Nourished in both Body and Spirit

Querida familia y amigos,

Tidbits from this week's adventures...

We have been generously feed in so many ways during this past week.  We began our week the same way we start all weeks, feeding our Elders “all-you-can-eat pancakes”.  They are only two strong, but they can really pack them away.  We then spent our preparation day exploring…you guessed it, an old church.  This Romanesque church was built in the 9^th century and it is beautifully preserved for it antiquity. After a few hours of relaxation we were able host Eli, an investigator from Andorra at the farmhouse for a lesson.  The spirit was profound as we taught the doctrine of Christ and shared a spiritual feast together.

Chilly day of Site Seeing in Andorra

Coloma, Andorra,  9th Century Church

It is not often that you get to sit at the feet of the apostle of the Lord.  Elder Russell M. Nelson and his wife Sister Wendy,  along with the European area president, toured our mission.  On Thursday afternoon, we traveled with 15 members of our branch to Barcelona to a tri-Stake Conference at which Elder Nelson spoke.  There were nearly 900 members in attendance, but Elder Nelson's plane was delayed in Rome so we waited for an additional hour for his arrival. It was worth the wait. He is kind and gentle man and spoke with joy and tenderness. At 92 years old his was remarkably concise in his comments.  The following day he met with the 198 El Faro, Spain Barcelona Missionaries in a very intimate meeting (Elder Nelson's grand daughter is serving in our mission). We were sitting just ten rows back.  As the second most senior apostle, we all knew we were likely listening to the next President of the church and we were humbled and blessed to not only hear his teaching but received at his hand, as he evoked the keys of his calling, and gave us an apostolic blessing.  Among the many elements of the blessing he promised us that our families would be blessed, healed and protected in our absence.  As he left the chapel, no one wanted to leave as we stood in silence feasting upon the spirit of that very special moment. 

A Selfie while waiting for Elder Nelson's Arrival

El Faro (The Lighthouse) Missionaries with Elder Nelson

We went flying back to Le Seu to prepare for Ramon's baptism.  Now keep in mind that this little branch has not had a baptism for 8 months. Ramon, who is originally from Nicaragua, has been investigating the church for nearly 8 years.  His 9-year-old daughter was baptized last year but he could not because of the complex laws, was not able get married.  He made a most courageous decision to leave the relationship and be baptized as an example for his daughter.  He has a degree in agronomy and will be a strong priesthood leader. It was a sacred experience as we held our pool-side baptismal service.  Elder Fowers was blessed with the opportunity to baptize him with 35 members and 5 investigators in attendance.  Sister Fowers is pictured leading the music barefoot (one of the pool deck rules) for the service.

Ramon and daughter, Fabiana and Elders Cullimore and Graham

At poolside, before the service. 

Hermana Fowers leading the singing.

 After we had been nourished by the spirit of that meeting we all retired to the farmhouse for a joyous celebration of Ramon's commitment in fellowship and rejoicing. 

Andorra Branch celebrating with Ramon

Feasting...

On our drive to Barcelona, we stopped at a quaint little roadside stop and found this little picnic table formed into mushrooms.  They dotted the hillside so we felt like we were wondering through and enchanted forest. Nearby is the headwaters of a natural spring where all the people would gather to pass the hot Spanish summers in Solsona.

Picnic in the Enchanted Forest

Our blog wouldn't be complete without a few shots of our majestic Pyrenees.

On our drive to Barcelona

We love our service, even though we encounter days that are very challenging. It was a great blessing this week to stop and contemplate the profound blessing it is to be members of a viable, living, church that is restored with power and authority from God; where the heavens are open and we are being directed by his prophets.  How blessed we are to be part of this great work! 

Mucho Amor y Bendiciones,

Elder and Hermana Fowers