me gusta la rata que cocina

 ¡Hola hola!

Another week at the MTC has passed, it feels like time is flying by here. I only have one more week at the CCM, and pretty soon I will be headed to Antigua Guatemala where I will spend the next two years of my life inviting others to come unto Christ.

This week let me just say, A BLAST. We started our English fast as a district, so that means we have only been speaking in Spanish, which means NO MAS EN INGLÉS. Hermano Sosa has been la policia this week because he has been keeping tabs on who has been slipping in words in English during class here and there and he said that whoever has spoken the most words has to buy chocolate for the whole class from la tienda. It has been a challenge for sure but as missionaries we must have faith and work hard for el don de las lenguas.

I had the opportunity to play a special musical number of How Great Thou Art with Hermana Baldwin this past Sunday. It's been awhile since I played a special musical number in sacrament meeting so it was definitely a refreshing experience. While I was playing the piano, I was thinking about the importance of developing talents and gifts. As children of God, we are given talents and gifts to help us fulfill our mission on this earth and to help bless the lives of others. I was thinking about how grateful I am to have the ability to play the piano, and I know that I have the responsibility to share my talent with others, wherever I go.

Life at the CCM has continued to be an adventure everyday. This past week, I had the opportunity to teach five lessons this week with my companion, three with Hermano Sosa, two with Hermana Garcia. Even though they were only mock lessons, I felt the spirit so strong during my first lesson with Hermana Garcia. My companion and I talked to her about the importance of the Atonement. My eyes were getting teared up when I shared my testimony about the Atonement and how it's impacted my life, there were also tears in Hermana Gracias eyes as well, when I shared my experience.

This week I also had the special privilege to see my Dad at the MTC. I dont have the words to express how much of an amazing opportunity that was to see my Dad, as my time at the CCM is coming to a close. As some of you may know, due to a family emergency a few weeks ago, I had to say goodbye to my Dad unexpectedly and I didnt have that much closure about it, but seeing him again at the CCM definitely helped a ton. My Dad and my brother came to Mexico to visit my family in Puebla, and since they took a flight from LAX to Mexico City, they decided that they would try to visit me too since the airport is reasonably close to the CCM. I asked President Kirkham if he would be okay with the idea of me seeing my Dad, and he said YES. That was definitely my miracle and the highlight of my week. When my Dad and brother arrived at the CCM, I took them around campus and gave them a tour. They even had the chance to meet both of my teachers which was really special as well!

For my spiritual thought this week, I would like to share my testimony on the atonement. I want you all to know that I truly know that Christ understands our pain and suffering that we feel in our lives, and He is there for us. Jesus Christ can help and strengthen anyone who asks with sincere faith. Our Savior's Atonement made it possible for us to clean from our sins and repent. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of new beginnings. The Savior also comforts us in our infirmities, gives us strength to accomplish things that we would not be able to do on our own, and gives us hope that we can return to live with Him and Heavenly Father. As full time missionaries, we have the responsibility to participate in the work of salvation by helping others learn how to access the blessings of the Atonement through faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, confirmation, and enduring to the end.

I invite you guys this week to ponder over a time where you have felt gratitude that Jesus Christ has overcome physical and spiritual death

Have a good week!

Elder Flores

Highlights

• I had the opportunity to play fútbol with some of the missionaries that are native to Mexico. It was really fun to play with them and it helped me to expand my vocabulary in Spanish for sure! Lets just say that ya boi was getting gassed out there, more of a baseball kind of guy, but it was a good wake up for Guatemala for sure because I am sure I will be playing a lot of fútbol on pday
• All of the missionaries in the MTC sang High on the Mountain Top together in Spanish for the devotional on Tuesday, and man it sounded like a battalion with all of those strong voices. Hermana Kirkham jumped up and down and yelled YEAAAAA like a proud mom again haha she's awesome.
• Okay so as a district we went around sharing our top 5 music artists, Hermano Sosa even made a list too. I have to say that I put together one of the most solid lists in the class, but I think the other missionaries in my district, beg to differ haha
• Played some volleyball against other districts and let's just say District 7C held down the court! We played really good together as a district and it was a great opportunity to bond closely with my friends.
• Idk if this is a highlight but I saw a rat in the kitchen and it reminded me of the famous disney movie ratatouille and it was literally the perfect moment because one of Elder Dixs favorite lines to say in spanish is, Me gusta la rata que cocina, which translates to I like the rat who cooks haha