Week two of the MTC experience.

Mitch sounds in good spirit.  The letter was much too short and left me wanting for more.  He is loving all the emails so keep them coming.  I tried to send him a package and it was going to cost me $60.00!  The stuff I was going to send him was only worth about $5.00.  So...it will have to wait until he gets back into the U.S.

Hola!

I love getting your emails. Keep them coming.  I'm so happy to hear about all the news back home.  How cool for Brandon and Danna!  It's crazy how all of your lives still go on.  Sometimes I forget that you are all still back home just chugging away.

This last week was...challenging.  I went into the clinic on Thursday and had the doctor tell me to stay home and sleep off whatever it was that was happening to me.  Turns out I have strep throat and that's no good.  He gave me antibiotics and stuff.  I've been feeling well enough to go out to class and what not but, eating is miserable.  I have the hardest time choking down food because my throat is so infected.  It reminds me of when I had mono.  Its the dumps.  But, all is well and I'm doing a lot better now.  Any day now I'll be back to normal. Just a small rough patch.

I really have had a good week minus the strep.  Its hard to keep track of both of my companions at time but at the end of the day I fall asleep with such a huge smile on my face.  Waking up in the morning is a piece of cake.  The scripture that says "and I will make your weakness strengths" really knows what it is talking about.  I actually really love mornings, who would have known.

I have come to peace with the fact that learning Spanish is going to take time. Patience is hard because I want to know it all right away but all is well.  Also, when we teach our investigators in Spanish I feel bad because out of our trio I do most of the talking.  It is hard because that's not the way the spirit is suppose to work.  Hopefully, I can remember and be encouraging to my companions so they will be more confident in speaking.

I miss you all very much and I love reading your emails.   Keep them coming!  We have a lot to do so I have to go but I'll give you some highlights.

-Getting a haircut.  Its never been this short!

-Watching a talk by Elder Holland for a devotional. I felt the spirit so strong, it really got me pumped for work in the field

-There are a ton of birds everywhere that we now call the Mexicrows.

-Cough drops are only 3 pesos at the store.  What a tender mercies.  I've been eating them like candy.

-The cleaning lady gave me two chocolate kisses on my bed because of how clean my side of the room was.  The cleaning lady knows what's good.

-There was an earthquake, I guess.  I couldn't feel anything but the alarms went off. 

Anyways I love you all.  Mom you are awesome.  Keep trying to focus on the little things in your life that you can make better.  I promise you, you will become closer to the Lord. Keep being the best ever!

Con Amor

Elder Bagley

Playing in the rain.
Mitch wanted me to edit out Elder Sorenson but...that's beyond by abilities.

 It rains a lot!

It is hard to believe the boy who couldn't get out of bed and get to class on time loves mornings and is getting extra chocolate kisses for having such a clean room.  Miracles really happen.

1st P-day

We received our first official email.  He made it through the first week.  Everything seems to be going as good as can be expected. (Letter to follow)

Well, I finally made it to P-day. This past week has flown by.  So much has happened that it is hard to remember it all.  I'll start with the MTC (CCM en Español). So its basically more of a compound than an old high school. There is a 10 foot wall surrounding the place with barbed wire on both sides.  Are they keeping us in or people out?  Either way the CCM is in a really bad part of Mexico.  Every night I fall asleep to occasional gun shoots and sirens. LA CALLE IS FRIO.  This is the bus we were picked up in.

 

I love it here though.  The food is kind of weird because you never know what you are going to get.  I haven't ever had corn dogs for breakfast but I have had a burrito. One of the elders in mi casa has been having a rough time with the food but I really don't mind it.  Maybe that's because by the time meal time comes around I am just starving.

 

I wake up at 6 every day so that the 3 elders and I can shower in the morning. I thought it would be hard to wake up early but just like President Pratt said, "Obedience brings blessings." I have been able to wake up and go to bed on time everyday and I can already feel the blessings or strength from it.

 

I have had some trouble with my companions because the one I was supposed to have didn't show up on the same day we did so I was in a trio.  And then an Elder in my district switched districts to be in the district that his twin brother was in so I then got Elder Norwick as my companion.  But now Elder Manscill, the Elder who was supposed to be my original companion found his way back so now I'm in a trio again.   Long story short my compañeros are Elder Norwick and Elder Manscill. They are great guys but I really hate being in a trio.  Its hard to keep track of one Elder let alone two.  Plus teaching is harder. But I'll work on it.

 

Speaking of teaching I gave my second 15 minute lesson to our practice investigator Pedro.  All in Spanish.  The gift of tongues is a real miracle. Not to take away from the fact that I study Spanish everyday for about 5 hours.  But I can still feel the Lords help in teaching me the language.  Everyone here speaks Español. I really wish I could remember the language better but it is coming to me pretty quick.

