White Christmas

Hello to everyone back home!!! This week was a great week for Thanksgiving :) Both with and without the food. The food was definitely good though and very necessary, ha-ha. Since we are four missionaries here in Tarragona and two aren't from the US, we decided to show them a little of what it's like on Thanksgiving. So my companion and I decided to make a Thanksgiving meal for all four of us. We made up a list of food and stuff we needed to buy a week before and we split it up so that we all paid equally, and then Elder Tyler and I went to work making the food. We had some whole chickens (since turkey is kinda expensive here) that were soooo good, mashed potatoes, rolls, corn, green beans, gravy, and then apple crisp for dessert :). It doesn't sound like much but we got full really fast and the food tasted so good! I never knew Elder Tyler and I could cook so well :) ha-ha. We wanted to make pie but we didn't have a recipe or time so we made something else.

Other than the blessing of food, we were are so blessed to have some great visits this week. We were able to have quite a few investigators come to church and one of them has a goal to get baptized on December 17. He's such a great guy. We were also extremely blessed to see one of God's children enter the waters of baptism this past Saturday. Jeremías is a young kid and we were originally teaching his dad since he's not a member either. The mom is and she wants more than anything for her husband and children to get baptized so that they can someday be sealed as an eternal family in the temple. Walter still has a few obstacles that we need to help him overcome and we're not sure what's keeping him from progressing. But he finally gave his consent to let his son be baptized after going months without letting him. It was an incredible baptismal service and the Spirit there was so strong. There was a good turnout from the ward and the members and Walter felt the Spirit there. You could see a change in his countenance during and after the service. While I was getting back into my suit after the baptism, Walter came up to me and said something that impacted me a lot. He said, "Thank you for all you've done for me and my family and especially my son. You know that you have to stay in contact forever now right? You're basically part of our family now." It meant so much to me because if you knew Walter, you'd know that what he just said really came from his heart. I knew that they enjoyed our visits because they tell us once in a while, but I never knew of the depth of the love that we shared for each other until then. They truly are my family. Even though I'm half Filipino and live in Fairport, NY and they are from Bolivia and live in Reus, Spain, they truly are my brothers and sisters, and I love them so much. The work of the Lord does that to you, ha-ha. When you selflessly serve others and want the best for them, you forget yourself, your own comforts and hungers and pains, and then you only care about them. You develop charity, the pure love of Christ and nothing else in the world matters. I remember days where I've been really hungry, hot, cold, or in pain. But as soon as I visit someone who has a whole lot less than I and who doesn't have the knowledge that I have of the Gospel, all of that disappears.

The Christmas season is upon us and with it comes so many wonderful things: the lights, the music, the food, friends, family, service, and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The world may tell us with its fancy and flashy lights that all Christmas is about is gifts and fancy things. But we know as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that Christmas is so much more. It is an opportunity to spread the "tidings of great joy" to the world that we have a Savior who died so that we may live again. It is an opportunity to renew our dedication to serve and love others just as Christ did. And it is a great opportunity to share the Gospel with those who don't have it. So get to work! Open our mouths and overcome our fears. As Elder Holland said in General Conference, "Open you mouths and speak miracles." I know that as we do it, we truly will see miracles because I have seen soooo many here on the mission. Every baptism of a child of God is truly a miracle and our mission has been blessed to see 398 of them up to this point. Every mission is different and the cultures as well. Some missions have a higher baptizing rate than others. But no matter the number, the fact is that there are children of our Heavenly Father waiting to accept the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Right now we are entering the last month of this year. As a mission we set a goal at the very beginning of this year to reach 450 baptisms. And for our mission, I think that's a record high. If not, it almost is. But right now we are at 398 with four weekends to go. President has asked us to invite our friends and family to join with us as a mission these final weeks of the year so that we may be blessed with an outpouring of the Spirit so that we can accomplish this goal. We know that we can do it. And I know that we can, too. And I know that there is power in prayer. So if there is anything that would mean more to me this Christmas, it would be to achieve that goal. And that comes through united prayer. So that's my Christmas wish from you all back home. Even though we set a number as a goal, every number is backed by a name, a person, a special child of God. And I know that just as Alma prayed for the success for himself and his brethren on their own missions, we too can pray for success and the Lord will grant it to us. We will have a White Christmas with 52 more sons and daughters of God dressed in white, entering the waters of baptism. And as it says in Mosiah 18:35, "And they were in number about four hundred and fifty souls."

