Joy to the World!

Querida Familia y Amigos,

¿Qué tal? How are you all?  We hope that your homes are filled with the joy of Christmas, surrounded by family and friends.  Though it is hard to be away from family during the holiday, we have found that our Christmases on the mission have been more tranquil and sacred.  Because we are not caught up in all the trimmings and trappings...and best of all no shopping, we can focus on the real reason for Christmas! 

Keeping it Simple and Sacred

We have been on the go this whole week! We visited 15 homes delivering our christmas card and the homemade nativity sets.  We loaded three shopping carts full of food at the local market and then I spent all my extra minutes this week, prepping Christmas dinner for about 110 missionaries in 4 zones.  I have 14 kilos of turkey thawing, 9 loaves of bread transformed into stuffing, stacks of brownies baked for the Candybar/Brownie/Ice Cream Cake.  We will be in Barcelona the next three days bringing a bit of Christmas cheer for our beloved "El Faro" Missionaries. 

Early Friday morning, we loaded our car and a 9-passenger rental van with 12 sleepy members for the long 6-hour drive to the Madrid Temple.  Ramon and Haloua, recent converts, were attending for the first time, while Sonia (you may remember her, we found her on facebook) had prepared herself to receive her own temple endowment. She was filled with sweet excitement anticipation. Carmen (she is the one who road the bus until she found a member that she remembered) was returning to the temple for the first time in 8 years. Almost everyone had family names of parents, grandparents, deceased husbands and other ancestors who need their work done. There was a spirit of unity among our little group of saints from Andorra.

Andorra Branch in front of the Madrid Temple

We arrived at the temple by 1:00 pm and checked into temple housing. Everyone changed from travel clothes and prepared to enter the temple. I entered the temple with Sonia as her escort while everyone prepared to join us in the 5:00 session. As we sat together with the Hermana Gardner, the temple matron, as she explained the different elements of the upcoming ordinances. Sonia turned to me and asked if I could explain that to her.  Keep in mind that this is all taking place in Spanish.  My heart skipped a beat or two, and I was wondering how I would ever be able to string together the words to adequately explain the details. I took a big breath and started speaking.  I wanted so much to express what was in my mind and my heart. I can't remember what I said, but the words just flowed and I knew that I was truly experiencing the gift of tongue in a profound way.  What a joy!  

Sonia

I (Elder Fowers) escorted Haloua and Ramon into the temple hoping to introduce them to the baptismal font area where they would be preforming baptisms the next morning. Our initial request was denied to visit the font, then a message reached the temple president's attention that some recent converts from Andorra would like to see the font.  President Gardner greeted us (in perfect Spanish) in the reception area.  He took the time to become acquainted with the new members. He talked about the temple explaining in a loving way the purpose of this beautiful "House of the Lord". He then gave us a personal tour of the baptismal font area detailing the art work, explaining the symbolism, and pointing out the unique carving that have origins in Moorish and arabic architecture.  Ramon, who has limited vision was overcome with emotion.  He later commented of the peaceful feeling in his heart, as if time stood still. We thanked the president for taking the time to minister to the one.

Ramon

After a beautiful session, we took everyone to Chinese restaurant to celebrate,  Again, the feeling of unity in the Lord's work dominated the table conversation.  On Saturday we did baptisms, another session and sealings. Hermana Fowers and I kneeled at the temple alter while Hermana Ana Maria watched, as we sealed her parents and grandparents. The spirit was so strong that aren't really words to frame our feelings.  Ana Maria was thrilled to have this work finally accomplished after decades of trying to find their information.  We all arrive home very late, after an exhausting drive home.

Today our Sunday meetings were filled to overflowing with the joy of temple service. Sonia was literally beaming from the experience. She approached us and asked, "When will this feeling go away?" Unfortunately, we explained that it would settle down as she was pulled back into the worries of her daily living, but as soon as that happened she should start planning for her next trip to the temple.

Happy!

Con Mucho Gozo,

Los Fowers