Mexico City Earthquake.

Jared was able to get online today to send out an email letting us know that he is safe and everything is fine in Monterrey. 

Mexico City was hit with a large earthquake yesterday, September 19, but Jared said that he didn't feel anything in Monterrey and all is well! Yay. We are so glad he is safe.

Week 33: Miguel Aleman, Mexico.

Week 33: ¡VIVA MÉXICO!

Well this week has been interesting! It was the Independence day for México the 16th. We had a fiesta and I´ll be honest the Mexicans know how to celebrate a little bit better than us Americans... This week has also been super humid for some reason. I have came to conclusion that there is hot and humid hot. I have been ironing 2 shirts in the morning because mid-day I have to return to the house to change shirts. We also went to the temple this morning which was a good experience.

We have a baptism date this Saturday for 3 of our investigators. Mauricio, Michelle, and Christopher. I hope we can complete this goal for them. My entire district are Latinos so I have been 100% in Spanish this transfer. Its helped me a lot and I also take time in our meetings to teach them English. I don´t have much to say this week but just remember that in order to receive blessings or anything great in life, we need to make sacrifices! Sacrifice the time and energy to reach out to those in need! I have been blessed to not have been effected by any of the earthquakes here in Mexico yet so don´t worry, everything will be fine! Take care.

Love, Elder Gibson

Pictures with Elder Cambell, The man who always hooks us up with free ice cream, my district, and companion.

 

Week 32. Miguel Aleman, Mexico.

Week 32: What a week!

Man! It sure has been a crazy week here in Mexico and throughout the world. My companion Elder De la Rosa is from Chiapas which got pretty torn up from the earthquake this past week. His hometown got hit pretty hard leaving a lot dead and injured. However, everyone of his family members is okay. I also know 3 other Elders from Chiapas, and their families too are all okay. I have been thinking about how the Lord blesses the families of a missionary. It truly is miraculous how a family can be protected and blessed with just one family member out on a mission. However, we dont need to have a mission out on a mission to receive these types of blessing. We can all receive them with living a Christ centered life!

Now if anyone is wondering what happened here in Monterrey, everything is okay! 

Thankfully, we didn't get affected by the earthquake. There were only thunder and lightening storms and a power outage. However inconvenient this power outage was, I learned something essential. The power went out in Monterrey and the surrounding cities for 9 hours. With this power outage there wasn't any service for the telephones during this time. After all of the devastating natural disasters, the people seemed to be more concerned and preoccupied about their cellphone than the people suffering in their same country. I realized that the things of this world to the people are more important the world itself. I hope that all of us can live a more simple life. The simple things that bring the most happiness. Ill be the first to say that the newest technology brings a whole lot of worldly happiness but not eternal joy. Now what are these simple things I speak of? Its visiting the people in need, its providing for the poor and less fortunate, its building a strong relationship with family and friends, its putting aside the things of the world for the benefit of others. When we participate in this kind of service with will experience eternal joy that will last us beyond this life. I can promise a simple life is a happier life. Be humble and put others first and watch the blessings that will come! I hope the best for you all. Take care! 

Love, Elder Gibson

P.S. The dog a always play fetch with when I pass by, my house, and me walking the streets of this crazy world!

Week 31: Miguel Aleman, Mexico.

Week 31: Miguel Alemán! oh and an interesting story.

 Hello everyone! I arrived to my new area this past week and the first impressions are great! I have been assigned with Elder De la Rosa. He is from Chiapas and loves to play basketball just like me! It is nice because he is my first companion with a similar stature and is pretty good at basketball. I know this because we have been getting up in the morning to shoot some hoops  and play some one on one which has been nice. He ends his mission at the end of this transfer, so I am just helping him make it till the end

This week we had the opportunity to have a bit of an interesting conversation with a old man. We were walking in the street and this man came out and yelled "Elders come on in!". We were a little bit shocked and confused because this never happens. We entered with a lot of energy and happiness into his house and we started to present ourselves as missionaries. He told us he knew who we were and than we started to have an interesting conversation. He told us that all of the things we teach and believe are in the wrong. All of the principles and doctrine we teach are false. He even used very strong language that I shouldn't repeat to you all however you all most probably wouldn't understand in these Spanish phrases. However, we kept our peace (if you know me well enough this was very hard for me) and we took all of his words into consideration. We responded in a loving manner and stated why we believe in the things we do. He was shocked and asked why we were the first people out of all the preachers who didn't react or try to fight back with doctrine. We answered that that wasn't out purpose, our purpose is to help everyone find a better way of life and more than anything be happy and find true joy. He was shocked and  even a little bit shaken. I think it is safe to say that he thought over the words and actions he expressed to us not over 5 minutes before. He response that he gave us was something like this, "Well boys, tell me what you got, I am listening with real intent". We taught and he enjoyed, we could see the things we were saying really sunk deep into this mans soul. Later, he agreed for us to return another day to share more of our message. I learned that love outweighs and defeats anger, rage, vexation in every circumstance. Love more, I can promise you will see a true change! Take care everyone, be happy. ☺

Love, Elder Gibson

P.S. Some pictures with my new companion and my boy Ricky!!