Stepping up in Service

Querida Familia y Amigos,

The distance from La Seu to Andorra is about 10 miles.  The winding highway passes through the great Pyrenees mountains. The canyon river is lined with lush greenery and a beautiful racing river.  Last Monday on our preparation day, we decided to hike a waterfall trail that we have had our eye on for several months.  It was very steep and rugged so we couldn't get too far, but the view was worth the effort.  These mountains never cease to amaze us!

Rugged Waterfall in Andorra

Nearly impassable trail.

Hermana Fowers followed aunt Terry’s example and baked us some hot panitas (rolls) this week.  Who can refuse a visit when they open their doors to a platter of hot rolls?  Along with bread, we were armed with scriptures and had the opportunity to share as few insights with our members.

 A recent referral motivated us to drive to Puigcerda this week which is a village that is about 45 minutes from the farmhouse but still in our branch boundaries.  An less active member's wife was interested in learning about his faith.  They were motived by their two young daughters.  So... we took our current Elders to teach them and support they couple of members that we have in that community.  We stopped to eat lunch at this beautiful park.

Afternoon sun glistening across the water.

Center Park Lake developed in 1268

Thursday evening we held a movie night for the members in Andorra (Of course, we forgot to take pictures). We gathered at the Hotel Centric where our Sunday meetings are held, to viewed Ephriam’s Rescue (in Spanish).  We had 15 attend including three new people.  Hermana Maria Louisa brought some exotic dish from her native Peru, which turned out to be a full course meal. I guess they don’t settle for popcorn in Peru.  The movie had excellent translation that helped our new members understand the trials and faith of the early pioneers.  What a blessing to spend the evening with a group of members who are so happy to just be together as saints.

Anytime we have a member fulfill their calling, it is a sweet blessing for both them and us. We went to visit Anita on Tuesday and she already had a detailed outline for her Gospel Principles lesson for the next Sunday. Sister Mari gave her very first talk in church today and she has been a member all her life but is very shy and hesitant.   Our Mujeres Jovenes (Young Women) have been blessed by the service of their new Young Women’s President, Hermana Cecilia.  They were each presented with their Personal Progress book at activity this week.  Hermana Fowers then taught they how to make a simple skirt so they can sew their own modest clothing. We continue to try to train, teach and motivate our leaders to step up in service and promise them great blessings if they do so. 

Mujeres Jovenes

First Sewing Class

President Hernandez, our Stake President, visited both our Le Seu Branch and Andorra group today teaching profound doctrine about the Santa Cena (Sacrament) which must become the heart of our worship. He admonished our members to a higher level of worship and conversion.  It gave me pause to think about the love and grace of our Savior Jesus Christ.  What a sweet blessing it is every week it is to remember Him, recommit our lives to Him and promise to continue in His work.  Not until we sincerely and worthily partake of the sacrament every week, do our lives really change.  President Hermandez has become a great friend to Elder Fowers and his words touched us deeply.

We have been looking forward for some time to the visit of Amy and family.  They flew into Barcelona last night, so we drove down after our Sunday meetings yesterday (thus the reason for the late blog).  When we arrived the girls were already asleep but what a sweet reunion with Amy and Rick.  It is a long way to bring three little girls, but Hermana Fowers was beyond excited to have a few days with her daughter and sweet little Molen nietas.

Sweet Reunion!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder y Hermana Fowers

Sharing the Light...

Querida Familia y Amigos,

Congratulations to Kevin and Kathy, my dear sister, at the completion of their mission to Bohol, Philippines.  We are so proud of their faithful service.  You have changed many lives and touched many hearts.  GO WELL, as you return home!

As many of you may know, in my past life I was an administrator of charter schools.  Just before our first mission to Africa, I helped launch the Goethe International Charter School in L.A. along with a team of dedicated board members.  John Mora is one of those founding board members and has since moved to Austria.  He contacted me months ago and we have kept in touch.  I extended an invitation to come visit us in Spain, so in route to his summer vacation in Valencia he and his family spent a few days with us in Le Seu.

