Last picture?

We got this from a member. Probably the last picture of Élder Zubeldia's mission.

I love you!!

My family,

I am doing well!! This is late -- I have been taking care of a missionary who just had a concussion. Don't worry -- all is well. I am only telling you this so that you know why I'm writing this short message after 7 o'clock my time. He's doing alright, you can ask me later. I love these missionaries, and they are a high priority.

I am fine, the work here is amazing, my companion is wonderful, our friend Angelo is such an AMAZING convert!!!! He was baptized this weekend, and he is absolutely incredible!!!!! He is such a prepared person, and he has such strong desires to please the Lord and to share the gospel!!! I'm just so blown away by my friend Angelo!!!

This is a poem Pte Pace just send me:

Hoe to the End of the Row!

Bill Brown made a million,

Bill Brown, think of that.

That boy you remember,

As poor as a rat.

He hoed for the neighbors,

Did jobs by the day.

And Bill made a million,

Or near it they say.

He worked for my father,

You’ll maybe recall.

He wasn’t a wonder,

Not that, not at all.

He couldn’t out-hoe me,

Or cover more ground,

Or hoe any faster,

Or beat me around.

In fact, I was better

In one way that I know.

One toot from the kitchen

And home I would go.

But Bill Brown always hoed

To the end of the row.

We used to get hungry

Out there in the corn.

You talk about music,

What equals a horn?

A horn yellin’ dinner,

And tomatoes and beans,

And pork and potatoes,

And gravy and greens.

I ain’t blamin’ no one

For quittin’ on time.

To quit with the whistle,

That ain’t any crime.

But as for the million,

Well, this much I know.

Bill Brown always hoed

To the end of the row.

- Anonymous

I've got a lot of row still ahead of me!! I am not stopping with the whistle -- I'm going to the end of the row!!! My Savior did, Joseph Smith did, all of you always have, and I'm 100% dependent on the Lord who is giving me the strength to follow His example!!

I love you!

Élder Zubeldia

I love you all so much!!!

Dear Family,

This week was absolutely incredible!! So many of our friends are learning about their Savior and about how they can come closer to Him!!

We had SO many conferences this week!! Spiritual feast tras spiritual feast!! It was absolutely incredible!! Such a privilege!! We heard from Élder Allen, director of the Missionary Dept, and Élder Dyches, from the Europe Area Presidency.

They taught us many things, and the topics that stuck out to me most were about conversion, mentality, applying Preach My Gospel fully, and a quote from Élder Bednar: "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." We can always rethink, retool, and reboot our way of doing things, and we can always become more effective!!!

As a side-note, we learned that our mission has been selected for the 2nd Round of iPad testing. I don't know when we'll get them, but I'm grateful for the perspective that they shared with us this week. The Lord is reaching out to our generation, and is trying to teach us how to use technology effectively. Safeguards for the digital age of missionary work are: Learning to tune in to the Spirit, Focusing on our Missionary Purpose, Being disciplined, and Being One. What a miraculous time!!

But what's most important, my companion is such a great example, our missionaries are happy, and we are seeing so many miracles with our friends!!! Andrés and Marina are so happy to have the gift of the Holy Ghost in their lives!! They have felt so much happier since having been baptized!!!!! Angelo is excited for his baptism this Saturday; Nelson really felt the Spirit yesterday at our Stake Conference (he even got to speak with President Pace), and we're inviting him to be baptized later today; and Santos, Irma, and Estefanía are also committed to trying out the promise of the Book of Mormon for themselves, and so they will know for themselves before their goal to be baptized this month as well!!!!!!!!

I have been praying for my friends all the time; they are always on my mind, and we're always learning how to help them. I have felt that they are all ready to take their first steps of discipleship this month. I pray that they will continue to feel the Spirit, and that they will feel of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for themselves. Angelo already has, along with Nelson, Santos, and Estefanía; we are just working to help them discover for themselves what the Lord is guiding them to do!! I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers, and that miracles happen here in the Lord's work!!

I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and that He loves you, too. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that we can repent. I know that covenants have real power. I know that the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His priesthood authority were restored through Joseph Smith. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that Heavenly Father will share the knowledge of these things with you, too, if you sincerely seek for yourself.

May Heavenly Father bless you in all aspects of your life!!

 

I love you so much!!

Élder Zubeldia

A Milagroso Time to Live!!! :D

Dear Family,

I love you all so much!!

This week was absolutely phenomenal!!! It's so hard to explain!!!! I'll try to go in reverse order:

1) Today was miraculous because we were able to help a Moldavian woman who was drunk, and were able to help her in the hour-long train ride. Heavenly Father had us in the right place at the right time for her, and the Japanese man who was with us saw what we were doing, and now he has a mini-Book of Mormon which he wants to read!! We said a prayer for both of our friends, and I know that the Lord will guide and bless them!!

 

2) Yesterday we had so many of our friends show up to church!! We went and picked up a family with a wheelchair, and then our wonderful members went and picked up their friends and family members!!

 

3) My friend Marina was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints yesterday!!!!!!!!! 8D 8D 8D She is SO AMAZING!!!! 5 months ago I met her in her granddaughter's birthday party. Marina's daughter Liliam and Liliam's son David were baptized last year, and they are from El Salvador. There were some weird stuff for a few months, but we were able to maintain contact with the family, and then they came to General Conference. That was where everything changed. Marina started to progress, little by little, and when she learned that she could perform baptisms in the Temple for her ancestors (particularly her mom), she felt the Spirit and gained a personal witness of the truthfulness of all we had been learning together. She bore a beautiful testimony after the service, and is setting such a great example for the rest of her family. SHE WAS SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am SO excited to see them later today!!!!

 

4) Our friend Melisa, who was baptized last year, and her boyfriend Angelo, came to a dinner with Andrés (our friend who was baptized the morning of General Conference (we watch it in the afternoon here in Spain)) and his wife Talía. It was a wonderful dinner conversation, and the whole room was full of the Spirit. We invited Angelo to be baptized, and he said (to the effect), "I feel like it's my time. If I don't get closer to God now, I'll just keep putting it off, and I might never find out for myself." Melisa broke into tears on the spot. He is excited, and he loves learning!! He is going to be baptized on the 16th!! We are all so happy for him!!!

 

5) The missionaries in our ward are doing so great!! Everyone is seeing so many miracles, and is feeling so happy!! These missionaries and this wonderful ward are the shining stars of Barcelona!! They are just so great!!!

I am so grateful for the privilege I've been given to serve alongside the amazing people here in Spain.

Estoy aprendiendo que le debo mucho más a mi Padre Celestial de lo puedo entender.

It is incredible: the Gospel is all about becoming. It seems that the more we love others, the more we become. Heavenly Father is so great!!! The Savior loves us so much, and is SUCH an example for all of us!!!

I know that Heavenly Father loves us, all of us. I know that Jesus Christ's offering is extended to everyone, all the time. I know that we can accept His offering by receiving the restored ordinances and by living the principles of His gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that everyone who reads it and prays about it will be blessed in their lives.

