had her 'Dios es perfecto' (Heavenly Father is perfect) quote?  I think I already found mine.

'No puedo hacer nada sin Jesucristo, El Espiritu Santo, Y Dios'

(I can do nothing without the Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and God)

It's crazy how humbled I've been since getting here, I find myself so often in awe at the blessings I, as well as others, have -- despite us probably not being worthy of all of them. I know for sure I don't deserve most of the blessings Our Heavenly Father has given me. 

Let me tell you, el don de lenguas es versed (the gift of tongues is true). Elder White and I, after just a week here, can give lessons in Spanish, and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel. I can talk with almost any latino missionary and have a good conversation. La Iglesia es versed tambien (The church is also true), that's just pretty undeniable at this point. 

OH, and just last night we had Sister Oscarson give a devotional here and she shared the video 'The Will of God' (the currant bush video Momma), (Video Link) and boy I cried a lot. It's crazy how personal this mission already is, and will continue to be.  I know I'm supposed to be here for one reason or another and I really can't wait to get out in the field. Even though my Spanish is still not great. But, the Mission President and the latinos all say I speak well, and have a good accent, so that's cool!! The only bummer is it's a Mexican accent, sorry family!.. ;) 

Latinos always ask were my last name is from, and I love telling them Its from Argentina, because then we always talk in castalleno for a lil', and that's just fun. I've also been told I have an Argentine nose, which I think is a good thing (insert sassy girl emoji, Nat probably knows what I mean ;)

We went to the temple today, so that was super awesome! I cried a bit in the celestial room. But, Basically I've cried cada dia (every day). Like I just know this is where I'm supposed to be. It feels right. 

There have been so many instances in which, just like President Merrill said, my prayers have been answered fast, and directly.  Like the first day I was having a hard time getting my key out the closet door, so i stopped, prayed and said I need help because I can't go 6 weeks struggling with my door, and literally before I said Amen Elder White came over and just pulled it out and taught me how to do it!  Some might call it coincidence, I call it uno repuesta (an answer).

Also, I've been praying to be humble, and stay humble, so I can feel the Spirit and help others feel it tambien. It's been in my prayers since day one and yesterday night the hermanas in our group walked up to me and told me "Thank you for being such a strong vessel of the Spirit. No matter whether you're speaking in English or Spanish we can always feel it as you talk so we just wanted to thank you."  It was probably the nicest thing anyone could say to me, and I took it as an answered prayer that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and I need to keep being humble and pray for the Spirit to be with me. 

Okay I feel like I'm all over the place here, but to answer your questions:

Yes I've been playing soccer <3 and Yes, it's been awesome, and ohmygosh I'm actually one of the better kids out here!  That was super surprising.  We always play futsal and I always play with the latinos because they like me and we ball upppppppppp!  It's way fun. We started a game one time, and I got the ball first, pulled off a sweet Maradona around a kid and he said "Shoot! What did we get ourselves in to?!"  Ha!  That was super funny and super fun.  All the guys here are super chill, so the games never get heated, which is nice :)

I love you all, stay awesome and stay humble. We are blessed beyond measure.

Until next week,

Nick