Sabadabadooo!!! :)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was another fantastic week out here in Sabadell!! We taught more lessons than we have since I've been here -- 17!! We were able to meet with so many of the members, and have gotten to know and love them so much!!! I LOVE THIS WARD!!!!!! We are so excited for the Rescue activity that they've planned for this weekend -- it's going to be so awesome!!! I printed off lists and the mini-maps of the city and pueblos in our ward, and we're going to use them as Pass-By Guides, with teams of members and missionaries visiting the people highlighted on the lists/maps. It's going to be amazing!!! What's really funny is how the ward leaders now seem to think I'm some sort of tech-wizard!! XD If nothing else, it's been a personal testimony to me of the blessings of going out of one's way to love and serve the ward -- since that talk that I gave, members have been anxious to have us over for visits, and have been wanting to introduce their friends to us (lesson learned, ALWAYS prepare talks, and ALWAYS go the extra mile to impress/gain the trust of the ward [they are ALWAYS watching!!]).

The miracles that we've been seeing recently mostly have to do with finding families on the street. It's interesting -- the decisions we make in planning and study situations, and the commitment we have to them, make ALL the difference come the time to implement those plans and goals!! If we prepare ourselves to be spiritually committed, we will be blessed. DO THE LITTLE THINGS!!!!

Read John 15:9-14. It talks about love. I've found this scriptures personally significant in my missionary work here in Spain. If we are humble, have real intent, and open our hearts truly, we will be greatly blessed by this scripture. The key is to never make ourselves an exception to ANY of the rules or standards that God makes for our happiness -- and again, after all, they are for our happiness.

The gospel isn't just so that we can continually learn more and more. The gospel is so that we can be capacitated to continually DO more and more. Love God. Love your companion/family/near ones. Love everyone. Love life. :) Oh, and smile while you're trying. :)

I promise that you WILL be blessed for it!!!

I love you!!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

Sabadell!! :D

Dear beloved family,

I love you!!! :D Happy Valentine's Day!!! :)

Transfers info: I get to stay here in Sabadell for a second transfer with Élder Vosters. It's his last transfer -- and IT'S GOING TO BE HIS BEST!!!!! 8D

Today has been crazy, and since I don't have much more time to e-mail, I'll just try and go over some of the best stories:

The Ecuadorian Family -- Sunday night Heavenly Father gave me another chance to show Him just how much I really love Him and His children, and how much I actually want to baptize. I've had a decent cold these past few days, and it's made me grateful for when I'm healthy. We had set a visit for 10:00 pm with an Ecuadorian man named Vicente that we had contacted earlier that week; he was leaving on a trip in the morning, and it was the only time that he had available. My companion left me the decision as to whether or not we would go to the visit, which was a fair walk away into the rainy, cold, night. I called Vicente, and he didn't answer his phone. As I was groggily weighing the decision, the thought came into my head -- "Look, if you really want to baptize as much as you say you do, you've got to show it to Heavenly Father." We went, taught their receptive and humble family, and we're going again. He, his wife, and three of their five children live there. I know that "Él nos ayudará en nuestros esfuerzos sí actuamos con fé para llevar a cabo Su obra". Family baptism? I THINK YES!!!

The Excentric Spanish woman -- We contacted her on the street, and were very surprised that she gave us her number and address. In our visit, she told us that she was impressed that "two handsome young English Executives would stop me on the street and ask me about the happiness in my family life, and then talked about God". She tried to be contentious in the beginning (she must have practiced with Catholics and Testigos de Jehova), but then she began to feel the Spirit. She outright cried when we gave her a Book of Mormon for free. Her son was in the other room, and I'm not so sure that he wasn't listening. Family baptism? I THINK SO!!!!

The Valentine's Sunday Talk -- members here probably have heard over and over about the Work of Salvation, and they're probably tired of being reminded that they're not doing it. The Ward Mission leader told me to give them "caña" in my talk. I prayed about it, and was guided another way. I talked mostly about love, using the scriptures. Very basically, it wrapped around John 15:9-14 and President Monson's quote from Conference: "Now is the time for members and missionaries to come together, to work together, to labor in the Lord's vineyard to bring souls unto Him. He has prepared the means for us to share the gospel in a multitude of ways, and He will assist us in our labors if we will act in faith to fulfill His work." It seemed to go well.

