Bienvenidos a Málaga!

Wow what a week! Lots of travels, lots of new people, and lots to do! I said goodbye to Cáceres and here I am in Málaga. It feels like time goes by so fast and I'm already restarting and getting to know the friends and members here. My new comp is named Elder Anderson. He's from Idaho and is a super crac. He's super dedicated and hilarious. I'm so excited to learn from him this transfer and do some great work here. 

On Tuesday we traveled to Málaga and got right into it. We had an activity with the ward here and they are amazing. Lots of of people from Paraguay and plenty of mate. Here we have a full ward and we share it with another set of missionaries. One is from Peru and the other is from Oregon actually haha. 

Wednesday we did some service and spent about 3 hours weeding up in the mountains. It was really fun to do something different, even if there was lots of spiders. That day we also ate some Paella with a member. She asked us if we knew what meat was in the paella. We told her no and then she informed us it was cat. Like gato, like cat! Not sure how she got cat, or why she got cat, but something to tell the grandkids I guess.

The other highlight this week was getting to know this family (picture below) They are from Peru and are amazing. The parents and one of the sons were recently baptized and we are working to baptize the rest of them this transfer. It should be happening sometime in late November. We've just got to get the other couple married haha. It seems a common theme so far on this mission. I'm not sure why I'm not smiling in the photo, but it was such a blast. We ate biggg too. For my pants sake, I hope I can go running a little more here. 

Last big news, went to stake conference in Granada on Sunday. It was absolutely packed and it was so fun to see so many members in one place. We had to leave early cause of train tickets, but it was awesome. Also sounds like we will be getting a new mission in Spain! Spain Madrid East, July 2026. We don't know much more than that but, who knows, I might be moving missions.

Moving to a new area and already getting a new comp has just made me feel like this mission thing is going by so quick. In one transfer I will already be at 6 months. That, combined with the old people here making me never want to be old, has been teaching me to really take advantage of where I am. It is so easy to look forward to the future, but sometimes we miss moments that we will end up looking back on with regret. This life is a time to love, to repent, to forgive, to experience, to cry, to wish, to fail, to succeed, a time to learn; both the good and the bad so that we might gain experience and prepare for the life to come.

2 Nephi 2: 25-29ish

"And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh;

Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy. 

And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given. 

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; 

And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;"

I hope you all enjoy this week and look to learn and grow with Jesus Christ! 

Elder Dougall