Being a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Dear Family and Friends,

I love you!! :)

I am serving as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have been serving for a year and a month, and I love it. I first served one month in Vitoria, then 6 months in Ibiza, and I have now been in Sabadell for almost 7 months. Being a missionary is a life-changing experience, and I'm very grateful to be a missionary.

I'm happy, and so is my companion (we serve with a companion; someone to work alongside with and serve). It is such a privilege to serve as a full-time missionary. I am still blown away at how wonderful it is to bear His name over our hearts every day! I know that we, and all our friends here, can have His name in our hearts as we are obedient. That is definitely the biggest miracle I've been shown.

With time and experience, we've seen this miracle in the lives of many of our friends. Maribel and Flor (mother and daughter from Peru, who were baptized two months ago) are active, tithe-paying members, and are excited about the basic things -- reading the Book of Mormon, praying individually and as a family, active participation in church meetings, and sharing the gospel. We are going to help the head of the house, Juan, act on his desire to be baptized this next month. It will only happen through God's power; in other words, if we are more obedient, our Father will bless us and our friends with miracles.

Carlos Fabian (father who was baptized last week) baptized his daughter Fabiola on Saturday. The priesthood truly is meant to bless families! Their family is so happy!! I am amazed at the change I see in Fabian and in Fabiola. They are both so much more happy! Fabian is so much more... I think the only word is powerful. After having been baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and having received the Priesthood he has been full of an energy, a hope, that he didn't used to have. I will never cease to be amazed by the miracles and confirmations of truth that we are blessed to see, and will surely continue to see.

I believe in angels...

...Our ward (local congregation) is full of them. We love our ward and they know it; Heavenly Father loves them and we're trying to help them feel it. We pray for them and for their friends by name; we pray that He will send angels to strengthen and guide them. We pray for angels to prepare the hearts of their friends to hear the gospel. We are seeing miracles because of faith, and obedience. We're working with the youth, recent converts, and their families in organizing "Noches de Hogar" in their homes (our ward is very wide-spread, with no center, so this is what works). Last Saturday night, we had 6 non-member friends of members at the activity. The members are catching the vision of member-missionary-work.

Our friend Leticia (a mother from Ghana) will be baptized this next month. We don't know when, but we have faith that it will be so.

Élder Ahlstrom, my companion, is a hardworking missionary. He is focused, and he likes to reach goals. I'm trying to help him to understand Spanish better, and to stay calm in potentially high-stress situations. We are on Week 7 of the 12 Week Missionary Training program. He is a really good sport; he is feeling exhausted very often, but he pushes forward with me. I love that, and how he understands how important obedience is. He will be a great trainer -- he is already training me!

Family and friends, I just want to say that I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that Heavenly Father listens to prayers, and that He answers them in the way we need to receive the answer. He loves me, and He loves all of us. I know that as we have faith in Him, we will be blessed. If we do our best, He will guide and strengthen us to advance His work.

I love you!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

P.S. Please, those of you who are returned missionaries, would you please tell me how you felt when you were at your year-mark? What sort of things did you do to become the missionary that you wanted to be? What sort of things might you say to your son if he was in this situation? I would love to hear ALL ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS, big or small!!

P.P.S. Haha, I'm sorry for not sending specific emails to everyone every week up to this point. I understand that my father set up a blog for people to read if they are interested in knowing what I write home. I might not send this email to you all every week, but I love you, and I invite you to check it out (ask Kepa Zubeldia (from the list of people who received this email) for details). :) Haha, love you!!!

This is under the olive tree in front of our chapel in Sabadell.

The picture: Our District from left to right: Hermana Wirthlin, Hermana Jarman, my companion Élder Ahlstrom, our Ward Mission Leader Juan Deltoro, me, our Bishop Kyle Merrill, my old companion (from when we were in a trio) Élder Wheat, and Élder Oliveira.

    

We got everyone the District tie, but only Bishop Merrill, Hno Deltoro, I wore it. :) Haha, maybe next time!!

Every day in Sabadell is a GREAT DAY!!!!!

Dear Family,

I love you all so so so much!!!!! :D

I GET TO STAY IN SABADELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8D 8D 8D 8D 8D 8D 8D 8D 8D Transfers came in, and I'M NOT LEAVING!!!!! That's FIVE TRANSFERS!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy!!!!! I still get to be with Élder Ahlstrom, with this wonderful ward, and with all of these amazing people that we have the wonderful opportunity to be around every day!!!

When I told the members at church, we were all so happy!! I love this work, that brings us all so close together!!

Presidential report:

Dear President,

I am so so so grateful to be able to stay here in Sabadell! When I went to church on Sunday and told our ward, they were so happy with us. Apparently some of them had even prayed that I would be able to stay. I'm glad to have this precious time to work with Élder Ahlstrom, who is a rock-solid missionary. He is very hard working, and very on purpose; I love having such an obedient missionary as a companion! We are almost done with Week 6 of the 12 Week Training Program.

My favorite miracle of the week (aside from Fabian's baptism, confirmation, and ordination to the office of Priest!) was the miracle of people coming to church. Our sacrament meeting is our final hour, and for people who come for the first couple of hours, it's not easy to stay for the last hour. Coming to church for some people in our area is a five-hour commitment; one hour commute (switching from train to bus), three hour meetings, and then one hour commute back. Whenever anyone comes it's a miracle. If it weren't for our wonderful members, who generously offer to give rides when they can, many people wouldn't be able to receive the blessings of the Sacrament. Linda and Leo, the family of our good friend and new member Maribel, came to church today, and Leo (the most Catholic of the family) stayed for all three hours!! It was amazing to see him there!