The way to know if something has really touched out heart is if it steps from something that we know into something that we do. I've been listening to "The First and Greatest Commandment" from Elder Holland and "More Diligent and Concerned at Home" from Elder Bednar this week.

I know that the Council of the Twelve are Heavenly Father's chosen Apostles today. I know this from personal witnesses of the Holy Ghost. This knowledge is priceless to me, because it means that God exists, that this really is Heavenly Father's church on the earth, and that my call to serve here in Barcelona, Spain came straight from Him. It means that continuing revelation, being able to get answers from God, is real today, and it is available to us all. It means that there is life after death, and that my family is going to be together forever. It means that there is a way for me to return to live forever with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, and that I (and my family, and whoever else we can help to come with us) can progress and be happy forever. This is true, and it is a blessing for me today.

If you don't know for yourself of the truth of these things, please find out for yourself. Read the Book of Mormon, all the way through, if you never have. Read it every day, even if it is just a little every day. Read it again, if you've already read it. Start today. Pay attention to what you're reading, and pray about it. Think about what it says in Moroni 10:3-5. Learn it, and then DO IT!!.

I love you all so much!!! Sorry that I didn't have time to write personal e-mails!!!

I love you!!

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

Joy in the Journey!! :)

Dear Family and Friends,

  

Yes, you guessed it, I still love you. :) I DO!!! :D

  

I need to apologize/repent for not sending the letters I've got written!! I'm sorry!!! My bad!!! Hopefully I'll be able to send them in soon!!

  

There were tons of meetings this week: Specialized Training for two days in Lleida (Lerida), and Stake Conference with a special broadcast from Élder Ballard. Interesting things are going to be implemented on our Iberian Peninsula!!

  

Work of Salvation	Before	Now
Conversion	The Missionaries	All of us!!!!
Retention	Members
Reactivation	um... who has time?

  

The Ward Councils are now going to assign us 5 families to visit every week!! We are going to try and take Active members to ALL of our visits -- investigators and less actives alike need friends in the church!!

  

Something that struck me as we watched "Living Beneath our Privileges" (Mormon Message) in one of the conferences -- We need to be obedient to all of the commandments, and support all of the church's efforts/programs, or else we risk missing out on so many blessings of happiness!!

  

I think this is interesting, because if we're not happy, are we doing our job? Who wants to hear the gospel to come, or return, to a church of unhappy people? 

  

I read Moroni 9:14 the other day: "...and he that is happy shall be happy still..."

  

If we're not finding joy in living according to heavenly laws now, then we won't find joy in the eternities. I'm grateful to have been given this thought, and I want to focus on acting accordingly!! (If I don't, then I won't be given more heavenly advice when I need it!!)

  

I know that we will be happy as we strive to do our best, and to strengthen our relationship with our Savior, WE WILL BE BLESSED WITH HAPPINESS AND JOY!!!!

  

Good reads from the Conference: D&C 43:16, Joshua 3:5, and D&C 88:68

  

I love you all so much!!! Thank you so much for your prayers and love!!

  

Simply,

   

Élder Zubeldia

Lleida and Sabadell Zone joined for Specialized Training on the 30th and 31st of January

Catalonia :D

Beloved family,

  

I LOVE YOU!!! :)

  

Haha, this week has been pretty interesting. :) Jehova's Witnesses are trying to make our job hard, but Heavenly Father is on our team, and there is NOTHING that can keep His work from rolling forward!! This was my first week of not finding any new families, but MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY IF WE KEEP OUR HEARTS GRATEFUL and focus on helping others feel of God's love for them. Everyone deserves to know how exceptionally important they are.

