Dear family,
Today we are going to the summer palace with our district leader and his companion as he was here late last night doing baptismal interviews for Ronnie and his family.
The baptism for Ronnie is this weekend, Saturday at 7 in the afternoon. It has been such a privilege to be apart of this whole experience as this will be my first baptism where I have been with them almost the entire time.
About a month before I came in Elder Carr and his previous companion dropped Ronny, as he wasn´t progressing or putting any effort into anything. He had been found back in April or March, and had been taught every two weeks or so. They dropped him, as they had just taught him, not his family, and when I got here we had a lesson with him and really challenged him to come to church. He agreed, as he had done many times before, but this time he actually came with ALL of his family. This was the start of the journey and they have come a long way. Ronnie has gone from being a boracho(drinker) to not having that be a problem any more. He hasn´t drunk at all for 3 weeks and probably has only drunk 1 in 5 or 6.
His wife Gina, is incredible. She was VERY Catholic, going to mass every week without Ronny, as he didn´t want to go, with all of the children. But she always showed respect to her husband, letting us come over and teach him. He told her he felt good when we were there and then she started listening, felt the same way, prayed, and received her answer one day while reading for the Strength of Youth Pamphlet with her two daughters, Naomi, 12, y Romina, 9. She says that reading the Book of Mormon is hard for her as it is difficult for her to understand, as she isn´t very familiar with it. She has a testimony of the Book and now is almost done reading all of Ether, as that is what we invited her to do. She loves it. She also loves the Strength of Youth pamphlet. She has read it at least two times and says that she loves the way it really is a guide and can help her family be more happy. Her family is the most important thing to her, as it should be. I will send pictures of everything soon. Hopefully today! Or at least tomorrow.
They have another son Ronnie hijo and Elder Carr and I are always surprised at how smart and attentive he is. He is only 10 years old about to turn 11 in a couple of weeks. Elder Taylor, our district leader who did the interviews last night, said that in the interview Ronnie told him that he could see the difference before and after the missionaries started teaching his family. He said that before he didn´t like to listen to his parents, but now he has felt a forgiveness of his sins and is more obedient. HE IS AWESOME!
Elder Carr and I say that he is the reason that this family was found, because we think that the Lord has a lot in store for him. He reads the Book of Mormon almost every night and says his personal prayers every night. When I taught the family the lesson about the seven steps in the Liahona, Ronnie hijo was taking notes and said that he would put the seven points by his bed so that when he would wake up he could remember what he needed to do. They aren´t perfect at the seven, but they are progressing really well, and trying very hard. But Ronnie hijo is impressive and will be fantastic missionary. He actually looks a lot like Mark. He has the same skin type and hair. This family is Ecuadorian and I am excited to see how everything goes this weekend with them. Ronnie, the father, has asked me to baptize him. I would much rather have a member baptize him as that member can be a strength and support for him, but when I asked him if he was sure he said yes. I am very honored and consider it a big privilege to be apart of it. I will be sending fotos very soon.
It really hit me the other day, actually the past couple of days, how short the mission really is. In some ways it seems like I have been here for hardly a week. It is going by way to fast. I want to do so much more while I am here and I am already almost 25 percent done. I can´t even believe it. There are so many things that I am trying to do, such as habits I am trying to develop, skills I want to learn and acquire, as well as a language that still loses me. There are so many blessing that come from serving a mission and there are so many changes that can come to a person, and I just don´t feel like I have ¨changed¨yet.
I really just want to become a new person, have a new heart as Paul received. I also now that this change and new heart will more likely come when I am not worrying about myself and my progress, but more moment to moment action while losing myself in the service of others. I know that as I really focus myself completely, all my thoughts, words, and deeds, in the lives and spiritual welfare of our investigators. I will change or find myself. I will find the person that the Savior and Heavenly Father have prepared me to be.
In the stake monthly letter there was a line that I loved, that said that I was not prepared and sent to fail, but to be a missionary like unto Ammon, Alma, Amulek, and Paul. I really have been prepared to be a excellent missionary like them, and the cool part is, is that it actually is possible. I just need to focus, and make sure that all I am doing, all that I am giving, is for the Lord and the moving forward of His work among the Children of Heavenly Father.
