Igelsias... Ahora y Antiquidad

Querida Familia y Amigos,

This week has been really quiet.  Perhaps it has been the calm before the storm because our December is really packed with activities with myriads of details to organize so we tried to focus on planning, including everything from branch parties to temple trips.  We are looking forward to each one, knowing they will be our last.

Sadly we said goodbye to our chickens this week. We gave them to some members who made Bolivian chicken soup.  Chicken farming has been great diversion for Elder Fowers along with gardening and milking.  In some ways, those activities seem rather frivolous as missionaries, but in reality, each activity has been a missionary tool.  I am certain that as we have interacted with neighbors and friends in these endeavors, we have changed attitudes and opinions about this "American Church".  In future years, when the subject of “Mormons” comes up, we are certain that they will shed a positive light on upon what kind of people we really are.

Elder Fowers helping deliver a calf.

Today I want to share the story of small hymnal.  When Jaime came to church for the first time, he brought with him a small book of “Himnos”, which he clearly treasured.  He connected these sacred hymns to his parents, his home and his early teachings in the church.  I think the hymns have been an anchor to him for more than two decades.  Today as we were singing hymns, (I am the chorister) he is fully engaged in the music and it was clear that it was a spiritual experience for him to connect to those powerful memories.  I snapped a silent photo of his well-loved hymnal which he laying on his leg throughout the meeting.

Beloved Hymnal

We spent two days in Lleida this week, helping our Elders move to a different piso.  I was expecting a grueling two days of cleaning, packing and hauling, but I was pleasantly surprised.  These young men were so organized.  They had everything packed up, had organized a few members to help and given the place a pretty good cleaning.  I was really proud of them…Kudos to them!

We know that you have gone a few weeks of the blog without pictures of churches...so we thought we had better share your monthly quota of churches which we explored all in one day.  We were able to get away on our preparation day to explore some unseen environs on glorious, crisp, fall day.  Without the boring details, we were able to visit four very unique, ancient churches.  Church #1:  Red rock church in the abandoned village of Rubio.

Rubio Church

Church #2, tiny Romanesque church built in the medieval fortress of Santa Crueu de Llagunes.  The amazing archeological site was first inhabitated in the Bronze age and the primary village built in 1010 AD, more than a thousand years ago.

Just the right size for our Andorra Group

Medieval village dating to Bronze age 600AD

Walls that formed homes, held animals and provided defense 

 Church #3:  Church in the village of Vilmar.  One of the great frustrations of exploring these old churches is that we seldom have the opportunity to go inside. Check out the photo I took through the key hole. This particular church was so fragile that had it held together with huge metal plates and bolts that spanned from width of the church.  

 Peeking through the keyhole of an old church

View from the Keyhole

Church #4:  Església Marc de Déu de Valldeflores (written in Catalon) in Rialp.  It appeared to have been built in many different phases over the centuries.

Catalans know how to stack rocks

Església Marc de Déu front entry.

Today in our Andorra group, 15 saints gathered for Sacrament meeting. Ramon Rubi, baptized just three weeks ago, and ordained with the Aaronic Priesthood last week, stood to pass the sacrament for the first time.  All eyes were on him as he approached the sacrament table and the missionary kneeled to bless the bread. After the prayer the Elders handed Ramon the tray and he began his first priesthood duty. Ramon is nearly blind. He only sees shadows and partial outlines.  He can read for just a moment with a large magnifying glass looking from the side. After a few moments images go blurry.  In spite of this disability he was able to pass the sacrament flawlessly to all. I commented him over the pulpit for a job well done. His sight was magnified as he magnified his Priesthood.  I (Elder Fowers) wish all Priesthood holders would seek to do the same with the sacred authority we have received.

Ramon, determined to honor his priesthood with little sight.

 
Con mucho amor, hasta la proxima semana,

Elder y Hermana Fowers