JAJAJA, THE FUTURE IS ARRIVING IN BARCELONA!!!

Dear Missionaries of El Faro,

We are now pleased to announce the following: 

What: Missionary Work in the Digital Age - Mission Conference Visiting General Authorities: Elder Timothy J. Dyches, Counselor Europe Area Presidency Elder Stephen B Allen, Area Seventy, Managing Director of the Missionary Department 

Date: Tuesday, May 5th Time: 9:30 am - Seated reading scriptures 10:00 am - Conference begins 

Place: Barcelona Stake Center Calle Cantabria 31 

Attendance: Every missionary in El Faro! 

Individual Preparation: In preparation for the Mission Conference we invite each of you to re-read the white Missionary Handbook to find all references that would help a missionary using a digital device. Read the Missionary Handbook, before the conference, with this question in your mind, "What principles apply to a Missionary using an iPad?" An important part of our discussion will be the principles, in the Handbook, that give guidance and direction to missionaries with iPads. 

The First Presidency has approved fifteen (15) missions in Europe for the continued testing of digital devices in missionary work. We are pleased that the three (3) missions in Spain are the first Spanish-speaking missions to use digital devices. This is a great honor and a great responsibility. 

This Mission Conference will prepare us to use iPads as an additional tool in our missionary work. However, the iPads will not be delivered to the missionaries as part of the Mission Conference. There is no certain date as to when the iPad will be available.  

Love,

President Pace, President of the Spain Barcelona Mission, and a huge example to me

P.S. I am so excited to go to this training!! Even if I don't actually get to be here when they arrive (they'll probably get here with the new mission president in July), I am so happy that I'll get to be here to listen to the training for the iPads!! This is historic!! This is so great!! The Future is looking so bright!!!

Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally!!

Dear Family,

I love you so much!!

This has been another fantastic week!! This week has been a very intense week!! I just feel like I got off a roller-coaster, and now I'm at the front of the line to get back on! I'm so excited for how things are going in our ward!!

For example, we were going to a visit where we were expecting a few evangelical gypsy families to be (we had met them a few days earlier, and they had been so excited to receive the copies of the Book of Mormon that we gave them), when we were surprised to find that the plaza was empty. So we prayed, and felt like we should pass by a girl who was baptized last year, but who hasn't been able to attend church because of school. We went by, and met her for the first time and her boyfriend Angelo! They are super great!! Talking with them was like talking with people who've been our friends for the longest time!! The Spirit was so strong, and they came to visit the baptism the next day, and then they came to church the day after (they had even returned the Tupperware we had given them -- replacing the brownies originally there with a delicious lemon-pastry). They are so great, and they are both looking to have the Spirit more in their lives. I know that the answer is in the Book of Mormon, and in living principles of the restored gospel!!

The other day, we were about to begin delivering brownies to members in our area, and we were walking the one-metro-stop distance between our apartment and the chapel, along the Rambla. There was this Spanish guy who looked awesome -- he had the side of his head shaved, some braids, and was listening to really loud rap music. We were waiting at a red light together, and I knew we would be friends. He readily accepted the gift of the Book of Mormon, even though he isn't "creyente" (believer). He said he would read it, and that he would get back to us. The Lord's timing will be right! On that same walk, we continued making friends with a huge family from Peru -- they had met with missionaries before!! They were in a hurry, but felt the Spirit when we talked with them about eternal families. They all were happy by the end of our conversation, and they are excited to try out the Book of Mormon for themselves! A minute or so later, on the same walk, we were walking parallel to an older couple who were commenting on the limo that was parked right next to us. We joked about "our car", and how we were just feeling like today was the day to take a walk for once and enjoy nature. We had a wonderful conversation about the Restoration, and had such a fun time with these nice people!! Fun fact, his name was Hercules!! Jaja, he's such a funny guy!! It was such a miraculous and fun walk!! I am so grateful for these every-day experiences as a missionary!! Every day is extraordinary!!

Last night, while at a ward baptism, my companion Élder Farley was talking to our friend Marina, who is the mother and grandmother of our recent convert friends. She had a goal to be baptized for last week, and we had taken the Bishop to meet with her and talk with her about baptism. She had been a little cautious, and was having trouble recognizing the testimony that she already has. He invited her to be baptized this coming Saturday, and she said no... but that she wanted to be baptized this next Sunday, because Sunday seems like a nicer day!! Jaja, what a miracle!!! She is so sweet, and she is always trying to serve and unite her family!! I know that the gospel will help her family to feel peace and happiness at home, despite how life is for so many people here in Europe.

My companion is such a focused missionary -- he is just full of pure love for everybody!! I LOVE being his companion!!! He is such a great example!! In a meeting we had as missionaries,we were going to have another message at the end, after listening to Him share a message about the Atonement, but after he brought the Spirit so strongly, we just wordlessly ended with the closing hymn. He is a huge example, and he is really inspiring the missionaries. He is such a great influence!!

I love my Savior, and the privilege it is to represent Him to this world. I know that He lives, and I know that He loves me perfectly. I know that this is His work, and I am grateful for what He has and is doing for me!!

 

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

We don't develop character "in the moment" -- that's when we demonstrate our character

Dear Family and Friends,

I am doing super well!! I am so happy to be a missionary!! I feel the Spirit, I have a wonderful companion, we have wonderful people, and I am feeling the Lord's hand in my life. I love this work!!

My companion is a spiritual giant!! He is so in tune with the Spirit, and has been a huge help this week in finding, teaching, and ministering to people's needs!! Élder Farley understands the value of little things. He is such a blessing to serve with, and such a great companion!!

This week was a little different from last week, but the Lord's will was done. We were in the right places, at the right times, to be there for people who really needed our help this week (missionaries, members, and non-members). We gave priesthood blessings 7 out of the last 8 days. It was really fulfilling to be there for people right in their hard moments, and to feel like the Lord was using us as His hands. I don't know how to describe how great it feels to know that He trusts us... I feel so grateful!

This is our District!! :D

Today was transfers, and I saw some of my best friends today!! Some of them are going home (Élder Hardy, heading to his next area in Canada), and I've been thinking about my mission. I find it interesting that we all decide how we're going to end our missions long before the end approaches. The Savior did His best work at the end of His mission, and He served till the end (and is still serving!); I want to follow His example!!

Our ward is still catching the Vision of the Prophets!! We are still nurturing the momentum, and we can feel it building in the members -- especially in the leaders!! I am so excited!!

Our friend Andrés received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday. This week was full of testimonies of the power of the Priesthood. Andrés is already doing missionary work!! He and his wife are helping a part-member couple, and we saved their marriage this week in a spiritually intense visit, in which we were asked, by the less-active husband, for a blessing. He told us that he felt like we were reading his heart, and the Spirit spoke to all of us so powerfully. This has been a perspective-changing week.

I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for the love He makes me feel from Him, and for others. He is absolutely amazing. I love Him!!

