2.15.09
Hello my family...
I have lots of good news! After a transfer of taking bucket showers we finally got a new water heater. Our dueño kept telling us that when the weather warmed up our water would warm up also. Well the sun came out and the water stayed cold. They came on Thursday to put in a new one and Ive taken more showers in the last couple days then I have my whole mission. Next good thing is the sun actually did come out. I have seen the sun for a couple days now and its helped me feel a lot better. I LOVE the sun! Right now the temperature is perfect. It feels like spring but I feel like Im kind of just waiting for it to start raining again. More good news is that I got my V-day package on V-day. Good job sisters! We were heading out for the morning and the mail man came in the door and said Emily. I tried to stay calm but it didnt work. I signed and ripped the package open. I love dark chocolate and the cookies were good too.
I went on a little cleaning rampage myself. I threw away bags and bags of junk. A couple of pdays ago I cleaned out the kitchen and then today I finished off the rest of the house. When the dueña came over to put in the new water heater her and her husband thanked us a lot for taking better care of the piso. They are more willing to help us out now with all the little problems. She was so excited to see it looking nice. I guess she usually came over and cleaned it after hermanas would leave. She is an older lady and I told her that it is our job to take care of it. I asked her to please tell us if there is anything that we need to do to help take better care of the piso.
Ricky is still doing awesome, we taught him the law of tithing this week. He accepts all the compromisos sin problema. It really is like he just knew it all before we started teaching. Camila an 18 year old girl from the rama came with us to a visit and helped out a ton. It was fun to have her go with us. Her family invited us over for dinner on Friday night. It was the second eating visit with a member that we have had in a transfer. They lived in the states for little while so it was really nice to chat and eat with them. I shared a little message at the end and I felt the Spirit very strongly. I hope they understand how much it meat to us to have dinner with them. We thanked them a million times and brought them some banana bread.
Ana pretty much told me yesterday that she wants to get baptized. Her and Manuel came to church with us on Sunday. They drove us home which by the way is really weird because that is like the 5th time Ive been in the car in the last year. Anyways they invited us over for dinner and it was soooo good. Manuel told us that he asked her what she wanted for V-day and she told him that she wanted to make a nice dinner for her friends. She had tears in her eyes while he told us. She is a good friend and I love her a lot. I just keep telling her that she is my sister and giving her big hugs. During the lesson Manuel got frustrated with me and left the room. He knows what Im saying is TRUE. He told me that Im immovable and I think thats a nice way of saying that Im stubborn.LOL! Anyways Ana and I talked and she said that her faith was at zero her pages were blank and white. Then she started visiting with us and she started feeling peace and happiness. She looked at me and said I know everything is true because I feel good. I only have one question do I have to be a missionary? Oh I almost started laughing but I held it together and let her know that she could go if she wants to but its not mandatory. She wants to get baptized. We are going back on Wednesday to teach her lesson 3 and set a fetcha. Im so HAPPY for her! I came to Spain partly to meet her and help her. I gave her a big hug like always. We have plans to take a couple trips together after the mission. It was a great experience. She needs the gospel so badly.
We met with a family from Romania last night and it was really fun. They just treated us like family. They have a very humble home and we all sat together on their bed for the lesson. They told us we are welcome back at anytime. We will be back on Wednesday. ITs so nice to be treated so well. They dont know us at all and they welcomed us in to talk about God. The little five year old boy shook my hand when we left like a little man it was so cute. I asked them to come to church on Sunday, we shall see.
I love my greenie. We get along really well. Its been fun to have her here with me.
Well I better finish up. I love you all so much. I know that this is Christ´s church, no doubt in my mind.
Love,
The Sister
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Logan - Lorca Week 3
2.9.09
Thanks Audrey for your letter and The fox family as well. Emily I got yours too and I sent you one today as well. Grandma Happy Birthday this week!
Well the week has been pretty exciting and fun. I am enjoying my compànions and we seem to work well togther. We had one of out investigatiors get baptized on saturday. He is from Peru and will be a great editing to the Branch. This week I had a great experiance teaching a man from Africa using 3 Nephi chapter 11. It is a very powerful chapter and I felt the spirit very strong as we explained how we can learn to listen to the Holy Ghost from reading about experiances other people have had in the scriptures. I also compared a few verses to Faith. IN that chapter After Chrisit has come he says Levantos or Stand and come to me. I told him even though Jesus Christ was with them and could have helped them up he invited them to stand and come unto him. I explained that his arm is still extended today but we have to do our part have faith and stand up to reach out to his merciful hand.