It is such a blessing to be here and to be honest, I wish I could be here for 11 or 13 years like the sons of Mosiah, becuase I have a feeling that pretty soon the Gospel is going to explode here in Spain and in Europe in general. This crisis in the economy is really helping us and we are seeing many miracles every day. With every contact and every person we teach, we see the hand of the Lord in our lives. I feel His love, not only for me but for all His children in this part of the world. It is a special and sacred experience to be here in Aranjuez, Spain, right now.
I love you all and thank you for everything.
I pray for you very much, and my God bless you and seal you His always,
Love,
Rob
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 18, 2009
Dear Family,
Well I am still here in Aranjuez, so that is great news. I am very excited for the next six weeks that I have to be here in this awesome area, with wonderful members and promising investigators. Elder Carr and I have a lot of goals that we want to have accomplished in this rather short time that we will have together.
I apologize in advance that I don´t have very much time as I just wrote a letter to Cami. I hope that you will forgive me and you can expect an extra long letter next week.
This last week was fantastic! The baptism was wonderful. Elder Carr baptized and confirmed her and I spoke at the baptism. I was the only speaker and we had three investigators and including the family of Isa, which are not members, 4 more. There was a good show of members and everything went really well. The President of the branch also baptized his daughter at the same time. It was really beautiful and the Spirit was really strong. If I remember I will give you more details about the baptism next week. I will write it down so I do not forget. I am getting better at doing this, as Elder Carr doesn´t and sometimes forgets to do things, I am feeling more responsible to be in charge of doing so, so that we always do things that we say we will do. So that we can be Elders of our word.
Ronnie and his family are doing fantastic tambien and we are very excited for them to be baptized next weekend. We already have 2 invites to have dinner during Christmas. I really owe this to Elder Carr as he was here 2 transfers before me. He really has a gift to be friends with the members. I am feeling really comfortable with them too and I love having the need to talk to them and make them feel loved. I am learning a lot from Elder Carr and a couple days ago, I wrote down the three things greatest skill that Elder Carr exemplifies that I would like to develop in these next six weeks. They are, to be a good teacher. Elder Carr is an inspired, simple, and loving teacher. He communicates every thing that he needs to in a way that is loving and motivating. He also has a way with the members. I think this one will come, as I don´t feel like I have a big barrier with talking to them other than the language barrier. He also has a gift to be best friends with investigators. This is a great gift as it makes it so easy for us to be honest and bold with our investigators and more importantly them with us.
We are reaping many blessings and feel honored to serve the Lord in a time so special as this.
I read Alma chapter 26 today, I think, started from verse 27 maybe. I loved this as it is sometimes know as Alma´s homecoming talk. It was really touching and if you have some time, I recommend that you take a peek at it. I found particular comfort in the verse near the end that mentions that they were wanderers in a strange land. I sometimes feel like that here in Spain and I love it. I love being with a people that is so different but at the same time need the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as much. I remember Brother Call saying a couple Sundays before I left, when they spoke in Sacrament meeting when they returned from their mission, that ¨Heavenly Father´s play is big enough for all of His children.¨ I am recognizing this more and more everyday. That Heavenly Father loves these precious souls here in Spain just as much as the people in Provo, Utah or Guatemala or Germany or anywhere else. He loves all of His children equally and desperately wants all of them to accept His Son and return to live with Him. I feel honored to share this message of the Restoration, this message that brings healing to the wounded soul.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers of faith. I feel the strength and love that comes from them. Thank you, thank you. When was the last time I told you all that I love you? I love you all! It is hard to communicate love through an email. I really am so thankful for all that you do for me. And the packages are not distracting at all. I am not homesick and in fact the packages help me. They remind me of you and make me want to be better and work harder. They are so motivating. I think of the sacrifice to send them and it makes me have greater desire to work hard and not waste a second of time aqui en España. So thank you thank you. I hope that you are being safe and careful. I pray for you all a lot. I love the advice that is given from E.T.
¨Be Good.¨
Love,
Elder Driggs
Well I am still here in Aranjuez, so that is great news. I am very excited for the next six weeks that I have to be here in this awesome area, with wonderful members and promising investigators. Elder Carr and I have a lot of goals that we want to have accomplished in this rather short time that we will have together.