Thank you for you prayers and your love. I love you all and miss you so much. Talk to you next week!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Just had a good week and looking forward to another one. And on top of that it's Thanksgiving this week!!!! Even though Thanksgiving is non-existent here, the four of us are planning on making our own "Thanksgiving Meal". And we're going to pull out all the stops, ha-ha. Minus turkey because that's pretty expensive here. And probably not some pie since it's not that common here so we'd have to make it allll from scratch and we just don't have that amount of time. But it'll still be way good I'm sure. I'll be sure I send pics home about it :).

But where do I start? This Saturday we have another baptism of a young kid named Jeremías. He's so great too. We've been teaching his family for quite some time and his mom is a member who’s recently began coming to church again and his dad isn't a member. We've been working with the dad mostly but Jeremías has been listening too and said that he wanted to be baptized, ha-ha. So with the permission of the parents since he's underage, he's getting baptized this week! We're excited for him and such a great kid. He loves church and loves reading the scriptures with his family and loves it when we come over. I'm going to miss their family soooo much when I leave. Hopefully I still have a few more months here in Tarragona. On Tuesday we had a great visit with a man named Pedro. He was a contact we did on the street last week and his story is actually really neat. Last week when we had all our visits fall through we knelt in prayer to ask the Lord to guide us to someone who was ready and prepared to receive the gospel message. We both felt prompted to go to a certain part of the city and we knew that the Spirit was guiding us so we talked with as many people as we could on the way. Of course there were a few people that didn't want anything like always. But we found quite a few people that said yes and one of them was Pedro. We were walking down a small street and he was sitting on some steps looking the other way. We took about three steps past him and I just felt that we needed to go back and talk to him so we did. We got his info and he said we could pass by. Well, Tuesday we heard his side of what happened. He said that while he was sitting there he saw us go by and he said that when we took those few steps past him, a thought came to him that said, "They're going to turn around and talk to you." And right as he thought that, we turned around and came towards him, ha-ha. We shared a brief message about who we are and what we share and he accepted the invitation to be baptized on December 17^th! It was incredible to hear his side of the story and to see just how prepared he really is. The Lord truly does guide us when we come to Him in humble prayer. I've seen it over and over again on the mission and it never ceases to amaze me.

Now time for a bit of a crazy story. Saturday morning Elder Tyler and I had just finished doing some exercises and stuff in the morning like always when Elder Saldaña ran in our room and said, "Did you see all that?” We looked out the window and there were tons of flashing lights and sirens and black smoke. So Elder Tyler and I ran downstairs to see what it was and an apartment of a nearby building was on fire! And it wasn't any small fire either. It was the top apartment of the building and the fire was totally eating up the building. The fire department took a bit of time to actually do something but they eventually got it put out. But man that was a crazy fire. There were a few explosions from inside but as far as I know, no one was hurt. But it was a crazy way to start the day, ha-ha. But yeah we had a great week and I know that this is the Lord's work. I can't do anything without Him and I love this mission so much. And it's going by way too fast.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving and give thanks for the many blessings that we have been given. Talk to you soon!!!!

