Bounteous Harvest

Querida Familias y Amigos,

Our week started at 4:30 a.m. on Monday morning when our alarm woke us from a sound sleep.  We rushed to get ready and get the car loaded for our regular trip to Barcelona to feed four zones of missionaries during their zone conferences.  Again our load-master, Elder Fowers managed to cram our luggage, two Elders and their luggage and food for 105 missionaries in the back of our tiny Prius Yaris.  The Elders had to travel with melons between their legs.  We had no other couples to helps us this round, but by the end of the luncheon we had a lot of very happy missionaries.  With all the extra zucchini we have in the garden I even made 20 loaves of zucchini bread!  It is such a great blessing to prepare these meals for our El Faro Missionaries each transfer.

Hermana Fowers with Zaragoza Zone Hermanas

Happy Elders!

 It blesses our lives to be among our righteous Elders and Hermanas and feel the strength of their service.  Our Zone Leader, Elder Lightfoot is going home this transfer so we were blessed to hear his parting testimony.  He shared the thought that on the second week of his mission he decided to be happy, no matter how difficult the work.  He taught us that happiness is a choice that comes from obedience.  He was truly a light to all who knew him.

Elder Lightfoot's Farewell Testimony

Our two farm boys, Jose Luis and Elder Fowers are out early every morning harvesting their bounteous crops to give away to friends and family. They have decided that if there are not gardens in heaven, they don’t want to go!

Bounteous Harvest

The absolute highlight of the week was Haloua’s baptism.  She is the 12-year-old daughter of Sonia (the formally less active member we found through facebook).  Without any pressure from her Mom, she has been studying with the Elders and has had a very special spiritual awakening, which led her to the waters of baptism yesterday.  Our beloved Elder Squires baptized her…his first! She is a sweet and intelligent girl who is a wonderful addition to our Andorra Group.  She has already working on Personal Progress and is fully involved with our Young Women’s Program.

Sonia and Haloua...together in the gospel.

Rejoicing...Sonia, Haloua, Elder Squires and Domingues

Andorra Branch at Baptism

Following her baptism, we had our annual branch picnic.  We had it on the calendar long before she selected her baptismal date, so it became a wonderful opportunity for the members to gather and celebrate her baptism and spend the afternoon socializing at the beautiful riverside park.

Youth playing in the river.

Andorra Branch Picnic

Fiesta Major is the local summer celebration for all in and around our city of La Seu d'Urgell. The long running tradition lasts 5 days where the main street is turned into a carnival boardwalk. Parades with loud drum bands occupy the quiet nights. All the restaurants seat their customers into the sidewalks and streets while police block roads. And no one goes to bed till 4:00am. Juan and Carmen our dairy farming neighbors hold a traditional dinner for all of his the family which amounts to about 36 people. Hermana Fowers and I were invited as special guests.  The meal started Saturday night at 10:00p.m. Tapas were spread all over the long table as appetizers, next, several rounds of pork chops, veal steaks and lamb chops were served. Hermana brought some zucchini bread which was a hit.  Carmen purposely seated us next to her mother who speaks slowly and in Spanish. Otherwise Catalan was the free flowing language of the night.  I was getting about 30%.  During the traditional toast, with wine (we held up water), Juan made special mention of us and how we were good neighbors and helped him and Carmen.  We may never bring these people into our church, however, I think our service over the last year has spread a positive message about who we are, and what we believe, as we have served our neighbor. 

Fiesta Major with Juan at the head of the table.

Jenny and Miguel and their sweet daughters have been attending our branch the past few weeks. Miguel was baptized as a youth, but Jenny is not a member.  They live 45 minutes away in Puigcerda and have been studying with the missionaries.  Their daughter Audrey is the latest addition to our Primary nursery.  Today she got brave enough to join the clay play with her little friend Sharlott. 

Miguel, Jenny and daughters at Branch Picnic

Clay play in the Nursery

We do a lot of planting, weeding, watering and harvesting in our little Andorra garden.  Sometimes the seeds we plant don't come up at all, others get choked out by the weeds but there are glorious miracles like we experienced this week and we celebrate a beautiful harvest!

