Called to Madrid South

Transfers were supposed to be this past week but, due to a train crash in Córdoba, they will end up being tomorrow instead! My companion was able to make it to Madrid and is now home in Bolivia, but I was in a trio this week with the other Elders from our ward. It was a lot of fun, but a little bit crazy with trying to work with both our friends in both areas. We did lots of videocalls and we even set a few fechas!  This week was also exciting because we were preparing for the baptism of Yeremi and Eddi. Eddi has been taking the lessons from an Elder that speaks French and is now ready for baptism and Yeremi was waiting to turn 18 because his parents had not given him permission to be baptized. Two interesting cases, but overall an amazing baptism! We had a talk in French translated into Spanish, and the confirmation was also given in French to Eddi. Yeremi was baptized by his friend who had introduced him to the church.  We are working a lot with our recent converts to prepar...

Yes, thats right, not a joke, that is how the prayer was finished to end the baptism this last week. Looks like we've still got some things to teach. But the good news is that the baptism went amazing! We had 2 couples get married and then baptized this last Friday! I was almost sure that something would go wrong and that it would fall through, but it didnt! I feel like I escaped with robbery.  This last Tuesday we had zone conference in Sevilla again! It was super fun to be back and to see lots of old friends. We talked lots about how to teach and how we can make it both an experience of spiritual upliftment and comprehension. Many times, people will fake that they understand, when in reality they don't haha.  This Saturday we received transfer news... I will be staying in Málaga and be receiving a new missionary from the MTC! I'm a little terrified to train but it's  gonna be a blast and I'm so glad to be staying here in Málaga.  The past week has been lots of rea...

We started this week by spending all of two days reading the entire Book of Mormon. From about 8:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night we were reading nonstop with occasional zoom call and quality film worthy representations from other missionaries. It was amazing to see all the things I had never noticed before. I noted the complexity of the history, with clear and profound theology layered in, along with sincere thoughts of the authors and their prophecies of our day. I noted the differences in the voices and themes of each author, each focusing on their own task, while centering their message of Jesus Christ. I also noted it is a book of clarity. The Book of Mormon clarifies the Law of Moses, the Atonement, continuing revelation, the nature of God, His Church, His ordinances, and much more. More than anything I noted that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is laid out plainly and frequently, outlining the the steps to return to our Father in Heaven. I'd like to finish by sharing the words...

Although I wrote an email only 3 days ago, lots has happened! This weekend I was able to help complete two marriage licenses for two different couples and we're hoping to have them all baptized January18th! This Thursday we should be doing the ceremony through zoom and I get to translate! No pressure! They are so ready to be baptized, but needed to complete this step first. It's gonna be a huge celebration in the ward seeing two different couples be baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. Our ward has gotten a little accustomed to baptisms with two sets of Elders so we'll see if we can't add a little animo!  This last week we met a friend named Alex. He's from Moldova, speaks a little bit of English and Spanish, and has no background in religion. That presented us with the interesting proposition of teaching not only the Restoration, but basically Christian doctrine, like why we need a Savior and what that means for us.      12 And now, there was no means t...

I feel like I begin all my emails by talking about the most recent holiday. For now it's ok, but I worry for spring when I'll be starting my emails with love from Spain this President's Day. My P-day was changed this week to the 1st . I'm not sure what percentage of the population can walk this morning, but I think it would have been an easy sorting mechanism to find those already keeping the commandments - haha. We had Christmas this past week without much to report on. We had some meals with members and did our best to find people in the street without much success hahaha. Here in Spain Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas, and less important than New Year's eve which is less important than El Día de Los Reyes. It's all a little backwards and confusing, but the people here love to party. The why of the party, not so important. Last week we met a couple from Columbia that are friends with a member of the ward. They want to be baptized and are really p...