Kicked in the rear

Well, we sorta got our butts kicked this week, ha-ha. It was looking like a good week to be honest and we were excited for our visits and everything. But one thing after another just didn't go right: we didn't have any minutes on our phone and for some reason it's taking too long to get more from the office, visit after visit fell through, and we had no idea why all this was happening. But after lots of personal prayer and just thinking, I came to the conclusion that my companion and I were probably getting a little too cocky with ourselves. As we know, the Lord likes to humble us. And that's pretty much what happened this week, ha-ha. More than half our visits fell through and we had no idea what to do. One day after six visits fell through, we had no idea what else to do. I turned to my companion and told him, "Let's go pray." and he just asked me where. And I said that I wanted to go somewhere a little secluded where we could kneel down and pray vocally. It was around 8:15ish and dark out already and we went to a big park and found a little area off a path that was secluded with trees. We both knelt down and prayed for help and guidance. I said a prayer first and then my companion said one and afterwards we both sat in silence just listening for the promptings of the Holy Ghost. After about a minute we both looked at each other and said what we felt we should do. And we both felt that we needed to head in a certain direction towards a certain house. We didn't know why but we went and did everything we could on the way to find whoever the Lord was going to put in our path. We talked to about 10 people on the street in the span of 15 minutes and about 6 of them gave us their information and a few of them were actually great contacts. I don't know how any of these people will turn out, but I know that both my companion and I were prompted to go that way and to find the children of God who are prepared to receive the Gospel. I feel that throughout the week we became a bit more humble and we began to rely on the Lord more. And to bless us for doing that, the Lord gave us a huge miracle. It actually started when I first got to Tarragona. We received a reference from the office in a town called Tortorsa which is over an hour away on train, and we never would have gone there if we didn't get this reference. Long story short, the reference doesn't exist. But we had found a few inactive members that live there and we decided to pass by and we set up a few visits with them. One of them was a woman named Patricia, a returned missionary. She was so excited to see us and she asked when we could pass by. She said that when we come by that she'd bring a friend to the visit. The first visit we had to do splits because the town is so far away and we needed to have a few other visits. But Elder Tyler came back that night and told me that the friend of Patricia (Maribel) was a golden investigator. We just had another visit on Sunday and she is incredible! She asked how she can know the true church and that she wants to be baptized in the true church. And we taught the Restoration and she just ate it up. She said it all made sense and she said everything was clear. During the visit when Elder Tyler was testifying about something, the impression came to invite her to be baptized. I pushed it away the first time because I told myself, "She lives too far away. She probably wouldn't even come to church." But the impression came again and this time even stronger. As I started talking again the feeling spread from my chest outward until it filled me and I knew that I needed to invite her to be baptized. And she accepted without thinking. She said, "Yes! I want to be baptized." We set the fecha for December 10th originally but as she looked at her schedule for work and stuff she asked, "Can we have in November 27th?" I was totally caught off guard, ha-ha. Unfortunately, she can't because she needs to come to church but as we kept talking we realized the 10th wouldn't work either. So we set the 24th of December, a white Christmas for her. She said that she's so excited to learn more, to read the Book of Mormon, and even said she'd take the train to Tarragona to come to church on Sundays. She's so excited for her baptism and her friend said that she'd be there the whole way at her side. The true miracle was that we were led to Tortosa by the Lord. He knew that we'd never go there unless we had a good reason. And that reason was the reference from the office. Even though the reference didn't exist, someone else did who was and is ready to hear the Gospel message. This work is incredible! There is nothing better that you can experience, and I just hope that when I get home that I can continue to share the message with others.

I love you all and hope you've had a great week. Enjoy the leaves!! He-he!

Rain, rain go away

My gosh I've never seen so much rain here on my mission! Even the people who live here say that it usually doesn't rain this much! Pretty much every day this week was cloudy and almost every day it rained at least a little bit. But today is a gorgeous fall day. It's a bit cooler but that's alright. It feels good compared to the summer heat, ha-ha. Transfers came and went again and surprisingly Elder Tyler and I are still together. We weren't sure if he was going to be transferred or not but it turns out he's staying. I don't mind though. We work well together and get along great so that's one of the benefits, ha-ha. Another Elder came in because one left. His name is Elder Saldaña, and let's just say he's quite the character, ha-ha. Sometimes he doesn't quite know when to be mature. He's fun and everything; don't get me wrong. But there's a time and place for everything.

This past week I also got to talk to Elder Keeler for the first time in a year! I had to talk to some other missionaries for something and they were with Elder Keeler since it was transfer week and he asked if I wanted to talk to him and of course I said yes, ha-ha. But at first I didn't believe it was him, ha-ha. He said "Hey this is Elder Keeler." and I just said, "Yeah right." ha-ha. But it was great to hear from him, to see how he's doing for a few minutes, and all that. I still have yet to actually see him...we'll see when that actually happens.

I ordered another nametag just in case one breaks or I lose it in the future. Well, I got it yesterday from another missionary who went to the office and.....they spelled my last name wrong! That's never happened to me out here because no one has ever seen the last name Mathews. But my nametag says Matthews, ha-ha-ha. So I get to keep that and I'm getting another. This time it had better be spelled right. But since no one here knows how to spell my name anyways, I use the other tag once in a while, ha-ha, at least until I get the other one.

This week has seriously gone so well. But the best part was the baptism of Fernanda!!! It was so good and the members loved it. Even bishop told us afterwards that it was one of the best ones he's been to. Her story is incredible actually. She was dating a man named Victor who's actually a member but was inactive. One day Elder Tyler and his previous companion were walking down the street and Victor said hi to the missionaries and they started talking and set up a visit for later that week. Well, they found out that Fernanda wasn't a member and started teaching her the Gospel. I got transferred here and there was still a bit of work to do. They had to get married or split up to keep the Law of Chastity and they chose to get married and they have the goal to go and be sealed in the temple a year from now which is incredible. After they got married everything just went so smooth from there. She got baptized this past weekend and the members love her. It truly was a miracle that she, with her boyfriend, stopped the missionaries on the street. And because of that, she was able to find the truth that she was looking for and that every person needs.

