Week 3: Earthquake Sirens

Earthquake damage in the city of Zacatepec

So there is this giant earthquake alarm that goes off whenever the slightest earthquake aftershock goes off, but that's only gone off once since the earthquake. It's scary in Mexico, though, because buildings are made of solid concrete, and not earthquake proof. Whenever there is anything over a 4 quakewise, they have to shut down everything and go in for inspections. Schools get a lot of days off here.

Yes we get to watch conference. It's the only thing on the schedule for Saturday and Sunday. I'll keep you posted on that.

Week 2: Mexico City Temple Visit

As P-day came to an end, we received a second email from Elder Scott:

We just got back from the Temple in Mexico City. It was a really cool experience to go through the endowment in Spanish. During the last part, I had to read off of a card, and the member was very suprised in my ability to read Spanish so well. It was a really cool experience and it was a really cool temple.

Here are a few pics from then.

Week 1: Earthquakes and Jamming Out to Hymns

This keyboard is in spanish and I'm in English, so sorry for any errors. (NOTE: Gabe's Mom is not above editing)

The earthquake was pretty cool, first of all. It felt like waking on a bouncehouse that's being shaken by a bunch of unruly preteens. it was pretty sick though. I havent heard much about the volcano. 

I love you guys, but I'm not feeling homesick yet. After about 4 days, the days feel like weeks and the weeks feel like days. I can't believe I've been here for 10 days already. My Spanish speaking is better and better every day, but my comprehension is still kinda trash. I imagine it will get better with time, but as long as I do a little better each day, I'm satisfied.

Week 1: Quick Email from Elder Scott

We had an earthquake drill at about 10:00 this morning, for about a minute. Not 2 hours later, Puebla, (about 2 hours away) got hit with a 7.2(?) earthquake. If presidente Bennett hadn't run the drill today, we wouldnt have known what to do to be safe. The church is true. I'm fine. Write to you on Jueves. Love you guys!

All Missionaries are Safe after 7.1 Earthquake in Mexico City

Following this morning's 7.1 earthquake near Mexico City, the Mexico City MTC posted the following:

Mexico MTC / CCM Mexico 

15 mins · 

All the missionaries are safe!

We can see the Lord's hand protecting our missionaries. We had a practice earthquake drill this morning and during lunch a real earthquake hit. Here are photos of the missionaries gathered safely outside after the earthquake. Many knelt to pray for those who were impacted by this quake.

Todos bien aquí en el CCM de México. Interesante mente tuvimos un exitoso simulacro hoy a las 11 y durante el almuerzo un verdadero terremoto. Ningún daño ninguno herido. Todos bien.

Arrival Photos

The following photos were posted to the Mexico CCM Facebook page.  The first shows Gabe's district on the day they arrived in Mexico City.  The second shows all incoming non-Spanish speaking missionaries who arrived on September 12.  

I made it!

After a long and hot bus ride, I have arrived at the CCM. I've been assigned a companion, Elder Park. I get to live in a casa on the grounds. I love you guys, and I'm pumped to be here.

This is all I've got time for today. My p-day is next Thursday, so I'll email you then!

T-minus 3 days and Counting

It is the weekend before Gabe flies to the Mexico City Missionary Training Center (MTC) and mom is stressed.  You would think, with Gabe being our second missionary, this would all be "old-hat" to us; but, no.  Gabe is more laid back than Sam, and this has been the source of much concern and hand-wringing as mom makes sure there isn't something he's forgotten. (It won't be as easy to send things to the Mexico MTC as it was to send things to Provo for Sam.)

Gabe has a gathering with friends tonight, and his "Farewell talk" is tomorrow in Sacrament Meeting at 1:00.  Monday will be his last chance to get any last minute items.  He will be set-apart as a missionary Monday night.  Tuesday morning we will drop him at the airport for his flight to Mexico City.

A quick NOTE: about the blog: Mostly the posts will be from Gabe's weekly letters home.  Some personal communications may be omitted as "not for public consumption".  Occasionally, mom and dad will post their thoughts.  The intent here is to share his experiences with a large group of interested people, without the need for Gabe to manage a distribution list while serving the Lord.