Confirmation...He made it

Good news!  We just received a letter from Mitch.  He made it to California in one piece.  Instead of paraphrasing his letter I've just retyped it.

So I made it safe and sound!  I've been in Cali for a couple of hours and I have already gone tracking, already greeted people in Spanish and already planted pamphlets and pass-along cards.  I met my mission president and he seems like an amazing guy.  Right off the plane he greeted us with a big hug and a bunch of love!  I can tell he is an awesome leader.  We started the day off with some lunch at the Stake Center and then we paired off with some senior elders and went tracking!  I loved it.  We talked to a bunch of crazies...but hey, I learned that God lives in Korea and Mother in Heaven is made of cloud flesh.  But either way it was a cool experience.  We are going to get our companions tomorrow and we'll stay in a hotel tonight!  I kind of miss my friends from the MTC but I'm excited to meet all the new people here.  The Senior Missionaries here seem awesome and loving.  They make me feel like I am back to being a kid again...they really love the missionaries.  As part of our settling in we are writing these first letter.  Love you all and can't wait to get to work.

Con Amor
Elder Mitch Bagley

It is good to know that he made it and that he is doing well.  I guess the next time we will hear from him will be on his P-day.  I don't know when that is but I hope it is soon.

Last email from Mexico

We just received this email from Mitch.  I guess they let him contact us one last time before he leaves tomorrow.  All I can say is WOW, he has grown so much.  I am so proud to call him my hijo.

 

The time is here!

 

In 12 hours I will be headed on a bus to the Mexico airport.  My time here at the CCM has finally coming to an end.  Where has the past 6 weeks gone!?  I feel like I have hardly even been gone at all.  I am so grateful for the things I've learned here and the experiences I've had.  I want to share a story with you but first I'll confirm stuff about my flight.  I leave the CCM at 3:00 Monday morning and will arrive in Arizona at about 9:00 in the morning.  Then I won't leave for California until about 11:00.  Sometime between those two flights I will try and call you from a pay phone or something.  I would love to hear your voices and I'll try calling all of the numbers I can remember.  Also I think I am going to get a cheeseburger the second I touch down.  Also if it happens that I don't get a hold of you or can't speak with you don't worry, I still love you all and will talk to you the next opportunity I can.

 

Alright now for my story. In the morning we are taught by Hermano Arevalo. He is a native of Mexico and served his mission in Mexico as well.  He is 23 and one of the most genuine people I have ever met.  We had our last class with him yesterday and I would have never expected it to be the way it was.  After we finished up grammar and Spanish practice, Hermano Arevalo started to bare his testimony with the story of Moroni and Lehi (Captain Moroni and General Lehi in the book of Alma) when they battle with the Lamanites. The Nephites were better armed and had stronger weapons, but after the Lamanites had seen the dire situation they were in, they began to fight like "dragons". The Nephites began to be frightened and wanted to flee.  Seeing their fears Moroni began to remind them of the families, their liberties and their purpose.  Hermano Arevalo reminded us that sometimes we might be afraid, we might want to run.  But we need to always remember our purpose and our families.  He told us when he served his mission his dad thought he was the best missionary in the entire church.  He saw everything that was good and had faith he could do anything.  Hermano Arevalo found strength in this and continued to fight harder and harder each day of his mission.

 

After he finished his lesson (the spirit was already so thick my eyes were watering) he began to go around the room and personally give us praise and advice as we departed. Through teary eyes he expressed his love and admiration for us. That we were "gran gurreros" (great warriors) just like Moroni and Teancum.  When my turn came he looked at me with tears running down his cheeks and a smile on his face and said "Elder Bagley, usted es el capitán, como Moroni" (You are a captain, like Moroni).  He went on to praise my leadership abilities and the potential I have to lead other "warriors".  I couldn't help but remember the words Dad use to say to me before a rec basketball game, during a huddle or on the car ride over, "Mitch, you need to make plays and open options.  As point guard it's your job to make things happen."  At this point my body was on fire but my mind was calm as the spirit brought to remembrance those tender memories I have of Dad. Through teary eyes and a full heart all I could tell Hermano Arevalo was "Gracias, gracias por todo" (thank you, thank you for everything).  If this already wasn't enough of a profession of God's love for me I was asked to give the final closing pray.  Tears bathed my knees and hands as I gave the most heartfelt pray I have ever offered.  The spirit was so strong and my words were no longer my own.  I truly felt like Moroni praying for his troops.

