Week 77 transferred to Aranjuez

Monday: well Monday we went to a place called the islets which was fun it is actually right by where they filmed the movie mobby dick in case any one was wondering so that was super cool. Then we were going to play soccer up there but where we were going to play they were fixing field up so we came back down and played by the beach. Then as usual we finished off the night with a great noche de hogar with Gianni and Claudia where the hermanas invited an investigator so we could help them teach the priesthood. It was a fantastic expierence for everyone there.

Tuesday: well we finally had one of our intercambios today and I would say that it was a success. We started hitting the street and managed to get a couple really good references which is always nice. Then it was off to a lesson with Angelina our new friend from Colombia that was very receptive to the idea of the restoration so we will see how things go with her. Then we went up to visit a less active man who has a smoking problem and we told the best time to make the change is today but he said he doesn't know. I invite all that need to make changes in their to do so  now do not live with the wait on your shoulders any longer!

Wednesday: Ricardo is doing well we actually had a really good lesson with them so that was good. We talked with him about keeping the comandments so that was good. Then we talked about following the holly ghost and invited them to stake conference. Then later we had a good English class which went really well we had a total of five people and two investigators so all in all a success.

Thursday: not to much happened it was just a day full of pass by and calls and contacting since all the lesson we had planned for all failed us so that was to bad. Then it was off to hit the islets that night where we found the miracle of the day I stopped to talk an old man who ended up not wanting anything but get this as I was talking with him a young couple approached us and asked if they could learn more about our church so we happily agreed and then set a appointment up for Sunday.

Friday:well today I had an intercambio with elder trassiera which went really well started of having a lesson with celicia which went well she has desires to be baptized but can't come to church which is to bad. Then later we had a lesson with Brenda that was great talking about overcoming persecution from others. And helped her understand that when ever she needs a friend we will be right here. And then she even ended up going to institute so that was cool as well as Eduardo. Then we contacted our way back to piso.

Saturday: well we had a great day on Saturday although not to much happened. We started off with a volleyball activity with the jas and some investigators which went really well. Then we headed out contacting until the Saturday session of stake conference but sadly we received a phone call from Ricardo saying that a friend has been telling him some things and now he wants to stop meeting and more good but kind of sad news is that I am going to be leaving and I will be heading to what could be the last area of my mission Aranjuez. Hope Elder yokum and his new comp can help Ricardo while I will be helping those in my new area. 

Sunday: well just had stake conference and then it was off to an eating appointment with our suitcases and as we were making our way over there we got caught I a heavy down pour so we were soaked in their house. Then right as we left we got caught in a hail storm with lightning that later changed into another heavy down pour so the member called and said he'd come pic us up so that saved us but it was a fun little adventure making safely to the airport and catching the plane to Madrid and now I'm in Aranjuez and ready to get to work! Love you all and have a great week.

Elder Strong

Week 76

Monday: well for my bday pDay we had a great time we went to the beach and played soccer on the beach which was a ton of fun on the beach and my team won by the way incase anyone wants to know my team won! Then it was off to subway for a birthday lunch which was super good! And then out for ice cream. Then no better way to end the day by passing by Gianni and Claudia house to have a noche de hogar where we talked about eternal marriage which is truly one of the greatest blessings god has given us which makes me so happy to be a missionary so that I can share that gift with others before I one day I am able to receive that same blessing with one of god choice daughters.

Tuesday: well I am officially twenty where has all the time gone I am now and old man haha. Well for my birthday we had a great lesson with helio and Henry about the importance of reading the scriptures so it was really cool to see helio explain to Henry that the Book of Mormon is the best medicine anyone can take for life's problems which is so true. Then he surprised me by giving me a tie for my birthday so that was really sweet. Then it was of to do some pass bus for the rest of the night but not much luck. But we did go get a free burrito from el rancho so that was really good. And then made our way back home.

Wednesday: well today we started off with a district meeting that was alright talking about how we can better work with the bishop. So hopefully we can all improve on working with ward members these next couple weeks. Our ward just kind of seems dead when it comes to helping the missionaries most of the time. So we are going to fix that with gods help. Then we had English class again which went really well and then had a lesson with THOMAS right after and he said he is reading a page a day in the Book of Mormon so that's awesome and he is also coming to church. So we'll keep working with him and hopefully will ask him to be baptized here soon. 

We 

Thursday: well we had a good weekly planing session that took up the whole morning so then we had to hurry out the door to the guerras house for lunch which is always one of the best parts of our week. Then we were going to have a lesson with a guy named John from Ireland that we found in the street but he ended up failing us. Then we went to visit Maria's book store to share the Book of Mormon with them until my comp and her started arguing about the Bible and the Book of Mormon so we will see how that goes in the future.

Friday: well Friday we went up to eli's house because she said she had something to give to us. So the whole way up we were wondering what it could possibly be. So we knocked on the door and as they opened they started singing happy birthday and then gave me a strawberry cake so that was super awesome since that's my favorite wasn't quite as good as my moms but a very close second haha! Then we went with helio and THOMAS to institute which went well seeing the jas reAlly get involved in including them in things.