  

This is what I wrote to my Mission President: 

   

Dear President,

  

This was a very interesting week! I know that Heavenly Father wants us to work in unity, with each other and with the Spirit, because He gives our efforts power. I know we need, as a companionship, to be worthy of the Spirit if we want to really help people truly root a love for the Savior in their lives.

  

This week I have been repenting of not completely doing my best to teach in unity. I have been blessed as we have been studying, and especially practicing, the 12 Week Training Program. Power in unified teaching comes from unified practicing in Companionship Study. I trust that Heavenly Father will guide us to truly see miracles!!

  

I need to repent of my lack of obedience to impressions of the Spirit. Faith without works is dead. I pray that I may be strengthened to be more humble, to be more loving, and to serve with more constant vigor. I feel guilty for those impressions that I let slide. This week I will show Heavenly Father that I love Him, my companion, and my people by paying close attention to the Spirit and exactly & consistently obeying what He guides me to do. Miracles are trusts that Heavenly Father gives us if we are worthy. I want to do my best to be personally worthy, and I know that as I do, as I love my companion, expressing that love to him constantly and sincerely, we will be united in worthiness and zeal. Only together will we accelerate the Lord's work!!

  

I love you, President Pace. Thank you so much for your example of faith and love!!

  

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

  

Scriptures that have been running through my mind: 

  

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in  all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

  

 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

Words that stick out to me: anxiously engaged..the power is in them. God can do miracles through us if we are willing to GO TO WORK.

Parents, apart from reading the Book of Mormon, and doing Family Home Evening, try reading Preach My Gospel. It was approved by the Prophets of God on the earth today, and it is supposed to help us do missionary work. God has told us through His prophets that He wants us to share the knowledge He has shared with us -- that He wants us to ALL participate in His work. The scriptures say that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. So, if we are to more effectively do this, should we not use the tools that He has prescribed? I know that Preach My Gospel will not only help us all to be more effective and powerful member-missionaries, but that it will also strengthen us as families and children of God.

  

I know that Heavenly Father guides and directs us today through His servants the prophets, because I have listened to them teach and felt the Spirit of Truth confirm their Heavenly Authority in my heart. In my mind, I know that they are the chosen and true heirs of the Holy Apostleship, because I know that Joseph Smith Jr. was a true prophet of God. I know this because I know that Jesus Christ restored His church through him, because (if you can know the truth of things by their fruits Matt 7) the fruit of the Restoration of Christ's church is the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God, and I am a witness of its truthfulness, because I have read it and have received a divine witness of the Spirit of Truth in response to my sincere prayer.

  

If God answers the prayers of an ordinary person like me, then He will answer your prayers, too. I know that these things are true, and that they are true independent of any and all difficulties, trials, and pains in the world. I want nothing more than to share these things in such a way that the Spirit will touch your heart, so that you might decide to try it out. You are my family. We are children of God. As you do your best to live and share the happy truths that we know, I know that Heavenly Father will bless and strengthen you. I know so because He does so for me. He will do so for you.

  

TRY IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!! TELL EVERYONE ABOUT HOW IT WENT!!!

  

I love you all!!

  

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

Sabadell 2A

Dear Family/Friends,

Bon dia! :) I love you people!!

This week has been fantastic!! This next week we're going to try and see a lot more productivity!! Plan of action -- working with the members. It's the work of Salvation, and if we're not working as One, not only is it not going to be as fun, it is also not going to be as effective, powerful, or long-reaching. We've got a visit with basically every member in our area -- we need to introduce me to them, and we need to inspire them to work for miracles and "confiar" [trust] in the Lord!

Fun facts: my companion and I have bought stretchy pants (yoga pants). They are useful for staying warm. (Only Papi will appreciate this) Some members gave us 7 Jotas Jamón yesterday -- SO GOOD!! :D Also, Papi, I shared two paragraphs with ward members, to testify to them of the power of the Book of Mormon in conversion, and they're grateful. A family from Valladolid says thanks (they're the ones who gave us the jamón)! We teach and find lots of African people -- they are so full of faith!! I LOVE these people!! Countries represented from last week -- Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Gambia...I think that's it but I can't remember the names!