Tarragona is booming and we're keeping way busy with visits and helping others come unto Christ. I love this place so much and the people are the best. There is no rest for the weary that's for sure, ha-ha. When the people here of Spain, most say that missionaries don't have success here. But to be honest, that is a huge lie. I hear stories and everything from other missionaries and from President and I feel that we have more work than many missions around the world. But no matter where you serve, the children of God in that place need the Gospel and you are there to teach it to them at that moment. I love my mission with all my heart and do not want to leave when these two years end. So if I don't come home on time, you all know why :) ha-ha.

Love you all so much and hope you're enjoying the great fall weather!

November!!!!

Helloooo November!!! Today is a gorgeous day with some sun and fantastic weather and on top of that, it's Preparation Day and a holiday here in Spain! Ha-ha. Talk about being able to relax and do nothing! Everything is closed but that's ok. We went to a member's house this morning with the other Elders and just had fun with them.

This past week was fantastic just like every other week here in Tarragona. Oh and I haven' been transferred; forgot to throw that in, ha-ha. We've had such a busy week with all of our visits that I think Elder Tyler and I worked ourselves sick. Seriously, ha-ha. Friday we had a visit with the Bishop and his family and while we were there I just started feeling tired and achy and sick. As the day went on it just got worse and on top of that it rained incredibly hard Friday night and a few days before as well. We ended up having to cancel a few visits Friday night and go in early and I just went to bed around 8:30. Saturday morning I still wasn't good at all and I was just in bed and could not get comfortable. I took some meds and felt ok after a while but we had to visit two people because I felt bad if we bailed on them because they had invited us over to celebrate a birthday party for me actually, ha-ha. So I loaded up on pills (not too much of course) and we went. But then came right back home afterwards and I crashed again, ha-ha. I know Mom would never let me do that at home but I knew that since she wouldn't find out until it was too late I could still do it ;) ha-ha sorry Mom.

Sunday was Stake Conference in Hospitalet which is about an hour and a half north in a car from Tarragona. Our ward rented two travel buses and we all went up there. I still wasn't feeling great so once again I took the meds and went especially since one of our investigators who's getting baptized this Saturday was coming. It was a really good conference and I got to see some of the other missionaries and to be with the members of the ward. It was a fun experience going on the bus with them, ha-ha. Once again, we got home after eating with a member and I just napped, ha-ha. But now I'm ok :) Not 100% but better. But I don't recommend doing what I did, ha-ha. Better to stay home through it all.

Well, my birthday was not bad considering I was sick, ha-ha. The only problem was that I had no appetite whatsoever and two families invited us over to eat that day. That did not help me recover at all. Luckily, the mothers understood that I wasn't feeling good so they didn't feel bad that I ate very little. I didn't even tell them I was sick though...I guess it's just that motherly sense they have, ha-ha. One family gave me a little present that I totally did not expect. They came out and gave me some deodorant and aftershave that smell way good! I thanked them and everything and then after just said, "What're you trying to say here? I smell bad?", ha-ha. We made some cake and I couldn't eat it until yesterday because I just couldn't eat. Today was the first day I even felt like eating something. And even then it wasn't that much. But we have such great people here in Tarragona. They treat us so well and love us so much. And I just love them to death. I even got to talk to some people from Mataró on my birthday!, ha-ha. They surprised me with a phone call and I had no idea who it was and then they told me and sang happy birthday and talked for a few minutes. It was a nice little surprise :)

Oh! While we were waiting for the elevator to visit the family that gave me the little presents this old guy got out of the elevator and saw us and then asked, "What apartment are you going to? Who are you visiting?" We told him and he just looked at us and said "Well, no one here appreciates what you have to say and you are not welcome here so you can just leave." I just stood my ground and said, "Well sir, you may not. But there are other people that do. Have a good afternoon." And then we walked right by him into the elevator, ha-ha. At the beginning of my mission that sorta bugged me, and it still sorta does once in a while. But most of the time I just think, "You poor lost son/daughter of God. If only you knew just how much our message can bless and change your life." But oh well. God made all of us the way we are :) As you can see, there are some people who just don't want to hear anything. But this Saturday we have a baptism of Fernanda!!! I'm so excited!!! We've been working with her for a while and finally the day has come and she's excited, her member husband is excited, and everyone is excited, ha-ha. I'll let you all know how it goes and send a pic of it all :)

Hope things are all going great back home though. Have fun raking leaves :) he-he-he. I still have another year without doing that. And stay healthy! I love you all lots and thanks for all you do to further the work of the Lord.