And then there were THREE!

Greetings from the heartland of Catalonia. 

We continue to press forward spinning several platters simultaneously.  We have had a few marathon days in a row and things won’t slow down until after Tuesday when Hermana will have prepared and served lunch for 110 missionaries in two days.  Additionally, on June 20 we have been asked by the mission president to host the senior couples conference here in Le Seu and Andorra.  Our first task was to find countryside hotel big enough to accommodate 11 couples.  Our investigations lead us to the hilltop communities of Estamarui and Bescaran where we found churches that dated back to the 1100’s.  Mountainside terrace rock walls are never ending.  It is hard to imagine the manual labor required to stack so many rocks.

Terraces of Bescaran...Stunning!

We stopped by the monastery San Serni Tavernoles.  Over half of the building has fallen down however the arches remain in place after 1000 years. What a great object lesson on the keystone in the dozens of arches that we explored.

Old Rock Church in Bescaran

Beautiful deep gorge and rushing waterfalls.

Arches of San Serni Tavernoles

Much of this week was spent assisting the missionaries in teaching and preparing three youth for baptism.  This was a first for the branch.  There has never been three baptisms in one week in the Andorra Branch.

Heyser Flores the 8-year-old child of Veronica Flores  was prepared by the missionaries and interviewed by me.  He is the oldest of three Flores boys who love to come to the farmhouse and play. Heyser is setting the example for his younger brothers and his non-member father who is slowly gaining interest in the church.

Elder Fowers and Heyser

Hermana Veronica, Heyser, Henri and Marc

Our second baptism was 18-year-old, Daiana None Silverio the older sister of Dariana y Arianny who were baptized a few months ago. She is shy but is training to become an airline stewardess.  Their parents are very supportive of their daughters and are beginning to show interest in their daughters’ new-found religion.

Daiana joins her younger sisters, with Elders Bown and Domingues

Glorious Day!

Our third baptism was 13-year-old Lluís Antoni Lamas Toro.  I had the privilege of performing the baptism but even more special was to look up from the water and see his mother and grandmother beaming with joy. Lluís’s grandmother, Ana Marie has come back to the church since we opened the new group in the country of Andorra.  His mom, Anita’s spark was rekindled by the family history work we did with Bette and has come back with full commitment.  She even spoke at the baptism and gave a beautiful talk with scriptures, doctrine and testimony.  It was her first talk ever. I was totally impressed. She is courageous in her determination to stop smoking, become active in the church and raise her son to become a missionary someday. This is an amazing reconversion of a mother who left the church for 20+ years and has only returned two weeks ago.  The grandmother, Ana Maria held true to the faith even with no church to attend.  To see her grandson baptized was a direct blessing from keeping her temple covenants. Lluís  is anxious to learn and grow in the church.

Rejoicing with Lluís

Lluís with Grandmother and Mom

After the baptismal service we had a big celebration at our farmhouse.  Hermana Fowers cooked 15 pounds of chicken with the members bringing side dishes.  Two other reasons for the party, Mothers Day in Bolivia, and farewell to Shane Burke, our recent convert who will be returning to Ireland.  I have already talked with his new Bishop to encourage him to keep him strong.

Celebrating Together

I taught seminary today, while Hermana Fowers did some “pinch-hitting” with an adlib lesson in primary.  She is working hard to try to train some future primary leaders.

Andorra Primary

Today we had 14 in attendance in our Andorra group.  We feel a strong spirit from the members there.  Sometimes the Lord is more involved in the work than we realize.  Last week the missionaries left their new apartment in Andorra.  As they walked along the riverside boardwalk they noticed a lady staring down at the river in seemingly deep thought.  They engaged her in conversation.  She told them it was a difficult day for her, the sixth anniversary of the son’s death.  She also told them that she had just then been praying to find a church, the true church, when the Elders walked up.  They invited her to attend with us on Sunday.  Today she came and stayed for both meetings.  We sat by her and explained a little about the church.  She left with a good spirit and wants to return.  We hope to fill the void in her soul.   The Lord is involved more than we will ever comprehend in the salvation of each and everyone his children.  “This my work and glory to bring to pass immortality and eternal life of man.”  Moses 1:39

Con todo nuestro amor,

Elder  and Hermana Fowers

From the Heart of Catalonia