On the Road Again...Bilbao

Querido Familia y Amigos,

Our week has been filled with travel.  During the past week we have spent dozens of hours traveling by foot, car, bus and train.  Interestingly, Andorra is part of the Zaragoza Zone, which requires that we travel to Bilbao for any special conferences with General Authorities, rather than to Barcelona.  We can drive to Barcelona in less than two hours, weather permitting; but it takes us 8 hours to go to Bilbao, which is on the western coast of Spain above Portugal.  This past week was a tri-zone mission conference at which our area authority, Patrick Kearon would be presiding.  For this trip we decided to drive the two hours to Lleida and join the young Elders and Hermanas and take the train.  All was well until about hours two into the trip when the train broke down on the tracks.  We sat for two hours waiting for repairs.  They were finally able to get the train repaired enough to limp us into a station where we were loaded onto buses to finish our journey to Bilbao.  What was supposed to be a five-hour trip turned out to be more than ten hours, arriving in Bilbao at 2:00 a.m.  Our dear hosts, the Rohdes, another senior couple, were at the station to meet us.

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Missionaries still smiling after hours of delay.

Elder Kearon brings such light and energy when he teaches.  Even though we spent most of our time in the kitchen with the Rohdes preparing the luncheon for 56 missionaries, we would slip into the training from time to time.  During these snippets of time, he spoke exactly the words we needed to hear, reminding us that our offering of time and exertion is acceptable to the Lord, even if we do not see immediate results of our efforts.  Then he spoke directly to the senior couples and thanked us for our service…”thank you for having the faith to launch yourself out of the Lazyboy into the unknown, willing to serve wherever you are needed.”  He then expressed the great concern of the brethren, that currently they have less than half of the senior missionaries needed worldwide.  If you are even remotely thinking about serving a senior mission, just do it! It will be the best experience of your life.

Being instructed in the spirit by Elder Kearon

Elder Kearon, President and Hermana Dayton

Sweet Hermanas

Happy Missionaries

While in Bilbao, we decided to stay an extra day and tour around Bilbao.  We walked miles and miles through the old city, visiting a hanging bridge, exploring a tenth century church, and capping off our adventures by spending a few hours wandering around the world famous Guggenheim Museum. The architectural design and construction was mind boggling. (Brad how we wish you could have been there with us!)  Bilbao is a beautiful port city with an eclectic, charming mix of antiquity and modern.  Beyond that, we were delighted to spend time with our dear friends the Rohdes who lifted our spirits with their sweet hospitality.

Sharing a meal with the Rohdes

Evening Walk on the Boardwalk

Calsida Iturrizar Capillla built in 1492

Magnificent Architecture

Busy Port of Bilbao

Bizkaia Hanging Bridge 1893

 This bridge is one of six in the world and is the oldest major hanging bridge in the world.  It is like a giant zip line with a trolley suspended by cables that is capable of carrying about 8 average cars and some 60 people. We boarded for about 80 cents and zipped to the other side suspended about 25 feet above the river.

Guggenheim Museum

 Inside we toured the three main floors where renowned artists works are on display. A new contemporary art exhibition just opened with works from many US artist dating from the early 1900's.  Almost more than the art and sculptures is the structure itself.  There is not one straight wall or line in the whole museum. Definitely it is an engineering and architectural marvel.  

Interior View

Every day we pray to find to know our next steps, after all it is not our work, it is God's work. We want to testify that He is at the helm continually nudging us through the spirit to reach out and touch lives. 

Hasta luego con amor, desde nuestra Andorra hermoso...

On top the Aristot Mountain

Our Love to All
Elder y Hermana Fowers