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder y Hermana Fowers

View of sunrise when Elder Fowers got up to milk the cows.

Twists and Turns of Mission Life

Queridas Familias y Amigos,

The weather has been blazing hot here for most of the last month making it hard to walk even early in the morning, but it is finally starting to cool down a bit, so Hermana could get out a do some morning exercise as she hikes the hills.

A view of the farmhouse (center) from nearby hilltop.

In South Africa they are called flats, in the States, apartments and in Spain, pisos .  Part of our assignment as a missionary couple is to insure missionaries are living in clean, comfortable, and appropriate apartments.  We have six such apartments to inspect and keep in good condition.  Our first stop on Tuesday was the Elders apartment in Lleida.  Hermana Fowers jumped right in, giving the “How to get rid of black mold in the shower” lecture, while I scoured the place to replace burned out lightbulbs.  In the kitchen, I asked the Elders why they were not using their dishwasher.  They replied, “Oh, that doesn’t work.” All the Elders before them just hand-washed their dishes.  It took 5 minutes to plug it in and turn the water valve on and presto the dishwasher came to life after years of dormancy.  What a miracle! Scores of previous missionaries had passed down the fable of a broken dishwasher and had endured hand-washing.  I found the same thing at the next piso only this time I literally just had to push the “On” button and presto another dishwasher comes to life. I told the Elders in the future to not to listen to others but get their own testimonies of the dishwasher.  The list went on and on, hot water heater that hadn’t work for six-weeks, a fridge that had an ice block the size of an igloo, shelves that were propped up with books because a leg was broken, etc., etc. Our missionaries just tolerated these problems without complaint!  Needless to say we have a long list of follow-up repairs to take care of.

After inspections we spent the night in Zarangoza and went to dinner to the worst Mexican restaurant ever! On Wednesday, August 16, we  celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary. We would never have dreamed 44 years ago, the unique twists and turns the journey of our lives together have taken.   We have experienced our share of trials and triumphs, but together we have navigated our way through each of them and we still love each other!

The magnificent El Pilar in Zaragoza

We were a long way from Mexico!

In celebration of our 44 years, we decided to take a ½ day and visit Monasterio De Piedra. This monastery was founded by an Italian order of Benedictine monks around 1218.  It is located about one hour out of Zarangoza in small, lush green canyon surrounded by the flat, dry plains of central Spain.  Much of the actual monastery is in ruins now but you can still see elements of it magnificent architecture. The Monastery accommodated about 70 monks who took sacred vows to never leave.  I think that is why they had such an excellent wine producing facility to keep them happy. Along with cattle, row crops and other necessities which were produced in the valley.  Water is supplied by the Piedra River that flows from the plain above and cascades into the isolated valley below.  Water flows over lava and sandstone forming breathtaking falls with crystal clear pools full of hungry trout.  Hermana Fowers did not want to leave the place.  Both the Monastery and the surrounding park was a memory not soon forgotten.

So Beautiful!

Ruins of the Chapel where the monks worshiped.

Amazing arches everywhere.

Wine production...

Tranquilidad!

Glistening in Afternoon Sun

44 Years Together...

We have set the goal to take seven members to the Madrid Temple in December to receive their own investaduras,  (endownments).  We initiated the process when Hermana Lasley was here and are now formally organizing the lessons which we present to a group in Andorra and then later to the Branch in Le Seu…a bit of double-duty, but so important.  Hermana Fowers has been preparing power-point lesson presentations and we gave our first two last week.  If we can realize our goal  to get even half that many to the temple, this branch will be changed and strengthen going forward.  

Temple Prep Powerpoint

Hermana keeps at her Spanish and is getting rather fluent in gospel Spanish, but is still a little timid on the street. She gave another talk in church today and her language flowed really well. I am proud of her.

