The Bad Beginning: getting to Bilbao

The Bad Beginning: the first book in "A series of Unfortunate Events."
I swear I didn't quit and become a pessimist, but I already used the "Burn Notice" reference when I was moved to Barcelona (though it would have been more accurate here. Hind sight is 20-20).
I was very proud of my last email. Carefully worded, filled with sentiment and beautifully setting up my transition to a new place. I was ready to relax on a 7 hour train ride. The next few hours definitely shook all of that up.

I met my new companion (Hermana Randall from small-town Utah) at the Barcelona train station. Since most of the other Areas in our mission at least pass through there, I also met up and talked with a ton of other people I know. There were a LOT of changes this transfer and quite a few surprises. In the midst of a flurry of photos, catch-up conversations, and a whole lot of air-dropping, my companion checked her luggage... and saw that her bag was gone. A bag with ALL the important things (passport, wallet, journal, transfer journal, ID, YW medallion, glasses, things of political and personal importance). With 30 minutes before the train is scheduled to leave, we do a sweep of the area, we talk to people, we walk around and through a couple of things and don't find it. With 15 minutes to go we try to catch the train, planning to call the mission office and inform them when we get to Bilbao. The struggle with whitewashing (one of them, at least) is that you BOTH have 2 large (slightly over-packed) suitcases with a carry-on, and it's nearly impossible to manage them by yourselves. We got there 5 minutes before the train left.... and they wouldn't let us on.

 Long story short(er), a pay phone call and a few emails later (thank you, McDonalds free wifi), we were told to go back to the Barcelona piso [apartment] and we'd catch a train the next morning. Getting our luggage in and out of the metro, around the crowded city streets, and back to the piso I thought I'd left forever was the second hardest physical thing I've ever done (Monserrat still in first). It's enough to make anyone a minimalist.

It was a little awkward to suddenly be back after saying goodbye, but Hermana Eyring was really glad (and surprised) to see us waiting on the steps.

The next day we went to the Police Station to fill out a report, and then the U.S. Consulate to replace her passport. We were blessed by REALLY nice people, and good timing. That night we awkwardly worked in my old area, trying to do missionary work without a phone, passby list, or keys and without running into people I'd already said goodbye to.

So that was fun.

Thursday morning we were on the train, early and without a hiccup.

Thursday afternoon we arrived in Bilbao, with hundreds of questions and not a lot of answers.  That night, we wandered around our area trying to figure things out.  And we fell in love. It's absolutely enchanting, by far the most beautiful city I've ever been in. And it's ours.  It's a good thing we already love the city, because the rest is going to be a little bit hard.

Also, there's some sort of huge festival going on right now. More on that next week.

We received a warm welcome from the ward and are ready to work this week.

We still have a few questions, and there's still some things to iron out (like the fact that I'm paying for both of us until her new card and reimbursals come in, so it's a good thing I've been thrifty), but at least we know that it can only go up from here.

And for my quick spiritual thought...
Here's some biblical proof that the savior whitewashed too.
Isaiah 1:18
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Love you! Good luck with school starting and whatever else is going on in your own little corners of the world!
-Hermana Een

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins- a magical nanny who fixes problems where she resides until the wind changes and she leaves to help another needy family. Also my nickname in our District...but that's just because I have everything you could ever need the moment you need it in my bag (bandaid? Motrin? Dry erase marker? Check check check)

White-wash: a mission term I'll explain later on. But let's just say it's a little more complicated than your average Tom Sawyer's picket fence.

This week felt like goodbye. The incredible story arch of our two transfers together came to a close in a matter of days; loose ends were tied up in a nice little bow, we saw tender mercies and little miracles, and just felt at peace in the assurance that Hermana Wiseman was leaving, but that a new adventure would begin and everything would be alright.
This week I had an incredible intercambio [exchange] with the only Hermana taller than me in the mission (dear sweet Hermana Fenn), and I felt like I really helped her. This week we also went contacting in a rainstorm and had a lot of little miracles... also got soaked. We ran into Abraham (just as lost and prideful as ever, but at least now we know we've done our part), and other great stuff too.
Transfers are a bit of an obsession for missionaries. We like to predict what will happen and are usually pretty accurate. About half-way through the week our piso [apartment] came to the conclusion that I would train the new Hermana coming in as Hermana Wiseman leaves this transfer. It just seemed to make sense.

So although we were nervous (as always) the Saturday night of transfer calls, we rested pretty sure in what would surely come. It wasn't even that much of a surprise when we got a call from President Dayton and he asked to talk to me.

He asked how I was doing. He said how much he trusted me, and how he thought I was the only Hermana strong enough for this assignment.
And then he asked me to go to Bilbao, and whitewash the area.