We also traverled to a near by Pueblo called aguilas that is right on the beach. A member owns a pizzaria there and let us make our own pizzas it was way good. As we drove through the mountains and then saw the beach it made me miss surfing and snowboarding a little bit. You almost forgot that you ever even did those things. I think its supposed to be that way and is a lot easier when your not thinking about it.
The other news is that Im still illegal! That office has taken to long on my papers for some reason and I went to go get my DNI card which is liki Spain Identifaction and the man told me that is cant becasue I ve waited to long. I talked with out registrator who is actually a member in Valencia and he just told me he dosent know what to do. SO in the mean time we have to avoid the Authority Figures. I am going to Murcia tommorrow to try and sort it out. I would be very frustrated if I have to leave Spain Early. Hopefully everything works out tomorrow. everything Else is going great though and we are having a good time Love and miss you all.
Love Elder G
Thanks Audrey for your letter and The fox family as well. Emily I got yours too and I sent you one today as well. Grandma Happy Birthday this week!
Well the week has been pretty exciting and fun. I am enjoying my compànions and we seem to work well togther. We had one of out investigatiors get baptized on saturday. He is from Peru and will be a great editing to the Branch. This week I had a great experiance teaching a man from Africa using 3 Nephi chapter 11. It is a very powerful chapter and I felt the spirit very strong as we explained how we can learn to listen to the Holy Ghost from reading about experiances other people have had in the scriptures. I also compared a few verses to Faith. IN that chapter After Chrisit has come he says Levantos or Stand and come to me. I told him even though Jesus Christ was with them and could have helped them up he invited them to stand and come unto him. I explained that his arm is still extended today but we have to do our part have faith and stand up to reach out to his merciful hand.
We also traverled to a near by Pueblo called aguilas that is right on the beach. A member owns a pizzaria there and let us make our own pizzas it was way good. As we drove through the mountains and then saw the beach it made me miss surfing and snowboarding a little bit. You almost forgot that you ever even did those things. I think its supposed to be that way and is a lot easier when your not thinking about it.
The other news is that Im still illegal! That office has taken to long on my papers for some reason and I went to go get my DNI card which is liki Spain Identifaction and the man told me that is cant becasue I ve waited to long. I talked with out registrator who is actually a member in Valencia and he just told me he dosent know what to do. SO in the mean time we have to avoid the Authority Figures. I am going to Murcia tommorrow to try and sort it out. I would be very frustrated if I have to leave Spain Early. Hopefully everything works out tomorrow. everything Else is going great though and we are having a good time Love and miss you all.
Love Elder G
Emily - Vigo Week 6
2.9.09
Hello my family...
Well another week has gone by. I got letters from the Fox family and sister Sarah. I have emails from Dad and my dear Grandma Gogarty.
Mom I didnt get a letter from you this week and I didnt know what to do with myself. Sister is lucky that hers showed up, otherwise she would have gotten a major beating. I will probably beat her up when I get home either way. Just think, I will have a year and a half of frustration built up.
In an email from President today he told us that this winter has been the coldest/wettest winter in 70 years. I could have told you that. IM FREEZING! It rains every single day. I will not live in a place where it rains a lot ever again. I cant believe how much it has affected me. Ive heard it will start warming up in June when I go home!
I got my residency paper work today. On wednesday I will got stand in the street, in a line, for 3-4 hours, at 6 in the morning. I will have permission to live here for two years and work. DONT WORRY though mom Im coming home in June.
The other day I was sitting at my desk and I felt the need to yell your name and see if you would answer. Im pretty sure my greenie thinks that Ive lost my mind and I think I have. I really wanted a mom hug on Saturday. I had a rough day. The mission really allows you to see very clearly all of your weaknesses. I have a lot to work on. I think you know what they are before the mission but on the mission because you deal so much with people your weaknesses are easily seen. Im a big procrastinator and Ive got to do better.
Ricky continues to amaze me. We taught him the law of chastity and had planned to teach the WOW also and he basically started teaching us about it. When I asked him if he would live the law of chastity now and after his baptism he was like ah duh. He pretty much already knows what we are going to teach and already agrees with it all. He had a pretty crazy life in Nigeria but realized that he didnt like where he was at so he started studying the bible. He tells us how important it is to pray before studying so that you interpret the scriputres correctly. I think because he has always been guided by the spirit in his studies that he has prepared himself for receiving the gospel. He really already understands everything before we teach. Everytime we talk about his baptism he gets thee biggest smile on his face. He is so excited and he is taking everything so seriously. I dont even worry if he is going to come to church or not. When we were teaching about enduring to the end I asked him how we endure to the end. He said well you go to church, read the scriptures, pray and live the commandments. I asked well sometimes its hard to go to church every sunday what do we do when its harder to live the commandments. He looked at me in the eyes and said there is a time for play a time for work and a time for worship. Sunday is the day we worship and if you dont want to go that is Satan trying to keep you from doing what is right. We must go to church every Sunday. Wow perfect answer thank you Ricky. I always leave our visits like with my mind in another world, its crazy. He is so prepared and I know he is really going to help the church grow in some way.
