San Antonio, Ibiza

Dearest Family and Friends,

 

Time FLIES!!! Vaca Santa!!! ;)

 

I got the package that you sent, family, and HAVE I REMINDED YOU THAT I LOVE YOU PEOPLE?!?! Thank you so much for the PICTURES, the LETTERS, and the american food (my companions and investigators love it!!)

 

This is the saga that I wrote to my mission president:

 

Dear President,

 

I am doing well: I am happy, and I am grateful to be a missionary. I´m learning so much, President. Something really stuck out to me from what you said in the Specialized Training: that I don't have to conform myself to the habits/traditions/standards of missionaries who've come before me; that it's alright to make a change for the better. I don't expect it to be easy, but I know that it is going to be a huge blessing for our branch! 

 

I've already spoken to [said] family -- I explained that we won't be in their house for more than an hour, that the amounts of visits are going to be less frequent, and will no longer be at set days of the week. I explained to them that you (President) are not to blame -- that if we, as missionaries, do what you counsel us to do, it is not our your "fault"; WE make the decision to be obedient because we know that the Lord will bless us, the families of this branch, and the people of this island for it. The Spirit was strong, and they took it well.

  

I am looking for other ways that we can change how missionary work has been done in the past in our area. We worked with the members to create a "Disponibilidad" Chart -- now we know which of the members we can count on for visits in our area, and when they are available. Visits with members in the past were really the sort of visits that Home and Visiting Teachers should be doing; from now on, I'm going to try and turn our visits into mini-district meetings, to check-up on and facilitate members's missionary work. As we try this out, and simultaneously get members more involved into the Lord's work for us all as a branch in San Antonio, I know that we will be blessed with miracles!!

  

I'm sorry for the constant stream of questions that I have usually asked in the past. They might have seemed annoying. I'm learning that I don't have to try and be Elder Rockwood or Elder Archibald or any of the other missionary legends; I know that Heavenly Father will help me to become Élder Zubeldia, and that I, with His guidance, will be able to be a useful instrument in His hands if I sincerely listen to the Spirit and act on it. He will give me the answers to the questions I have.

  

When it comes to reporting our efforts, it's better to be honest than to have there be big numbers. I know that, as I strive to be cheerfully obedient, enthusiastically diligent, loving, and humble, Heavenly Father will help me to honestly be a servant of His who effectively finds, strengthens, and baptizes. I might never be the perfect missionary, but I'm never going to stop trying to become the best missionary that I can be; that is how I will reach Heavenly Father's Standards of Excellence.

 

We love and pray for you and Sister Pace every day. Thank you for all that you do for us!!

 

Simply,
Élder Zubeldia

P.S. Sorry for the epistle!

 

The missionary work in here on our part of the island is going well -- our investigator family of Romanians keeps bringing more and more family to the lessons (we teach in Spanish-Romanian-Hungarian, between my companion and I, and the investigators, and the Hungarian and Romanian Books of Mormon that we have given them, and the Spirit :) ). Our other families seem to all be going on vacation soon, and will be back in a month or two. A huge chunck of our investigator base is all leaving for their respective home countries for their off-season breaks. This will be an interesting challenge. :) It's a good thing that this is the Lord's work, and that everything will be alright!! :)

 

I pray for each of you, by name, every day, even if I don't hear back from you. Why? Because I love you!!! Read the Book of Mormon every day -- you WILL feel happier!!!

 

Y esas son las noticias!! Les quiero un montón!!!

 

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia