A Mighty Change of Heart

Hola Mis Familias y Amigos,

Hemos tenido una semana fantástica!  (We had a fantastic week!)…Not because the work has changed, but rather we are beginning to change.  We have spent a great deal of time analyzing  our motives and have had wonderful spiritual insights that have changed our view of the work we are doing here. Thanks kids for your counsel and encouragement. As it says in Mosiah…”a might change of heart.”  We have come to understand, more clearly than ever before that our work is really about “the one”, rather than the administration of the branch.  We zeroed in our efforts this week on how to better serve individuals. 

Gladys, for example, joined the church with her father more than ten years ago in the Dominican Republic.  Both she and her father were fully immersed in the joy of the gospel and the bonds of fellowship in their ward.  After a few years however, returned to his vise and became an alcoholic with confrontations with church leaders. When he left the church, his young daughter left with him.  She then moved to Spain with her non member mother and brother and has been living in Le Seu for some years with occasional visits from missionaries.  We decided to visit with her this week and really understand her journey and her feelings towards the church.  The Elders had brought her a copy of the Himnos as a gift because she said that she loved the music of the church.  We opened our Ipads and played “Oh Esta Todo Bien” (Come, Come ye Saints) and her eyes welled with tears and she couldn’t speak for joy.  During the conversation she told us that she had been excommunicated some time ago in the Dominican Republic and the leaders told her not to come back.

After leaving, Elder Fowers was still really puzzled by the fact that she was listed with a membership number.   So he called the Church confidential records department.  To our delight we found that she WAS NOT excommunicated.  In her young mind, it was apparently a miscommunication between her and local ward leadership.  Oh that you could have been there when she found out that she was a member in good standing and she was welcomed back with open arms.  She was beyond happy!  She came to church today and threw her arms around me and said over and over, “Estoy en mi casa otra vez!” (I am home again.) We may not be able to rescue then all, but we found Gladys.

It is hard to express how difficult it has been for me to be so limited in my ability to speak Spanish.  My gift to teach the gospel has been silenced by my inability to speak…until we met Shane!  Many times in recent weeks I have been blessed to participate fully in teaching the gospel of the restoration to Shane in our home.  Oh, what a blessing to able to teach and testify in English.  It feels like I have been let out of a language prison. Shane was baptized yesterday, and I have never met a man more fully converted or more profoundly taught by the spirit. It was a hallowed experience to watch the spirit work in his heart and mind.  Beyond that, he has joined a congregation with which he can’t communicate, but he knows that he has found truth, and is pressing forward with courage.  We have touched his life but even more so he has changed our hearts. What a joyful day!

Elder Cullimore and Shane Burke Waiting for the Baptism

Deep Thought

Our Adopted Irish Son

Elder Fowers Conducting Services Poolside

After Shane's baptism all came to a celebration at the farmhouse. Here is sister Fowers with Cheita and Gabriela helping her in the kitchen, while I was outside showing everyone my chickens.  Actually the farmhouse is becoming a gathering place where joy and a spirit of fellowship resides.  The members all tired to make Shane feel part of the branch even though few words were exchanged. 

Hermana's Kitchen

It's transfer week and we are losing our beloved Elder Cullimore.  He has been with us since we arrived in the Andorra Branch, always patiently teaching us old-timers all that we needed to know to survive while we settled into our calling.  He is an incredible missionary who never fails to bring the spirit in whatever situation he happens upon.  No matter the challenge, we could count on Elder C. to face it with optimism and determination.  He will be greatly missed.

Goodbye to Elder Cullimore from dear Friends

Each morning we awake to the most beautiful sunrises over the Pyrenees mountains.  This is a picture of our back yard.  A new born calf frolics in the pasture in front of our bedroom window.

Pyrenees Sunrise 

Last week was so challenging, but as we continued in faith and waited upon the Lord, our hearts have begun to change through his tender mercies and insights.  We are grateful for your love and support and most of all your letters of encouragement, it has made such a difference!  We love you all so very much.

Mucho Amor,

Elder and Hermana Fowers