Gran Sorpresa!

Querida Familia y Amigos,

Happy belated Thanksgiving to all! 

We are so blessed, we are especially thankful to welcome PENNY PAIGE into this world!  So here is the back story…I noticed that Brad had tried to call our Vontage number but we were in Andorra and we couldn’t respond, so I sent him a quick note to arrange for Skype later on.  Finally, we got home late and signed in on Skype, excited to have a Thanksgiving visit with Brad and family.  Seconds after saying hello, Brad says, “Wait a second Mom..." then he disappears off the camera.   He returns with a tiny, newborn baby in his arms.  “I want you to meet Penny Paige, your newest granddaughter.”  WHAT!? We didn't even know that they were expecting. It took a full 3 minutes before I would even believe him.  I thought he had borrowed a friend’s baby and was just teasing with me.  Once I knew it was for real, you couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face.  What a wonderful surprise—grandchild #15.  We are so very happy for Becky and Brad and can’t wait to meet Penny Paige in person.

Skype-What a way to meet our new grandbaby!

Happy Grandparents!

Meet Penny Paige!

Happy Fowers Family!

During the past two weeks I spent a lot of time in the kitchen.  I truly have been called on a cooking mission.  Last week I prepared enchilada bowls for 110 missionaries, which included 14 kilos of hamburger, beans, corn and sauce layered between tortillas that filled 8 crock-pots to the top!  There was not a lick left.  After just a one day reprieve from kitchen duty, I spent another day preparing a traditional Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings which were blessed to share  with Cecilia, Aitor, Emily and the missionaries. Today I prepared lunch for the Stake President Hernandez and his wife to eat between our meetings.  I know that I whine a bit about preparing so much food, but I have come to understand that food is a very concrete way to show my love when I can’t find the Spanish words to express my true feelings.  It is a sweet joy to serve in this way.

Loading up the plates!

Best part of Zone Conference.
(Far left is Hermana Nelson, grand daughter to Russell M.)

Giving Thanks.

It warmed up a bit this week so we decided we had better get out to the garden to do some Fall cleanup.  We spend that morning pulling up all the old dead plants, raking of the weeds and chopping down the rows of corn.  Our method of corn chopping was a bit old school since we used a shovel and a hatchet, but we thoroughly enjoyed the brisk morning sunshine and the outlet of physical work.

Elder chopping corn!

At our last Zone Conferences, our missionaries were issued smartphones.  During the training session, President Dayton invited Elder Fowers to share his experience with technology while serving his mission 48 years ago.  He talked about using flannel boards and film projectors (look those up kids) but the most telling story was when he shared the story of receiving his transfer information through telegram, using morse code!  We have really come a long ways since then and we are excited about the impact that proselyting through technology will have on our mission.

Zaragoza Zone Celebrating Smartphones

Hermana Fowers and I are constantly striving to strengthen families. Jose Luis left his family in Ecuador 14 years ago and came to Spain with the hope of better life for his wife and three children who remained in Ecuador.  It has been difficult and long journey. He has been injured, paralyzed and without work while here in Spain.  Every extra penny he has sent home to his family.  Through all their trials his family has remained faithful.  His wife is a temple worker, two of his children have served missions.  Jose Luis also served a mission and has been a branch president twice.  Today we surprised him with a one way airplane ticket home to his family for Christmas. His father is gravely ill from a stroke some 4 weeks ago.  He lost his mother last summer and his family desperately needs him to come home.  He has an opportunity to farm on land inherited from his mother's family and raise pigs.  We will help him purchase a chain saw to clear the land and sell the firewood.  Jose Luis will start a new chapter in his life and will be a strength to his family and the church in Ecuador.

Going home after 14 years

Sadly, we said goodbye to Elder Jones today.  He will be transferred on Tuesday after just 3 months here.  We wish him well in his new area.

