Week 6: Last Email From the CCM

Birthday!!

¡Buenas tardes!

Such an amazing week this week! Started off with a haircut... don't worry Mom I did not get a buzz cut. However, I did not trust the barber shop here so one Elder faded me up (and did a fuego job) and he has now inspired me to learn how to cut my own hair. Figured the mission is a good time to learn🤷‍♂️

We also had Fast Sunday this week at the CCM and it was so so great. The testimony meeting in church was sooo powerful. There is nothing quite like a bunch of missionaries bearing their testimonies of a whole array of gospel principles they believe in and love.

Had the privilege to celebrate my birthday this week in the CCM! It was actually such a good birthday and I felt so much love from so many people. My morning teacher ran outside the CCM walls to get me a Coke, received so many birthday wishes and notes, my afternoon teacher and one of the supervisors got me a cake that was actually super delicious, and the CCM president gave me a card. We also did an extra long gym time (because we ate lunch super quick), so that was another awesome present to play ultimate frisbee and volleyball for a couple hours. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. You all really made it a happy day for me.

Also had the opportunity to sing "Peace in Christ" at the welcome devotional for all new missionaries this week and it was actually so fun. Many of you know I love to sing but I don't necessarily love performing, especially for over 200 people. However, after some convincing from Elder Favila, we ended up at auditions haha. It was great practice for exercising my talents and hopefully I can have a few more opportunities in these next two years to do so. If you want to see the performance I'm pretty sure it's on my Facebook profile.

We did another Helping Others lesson this week with two teenagers and it went really really well. My Spanish has improved a ton and it is really special to feel the Spirit guide me in my words and help me remember words and grammar I have only studied a little bit. I have been struggling recently with being able to understand what people are saying and I have seen miracles this week with this. I know the Lord hears our prayers and appreciates our efforts and if we humble ourselves and prioritize him, he will bless us so much.

This week it hit me that I am leaving for Honduras in a few days and at first that thought was TERRIFYING to me haha. However, now I am STOKED. I cannot wait to start doing what I've been practicing for so long. My Spanish will be soooo insufficient but that doesn't matter (well kinda). I can't wait to bear my testimony in the Spanish I do know and help others experience the peace and joy we can experience in this life because of Christ. I also cannot wait to get my hands dirty every day serving the people in Honduras. Even if they don't want to listen to me I still want to serve them. That's what Christ would do.

Christ. I have focused so much on Him this week and how we can all become more like Him. Turn out. Turn out and serve. Turn out and love. Turn out and comfort. When we turn away from ourselves and turn to others, lives change. Those we serve and our own. It's hard sometimes, but to grow our faith, we have to do things that require more faith. This applies to everything: patience, service, prayer, humility, forgiveness, everything.

All things are possible through Christ.

Love you all so so much and praying for you all!

Elder Snyder