Lunch with Goethe Friends

 

View of Fortress from Restaurant

Besalú Cathedral

Ornate Column of the 13th Century

 Impressive Metal Gate and Bridge into Castle

Several of the Goethe parents had made plans to meet in the quaint little village of Besalú, España.  They invited us to join them for lunch.  It worked out wonderfully.  We were able to gather with old Goethe friends for lunch, explored the drawbridge and fortress of Besalú and then guide the Mora family through the treacherous mountains roads of the Pyrenees back to the farmhouse.  We had one more day to catch us on the happenings of our lives since we parted in 2011, while exploring the beauties of Andorra.

John Mora and Family

Amazing old Cathedral and Monestary

Cecila continues to press forward with her calling as Young Women’s President.  After recently returning to the faith, she is in 100% to help the “Mujeres Jovenes” stay on the path and have spiritual experiences.  They are all working together to launch the Personal Progress program.  Her example of faith, along with her sister Emily is a bright light for these young women.

Mujeres Jovenes Progressing Together

Now when Elder Fowers goes out to work in the garden the corn has grown taller than Elder so I can’t see him when he is working in his garden. He has to work really hard to get all the produce distributed to the members and of course, it is impossible to keep ahead of the zucchini.  We also had to slaughter a couple of chickens this week, with the heaviest weighing in at 4.5 kilos! Speaking of garden...Elder Fowers checking out the tobacco crop in Andorra.

Just like Hooper...hasn't lost the touch.

This week I helped a young unmarried couple get off the street and into an apartment.  They have a 3 month old baby and are both unemployed.  As I got to know them I shared a few doctrines from our church.  Among other things they were worried about baptizing their baby not having any money to pay the priest. I told them that young children are innocent and pure, as Christ declared in the New Testament.  As such baptism of a pure child is unnecessary in God's eyes. I could see the light in their eyes glow as they agreed.  The young man is helping weed our garden in return for the assistance given. I will continue to teach truth between the corn rows. Perhaps this garden will bear spiritual fruit.

Elder Fowers checking out the tobacco crop in Andorra.

Often times, lost sheep aren’t really lost.  We know exactly where they live, but they are very lost.  However, we spend nearly all of our time seeking God’s lost sheep.  Those who were at one point warm in the faith, but now they wandering around in the darkness of this world.  Our job is really pretty simple…to shine our light of testimony bright enough to help them find their way back.  The reasons for their inactivity are varied...everything from being offended to being lazy.  Addictions, immorality, depression, broken families are all powerful tools of Satan. Some are burdened with financial worries or required to work on Sunday.  Some recognize the spirit immediately when we visit and desire to return, while others want nothing to do with us, or the message we share.  So every time we knock on a door of one of these lost ones, we are sharing God’s love. It is really His invitation not ours.

Have a wonderful week.  Take time to count your blessings and share your light.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder y Hermana Fowers

Whirlwind...Busy Brings Joy

Querida Familia y Amigos,

We sat down on Monday morning to take a look at our week and to plan out our many responsibilities and activities.  It looked like we were in for a wild ride.  It turned out to be just that!  With lessons and talks to prepare (and for me it takes hours to prepare and give a lesson in Spanish), houseguests for four days, a youth cookout to organize and zone meals to prepare for 105 missionaries in Barcelona and a special “Progreso Personal” program for our Young Women all before the next Sunday.  We were on a dead run every minute.

Monday was the calm before the storm with a quick bread-making lesson for Anita.  It was sweet to watch the extended Moreno family (many of which that are less active) gather to enjoy the smell and taste of hot rolls right out of the oven.  While I was giving bread-making lessons, Elder Fowers was working with Lluís to help him to prepare his first talk for Sacrament Meeting and Anita to prepare her first Gospel Principles lesson.  They are alive with the spirit and it is joy just to be with them!

