December 16,2009

Dear family,

Well, I never would have thought that coming to Madrid Spain I would see snow. But Let me tell you that it snowed like a February morning in Provo Utah on Monday.

We woke up at 7 o clock and had our Romanian roommate ask us with a big grin if we wanted to go running. I agreed, still exhausted, and then looked out the window and saw about six inches of snow. It was incredible. The run was very fun as we ran to the top of this little mountain in Aranjuez. Of course coming down was much more fun, sliding in falling in the snow like little school girls…cough, cough…I mean, like missionaries.

So with this unpredicted little event we have had the plug in heaters on full blast, while home, and when we are outside we are bundled up head to foot. That includes the long-john garments, long sleeve shirt, suit, and overcoat, with a scarf and gloves. And let´s just say that it is cooooold. I never would have thought that it would get this cold.

I am not complaining because I love the range of weather experiences I am getting here. I just can´t believe that it was only 3 months ago that I was in a short sleeve shirt and sweating down my back walking to the train station. Now we try to walk even faster just to stay warm. The only 2 words I have to describe the weather situation and the mission in general is, ¨¡Me Encanta!¨ Or I love it! That huge nice coat that we got at Burlington coat factory, I think, has come in handy. I am wearing it right now in this locutorio, or internet café, and I love it.

So Elder Dawson and I are a pretty young companionship, as he has been out about 4 or 5 months more than me. It is his first time being a senior companion and, of course, it is my first time out of the shell. We are doing very well, but have lots of things that we need to improve. We have a lot of goals and are determined to accomplish them. We are definitely lacking in a few things. Our lessons lack a little bit of experience, but our contacts are improving. I am noting more and more every day what I learned from Elder Carr, and the great Elder he is. I took him for granted and could have learned a lot more from him. However, I feel like I am ready to take a bigger jump and improve in a lot of things.

I have improved a ton this week. I am doing tons of contacts and my contribution is now equal to that of my companion as it should be. My Spanish has also improved a lot and I am feeling more and more confident to be myself and really be bold and reach out to those in distress and need. I love being a missionary. This time as we are both young is going to be a time of great growth for me and I can already feel it. Elder Carr was very outgoing as you can imagine, him being the student body president of Mountain View before the mission, and so I was able to rely on him a lot. Now as Elder Dawson is a lot more reserved and still isn´t perfect in the language, I am having more opportunities to take control and share my testimony, and casually talk with the people here. I really do love the mission and I am having more fun every day. I am on an upward swing in almost every area of the mission.


If you recall we had Elder Teixeira from the first quorum of the seventy, who is also in the area presidency in Europe, come talk to us about 2 months ago. His wife made the comment that faith is doing things that are hard for us to do. For example, if I don´t have a problem with going to church and I always go, that doesn´t require a lot of faith as it is something easy because I love it.

I know that this journey will be long and hard, but the time we have in this eternally important probation called earth is very short. And I am willing to give everything I have to help my family be together forever. I love teaching this concept to investigators because every honest, good person wants that for their family and it is completely possible through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His eternal sacrifice for us.

I love you all very much. We have to stay close to the Lord. Without Him and His constant whisperings and help, we cannot make it. We cannot return to Him alone. Thankfully, we do not have to. Heavenly Father knew this great problem, so He sent His Son to prepare the way, and He sent a lot of helps us guide us, like families to teach us the way and the difference between good and evil. He also sent prophets and the scriptures. I am so thankful for President Monson and His inspired calling and love. I feel my Savior´s love through him and every one of the helps we have in this world. Everything has been prepared for us to return to our Heavenly Father, with our families, and all we have to do is believe, and go to work. The Father´s part is paid, and now we have to pay ours.

I love you all and will talk to you soon. Keep praying and smiling and we will find joy every day, even if it´s not obvious.


Love,

Rob
Elder Driggs