I apologize in advance that I don´t have very much time as I just wrote a letter to Cami. I hope that you will forgive me and you can expect an extra long letter next week.
This last week was fantastic! The baptism was wonderful. Elder Carr baptized and confirmed her and I spoke at the baptism. I was the only speaker and we had three investigators and including the family of Isa, which are not members, 4 more. There was a good show of members and everything went really well. The President of the branch also baptized his daughter at the same time. It was really beautiful and the Spirit was really strong. If I remember I will give you more details about the baptism next week. I will write it down so I do not forget. I am getting better at doing this, as Elder Carr doesn´t and sometimes forgets to do things, I am feeling more responsible to be in charge of doing so, so that we always do things that we say we will do. So that we can be Elders of our word.
Ronnie and his family are doing fantastic tambien and we are very excited for them to be baptized next weekend. We already have 2 invites to have dinner during Christmas. I really owe this to Elder Carr as he was here 2 transfers before me. He really has a gift to be friends with the members. I am feeling really comfortable with them too and I love having the need to talk to them and make them feel loved. I am learning a lot from Elder Carr and a couple days ago, I wrote down the three things greatest skill that Elder Carr exemplifies that I would like to develop in these next six weeks. They are, to be a good teacher. Elder Carr is an inspired, simple, and loving teacher. He communicates every thing that he needs to in a way that is loving and motivating. He also has a way with the members. I think this one will come, as I don´t feel like I have a big barrier with talking to them other than the language barrier. He also has a gift to be best friends with investigators. This is a great gift as it makes it so easy for us to be honest and bold with our investigators and more importantly them with us.
We are reaping many blessings and feel honored to serve the Lord in a time so special as this.
I read Alma chapter 26 today, I think, started from verse 27 maybe. I loved this as it is sometimes know as Alma´s homecoming talk. It was really touching and if you have some time, I recommend that you take a peek at it. I found particular comfort in the verse near the end that mentions that they were wanderers in a strange land. I sometimes feel like that here in Spain and I love it. I love being with a people that is so different but at the same time need the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as much. I remember Brother Call saying a couple Sundays before I left, when they spoke in Sacrament meeting when they returned from their mission, that ¨Heavenly Father´s play is big enough for all of His children.¨ I am recognizing this more and more everyday. That Heavenly Father loves these precious souls here in Spain just as much as the people in Provo, Utah or Guatemala or Germany or anywhere else. He loves all of His children equally and desperately wants all of them to accept His Son and return to live with Him. I feel honored to share this message of the Restoration, this message that brings healing to the wounded soul.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers of faith. I feel the strength and love that comes from them. Thank you, thank you. When was the last time I told you all that I love you? I love you all! It is hard to communicate love through an email. I really am so thankful for all that you do for me. And the packages are not distracting at all. I am not homesick and in fact the packages help me. They remind me of you and make me want to be better and work harder. They are so motivating. I think of the sacrifice to send them and it makes me have greater desire to work hard and not waste a second of time aqui en España. So thank you thank you. I hope that you are being safe and careful. I pray for you all a lot. I love the advice that is given from E.T.
¨Be Good.¨
Love,
Elder Driggs
November 11, 2009
Dear family,
So...one question....When was the last time I told you that I love you...? because madre mia, you all are way to nice. The two packages that I did in deed receive last Thursday were INCREDIBLE. I felt so bad when I opened the box and found those decorations, but don´t worry, Elder Carr and I are using them to the best. I want to put the big spider up on our door like at home, so that when it opens it will drop down. I haven´t had time to do it yet, but it will be done.
Thank you soooo much. I, of course, loved the Roasted Rasberry Chipotle Sauce. We had our district meeting in Aranjuez yesterday and Elder Taylor from Idaho, our district leader, interviewed one of our baptismal candidates, Isa. She was my first lesson in Spain and she has been approved and will be baptized this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. We are sad that her husband doesn´t want to be baptized yet but she is a fire ball. About 24 years old from La Republica Dominicana, and she has faith like none other. She has a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and that testimony has helped her have faith in a living prophet and Joseph Smith. She hasn´t received a personal witness of these two yet but she said that she knows that the Book of Mormon is true and, doing the connection, the others must be true too.