I hope you have a great week!! I have about 100 years left on my mission, más o menos, and I am trying to give my all to the Lord, His work, and these wonderful people!! I love you all!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me

My Dear Family and Friends who I love so much!!,

Happy Easter!! Happy General Conference!! I am completely blown away by how Heavenly Father made this week so incredible!! He is so amazing!! I am praying that I can be motivated by love, that I may listen, and do His will.

From left: Élder Farley, my current companion,
Élder Dean, me and Élder Sorensen.
I love these missionaries!!

Élder Farley is a wonderful companion! He is proactive, hardworking, and full of faith. He has such a love for his family, and for everyone around him. If there was a word I would use to describe him it would be "pure". He is always so eager to serve and to work!!

Every companionship in the district is going to have a friend be baptized this month, for sure!!! :D I know that it's a direct result of their worthiness, and of their efforts to work with the members!!! Every single baptism this month will be traced directly to working with members!!

Andrés was baptized, and at the Bishop´s instruction, was confirmed right after his baptism!!! His testimony after his baptism was the following, "I am grateful to have finally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, and to feel accepted by Him". We asked him the morning of his baptism what it was that he was doing by being baptized. He said, "I am committing to follow and obey the Lord, and to share His gospel." It was such a precious day, totally filled with a feeling of love and gratitude. I love Andrés, and I am so grateful to be a missionary!!!

One of our miracles of the week is the story of Irma. We were going with our Bishop to visit the family of Liliam (her mom Marina and niece Paola, who also want to be baptized this month!), a new member from El Salvador. We arrived a few minutes early, and decided to share the message of Easter with a woman who was standing right behind us. Irma and her little girls (Estefanía, Paula, Wendy, and the baby Caterina) are also from El Salvador, and our wonderful Bishop David Solís invited and committed them to a Noche de Hogar later in the week, in the home of the family we were about to visit. Both families agreed, and come the Noche de Hogar, Irma had brought her husband Santos. They felt the Spirit, and had a great time with the members (our fantastic Bishop and Ward Mission Leader Jesús came!). They all came together to the Sunday afternoon session at the church, and felt the Spirit again! Talking afterward with Santos about the Conference, he told me that this was the true path of God. We invited them to continue discovering for themselves, and asked if they would be baptized if they would continue to feel that this IS God's true fold. Irma seemed uncertain, but Santos said yes! We invited them to pray as a couple about what they had heard in the Conference, and we will be visiting them later this week!! I know that as we do our best to love others, to work with the members, Heavenly Father will guide us to find families who are ready!

I hope that, for the rest of my mission and life, that I will be able to present the Lord with my heart, and that He will find an accounting of love for others, and of awe and love for Him and His Son.

I love you all!! Thank you so much for the exemplar lives you are all living!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

THIS is a week for people who are EXCITED about the Savior and General Conference!!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

I love you all so much!! It is so great here in Barcelona!! I am learning so much!!!

My new companion is Élder Farley! He is from Orem, Utah, and is full of faith!! We are seeing tons of miracles here in Barcelona!! We're working hard, and doing our best to follow the Spirit!!

My previous companion Élder Sorensen is doing better!! He is now serving in Cornellá, which is closer to the hospital. He is incredible!! His example taught me about the 4th Missionary -- this is a talk by Lawrence Corbridge that, if you haven't read, you need to read!! It is absolutely amazing!! It gives an insightful view on the kinds of missionaries/members that there are, and that we can become.

Our friend Andrés is so wonderful!!! He is preparing to be baptized this Saturday!! He is absolutely incredible. The changes that are happening in his heart are truly miraculous. I know that when people humbly search for the truth, they will find it, and the truth will change them.

I just want to take some time to talk about what is so special about this weekend.

http://www.mormon.org/easter

This video said it for me. Please watch it. Please share it. It is the truth, and it will make the change if we really consider what it means for us.

Please read, slowly, for the next full minute, the lyrics of a favorite primary hymn:

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?

He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.

How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?

He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.

How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?

He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.

What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?

Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.

What does he ask? Live like his Son.

This week, my friend Andrés has chosen to begin to "live like His Son". What a blessing for him and for his family!!!!

This week is going to be wonderful!!! Being a missionary is the BEST THING EVER -- I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS "A MARVELOUS WORK AND A WONDER" (Isa 29:14!!!!!!!!!!!! 

In another sense, this Easter weekend is the perfect time to wonder... "What do I need to do to better live like God's Son?" The event that occurred this week 2000 years ago still cause wonder today, and have a significant power in helping us find answers to questions that we are still wondering about today.

https://www.lds.org/church/events/april-2015-general-conference?lang=eng

This week, will you search for answers of your own in General Conference? I'm excited to hear your what answers you received in your emails next week. I hope that you find what you´re looking for!!!

Heavenly Father is SO aware of you!! He loves you so much!!! I love you so much!!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

We went bowling on P-Day

Abraham 3:17 "there is nothing that the Lord thy God shall take in his heart to do but what he will do it."

Dearly Beloved Family,

I love you so much!!! I am doing super great! But what's more important is how my companion is doing: the friendly doctors are helping us out!! The medication and rest is really helping my companion; he is in a lot less pain! We aren't really supposed to do too much so that we don't make my companion's medical problem worse; but we're managing! I love how he is being on-purpose in the piso (our apartment)! He is trying to become the person he wants to be after his mission: he is analyzing himself, setting goals, and doing the best he can to improve! He is such a good example!! I feel like both of our mindsets are changing, and that our perspective is expanding. Heavenly Father teaches us ALL the time!!!

"Living the Gospel" is becoming such a meaningful phrase. Disciples of Jesus Christ live His Restored Gospel. Disciples actively seek guidance the Holy Ghost. Disciples are voluntarily and unconditionally obedient. Disciples love other people and seek happiness in service. Disciples have less "down-time" because they are enthusiastically doing something. Living the Gospel helps us to strengthen our personal relationship with Heavenly Father. Living the Gospel is the most fulfilling way to live!! I love being a missionary because I get to help other people live the Gospel and learn to live it better myself!!

Our friend Andrés is developing a lasting conversion. This Buddhism-sympathyzing Catalán is becoming a humble disciple of Jesus Christ. He initially agreed to be baptized to be more united with his wife (member), but now he is excited for baptism to follow the Lord and to gain the blessings of the Temple for himself and his family on the other side. The Spirit is working miracles constantly in the hearts of people here!! Last transfer we were very close to resting him, but then he began to read the Book of Mormon, pray, and come to church. Now he's excited to pay his tithing and prepare for the temple!!!! This work is so much bigger than I am, and so precious and wonderful!!

