Week 1 - Que Esta Haciendo en mi Pantana

Hey Cute Friends,

So the only thing I knew how to say before coming to the Mexico MTC was "What are you doing in my swamp?" So I thought that would be a fitting first subject line. 

Also, I am alive and well so that is good!

Yo soy una misionera por la iglesia de JesuCristo do los santos de los ultimos dias. 

I really am a real life, tag wearing missionary, and that's crazy. Jacey a year ago never thought she would ever be called Hermana Petersen and would be moving to Mexico and Peru, but here I am. 

Basically it feels like it has been so long since I left and said good bye to my family. 

When I got to the airport and through the gate there were so many missionaries. It was very comforting to feel that I wasn't alone. 

So basically this week I got on the plane and flew to Mexico. When I got to the Mexico airport I sat there for literally 4 hours. I was pretty sure they had forgotten us, but finally after we got some snacks and waited some more we were picked up. It was pretty late when I got to the CCM. But hey all is good. I made it. 

I don't have tons of time. So here are some fun things about this week and the CCM...

1.There are gunshots outside all the time. Some people like to tell us they are fireworks, but I asked my teacher and she said they were guns. So that's awesome. Also its pretty hard to believe they are fireworks when they are often followed by sirens, but I am safe in here. So that's awesome. 

2. I haven't eaten too much because I am afraid of food poisoning, and also it tastes weird. So mostly I eat a lot of Nutella and Peanut butter and fruit. Like I said before I left... I am going to miss Cafe Rio. 

3. Spanish is really hard and I cry frequently, but I'm trying to just not worry about it because I've only been here one week. I guess I shouldn't be fluent yet. Seems like other people are though. 

4. All the elders are basically scared to talk to the hermanas, but I talk to them anyway because I'm just trying to make some friends. It makes me happier when I can see all my new friends. 

5. I love gym time because I can wear pants. 

6. I had cold showers for the first 3 days, but we got that fixed. In my journal I wrote.... well here in the CCM we have warm water everywhere except the showers. So that's awesome

7. We had a gym orientation, and basically the Latinos just told us for like an hour how stupid Americans are hahahah.

8. There are sooooo many elders and barely any hermanas so I feel pretty outnumbered. 

9. My companion is super cute. Her name is Hermana Lowe. We get along really well. So I am happy. 

10. I went to choir. and I don't sing. So that was awesome. 

Thats really all I can think of right now!

Here are some good thoughts though, 

My cute mom at the airport found another sister missionary and said "Find my daughter." She came and told me and I didn't really think too much about it because I figured there would be so many missionaries I would never really see her. Well on the bus to the CCM I sat by this sister. AND NOW SHE IS LIKE MY BEST FRIEND! I am so glad that she is here. She is one of my roommates, and we are so similar. People all the time ask us if we knew each other before coming, or if we were best friends from home. So I guess my mom just knew!! 

Also, It rains here every night so hard. I have always loved the rain. One time I heard a story though about how when it rains God is cleansing the earth because of something good that has happened. It rained the weekend my good friend passed away. So now when it rains it also always reminds me of her. So when it rains everyday I get to end my day with a reminder that what I am doing is good. That a beautiful angel is watching out for me, and is here with me even when I am frustrated and crying from Spanish class or missing my family or anything. 

I know that the church is true. I know that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and he loves me, and that is the same for each one of you. 

I love the gospel. 

I also love each and every one of you!! 

TE AMO!!!

Love, HERMANA Jacey Petersen

Here are some pictures from my week

Me and my cute comp Hermana Lowe

My district

My cute roommates that I love love love

cliche tag picture

Another picture of me