Whitewash: to start afresh. Usually you only take one missionary out of an area at a time, so that the other one can show them the area, the ward, and preserve the unity. Whitewash happens when two new missionaries go into an area they don't know, people they don't know, a WARD they don't know, and they do their best.
Whitewashing is hard.
 And it's the only thing I thought I couldn't do on the mission, what with my somewhat introverted tendencies and talent for getting myself lost.

A couple of people told me it's because God really trusts me. I think he just wants to move me out of my comfort zone and teach me to trust in Him more. Because it's a situation tin which I can't trust in my own strength.

Our goofy combined district in the one-and-only District Meeting

So it turns out that all those goodbyes were for me.
And I was blessed with an incredible Monday, saying goodbye, and knowing that the people here I've come to love will be well looked after, and that I've actually done more good here than I realized.

Our Monday morning cita [appointment] with Willy was one of the most spiritual lessons I've ever been in and made a spiritual connection I'd never thought of before and he cried as he bore testimony in front of us and his wife. I felt my heart burn as he said he knew it was true and knew that time was short (even if he thinks he needs a little bit more to be truly repentant) and said he wanted my email so he could send me a photo of his baptism. Edi called that night to say goodbye and wish me the best. He has a fecha [baptismal date] for the 29th, and it's the real deal.
The members here are incredible. Norma is the best human being on the planet, Miriam is my stylish Spanish mother, Lilium is a sweet friend, Jesus is an on-task older brother, Enrique is a dedicated and dry-humor ridden Spaniard, and I'll miss them all a lot. And I was able to say goodbye to all of them.
I'll miss the Hermanas, we've really become like sisters. I'll miss our District. I'll miss Hermana Wiseman like crazy.

Enrique and his fiance, Hermana Wiseman and I

I'll always have fond memories of Barcelona. All that I was able to do and see and learn here.
But the winds are changing, and Summer's over. And though I never expected it, I guess it's time for me to go.

Something that's helped me prepare for and come to terms with the change is this scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 6: 33-36

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. [Emphasis added by Alayna.]

A new address and many more adventures to follow.
Until next week,
-Hermana Een

Lead Me, Guide Me

Lead: to show with surety, the way to go. Knowing well the pathway is usually a prerequisite.
Guide: help, assist

Blind leading the blind: what happened this morning since my companion slept with her contacts in and slightly (but temporarily, don't freak out TOO much) damaged her eye. Basically she's become a vampire, sensitive to direct sunlight and... that's about where the similarities end. And since you are all pretty familiar with my astounding sense of directions, I'm sure you can fill in the gaps.

This has been a great week, though honestly (looking back on it) I'm not sure when it began and was surprised to find that it has ended. Es una cosa de la misión, tiempo vuela. [It is a thing of the mission, time flies]

I believe in seeing miracles every day, but one of the tender mercies this week was teaching a family, a REAL FAMILY, the plan of salvation. Usually there's some impediment: they're not married, someone has to get divorced first, or some sort of familial discord, but THIS family could/should be eternal. And we get to teach them HOW to be. (Which is awesome)

 Another miracle was just after a visit failed and as we were talking to the member to decide what to do, a woman approached us. We started talking to her. She said she was a member, but hasn't been able to go to church in the past 12 years because her husband wouldn't let her. But she told us that she's been faithfully reading the Book of Mormon daily, pulling an older, well-worn copy of the book FROM HER PURSE, to prove the point. It was just such a tender moment of faith for me.

We haven't been able to see Willy since he came to the baptism last Saturday, and he didn't respond to the texts when asking if we'd see him that Sunday, so we didn't think he would. But he did. He told us his experience with fasting, and I'm continually blown away by his faith and diligence. I'm grateful for the chance I had to help find this church and hope I'm here to see the day he becomes a member.

We were really able to focus on and HELP some less-active members this week, which was a great blessing both to them and to us.

Hitting the middle of your mission is hard. But you mull it over, find something profound to move you forward, and keep pushing on.

It's the last week of the Transfer (that means no letter until Tuesday) and we don't really know what will happen, but whatever does, I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had to be companions with Hermana Wiseman. We've done incredible things and been through a lot together. I continue to learn from her love of the gospel and the people here.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows too late.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I’ll live with him once more.

Love you all!
 Hermana Een

I borrowed her shirt without seeing her outfit and when we saw each other in church...unplanned twins!