This is how my testimony was in the beginning. I knew that the Book of Mormon was true, which led to me believing that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, until I received the answer that I was looking for. And now, I have received that answer many times and now realize that I had received it before that time that it hit me, but did not recognize it. We met with Isa on Monday and she told us that she had a question about why she could not have 2 piercings in her ears, as she had read in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet that the prophets have counseled against it. We told her that we didn´t really know why. I told her that with this commandment as with some others, I just have to exercise my faith in the calling of a prophet and my testimony of him.
For me, if the prophet says something, you just do it and are blessed. It is different coming from a background of believers and members like me, because people usually want a reason, and the walking by faith, not by sight, is hard for a lot of people. She told us that the first hole was one she had done by her mother when she was a baby and then got another one when her ear grew later on. We just told her that she needed to make the decision and the next day at the interview she showed up with one earring, and didn´t even tell us. I just happened to look at her ears and saw that she only had one. I was so happy for her, knowing that this little thing was a tiny test of faith, that would begin a life long journey of faithful action in the words of the prophets.
But to regroup back to the previous thought, the roasted raspberry chipotle sauce, after the interview the other two missionaries came over to our chaleaut and we cooked hamburgers that Isa had given us. When they were done, I thought about the chipotle sauce. I had already eaten one stick of cream cheese with it and thought that it might be good on a hamburger. I was so right. They were incredible! The other three tried it and said the same thing, making weird noises and praising the ¨magical sauce.¨
We then went on to the second dish which was pita bread and refreid beans. I again had the inspirational thought to try the ¨magical sauce.¨ I did and again it turned out fabulous. The other three did so as well and began calling it the ¨makes everything good¨sauce. It was hysterical, because it really made everything else amazing. A big burst of flavor all in your mouth, with a kick at the end that just bites you. I loved it. IT IS AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for that and the TONS of candy and the decorations. I use the cool pen every day and thank you for getting two of the bigger things. Elder Carr appreciates that.
Transfers are coming up this Sunday and am hoping that I will at least stay here one more. That would mean that I would be here in paradise for la Navidad. This place would be so fun and beautiful during the magical time of Christmas and the members are amazing. Pertaining to the transfers, I will give you my address but don´t send it until I write you next week, and let you know if I am still here. The address is Aranjuez, Madrid Calle Abdon Bordoy 57. I actually do not know the area code, maybe you can find it. But I will let you know again next week.
Thank you for all that you do and thank you for telling me again about your goal to accomplish the 7 steps. This is inspired because it is perfect for the investigators. This is something that they can do, that is fairly simple, just requiring a little bit of effort and consistency, that would really make all the difference. Thank you sooo much and I will go home and read the article out of the Ensign.
I am really trying to focus and the more I do the more weaknesses I discover in myself. I am really trying to change all my bad habits on this mission and I realize that if I lose myself in others then I will find myself, with a new heart. I am also realizing the importance of daily repentance. Even as a missionary I am very far from perfect and am trying to involve the perfect love, strength, and help of Christ everyday.
I love you all. I cannot thank you enough for those two packages, they really were... a little bit of home. Just what I needed. Don´t worry I am not homesick, but it is nice to have a little reminder of how life is back in Provo Utah, or as they say here... La Fabrica.
Adios, por una semana. They are flying by. I can´t believe I have almost been out for 5 months. WOW!!! When I think about that I just want to work harder. I have a lot to work on to be the missionary that the Lord has prepared me, called me, and sent me to be.
Have a great week.
Love,
Rob,
So...one question....When was the last time I told you that I love you...? because madre mia, you all are way to nice. The two packages that I did in deed receive last Thursday were INCREDIBLE. I felt so bad when I opened the box and found those decorations, but don´t worry, Elder Carr and I are using them to the best. I want to put the big spider up on our door like at home, so that when it opens it will drop down. I haven´t had time to do it yet, but it will be done.
