Hola otra vez!

     Another week en la gran mision en la ciudad de Mexico. This week, my companion and I worked harder and harder because we had 0 investigators at church last week. Yesterday, we had 5 less active people come, and 2 investigators. Still under par, but we are working hard. I talked to more people in one week this week than ever. I contacted 45 people, which means I initiated the conversation and presented ourselves. One thing that was different this week than before, is I taught taxistas by myself. We ride in a lot of taxis, and that`s how we get a lot of contacts. On Tuesday last week, I was sitting by the driver and traffic was miserable. I thought it was going to be a 10 minute ride, but it was a 45 minute ride. Somehow, I taught him for the whole time and answered all of his questions. My companion was in the back so he couldn`t really help me out, but I did really good! I taught him the first vision and the restoration. He asked questions about how we do things in the church like baptism and stuff, and I somehow understood and answered. I pray every day and night for the gift of tongues, and I feel it put into action when I try my faith and talk to someone by myself. So last week after we emailed, we went to get ice cream and finish washing our clothes. When we walked in to the ice cream place, the lady there let us try 2 of the ice creams right off the bat. Like we didn`t say anything, and all of a sudden we were having bites of ice cream being handed to us. So we tried them and were making a decision. My companion said, I think the ice cream I had has alcohol. So we looked at the picture of the ice cream, and sure enough, there was a picture of a bottle of an alcoholic drink. So my companion broke the word of wisdom on his mission....I learned that we can`t trust the ice cream here, and we have to ask about the cake too. haha. Also, the memory card I sent home with Elder Woodbury has most of the pictures on it. I deleted the pictures that I already sent home like from the MTC. I thought I would need more room and I didn`t know I would have the option of sending it home. So don`t lose the pictures on the computer. haha. So Elder Woodbury told me his favorite food here is Tacos al Pastor. He said he was a bad mission dad because he never took me to try them. Elder Brisso said that his favorite is Tacos al Pastor too. I have never tried the tacos because they are in the street and I was told by a lot of people to stay away from those for awhile. But my companion persisted. So I got 2 tacos. One of chicken, and the other of steak. And they were dang good! The next day, we passed a stand selling tacos al pastor, and we got some. I`ll just say that it`s one of my favorite foods no matter what country I`m in. I don`t even know what pastor is. haha. I didn`t know what to expect, and then I had my doubts when I found out that it was the meat on the stick that spins around. But they were so dang good. haha. I can buy a lot of stuff here in my area. We have a Bodega Aurrera which is just a knock off of Walmart. I buy breakfast stuff like bread for toast. Then I can buy jam that`s really good, and I just found the peanut butter today! Woot woot! As for my funds that I took out of my card, I have it in my room. I took out 1500 pesos. I have 1220 left. I bought an extra shirt, and a blanket for the nights. The blanket is small enough to pack, and it`s still really warm. That`s all I have for this week! Thank you for all your support and love. I can feel your love and prayers. I love you!

     Con amor,

            Elder Barton
Mom addition, one thing Jared put in a more personal note that I know it would be ok to share.
I love this work, and I`m not going to let another day slip by. I`ve already been on my mission for 3 months, and almost 2 in Mexico. It`s been a blink. But I`m not going to let another day go by without coming home exhausted.