Week 11 in the Field

My beloved family,

  

This is what happened last week:

Monday-- we cleaned piso, found a great supermarket with great fruit and great everything, and spent the day with members and less actives. I love these people. For lunch we went to Burger King, and the cashier was an 18 year old guy who asked me about the Church. His name is Pablo. We are SO going to teach him!!! :)

Tuesday-- We had an intercambio with the elders on Menorca (our district includes Ibiza & Menorca--one set of missionaries on each island). My companion left for Menorca, and I was, for my first time, the Senior companion!! I was in charge of everything--the phone, making sure we didn't get lost, etc. It was crazy! My companion for the day was a missionary who had been out for a year.

Wednesday-- This was the day that we were going to switch back. We tried to have District Meeting (which we do via Skype), but the connection was bad, and so we didn't really have it. Before he went back, he showed me how to make cheesecake--our investigators here are going to love it (I still haven't given it to them. I hope it's good!). He said he would give me more recipes.

Thursday-- Élder Bozarth and I organized a Talent Show for Thursday night. We announced it last Sunday. Haha, if we didn't give them a lot of time to prepare, it didn't show--IT WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS!!!!!! We had about 55 people there, and more than half were nonmembers who the members had invited!!! We are going to visit these people in the coming weeks. It was so much fun! My companion and I both participated in various acts (the branch made me play the piano, since one of the acts didn't make it). I think that there are videos on the Rama Ibiza facebook page.

Friday-- I learned (like I learned on Tuesday) that an older companion really does influence the younger companion. I know that this mission is, if you think about it, kinda like a 2 year fast -- if we want to fully benefit from it, we've got to have the right attitude. We worked hard that day.

Saturday-- English class was SO much fun!! We hadn't had a bunch of time to prepare, but I felt (at the last minute) that we needed to prepare a game to play, to help them learn the material. I prepared it real quick, and then started the class. We had another new student show up! We had such a BLAST!! If every class from now on is that much fun, we are going to have tons of people flooding the church, I know it. :) Which means that if I want that to happen, I need to make sure that our English classes are well prepared. Miraculously, the Mission President called us that night. He wanted to talk to me. He told me lots of stuff, which I don't have time to write about, but basically he told me to not be afraid to insist on obedience. There was more to it, but that was one of the most important bits. I needed that call.

Sunday-- Church was great! I love these people!! Yesterday afternoon...Well, I wrote a little bit about it in my letter to President Pace.

  

This is what I wrote to my President this week:

Dear President, Thank you so much for your call two nights ago. It meant a great deal to me. Thanks to the Spirit, I was given things to share from my notes that I had been prompted to bring, and I was given words and experiences to share. Obedience brings blessings. Exact obedience brings miracles. We will be seeing more and more miracles here, President.

I have the best life ever -- I have such an AMAZING FAMILY and such AMAZING FRIENDS who all love me at home; I get to BE A MISSIONARY FOR THE LORD here in Ibiza, an isle of the sea; and I have a Heavenly Father who is aware, and who I know is aware, of me, and He gives me strength and guidance every day.

It´s just the best, is all. :) I love you guys!!

Thank you for your emails, those of you who've had time to write. For those who still haven´t written, why procrastinate the day? ;) I understand if you don´t have time--just know that I am still thinking about you, and that I love you. Why else would I work so hard and use so much time to stay in contact with you, when I´m on a crazy island in the Mediterranean? ;)

God WILL bless us for our dedicated and constant obedience!! Take the Grand Canyon, for example. We might not see the effects of a trickle of water along the ground, but if we give it a chance, it WILL, over time, leave a mark, and if we increase the flow, it will carve deeper and deeper, writing itself in our hearts, until it is obvious and beautiful.

How do we set the water running? READING THE BOOK OF MORMON. How do we increase the flow? LIVE WHAT IT TEACHES. I´m still learning, and I´m not 100% there yet, of course, but this is what I´m finding out, and what I´m inviting strangers to find out; so why not share it with those I love?

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

How is Élder Pablo Zubeldia doing on his mission?

Beloved family and friends,
 

It´s been a while since I last sent a message out to all of you, and so I feel like now´d be a great time to send one out to you all. But first...how´s the weather? :)   (Haha, now that I've asked you all a question, you´ll have to respond, out of common courtesy, if nothing else!)

Please bear with me, as I do not have much time to write emails, if this is lacking in detail.  Please let the thought count!

I am in Spain. I have been out in the field for almost 10 weeks. I am serving on the island of Ibiza -- do NOT look it up on the internet. I am Missionary #8 to have ever served on the island. My companion and I are the first missionaries to be here throughout the month of August ("high season" here in Ibiza). I am having a blast!

My companion is named Élder Jordan Bozarth, 6´0, red-head, from St. George, been serving for a year, Visa-waited in Ogden for 6 months. He was an ardent (no reference to his red hair) basketball player before his mission. He was sent to the hospital two weeks ago (if you´d like details, ask my parents), but he is fine --turns out he simply has a very low heart rate (I attribute it to his having been such a dedicated athlete). It was a great experience, even though we couldn't be with our people on Ibiza, because we are now good friends. He likes to have fun. We played with blow torches last night.
 

