Called to Madrid South

As I was set apart and began my mission one year ago, I was touched by the outpouring of love and counsel that I had received from friends, family, and leaders that shared with me the importance of what I was about to do and the journey on which I would embark. One quote that called my attention and has continued to inspire is that of Neal A. Maxwell. It goes something like this: "The same God that placed that star in a precise orbit millennia before it appeared over Bethlehem in celebration of the birth of the Babe has given at least equal attention to placement of each of us in precise orbits so that we may, if we will, illuminate the landscape of our individual lives, so that our light may not only lead others but warm them as well." As I began my own transcontinental trajectory, deciding to serve a mission, I felt the light of others in their personal and divinely placed orbits, as well as my own in the lives of others. I am truly in awe with the way God has led me to tho...

Let me first just apologize for the lack of photos and interesting stories this week. We spent plenty of time this week in the street talking to people, and although we met some cool people, there was nothing too exciting.  This last Saturday we had the opportunity to go to the temple, which is only the second time in my mission. I'm very grateful to have been able to go and hope to take advantage of living so close and go again This last week we had a call with our friend, and we were able to teach her younger brother as well! They have come to all of the activities together and hope they may get baptized together as well! This week I began reading in the New Testament and I really enjoyed the teachings of Jesus Christ, but one verse called my attention. The chapter after, read something like this, telling the expected miraculous behavior of Jesus: "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and hea...

This area of Parla is absolutely crazy. It feels like the Ellis Island of Spain as almost everyone we talk to has been here for very little time. For example, just this week we found 5 members of the church that had called out to us, surprised to see missionaries here in Spain. When we told them there was a church here as well, they were all the more surprised. For a random example, this last Sunday afternoon as we're walking by, we see the other missionaries teaching a lesson on a bench. As we pass, a member of the church visiting from Italy and from China says hi and introduces himself. Not 3 minutes later, a couple from Chile comes up to us and says they have been in Spain for 6 days. The friend of the missionaries, at this point convinced of foul play, is super excited to talk with these 3 random members, and the recently baptized Chilean couple shared their testimony of the importance of baptism.  We have been teaching a friend named Xu Jing Chao. As we spoke to him through tr...

This week has been a bit of a wild ride, but a good one nonetheless! We had the exciting job of opening a new area here in Parla. My new companion and I spent lots of time getting to know members, the area, and finding friends to teach. Although Parla is relatively small, there is a great potential to find people. The branch here is made up almost completely of Latinos which makes for an awesome mix of cultures and people. My companion, Elder Petersen from Idaho, is relatively young is his mission and is super excited to, with me, see lots of miracles this transfer. I'm not sure how long I may be in this area, and I want to ensure that I leave the area content with my efforts.  Today we went to Toledo and saw some incredible sights! All of Spain has such beautiful and rich history and it was a ton of fun to explore. We also spent the day with the senior missionaries there.  I would like to share a quote I was reminded of today as we counseled together as missionaries on how we...