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