We got back in Ibiza last Tuesday morning. We have been warmly welcomed back by the members of the small branch here, and we have been eating with them every day (as usual--they really love us [not that we're special, it's the Spirit and blessings that Heavenly Father gives them for helping us]).

On Wednesday, we met with an investigator named Patricia, who has been progressing for a while, but who is very shy.  We went and taught her for the first time since I've been here, and we followed the promptings of the Spirit that we had been given during our studies (we had received a chain of scriptures that we felt would help her -- Mor 7:8-9, Mos 4:10, 3 Nephi 27:16, 2 Nephi 31:9-12).  We invited her to be baptized, and she asked, "What time?".  She was BAPTIZED this last Saturday!!!! 8D I firmly believe that we will continue to see Heavenly Father work miracles here on this "isle of the sea".

On Thursday, we met with an investigator named Isabel, who had been progressing for a while, but who had reached a wall. It was the first time I had met her, but I felt that she was ready to be baptized. She told me that she would be baptized...but not now. She wants to wait until she can go back to Ecuador so her mother and son can be there. I know that Heavenly Father has His perfect plan for all of us, and if Isabel´s time isn't now, then it isn't now -- that´s not under my control. All I can do is hope (which is the source of faith and of charity) for the best, and do my part by being obedient, working hard, striving to be worthy of the Spirit, and making sure that the people we meet with feel our love (and more importantly, His love) for them.

On Friday, we set up the font (which had just recently arrived). It looked right having it set up, brand new, for the first baptism on the island for over 6 months now.

On Saturday, the baptism!! 8D She was so excited, in her shy way!! She was baptized by my companion.

On Sunday, the giving of the gift of the Holy Ghost!! And the Sacrament, of course!! It was beautiful!! Our elders quorum president carried out the ordinance.

I think that it´s best for the people here to use their priesthood. It´s a strength for them, and it unites the people who will continue to live here after we, as missionaries, leave. I´m thinking about setting the goal to try my best to always have a member baptize, instead of me. It feels right.

If there is anything that any of you should do today, you should begin to read the Book of Mormon, and continue reading it daily. Regardless of where your personal testimony is, how old you are, or how much you might think you already know, you NEED to read it every day. When I say read, I mean STUDY -- I tell people every day that if they read the Book of Mormon, ponder its contents, and pray to Heavenly Father about it´s truthfullness, that He will answer their prayers, and they will feel more of His influence in their lives. 
If this applies to them, it applies to us all -- READ THE BOOK. START NOW. LET YOUR LIFE BE CHANGED BY ITS MESSAGES FOR YOU.

I love you all.

Simply,

Élder Pablo Zubeldia

News from Ibiza

Dear Parents,

Hey, Mami, I'm going to focus on answering Papi's questions today; please don't feel bad!  I love you both so much!!

First: I keep trying to send you pictures, but there is never time to download them! Computers here (especially in locutorios) are so slow.  Today, for example, I am in the Mission Office, and I'm using their computer; but I don't have my memory card with all of my pictures/videos with me (I'm trying to see if a member can download them and send them to you--I'm not allowed to use members' computers, but they can send emails to our family, so I think it's alright).  I'll see what I can do.  I would love any device that would help me send you all more information/pictures to you all.  I am NOT intentionally neglecting to give you information--I want to let you know as much as possible.

Second: Thank you so much for the Spiritual thoughts you send me.  I love reading your spiritual thoughts--they always help me, and bless me.  I especially needed the message about imperfection--I needed the encouragement to be patient with myself.  I always try to apply things that I get from my studies, and things that I get from your letters--please keep sending me letters.  :)

How much time do you have for reading and responding to email?

                      I have an hour and a half, once a week.

Can you print the messages, or do you have to read them on line?

                      I can print messsages (which is great, even though it costs me money).

Could you get on email, print your messages, and then turn the computer over to your companion while you read the printed messages? Then get back on the computer for the remainder of the time to send your answers?

                       I just checked with a master missionary here in the office, and he says that that's a great idea.  I might run out of money, but that is what I will do from now on!  I WANT TO WRITE TO YOU ALL.

Do you know how long you are expected to be in Ibiza?

                       I know that I will be here all of August, and that I will be here for at least another 6 weeks:  when I left my first area, President told me that he wants me to train in Ibiza, when the new missionaries come (Sept 4). (Isn't that crazy?!  After 6 weeks...My companion and I are excited to have 4 missionaries here. So, I could technically be here until December, if not longer, as far as I'm aware.

Is there something you would like us to send you?

                        I would love pictures of you all. Peanut butter. That Learning Spanish book that we had when we lived in Santander, the one that was really good (my companion wants the name of it, so that he can go and buy it, wherever it is sold).  I don't know--I love getting letters.  Anything that you send will make me very happy!!!