We invited the Lundbergs, a senior couple for the island of Ibiza along with her sister Josie and husband Mike to stay in our home for a few days while they explored the wonders of Andorra.  They arrived on Tuesday evening late, and we were able to feast on one of gigantic chickens.  The next day, we spend a few hours with them before our youth activity and showed them some of our favorite haunts.  We get a kick out of watching their reaction as we share the majesty of the Pyrenees that have so beloved to us.

 

Monestary de Sant Serni de Tavernoles with Lundbergs

12th Century Bridge

Lunchbreak

View from the Vallnord Ski Resort

Meet Ramon.  He is a lifetime resident of Ars, a little community located in the tops of the Pyrannese Mountains near the Andorra border with Spain. Ramon is 87 old and has never married, neither have his two brothers. He seldom leaves the mountain and was  sheepherder/farmer from a forgotten generation.  Even though cataracts cloud his eyes, his mind is a history book detailing the rugged lifestyle of his folks. We talked about the war years as many were driven through this area to escape Franco's army in 1936. One can learn so much talking with these of the greatest generation.

Ramon...as old as the mountains.

On Wednesday we held our first youth activity in Cortades de Encamp, a camp ground located near the top of the ski lift on a mountain overlooking Andorra.  We had 8 youth and 4 adults join us for water games, hiking and a campfire complete with hot dogs and S'mores. I gave the campfire message as the sun dropped below the mountains.  I think we have started a youth program that will influence young lives for the better.  What our youth need today are mentors who provide solid examples of righteousness.  I related to them the story of my sister Holly who suffered as a teenager with leukemia and how her passing affected my life and testimony of God's mercy. 

Beautiful Venue

Building strength together.

First time to cook hot dogs over a campfire.

We left the house to the Lundbergs and took off for Barcelona at 5:30 on Thursday morning...

Early Morning Drive

in order to arrive in Hospitalet early enough to make boat loads (four gigantic crock pots full) of sweet and sour pork.  With Brammers’ help were able to provide a delicious meal for the Zaragoza and Hospitalet Zones.  The next day was a repeat, with the Streeters as our helpers for the Barcelona/Badalona missionaries, for a total of 105 missionaries.    They were fed both physically, with mountains of rice and sweet and sours, but even more so spiritually by President and Hermana Dayton and the Ayudantes (assistants to the President). We all left the Zone Conference satiated; rejoicing in the great spirit of our righteous missionaries and leaders. 

Kitchen Help...the Fowers and the Brammers

...and the Streeters

Zaragoza and Hospitalet Zones

We returned home late Friday evening and the Lundbergs left the next morning to return to their responsibilities on the island.  We followed them out the door to participate in a special program, taught by a Stake Young Women’s Counselor to introduce the Personal Progress program to our young women.  In the little branches of the church, programs that have been implemented for many years in our wards back home are often lacking.  Though they had heard of them, they do not have the human resources to actually execute the program or understand the scope of its impact on the Young Women.  Our beloved new, Young Women’s President, Cecilia is determined to give her little flock the blessings of the entire program.

And here we are on Sunday, having just returned from our double meetings— Le Seu Branch in the morning and Andorra group in the afternoon.  Elder Fowers spoke in both meetings because our speakers dropped out the last minute and I taught primary.  I can actually produce enough simple Spanish to fool the six-year olds while the 10 year-old helps to correct my pronunciation. We are a bit weary.  But being tired in the service of our God is remarkably sweet!

Please forgive the travelogue this week...a long list of activities.  I am always at a lose for words as I try to capture the spirit of these events.  Those who have shared these moments with us...Sarah, Bette, Jeanette will understand how elusive the expression our feelings really are.  When we are sitting in our tiny group meeting of 13 people, and our eyes well with tears and our hearts expand with a burning joy...there simply are not words.  When we stand around a campfire and share Americano S'mores with our expanding youth group while we share our testimonies...there are not words that adequately describe the feelings of that moment.  When our new members accept and fulfill callings, we feel like proud parents... but words do not do articulate the feelings in our hearts.  So as you read the travelogue consider that every activity, visit and event provides a sacred moment during which the spirit can witness to their hearts.  We want to tell you all, that we are here in Andorra on the Lord's errand.  Everything we do is an expression of our love for our Savior, but every feeling that fills us, is an expression of His love and approval of our service.