This week I learned about the power of positivism. I suggest reading Numbers 13 & 14; yes, from the Old Testament. We've been talking and studying a lot about capturing the vision of our Prophet Thomas S. Monson as a District, and we had made a District goal to use our own Liahonas to figure out how to "hasten" our ward's journey to the "promised land". Our Mini-MTC was planned with this focus, and we used videos from the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" webpage. The ward leaders who came murmured and made it seem like we were permanently stuck in "the desert", but the Spirit touched their hearts!! Our ward council yesterday was the meeting I've been dreaming about for months!! Hermano Herráiz, the former Stake President of Barcelona, made an incredible PowerPoint, and really nailed the negativity (again, see Numbers 13-14, the positive and negative reports, God's response, and the long-term consequences!! Notice how interesting it is that Israel wasn't allowed to go to the Promised Land until they were united in their positivism!!). Then Hermano Arcos, the former Bishop, shared an inspiring story of his primary-age son who is having success sharing the gospel at school!! Members who had been pouring negativity into the ward's progress felt the Spirit, and began pouring positivity back into the discussion!! They set goals, made plans, and were lifting their vision; THE MISSIONARY EFFORT IS TURNING INTO THE WARD COUNCIL'S EFFORT!!!! They've caught the vision of the Prophet, and we're becoming more united, which means that we WILL see the Lord's promised blessings!! This was the miracle of the month!!!

"With increased vision comes increased motivation" -Elder Tad R. Callister

The Lord has said, "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." (D&C 88:73). He has asked us to participate in the Work of Salvation; and that means all of us. The Lord of the Harvest will Hasten His Work when we all unite with Him in His vision.

This week, please consider what the Lord is asking of us: https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening?lang=eng

I know that Heavenly Father will inspire you with ideas as you seek to capture the vision He has for you and the people you know. It's happening here, and it will happen anywhere honest people seek. (Matt 7:7-8)

I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers our prayers. I know that this is the Lord's work. I know that there is power in positivism (faith) and in unity. I know that the Lord will bless and guide us as we seek to catch, share, and fulfill His vision for us.

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

Discipleship :)

Dearly Beloved Family,

I love you so much!!!!!

Haha, well, this week we didn't really get to leave the piso (our apartment), unless we were going to the hospital, or going to church. My companion is doing fine, today we went to the hospital to check up on some results, and now he is taking some medication. Everything will be fine! :) I'm doing my best to take care of him. We are learning a lot from our studies, the talks we listen to, and the conversations we have about the gospel.

And though we didn't get to go out to work, wouldn't you know it, miracles still filled the week!!! After my companion's operation, we were sent home by taxi. We began talking with our nice Catalán driver Jorge, and the conversation turned to missionary work, of course. This man believes in God, but is very anti-religion, because of negative experiences in his childhood, etc. He also has a neighbor who is an evangelical pastor, who is always trying to argue with him, apparently. He told us that he had seen lots of missionaries, and that he lives in the same apartment complex as some "girls" of our church. The other day, as he was carrying in his groceries, they saw him, and quickly helped him with his bags. They left a really positive impression on him, and he thought about it later. I am convinced that the act of service of those Sister missionaries prepared Jorge to listen to us. (Thank you Sister Missionaries who are always on-purpose and atentas to opportunities to serve others!!) Although he wasn't at all predisposed to trusting people from a church, he listened attentively to the message of the Restoration of Christ's original church through Joseph Smith, a modern prophet. We listened to his objections, and bore our testimony of the Book of Mormon, which he accepted, committed to read, and to ask Heavenly Father if it really is true. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost, who really does touch the hearts of others, and who helps us feel Heavenly Father's strength and loving guidance. Even though we were in a taxi, sharing a conversation with a stranger, driving through hectic traffic, we all felt the Spirit, and Jorge is that much closer to having the full blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ in his family's life.

I love being a missionary!!

I would love to hear about the invitations that you've extended!! How are your friends doing? What did they say?! Read Ch 11 of Preach My Gospel if you're having trouble inviting. I promise that Heavenly Father will bless your efforts to share the gospel as you act in faith.

I know that Heavenly Father loves us. I know that Jesus Christ made it possible for me to be forgiven. I know that Joseph Smith saw God face-to-face. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

I love you!!

Élder Zubeldia

P.S. This video is beautiful, and it teaches some important principles. We can learn from the example of Moses that is found in the Pearl of Great Price. You might find it interesting to watch this video with a friend; it might be interesting for them to understand a little more about what we mean by someone who is a prophet, and be interesting to consider that we have a prophet today. :) https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-03-50-i-am-a-son-of-god?lang=eng

The Holy Ghost, also called the Comforter

Dear Beloved Family,

I love you so much!!! :D

I'm sorry that we're writing today instead of yesterday; my companion was in pain, and we had to return to the piso and not leave for the entire afternoon, again. My companion is getting his procedure tomorrow. He's suffering, and I hope that it ends, soon. I wish I could trade situations with him, so that he wouldn't have to struggle so much.

I'm doing fine, though. I really wish we could work more, but I know that the Lord is just giving me this opportunity to teach me and to help me grow. I got to go on an intercambio with my friend Élder Hachenberger on Saturday that made up for the whole week: we didn't waste ANY time, and we saw SO many miracles!! We taught literally dozens of people, from all over the world, gave two priesthood blessings, invited people to be baptized, and felt the Spirit all afternoon with people!!

One experience from this intercambio happened when we were heading to an eating visit with a member in these Élders' area. We got a call from the member telling us that the Sister Missionaries were also coming to the visit. In our mission only one set of missionaries should be in a visit at one time; it's a way for us to be effective by being in as many places as possible. Also, we aren't supposed to visit members who are outside of our area... Haha. Anyways, we had a little problem. My companion wondered if it would be okay to go to the visit with the Sisters. After a short discussion, we decided to be obedient, and we made calls to resolve the situation. We were not going to waste any time, and so we decided to sit on a bench by the Metro exit, on a street corner, and begin our language study before our next visit. I was praying to know what I should do for language study, and I began to run through options: vocabulary, or pronunciation, or reading the Book of Mormon out loud in Spanish, or the Liahona, or memorizing a hymn in Spanish...?... and then I felt the Spirit. My companion and I decided to pull out our hymnbooks and sing hymns right there on that street-corner bench. I had left my bag on the floor in front of me, and decided to leave my hat on it, facing up. We were having a blast, singing hymns of the Restoration as people walked by, when a man pushing his toddler in a toy-scooter drops a few euros in my hat!! We jumped up, ran up to the man, laughed some, and told him thanks but that we can't accept his money. I asked him if he had heard the song that we were singing ("Praise to the Man") before. When he said yes, we looked at him doubtfully, and asked if he was sure. "Yes, of course I have, I'm a member of the church." 8D We began talking with him, and we found out that he was from Chile (he looked Spanish to me), that he had been baptized 18 years ago when he was 17, and that he had been inactive ever since coming to Spain. He is married, and nobody in his family here is a member of the church. We walked with him, and he told us that just four days earlier his wife had had a stroke, and that she had just come home earlier that day. She was still in major pain, and their little family was struggling. We went up with him into their home, and found that a member who was in my ward in Sabadell (a town I served in a year ago) was in their house!!! They are friends, and we are friends, and the day we miraculously meet this Chilean family happened to be the same day that my friend from Sabadell had also felt prompted to pay them a visit!!!! We didn't want to take too much of their time (obviously, the lady was in pain and needed rest), but they wanted to know about priesthood blessings, and then they asked us for one. As we left, there was a feeling of peace in the home, and the tears in the lady's eyes and her smile told us that she was feeling the Holy Ghost.

