Monday, October 3, 2016

it's a small world after all

AH MI QUERIDA FAMILIA-

Well, I guess I'll just start off with the news everyone is waiting for:  I’M LEAVING ): the time has come for me to leave my beautiful home in San Fernando.  I am leaving on Wednesday for Alcalá de Guadaíra.  I'm greenie breaking a girl from Hermana Bailey's group named Hermana Wood and I don't really know her but I've heard she's just an angel so I'm excited :') It's going to be really, really hard to leave San Fernando but I know I'll be sent where I'm needed.  I have learned so much out here from my companions and the members and the people I've met.  I have seen SO many miracles and so many tender mercies and this place and these people will always have a really special place in my heart.

Quick shoutout to my girl Hermana Bailey who has literally been my best friend out here :')  I didn't even train this girl, she came pre-trained and then basically just trained me.  She has a big heart and a sassy personality and she is exactly what San Fernando needs right now.

Wasn't Conference amazing??  If you haven't seen it or have no idea what I'm talking about, go to lds.org and watch it.  What a blessing it is to have living prophets and apostles that can lead us and guide us the way God would if He was on the earth.  It was a privilege to be able to hear words from the prophet himself.  I loved when he said, "We are blessed to have the truth, we have a mandate to share it."  These are words from a PROPHET of God.  We have the sacred responsibility and privilege to share the truths we know with all of the world.  Conference gave me such a boost of animo to share the love I have for the gospel with everyone around me, specifically those of southern Spain.

In other news, IRIS WENT TO THE TEMPLE ((yes, you already know this information)) but we were able to see her this week so she could tell us all about it. It was so so special.  She was genuinely glowing.  I can't even describe the happiness that was just radiating off of her-it's the kind that only comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She told us every single detail.  She said walking into the temple was like walking into the gates of heaven.  I agree, especially because the Madrid temple is just so beautiful.  She was able to do a baptism for her grandma and another friend did it for her grandpa.  Later, some of her friends did the sealing for them because Iris is going to have to wait a year to do that.  She was just gushing with all the details of everything that happened and she said, "I just can't wait to go back and do it again, especially for my mom."  What a special day that will be :")

Now, in regards to my subject line, LISTEN TO THIS. When Iris went to the temple this weekend, she also got to see her boyfriend up in Madrid. He's not a member and he's in the military so she hasn't seen him for awhile. She said she took him to the temple and he loved it. They were sitting on one of the benches outside and she said a man came up to them and said, "I felt like I needed to bring a Book of Mormon today to give to someone. Can I give you this book?" Iris told him that she was already a member but that she could give it to Manuel ((her boyfriend)) and so he did. She said he testified about it and that it was a really really powerful experience. Then she said, "oh yeah, he was like a president of something so that was cool too." And after a few questions we found out IT WAS PRESIDENT PACKER aka my mtc president aka the man who is like a prophet to me. I could not believe it!!!!! It was a really special experience and a little connection from across Spain that I got to have with president packer. Especially, because now Manuel wants to start reading the Book of Mormon!!!! He said, "well, if a president felt like he needed to give it to me, I should probably read it." !!!!!

Also, we have a BEAUTIFUL lesson on Tuesday with Lorenzo and his wife, Andi. We decided to start level 1 and begin reading the Book of Mormon with them. We brought a return missionary/convert member(Carlos) with us too that helped out a lot. At the end, he asked, "Why do you think God sent you the missionaries right now?? Why right now?" Andi said, "Well, the world is kinda of scary and it's hard to raise our son in this world. We don't have jobs and we don't have a lot of light right now. Maybe that's why." It got quiet and then Carlos said, "That's exactly why. I promise you that these missionaries will help you learn how to protect your son and how to find true light that will fill you with happiness." The spirit filled the room so strong as Hermana Bailey and I committed them to reading and praying as a family. Andi prayed at the end and it was the sweetest and more sincere prayer I have ever heard. She asked God let them know if this was true. I know, with all my heart, that God will answer her prayer. The best thing for their family right now is the gospel and it will bless them so much. Lorenzo and Robert((we found it was Robert and not Reuben hahahaha)) came to conference on Sunday as well!!!!! Andi was working but today is her last day of work so now they are all with out jobs :/ but they came and they LOVED it!!! It was also Lorenzo's birthday so we brought him a card and a chocolate and he was so happy :')

Sorry, my emails lately have just been so long but I love details and I just LOVE the mission. I cannot think of a better way to spend my time than to be out here dedicating 24 hours of my day, 7 days a week to the Lord. It is the most rewarding experience.

I love and miss you all tons and tons!!!!
Til next week,

Hermana Spangler







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