One of our visits with a Nigerian member was a shock -- the Jehova's Witnesses were teaching our member. It was quite the experience. In the past two weeks, we've easily met half of the Jehova Witness congregation. It really broke my heart that they wouldn't open their hearts; after they blindly rejected the scriptures, laughed at and mocked the prophets of old, condemned Joseph Smith, and began to deny the Spirit, I felt the sharpest sensation that we needed to get out of there. I explained that it was not good for them to continue speaking against Heavenly Father's word, and that we needed to leave. It was a learning experience.

Our Peruvian family is SO going to be baptized on the 8th of February!! We watched the Restoration video with them, and they are committed to discovering if the Book of Mormon is true, to praying, and to coming to Church (they've come 3 weeks in a row, but they have to miss Sacrament meeting (which is the 3rd hour) because they've got work -- but they're consistenty coming for the meetings at 9 AM!!) and they will be baptized after they are converted!

My companion and I are both a little under the weather, and the weather is wonderfully rainy. :) We have been given remedies from Korea and Ecuador and Colombia -- all of them include honey, onions, and resultant fumes. Haha, I'm so glad my nose doesn't work very well!!

Weekly President Report:
Dear President,

Thank you for our interview. How are the issues with your phone?

I love how direct Élder Vosters is in teaching. Like Nephi, he teaches clearly, simply, in such a manner that there is no room for confusion. It is such a blessing to have a companion who teaches so well; who communicates so effectively; and who loves our investigators! I am so grateful to have Élder Vosters as my companion!

I am taking what you said to heart: I want Élder Vosters´ last weeks to be the most productive and meaningful weeks of his mission. I'm focusing on loving him, and I am also continuously striving to fulfill the list of instructions that you gave me. I personally need to be more diligent, humble, and to have greater faith. This week I want to learn to completely put my trust in the Lord, to learn to really give all of myself and leave it all up to Him, by reading the Book of Mormon every day and fasting with prayer. This week I want to more assertively, while retaining a loving touch, end all disobedience, by openly discussing our purpose with my companion, and testifying of our need to be loyal to the Lord's call.

A miracle from this week was the Spirit during a lesson that we had with a part-member Spanish family (Evelin {recently reactivated}, Pablo {nonmember 10-year-old}, and Sergio {a man of many doubts}. Sergio told us two Sundays ago that "nobody" 'puede' with him (he said that he resisted "even you"). Last Thursday we went and testified of the Book of Mormon. He brought up many doubts, excuses for why he hadn't yet been baptized, and the Spirit was strong as we testified of the power of the Book of Mormon to bring him answers. Turns out, he's never read the whole book. Because of the Spirit, he is now going to read the whole book. We are going to meet with them again this week. I know that as this man reads the Book of Mormon, the Spirit will fill his heart, and he will be converted and then baptized. It happened to my father. It happened to me. I know that God's promises are real, and that they are for us to make and keep.

If you ever need anything, I'm only an hour away -- we're now on the same peninsula. :) Until we receive that call, you'll find us answering the Lord´s call in Sabadell 2A. You know where to find us. :)

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

I know that Heavenly Father lives and loves us. I know that the Prophets of today give us the Word of God, as they did in ancient times, and that if we live and apply what they teach us, we will come closer to the Savior. I know that if other people feel of our love for them, they will be inspired to desire to feel more of Heavenly Father's love for them. Everything that we do as representatives of the Lord has to do with love: it is motivated by love for the Savior and these people, it testifies of God's love, and it results in Christlike love. We have the best job ever, all of us that have taken upon ourselves the name of Christ. I know that obedience to God's will (the commandments, mission rules, and impressions from the Spirit) is how we can show Him that we love Him. Sharing the gospel with EVERYONE is how we can show them that we love them. He loves us; and He will bless us as we do these things, because He loves us.

I love you all!! Good luck sharing the love this week!! I'm praying for you!!