 

I leave tomorrow.  To a place where the people don't know me, don't know my language, and don't know my passion for the gospel.  It will be hard and there will be days when I want to leave.  Days when my doubts and fears fight back like dragons.  But, I am a captain.  I am a leader and a son of God. The work I am doing is divine and this is my time to grab my sword and my testimony and fight.  There are people out there waiting just for me and I can't wait to find them.  I love you so much Mom.  Everything I am is because of the kind of family I was raised in.  You and Dad did alright.  Can't wait to tell you about California!! :)

 

Con Amor

Elder Bagley

We got a much longer email this week.  Mitch sounds like he is in good spirits.  We received a handwritten letter last Thursday.  It was great to read and hold something that Mitch had written.  He was really pumped about getting to watch Conference and encouraged us to prepare and do the same.

Hola!

Todos bien! Estoy feliz cosas son bien por usted.

First off sorry about last week I really missed being able to send you a good email. I won't let that happen again!  Estoy feliz que mi carta actually got to you!  I was hoping you could get it before conference but hey, better late than never.  I really did love conference so much and I am happy to hear that you are studying what was said.  I know you will be able to receive the enlightenment and revelation you need!  I know I have.  I have had a lot of time to look over my notes and study the impressions I received during the various sessions.  Such a blessing. 

I am not one hundred percent sure of my travel plans yet.  I think I will know pretty soon though and I will definitely be able to send another email when I leave.  I think my flight is about 7:30 am on the 21st but I don't know the mechanics of how I get to the airport or when I need to leave the CCM.  I have faith I'll get where I need to be though, they are really on top of stuff down here.  I am flying US Airways and my first flight is to AZ, flight US 502 and from there I am on flight US 2774.

I hope you find something fun to do for your UEA break!  I think hiking would be a fun thing to do but that's probably because I just really miss the mountains.  Also East Canyon should be really pretty this time of year with all the leaves and what not.  I love the drive down there.  When I get home that is definitely somewhere I want to visit. Wake boarding there was always fun!

Same old same old around here! Honestly the days don't ever feel different.  I have a hard time trying to remember what it was I ate yesterday or did.  I can't help but feel removed from some of the things just rushing by me.  I almost wish it would slow down so I could actually have time to remember and reflect on what I am learning and how I am growing.  But I guess that is just something I am going to have to get over. 
 

I have a lot of mixed feelings about leaving the CCM. I really want to get out in the field and figure out what it truly feels like to be a real missionary, both the good and bad.  Here is so controlled and protected.  It gets redundant after a while.  But then the other half of me wants all the time I can get to prepare, study, and practice because in 5 days it's the real deal.  I will be teaching real people with real problems and the stakes will be higher, much higher.  I have been in this in between mindset for the past week and a half and it starts to wear on you.  Not to mention everyday being reminded how truly little you know concern the gospel, the language and your self management skills. 
 

I don't want to come off sounding discouraged or down.  It's exactly the opposite. I find strength in knowing that I need my Savior to show me the way.  To push me and catch me when I don't see how I can succeed.  I find humility in knowing I am not the one who teaches the lessons, the Holy ghost is.  But, he is a hard companion to keep with you constantly but that only means I need to be more obedient.  I find confidence in knowing the eternal plan and promises my Father in Heaven has for me.  I am his son and with that in mind I can only fail if I let myself fail. 
 

