Elder Tanner Daines: Mexico Culiacán Mission: Week 67

Howdy family and friends!

First of all, merry Christmas to everyone. I hope everyone enjoys this week and holiday and that you can all have good time with family and loved ones. I am super jealous of all those who get to be with their families, but also very grateful that I get to be here in Culiacan in the Lord’s service. I wouldn’t rather be in any other place!

We had an awesome Christmas activity this week! Like 200 people came, and we had some delicious tacos. And also for some reason, the people here are obsessed with mandarines and peanuts. Everyone said “No es una posada sin cacahuates y mandarinas” And as the members invited people to come, they always said “Sí vengan, va a haber mandarinas y cacahuates!” I dont know exactly what their deal is with mandarines and peanuts, but I accept it. I have to admit they were pretty good.

I can’t remember if I have already talked about it or not, but for the last couple weeks we have been practicing for a choir we had as missionaries here in Culiacan, and we had rehearsals like 3 or 4 times a week in these last couple weeks, which took out lots of time from our proselyting. But we were finally able to present the Choir on Friday and on Sunday and it turned out super, super well! So many people came that there weren’t even enough seats! There were like 50 people that had to stand for almost two hours, but we got tons of amazing comments! It was honestly a super thrilling and spiritually uplifting experience. My testimony of a living Christ and of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, (and basically everything) was strengthened once again. It helped we really understand the importance of Christ´s coming to the earth.

I know He came for us. He came to save us from our fallen state. Only by Him and through Him we can be saved. I know that He is the Savior of the world and I am so grateful for His humble example of exact obedience to His Father. I wish to be more like Him each day. So often, I feel I am just so weak, I get a little disappointed that I am not better than I am, but I know that I can be strengthened in my weaknesses!

Elder Daines