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