This week was so great, but so busy at the same time. We were all over the place: running to visits, running to catch the bus or the train, we went from one town to another. It was crazy but I loved it. And my gosh, I have never eaten so much! We had an eating visit with somebody every day! And for those that don't think that's something impressive, I have never had that on my mission so far, ha-ha. So for me, that was pretty sweet. The only bad part is my so called "diet" is probably going down the drain now ha-ha. Oh well. My companion and I go running in the morning every other day now so hopefully that'll help. But this week was just so incredible. We found so many new people to teach that have so much potential. We had people randomly come up to us and ask us what we were and all that. It was just incredible. The city itself is a bit bigger than Mataró. Mataró is bigger area-wise but Tarragona has more people. And since there are four missionaries here, we divide the city and the towns around it. There's one town called Reus that's actually pretty big. I'd say it's almost like Mataró but we spend a lot of time there because most of the members actually live there and a lot of people we teach live there. It's been great though.
We were in Reus this past week after an eating visit and we were walking to a bus stop and I saw this guy walking towards us. I wanted to stop and talk to him but at the last second I chickened out, ha-ha. I was beating myself up afterwards because I didn't talk to him. But as we were waiting for the bus, I saw him coming back! So I had a second chance! But instead of me going to him, he came to us! And the first thing he said to me was, "I like the fact that you smile in the streets. It shows that you represent the church well and the message you carry." I asked him if he was a member and it turns out he was but he was less active. The other Elders don't know him either so it looks like he's been less active for a long time. But it was pretty neat because he said that we can pass by whenever we want and that he has a brother that's not a member. So maybe there's some potential there. Right before he left he said to me, "Make sure you keep smiling. It really makes that big of a difference”. That was a really awesome experience! I never knew that people notice little things like that. At least I know what helps :).
Church on Sunday was great and actually pretty interesting. My very first Sunday I had to translate! Ha-ha-ha. This family from Switzerland came to visit and then this German family as well. So I sat behind them and translated the meeting into English for them. Luckily they all spoke English. The German guy actually had to translate everything that I said back into German. So it was like a double translation, ha-ha. Hopefully I did ok. I got up to introduce myself for five minutes in front of everyone and it went well. There were a good amount of people there and we actually don't really fit in the chapel. Hopefully we can get another soon. It's a two story building and not too bad. The church here in Spain with the chapels, rents out parts of buildings instead of buying their own land and building a chapel. Now that the wards are growing, there's not enough room and we have the problem of finding new locations big enough. So, that's always fun.
This week is my one-year mark and I can't believe it. I cannot believe that this year is already over and that I'm halfway there. It's gone by too fast for me and I'm not exactly sure I want it to end, ha-ha. I miss family and friends, of course. But there's something out here about the work that is just worth everything in the world and I'd love to be here for a lot longer. But of course, I have to go home and move forward in life. I have to study, get a job, etc. Man. I'll enjoy this while it lasts :).
I love and miss you all and I hope you enjoy conference this weekend!