Heavenly Father had us all in the right place at the right time. I know that when we are trying our very best to be obedient to the Gospel (or even mission rules that might not always make sense to some people), Heavenly Father will guide us, and work through us, to meet the needs of others.

Later the next day, I found this personal study activity at the end of Chapter 4 of the Preach My Gospel manual:

Study and ponder the following counsel. How does it relate to your daily proselyting activities?

“Tell the brethren to be humble and faithful and be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord, that it will lead them aright. Be careful and not turn away the still, small voice; it will teach them what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their heart open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits — it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts, and their whole desire will be to do good” (quoted in Juvenile Instructor, 19 July 1873, 114).

The Prophet Joseph Smith gave this counsel to Brigham Young in a dream almost three years after Joseph Smith's death. If you were in Brigham Young's place and received this counsel, what would you do?

...

I love being a missionary!!! I invite you to consider how the Holy Ghost makes us feel.

---

There was also a personal miracle that came in a quiet moment in the piso. While my companion slept, I was really feeling discouraged, and was beating myself up for things that are outside of my control. I realized that I wasn't feeling the Spirit, and caught hold of that prompting, and began to write down my feelings in my journal. It was a private prayer with Heavenly Father; and He answered me. My hand started to write His response to me, as if on its own, and I began to feel the discouragement be replaced by a warm, comforting feeling. He told me that He knows what I'm going through, and that He has a purpose in mind for me. He told me that He loves me, and that He's happy with me. I felt a thrill rush from my head to my toes, and I felt full of gratitude and joy. That saved my day, and when we were able to leave the piso even for an hour, I got to share my testimony with people and invite them to feel the same way by preparing to be baptized. I know that when we are living the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can feel His influence in our day to day lives.

I live for those feelings, and I want to love, follow, and serve my Father and Savior so that I can feel their loving embrace, forever.

Everyone deserves to feel the love of Heavenly Father and our Savior, always. When members receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost by someone holding the proper authority, after having been baptized by the same, then they CAN feel it always!!! That's another reason why baptism, and living the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, is so important!!

Here's another quote from Preach My Gospel that I've been studying this week, that really explains well why living the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is such a joy:

Individuals and families begin to follow Christ as they exercise faith in Him and repent of their sins. They receive a remission of sins through baptism and by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost from one who has authority from God to perform these ordinances. They then endure to the end, or, in other words, they continue throughout their lives in exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting, and renewing the covenants they have made. These are not just steps that they experience once in their lives; rather, when repeated throughout life these principles become an increasingly rewarding pattern of living. In fact, it is the only way of living that will bring peace of conscience and enable Heavenly Father’s children to return to live in His presence.

Would you like to feel the Holy Ghost more continuously in your life? Why don't you ask the missionaries? They can help you!

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#daily-bread-pattern

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#daily-bread-experience

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#daily-bread-change

Please watch these videos. They explain how you can feel the Spirit more in your life.

If you are a member, will you please share these videos with someone that you know this week? Will you invite them to talk with the missionaries?

If you are not a member, will you ask the missionaries how you and your family, specifically, can feel the Spirit more often in your home?

I promise that as you make feeling the Spirit a higher priority in your life this week, you will feel happier, less-stressed, and you will be blessed in your work, school, and home. I know that this is true, because it happens to me, and to my friends here in Spain.

I know Heavenly Father is aware of your feelings, knows your name, and loves you more than you might imagine. He will make it apparent to you this week as you accept and act upon the invitations that I've felt prompted to give you. I know that this Gospel and Work are true!!!

I love you!!

Élder Zubeldia

Love and Strength -- Gifts from a loving Father

Beloved Family,

I love you so much!!!

Quick follow up: Did you invite someone to listen to the missionaries this past week?!?!?!? ... :)

I hope to hear back from you this week about your experience!! Will you please write to me this next week about the invitation you extended? (If you didn't, don't worry, you have another whole week!!)

Sharing the restored gospel with people, feeling the Spirit with people hearing about the Restoration for the first time, is such a wonderful blessing. As you all know, "Nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach" (Preach My Gospel, chapter 9). In our mission, we pray and work with faith to find people who are prepared to accept the restored gospel. We mostly find people to teach by working through the members (as our Prophet Thomas S. Monson has asked us to do -- speaking of which, you should check out the "Hastening the Work of Salvation" webpage!! https://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening), and by doing our best to talk with everyone (or always be talking with someone). We also teach free English classes (a basic level, and a conversation class); have organized Ward Movie Nights (the ward has really taken off with this activity, and has made it a success!!!!!! 50 people came Sunday afternoon!!!!!! We were approved to watch "17 Miracles", and everyone was in tears!! I was so impressed by the unity of their desire to build Zion.); and we're running a Ward-level Mini-MTC (the ward is also helping this initiative to take flight!! We have it organized into districts with assigned District Leaders to help people during the week!!). We try and do all that we can to share the restored gospel, effectively, with more people.

Why do we share the Restored Gospel? Elder Dallin H. Oaks said: “We do not preach and teach in order to ‘bring people into the Church’ or to increase the membership of the Church. We do not preach and teach just to persuade people to live better lives. … We invite all to come unto Christ by repentance and baptism and confirmation in order to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. No one else can do this” (“The Purpose of Missionary Work,” missionary satellite broadcast, Apr. 1995).

I'm coming to understand the truth and significance of the fact that we really do have living prophets today. I know that living the gospel gives us access to the power of the Atonement; to forgiveness, to strength, and to the perfecting influence of the Holy Ghost. That's why we invite people to be baptized every day -- everyone deserves to have the Gospel in their lives.

I love being a missionary!!

Early on in my mission I had knocked a lot of doors, but I eventually came to the conclusion that it wasn't as effective as other ways of finding. This week the Lord taught me that when we are doing our best to share the gospel out of love and faith, He will bless us with miracles (even when we're knocking doors in apartment buildings in modern Spain!) On Saturday we took a new member, who just barely passed her 1 year mark since her baptism, to a visit with some new friends (Jose Manuel and his wife Alta Gracia, from the Dominican Republic) that we had met a few days earlier in their parked car. We went to the visit, and it turned out that our new friends had moved out of that apartment a few months ago; they weren't there, and we arrived during mediodia on a Saturday (not the best time to have strangers come knocking on your door). The man at the door (Méndez) seemed nice, despite his intimidating stature, and after talking with him for a bit, we asked if we could go in to share what we believe. It worked!!!!!!!!! We made friends with the family, and though they didn't come to church, they felt the Spirit, accepted the invitation of Moroni, and so are that much closer to living the restored Gospel!!! It was a huge miracle for us, and for the member who got to experience this tender mercy with us!!!