I love my mission.  I really do.  I have bad days, true.  But that doesn't mean I am having a bad mission.  It only means I am not perfect.  It only means I need to look to the One who knows and loves me.  I love you all so much!  Thank you for your constant support and love.  Talk to you soon!

Con amor

Elder Bagley

Mexico City Temple

My favorite section of our little "C" store

Home sweet home--but only for the next 5 days...California ready or not here I come!

1 month!

Buenos Dias! 

Well, Mitchell's letter was extra short this week (he told me not to post it) so I am filling in for him.  He said he was getting kicked off the computer because they were receiving new missionaries and he had to hurry.  Also he said he writes me last so that he can gather his thoughts.  I can't help feel a little bitter toward all those people who got long letters.

Anyway I guess he got to watch General Conference.  I don't know if it was in Spanish or English.  He said, "I loved it and received so much personal insight on so many questions I had.  I feel like there was a talk for each of us.  I really wish I could write more and talk to you about them but I can't stress how important it is that we learn from the Apostles."  This is a picture of him and his companions watching General Conference.  I hope he was taking more notes than pictures.

Mitch mentioned that he is doing well and loves it there.  He said, "I am growing so much and I have so many times when I can just feel the love of my Father in Heaven."  He sounds happy and that's all I can hope for.  I love him, I miss him and I worry about him but there is no other place I would rather him be.

This is a picture of where they play soccer for exercise.  No green field...only concrete.  I goggled Mexico City on Google earth and there isn't much green space anywhere. I found the Mexico City Temple but I couldn't find the MTC.  I was hoping Mitch could walk outside and wave. :)

Second time going to the Mexico City Temple.  Check out the double piggy back.  Elder Bagley, Elder Norwick and Elder Manscil

Hola! Another week has quickly came and gone.

I'm happy to say I am completely over my strep throat and back to full health.  I can now give me full attention to the work.  Hopefully that's the last time I'll be sick.  But you never know what the Lord has in store for you.

Thanks for the update on things at home.  It sounds like Jeremy had a really...intense mission. I hope I don't have to go though any of those trials.  Hopefully Cali is pretty tame.  That's cool that the Browns got to see E sing and stuff.  I sing here during sacrament meeting and that's kind of the same so if you want you can fly down and sneak in for that!  Nah, just kidding that's not chill...but if  you want to I won't fight it.

I'm turning into more and more of a baby out here but when I read about Andrew becoming a deacon I couldn't help but get teary eyed. What an awesome time this will be for him.  I know he is only 12 but Heavenly Father knows him and will watch over him as he continues to grow in the church.  I love that guy!

Don't worry about sending packages or anything. The mail here is pretty sketchy and slow anyways. Who know if it'd even get here.  Thanks for the thought though.  I feel loved!

Who would have known that I would have ended up loving mornings.  They really are so peaceful and so spiritual if you treat them the right way.  I guess I picked up on your habit mom.  I'm officially a morning person.

My companions are Elder Norkwick who is from Wisconsin and Elder Manscill (Man-sale) who is from Lindon.  Norwick is the quiet, spiritual giant type and Manscill is just like me.  I really love them both so much.  Manscill goes to BYU so we're already planning to hangout once we are home. Having two companions is hard because there is one more person who has an opinion on stuff like:  going to the bathroom, eating, or just staying together in crowds.  But, at the end of the day it's no problem. We work through it and have fun with it.  Also Manscill is super ticklish so that's always a great.

I sent you a letter.  Hopefully you get it soon.  I wish I could be home to watch Conference with you all but I'm super excited to actually have the opportunity to watch it here. Thanks for all the support you continue to give me.  I might not know a lot of Spanish or have the strongest testimony but I have never wanted something as much as I want this.  And the Lord can do anything with a little bit of faith. Love you!

Con amor

Elder Bagley

My District leader, Elder Davis, found a Nimbu 2000! (aka palm branch)

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.