Spreading Sunshine

Querida Familia y Amigos,

The weather has been rather balmy this week, so all of our local farmer friends decided it was time to spread a little “sunshine”.  In all the fields that surround our house, they have been hauling manure to spread on their pastures. To say that the air is a bit odiferous, would be an understatement.  It was old home week for Elder Fowers!

Spreading "sunshine" in front of the farmhouse.

We spread a bit of sunshine ourselves this week. Our focus has been to visit as many members as possible and share our love and encouragement to press forward in faith, including this photo of four generations of Hermanas in the Antezana family.  We met with many others. We had memorable and sacred experiences, getting into doors that have been closed to us our entire mission.  For example, we found Gloria this week!  She and her family joined the church in Boliva in 1989.  When she moved to Andorra fourteen years ago, she lost contact with the church as well as much knowledge of the doctrines.  But the memory of her gospel experiences and the faith of her mother remained in her heart. There was a happy spirit as we chatted and she promised to return, whenever her work would permit. (Sorry no picture.)

Saying Goodby to my Beloved Antezana Hermanas

There are dozens of units in the mission and for the past 2½ years President and Hermana Dayton have committed to visit every one.  They were finally able to visit our little Andorra Branch.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon and so we had a few hours to share some of the beautiful vistas of Andorra, dressed in its winter finest.  We took them to the Roc del Quer, an amazing overlook, just as the sun was setting.  (A funny side story…our beloved Hermana Dayton didn’t come quite prepared for the snow and wore her boots with four-inch stiletto heels.  Needless to say they weren’t very useful in navigating the deep snow. We laughed and until our cheeks hurt watching her try to walk the 200 meters to the overlook.) We had a lovely evening reminiscing about the highpoints of our mission over dinner.  They have taught us so much about service and sacrifice.  We love them dearly!

Daytons and Fowers....a cherished friendship.

The last of the sunshine kisses the tops of the Pyrenees.

They stayed overnight at the farmhouse and joined us for both our morning meetings in La Seu with the branch and the afternoon meetings in Andorra with the group.  Along with the Daytons, we had three stake visitors.  We were filled to the top with feelings of joy and love for our members and appreciation those who came to serve us.  The messages were profound and the spirit bore witness to our hearts that we truly are at the right place, at the right time, striving to do the right thing. How blessed we have been to be in his service in the Spain Barcelona Mission!

Andorra Branch in La Seu d'Urgell

Andorra Group in Andorra

We just wanted to take a moment to thank our family for their support and sacrifice.  Not only have our children encouraged and sustained us throughout our service, but also have our beloved grandchildren. A year and a half is a very long time in the life a child, especially to be away from their grandparents.  We can't wait to see them all again. We thank them for their letters and their prayers and especially their visits.  They are our greatest treasure!  Words just can’t express how much we love them all.

The sun is setting on our time in the Pyrenees

Con Mucho Amor,

Los Fowers