Thank you soooo much. I, of course, loved the Roasted Rasberry Chipotle Sauce. We had our district meeting in Aranjuez yesterday and Elder Taylor from Idaho, our district leader, interviewed one of our baptismal candidates, Isa. She was my first lesson in Spain and she has been approved and will be baptized this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. We are sad that her husband doesn´t want to be baptized yet but she is a fire ball. About 24 years old from La Republica Dominicana, and she has faith like none other. She has a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and that testimony has helped her have faith in a living prophet and Joseph Smith. She hasn´t received a personal witness of these two yet but she said that she knows that the Book of Mormon is true and, doing the connection, the others must be true too.
This is how my testimony was in the beginning. I knew that the Book of Mormon was true, which led to me believing that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, until I received the answer that I was looking for. And now, I have received that answer many times and now realize that I had received it before that time that it hit me, but did not recognize it. We met with Isa on Monday and she told us that she had a question about why she could not have 2 piercings in her ears, as she had read in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet that the prophets have counseled against it. We told her that we didn´t really know why. I told her that with this commandment as with some others, I just have to exercise my faith in the calling of a prophet and my testimony of him.
For me, if the prophet says something, you just do it and are blessed. It is different coming from a background of believers and members like me, because people usually want a reason, and the walking by faith, not by sight, is hard for a lot of people. She told us that the first hole was one she had done by her mother when she was a baby and then got another one when her ear grew later on. We just told her that she needed to make the decision and the next day at the interview she showed up with one earring, and didn´t even tell us. I just happened to look at her ears and saw that she only had one. I was so happy for her, knowing that this little thing was a tiny test of faith, that would begin a life long journey of faithful action in the words of the prophets.
But to regroup back to the previous thought, the roasted raspberry chipotle sauce, after the interview the other two missionaries came over to our chaleaut and we cooked hamburgers that Isa had given us. When they were done, I thought about the chipotle sauce. I had already eaten one stick of cream cheese with it and thought that it might be good on a hamburger. I was so right. They were incredible! The other three tried it and said the same thing, making weird noises and praising the ¨magical sauce.¨
We then went on to the second dish which was pita bread and refreid beans. I again had the inspirational thought to try the ¨magical sauce.¨ I did and again it turned out fabulous. The other three did so as well and began calling it the ¨makes everything good¨sauce. It was hysterical, because it really made everything else amazing. A big burst of flavor all in your mouth, with a kick at the end that just bites you. I loved it. IT IS AMAZING!!! Thank you so much for that and the TONS of candy and the decorations. I use the cool pen every day and thank you for getting two of the bigger things. Elder Carr appreciates that.
Transfers are coming up this Sunday and am hoping that I will at least stay here one more. That would mean that I would be here in paradise for la Navidad. This place would be so fun and beautiful during the magical time of Christmas and the members are amazing. Pertaining to the transfers, I will give you my address but don´t send it until I write you next week, and let you know if I am still here. The address is Aranjuez, Madrid Calle Abdon Bordoy 57. I actually do not know the area code, maybe you can find it. But I will let you know again next week.
Thank you for all that you do and thank you for telling me again about your goal to accomplish the 7 steps. This is inspired because it is perfect for the investigators. This is something that they can do, that is fairly simple, just requiring a little bit of effort and consistency, that would really make all the difference. Thank you sooo much and I will go home and read the article out of the Ensign.
I am really trying to focus and the more I do the more weaknesses I discover in myself. I am really trying to change all my bad habits on this mission and I realize that if I lose myself in others then I will find myself, with a new heart. I am also realizing the importance of daily repentance. Even as a missionary I am very far from perfect and am trying to involve the perfect love, strength, and help of Christ everyday.
I love you all. I cannot thank you enough for those two packages, they really were... a little bit of home. Just what I needed. Don´t worry I am not homesick, but it is nice to have a little reminder of how life is back in Provo Utah, or as they say here... La Fabrica.
Adios, por una semana. They are flying by. I can´t believe I have almost been out for 5 months. WOW!!! When I think about that I just want to work harder. I have a lot to work on to be the missionary that the Lord has prepared me, called me, and sent me to be.
Have a great week.