 

I got the chance to go to the Mexico City Temple today.   It was so cool!  They did the session in Spanish but because it was our first time they let us use a translating headset. It was awesome.  I wish I had more time to tell you about some of the extra things we do here.   Like Mexican Independence day was this week and on Sunday we got to watch the Joesph Smith movie.  I don't know, things here are just great.  I really do love it.  I am learning Spanish, growing my testimony and becoming a more obedient missionary.  I really don't have time to miss my friends or my worldly possessions but there isn't a day that goes by when I don't think of you guys.  I love you so much and I'm so grateful for your support.  Sorry I might not have addressed all your questions or whatever but this first email will just have to be a general one.

 

Con amor

Elder Bagley

 

P.S. I've ran into Justin Adams and Chase Madrigal. Plus I think Steph's cousin Kenzie got in today.

Mitchell with his district in front of the Mexico City Temple.  Elder Manscill is next to Mitch and Elder Norwick is next to him far right.

He made it!

We received this email from Mitchell yesterday evening...

Hola! I made it safe and sound.  I can't tell you how happy and peaceful I felt on the flight over.  There was a group of about thirty of us that eventually made it to the MTC. It is all happening so fast but I'm trying to soak up as much as I can.  I sat with Sister Beecher and Sister Galser.  We had a lot to talk about and I just kept getting more and more excited the whole way.  I didn't have any trouble at the airport or with baggage.  Honestly it's gone really smooth this whole way.  I love you all so much and can't tell you how blessed and happy I feel.  I'll keep in touch and let you know how the MTC ends up going.

With love,

Elder Bagley

 

It sounds like he is doing well.  Wish he would have written more but I am glad to know that he got there safe and sound.  Sure miss him.

The adventure begins

Day 1
We just dropped Mitchell off at the Salt Lake City International Airport.  He is heading to Atlanta, Georgia with a quick transfer and then to Mexico City.

Last night our immediate family went to Mitchell's setting apart.  It was a very spiritual experience, lots of words of wisdom and love were shared.  There were quite of tears shed too.  Even though there were tears it is comforting to me to see how ready Mitchell is to get out on his mission.  Sometimes I feel like he is ready to fly and we are holding him back.

After the setting apart we shared one last dinner at good Old Spaghetti Factory.  There is nothing like pasta, mizthra cheese and garlic to make you feel better.  Lots of laughing and goofing off were done.

Then it was home to finish packing...why did it seem like he left everything to the last minute.  It wasn't like he had over three months to get things ready.  I didn't realize how much stuff you need when you are going to be gone for two years.  But then again, when you stop to think it doesn't seem like nearly enough.

This morning we were up bright and early, 5:30am, heading to the airport.  When we got to the airport there were lots of other missionaries there too. Some with their name tags so you knew they were coming from Provo others, like Mitch, waiting to get their tags when they reach their final destination. We even saw a returning missionary being greeted by his family.  More hugs, more tears and then Mitch headed off through security...only 730 days until my next hug.  Miss him already.

 

Farewell

     Today Mitchell gave his farewell address to a packed house!  He started off by wowing us with his "mastery" of the Spanish language.  then he spoke on Standing in Holy Places.  He related how three unlikely places in Joseph Smith's life became holy places...the Sacred Grove, Joseph's bedroom and Liberty Jail.   All three places were common, every day places.  One was even a cold, dark prison but, because Joseph Smith was worthy enough to have the Holy Ghost with him they all became holy places.  Any place we are should be a holy place because of the way we are living our lives.  Then he spoke about a very personal experience he had receiving a witness from his Heavenly Father driving home from Provo one night.  It was a very emotional meeting for me.  Mitch did an awesome job!  He really gave a heart felt talk and everyone was very moved.
     I am so proud and amazed by his understanding of the gospel.  He is definitely ready to get started on this journey.  The people of California are so lucky to get him.  It is going to be hard for me but I know it is the right thing for Mitch to do.  My son is leaving his family for two years so that other families can be together forever.

     After sacrament meeting it was time to party...about fifty people stopped by to wish Mitch well.  There was great food, an awesome cake (made by Lauren) and even Italian sodas.  It was wonderful to see all the people who love and support Mitch.  I know he will be successful with all the support he has at home.

Welcome

Welcome to Elder Bagley's Mission blog. This blog is an account of Mitchell's service in the San Fernando, California Mission. I am Mitchell's mother and will be posting his letters and any news or information about Mitchell and his mission. We are very proud to have a missionary in the family and hopefully this blog will capture some of his service and adventures while serving the people of California.