Goodbye Elder Jones

Elder Wolfgang Pilz and his wife was the visiting Authority Seventy at our Stake Conference last Sunday.  We had a chance to chat with them a bit before the meeting, what a dear couple they are.  His message was so timely.  As a surgeon he talked about the moment they take before every surgical procedure called “time out”,  just to make sure to take a moment to confirm that they cut in the right place.  He talked about how vital it is for us to take “time out” in our own lives to ground ourselves in the things of the spirit—to take time to draw our minds heavenward as we read, prayer and sincerely ponder our direction in life.

 

Elder and Sister Pilz at Stake Conference

Sometimes it is difficult to quantify success in the Lord's work.  We see and feel the spirit poured out on different individuals from time to time.  We rejoice to see progress and the growth of our little Zion outpost Andorra.  However, at the same time and even in the same day ,we feel sad when seemingly good people pull away and choose a worldly path.  We continue to testify, love and pray for them but ultimately each has his own agency.  Deception, distraction and worldly cares are like strong magnetic forces for those with shallow roots. This is the bitter-sweet of missionary and member work. This is the challenge we wrestle every day, and we have come to love it. 

Andorra Rocks

Querida Familia y Amigos,

Today for the first time since we opened the group in Andorra in February, our Andorra group had more attendance (17) than the branch in La Seu (15). The Andorra group is moving forward one person at a time.  There is such a sweet spirit there and we feel going forward it will continue to strengthen in this micro-country.

Record Attendance in Andorra Group

Sister Fowers spoke today in both sacrament meetings about her recent studies in the Book of Mormon of Christ teachings when he first appeared to the Nephites.  She discussed the fact that one of the first principles Christ taught was eliminating discord and contention among the members and that such conflict was of the devil. Christ brought the higher law of the gospel of Jesus to teach them a better way. Her message was well received.  After 15 months, in Spain Hermana Fowers is beginning to express herself and communicate the feelings of her heart in a foreign tongue that has been most difficult for her.  She practiced her talk all week long, giving it in Spanish to the walls of our farmhouse.  I am proud of her mission-long effort to conquer the communication barrier with these sweet people.

We had a delightful time exploring a new mountaintop village of Calbinyá for our preparation day this week.  In fact, we can see the lights of this village from the farmhouse at night but had never been there.  After spending some time searching for the road to get up there, and braving the freezing wind it turned out to be a grand adventure.

Remaining Tower of Medieval Church

Wall of old church returning to nature.

Centuries old Courtyard

View of Valley behind local church bell tower.

Antique farm tools.

Number 10...still habitated!

Hangin'-out at the local Park.

This week we traveled to Lleida and Zaragoza (3½ hours) to do piso (apartment) checks of the missionaries in that area.  I am not sure how many times I have seen Hermana Fowers demonstrate how to properly clean a tub, or how to get the burn-on crusties off of a stovetop, but I am sure it is dozens.  While there we decided to take on the challenge of reversing a refrigerator door, so that it would swing the other way, with only a multi-tool.  It turned out to be quite a project.

Elder Fowers and his multi-tool.

Generally on Wednesday evenings, we ferry three young women up to Andorra to join three more youth up there for our seminary class.  Elder Fowers spent much of the morning preparing for the class and was really excited about his lesson.  We had heard rumbling all day about the border between Spain and Andorra being blocked by protests, but we were certain that it would be opened by 5:00 p.m. when we needed to leave with the girls.  However, when we approached the highway that leads to Andorra there were dozen of officers and hundreds of protesters braving the freezing weather and demanding their independence from Spain.  Needless to say we were turned back. (We never got close enough to get a good photo.) The protesters stayed throughout the night and the border did not open until the next morning.  Elder will have to save that seminary lesson for next week!

Catalonian Protestors..."Democracia!"

A beautiful view of La Seu d'Urgell as we drove down the mountain from Calbinyá at sunset... This tranquil view gave us pause to count our blessings for all that we have seen, felt and learned while serving here in Spain/Andorra.

Beautiful La Seu at sunset.