Love,
Rob,
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 4, 2009
Dear Family,
To to answer your questions… I am fantastic. The weather is crazy here. Sometimes it is a little chilly with a cool wind, enough to wear a jacket. Other times it is really hot. It has been very hot this last week and we are now in November. Luckily today and yesterday it cooled off, and I am afraid that I have put my last short sleeve shirt on for the winter. The food is great. I probably spent a little more than I should have these past two weeks, not too much, but luckily it was food that will last a long time. I have no problems with the food. I love cereal, which is usually what I eat for breakfast, and for lunch I will have a ham and cheese sandwich, a hand made pizza with pida bread, hot dogs, or pasta. Really Spanish huh? I haven´t really ventured off to cook something that is really exquisite, mainly because I am not good at cooking, especially here with weird measurements, and not much time to do so. We have 2 hours in the middle of the day, during what is commonly known as MEDIO DIA, to study for 30 minutes, plan for the rest of the day, and eat for about an hour. We are right now trying to make this time most effective.
I have to regret that I still haven´t received any of the packages, other than the Bible and the BYU stuff, and candy. We haven´t received pedidos for 5 weeks or so. I am not quite sure the reason, other than schedules didn´t work out to meet other missionaries half way or that we can just wait for an interview or a zone conference. Fortunately, tomorrow is both of those, the interview that we have every transfer, and the zone conference. I get to give the opening prayer tomorrow in Zone Conference, which is a little scary, but will go over fine. I am excited to get them, as I have had my cream cheese waiting in the fridge for about 3 or 4 weeks now. Luckily it doesn´t expire until January. So if worse comes to worst, I could at least get the pedidos, mail, by Christmas and still be safe. But we have been told that we will get them tomorrow. 100 percent certain. I am sad, as I fear that you had Halloween treats in there, but Elder Carr and I will have a special celebration by ourselves and roommates, and it will still be greatly appreciated. In the future I am not sure what the best way to send things is. This is the only sure and safe way, just a tad slow. In the future I think that we will be better at receiving mail at least every 3 weeks, but again, I am at the bottom of the chain, have no influence, and have no idea what is going on.
The language is great somedays and really bad other days. It just depends on who I talk to. It´s not really bad, just not where I would like to be. I can talk fine with just about everyone, and I understand just about every as well. Except for the Spaniards who have an incredibly thick accent and talk without moving their lips. It´s impossible to follow and an amazing talent that I think I would like to learn. The sound of their voice is like they have a bit of apple that they are not trying to chew in their mouth, while also trying to cough up phlegm and mucus that is stuck in their throat. It is incredible, but still is very hard to understand these people. I can speak well, more so when we are talking about the Gospel, because we do that most. But the day to day activities and just chit chat, is a little bit more difficult for me. I do feel confident thought that I can go up to someone and just talk to them, without having the fear that I will not understand them or worse, that they will not understand me. I am still going and almost desperate to improve my ability to speak the language, so that I can continue to feel more confident, contribute more during lessons, and be able to focus more on others, rather than myself and be preoccupied about trying to communicate clearly. Todovia estoy en ello, pero tirando. Tirando is a term they use here that means, just going. Working and going, not giving up.
Have a great week, keep doing everything that you do so well like you are.
I love you,
Elder Driggs
To to answer your questions… I am fantastic. The weather is crazy here. Sometimes it is a little chilly with a cool wind, enough to wear a jacket. Other times it is really hot. It has been very hot this last week and we are now in November. Luckily today and yesterday it cooled off, and I am afraid that I have put my last short sleeve shirt on for the winter. The food is great. I probably spent a little more than I should have these past two weeks, not too much, but luckily it was food that will last a long time. I have no problems with the food. I love cereal, which is usually what I eat for breakfast, and for lunch I will have a ham and cheese sandwich, a hand made pizza with pida bread, hot dogs, or pasta. Really Spanish huh? I haven´t really ventured off to cook something that is really exquisite, mainly because I am not good at cooking, especially here with weird measurements, and not much time to do so. We have 2 hours in the middle of the day, during what is commonly known as MEDIO DIA, to study for 30 minutes, plan for the rest of the day, and eat for about an hour. We are right now trying to make this time most effective.