This week has been super great!! I feel like I'm learning so much from the Lord on the mission!!! He is teaching me a lot about strength and love.

Here are some scriptures that I've been pondering on these past few days.

Real Strength, Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Mosiah 24:12-16 "And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts. And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord. And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage."

Real Love, Moroni 8:16 "I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear.", 1 John 4:18-19 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love him, because he first loved us." John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another". John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Both Real Love and Real Strength/Faith are gifts from God. Another thought that we had today in companionship study: Belief is to Faith what Love is to Charity. Faith is Belief so strong that it leads to Action. Charity is Love so strong that it leads to Service. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is absolutely incredible!!!

I would like to share with you that I know that our Heavenly Father knows each of us by name, and that He loves us dearly. I know that Jesus Christ understands exactly what we're going through; that the Gospel He taught, and the Zion He established is true and will make our lives happier. I know that God restored His Gospel and His Zion through the prophet Joseph Smith Jr, and that God speaks to us through living prophets today. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it has great power; it was written for our day.

I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers, that we can receive answers for ourselves, and that our friends can receive answers for themselves.

They need to receive an answer for themselves, so that they can begin to enjoy the full blessings of living the restored Gospel in God's Zion today. You have friends or family members that need to receive an answer for themselves.

Here is a beautiful video of someone who went through a process to get an answer for himself: http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-hope-of-gods-light

Will you share your testimony, along with this video, this week to someone?

Will you please invite them to discover the truth of these things for themselves?

I know that Heavenly Father will help you feel greater peace, and will help you in your efforts to share and invite this week. I know that He will, because He does this for me every day. I love Him, and I know He loves me. I know He loves you, too.

I love you!!

Élder Zubeldia

The Miracle Zone :)

My Beloved Family,

I love you so much!! :)

This week has been a great week! I'm so grateful for the things that I'm learning from Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and that He wants for us to have real happiness.

The way to be happy is to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Heavenly Father is happiest being in existence, and when we have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, we can feel of His happiness and love for us.

We have a friend here in Barcelona who I'll call Andrés. He's from here, and he's married to a member of our ward from Ecuador. Andrés has had negative experiences with religion in the past, and so had decided to "sympathize" with Buddhism. One of his sons is a zealous evangelical christian, and his other son is firmly agnostic. The home isn't very united in their ways of living, and it was unlikely for Andrés to accept our invitations to discover for himself if Jesus Christ's teachings and church really has been restored. It's been hard on us, to help him to recognize that he has been feeling the Holy Ghost, and then to have him reject time and again our invitations to study and pray to Heavenly Father to know for himself.

Last Sunday, he came to the church for the first time. During the week, we visited him, and he told us that he wants to be more united with his wife, and that he wants to be baptized!! Yesterday at church, he announced in every class that he was preparing himself to be baptized!!! He has real intent, and he has faith -- he wants to be baptized at the beginning of April, and we want to help him to truly be prepared for that day, and to make this decision out of faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

It's a miracle to me, that the heart of Andrés could be changed, and that he would decide on his own to begin to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father truly does work miracles.

We have some other friends that are trying to live the gospel as well, and we're making friends all the time who want to know more about the restored Gospel. It's such a blessing to be able to dedicate all day every day to help these people discover for themselves how to live the Gospel. As missionaries, we should live the gospel, too. Something that President and Sister Pace pointed out recently really rang true to me; that obedience motivated incorrectly isn't really living the Gospel. That's what "going through the motions" is. We need to be obedient because of our faith; diligent because we want to share love. 

As we live the gospel, we will have the Spirit with us, and we will be happy. :) Then it will be natural to invite others to begin to do the same.

This week, invite someone to listen to the missionaries. As you spiritually prepare yourself, and act in faith, Heavenly Father will bless you in your efforts to invite that someone you know.

Will you be seek out and take advantage of an opportunity to invite someone to listen to the missionaries this week?

I love you family!! I'm trying to work harder, rely more on the Spirit, and exercise more faith!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

All members should work with missionaries!! :D

Dear Family,

This week was incredible!! Working with the members is working!! As we've focused on being loving during church, and otherwise working diligently on our own, we're seeing blessings in our area!! All of our investigators this week came from member referrals, and the members brought all of our friends to Sacrament meeting (we would've had even more, but the less-actives who were going to bring their friends had a hang-over; we're going to teach the Word of Wisdom before next Sunday!!). The coordination with our Ward Leaders is improving, and our meetings are already effective!! We had 40 people come to our activity yesterday!! The answer is improving communication and organization!! Things are moving forward in our ward!!

My companion is fantastic!! He's been a wonderful partner in working with the ward leaders!! He's really taken charge of keeping up with the ward list changes that we've been finding, and working closely with our wonderful ward secretary, Hno. Angel Herráiz, the previous Barcelona Stake President. This man is such an example of how to serve God regardless of where one is called!! I am so grateful for the leaders of our ward who help missionary work move forward!!

One miracle this week is currently in process -- Three of our friends at church yesterday were the nephews of the Sanuy family, a Catalán family from the beginnings of the church here in Barcelona. We visited their family this past week to help their son prepare for his English test, and not only made friends with them, but also helped them feel the Spirit. We had invited them to do some personal things in their family, and they came to church by themselves! Poco a poco, their family is going to see the blessings of the gospel in their lives!!

Another miracle this week was when we went to serve a less-active family who lives close to the church. Some of the adult children have been baptized in recent years, but none of them really understand the doctrine. We had had a visit set up for Saturday, but the majority of them weren't there; so we did some impromptu service, and cleaned their house. Later that same day, in a birthday party they invited us to, we taught about all of the people about God's goal for their families, and had a wonderful discussion. It was such a precious moment, to answer the questions of interested parents about how their families can be together forever. This is what it's all about!! Now, after we teach them the Word of Wisdom, they'll really begin to see the blessings!!! :D

I love you all so much!! Thank you for living the Gospel!!! It's so much more than just going to church and reading; it's searching for how we can truly come closer to Christ, and how we can do His will!! The difference between running through the motions and truly living the gospel is OUR REAL INTENT behind what we're doing!! Why do we do what we do?

People ask me that all the time when they find out that I'm not being paid to visit people and teach them about the gospel. :)

I do what I do because I love Heavenly Father for what He has done for me (He always loves us first), and I want to show my gratitude for Him. I do what I do because of the promptings and guidance I receive from Heavenly Father as I try to do what He wants us to do. This week, I've tried to focus my prayers on gratitude, and I have felt the Spirit comfort me so strongly, and have felt an even more noticeable, and even more constant, guide in the impressions that He sends me. It has felt so nice. :)

This week, you should try it!! Try refocusing your prayers: spend more time in your prayers to express thanks, and on asking for blessings for other people. You will feel the Spirit more obviously as you pray, and during your week. If you'd like to study anything for advice, check out Preach My Gospel, Chapter 4, "Praying with Faith".