Ana is doing pretty well. We stopped by on Wednesday to see how they were doing. They made us hot cocoa and arepas. We talked about some questions Manuel had in the BOM. He thinks that the book is 90 percent history with wars and problems and 10 percent of doctrine. Ive never seen someone see the book in that way. I know its a book of history but everything in it can be applied to our lives. My mission has really helped me to learn how to do that. I shared a verse with them that was an answer to a prayer. I testified that the book is not just a history book, it is a sacred book written by prophets. EVERYTIME I testify the room gets totally silent. I know he can feel the spirit and it bugs him. He doesnt know what to say back to me after I testify so he usually gets up and gets some more food. Ana just sits back quietly and takes everything in. She understands everything very well and that also bugs him. Faith is so simple but so hard for him to understand. They didnt come to church but we will stop by again this week and try to help them feel the love that their Heavenly Father has for both of them.
We did a service project this week for a lady that was recently baptized. Her house was a dumpster. She hasn´t thrown anything away for 10 years. We spent three hours throwing away trash in one room. When she left I just threw everything I picked up into the trash. I like having service to do because its nice to do some work and feel useful. Sometimes its hard to recognize your efforts teaching/finding.
We stopped and visited an awesome family last night. They lived in the states for a little while so they speak/understand english pretty well. It was really nice for my greenie to be able to talk and joke around. I remember how hard that was to not be able to have a realationship wiht anyone but your comp. They told us they want to have us over for some Mexican food. I dont think they realize how much they mean to us. Its so nice to just be in a home for an hour with a good family. The daughter is going to help us with a visit this week and I invited her to live at our house this summer.
Well I sure love you and I sent a good letter with some pictures last week, you should get it soon. I know the church is true there is no doubt in my mind. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love our family!
love,
The Sister
Hello my family...
Well another week has gone by. I got letters from the Fox family and sister Sarah. I have emails from Dad and my dear Grandma Gogarty.
Mom I didnt get a letter from you this week and I didnt know what to do with myself. Sister is lucky that hers showed up, otherwise she would have gotten a major beating. I will probably beat her up when I get home either way. Just think, I will have a year and a half of frustration built up.
In an email from President today he told us that this winter has been the coldest/wettest winter in 70 years. I could have told you that. IM FREEZING! It rains every single day. I will not live in a place where it rains a lot ever again. I cant believe how much it has affected me. Ive heard it will start warming up in June when I go home!
I got my residency paper work today. On wednesday I will got stand in the street, in a line, for 3-4 hours, at 6 in the morning. I will have permission to live here for two years and work. DONT WORRY though mom Im coming home in June.
The other day I was sitting at my desk and I felt the need to yell your name and see if you would answer. Im pretty sure my greenie thinks that Ive lost my mind and I think I have. I really wanted a mom hug on Saturday. I had a rough day. The mission really allows you to see very clearly all of your weaknesses. I have a lot to work on. I think you know what they are before the mission but on the mission because you deal so much with people your weaknesses are easily seen. Im a big procrastinator and Ive got to do better.
Ricky continues to amaze me. We taught him the law of chastity and had planned to teach the WOW also and he basically started teaching us about it. When I asked him if he would live the law of chastity now and after his baptism he was like ah duh. He pretty much already knows what we are going to teach and already agrees with it all. He had a pretty crazy life in Nigeria but realized that he didnt like where he was at so he started studying the bible. He tells us how important it is to pray before studying so that you interpret the scriputres correctly. I think because he has always been guided by the spirit in his studies that he has prepared himself for receiving the gospel. He really already understands everything before we teach. Everytime we talk about his baptism he gets thee biggest smile on his face. He is so excited and he is taking everything so seriously. I dont even worry if he is going to come to church or not. When we were teaching about enduring to the end I asked him how we endure to the end. He said well you go to church, read the scriptures, pray and live the commandments. I asked well sometimes its hard to go to church every sunday what do we do when its harder to live the commandments. He looked at me in the eyes and said there is a time for play a time for work and a time for worship. Sunday is the day we worship and if you dont want to go that is Satan trying to keep you from doing what is right. We must go to church every Sunday. Wow perfect answer thank you Ricky. I always leave our visits like with my mind in another world, its crazy. He is so prepared and I know he is really going to help the church grow in some way.
