Monday, August 29, 2016

who needs power when you have SCRIPTURE power

HOLA MI FAMILIA Y AMIGOS-

WELL, it's been a week hasn't it???  I, for one, have had a crazy week.  The good news is that after transfer calls, Hermana Bailey and I learned that we for sure get to stay together for 6 more weeks!!!  ((We figured that would happen because I need to finish her training))

On Thursday, a less active man called us and told us that his girlfriend, Angeles, wanted to start taking the lessons and get baptized!!!!  We had a lesson with her on Thursday and we taught the restoration.  It went really well and Antonio (the less active) helped out a lot.  We asked her why she wanted to start taking the lessons and she said that she always felt peaceful and happy when she was in the church. She said she wanted a little more of that in her life.  We invited her to be baptized and have a goal for the 24th of September!!!

Norma & Gerrard are doing good.  Life is start to getting crazier with the baby being due in 2 weeks!!!!   We're going to have to change their baptism date due to the circumstances, but they're still progressing a lot!!!  Since the first time we met them, they've been coming to church every Sunday and meeting with us 2 or 3 times a week.  I just love them both so much.  We're trying to get them into the habit of reading and praying together but it's just so difficult because they speak
different languages.

This week, Hermana Bailey and I focused a lot on trying to teach lessons and hand out copies of the Book of Mormon in our contacting.  It's been SO beneficial.  Most of the people weren't so interested in us coming back but they always took the book. We've been trying to write our testimonies in the front covers so we're hoping that one day, they'll open up their hearts!!!  Even if they don't want anything right now, it's always a blessing if they can have a Book of Mormon in their house.  I love the Book of Mormon.  It's such a beautiful book and it truly is the word of God.  One day, I want to be as powerful a witness of Jesus Christ as the Book of Mormon.

On Tuesday, during language study, the power in our piso went out-including the lights, the AC, the fridges, the stove, and the washing machine.  We called a bunch of people and tried to fix it but couldn't figure out what was wrong.  We flipped the breaker switches and checked everything but to no avail.  We bagged up all our perishable food and hauled it down to the church and stored it in the fridge there. We realized they don't have a freezer so we called about half the ward to see who had a little extra room in their freezer.  It was a mess.  We came home to a pitch black, burning hot piso and basically just cried and planned with a candle being our only light. ((Pictures attached))  We FINALLY got a hold of our landlord and she said she would be right over to see the problem.  She literally walked in, flipped ONE switch, and then everyone turned back on.  We were so embarrassed :/ but it's okay because she's actually an old investigator too so we finally got to meet her!!!!

Everyone keeps asking me to send updates on the differences in the cultures and foods.  Spain really isn't THAT different than America, but here are a few things I've noticed:  Weddings here are a HUGE deal for everyone.  All people dress up like they’re going to prom- fancy dresses, high heels, full out makeup, professional hairstyles, tuxedos, the whole shebang.  And for that reason, there are "prom dress" stores on practically every corner.  Doorknobs are in the low-middle part of every door.  Nobody here has just a regular door knob. Spanish people have 5 meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, a meal between breakfast and lunch, and another meal between lunch and dinner.  They basically just eat all day but their biggest and most important meal is the lunch.  Drivers here are CRAZY-if you've ever been to Europe, you know what I mean.  They also park basically as close as they possibly can in every spot where there is parallel parking.  If there's not enough room, they sometimes even just kinda nudge their way in, pushing cars out of the way with their own car. ((Picture attached))

I have absolutely fallen in love with Spain and with the mission.  I am having the time of my life and learning and growing so much. Thanks for all your support and love!!!!!  Love and miss you guys so so much.

Besitos,

Hermana Spangler





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