Observations...

Querida Familia y Amigos,

Gabe's Baptism
We want to send our love and congratulations to Gabe, our sweet grandson who was baptized yesterday by his Daddy. Being away from these special events is the hardest part of serving a mission.  How we wish we could have been there to share his special day, but we know that the Lord is blessing and watching over our family in our absence.  

Tim and Gabe after Baptism

Roc del Quer

Our preparation day adventures this week included exploring the Roc Del Quer located in Canillo, Andorra.  This man-made steel platform is an overlook that resembles a diving platform placed on top a rock mountain.  The views of the valleys below are endless and pretty intimidating.  The majesty of the Pyrenees Mountains was breathtaking from that vantage point.

 

Standing off the Edge

Stunning Views

Top of the World

Elder Squires suspended in air.

Moto Museum

Canillo Andorra is also the site of a motorcycle museum.  The missionaries and I checked it out while Hermana Fowers read a book outside under a shaddy tree. There were some very interesting motorcycles both old and new.  The oldest was a steam motorcycle dating to 1896.  There was a German BMW with a sidecar mounted with a machine gun.  Old vehicles and cars have always fascinated me.

First Steam-driven Motorcycle

German motorcycle and sidecar with mounted machine gun.

Festa Major

One year ago this week, we arrived in Le Seu to begin our mission.  Our hotel window faced the main town plaza where drums beat, and music played while everyone danced in the “Festa Major” till 4:00 am.  It is a five-day local Catalan holiday, rich with traditions of yesteryear and many cultural experiences for us while we were recovering from jet lag. So this year we decided to visit Le Seu’s annual festival again, but this time we ran into members and individuals in the community that we have come to know.  It felt a bit more like “our” celebration this year as we wondered among the town folk.  There traditional dance was very interesting but most of the people were over 60, which leads me to wonder if this traditional Catalonian dance will survive in future years.

 

One Year after our Arrival

Traditional Catalonian Dance with Live Band

Lluivia

The geographical area of our little branch reaches for hundreds miles in both directions from Le Seu.  Our branch also includes a tiny enclave of Spain which sits five kilometers within the borders of France named Lluvia.  The history of Lluvia goes back to the Bronze Age, about 1200 A.D.   While chauffeuring the missionaries to a lesson in Puigcerda, we crossed over into France in search of a long lost member.   We hit a dead end.  While there, however, we checked out the local castles, prison and churches.

Nostra Senyora del Angeles Church built in 1617

Lluvia Prison Tower

Impressive Entryway

Elder Care

One of the unforeseen outcomes of moving our missionaries to Andorra has been an increase in Elder support.  Not only do we provide a great deal more transportation for them, but we also house them in the farmhouse at least once a week.  At times it is impossible to make their travel connections from Andorra in addition to needing to stay with us on Saturday night so they can make it to church in Le Seu on Sunday morning.  It kind of feels like home, with a few extra plates at the table a a couple of times a week.  Our Missionaries are so respectful and kind to us, that we delight in offering our support and hosting them in our home. We are losing our dear Elder Domingues this transfer, who has been called to serve as a zone leader in Hospitalet.

Our Missionary Sons, Elders Squires and Domingues

Member Care

We visited Mari Antezana in the local hospital yesterday to give her a blessing .  She Hermana Fowers’ counselor in the Primary and was diagnosed with the very painful condition of diverticulitis, but is slowly improving. Poor Hermana Fowers was on her own today with the children in Primary today.

Mari...Recovering in Hospital

Hermana Fowers and I continue to press forward trying to help the members to be spiritually self-sufficient.  Today in testimony meeting we saw a few packets of light as formally less-active members bore testimony of returning, paying tithing and honoring the Sabbath.  I am amazed at the changes that come into people lives as they turn back to the Christ by exercising faith and obedience to His commands. In particular, I noted five people, who bore strong testimonies today that have returned to the church in this past last year.  Some had been absent for more than 20 years.  Missionary work and rescue work are one and the same in the eyes of the Lord.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder and Hermana Fowers