I have to regret that I still haven´t received any of the packages, other than the Bible and the BYU stuff, and candy. We haven´t received pedidos for 5 weeks or so. I am not quite sure the reason, other than schedules didn´t work out to meet other missionaries half way or that we can just wait for an interview or a zone conference. Fortunately, tomorrow is both of those, the interview that we have every transfer, and the zone conference. I get to give the opening prayer tomorrow in Zone Conference, which is a little scary, but will go over fine. I am excited to get them, as I have had my cream cheese waiting in the fridge for about 3 or 4 weeks now. Luckily it doesn´t expire until January. So if worse comes to worst, I could at least get the pedidos, mail, by Christmas and still be safe. But we have been told that we will get them tomorrow. 100 percent certain. I am sad, as I fear that you had Halloween treats in there, but Elder Carr and I will have a special celebration by ourselves and roommates, and it will still be greatly appreciated. In the future I am not sure what the best way to send things is. This is the only sure and safe way, just a tad slow. In the future I think that we will be better at receiving mail at least every 3 weeks, but again, I am at the bottom of the chain, have no influence, and have no idea what is going on.
The language is great somedays and really bad other days. It just depends on who I talk to. It´s not really bad, just not where I would like to be. I can talk fine with just about everyone, and I understand just about every as well. Except for the Spaniards who have an incredibly thick accent and talk without moving their lips. It´s impossible to follow and an amazing talent that I think I would like to learn. The sound of their voice is like they have a bit of apple that they are not trying to chew in their mouth, while also trying to cough up phlegm and mucus that is stuck in their throat. It is incredible, but still is very hard to understand these people. I can speak well, more so when we are talking about the Gospel, because we do that most. But the day to day activities and just chit chat, is a little bit more difficult for me. I do feel confident thought that I can go up to someone and just talk to them, without having the fear that I will not understand them or worse, that they will not understand me. I am still going and almost desperate to improve my ability to speak the language, so that I can continue to feel more confident, contribute more during lessons, and be able to focus more on others, rather than myself and be preoccupied about trying to communicate clearly. Todovia estoy en ello, pero tirando. Tirando is a term they use here that means, just going. Working and going, not giving up.
Have a great week, keep doing everything that you do so well like you are.
I love you,
Elder Driggs
October 28, 2009
Dear Family,
This week has been great. We are working hard with our investigators to help them be ready to accept the covenant of baptism and after, be able to endure to the end with the help of the Holy Ghost.
We had to move one of the baptisms back a week because we felt that he wasn´t ready. After we did that we felt much better and now have more time to really get him ready for this big day that will change his life.
It is interesting teaching about baptism, because it really is so eternally important, and almost impossible to help them understand this significance. But it is so thrilling to have them receive answers to prayers and then have them act in faith, set a baptismal date, and know through their feelings that they want to follow the example of Jesus Christ down into the waters of baptism. Their examples of faith are incredible. The baptismal covenant requires a lot, not in comparison to the blessings that we receive because of it, but for someone to change their life from not doing anything other than mass every week, it is a big commitment and a big leap of faith. It truly is inspiring. It is easy to just see it as a baptism, but when you think that it is someone committing to the follow the Savior, removing themselves from the sins of the world, and accepting to live a higher law, it is something so tender and beautiful. I take for granted the blessing to be apart of this way to often.
We are working with our other 7 dates, the family of Ronnie(Ronnie, Jina, Naomi, Ronnie (hijo), and Romina, a woman named Isa, and another woman named Olga. It is a lot of fun teaching them, because they want to learn and want to progress.
We also have a couple people who are very close to accepting a date of baptism. We have a man and a couple who have committing to being baptized but don´t feel ¨ready.¨ This answer bothers me a little bit, because they have received answers to their prayers by feeling good when we are there and when they read The Book of Mormon and they still don’t feel ready. It is hard in these cases, because we obviously want them to have faith and get baptized because you know that they will never regret it, but they need to make the decision for themselves or it would not be faith. It is easy for us to see the people who have been prepared by the hand of the Lord for baptism because they are really searching to find the truth, they always read the Book of Mormon, and they really understand what is being taught.
We also have two more that we are working with and who came to church this past Sunday that have so much potential. They are a women named Zuni from Paraguay, and a man name Julio, from Columbia. We have only taught Zuni once, last Friday, and asked her if we could pick her up to attend church and she accepted. She came with her 10 year old daughter Jessica and she felt it. She cried a little bit in Sacrament meeting and during the Gospel Principles class she made very applicable, conclusive comments. The next time we see her she should have a baptismal date. Julio should also, but it is hard to find time to teach him. He is usually only available on weekends, which is our busiest time as a lot of people don´t work those days.
