week of Sept 11, 2014 Mexico

- I watched the President's address to the Nation. I don't agree with Pres. Obama but I have recently had more respect for him, as a man. Sept. 11th is like the anniversary of the passing of someone you knew. Every year it is a day full of melancholy and deep thought, as if the country is in an annual funeral for the loss of its people.

- I bought a lock for my locker during Boxing and on my way back to the school from Home Depot I was taking pictures of the beautiful sky thinking, "man what a beautiful world." After this beautiful moment I turn my glance toward a car. . . . Good feeling gone.
At first I thought it was a couple just kissing, but as I walk by there was definitely a lot more than kissing going on. "uouuugh" I felt like throwing up for the next hour. IN PUBLIC! What are you thinking?!  There are children.....like myself out in public, where is your decency?   Chihuahua!!

- I saw I am $1400 short to be able to go back to school in the winter. I was really stressed because If i don't study in the winter I won't be able to graduate next year. I decided to hit the books in the library since I was also feeling defeated academically after finding out I had the lowest grade in my Microeconomics class. Entering the library I lit up inside at the sight of a good friend. I begin to spill my stresses on her. She listens and gives me advice and encouragement. She then talks about her own trials which at first I didn't understand the gravity of the situation. She left and upon her return another friend walks by to ask how she is. This time, in all honesty and vulnerability she breaks down saying, "I need a hug." They embrace and I hear sobs. I fall, down, deep into the pit in my throat, where I become stuck, struggling inside to escape, to find a word, an action, an idea to comfort her. I envision myself changing seats to sit with my arm around her, saying words of encouragement and listening to her express herself, but that was a memory, that never happened. I think of the one thing I know I can do. I run to get some chocolate. On my way back She is leaving the library, I run up to her and present my small contribution to heal her aching. She looks at the small offering and catches my eyes and embraces me. I hold her close as she cries into my chest for a moment. She explains to me her situation more and expresses gratitude. We say goodbye. It is in these moments that your problems and stresses drift into the pool of unimportant things. You see that what matters most in life is the human experiences you share with those around you.
I was watching the movie of my life in the front row, and at the end of this episode I was hoping Jesse can learn how to be a loving friend who can better show he cares for the people in his life.


- 3:40am After a night of restlessness full of excitement to climb the Peña it is time to rise! It is curious that of all the exciting things about adventurers like climbing the Peña, what mostly kept me up was the excitement to see someone there, people are the greatest adventures in life. I throw my clothes on and run down to the mall, keeping to the shadows. I feel like Kronk from The Emperor's New Groove as I sneak my way to the parking lot in front of the Mall. I love early mornings. It is the cleanest air of the day. It's like the hour when the Universe is awake.
In the car with Miriam Adolfo and Grayson we talk about everything from food to Fútbol, and make plans to see the next big game. We joke, we smile. There are specific moments in time when you are with people and you feel the exchange of energy that creates bonds and relationships. It was one of those moments.
Arriving at the town of the Peña we park and begin the journey. Looking up you could see the Peña in its majesty, adorned with a rob of fog, with its gaze looking down on us. The trail is quite visible, and things aren't hard to see, except spider webs to the face.
The trail becomes more intense closer to the top, a little more slippery but passable.
Arriving to the top is like walking into a laps in time. You can't see anything below with the fog thickening, only star like lights remain visible as they disappear and reappear with the flow of the fog.
We lay down and wait for the sun. We talk and enjoy the majesty of the Peña, the fresh are, cool breeze, and each others company. When it is bright enough we take pictures, selfies, creative shots, I drop Grayson's iPhone, and we soon find that because of the fog the sunrise won't be visible. None-the-less the sky begins to part the clouds in windows where we see glimpses of the city, and the country, and the illuminated glory of the lit up clouds across the distant sky. 
Few things fill you more than being in beautiful places, with beautiful people.

At the end of the day we went down town to see the Parades of Danzas. It was really interesting to see the pattern of everyone dressed in clothes of soldiers and Indians fighting, but also there were many random costumes, men dressed as women, ghouls, and skeletons. I was more interested in their faces. Some were carrying their children, some had no smile on, some looked worried, some very tired, some annoyed, some embarrassed, and some were just there moving with blank faces.
I wanted to read their books, their stories. Where did they come from and what is it like to live in their shoes everyday?

- My host family had a family gathering for the holiday of the Mexican independence. Arriving home late, changed and entered the party to introduce myself to the family. My host mom's sisters quickly took a liking to me. They started serving me posole and explaining to me all the toppings and ingredients to put on top of it. I was invited to sit at the table with all the adults and we talked about different celebrations. My mother's nuero had an uncle working in the government so he go to see the "grito" from the Palace, sitting high above the square behind the President as he does the "grito de la patria!". Sounded like a dream come true. I was then invited over to the cousins' table to play drinking games. I drank pure Coca-Cola, but no one tried to get me to drink really because without alcohol it wasn't that interesting. But I sure got them to drink a lot. No one got drunk due to the small amounts of Bacardi. They accepted me as their "new primo," part of the family. We joked and told stories. Alex played for the Gallos for a few years but left to study law. He showed me pictures of his glory days as a futbolista for Los Gallos de Querétaro. They started singing Kareoke songs in Spanish, even I joined in on a few that I recognized. We took selfies, they invited me to accompany them to San Miguel, I declined politely, they say its ok, they add me on their group in whatsapp, we say our goodbyes, they wave, I wave, they drive off, I close the door and wonder, "how many families does one have by the time they leave this world?"