I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and He knows us by name. He will answer us individually as we are prepared and ask. I know this is true because it happens to me and to my friends here in Barcelona. It will happen for you this week as you try it out for yourself with real intent!!

I love you!!
Élder Zubeldia

The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel are...

Dear Family,

I love you all so much!!!

We had an incredible start to last week; we were all over the place while on splits last Preparation day. We saved a marriage (they needed to understand how living the gospel applies to their relationship), gave a blessing, worked on helping a friend gain a testimony, and helped some members with their plans to share the gospel with their family. The next day, however, my companion was feeling ill, so we couldn't leave that afternoon to work.

The next day was Zone Training, and we saw a miracle!! We went to eat pizza as a District at Dominos, and when we arrived, a Spanish 20-something year old asked me what "this was all about". I had the opportunity to talk with him and his two friends and answer their questions. As it turns out, all three of these Catalán youth are believers, but don't ascribe to any particular religion. They were really impressed with our mission, and they want to learn more!! They agreed to come to a sports activity with us at our church, and they were very insistent that we not lose contact!! I love missionary work -- making friends, and helping them know for themselves.

This is me for lots of this week
(when the same thing wasn't happening but with me in my bed),
resting by our portable heating system,
in the other élders' study room (they've got the couch there).
Sorry that their room isn't very tidy.
We're working with them on it.

A few hours afterward, I got really sick, and stayed that way. That was Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and today, from the looks of it. I asked my companion for a blessing, and, on Sunday, the Bishop let us bless the Sacrament in our apartment.  What do I want to do better this week? I want to work on not being sick. That's the goal, that's the plan!

My companion has been so patient this week, and has taken care of me. I am really grateful to have such a kind companion. He doesn't complain about having to stay inside. He's so great!

We're going to talk with the District in our meeting about inviting people every day to be baptized. I was reading pg 108 (in English) of PMG which says, "As we begin to understand that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are the way to the abundant life, we will appreciate that these principles help answer any question and fill any need." We ask ourselves, "What do we need to do to increase convert baptisms in our mission? What do we need to change? How do we help struggling missionaries? How can we get our area to progress?". We are missionaries and we need to do His will, and feel He is accepting us. Faith in Jesus, Repentance, and Covenants; we're going to discuss and ponder together about how these can really answer our questions and fill our needs as a district.

I know that the gospel can answer any question and fill any need. I really feel like that's a huge summary of what I'm learning on my mission. We need to make the decision to live the gospel as soon as possible; Heavenly Father will bless and guide and strengthen us as we do our best. This week, please try to read the Book of Mormon and pray every day, to look for opportunities to serve every day, and to share your testimony with your family members this week. Heavenly Father will bless you in your schoolwork and family life as you do these things.

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

P.S. I am still praying for Brother Steele. I hope that he gets better soon. I have full confidence that he will be alright. He has all sorts of angels watching over him!

P.P.S. Ethan and Connor: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! That's SO CRAZY that you two are engaged!! Whitney and Rachel are probably so happy!! Jaja, keep living the gospel!!!

This one with the boina and my companion is today.
I look healthy!! IT'S THE BOINA!!!!!
Thank you so much, it's WAY warmer than the Panama hat!!

The Work of Salvation

Dear Family,

I love you so much!! Really, YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!! I am SO BLESSED to have you all in my life!!! What a miracle to have had the gospel taught in our home!!! There are SO MANY FAMILIES who REALLY NEED the Restored Gospel truths that we have in our lives!!!

I am so happy with how last week went!! Heavenly Father does so much for us!! There are member families who are asking us to teach their family members about what makes us so happy (the Gospel!!)!! We worked effectively by working on splits with the members, working with the friends of members, and supporting the Bishop's assignments!!

Last Sunday, our wonderful Bishop didn't give us any additional assignments, so we decided that he would be our assignment. We passed by, or saw, him every single day, and left him with cookies, napolitanas, appreciation, and encouragement. He caught us working with the members, and putting together activities for the members. I love our ward!!

I love Élder Sorensen!! He has been such an incredible companion!! He is such a spiritual giant -- he has been working on improving his personal study, and comments on how it's been the source of energy and happiness for him this week. He is such a great example!!

Miracle of the Book of Mormon this week -- our friend Joaquín is a 60-something-year-old Catalán man who likes to spend time with a less-active family close to our church. He told us on Friday that we have the faces of angels, because when he looks at our faces, he sees that we have no vices. What a sweet man!!

The first time I met him was my second week here in Barcelona. We were having a ward activity, and we saw him smoking outside the entrance of the church. So we went out to talk with him and invite him in. He told us that he had just come to drop off a friend, and that he wasn't interested. We continued the conversation, and it turned to family history, temples, and the plan of salvation. He had finished his cigarrette, and so we took him inside and explained the pictures hanging in the atrium (our church is a beautiful stake center -- I think it's our biggest church in Europe) with the members who were standing around. When he saw the First Vision painting, he was awestruck. He was impacted by the fact that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are TWO people, and understood that they look the same. He felt the Spirit so strongly, and accepted a commitment to be baptized. We thought that he lived in the Sisters' area, but apparently they lost contact. We found him in the subway two weeks ago, and have only been able to visit with him and his less-active friends a couple of times (they have some little girls around Sofía and Soraya's age, and we made cookies together!!). They're such great people!!

 Last Tuesday we read part of 1 Nefi 8 with him, and because of the discussion about the story, we left him with a commitment to finish the chapter before Friday. When we showed up on Friday, he had read through 6 chapters, and explained to us exactly what it said. Another friend walked into the conversation, and began to insult our beliefs, and Joaquín began to testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and convinced our new friend Christina to listen. The Spirit was there, and, afterwards, Joaquín was grinning from ear to ear. He has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and he felt happy because he was sharing it. He's naturally doing missionary work!! Imagine if this happened with all of our friends we work with!! Studying the Book of Mormon, and applying it to our lives, really has iluminating power.

I know that as we seriously study the Book of Mormon, we can feel that power in our lives. Please, share your testimony about the Book of Mormon with 1 friend this week. I promise that, as you look and pray for opportunities to do so, Heavenly Father will bless you!!

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

Hooray!! My Companion is healthy!!!

Dear Family,

I love you all so much!!!

I am happy to be a missionary!! This week we began to see the ward begin to respond positively to the way we love them. We had three families come to us and tell us that they have non-member family (who are in our area!!) that they want us to teach!! We are going to work with them and help them to feel prepared as we help their family begin to come unto Christ!!

Our ward secretary, Hno. Angel Herráiz, is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!! He used to be the Barcelona Stake President. He made an online ward list/map, and enabled us to be co-editors, and we are being hugely blessed by this help!! He is such an example of hard work and faithfulness; he does the right things for the right reasons. What a blessing it is to have such a phenomenal priesthood leader to work with!!