Ana is doing pretty well. We stopped by on Wednesday to see how they were doing. They made us hot cocoa and arepas. We talked about some questions Manuel had in the BOM. He thinks that the book is 90 percent history with wars and problems and 10 percent of doctrine. Ive never seen someone see the book in that way. I know its a book of history but everything in it can be applied to our lives. My mission has really helped me to learn how to do that. I shared a verse with them that was an answer to a prayer. I testified that the book is not just a history book, it is a sacred book written by prophets. EVERYTIME I testify the room gets totally silent. I know he can feel the spirit and it bugs him. He doesnt know what to say back to me after I testify so he usually gets up and gets some more food. Ana just sits back quietly and takes everything in. She understands everything very well and that also bugs him. Faith is so simple but so hard for him to understand. They didnt come to church but we will stop by again this week and try to help them feel the love that their Heavenly Father has for both of them.
We did a service project this week for a lady that was recently baptized. Her house was a dumpster. She hasn´t thrown anything away for 10 years. We spent three hours throwing away trash in one room. When she left I just threw everything I picked up into the trash. I like having service to do because its nice to do some work and feel useful. Sometimes its hard to recognize your efforts teaching/finding.
We stopped and visited an awesome family last night. They lived in the states for a little while so they speak/understand english pretty well. It was really nice for my greenie to be able to talk and joke around. I remember how hard that was to not be able to have a realationship wiht anyone but your comp. They told us they want to have us over for some Mexican food. I dont think they realize how much they mean to us. Its so nice to just be in a home for an hour with a good family. The daughter is going to help us with a visit this week and I invited her to live at our house this summer.
Well I sure love you and I sent a good letter with some pictures last week, you should get it soon. I know the church is true there is no doubt in my mind. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love our family!
love,
The Sister
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Logan - Lorca Week 2
2.2.09
Grandma sorry about desroying your towel when I was down in St. George!
This week has been incredible. I relaly love Lorca and working with two companions. We are very effective and get a lot done. we usually do splits with the members durning the night so we get twice as much done. I have really enjoyed eler Worthen and Elder Kempkens. Elder Worthen and I want to room togther after the mission. Today we had a lot of fun climbing the highest mountain we could find in Lorca. It got a little intense when I realized we couldnt turn back and was wishing we had a rope. Luckily everyone is fine and we got some great pictures hich I will tr and attach if I can figure it out. The work in going amazingly we are having a ton of success in a lot of differnt ways. Just last week we set two baptismal dates and have two people ready to be baptized this week. There are some really great people here. We are seeing miracles and plan on seeing al ot more while we are here. I am worried its going to get too hot too soon. this week we also had at a chinese buffet and were there for about two hours. I know we got our moneys worth because the German ate 6 steaks. The food was way good and they cook it all in front of you. I had frog, squid, and octopus it was super good. Well everything else is going well the piso is super nice and now its all cleaned and organized. Well thats about all everything is going well and I am really enjoying lorca. Oh and the shower is amazing compared to the last piso I m like excited to wake up every morning and use it. Love you all
Elder G
Grandma sorry about desroying your towel when I was down in St. George!
This week has been incredible. I relaly love Lorca and working with two companions. We are very effective and get a lot done. we usually do splits with the members durning the night so we get twice as much done. I have really enjoyed eler Worthen and Elder Kempkens. Elder Worthen and I want to room togther after the mission. Today we had a lot of fun climbing the highest mountain we could find in Lorca. It got a little intense when I realized we couldnt turn back and was wishing we had a rope. Luckily everyone is fine and we got some great pictures hich I will tr and attach if I can figure it out. The work in going amazingly we are having a ton of success in a lot of differnt ways. Just last week we set two baptismal dates and have two people ready to be baptized this week. There are some really great people here. We are seeing miracles and plan on seeing al ot more while we are here. I am worried its going to get too hot too soon. this week we also had at a chinese buffet and were there for about two hours. I know we got our moneys worth because the German ate 6 steaks. The food was way good and they cook it all in front of you. I had frog, squid, and octopus it was super good. Well everything else is going well the piso is super nice and now its all cleaned and organized. Well thats about all everything is going well and I am really enjoying lorca. Oh and the shower is amazing compared to the last piso I m like excited to wake up every morning and use it. Love you all
Elder G
Emily - Vigo Week 5
2.2.09
I got letters from mom and jess this week. It was really nice to hear from both of you. Im still waiting for a letter from sister Sarah that should have made it here by now, if she sent it when she said she would. Dont ever tell a missionary that your going to send a letter and then not send it.
