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