July 7, 2010

Dear family,

Well, where to start on the weekly letter home? Things are going well. Elder Moreno and I are trying to find the best way to do the missionary work here in Madrid. The best ways to manage time, when to schedule appointments, when to call the references that we received. We are really trying to analyze everything, and of course, we are so blessed to have Preach My Gospel that has the answers to almost everything.

It is rough sometimes because the success isn´t as obvious as sometimes we would hope, but the blessings cannot be denied and we cannot complain. We taught a very special family yesterday, and they got us very excited. They are wonderful! We had scheduled the appointment with the husband, Gustavo, and he told us that we could come by at about 7:30 yesterday. You must understand that when we schedule appointments over the phone there is a pretty fare chance that they are not going to be there. But we got there at 7 and rang their doorbell at the bottom of their building. They answered, but we couldn´t hear what they were saying. They let us in and we went to the door, knocked, and his wife answered. She opened the door and invited us in with a huge smile.

Unfortunately after asking her, she told us that her husband hadn´t arrived yet, so we stayed outside the door for about 5 minutes talking to her until he and their daughter got back from the grocery store. We went in, and you could tell that they not only were just going to let us in, but that they were expecting us. The whole apartment was clean, she put out some appetizer things and brought us something to drink. We sat down and started to talk. They both have a ton of faith in God and in Jesus Christ, and the best part about it is that they are really sensitive to the Holy Ghost. They felt the Spirit, we felt the Spirit, and we are going to come back Friday to teach them the first lesson. They seem to be willing to make the changes that they need in their life to become an eternal family and be baptized. So we are really excited about them.

Other than that new family there really isn´t much more. We had a few people that had committed to being baptized, but one has lost interest, and the other is received opposition from his mother. We are going to talk to him about that tomorrow. We are also teaching a young girl from Peru, who also has committed to being baptized, but it is on the condition that she knows that it is what she should do. Her mom and brother are members. So there is work to be done here in Madrid, but the work is a little bit slow, and even slower with all of this heat. Wow, it is hot here!!! We have surely entered into summer and the sun is hot. We are again getting used to the constant sweat on our brows and the sticky shirt feeling. So that is also fun!!!

Today for preparation day we went to the temple early. It was a great way to start off the day. When we got back I picked up the cd I had made with all of the latest pictures on my camera. I think you will enjoy all of the fun and exciting pictures. I hope we can send that soon.

We are going to be having another zone conference this next Tuesday and the only specifics that we have received are, that we are going to have 1 hour to teach and motivate the missionaries in our zone. We are going to have 30 minutes that has to be related to faith (how to strengthen our faith, how to manifest our faith, etc. The other half hour can be about whatever we feel needs to be discussed in the zone. So we will be planning that until we arrive at that day.

Today we also went around all of Madrid and took pictures of all of the famous sites with our district of 6 missionaries. It was fun, but we got tired fast, and after 3 hours, we were pooped. I hope to get you those pictures soon. If I can figure out how, I will try to send you some right now.

I am glad to hear that all is well with all of you. I hope that the interviews go well dad. I am praying for you. I also fasted for the same purpose this last Sunday. There surely is a power in fasting, and even more so as a family. I forgot to with you happy father´s day dad. Happy Father´s Day. I hope all went well on your special day.

I am extremely appreciative for your prayers. They are becoming more and more meaningful as time goes on in the mission. It isn´t always easy, but it sure lightens the burden, knowing and feeling that people are praying for me.

I love you all soooo much. I hope that you know that. I pray for you as well. I am glad that you are doing better mom and that you are reading the scripture daily. What a blessing to be able to do so.

I hope that Mark and Cari do well in dance and that they enjoy the summer while it lasts. I am glad to hear that you are going on the river again. Very fun.

So we are rooting for España as much as we can here. I hope that you do a better job than we do. I hope that you have the best week ever and that you enjoy every minute of every day. There is no reason that we should get down. We are a happy people, especially with the restored Gospel in our lives. May God bless us this week. I know that this Church is true.

Thank you for everything, your thoughts, prayers, and love.

Elder Driggs