Members in Barcelona (Jairo and Miriam, JAS representatives), Hermanas Wiseman and Een

Spiritual Spider-Man

Spiritual- I'm on a mission. That's kind of a given.
Spider-Man: "with great power comes great responsibility" A great little quote, and kind of goes along with my spiritual thought from last email. Also, I've become the resident exterminator in our piso [apartment] since everyone else has either never seen a cockroach before or is afraid of them. Me, I take the more "Liam Neison" side of things, "I WILL find you... and I WILL kill you."

Another pretty great week on the mission.
Some highlights are as follows,

Catalan grandmas Rosa and Vickie were baptized, and it was beautiful. The Elders have been working with them for a long time, and it's nice to see the happy ending and the joy it's brought to their lives. Willy came to their baptism and fasted with us. A leap of faith on his part.  I have no doubt in my mind that he will be baptized. But I'm also learning to trust in the Lord and His timing.

Changes in the mission- a new baptismal goal, an area closed, a bigger District. And hey, we got a photo together!

Elders Maurer, Moyano, Pratt, Farley, Johnson, and House. Hermanas Lee Wiseman, Eyring, and I

Thanksgiving dinner and surprise eating citas.
Eating with members after Fast Sunday is GREAT!  Eating again a couple hours later when you were NOT prepared sort of nullifies whatever self-image you regained after fasting.  Pero Bueno [but good].  This extra weight is just proof that the members love us.

Hermana Lee makes us Korean food, Hermana Eyring makes us cookies... Hermana Wiseman and I get fat. ;)

This week I had the opportunity to go on an Intercambio with Hermana Eyring (who I mentioned briefly a couple of emails ago, and since then we found out that she would be trained by Hermana Lee and has been living with us ever since.) She is so dedicated, ready to talk to everyone and has a genuine love for the people here. She's also almost as tall as I am (a nice change), usually gets my Disney references (though Hermana Wiseman has been doing better in that department lately), likes to sing with me, and likes to take care of people. She also taught me how to fold napkins #lifeskill. She's a great addition to the mission and our piso.

I'd like to share a quote about the Book of Mormon. It's pretty essential to everything we do as members, leaders, and missionaries. I have a copy always in my hand and though it's sweaty and gross (or gone, if I give it away) by the end of the day, it helps me remember the importance of the words I carry in my hands and in my heart.

"It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that.  It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too.  But there is something more.  There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the straight and narrow path.  The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance."-Ezra Taft Benson

Wish a Sister missionary a happy siblings day, ok?
 Lots of love!
-Hermana Een

En Medio: Nine Months

Medio: middle.
9 months: let's be honest, everyone's first thought is "pregnant" but it's also significant because it marks the half-way point in a Sister Missionary's service. Or as my family apparently would say (quoting the words of Bon Jovi) "You're half way there, whoa, living on a prayer" which is surprisingly accurate in this occasion.

This week has been a beast. We ran everywhere and taught un montòn [a lot]. The ayudantes (assistants to the President, a very important calling) decided that all of concilio (leadership council) should hit the pautas (mission goals). So we did. But the problem with pautas is that my companion and I were constantly frustrated with the way it made us think. It's a delicate balance, something meant to push you but sometimes it gets you going a little bit in the wrong direction, focusing more on the number of lessons and investigators than the quality of visits and seeing returning members. It's hard to keep your heart in the right place. But it is possible. And looking back on the week, I can see the good that we've done. And that helps.

This week I had the great opportunity to go on an intercambio with Hermana Cragun, fresh from the Provo MTC with only a month as a missionary. I've decided to start taking intercambio selfies with an "I got hopelessly lost with Hermana Een!" sign. It was great to work with her. The energy of new missionaries makes you realize that maybe... you've lost it. But it gives you a little re-charge and helps you go on.

Our companionship is going great, Hermana Wiseman is doing better at recognizing my Disney movie references (which is gratifying) and made a really funny joke yesterday, so I'm rubbing off on her. ;)

I guess the miracle this week would be Alejandro. We contacted him on a bench almost three weeks ago but because of his late work schedule, haven't been able to meet with him again. But the Daytons gave an incredible fireside this past Sunday, we invited him, and he came! He has a lot to change in his life, but he's on the search for truth, peace, and meaning, and we're excited to help him find it.

Willy came to church and is on the precipice of membership. He's so beyond prepared... we just need to help him realize it. The Daytons also came to our sacrament meeting and I know that speaking with them helped.

Edit is an incredible new investigator that just sort-of fell into our laps this week. He wandered into the church during sacrament meeting 2 Sunday's ago, came to English classes on Wednesday, came to the sports activity on Saturday morning, we gave him a church tour after, invited him to a baptism that night and then (why not) we invited HIM to be baptized the end of August. He said yes, and already loves the church, and met the Daytons.