Con Mucho Amor,

Elder and Hermana Fowers

Double the Fun...Double the Blessings

Querida Familia and Amigos,

The absolute highlight of the week and the very reason that we are serving as missionaries, was the joy of bringing two beautiful souls to the waters of baptism.  Our determined and faithful missionaries, Elders Jones and Christensen led them to a place of faith and knowledge so that they would be fully prepared to make this sacred covenant.  Betty, who is about our age and a grandmother, joined the branch in La Seu; while Ramon, a gentle, middle-aged man, who has recently lost most of his sight, joined our group in Andorra.  Many members attended the services held at the Hotel Dolcet spa pool to witness the baptisms and lend support to our newest family members. "And if it so be that you should ladbor all you days in crying repentence unto this people, and bring, save one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of our Father!" (D&C 18:15) We were doubly-blessed and bubbling over with happiness.

Betty with Elder and Hermana Fowers

Rejoicing Together
Elder Christenses, Ramon, Betty and Elder Jones

Halloween is a pretty big holiday here in Spain.  Our youth asked if they could organize and sponsor a Halloween party on Tuesday evening for the branch.  They printed the invitations, planned the menu, decorated the hall, organized the games and invited their friends.  We were so proud of them for initiating the activity on their own and following through on the details.  Keeping with Spanish-standard-time, the fiesta started about an hour late, but otherwise was a smashing success with several non-member friends in attendance.

Our Youth Organizers

Farmer Fowers and his buddy Jose Luis

Scary group of Halloween Monsters

I am certain that you have heard much in the news about the political situation here in Spain.  A group of Catalonians politicians are leading a charge to try to succeed from Spain.  This political posturing has been going on for decades and we see or know of very little concerning the real issues in our little corner of Spain.  There are lots of flags flying from the balconies, some of which are “for” and others “against” the succession, but it has not affected our work or our purpose. The big winners in this political standoff are the flag makers.

Perfect Picture of Contrasting Opinions:
Top Balcony, Catalonian Flag with Spain Flag Below

We did get a chance to sneak away for a few hours on preparation day this week with our Elders.  We treated them to a ride on the Tobotronc Alpine Slide and they had a blast on the wild ride.  We went from there to the Canillo Overlook.  The sun was shining and the view was crystal clear for miles and miles.  When you stand on top of one of these massive mountains you become so aware of your own nothingness in the bigger scheme of things.  I always stand in wonder of the beauties created by God’s hand. 

Ready to Ride!

My Elders Overlooking Canillo Valley

Long ways down.

We were delighted to spend a couple of hours with Jaime this week and find out more about his life and his journey.  He tells of becoming a soccer star as a young boy of 12 years.  He was farmed out to a junior league and left his family behind to be trained to become a professional soccer player.  He has played in Switzerland, Italy and was recently pickup up by Andorra after recovery from a knee injury.  He pretty much had to raise himself, but through all the years he has stayed true to his standards.  When his has trouble sleeping, he often listens to Primary Songs and Hymns because they bring happy memories of his family who are all faithful members.  He was so very happy to have found the church again and is preparing to receive the Priesthood.  He couldn't wait to send this picture to his Mom.

Jaime, so happy to have found the church.

We got lost in this secret garden in Ordino this week while tracking down a lead on a lost member. The fall colors are so beautiful and this tiny park was a picture of tranquility.

Late blooming Roses.

...with Book of Mormon in hand.

Elder here...Today I was asked to confirm both Bette and Ramon members of the church and bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  A very special feeling attended me at both confirmations.  I know some of their personal challenges and problems.  Bette has been on her own since age 14 but has never lost hope in finding God nor believing in our Savior. Ramon woke up one morning several years ago to find himself partially blind, no explanation.  Even with his limited sight Ramon could see that many religions were false so he continued to seek something better. Today I blessed him that the Holy Ghost would help him see the way to his ultimate salvation.  Both of these new converts were found by our missionaries knocking on doors and talking to everybody in the street, on buses and at the market. How many more like Bette and Ramon are searching for the truth?  May we hasten the work!

Elder and Hermana Fowers