Well, as the title would suggest, it's been quite sunny out this past week. And I have some pretty fancy tan lines going now, haha. I got one from my watch, which is probably my worst one, one from my shirt collar, and then my sleeves. I'm grateful for the good weather and the sun and everything, but it makes it so bad when we have to walk in it during the day, haha. And it's not even summer or even that hot out yet! It's only been around 25º C (I'm not sure what that is in ºF anymore lol) and it gets in the mid 30s in the summer. But you know what I say to that? Bring it on!
The week overall, besides the great weather, was a little on the downside. We had a great week scheduled full of visits with investigators. But one by one our visits fell through. I counted yesterday the number of visits that didn't happen and it was half. I have never had that happen before and it was crazy at how many there were. So I don't think I need to really say this but by Saturday we were pretty discouraged. We had only two visits set up on Saturday because we had a ward activity set up for the afternoon to go to. And, as you could probably guess, the second visit on Saturday fell through. I've got the best luck in the world. Our activity was missionary related. We set up a table with copies of the Book of Mormon and pamphlets and cards on a street corner and then brought a big display that the ward made a few years ago and we stood there for a few hours doing contacts and sharing our beliefs with people. I have to say too that I didn't think the activity was going to go well at all. It wasn't planned out well, we had no idea who was going to come and Elder Parry & I just felt like it was going to be a waste of time. But I can tell you that Heavenly Father heard our earnest and frequent prayers. We prayed so much for success and miracles with that activity because we desperately needed them. And you know, He answered us with miracles. We received sooo many references of people that wanted us to pass by, we handed out copies of the Book of Mormon, we shared pamphlets, and we got the ward to help out with us. Obviously some people don't want to listen. But the people that do listen make up for all the ones that don't. It's incredible to see the hand of the Lord in this work. He knows so much better than we do and I'm never going to complain and doubt again.
This past week I also said goodbye to another companion who went home :( Good old Elder Southwick from Utah went home on Wednesday. Luckily I was able to say goodbye to him and see him off one more time. Although I was only with him for one transfer in Pamplona, it was a great experience. He was also the Assistant to the President when I came in the mission so he was one of the first missionaries I saw too, haha. Slowly but surely all my companions are leaving, haha. I've already seen three go home and I got a ways to go to say goodbye to a few others thank goodness.
Yesterday in church we just got loaded down with food from members hahaha. I have no idea why either, but I’m not complaining :) The Relief Society president just pulled me aside and gave me a cake for some reason and just said, "Thank you for all you do." She’s such a sweet lady and I have no idea why she gave us a cake but its sooooo good; and then another member, our ward pianist, pulled me aside and brought me to his car because he had a "little something" for us; and then he pulls out this big shopping bag full of food for us! I was just like my heck! What did we do to deserve all this?? lol. But man I thanked him a lot; and then to add to it all, Bishop’s mom invited us over to eat. So we are very well taken care of here, haha. Gotta love the church :)
I think I mentioned a guy named Paul last week in my email but I can't quite remember, haha. He's a man from England and he's dating the sister of our Bishop here in Mataró. And we're lucky enough to be teaching him! He is such a great guy, too! He loves learning about the church and he just soaks up what we tell him. We told him something once and he just stops and says, "You know, that makes so much sense! I've always wondered that but never really asked or anything. But now I know!" And it was so incredible at how focused he was and willing to learn. He's come to church a few times now and we still have to translate for him haha but he still loves it. He's reading in the Book of Mormon and he said yesterday that he wants to finish 1 Nephi by our next visit! Talk about dedicated! haha. Those are the types of investigators that missionaries just love! I had a few in Pamplona but it's been a little harder to find them here. But I feel we've got one right now and a few more on the way :) The work is incredible here. Some of you may wonder how it can be so great when it sounds so hard and discouraging. But you know, that's what makes it so great. I know why I'm here. I know what I'm doing. And I know that the message I share is true and will bless the lives of thousands of people for generations. When we find one person who receives the gospel, it makes up for the fifty who have said no. When we enter into a home without a visit, it makes up for the hundreds of slammed doors. This work is truly the work of miracles and of the Lord. Our mission has been so blessed this month and we have seen more miracles and success than we've seen in years. A saying that I actually came up with the other day really is so true: Somos pocos, pero somos fuertes (we are few, but we are strong). Yes we are only around 100 young men and women teaching the restored gospel to millions. But we are mighty and we have Heaven’s help.
I love you all and I know that this church is true. Thank you for your support and prayers and know that I love you all!
