"No Te Vayas Eldercito😢"

Let me begin by apologizing for the late email and for those I did not respond to. Yesterday was absolutely amazing, but also really busy. More on that in the letter for next week! 

Wow the transfer is already over! I'm actually really sad to see this one end. I really have enjoyed my time with Elder Andersen and the other Elders that we're sharing the ward with. Elder Andersen got called up to the big leagues as ZL in Sevilla, and I'm gonna miss him a lot. He was absolutely hilarious and taught me how to work like a dog. My new companion will be Elder Peredo from Barcelona and I'm so excited to speak Spanish with him! Also I will now be ward sharing with Elder Price who was my trainer a transfer ago. Kinda wild to be back together, but I’m really looking forward to doing big things this transfer. 

It has just been a downright fun week. We began by eating wayyyy to much at a sushi buffet near our church and were served well by a very kind robot. We also went bowling and saw the amazing lights in the center of the city. During the week we ate with lots of members as the Elders that left said goodbye. The amazing hermana Ruth even got us snow globes and sweaters as a parting gift. 

We had a few lessons with Viviana this week and she is progressing very nicely! She wants to learn more and is always asking questions. We should be extending a baptismal date this week to her!

Sunday after church we headed to Madrid for our Christmas Conference. It was absolutely amazing, but like I said, more on that next week!

I admit I'm in an odd mood. It's weird to be changing companions again, changing environments, even changing my mindset again. Just when you begin to feel comfortable, even bored, things change. I am now filled with a nervous energy that makes me a little terrified and a lot thrilled to renew my effort this amazing work. Something about the mission that makes it wonderfully unique is that we are always meeting, and sadly, saying goodbye to people. I am convinced that is part of what makes this such an incredible 2 years. 

My invitation this week is simple. It is just that you take an extra moment to thank those around you. To recognize them and why you are grateful to have them in your life. You are likely not going to say as many goodbyes or hellos as I do in this next year, but I hope you still acknowledge the gift it is have amazing people to share this life with. 

Elder Dougall