Saturday: well today we had a volleyball and soccer activity because sadly here in Spain basketball is not as loved and cherished as much as it deserves to be haha! But we all had a blast getting to become closer with those we teach and also meet lots of new people. Then we had a lesson with jenifer one of the Colombians we are teaching she is super prepared for the gospel but the only problem is that Larson her boyfriend is married to some one back in Colombia so now they have to work on divorcement papers and stuff before the will be able to get baptized so we'll have to wait for that.

Sunday: well there's some si knees going around that seems to be hitting each one of our investigators so that's to bad we are hoping all of them get a lot better here soon. We did have Larsen and jenifer come to church today so that was really cool to see that although they have to wait for their papers that they are still willing to put in their part. Then to finish off the day we had a jas noche de hogar where we talked about enduring to the end. Which many people struggle with here in the islands so we are trying to help the ward with that. And then to finish the night off we made some phone calls to see how everyone is doing and they are all still sick but getting better so hope we can meet with them this week. Well hope you all have a good week.

With lots of love.

Elder Strong

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Week 75

Week 75

Well not to much went down this week so I was thinking instead of
boring all of you who may be reading my weekly email after more than
70 weeks which I thank you all for doing. Well I thought I would take
some time to write more of my testimony of the mission to all of you
this week. Through out my years growing up in the church in the most
awesome family in the world I always knew that I was going to go on a
mission. But little did I know back then exactly what going on a
mission was exactly went every where from the doors slamming in your
face and to the dear John letter some people could ask why us missionaries
wake up every day and keep going when the answer is quite simple. It's
the hardest yet most joyful experience any man or woman will
experience at least before getting sealed in the temple haha. But
truly it is through bringing others unto the knowledge of their savior
Jesus Christ and his plan or in other terms the plan of salvation. It
is watching some ones spirit grow and pride shrink that has brought me
great joy. Just recently I had the opportunity to watch a young man
who I taught enter into the waters of baptism and see him come out of
the water as a new man. I have talked with him many times since then and
although he had some problems in his past he always has his vision
towards the future which we all must do follow this young mans example
and leave the past in the past there is nothing that we can do to
change that but we can chose who we will become in the future. At a
point in my mission I was very frustrated for a few weeks holding on
to something from my past but it is as we let that all go that we will
find success I can promise you all that because I have put it to the
test and  god has blessed me more then I can believe. As we give our
will to god he will work the miracles we have been waiting to see in
our lives. That has come true for me after I took the decision to turn
my whole heart over to god was when we found helio who is now a very
great ward member and a great missionary. And also have found Mary nd
Ricardo who will be baptized on the thirtieth of march. I know this
church is true and that the Book of Mormon is true. The Book really
can change your life if you don't believe me read it and put its
teaching into practice into your life! I wish all the best of luck in
all aspects of your life.

Week 74

Wednesday: well we had our pday which was great we had the whole entire zone get together which consists of 36 missionaries so we played some full field soccer and other games such as frisbee. Then after the games the rogers made us homeade tacos so that was awesome. And then we had a little spiritual thought and then it was off to the church to email. After pday I went on an intercambio with elder and we went and taught Ricardo. So we were talking about the gospel and when we arrived to baptism I asked him if he thought that it would be important to follow the example of Jesus Christ so he said yes. So then I went on to ask if he would be baptized by someone holding the priesthood of god. So I told him that we were thinking that he could be ready towards the end of march and he agreed and then asked if he could be baptized on the 30th of march that being his bday so we agreed. Miracles are every where you just have to open your eyes.

Thursday. Well today we had our mission tour which went really well. The first part hermana soares talked about repentance and that if there are things we must confess we must not fear man more then we love god. Then we talked about ways to find people to teach and talked about finding with the talents that we have and I can truly testify of the success that finding in this way brings. Seeing as how we found helio who is one of the best members with missionary work in our ward. And we found by playing some basketball can you believe that. So for all of you who are in the mission field I invite you to use the great gifts and talents that god has given unto you. He called you to where you are serving because you are you. 

Friday: well not much went down today seeing as we were in the piso all morning and then had a lunch appointment with the rokas which was good. And then we found some time to study Spanish and do comp study and then it was off to the baptism for the hermanas investigator. So that was really exciting it so good to see others harvesting the fruits of their labors. Then we contacted our way back home for the night.

Saturday: today started off with some basketball where we got to meet some cool new people that we can hopefully start teaching here soon. Let's just say I was lighting up the court from the three point line and now every one here calls me steph curry hah! Then we had to run home to shower and change to make it up to our eating appointment. And then it was back down to the chapel for two baptisms of two awesome kids in the primary. 

Sunday: church was really good the first speaker gave a talk on about over coming temptation and that if we make the choice to say no before the temptation comes Satan will have no power over us. Then we also had a great talk about the Book of Mormon nd how it can change lives which is so true and I know that because it has changed my life personally. And then to finish it all off we had a great lesson on home teaching which Spain in general seems like it could do a lot better at. Then it was of to contact for the rest of the day and ran into some cool people but nothing out of the ordinary. Well hope you have a great day! Love you guys!

