We've found some people!

Hey! We are super super super excited and happy to say that we found
some new people to teach here in Vallecas! It took a long time but we
found some solid people this week that we are excited about! Let's see
if they keep wanting to learn about our message! Other than that, this
week was full of companion exchanges and learning lessons from some of
the other awesome missionaries in this mission! I've learned a
principle here. The Lord puts everyone in your life to teach you
something.

Today for p day, I ate the best meal yet.... THEY OPENED A FIVE GUYS
IN SPAIN AND IT WAS BUMPIN! I forgot my camera thing to send pictures
in the piso but I will send you all some next week! Oh man it felt so
good to be eating a real American hamburger again! Other than that,
pretty low key week.

Other than that, we've just been trying to think of some new ways to
teach and help people enjoy the fruits of the gospel. A mission may be
hard... life may be hard..... and sometimes it seems even harder when
you are living the gospel. But at the end of the day, the message is
true, and worth every sacrifice, every trial, it's worth it all! I
know that's true.

I have no time, but a huge hug for everyone reading this!

Elder Baron

Not much going on

Aloha family,

Well, there is not too much to report this week! Literally, this week was pretty mellow. 

The funniest thing that happened this week happened while talking to Jean Carlos's little sister who is 9 years old. She asked me if had ever seen titanic. I told her no, and she asked me if I wanted to know what happens. Before I could even respond she says I will tell you, JACK DIES! My companion and I thought that was pretty dang funny! But yeah that was one of the best moments of the week by far. 

Other than that, we had some really spiritual lessons with some less actives this week.... that was super super awesome! One of the things I learned this week is that problems are often solved simply by looking inside and making changes to yourself versus expecting others to change. That's a valuable lesson that I hope to apply for the rest of my life. 

We spend since the spirit world preparing for our missions, and we spend eternity reflecting on it afterwards, but we only have two years to live it. It goes by as fast as everyone says.... I promise 

Elder Baron 

This picture was from having the AP teach me and my companion how to fight. 

Jean Carlos just got dunked on but he ain't crying

Hey hey hey, 

This week was super super sweet! We had a ton of stuff to do this week, so we weren't able to have as many lessons as normal, but this week was legendary. Our investigator Jean Carlos was baptized and confirmed this weekend which was super super awesome! But I'll talk about the baptism in a minute. 

Man the mission is so awesome.... it's seriously so hard at the same time, but the truth is that the Lord answers prayers and makes everything seem light! It's incredible how much you see his hand work in your life when you are here. He truly is aware of us and helps us when we pray... but we gotta pray in faith. We need to believe that he can actually help us and show him we will follow his path through our obedience. 

Anyways, there was a ton of interesting things that happened in the baptism. The font overflowed again and made the bathrooms on both sides into a lake. The young men's president we asked to watch it left for a couple minutes and that's what happened. None of the technology worked, we couldn't hold the services in the chapel, and we had some irreverent people in the baptism. At the same time, it was the most spiritual baptism I've participated in yet on my misión. We got to teach the restoration by singing hymns during the service which went super well, and the talks and musical numbers really invited the spirit. The best part of the baptism was hearing Jean bear his testimony. Holy cow, he got emotional and it was really really sincere. It is the spirit that had brought him to this point, not me. I'm so grateful for being able to participate in Jean's conversion. His less active father also gave a super super sweet prayer which sealed the deal! We had some investigators there who really felt the spirit too!  I'm so grateful for the many miracles the Lord worked to make the baptismal service so awesome! 

Well, other than that we had some super super good shrimp with a part member family that was to die for! Life is good in Madrid 

Elder Baron 

Barrio 8.... the beat is about to drop

Well, things are still pretty similar here but we've got a lot of potential for the work in these next couple weeks here. The truth is, the Lord hears and answers prayers. The Lord has helped our investigators so much these past couple weeks to gain a testimony, and we are excited to see them where they are at. There are still few, but there's a lot of people with some great potential! 

My companion is an answer to prayers. He's super dedicated and super focused on why he is out here. I hope we can really work well together in the time we have together and really help encourage and support the other missionaries around us too! 

The best part of this week was that our investigator Jean Carlos really gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. He's developed really good reading habits and the other day, we asked him to do Moroni's challenge again and write down his thoughts. He did it, and the next day he received an answer to another prayer to find a really important school notebook. He took that as an answer that God loved him and was happy with the path he was taking. He should be making covenants very soon here. 

Today we had a rad p day activity playing soccer with a ton of the missionaries around Madrid, and with this missionary who finished his mission not too long ago. Next week we are going to the zoo I think! Sweeet! 

Well, Madrid is really an amazing place and the members here are incredible! Hope everyone has already had a chance to share the Book of Mormon this week, if not, DO IT POR FAVOR! 

Un abrazo fuerte y un besito suave

Elder Baron 

Transfers have called..... and Uchtdorf is a beast

Wow.... conference was sweet! A que sí????? (Huh?!?!) 

Uchtdorf's talk was amazing. What I took out of it was that we should happily and joyfully share the gospel with all the world! We should be fired up about this stuff! I'm going to try and be more fired up and excited this week as I share the gospel with these people. 

Well I've got a new companion here and his name is Elder Bennett and he's a beast! 

Other than that, it's about to get busy here.... I can feel it.... 

We've got one focus here right now. Helping the members share the gospel with their friends. We are trying to rekindle their fire for the Book of Mormon and encourage them to both read and share it more with their friends. If you are reading this right now, please think about someone you know in your life who needs to find the answers and happiness you have found in the Book of Mormon. Ask the missionaries for a copy of the Book of Mormon, keep calm, and give the Book of Mormon to that person with your testimony either written or spoken. Don't be afraid of rejection. If they reject you, you can find peace by knowing you have done your best to give the greatest gift anyone could ever give. That's ultimately what it comes down to...and when your friends do accept it and appreciate it, after some perseverance and patience, invite them to your house so that the missionaries can tell them how they can have an eternal family, get rid of the feelings of regret they have for the mistakes they've made, strengthen their marriage, save their family, and find the greatest joy possible in their lives. It will be the greatest experience for both you and those who listen. 

I know that sharing the gospel can help us in so many ways, and I want to encourage all who are reading this to experience the joy that will come as you do! 

ooxxOXx

(Hug, hug, kiss, kiss, big hug, Big kiss, little kiss)

Elder Baron 

New companion 

This place had a sweet view

Celebrating 1 year and a legend English class guy