We had the privilege of receiving a call from President on Sunday morning around 9:40 that he was ¨en camino¨ to our piso to attend church with us. He took a quick look at our living areas and said, very interesting. We went to church, picked up Zuni and Jessica, and had a wonderful time having him with us. He gave a powerful testimony of the Restauración during sacrament meeting and during our class after wards his presence was greatly appreciated. He loved the branch and the love and closeness of all the members. I love it too and am learning a lot.
I love you all and if you could send the letter to Cami that would be great.
Have a great week and keep doing all that you do the best you can. The Lord always takes care of the rest, if we do our part.
I love you all and am strengthened and motivated to work harder by your thoughts, prayers, and faith. Your efforts are felt here in Spain.
Thank you, thank you.
Love,
Elder Driggs
This week has been great. We are working hard with our investigators to help them be ready to accept the covenant of baptism and after, be able to endure to the end with the help of the Holy Ghost.
We had to move one of the baptisms back a week because we felt that he wasn´t ready. After we did that we felt much better and now have more time to really get him ready for this big day that will change his life.
It is interesting teaching about baptism, because it really is so eternally important, and almost impossible to help them understand this significance. But it is so thrilling to have them receive answers to prayers and then have them act in faith, set a baptismal date, and know through their feelings that they want to follow the example of Jesus Christ down into the waters of baptism. Their examples of faith are incredible. The baptismal covenant requires a lot, not in comparison to the blessings that we receive because of it, but for someone to change their life from not doing anything other than mass every week, it is a big commitment and a big leap of faith. It truly is inspiring. It is easy to just see it as a baptism, but when you think that it is someone committing to the follow the Savior, removing themselves from the sins of the world, and accepting to live a higher law, it is something so tender and beautiful. I take for granted the blessing to be apart of this way to often.
We are working with our other 7 dates, the family of Ronnie(Ronnie, Jina, Naomi, Ronnie (hijo), and Romina, a woman named Isa, and another woman named Olga. It is a lot of fun teaching them, because they want to learn and want to progress.
We also have a couple people who are very close to accepting a date of baptism. We have a man and a couple who have committing to being baptized but don´t feel ¨ready.¨ This answer bothers me a little bit, because they have received answers to their prayers by feeling good when we are there and when they read The Book of Mormon and they still don’t feel ready. It is hard in these cases, because we obviously want them to have faith and get baptized because you know that they will never regret it, but they need to make the decision for themselves or it would not be faith. It is easy for us to see the people who have been prepared by the hand of the Lord for baptism because they are really searching to find the truth, they always read the Book of Mormon, and they really understand what is being taught.
We also have two more that we are working with and who came to church this past Sunday that have so much potential. They are a women named Zuni from Paraguay, and a man name Julio, from Columbia. We have only taught Zuni once, last Friday, and asked her if we could pick her up to attend church and she accepted. She came with her 10 year old daughter Jessica and she felt it. She cried a little bit in Sacrament meeting and during the Gospel Principles class she made very applicable, conclusive comments. The next time we see her she should have a baptismal date. Julio should also, but it is hard to find time to teach him. He is usually only available on weekends, which is our busiest time as a lot of people don´t work those days.
We had the privilege of receiving a call from President on Sunday morning around 9:40 that he was ¨en camino¨ to our piso to attend church with us. He took a quick look at our living areas and said, very interesting. We went to church, picked up Zuni and Jessica, and had a wonderful time having him with us. He gave a powerful testimony of the Restauración during sacrament meeting and during our class after wards his presence was greatly appreciated. He loved the branch and the love and closeness of all the members. I love it too and am learning a lot.
I love you all and if you could send the letter to Cami that would be great.
Have a great week and keep doing all that you do the best you can. The Lord always takes care of the rest, if we do our part.
I love you all and am strengthened and motivated to work harder by your thoughts, prayers, and faith. Your efforts are felt here in Spain.
Thank you, thank you.
Love,
Elder Driggs
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