Bendiciones a todos,

Los Fowers

BLESSED...

Hola Familia y Amigos,

Yesterday my late brother-in-law, Lon Hansen was inducted posthumously into the Weber County Cowboy Hall of Fame at a ceremony that took place in the Union Train Station in Odgen, Utah.  Marie, his wife and my younger sister, received the award and belt buckle while friends and family gathered in admiration of this achievement.  In our world today it seems like much of the public recognition, awards and praise often go to those that are undeserving of such, thus rendering the recognition meaningless.  For Lon this was certainly not the case.  He was so talented in many areas of the true cowboy spectrum.  In retrospect, it was best for me to leave the farm, so Lon could have a venue to build and share his creativity with so many.  I could not have asked for a better brother-in-law. His memory will live on through the numerous artistic creations he left behind.

Marie Hansen honoring an amazing man...her beloved Lon.

We are so proud of all of our kids.  We know that our family has been blessed as we have served here is Spain.  We are deeply grateful and humble as we watched from a distance.  We can't begin to list the blessings, large and small, in the lives of our kids and grandkids as they have flourished in our absence.  We would like to recognize our youngest son Jesse; he is entering the work force after decades of higher education. He will be working with a public utility company in Baltimore calculating electricity demand.  You might say it is a step or two up from a lineman’s job and certainly better than driving a sweeper truck.  We are proud and excited for him.

Last Monday night at our farmhouse we held the first introductory class for our temple preparation seminars with the goal to prepare seven people to receive their endownments in the Madrid Temple in December.  Hermana Lasley has worked over 25 years in the temple both in San Diego and Minnesota. What better teacher for our little branch?  She carries such a sweet spirit as she helped them understand the sacred and special edifices we call temples.  Others members also attended. Hermana Fowers baked hot rolls served with fresh peach jam and homemade cheese from our neighbor’s cows.  It was a heavenly treat to talk about heavenly things. We also added to the discussion by describing how our temple sealing will assure us of raising our son Justin some day, which brings us immense comfort.  After the fireside, we all gathered for a picture and then stepped outside to enjoy the cool evening and to admire our garden.  There was a feeling of peace and no one wanted to leave.  We know that the little branch will be strengthened greatly if these seven members can prepare themselves for the temple and continue in faithfulness.  Our mission will have been accomplished.

Temple Preparation Fireside

Since arriving in Spain I have kept one new white shirt in its original wrappings thinking I would use it later.  However, when I ordained Jordi last week with the Aaronic Priesthood, I knew it was time to put the shirt to good use.  Today he is the proud owner of a new, imported white shirt, but moreover he is a proud priesthood holder passing the sacrament for the first time.  He was emotional as he placed the tray for me to partake of the bread.  There were only 11 in the chapel today, which made it even more intimate. This was a sweet blessing to see him pass as Rui blessed the sacrament for the first time—two less-active men, now honoring their priesthood and fulfilling their duties.  Reactivation is a sweet part of missionary work.

Prepared for his Priesthood Duties

On Wednesday we took Hermana Lasley back to Barcelona for the final three days in Spain.  We toured the Sagrada Familia, the Barcelona Cathedral, Christopher Columbus monument and the seaport.  We overheard many different languages as we walked down the main Rambla that was packed with tourist from all over the world.  We ate lunch just off the main Rambla overlooking and old ancient Roman burial site.  Some of the headstones went back to 8 AD. The antiquity of Spain never ceases to amaze me. It was difficult to say goodbye to such a sweet friend who touched the hearts of so many in just three short weeks.

Elder and Hermana Lasley enjoying the Sagrada Familia

Delighted!

Tourists with Christopher Columbus in the background.