Ricky is still moving along. Last night we retaught him the Plan of Salvation with pictures. I was trying to hide the other pictures while we taught the first part and he was all anxious to see what else there was. He saw the sun moon and star and was like what is that. Its fun to watch someone have fun learning about the gospel. He usually teaches me when we are there. I cant remember if I told you last week that I showed him a picture of the saints in Nigeria in the Ensign and he was like oh thats fantastic. Its fun teaching him and watching him walk himself to church every Sunday even though he doesnt speak Spanish.
We found someone new this week. She is from Ecuador. It was a miracle for me. I was pretty down and we were doing some passbys. I rang her door and I heard someone yell out quien es. I came out from under the building and found someone hanging out the window. I asked for Rebeka and she looked at me weird but let us in. She welcomed us right in to her house and we sat and visited with her like we had known each other forever. She told me that she is Catholic but she never closes her door to people that want to talk to her about God. We visited for a while and she asked us about our families. It was so nice to just have someone treat us nicely and ask us about our families. We are going back on Saturday to visit her. I bore my testimony to her about families and prophets. Im excited to visit her again.
We had a nice visit with Ana this week. That lady really is my sister. There is no doubt in my mind that we were suppose to find each other. Its interesting to think what all happened for us to be put together. We spent some time with her on Saturday. She made us arepas and fresh orange juice, it was soo good. We talked a lot and I tried so hard to explain to her how special she is and how much God loves her. She has had a really hard life. She doesnt even believe that happiness is possible but she does want to find peace. I almost feel quilty for how happy I know Ive been in this life, especially when I think back to wonderful memories with all of you. Im so grateful to have you as my family forever. I told her that she is my sister and Im going to do what ever I can to help her find happiness and peace through the gospel, I know its possible. We cried a little bit together and I gave her a big hug. I want so badly to help her that it makes me crazy thinking about it. I know that I can only do my part and I have to watch her struggle to do hers. I want to just do it for her because I know how she can be happy. I think we have all felt that way before with someone we love. She thanked us for spending time with her and said that we have treated her better than she has been treated her whole life. She told me that I was a princess. I want her to understand that she is one too. That sounds super cheesy and dumb but really she needs to understand that she is a daughter of God.
It has been soooo nice to speak Spanish and have friends that are like family. All of the struggling in the beginning was worth it to be where Im at now. I love sharing the gospel!
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior. I know I represent His church. Thank you so much for helping me find my own testimony so that I could be a missionary.
I love you all sooooo much and I miss you a lot!
Love,
The sister
I got letters from mom and jess this week. It was really nice to hear from both of you. Im still waiting for a letter from sister Sarah that should have made it here by now, if she sent it when she said she would. Dont ever tell a missionary that your going to send a letter and then not send it.
Ricky is still moving along. Last night we retaught him the Plan of Salvation with pictures. I was trying to hide the other pictures while we taught the first part and he was all anxious to see what else there was. He saw the sun moon and star and was like what is that. Its fun to watch someone have fun learning about the gospel. He usually teaches me when we are there. I cant remember if I told you last week that I showed him a picture of the saints in Nigeria in the Ensign and he was like oh thats fantastic. Its fun teaching him and watching him walk himself to church every Sunday even though he doesnt speak Spanish.
We found someone new this week. She is from Ecuador. It was a miracle for me. I was pretty down and we were doing some passbys. I rang her door and I heard someone yell out quien es. I came out from under the building and found someone hanging out the window. I asked for Rebeka and she looked at me weird but let us in. She welcomed us right in to her house and we sat and visited with her like we had known each other forever. She told me that she is Catholic but she never closes her door to people that want to talk to her about God. We visited for a while and she asked us about our families. It was so nice to just have someone treat us nicely and ask us about our families. We are going back on Saturday to visit her. I bore my testimony to her about families and prophets. Im excited to visit her again.