Do you need sunblock?

                        Nope.  I'm fine.  We spend so much time in homes that I don't get hardly any sun (which sounds weird, being on an island, but it's true).  I have tons of sunscreen, though--I should be good until next summer.  ;) 

Are you learning Eivissenc?

                         Not yet.  :)  We only have one member who is Spanish (she's "mayor"), but she comes to our English class and she says that she's going to teach me.  We'll see.  Oh, and she calls it "Eivissenco".
 

Can you send us some pictures? Will you?

                         Can I?  I don't know.  Will I?  I'M TRYING AND I WILL REGARDLESS OF WHAT TRIES TO STOP ME!!!  :)
 

Do you rather get one email from all the children and parents, or many separate emails?

                         I really liked this style of letter that you and Mami sent to me.  It actually came to me, last Monday, that I wanted to suggest that you do this all the time, the whole family.  One email is easier, because then I can just go down, after printing it off first, and answer questions.  Then, after answering, I can actually WRITE and DESCRIBE what is going on in my life as a missionary, beyond the questions that you ask.
 

How is the missionary work in Ibiza? Are you tracting, or is it all member referrals?

                          The missionary work is going great.  Member Referrals, unless otherwise directed by the Spirit.  My companion and I set a goal to baptize 10 people this month, something that hasn't happened in Ibiza, in any sense, for probably a year (since it first opened).  I believe that Heavenly Father can empower us to do it.  Pray for us.
 

What did you do last Monday?

                           We went to the home of a member to show them the Work of Salvation Conference (nobody on Ibiza had seen it, and as of now, they're the only ones).  My companion broke out in a huge allergic reaction (I told Sarah a little, ask her).  We missed our afternoon appointments because of the reaction.  I called Hermana Pace, and she suggested I take care of him in piso.
 

What did you do last Tuesday?

                           My companion didn't wake up; I just followed the schedule as exactly as we're supposed too, but you need a companion for Companionship study.  I called Hermana Pace, because I felt like he was sick.  He had flu-symptoms, and we were told to stay in piso all day.  I was given instructions on how to take care of him, and I followed them.  Members came by to give us food when they heard he was sick and we couldn't visit.

What did you do last Wednesday?

                           My companion got worse; Hermana Pace told us to go to the hospital. We were in the Sala de Urgencias for 11 hours.  It was an experience (ask Sarah, I told her a little).  The doctor say his ECG, and wanted him to stay overnight, but he was hungry, and we wanted to be obedient to the missionary schedule.  Hermana Pace was worried, and President Pace told us that he was taking us out of Ibiza until Elder Bozarth got better.  The word got around the branch fast, and there were many teary calls late into the night of goodbye.

What did you do last Thursday?

                            We left to Barcelona.  There were lots of tears--there was no guarantee he would come back (I was for sure coming back); half the branch was there; my companion and I didn't want to leave. We got to Barcelona, and we went to the hospital, the Emergency room here.  Being of Bilbaino blood is a blessing that opens doors--a doctor got to liking me, and he gave me the name of his friends in the Cardiovascular Center.  We had to stay in the Mission Office that evening.  We've slept here every night since.

What did you do last Friday?

                             Hermana Pace tried to have my companion set up appointments; he tried three times and was shut down.  I was out running errands for the office when I got a call from her saying that she wanted to get it done (apparently, she trusts me after having seen me get us in and around the hospital the day before).  Papi, I prayed to be able to handle it in the way you would.  I made one call, didn't take no or "later" for an answer, went directly to those who actually have authority, threw around some names, and got the appointment settled.  We went in, I made friends with the cardiologist's receptionist (she accepted the Book of Mormon that I dedicated to her, and promised me she'd read it), and with the doctor (he and I got to be friends, and he was surprised that I knew about the valves and "vasos" of the heart), and we walked out all within the hour, having the Echo and the Holter Monitor on. Hermana Clark (the Office Couple Sister), told me (while my companion was in the bathroom) that she feels like I just know what's right, and how to do it, that I need to be with my companion so that I can be a help for him. Papi, I'm so blessed to be your son, and to have you as my example.  You're a blessing to my mission, Papi.

What did you do last Saturday?

                              We followed the normal schedule, and took off the Holter.  We went on splits with the Office Elders, and I got to finally go contacting again.  We saw miracles.

What did you do yesterday?

                               I got to partake of the Sacrament again.  Best part of the day.  We went on splits again, and I ran a Noche De Hogar for the JAS (YSA)--they say they loved it, and the other missionaries say they're jealous of my Spanish, and they're shocked that I only have two months in the mission.  Today we went to the hospital to return the Holter, and we'll check the results.  Hopefully they'll send us back to Ibiza tonight--it's been too long since I've been able to work in our area (technically, a week--I'm dying to finally jump back in!!!!!!!!!).  Pray for us, please!

I love you, Papi.  I'm so highly favored to be your son.  After nightly family prayer, please give everyone a hug, every night, from me.

Love,

Elder Pablo Zubeldia