Barcelona Cathedral

The most important work that we do is one on one.  We filled much of our time with visits to individual members, nurturing them in their own homes as we try to impart our love for them and help them understand the greater love of their Savior.  However, never do we intrude on these relationships by pulling out our camera for a photo.  I fear that you only see the "fluff" in our blog every week, and not the intimate work we do "in the trenches" with our dear friends as we serve them one on one. We come away from each encounter feeling like we are the ones who have been blessed.

Con Mucha Amor,

Elder and Hermana Fowers

Building One Brick at a Time

Querida Familia y Amigos,

I seem to have been designated as the author of our blog.  By the time we get home from our double-header meetings…one in Le Seu and one in Andorra we are pretty thrashed, but President Fowers isn’t done for the day.  After a quick bite he goes back to the “capilla” to meet with his counselor and take care of tithing.  So as it turns out, I generally write the blog while he his gone.

One of our goals for this summer is to try to help the members get into the habit of participating in some kind of activity every week.  So we have scheduled something special week, either for the youth or the entire branch.  This week we planned an pot-luck Branch Dinner (Cena de Rama).  We just wanted to create a forum for our members to get together and enjoy each other’s company.  To avoid the heat we didn’t start until after 8:00 p.m. so we all enjoyed the sunset together.

Cena de Rama at the Farmhouse

Hermana Jeanette Lasley really didn’t come to be a tourist, but rather to have a mission experience.  We have kept her very busy.  She has spoken in Sacrament meeting (twice), taught the Youth Sunday School Class, become my ever-ready visiting teaching partner and given powerful testimonies.  Her last responsibility before she goes home this week, was to present a special fireside on Temples.  We have 6 members that are preparing to attend the temple this December for their own endowment.  Hermana Lasley gave a beautiful lesson on the joy, spirit and purpose of the temple to the group in Andorra and will do a repeat tomorrow evening for our Le Seu members.

Between our busy work schedule, we did get to see a few touristy sites including the church, bridge and ice well in ARFA, Aristot with its magnificent mountain-top vistas and the ancient Bastida church. 

ARISTOT, the top of the world.

Sweet Friend at ARFA Bridge

Just the Right Size...for the miniature ice well door.

Church of the Week--Village of Bastida

Elder Domingues was made the District Leader for the Lleida District this past transfer so he organized a preparation day activity with his district to spend a bit of time in Andorra.  We didn’t have much time, but we did a bit of exploring of a very old bridge and church in La Massana before we shared a quick lunch together at a roadside picnic spot.  Our missionaries are a hard working group that deserves a fun day in the backwoods of Andorra, which is the perfect formula relax and revitalize them to press forward in the work.

Lleida District together High on a Mountain Top

Hoorah for Israel!

Hermanas Anderson and Clark

Roadside Picnic

Today was special for me ( Elder Fowers).  I was able to ordain Jordi to the Aaronic Priesthood.  He is 60 years old, and has been a member for about 5 years now.  He has been going through a difficult divorce and custody battle for his 6 year old son.  He has spent a couple of nights sleeping at our home. Amid all of this turmoil in his life, he has turned back to God, become active in the church  and is bringing his son to primary. He gave a wonderful talk in Sacrament meeting on Father's Day.  I believe reactivation work is what many are called to in these troubled last days.  We feel such joy in seeing them come back and become stronger than before.  Zion is built one brick at a time.  Today we added another brick.

In our wanderings this week we ran into this Escuela National, built in 1923 in the little village town of Bastida.  Oh how I wish I could have wandered through the classrooms, but the doors we locked.  Every afternoon this week, big old thunderstorms have come rumbling through.   We have had such magnificent pictures of clouds…here are a couple of our favorites.

Escuela Nacional

Bygone Years

Thunderhead

View out farmhouse window.

Every week as we write this quick snapshot of our weekly happenings, we always feel so incredibly blessed to be entrusted with the care of this humble, tiny Branch in a hidden corner of His kingdom.  But we find it really isn't hidden from His watchful eye...we see miracles everyday. If you just take a moment to reflect, you will notice them in your lives as well.

Con Mucho Amor,

Los Fowers