Spring has Sprung

Querida Familia y Amigos,

I am finally warm.  After a very long winter, it has been a blessing to going walking in the mornings without 4 layers coats and scarves.  I have so enjoyed the sunshine on my back and the stunning array of wildflowers.

It seems that spring has finally sprung, but there are no guarantees here in Le Seu.  We got some flowers planted in the window boxes and Elder Fowers, Jose Luis and the Elders spent much of yesterday afternoon replanting the tomatoes and peppers that got killed in the last frost.  The locals tell us it is safe to plant, so with a bit of faith and determination we have the garden up and going.  When it starts to produce we will have enough for the whole branch!

Reflection in the Farmhouse Window

Planting the Garden--Again.

Farm Boys... Elder Domingues and Elder Bown

Our new missionary, Elder Domigues arrived on Wednesday. He is a native of Brazil and comes from the southern city of Curitiba.  His first language is Portuguese, but he is very fluent in both English and Spanish.  He is joining our long-time, beloved Elder Bown.  We expect great things from this new companionship, especially since they will be living in Andorra.  Yes, that is right! We finally were able to secure an apartment for the Elders in Andorra after months of struggling to get through the very prohibitive “red-tape” of the Andorran government and biased apartment owners.  They are scheduled to move on May 15, unless they find some obscure regulation that will cause the contract to fall out yet again.  If all goes well, it will be a great boon to our little Andorra group!

Since we didn’t have Elders in town on our preparation day, we spent most of the day out in the garden and catching up on household chores.  The wind kicked up in the afternoon, but we still decided to do exploring.  There is an old dirt road that we walk by nearly every time we exercise, that we had never followed.  So we took our little red Prius off-roading!  After several kilometers of hairpin switchbacks we came upon a very old farmhouse that was in varied stages of collapse.  I expect it was built sometime in the late 1800’s.   The most intriguing find was the old wine press and wooden wine barrels that we discovered in the basement.  Elder Fowers spent some time trying to figure out how he could get the barrel home to but in the back of his Model AA truck. It was so big that I don’t think it would be possible to could get it through the door. 

Collapsed Roof of Barn

Evidence of Rugged Pioneers

Number 17

Detail of Upper Window

Enormous Old Wine Barrel

On the way home we ran into an old sheepherder leading his sheep up into the mountains. I was intrigued to see the sheep dogs running ahead while all the sheep followed obediently behind.  As the procession passed by I noticed this shepards' weather beaten face displaying a huge smile.  He was joyfully at his work, not a care in the world, content with his life.  He carried a night blanket, an umbrella and a few utensils. He would bed down with his herd.    "And the sheep know their master...The Good Shepard."

Local Sheepherder Heading up the Mountain

Other than that, Elder Fowers has had interviews nearly every evening this week in order to get everyone ready for our temple trip that is coming up Thursday, May 11.  The number is still in flux, but it looks like we will have at least 21 but maybe as many as 24, depending on if they can arrange to miss a day of work.   Keep in mind that our average attendance on Sunday is about 28, so nearly every single member has not only prepared their own family names to take to the temple (thanks to Bette), but have prepared themselves to be worthy to go to enter the temple.  Many of our members who could not have sponsored their own trip, can now go due to the generous donation of our dear friends.  This truly is a branch miracle!  More details to follow, in our next blog.

We rejoice in the light.  Not only the spring sun on our shoulders as we work in the garden, but the light of Christ that guides our lives and the Spirit that enlightens our minds. How blessed we are to have so many that share their love and support.  We feel your prayers.

Much Amor,

Elder y Hermana Fowers