Madrid or Bust

Querida Familia y Amigos,

We had to say goodbye to Bette this week, but not without one last training.  We had made plans to take her see the Sagrada Familia on her last day in Spain.  The Stake President caught wind of our plans and requested that we stop by the Manresa Branch (about an hour out of Barcelona) to teach a family history workshop.  We expected just a few members but Bette, with translation help from Elder Fowers, taught a very informative workshop to a very attentive group of 14 members from that little branch. 

Giving a mini workshop at Manresa

After making arrangements to stay at the mission home, we just barely made our 4:00 p.m. reservations at the Sagrada Familia.  The afternoon sun shining through the stained glass window was breathtaking.  It was a very special way to show our appreciation for all the Bette did to service the members of our little branch.  We then took a bit of a tour of the town in a Pedi cab, which dropped us at excellent Italian restaurant on the waterfront—a perfect day for Bette to complete her whirlwind two week mission! 

Bette at Barcelona Cathedral

Beautiful Stained Glass Windows

Sagrada Familia~Stunning!

Pedi Cab to the Barcelona Harbor

After placing Bette safely to the plane on Tuesday we took a leisurely drive home with a spontaneous side trip to the ancient city of Bellver.  We spent an hour or so exploring an old fortress and church that was perched on the top of a cliff overlooked a pristine river valley. It was like walking into the past with new construction wrapped around the ancient structures.

Exploring Old Bellver Church

Spanish Civil War cave hideout (1930's)

Bellver is surrounded by the Pyrenees Mountains

In a nearby field, we watched newborn colts nurse their mothers amid the green spring pastures.  Most of these meat horses will be shipped to France.

Spring pasture for the meat horses

After our intense work, we caught our breath and regrouped; returning to many of our weekly routines.  A home-cooked meal at the farmhouse goes a long way to open the hearts of the members to gospel truths.  We have a couple of standing appointments each week.  Wednesday night we have a special priesthood training session with Rui and Jose Luis after a hot dinner.  On Thursday, we invited Shane and the missionaries for lunch after which we discuss gospel topics.  Somehow the doctrines of the gospel are sweeter when served up after dessert!

The feast at the Fowers Farmhouse

Remember the sweet little baby chicks that a friend gave me for my birthday?  Well, they have GROWN!  We ended up with two hens and two roosters (which will likely end up in the soup pot). We moved them in with laying hens this week and oh my what a cock fight!  After about an hour, we decided to build a little enclosure to protect the smaller hens from the our aggressive “Big Red” hen. 

Baby chicks are now "teenagers"

Jose Luis and Elder Fowers spend several hours planting last week…tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, onions and etc.  Well, the temperature dropped way below freezing a couple of nights this week and froze all the peppers and tomatoes.  The old wives’ tale here is that you “Don’t plant until May 40^th, which is actually June 10. We planted way too early, so we will give it another go in a couple of weeks.  Veronica and her children came and put in a few rows of plants yesterday, so we have our fingers crossed that they will survive.

Helping the members plant their gardens

Today is St. George Day.  The legend goes that St. George slayed a ferocious dragon and saved the Princess.  A red rose grew from the blood of the dragon and so St. George gave it to the Princess.  So on St. George day, you are to give your sweetheart a red rose and she in return should give you a book.  What better book than the Book of Mormon.  After church services in Andorra this afternoon our missionaries handed out about 50 free Books of Mormon on the street! 

Elder Barron spreading the word

Elder Bown placing another BoM in downtown Andorra

To conclude this week I want to share a few more details about of temple trip miracle.  As I mentioned, Bette’s family history mini-mission was a direct result of a very specific inspiration I received when I was praying about how to help our branch.  Her work here has truly been miraculous…but the story doesn’t end there.  After building enthusiasm for family history and getting the members excited about our upcoming trip to the temple, we were then concerned about financing the trip.  It appeared that it was going to cost about 65-75 euros per person to charter a bus to the Madrid Temple.  Even though many of our members had found their ancestors and prepared names for ordinances, we knew that many of them would not have the money to pay for the trip.  Out of the blue, we received an email from a couple dear family members (who wish to remain anonymous) informing us that they felt strongly that they needed to contribute more to our missionary efforts, so without consulting with us, they made a significant deposit in our bank account.  It was enough to cover the entire cost of the bus!  God truly does work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.  We are deeply grateful for the generosity in both time and money to make this trip possible…MADRID or BUST!

We are grateful to be serving in this little outpost in Spain/Andorra.  Sometimes it is difficult and we wish we could change peoples hearts faster. Each has his own agency and all we can do is invite, testify and promise blessings to those who respond to our invitation. Some have responded to our message, which give us incentive and hope to press forward.  May we all press forward and "lift where we stand" as we prepare the world for His Coming.

Much Amor,

Elder and Hermana Fowers