Week of Sept 1st and Temple Trip

- Perhaps the sweetest moments in life is coming to yourself. Attending the temple is a special privilege in which I have had the opportunity to come to myself many times. Taking time in the presence of God to see my life through heavens eyes and renew my convictions to perfect myself. All my life I  have lived near a temple. From 5-20 minutes away. Here in Querétaro the nearest temple is in Mexico City which is closed at the moment so now it is in Guadalajara. I had the opportunity to join the members here to the Guadalajara temple, a 5 hour bus trip. We left Friday at midnight after a Young adult dance. On the bus I met more single adults. Every time I introduce myself as Nephi I receive looks of conformation, " Really? but you are American." Then I always proceed to explain that in Mexico Jesse is a girl's name, they think for a moment, then concur, "that is true, Nephi is better."

Busses and planes are my enemy when it comes to sleeping. Hopeless and uncomfortable I read my book until my eyes hurt from the bright reading light. As I read I listen to the other young people talk about the scriptures and doctrines behind me. I love listening to people share their experiences and teach each other. Before I knew it I was throwing in my two cents also and engaging in the conversation. I then met Edgar, who was sharing his thoughts and discoveries with everyone. His knowledge of the Bible and Book of Mormon was immense. I shared my spiritual discoveries and experiences learning about other faiths that reinforced my own, but at the end of the night as everyone retired the conversation and drifted into the streaming lights outside the window I was alone again and I realized I need to reform my studies of the scriptures. I had more of a desire to know the mysteries of God.

Arriving to the Temple was like waking the dead. Everyone slowly became reanimated reaching for their bags and waking their spouses and children. Edgar kindly gives us the run down on how this all works. Off the bus finally I feel like an elephant was standing on my back. I stand taking in the coolness of the morning enjoying the sweet sprinkles of rain on my face. I watch as all these people, get ready to enter the temple in minutes, line up in the entrance. You can see the youth and older generations with drowsiness still in their eyes, fight sleep as they are eager to enter the House of the Lord.

I volunteered to work in confirmations for the dead. I was so tired that I almost fell asleep a few times  in a few confirmations. Edgar and Grayson noticed and offered to switch roles. I went through names while they did the ordinance. I observed all the youth that came in ready to serve their ancestors. The door would open occasionally and on the bench in the hall the youth would be asleep, leaning on each other, but, when that door opened they got right up, excited to serve. I was taken to the back of the deepest room in my heart to ponder,

"These are real pioneers, real Saints, who make pilgrimage every month to the House of their Lord. And I, a fool and slothful servant, fail to make that same pilgrimage, when The House of my Lord, my God... is across the street....."

- On the ride home I finally doze for a half hour or so. I wake up to the beautiful landscape outside the window! I wanted the bus to break down, just so I had an excuse to go explore the green painted cliffs and majestic fields. After a few movies all the young adults were awake and we joked with each other laughing and teasing. I understand almost everything but there are many times when all I can do is laugh too, I maybe don't get the joke, but happy people make my want to smile too. I may speak pretty good Spanish, but I still lack a lot, and I felt a new conviction to truly perfect my speaking ability.

As we laughed and joked I felt my attention pulled out the window as we passed small pueblos. They reminded me of my mission. I had potent flashbacks of my days walking in the pueblos sharing the message of the Restoration with everyone we could. I remember passing through dirts roads littered in rubble and dust. We would find people in the road or in their house going about their daily lives. Woman making tortillas in the streets, men in their fields cutting the milpa, and children playing fútbol in the streets with the hide of a soccer ball. We would ask to be apart of their lives for a moment and then invite them to listen to the message of Christ. I loved my mission.

After we came home Denisse and Juan invited us to tacos! there is nothing better than tacos!

They took us to the Cruz market which is a bunch of little food shops and trinket stations where locals gather to eat and buy the things they need for cheaper prices. I love the environment of the market as we order our tacos and gringas and watch a little of the soccer game, Mexico vs Chile.

Denisse loves all kinds of tacos and tells us about lengua(tounge), tripa(intestines), and Sesos(brains). She orders us a brains taco and me and Grayson split it..... for the experience at least.  One, two, three and we slam the taco. As I chew the consistency of the brains almost gets me. It was like play doe/ butter/ sponge....... I count to three again in my head and swallow. . . thank goodness for salsa and onion to help over the taste. I was victorious!!! I ATE BRAiNS! bucket list item for strange foods.

My pride quickly turns to one thought, "I better not get some freak disease...oh well"

As we leave Juan quickly pays for everyone, right as I was reaching for my money.

When friends pay for me, I always feel so small and grateful. Im always taken back to the thought,

"How great is the grace of God to always lead me to the best of people...."