It is always difficult to talk about the setbacks.  We invite, we teach, they respond for a time, then drop off, we regroup, and go again.  I think that is a senior couples' challenge as they try to rescue the less-active in many places around the world.  I know we are doing all we can, but at times it is not enough and we have to leave it up to the Lord.  I guess we need to relax and realize it is in the Lord own timing and we can only encourage and love...the spirit has to do the rest.  We just get up everyday and try again to reach another lost lamb out there.  This mission we have learned a great deal about ourselves, as we strive to develop charity, a Christlike love for our members.

Con Much Amor,

Los Fowers

Blessings right in our Path

Querida Familia y Amigos,

We had time on Monday for one last hike with the Molen Family.  The girls were not up for too much distance so we wandered down a beautiful path along the river near La Massana.  As we ambled along, all I could think about was how blessed we were…not only to have Amy and family with us, but to be walking along in God’s wondrous world in the heart of the Pyrenees listen to the happy chatter.  It is so easy to get bogged down in the frustrations and worries of our work, but if we just stop for a just moment and look around, we can see God’s hand in all we do.

One last Hike with the Molens

Exploring a secret waterfall with Grandma

We had been neglecting a few fix-it projects around the farmhouse as of late, so after Amy left we finally found time to fix the “castle doors”, at least that is what we call the huge double swinging doors that enclose our garage.  The top latch had broken, so with a little red-neck ingenuity, and an impromptu safety rope Elder Fowers got it fixed!

Red-neck Fix-it Man

We had a lot of visits this week, with individuals in their homes.  Below is a “selfie” of Mari and I.  She has been a long-time member of the church, and is currently a counselor in the Primary Presidency, but had never given a lesson.  She confided in me that no one had ever taught her how, so we spent a couple of hours together preparing her lesson.  I was so proud of her today because she came ready and willing to fulfill her calling!

Hermana Fowers and Mari Antezana

Our Young Women’s group continues to flourish under the leadership of Cecilia.  They meet again this week and welcomed a new friend, Halua, who is studying with the missionaries with plans to be baptized soon. The meeting just bubbled with friendship and great ideas for future activities.  They wrapped their arms and around her and she instantly became one of them!

Great Friends

Several of our Young Women participated in the FSY program that was sponsored by three stakes near Barcelona. Our girls were four of 400 youth and they came home changed by their experiences.  President invited them to share a bit of what they learned along with their testimonies in our meeting today.  Clearly, the event created an opportunity for them to be taught by the spirit and fortify them to press forward among their peers.  We were so proud of them!

Our FSY Speakers with Elders Domingues and Squires

Meet Ricardo, our new “Autosuficiencia” Facilitator.  First of all, Elder would like to share a bit his recent journey and the light that has returned to his life.  Elder here: I think my motto for this mission is: "I will minister to those who the Lord would put in my path."  This has happened several times as I have encountered those who have strayed from the Church. Ricardo is one example. He has a few problems in his life, bad habits, bad friends and trouble with the law. I did not know much about him until one day the Lord put him in my path.  It was during the senior missionaries conference last June that Elder Morejon was suddenly hit with an asthma attack from our farmhouse environment.  He and I left the gathering to find a pharmacy and get him some relief.  After driving around and finding three pharmacies closed (mediodia or siesta time in Spain), we started walking in the old portion of Le Seu taking a back alley.  We rounded a corner, I glanced to the left and there was Ricardo setting in a bar having a drink.  I motioned to him to come and help us find a pharmacy.  He left his drink and took us to nearby pharmacy.  I thanked him and then told him we desperately needed him back at church. He replied that he had many sins and it was very complicated.  I assured him that it was not complicated, just come back to church, I don't care what your sins are just come back to church and we will work with you.  Elder Morejon also bore a strong testimony to him.  At that point Ricardo began to tell us how much he believed in the Priesthood and how he remembered the spiritual experiences as he magnified his calling as a ward clerk years ago in the Dominican Republic.  He then committed to come back to church.  I told him we would be waiting at the front door.  To our great astonishment, Ricardo came back to church and with a willing heart and a strong desire to serve.  He said he has not touched a drink since that day we pulled him from the bar.  He now has a calling in our Self-Reliance class and is looking forward to the temple. I think the Lord just put a Ward Clerk in my path!  What a great blessing for us, the branch but  most of all Ricardo himself! 