We had a nice visit with Ana this week. That lady really is my sister. There is no doubt in my mind that we were suppose to find each other. Its interesting to think what all happened for us to be put together. We spent some time with her on Saturday. She made us arepas and fresh orange juice, it was soo good. We talked a lot and I tried so hard to explain to her how special she is and how much God loves her. She has had a really hard life. She doesnt even believe that happiness is possible but she does want to find peace. I almost feel quilty for how happy I know Ive been in this life, especially when I think back to wonderful memories with all of you. Im so grateful to have you as my family forever. I told her that she is my sister and Im going to do what ever I can to help her find happiness and peace through the gospel, I know its possible. We cried a little bit together and I gave her a big hug. I want so badly to help her that it makes me crazy thinking about it. I know that I can only do my part and I have to watch her struggle to do hers. I want to just do it for her because I know how she can be happy. I think we have all felt that way before with someone we love. She thanked us for spending time with her and said that we have treated her better than she has been treated her whole life. She told me that I was a princess. I want her to understand that she is one too. That sounds super cheesy and dumb but really she needs to understand that she is a daughter of God.
It has been soooo nice to speak Spanish and have friends that are like family. All of the struggling in the beginning was worth it to be where Im at now. I love sharing the gospel!
I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love my Savior. I know I represent His church. Thank you so much for helping me find my own testimony so that I could be a missionary.
I love you all sooooo much and I miss you a lot!
Love,
The sister
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Logan - Lorca Week 1
1.27.09
Well last night I moved to Lorca with is the furthest south in the mission that you can go. THis is my new Adrress
Elder Logan Gogarty
C/ Castilla 5, 2B
Lorca, España 30800
I actually took the place of Elder Carpenter my trainer. He was in a threesome and went zone Leader in the Islands I took his place and now have two companions Elder Worthen from Ogden UT and Elder Kempkens from Germany. We have to speak in SPanish because Elder Kempkens English is not too good. We have a super nice piso but it is really small. I have been organiszing and stressing all night trying to find places for things but its just way too small. I did make a lot more space but I am going to buy some containers today to put stuff under the beds and I also want to throw just about everything away. Elder Worthen and I have a lot of the same intrests so we should have a fun time togther. I am also excited to learn a little german culture as well. I am very sad to have left Elche. It was extremely hard saying bye to Gustavo and his family. I gave them a hymn book with a picture and letter durning sacrament and they started balling. I will def. want to visit them when I come back. Lorca looks like a good place its a little smaller then ELche and it only has a branch here. We had a cita right when I got here last night as I got off the train and it went well. Its a little weird teaching with three people but I am sure we will get better at it. I think today we are going to just explore the city a little bit. The weather here is a little warmer and I hope I get transfered before summer hits becasue its going to be really hot. everything is going well so far and I m sure I ll have more to tell you next week after I learn the area a little better. Dad thanks for the great letter it was very funny. COby happy b-day! If you could find me a jump drive that I can plug my xd card into that would be fantastic as well as some new labels. Well Love you all Elder G
Well last night I moved to Lorca with is the furthest south in the mission that you can go. THis is my new Adrress
Elder Logan Gogarty
C/ Castilla 5, 2B
Lorca, España 30800
I actually took the place of Elder Carpenter my trainer. He was in a threesome and went zone Leader in the Islands I took his place and now have two companions Elder Worthen from Ogden UT and Elder Kempkens from Germany. We have to speak in SPanish because Elder Kempkens English is not too good. We have a super nice piso but it is really small. I have been organiszing and stressing all night trying to find places for things but its just way too small. I did make a lot more space but I am going to buy some containers today to put stuff under the beds and I also want to throw just about everything away. Elder Worthen and I have a lot of the same intrests so we should have a fun time togther. I am also excited to learn a little german culture as well. I am very sad to have left Elche. It was extremely hard saying bye to Gustavo and his family. I gave them a hymn book with a picture and letter durning sacrament and they started balling. I will def. want to visit them when I come back. Lorca looks like a good place its a little smaller then ELche and it only has a branch here. We had a cita right when I got here last night as I got off the train and it went well. Its a little weird teaching with three people but I am sure we will get better at it. I think today we are going to just explore the city a little bit. The weather here is a little warmer and I hope I get transfered before summer hits becasue its going to be really hot. everything is going well so far and I m sure I ll have more to tell you next week after I learn the area a little better. Dad thanks for the great letter it was very funny. COby happy b-day! If you could find me a jump drive that I can plug my xd card into that would be fantastic as well as some new labels. Well Love you all Elder G
Monday, January 26, 2009
Emily - Vigo Week 4
1.26.09
