First Letter from Elder Hadley

Hola my family and friends! Boy, this last week was extremely different and has pushed me to study and memorize so much but has all been for the good. My Compañero in the CCM is Elder Fuge from Phoenix, Arizona and he is awesome! We both have no idea what we are doing in the middle of Mexico City but hey, it's una adventura, Jaja! The flight over to Mexico was 75% full of missionaries and the last 3 rows were Argentina Missionaries. On our drive to the CCM we sat in traffic for an hour and a half! I (along with all the missionaries) was lost and didn't know what we all were getting into at the CCM and most of the boys in my District were home sick. 

I hadn't even unpacked my suit cases and one of the Elders, that hasn't left home before, called upon me to give him a blessing. Right then I realized I am taking part in the Lord's work already with helping other missionaries :).  I've been pretty good with the Spanish but it is starting to get tricky. Figuring out correct conjugations and also listening is pretty tricky, but possible. 

I really am loving the workers here at the CCM. There is this one worker who truly is my homie! His name is Jason! He works in the CCM Comador and is short. First time we met, I was asking him for the Talín which is heaven and supposed to be on all fruit! He held up his fingers into my side and said, "Do you have any money?" Like I was being held up or something Jaja! Later in the week I asked what was in one of the produce bags and he said, "Shhhh don't tell anyone, there drugs Jaja"! I thought it was so funny that a 5 foot Mexican from Mexico City was joking around with this kinda stuff! I've been able to talk with him during most meals and practice my Spanish and he has no problem correcting me. Jason loves his job and considers it a blessing to serve the missionaries here. I appreciate having a friend I can joke around with when not in class!

This past week I've been able to memorize the Missionary Purpose, Joseph Smith First Vision, Moroni 10:5, and the first lesson in Chapter 3 of Preach my Gospel all en Español. It is not the walk in the park I thought the CCM would be.

I have an Elder in my district named Elder Mesake. This Elder and I are tight! He is this big Tongan from Colorado and plays Rugby. We both struggle with memorizing and he has no experience with Spanish. Elder Mesake really struggles with pronunciation because at home he speaks English or Tongan; the past week every night during our free time to get ready for bed Elder Mesake and I, for an hour, study the things we need to memorize and I help him with Spanish. Elder Mesake and I have grown close and have used the Gift of Tongues through the Holy Ghost.

I'd like to close with sharing how the power of the Holy Ghost is truly real and has blessed me with learning the language, studying, and preparation for lessons and/or role plays. I want to challenge all of you to utilize the Holy Spirit in your lives and see the blessings that follow. I hope you all have a wonderful week and see the fantastic Gospel in your lives! 

Te amo, Elder Hadley
(Hang Loose!!!)

The Official Tag Picture

I am on the bottom bunk

Elder Hadley and his companion Elder Fuge from Phoenix, Arizona 

Mi Casa #41

New Missionaries that arrived at the Mexico City CMM on July 9th, 2019
Elder Hadley is on the top row, right side, third one in from center
with his head peaking around to be seen ;)

My Mama Delivered!

That is where I am going!
Parker's amazing tie was given to him by our great friends Eddy and Kenzy Hogan before he left. This was a tie that Eddy wore on his mission years ago and he signed the back of the tie with the name of his mission and wanted to pass it on to Parker!
Love that he chose to wear this tie on his first P-Day!

The Mexico City CCM

My Amazing District!

Had to get a picture in front of the Thomas S. Monson Building 💙

The flags of the countries represented at the CCM

Water jug stands to fill our water bottles in the hallway of one of our classrooms

Mi Amigo Jason who works in the Comador and takes care of me 

My lunch in the Comador

My Tongan friend Elder Mesake.
We help each other every night during free time with our Spanish and memorization.

Mom Note: We asked Parker before he left when he was going to tell the other missionaries that he has studied Spanish since Kindergarten.  He joked and said that he would just start speaking and say it was the Gift of Tongues since he arrived in Mexico! 😂 His District found out Day #1 when they called on him to say a prayer and he gave it in Spanish!

The CCM asked Parker if he wanted to do a 3 week program at the CCM rather than the 6 week program. He told them that he loved his District already, that he needs to learn gospel terms in Spanish and he wanted the whole MTC experience.  
Parker told us that his teachers expect more out of him and hold him at a different standard. He really enjoys giving this type of service to the other missionaries.