Wow. Mexico is definitely different from the states. So my first companion is native, and doesn`t really know any English. This past week has been, interesting. Learning is coming a little slower than I`d like, but it`s coming. These past few days I`ve had quite a bit of home-sickness, which I was surprised about because I was fine the MTC. Probably because of the overwhelming change with Spanish and living in Mexico and everything. So all the houses are either made of cement or cinder blocks here in Mexico. One house we went to had it`s cement roof being held up by wooden poles, it was a bit sketchy:) The area I am in is called Santiago. Santiago is a pretty small, rural, agricultural town. There are actually 4 towns in my area, it`s pretty big because there aren't enough  missionaries in the mission. On my first day there was this old guy on a donkey, straight up herding goats and sheep down a dirt street:) It was awesome! So I live in a 3 bedroom 2 bath with full kitchen and very large living room apartment, it`s very big:) Unfortunately it was also very dirty. Today we spent like 4 or 5 hours cleaning it, looks a lot better now. We spend like half our time with less actives, there are quite a bit here. We really only have like one really good investigator. Both me and Elder Gallegos were new to the area, so we`ve also spent a lot of time trying to meet people and figure out where everything is. Every day at 2 we get fed by a ward member. It`s pretty much always chicken, which I heard is very very normal. I had napales the other day, which are a kind of cactus thing. It was, interesting, kinda slimy and not really any flavor. Napales have a fruit that grow on them called tunas though, which are way good:) So like I said the language is really hard, it`s going to be a difficult 12 weeks of training, but I`ll make it. So my camera somehow slipped out of my pocket while I was on the plane or something, so I haven`t had that all week. I think I know how to get one, but it might be a few weeks before you get any pictures. it rains a ton here, definitely glad i have a good jacket! Well I`m not sure what else to say, so until next week!

Elder Pass

Hello from Pachuca

 Brother Pass-

Your darling son is on the way to his new area with his new companion. We had training this am for the ten new missionaries (orientation) and training for the trainers. We are so pleased with your sons courage and confidence which he possess. We are anxious for him to work with this native and feel they are a good match- as President was inspired to put them together. He knows we are just a phone call away if he has those days (which will come- when its just difficult) but we are enjoying witnessing the tender mercy HF gives when a dose of humility and reliance on the Lord comes into play. These missions change lives- mostly their own- but we are confident that in less than a year he will have the love and passion for this work that will equal what our assistants testified of today in training. They shared personal testimonies and stories//pictures of those who they have grown to love almost more than their own families. Such a rewarding view from our end- and hopefully I can share that journey through the blog and personal email with you along this two year journey. We know you must be so proud and we know his mom is close by as he makes this transition. What peace that is to know she can be near. That being said- I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you to send him down here to Mexico- as the loss of your spouse recently must still be tender and goodbyes would be hard of any kind. Know that you can email me anytime with concerns or comments... I am here for you as well as your son. I will do all I can for him-

All our love,

President and Sister Egbert

Attached are a few pictures- One of him arriving at the airport hugging an assistant -one with his new companion- and few others....

I got my flight plans!!!!! I leave on Monday morning at 4:30 and we will fly to Arizona and then to Mexico City! Crazy!

So the language is doing well, I wish I knew more, but I guess I'm gonna have to in just 4 days! I'm a little nervous, but I know that god can help me!!

So now we have the bookstore and everything, pretty sweet, way cooler that min campus:) West side is the way to go!!!

So we went to the temple today. That was by far the best time I have ever been. I loved the movie and I learned a lot more and felt the Spirit a whole lot more! I had an incredible breakfast of Belgium waffles hashbrowns and eggs in the temple cafeteria, it was very heavenly:)

My lessons are going decent, except with one of my teachers, who is progressing really slow, the other investigator we just committed to be baptized though:) 

My classes are really good, buuutttt I'm gettin pretty excited to not be in a classroom all day every day:)

Devotional was awesomne!!! Richard G. Scott spoke!! He talked about prayer, I learned a lot of new things! The biggest thing was that sometimes you don't feel like you receive an answer to your prayer because God trusts you, I felt that that was a personal revelation to me about my decisions to do running start, it was way cool:) Also how importan out loud prayer is, which I can testify is way more powerful than in your head! Awww man it was tan chido:) 

Well that's the report for the week, nothing else too exciting really happened...

Cuidense!

Elder Paz