Our Bishop, David Solís Duarte, is a missionary-hearted man. We are working closely with him, and both times that we've given him cookies, we've seen how focused and faithful he is. We watched part of the Work of Salvation Broadcast with him, and received inspiration for how to hasten the work in our ward. We are trying to lift the ánimo of the ward council, and also of the ward; there is nothing too hard for the Lord!!

Our Mini-CCM is something that both wards are involved in and excited about. We are working with the missionaries, leaders, and members (particularly youth and YSA) of both wards. We are going to try and communicate better, to increase the attendance. This activity has the full support of both Bishops, and we feel that the Lord is strengthening Zion here in Barcelona.

What I love about my companion is how patient he is. He isn't quick to complain, and he is meek. He's been sick from multiple things, we visited the hospital, we're medicating him, and he's such a good sport!! He is completely fine, mostly, and we're going to be able to GO TO WORK even more this next transfer because of it!!! :D

I have been focused recently on accountability, especially to the Lord, and have pondered a lot the Personal Study Activity suggested at the end of Chapter 8 of PMG. I am trying to live the gospel better, by exercising and developing more faith, striving to have a repentant heart, and keeping my covenants. I hope that the Spirit will work through me, so that I can be useful to the Lord.

I know that as we read together the Book of Mormon, and take the time to discuss the doctrines that drive the stories, we'll feel the Spirit testify of its truthfulness. That's why we have FHE´s -- to participate together in a spiritually edifying experience!!

It's also why we read the Book of Mormon with the people we teach. We teach people from all over the world here in Barcelona, and one of our friends is from México (¡¡VIVA MÉXICO!!). Yesterday in our Noche De Hogar (FHE) with a mexican family in our ward, we spent the entire time just reading 1 Nephi 2. Our friend and the young children were asking lots of questions, and we all shared answers and thoughts. Our friend didn't think he would like the Book of Mormon because it's not the Bible, and for the past 6 months he hasn't wanted to really progress. Now that we're taking the time to read with him, to answer his questions, and to explain to him the lessons that the Lord teaches through His Prophets in the Book of Mormon, he's becoming more and more convinced of the truthfulness of the Restoration of Christ's true church.

I know that there is power granted from Heavenly Father when we do His will. When Nephi received his personal answer from Heavenly Father, the first thing that he did was to share what he had learned with his brothers. When we work together as members and missionaries, and apply the lessons that we learn, Heavenly Father will do miracles through us among our brothers and sisters. I know that this is Heavenly Father's work. I am so grateful to be a part of it.

Please take time tonight to read in 1 Nephi 2. What were the differences between Nephi and his oldest 2 brothers? Who is the "Sam" in our lives that we could share our testimony with? Please pray and ask Heavenly Father to help you feel the desire to share your testimony with "Sam". I promise that as you prayerfully seek guidance, and act, Heavenly Father will bless your efforts to share your testimonies.

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

Look to Him to see His hand

Dear Family (all of you),

I love you so much!!! Never forget it!! I LOVE YOU, and what's more evident and eternally significant, HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES YOU, TOO!!!

This week was interesting. My companion was sick all week, and so we barely left our apartment. He's been sick for the past three weeks, and I've been trying to take care of him, but he got worse, and so we spent 8 hours in the Emergency Room on Friday. No, it's not because it was life-threatening, it's just how some things work sometimes here.

You might think, "Well, if you hardly got to leave your apartment then the only miracle that could have happened would be that the apartment got cleaned!", which it of course did, but Heavenly Father can do more.

When we face problems or challenges, it is a moment to remember that Heavenly Father is there. He is watching us, and what is more, He is trying to help us. At times our faith is tried, our hope dims, or our ánimo is tested. He expects us to find solutions, to search, to be quick to observe, and to refocus on others. We need to have good cheer and do diligently all that is in our power. As we do this, and turn to Him then, He will do miracles

Heavenly Father loves us and He wants for us to benefit from all of the blessings that He has. He will guide us and strengthen us, and if we are consistently obedient, and tirelessly diligent, we will see His hand bless our situation.

Last night my companion finally asked for a blessing. The Spirit was there, and afterwards, my companion told me, "That was exactly what I needed". He then stood up and said that he was done with being sick, and that he was going to work hard this week.

It's hard to describe how impactful moments are while receiving an answer to prayers. I just know that Heavenly Father hears me, and that He is working wonders among us.

If He listens to me, He has, does, and will listen to you.
I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and that if we live the gospel, we will be happier. If we are persistent, and develop faith, hope, and charity, we will see His hand in our lives.

I love this work!! Love you!!

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

2015: A Bright Year!!!

Dear Beloved Family,

I am so happy to be a missionary!!

I want you to know something: please don't feel bad for me being sent to Barcelona for Christmas, instead of being with our family in Bilbao. I am happy to be here!! I know Who and Why I'm serving; it's all about His work and His glory. I have been called to serve; no sirvo para "´call´ the shots". Heavenly Father wants me to serve here in Barcelona with Élder Sorensen; so I want to serve Barcelona and Élder Sorensen.

Please don't feel bad for me; feel happy with me!!

Miracles are happening here in Barcelona!! We had 20 youth and YSA come to our Mini-MTC, and they loved it!! Their leaders supported the activity by serving food afterward, and then everyone stayed and attended Dayanara's baptismal service!! I asked the youth at church what it was that they had liked most about the Mini-MTC, and they said that they loved the Prácticas!! They're coming back for sure, next week!!! This week they are going to study the Restoration folleto, and they are going to give it to someone during the week before our next Mini-MTC!!! Miracles are happening in our two wards!!!

My scripture of the week: "Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear." (Moroni 8:16) What a great scripture!!!!

I know that Heavenly Father knows each of us, and that He loves us. Jesus Christ gave a perfect example for us, and because of Him, I can become happier by living the gospel and keeping my covenants. I know that He restored the way for us to make covenants with Him through Joseph Smith, because I've felt the Spirit tell me it's true. I felt that same Spirit tell me that the Book of Mormon is true. I first felt that 5 years ago, and since then, I decided that I wanted everyone to discover these things for themselves!!

I'm grateful to say that I feel that same Spirit here and now. If you would like to feel this for yourselves, try this little test:

Decide that you want to share the gospel with someone.
Today, pray for an opportunity to share your testimony with someone.
Make sure that you read the scriptures and pray before you walk out of your bedroom.
Keep your eyes open for an opportunity; it might come when you least expect it.
Keep your heart open and listen to the Spirit; cut out the distractions in your environment.
Share your smile and your spirit with people you interact with today.

If it doesn't happen to you today, repeat this tomorrow, and everyday. You can feel the thrill and peace of missionary work every day. If you do this, Heavenly Father will bless you, and you will feel the blessing promised to you in the Sacrament, that His Spirit will always be with you. I know that this is true, and I invite you to put this idea to the test every day this week, sincerely and with an attitude of prayer.

May you feel the love and blessings of heaven!!

Happy Reyes!! Happy Reinas!!

Love,
Élder Zubeldia