Hello Family...It has been a very rainy week. A couple days ago we got stuck in a huge rain storm on our way home. Our stuff is STILL drying out. Everyone watched us run home because we were the only ones in the street. Everyone else was hiding in bars. We got so wet we could ring our hair out. As we ran down the street I yelled back to my companion, welcome to nothern Spain. She couldnt believe how much it rained and I just pretended like it was out of the blue and probably would never happen again...wooops. I dont want her to know all the surprises at once.LOL!Dad said by now I should have conquered all my fears and it is strange how I do feel that way. I feel very comfortable here and that makes me kind of nervous. Ive never stayed comfortable for very long in life. I know there is still a lot of Spanish to learn but I can talk to anyone now. Contacting people still makes me pretty nervous but still I feel better about it then I did when I first came out. I feel very confident when Im teaching. Of course it helps that I speak Spanish better and you would think that its because I understand the scriptures amazing well but really it is because Ive learned how to follow the Spirit and apply simple gospel principles to everything. All the things that I thought would make me a great teacher haven´t really, it has been loving the people with all my heart and applying the gospel to their lives. I LOVE teaching, it has become my most favorite part of the mission. Ive always enjoyed listening to people but its more fun as a missionary because I can always share the gospel. The most exciting news is that our Nigerian friend Ricky is getting baptized on the seventh of march. I dont even know where to start explaining how that all came about. When I first started teaching him I thought he just has us come over so that he could preach to us from the bible but that has changed. I started picking out BOM chapters to go with Bible chapters and he has fallen in love with the BOM. For the last couple weeks we have just been reading with him and helping him get into the BOM. Then in the last visit we started teaching lesson three. In the middle of the lesson he told us that he would be baptized. He had a dream of two people dressed in white that wanted to give him a book and told him that he was a child of destiny. When hermanas showed up on his door he was waiting for them to give him a book. He allowed them to teach him and started coming to church. He has gone every week with out missing one Sunday for the last couple months. He told us that he has visited a lot of churches but in this one he felt something special as he entered for the first time. He continued learning and he has really gained a testimony because he always does his part. That reminds me of what dad said in his letter, about keeping our promises. I know that Heavenly Father really blesses us as we do what He has asked us to do, even with something so simple, like reading. Ricky really has gained a testimony of the BOM through the Spìrit and PMG says those two things are the biggest converters to the gospel. Anyways he continued telling us about all these dreams he has been having and that he has prayed about baptism. I think he has even fasted too. Then he told us of another dream where he was all dressed in white standing in a big pool of water. I worry about him because he doesnt speak Spanish at all really but I knew that I had to committ him to being baptized. After I asked him he left room, I think to pray and then came back and wrote 7 March on my agenda. He truly has been converted and is so prepared to be baptized. I hope he serves a mission. Most of the time he teaches us as we teach him. I showed him the picture from conference of the saints in Nigeria, he loved it! I think he is really going to help bring the gospel to more people in Spain and in his country. It was a really neat experience and as we walked down the stairs after the visit, I looked back at my comp. and asked her if that blew her mind, she just nodded. Im grateful to be a part of peoples lives as they find the truth or even sometimes just get closer to finding the truth.We had a great visit with Manuel Santos and Ana this week. Ana really opened up even more and told me more of her life. She really needs to understand the Plan of Salvation, every part of it. I love being with them and teaching them although sometimes I get overwhelmed. They have become like family and I want so badly to help them gain testimonies of the gospel. We talked a lot and finally I said I know I cant give you faith but if I could I would. I can tell you how to find it for yourselves. I know you both have suffered but that is part of this life. If you will both pray to Heavenly Father, He will listen and your faith in Him with grow. Ana please will you talk to your Heavenly Father tonight. Talk to him about all the bad things that have happened and ask Him to help you understand. You will gain a very special close relationship with Him and you wont be able to live with out prayer. I also asked Manuel Santos to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help him recognize the love He has for him. I told both of them how much I love them and how badly I want them to be happy and have peace. I always pour my heart out to them. I gave Ana a big hug again before I left and told her that I will help her to find happiness in this life because she deserves it. We have eaten more with them than with members. They really do take very good care of us. I feel very close to them and I just pray that I will be able to help them progress. I love my Heavenly Father and Im so grateful to know that He loves me. I pray to Him and He listens. He sent His son to pay for our sins. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and anyone can read it and pray to know if it is true. Im grateful to be a missionary and Im grateful to my family for teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I had to send you a final note in only 25 words it would be. I love each of you with all my heart. Do everything you can to be worthy to live together forever or I will hurt you. Read President Monsons talk.I sure do love you. Thank you for loving me!Love,The Sister