Sent

Week 73

Monday: today was a pretty chill pday we went and played some soccer with some members which was super fun up until I got a really bad cramp in my thigh but was still able to play goalie. Then we all went to dominos for lunch which was pretty fun just getting to laugh and hang out and eat. Then it was back to the Chapel where we finished our emails and got ready for the noche DE hogar that we had with claudia and Gianni. It was a very beautiful lesson about marriage and was a tender moment to hear them talk about there sincere desires to be sealed in the temple. I hope that they can be married soon so they can start preparing even more for that special occasion. 

Tuesday: well today in the morning we went out contacting. Then later we had a lesson with helio which I think went well right now we are trying to prepare  him for his desires to serve a mission so as we go over the lessons for the second time we are trying to turn it into a mission prep kind of a thing. Then I was able to go on a split with Juan Faber to teach Mary and then to have a lesson with Daniela. The lesson with Mary went super well talking with her and her husband about the plan of salvation and they also committed to read the Book of Mormon together and to come to church this Sunday. 

Wednesday: well today not much really happened just a chill day in the street mainly contacting through town. Oh I guess we did have district meeting which was pretty good. We talked about extending invitations to help people repent in their lives. We also talked about why we came out on the mission and for me the answer is quite simple. Our savior has suffered so much for each and every one of us so should I not be willing to give up two years of my life to the one who gave his life for me. So for all of

You who may be thinking about serving a mission I would invite you to do so.

Thursday: well today we went and helped on of the older ladies in the ward with carrying her groceries back to her house which felt great to be able to help do a little service. Then later we had a lesson with Pedro and Julia which went really well. We talked about coming to church and reading the scriptures they did promise to read every day but said they couldn't come to church this week.so that's to bad but hopefully next week. Then we talked with paco and he wants to focus in one area of the small areas we have and just go hang out with the ysa people and stuff and make friends so we will see how that works.

Friday and Saturday: well during this week there has been a lot of preparing for the big service project for Syria. Well on Friday we helped organize things so that we could make sure all would run smoothly Saturday. Then Saturday we had over a hundred people there making care packages and boxing blankets that we will be sending to Syria and we have boxed more than three thousand blankets and boxes of care supplies. We also had a baptismal interview for an investigator of the hermanas and that was awesome to see them light up when we said he is ready to be baptized this Friday so we are all super excited for them and most of all for the man who will be getting baptized.

Sunday: well today we had a new investigator at church who's name is Ricardo who is the husband of Mary the cake decorator that we teach. He is a really awesome guy who is just very humble and friendly. He came to church by himself sense Mary had to work and made friends like he had known every one before so that's always ways nice when the ward does there part. Then after church we finished up the last couple boxes and got all the blankets and packages ready to be shipped on Wednesday. Then we finished the day off with a wonderful jas noche de hogar talking strengthens the faith of the young people of the church. Then it was off to piso to call it a night.

Monday:today we had a pretty good lesson with Henry which was awesome we talked about sharing his testimony with others although he doesn't like the thought of getting baptized but is always willing to tell people about us so that's awesome. Then I had a member cut my hair and elk just say it was a good hair cut but next time I think I will just go to the barber shop.

Tuesday: well we took helio out contacting with us and by himself he gave out a Book of Mormon and got us a reference. So that was really cool. Then we had a lesson with him and his friend heider which was a really good expierence for helio to be faced with some hard questions to answer so that was awesome let's just say helio is one of the best missionaries I've ever met. Well that was our great week and a half haha! Well hope every one has a great week love you all and can't wait to hear from every one.

Week 72 baptism of Helio

Well once again we had a pretty awesome and fantastic week here in the
canary islands. Not to much really happened all this week we started
with a great Monday by going and doing some service for people and
then got some last minute stuff done for the Piso and then it was off
to pick up our new comps from the airport so that was good and then we
arrived just in time to make it over to the noche DE hogar with gianis
and claudia family.

Tuesday: we had a lesson with Hen_  today which was really good we
talked a little bit more about the power and authority that comes with
the priesthood. He still has a hard time understanding a lot of things
but he is doing good he has started coming to church each Sunday so
that should start helping him out a little bit more little by little.
But my companion thinks we should stop working with him because he has
slight disabilities mentally. But I can never give up on him because
he has changed my life in ways that no one else could have. And was
also the means of us getting in contact with He_ so he has been a
huge miracle and blessing in my life.

Wednesday: well today we had a great lesson with He_ about the
priesthood and also about the temple. It went really well and when the
ward goes to the temple in June he will be going with them. He also
wants us to start preparing him for a mission and he is going to be
starting a mission prep class so that will be really good and will be
awesome for him to get a little more experience before he goes on a
mission.

Then not much happened until Saturday when we had the baptism for
helio  and man it was one of the best baptismal services that I have
ever had on my mission. The service went well and we had a whole lot of
people that were his friends from capo Verde come to the baptismal
service so that was awesome. And then I was able to  perform the baptism and it went
well on the first try. Then later the Brazilians sang when I am
baptized in portuguese. So that was legit and brought me to tears. Then he
gave his testimony and invited every one to read and pray about the
book of Mormon so that was really good. Well got to go have a great
week every one has a la próxima.

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