Five and Flying

Five- the number of weeks that I've been here in Barcelona, even though it seems much much shorter than that. Also, the number of steps in the Gospel of Christ. If you didn't understand that reference, ask the missionaries! They can help you. ;)

Flying- what time is known to do. Also, when you're on a spiritual and emotional high, and nothing can quite bring you down. That happens sometimes in the mission, too.

This week really has been great. Even considering the fact that I currently can't breathe through my nose and have been a little under the weather for a couple days, there's just a good feeling here.  This week I finally had the opportunity to teach Eduardo (I've been on intercambios for his other lessons), our 71year-old Cuban-born German friend who is getting baptized this Fourth of July (are we going to wear red, white, and blue? YES. Yes we will). He's incredible, and so beyond prepared that I'm pretty sure he started teaching us.  More with his story next week.

I went on another intercambio this week with Hermana Mendez, this time in my area. Turns out, going on a mission doesn't mean you magically grow a sense of direction (though my internal moral compass still points due North). I missed Hermana Wiseman for that, but we still had a pretty good day and taught some pretty good lessons.

We also said goodbye to one of our favorite members, who is going back to Peru to be with his wife. It was a real bitter-sweet moment (but mostly sweet, because he bought doughnuts), and he's been such a great help to the work here, and such a great friend to the missionaries.

Our mission President and his wife are leaving. We meet the new ones this week. I also just hit my 8 month mark. Sometimes things drag on. Other times, it feels like you blink and everything is changing. But I guess that just a part of life as well.

Our friend Willy came to church this week, and it's been a long time coming. I just feel like we're finally seeing the fruits of our labor, and I just feel so incredibly blessed.

Mosiah 2:21-24 21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

 22 And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.

 23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

 24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

and 41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
because I like it SO much.

I'm still not in love with the iPads. Mostly because I can't figure out how to send my email in the group... Sorry if someone gets left out.
We're supposed to be embracing new technology, but right now I'm just giving my iPad an awkward one-armed side-hug.
Pero bueno.  [But good.]
Sigue intentando.  [Keep trying.]

Lots of love to you all!
 Hermana Een