Meet Ricardo

Take a moment to count your blessings this week...they are right there in your path.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder y Hermana Fowers

Sunday Night Delight...
Grilled Cheese and Fresh Garden Tomatoes!

Family...our Strength and Blessing

Querido Familia y Amigos,

What a wonderful week!  Our farmhouse has been filled with happy noise of the voices of the Molen family.  Their timing was perfect …they were here to help us celebrate Elder Fowers 67^th birthday!  We started out our week in Barcelona and took the time to see a few sights that were nearby and kid friendly, and then made our way to Le Seu.  I am certain that you do not need a travelogue of our points of interest, so I think I will just share a slide show of the some of our fun family times.

Exploring the Barcelona Zoo with Molens

View of Guell (Gaudi) Park

Enjoy Cool Treat in Blistering Heat

Sagrada Familia

Barcelona Cathedral Courtyard

Hug for Grandpa at the Farmhouse

Picnic of Cheese, Bread & Fruit from the Le Seu Market

Fun on the Farm

Old Le Seu Nunnery

One story that we simply must share is about our visit to the Sagrada Familia.  Months ago I warned Amy that if she did not buy tickets online in advance that they would not be able to go inside this beautiful edifice.  So she dutifully bought tickets for the appointed day.  Just as we were about to leave to tour the Sagrada Familia, Amy realized that she bought tickets for the wrong day.  Barcelona was literally teaming with tourists so her heart sank realizing she would not likely get inside.  What a disappointment!   We decided to go anyway and at least try to explain the error and view the exterior.  Upon arriving, we immediately went to the ticket booth.  SOLD OUT, just as we expected!  Elder Fowers, in his very best Spanish, tried to explain the problem.  That she had really purchase the tickets but inadvertently selected the incorrect date…we were only going to be in Barcelona for the day, we had purchased them months ago, etc., etc.  The answer was a flat out NO! Then he looked at our missionary badges and said, “Are you missionaries?”  YES!  “Well then you can get in free along with the children, but unfortunately, you (referring to Rick and Amy) can’t go in.  We then asked, can they take our badges and get inside.  The guy was really nice, but none committal.  Within minutes, Rick and Amy became Elder and Hermana Fowers  and walked inside the Sagrada Familia with gratis tickets.  The blessings of being missionaries.

Temporary Missionaries

In between the touristy things we did, we had planned appointments to do member visits and carry on with missionary responsibilities.  After a quick birthday celebration with the kids with zucchini brownies and fresh milk, we were off to Andorra for appointments.  The members in Andorra are so full of the joy of the gospel because they are again blessed to be together again to worship!  Hermana Maria Luis surprised us with a birthday dinner of fried rabbit!

67 Years and Still Going Strong!

Our “autosuficiencia” (self-reliance) class started this past Saturday.  Elder and Hermana Kimball traveled from Madrid to do a special devotional in order to launch the program. Several members that attended committed to facilitate a group to help them all become more self-reliant. I have been amazed at the foresight and wisdom of our leaders to create a program that is so applicable to problems that our members face worldwide. It is truly an inspired program.

Launching Self-Reliance Group

We want to testify that our family has been richly blessed because of our service and sacrifice, but even more so we have been blessed to have the love and support of family during our service as missionaries.  What a delight it has been to have the Molen family with us during this past week as we share the joy of the sweet work we do here in Spain. Their visit will give us the energy to press forward in the coming weeks! We know that "the angels go before us...they are on our right hand and on our left...", as we strive to do God's will and hear his whisperings in our efforts to rescue his children.

Con Mucho Amor,

Los Fowers

Attending church in our Le Seu Building