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