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

 

Back on the Iberian Peninsula

Most loved family,

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!! CAN'T GET OVER IT -- ETERNITY IS GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN!!! Won't it be great to be able to bring other people with us through helping them start the path of conversion through baptism?! :D

Bona tarda. Jaja, I'm going to start trying to learn Catalán sometime. X)

Presidential Update:

Dear President,

This week was phenomenal! I'm so excited to be serving in Sabadell with my Élder Vosters! He is so fantastic -- he wants to work, and to finish his mission strong. He has a sincere interest in the work which is such a blessing to our investigators.

I know that miracles come when we diligently search for them. We don't receive unless we ask! This week, by contacting, we found a kind family from Colombia, and several other people aware of their need of the Lord's help. It is such a blessing to be able to help these people through sharing our message. We have the best job ever!!

I need to work on being more courageous. On the train rides that we occasionally take, we are going to contact the entire car, and I'm not going to let myself keep myself from seeing miracles. We did that today, and taught a lesson, with a Bolivian member (Ricardo), to the member's friend (Daniel). That they were there -- miracle. That they wanted to talk with us -- miracle. That we knew what to say and how to say it -- miracle. We just saw Daniel walk past the locutorio, and he is excited to meet with us this Wednesday -- miracle. This is the Lord's work, and it is a tender mercy, for me, to be a part of it.

Love you!!

-Élder Zubeldia

It is such a blessing to be a missionary!! We really DO have the best job ever!!! It is very interesting to be so close to so many other missionaries (on Ibiza, we were kinda isolated from other missionaries...go figure). It's interesting to see that, Mami, you were right -- not all missionaries are the Sons of Mosiah. But it's okay -- we're just going to have to be obedient, be excited, and love them for who they are. I know that as we do our best to see others as Heavenly Father sees them, then we will be able to say what He would say and do what He would do. That's how we can take upon ourselves His name. I'm so grateful to have this gospel to teach me the Way!!

The fun surprise of transfers -- YOU WEREN´T JOKING when you said you had sent me packages!! HOLY TURNIPS!!! Thank you thank you thank you so much for all of the love that you sent me, and for all of the love that doesn't fit in boxes. :) I love you all so much!! My companions love you, too, and so do all the kids here in Sabadell!! I'm sorry that I didn't get to hand out the stuff that the Seminary kids had sent -- the whole Christmas card idea is GOLD, but people look at me weird when I sing Christmas hymns, which makes me think that they might be done with Christmas until next year (Catalán people need a little more Christmas juice -- don't worry, I'm working on it. ;) ).

This area hasn't had a lot of growth for the past few months. Interestingly, it also doesn't have a strong tradition of working with the members. Coincidence? I think NOT!! :) I know that Heavenly Father will guide us to carry out His work here, together as a ward/missionary family. :) "To achieve what has never been achieved, [we] must do what has never been done"!!

I'm happy, I'm fine, and I'm going to stop writing, so that I can read the emails that you sent me this week!! :D (don't worry, I print them off)

All my love,

Élder Zubeldia

Heyeyey!! :D Haha, TRANSFERS!!!

Now I´m in Sabadell, a city near Barcelona (45 minutes-ish away).

  

My District Leader and I are writing, and...so much has happened that I can't at all write about it. :) Inner emotional victories and such. :) You know, missionary life. ;)

   

Out of time :)

   

Dear President,

  

Happy New Year, President! I'm so grateful to have had the privilege and blessing to work with Elder Dean and with the Ibiza Branch family (I love them so much). I know that you only send us where Heavenly Father wants us to be sent, but thank you, President, for acting on the impression to send me there -- I know that this is the Lord's work. Months of applied work are about to give fruit in Ibiza -- the many investigator families that we had been working with are coming home in the next two months. I'm glad that they are likely to have the blessings of the fulness of the gospel in their lives soon, and I know that the missionaries who are there and will come will be guided by the Lord to help those families to do so.

  

I'm excited to learn from and serve with Élder Vosters! I know that Heavenly Father has prepared people that He wants us to find, teach, and baptize this transfer. Here in Sabadell, we are going to do our part!

  

I love you, President!

  

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

  

love you all!!