Response to a long letter

My Beloved Family,

First off, thank you so much for compiling it all into one e-mail!! This will make things a lot easier!! (Of course, if you have something that you want to share with me privately, I would still love to get your e-mails!)

Soraya,

That´s right, I AM a baby, just like you, in that picture! I love Barney, too -- did you know that your Barney doll is the same one as in that picture of baby Pablo? Isn't our house beautiful?! I would love to see the heart you maded! I keep you in my heart all the time. :) I am going to come home soon enough, honey! I want to give you a squishy hug, and to make you fly, because I love you so so much and I miss you!!

Sofía,

I'm doing great! How are you? How is school in Spanish? What are your friends' names? What do you play with them? What is your favorite class? I love you SOOOOO much, too!! Hey, Gorgeous, will you please read the Book of Mormon, all by yourself? I promise that you will feel even happier as you take time to read it every day. I love you!!

Caco,

What are your friends like? What are your favorite 3 things to play at recess? What is your favorite part of going to the Spanish school? I hope you are having fun, and that you are still reading the Book of Mormon, like you said! How is the reading? How far are you? What have you learned?

Squeeves,

I was going to ask about your weeks of silence. ;) What is the most different part of being at this new school? What problems are you having with the weird schedule? What are the names of your new friends? Levi, I promise you that as you read the Book of Mormon, you will be able to enjoy the company of new and other people, and you will be happier than ever, and will be able to make a positive impact on those around you. It starts with you, Shquivi. I'm doing well. The most common thing I have is rice and meat. I asked my companion, and he doesn't know, but he just got some Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in a box from home, and HE LOVED IT!!!!!! Oh, and he also likes ceviche from Ecuador, and goat brain soup from Nigeria. ;) Water hydrants full of love  -Me

Shpaniel,

Bud, can I just say that, even though you've forgotten all about me this summer, I love you? ;) I'm sending some letters today, but I haven't yet written real letters to you, Levi, or Cuco yet, but don't worry or feel bad, please--I will send those ASAP. But if I could send you a letter, this is what it would say-- 2 NEPHI 31:20 READ THE BOOK OF MORMON ON YOUR OWN STARTING TODAY. In fact, that is the message to everyone who asks about me -- spread the word, buddy. :) My companion and I are doing great. What did I do tomorrow? Uh...well, I´m going to Barcelona to pick up my new companion. :) It hasn't happened yet, but I know that it will build me up spiritually; everything about the mission does. :) I'm so proud of your indexing efforts!!! Keep your foot on the pedal!!! I love you, and I want all of the details of being a king of the school 9th grader at FFJH, and going to school without any siblings, etc. I love you, bud!

I will respond to Sarah privately. :)

Mami,

Thank you so much for giving me the scoop on what is going on in the details of the family life. :)

When it comes to goals, Mami, it's important that you remember the difference between "visions" and "goals". A vision is, for example, "I will run a marathon, this time, next year". A vision is the desired end result at the top of the ladder; metas (goals) are the rungs of the ladder. The 3 M's of metas are: meaningful (something that you really want), measureable (progress is reportable), and meat-able (realistic). The goals we set for ourselves, according to Preach My Gospel, reflect our personal desires and expectations--set small goals, and use discipline to achieve them. Diligence and discipline will be the hands that carry us up the ladder to our vision. When the family is united in a vision, "look[ing] forward with one eye"(Mosiah 18:21-22), miracles will happen. I've learned this for myself in our companionship, our branch, and our mission.

I will pray for you and your goals. These two years are a time for all of us to grow. Here's another quote for you: "It is better to suffer the pain of dedication than to suffer the pain of regret."  Hope that's not too fuerte. :)

I'm so grateful to be your son, and to have been raised by such a wonderful mother!!! I'm working hard to be the missionary that you would be well pleased in! I love you!!

Papi,

 I love you so much. :)

Here is my letter to President:

Dear President,

I am doing well, and our companionship is doing well. Élder Bozarth and are are working better together than ever--we're focusing on teaching to the needs of these wonderful people as a team with the Spirit, and asking inspired questions.

What has been a huge help is sharing our personal goals, and committing to help each other reach them.

For example, Élder Bozarth loves basketball. I have a personal goal of learning as much as I can from my companions and leaders, and I also want to get in shape. I realized that everything I needed to have better unity, and thus spiritual power, was right in front of my eyes -- I asked Élder Bozarth to teach me about, and to coach me in, basketball. It makes sure that we get up for physical exercise in the mornings, and it increases our unity. We're having fun, and I'm learning so much (relating to basketball and serving others). Basketball is something that reaches him, and it is something that has helped us communicate even more. I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's help in helping me see this. 

I love it here. I love these people. I´m so excited to get to share this with two more missionaries here! (I hope they play basketball!) I know that if we continually strive to be obedient, that we will be useful unto the Lord in the saving of many souls here in Ibiza.

Miracles keep coming, and I know that we're going to see even more pretty soon. I just read over your e-mail responses -- thank you for responding to me! Thank you for your reassurance and trust. I will try to be the best me, and I won't give up on being intense and excited about this work.

Thank you so much for all of your support and effort; when I read about it, I hear "I love you".

We're going to Barcelona (tomorrow, I believe) to pick up our new companions. Élder Bozarth is training, and my companion has a lot of experience. With all of the new missionaries surging in, and all of the old ones going home, by December, the majority of the mission will probably have 6 months or less here in Spain. I'm grateful for this opportunity that I have to be with one of those experienced missionaries, and to soak up as much as I can, before I become one of the older missionaries out here!!

I'm almost out of time, and I'm glad I wrote a lot of what I want to say to you in the letter I will send today. I love you more than you know.

Simply,

Élder Pablo Zubeldia