Hello Family...It has been a very rainy week. A couple days ago we got stuck in a huge rain storm on our way home. Our stuff is STILL drying out. Everyone watched us run home because we were the only ones in the street. Everyone else was hiding in bars. We got so wet we could ring our hair out. As we ran down the street I yelled back to my companion, welcome to nothern Spain. She couldnt believe how much it rained and I just pretended like it was out of the blue and probably would never happen again...wooops. I dont want her to know all the surprises at once.LOL!Dad said by now I should have conquered all my fears and it is strange how I do feel that way. I feel very comfortable here and that makes me kind of nervous. Ive never stayed comfortable for very long in life. I know there is still a lot of Spanish to learn but I can talk to anyone now. Contacting people still makes me pretty nervous but still I feel better about it then I did when I first came out. I feel very confident when Im teaching. Of course it helps that I speak Spanish better and you would think that its because I understand the scriptures amazing well but really it is because Ive learned how to follow the Spirit and apply simple gospel principles to everything. All the things that I thought would make me a great teacher haven´t really, it has been loving the people with all my heart and applying the gospel to their lives. I LOVE teaching, it has become my most favorite part of the mission. Ive always enjoyed listening to people but its more fun as a missionary because I can always share the gospel. The most exciting news is that our Nigerian friend Ricky is getting baptized on the seventh of march. I dont even know where to start explaining how that all came about. When I first started teaching him I thought he just has us come over so that he could preach to us from the bible but that has changed. I started picking out BOM chapters to go with Bible chapters and he has fallen in love with the BOM. For the last couple weeks we have just been reading with him and helping him get into the BOM. Then in the last visit we started teaching lesson three. In the middle of the lesson he told us that he would be baptized. He had a dream of two people dressed in white that wanted to give him a book and told him that he was a child of destiny. When hermanas showed up on his door he was waiting for them to give him a book. He allowed them to teach him and started coming to church. He has gone every week with out missing one Sunday for the last couple months. He told us that he has visited a lot of churches but in this one he felt something special as he entered for the first time. He continued learning and he has really gained a testimony because he always does his part. That reminds me of what dad said in his letter, about keeping our promises. I know that Heavenly Father really blesses us as we do what He has asked us to do, even with something so simple, like reading. Ricky really has gained a testimony of the BOM through the Spìrit and PMG says those two things are the biggest converters to the gospel. Anyways he continued telling us about all these dreams he has been having and that he has prayed about baptism. I think he has even fasted too. Then he told us of another dream where he was all dressed in white standing in a big pool of water. I worry about him because he doesnt speak Spanish at all really but I knew that I had to committ him to being baptized. After I asked him he left room, I think to pray and then came back and wrote 7 March on my agenda. He truly has been converted and is so prepared to be baptized. I hope he serves a mission. Most of the time he teaches us as we teach him. I showed him the picture from conference of the saints in Nigeria, he loved it! I think he is really going to help bring the gospel to more people in Spain and in his country. It was a really neat experience and as we walked down the stairs after the visit, I looked back at my comp. and asked her if that blew her mind, she just nodded. Im grateful to be a part of peoples lives as they find the truth or even sometimes just get closer to finding the truth.We had a great visit with Manuel Santos and Ana this week. Ana really opened up even more and told me more of her life. She really needs to understand the Plan of Salvation, every part of it. I love being with them and teaching them although sometimes I get overwhelmed. They have become like family and I want so badly to help them gain testimonies of the gospel. We talked a lot and finally I said I know I cant give you faith but if I could I would. I can tell you how to find it for yourselves. I know you both have suffered but that is part of this life. If you will both pray to Heavenly Father, He will listen and your faith in Him with grow. Ana please will you talk to your Heavenly Father tonight. Talk to him about all the bad things that have happened and ask Him to help you understand. You will gain a very special close relationship with Him and you wont be able to live with out prayer. I also asked Manuel Santos to pray and ask Heavenly Father to help him recognize the love He has for him. I told both of them how much I love them and how badly I want them to be happy and have peace. I always pour my heart out to them. I gave Ana a big hug again before I left and told her that I will help her to find happiness in this life because she deserves it. We have eaten more with them than with members. They really do take very good care of us. I feel very close to them and I just pray that I will be able to help them progress. I love my Heavenly Father and Im so grateful to know that He loves me. I pray to Him and He listens. He sent His son to pay for our sins. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and anyone can read it and pray to know if it is true. Im grateful to be a missionary and Im grateful to my family for teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I had to send you a final note in only 25 words it would be. I love each of you with all my heart. Do everything you can to be worthy to live together forever or I will hurt you. Read President Monsons talk.I sure do love you. Thank you for loving me!Love,The Sister
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