These three men couldn't be more different. But the gospel will help, and has already helped, all of them.

Concilio was yesterday (hence, a Tuesday letter) and it was different from the one with the Paces, but just as good in different ways. Hermana Jimenez is leaving this transfer and it was weird saying goodbye. It's impossible to catch-up completely with the other missionaries you know in such a short time. So much happens in a month.

It's strange to consider how far I've come; thousands of miles from my home, a foot or two of spiritual growth, and several inches in my hair. But there's so much that I still want to do better. I want to work on listening to and recognizing the spiritual promptings and serving more completely my calling.

Moroni 7:2 And now I, Mormon, speak unto you, my beloved brethren; and it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, and his holy will, because of the gift of his calling unto me, that I am permitted to speak unto you at this time.

This calling to serve as a missionary really is a gift, one that I want to understand better and use to its full potential.

Love and prayers,
Hermana Een

Sudando in Summer

I read over last week’s email, trying to find out where to begin this one. I still haven't decided, but I guess I'll just dive right in.

Sudando- sweating.

Summer. (I'm also in the summer of my mission. Almost the half-way point)

Summer has always been an enjoyable time for me. It means swimming and family reunions, drive-in movies, shave-ice, marathons, staying up late, and vacations. As I grew up it also meant work and responsibility. Summer has always been fun, but there are always challenges as well. Some of them are summer-reading challenges at the local library (free books!) and some of them are making the work schedules align like the stars so that we can all go to the week-long family reunion in Utah, AND Girls Camp, AND EFY.

Summer on the mission is a whole different challenge.

Hermana Wiseman described it perfectly, but to paraphrase, "summer in Barcelona is when everyone who lives here leaves, everyone who IS here is a tourist, and everyone here is either at the beach, or sleeping, or old."

And that's the Gospel Truth.

We've gotten some closure with Eduardo. His family knows, his sister is taking care of his affairs, and we got photos printed to give to everyone who helped along the way. We're at peace again.
The beginning of this week was tough, but someone who has helped me through it (though he actually doesn't know about Eduardo yet) is Willy, our only progressing investigator.

I don't think I've ever talked about him in letters before, which is a crying shame, because he's incredible.

Hermana Wiseman is like Eduardo. Bright and cheery, accepts things easily, participates, and truly commits.

Willy is different. A deep thinker, a more of a listener than a speaker, and he wants to be REALLY sure before choosing a path. But once that choice is made, he'll never waiver.
Willy is like me.

How do I help the investigator-version of myself?

It's something I've asked a lot lately, and still don't quite have an answer to. But I'll keep working for it.

All of my mission, I've wanted to work better with members. Now that the heat has made street-contacting and door knocking effectively useless, it's become a necessity. So at the later part of the week, we start focusing on it more and holy cow, it's already made a huge difference.

Hermanas Een and Wiseman with Norma, the greatest member-missionary.

Sometimes you need a big change to teach you how to work differently, and better.

Jacob 6:12 O be wise; what can I say more? #lazyscripture

So that's the sweetened, condensed, Reader's Digest version of my week.

Love and prayers,
-Hermana Een

Project Life Journaling Cards received July 2015

Project Life Journaling Cards
“Extra fasting is NOT an approved weight-loss technique.”  --Elder Davis

Who:  Talia and her husband, Hermana Wiseman and I.
What:  A surprise eating cita. :/  She had asked us to come by at 7, so we did.  She gave us a bowl of soup and we were full.  She pulled out a giant plate and we almost died.  Quick-thinking Hna. Wiseman kept talking to stall and then asked for Tupperware.
Where:  Barcelona, member’s house.

Who:  Sofia, Hna Wiseman, and I, a member & her RM friend.
What:  The BEST plan of Salvation lesson I’ve ever experienced.  She got it, we testified, the members shared, and she committed to come to church.
When:  on my birthday 
Where:  Barcelona

So it turns out . . .  I’m very susceptible to the speech patterns of others, and adopt the phrases and intonations of others almost without realizing it.  Elder Bean—“hmm”; Hna Stilson—“Pero Bueno”; Hna. Wiseman—“Can we just talk about . . ."  Elder Maurer:  “Follow The Spirit.”

Who:  The crazy Catalunians, a motorcycle brigade.
What:  A half-hour long parade of Catalan pride down the main street of our area.  Everyone had flags, held up 4 fingers, and honked like crazy!
When:  Saturday 27/6/15 ~8 PM
Where:  C/Meridiana metro stop Sagrella, Barcelona

WEIRD
After 8 months on the mission, I’ve gained a great shoe tan.  But for the first time in forever . . . I don’t have a swimsuit tan anymore.