1st time proselyting in the field- I do not know Spanish

This past Saturday we finally got the opportunity to go proselyting in the field. We traveled to Lima South, which is my mission so that is pretty cool. Anyway the important thing to take away from proselyting is that there were dogs EVERYWHERE!! Seriously, I saw at least 20 dogs just chillin all around the city. 

Elder Thatcher and I got paired with a more experienced missionary and together we taught an older woman. She was as tall as my hip, but also made me realize I do not know any Spanish. I can't even remember what was said because I did not understand any of it. The senior companion had to nudge me an whisper ''share your testimony.'' So I did. I talked about how I knew this life could be tough, but if we continue to press forward in faith every day, keeping the commandments and loving one another, we will be happy not only in this life but in the next. At least that is what I wanted to say I hope that is what she understood. We also talked to another lady who was younger and taller. She was very nice and invited us in, but once again I cannot tell you what we talked about because I have no idea.

We ended our proselyting in the chapel where the ward provided all the missionaries pizza and soda. When they handed me my piece the only thing I said was ''La inglesia es verdad.'' They all thought that was really funny. No pictures this week unfotunately, we weren't allowed tot take any while proselyting and there isn't much more to take at the CCM. Just 13 days until we go to the field and are missionaries for real. Cannot wait.

Elder MacGregor

New Missionaries

Just another week here at the CCM. They cycle in new missionaries every three weeks so all the missionaries who were here for 3 weeks left to the field yesterday. One of them, Elder Nichols, looked EXACTLY like John Green. He declined to take a picture but trust me I asked him to say ''Except for the Mongols'' at least three times. Today is the first day that all the new missionaries come in and they look so young. I remember when I was their age. 

I think I have finally adjusted to this missionary lifestyle. It is no longer painful to wake up at 6.30. Three weeks left and then I will be in the field, then I will have some real stories. Also Elder Thatcher and I got our hair cut today, and by that I mean we got destroyed by the barber. I actually don't think I look that bad. I have a mirror selfie with a giant camera for reference. 

Since my time at the CCM, my favorite word has become ''duende'' and my favorite phrase is ''¡Que en el mundo!''Here I have a picture of the Lima Temple. It is humble against the large and noisy city, but it truly is very powerful and loving. Our district has set a goal to improve our charity since we are now the older ones here. I will let you know how it is going by next week, but as for right now I have talked to several new Elders so already I have made some progress.

2nd P Day

School is starting this week back home? Wow I´m glad I´m having so much more fun here than I am there. Just kidding we spend around 8 hours in the same classroom every day an it is starting to give me cabin fever. We spend a few hours every day learning spanish and then switch into preparing to teach lessons. For physical activity we play soccer all the time and it is a ton of fun but also I am terrible at it.
I will admit that missionary work is very difficult. You are tired all the time but you know what you are doing is right. Already I have been wondering why I ever needed a phone in the first place. A mission also gets the most fun when you completely lose yourself in what you are doing. Last night we had a devotional about changing and preparing our hearts, and that´s when I realized that just going through the motions of being a missionary is no bueno. You need to actively study spanish, study the scriptures, and that is when the joy of sharing the gospel comes. We teach these ´´investigators,´´ and every time I love testifying of what I know.
Your testimony gets stronger each time you share it, I know that is true. I also know that the Atonement is real. Jesus Christ, our elder brother, really did suffer for all of us so that we might repent and be clean again. If you every have any doubts about the gospel, live it like you don´t and I promise the Lord will bless you.
 Also everyone here reminds me of someone else, for example my companion is exactly the same as Caleb Calder. Also I have a picture here with Elder Lara, I´m sure you guys can guess who he reminds me of. There is a picture of my dorm it really isn´t that interesting.

And finally, here is a picture of my district during personal study. 5 of the 12 missionaries are asleep. The chruch is true.

1st P Day

                          For everyone who was expecting a lovely email on Monday I apologize for the delay. P day is Wednesday here. I don´t even know where to start except for that I slept on the plane ride here and it went about as well as sleeping on a plane does. We got to the MTC (here it´s called the CCM, Centro de Capacitacion Misional). There is supposed to be an accent over the o but I can´t figure out how to work this Spanish keyboard. I know all the questions I´m going to get are about food so here is what it is: lots of chicken and rice and bread at every meal. There is yogurt every morning. They have several flavors of juice, all of which are mediocre. There are about 150 missionaries, most are Latinos. We are divided into missionaries who know Spanish and are here for three weeks and missionaries who are learning Spanish and are here for six weeks, which is where I am. However, in the bathroom I was ashing my hands and saying how much I hated asparagrus in Spanish and one of the teachers asked if I was in the three week program. He said my pronounciation was very good. So if someone could tell Señor Ricardo I owe him a big thank you that would be much appreciated. Honestly it´s really hard just trying to explain everything because I don´t know what is important to say and what really doesn´t matter. My companion´s name is Elder Thatcher and his favorite phrase in Spanish is ´´Me llamo Rexburg Idaho´´. Everyone says the first week here is the longest in your life but it´s not true. The longest week of my life was when Sloan had us go tubing on a river with no current. If I could survive that then I know a mission can´t be that hard. Just kidding this is ridiculously tough work and I have started to realize that I am entering the big leagues. I really miss all of you but I have truly met wonderful people here. They all have such powerful testimonies of the gospel and really make me want to share and exercise my own. If there are any typos in this it is because I have had to start speaking in Spanish all the time and it´s just starting to blend together with English. ¡Hope you all are doing very well and are excited for school!

Made it!!!!

Hola padres, estoy en la CCM. We got here around 2 am this morning and I fell asleep around 3:45. I got my name tag and it's pretty awesome.

Not going to lie it is very intimidating around here but I know after a few days I'll get the hang of it. Hope my brothers liked their presents. CCM is spanish for MTC by the way. Anyway life is good the church is true. jajajaja

                       Te amo, Elder MacGregor