Recent Convert Update: Maribel and Flor are still doing missionary work, and together we're working on helping Juan (the head of the house) search and recognize his answer. Peter is going to go to Germany this week (he was disowned after his baptism, and he's going there for work), but he's already found his new chapel and is planning on going in for his temple recommend interview from his new bishop. Carlos Fabian is so happy and excited, in his own prudent way. He is a little nervous, but looking forward to, baptizing his daughter this Saturday.

Friends with Baptismal Dates Update: Leticia is from Ghana, and was going to be baptized this Saturday, but she wasn't ready. She is preparing for the 5th of July. Fabiola is the daughter of Fabian, and she is so excited to be baptized! We've organized with the Primary -- they will all be there for their newest member's baptism. The idea of postponing Fabiola's baptism so that Fabian could baptize her was the suggestion of our Ward Mission Leader, who came with me on almost all of their visits. He suggested it during a lesson, and Fabiola said she wanted her dad to baptize her. The idea of progression was actually key in helping Fabian make the decision to enter the gate of baptism. So that's their situation.

This week I want to continue to be more focused. Time is short, and it's passing by. I don't want to deprive my companion or the people around me of meaningful experiences my not being as focused as I can be. I want to be integrally a missionary.

I love you!
Élder Zubeldia

Missionary work is the best! I love it! During ward council, they brought to our attention some of the youth who would now be available to come with us. Jaja, some of the ward members are also returned missionaries, and they said, "Take them out knocking doors with you... wait, I hope that they don't get bored..."

Jajajajaja, what a funny idea. XD The youth would NOT be bored if they spent a day with us!!! They'd have no time to be bored!!!

The question was asked: "What is a normal day like for you?" You might wonder, why would the youth not be bored doing missionary work with us.

Let me explain.

We wake up every day at 7:30, exercise for a half hour while listening to Church music, and we take turns showering and getting ready and eating breakfast. We have an hour of personal study at 9, then in training, two hours of companionship study that starts at 10. We are allowed to have a "mediodía" (a lunch hour and a language study hour) sometime between 1 and 5 in our apartment, during the hours of the day that all of Spain shuts down, especially in our wonderful summer weather. We come home at 10, or 10:30 PM if we have a visit (usually the case), and then go to bed at 11:30.

Having a structured schedule might give the appearance of predictability, but it's deceiving. The hours between 11 am and 10:30 pm are full of wild experiences in and out of visits, while traveling, and while trying to find time for my companion to study the language. We are almost always in, or heading to, a visit with a member (if not with a nonmember, then setting up future FHE's with their friends and family members).

  

The miracles and wild experiences/stories that Heavenly Father sends are completely humbling. He really trusts us to do His work with the members. It is not boring. The Work of Salvation, in all of its parts, is accelerating, and it's exciting that members and missionaries are working together more and more!!!! MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN MEMBERS AND MISSIONARIES HAVE FAITH AND WORK TOGETHER!!!!!!

I love this!! We are going to work hard!! Heavenly Father will guide us!!! I love you!!!

  

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

Sabadell -- Is this goodbye?

Dear Family,

I love you all so much!! :) I'm feeling fantastic, really happy, and grateful to be a part of this miraculous work.

Time flies...

I can't believe I've already been here for 6 months. Transfers are this next week, and we'll get the call from our leaders this Saturday night. Normally missionaries don't stay in an area for more than 6 months. I can't believe how fast time passes by. I've been in the mission field for a year and four days.

I love this ward. I want to make every moment I have count -- there is no time to waste. Haha, I suppose that, in the end, I'll get home and probably sleep for two weeks! XD We're working hard, and constantly talking with people as we travel from place to place, from visit to visit, all over these valleys in all of our pueblos. I love this!! This is the best!! I am so grateful that I get to be a missionary, and to share this joyful message with everyone!! I am learning so much about how to live the gospel. My mind is becoming more aware, and I'm learning how to change my way of looking at, and responding to, situations. In other words, I'm repenting.

I want to give more of myself to this work; to give up whatever else might be on my mind, and to really hand myself over to Him. I've been focusing on thinking about, praying about, and talking about, only that which is related to the gospel, and missionary work here in Sabadell 2: for our ward friends (member and not-yet-member). I think that I'm starting to wrap my mind around the concept of forgetting myself, and going to work. It's really an even happier way, or so I'm finding. :)

I had the chance to interview a Spanish man before his baptism, to make sure that he was prepared to make this sacred covenant (see D&C 20:37). He was crushed by 4 ton truck, and then in coma for 19 years (without brain activity). He woke up, and his parents had died and his wife had left him. He knows that God loves him, and he was guided to find the sister missionaries in our ward. He was so excited to be baptized. :) He came to the interview in baptismal clothes that he had brought for himself. :) He is another example of the wonderful people here in Spain who are being prepared to hear about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This month the mission has a goal of finding 2000 new investigators (new friends! :) ). We are working with the members to achieve this goal, and to help their friends. What is helping us find miracles -- their realization that we love them. How could we not? This ward is AMAZING!!! When they know we love them, and then they are astonished by our faith and desires to help, we pray with them. They tell us about their friends; we write down the names and pray for them every day; and we meet with the people we pray for at Family Home Evenings/Afternoons/Mornings. :) I just wanted to share this way that we're seeing miracles here in our ward, and how we can work together as members/missionaries to share the gospel.

President Monson said (in Spanish -- sorry English speakers!): "Ahora es el momento de que los miembros y los misioneros se unan, y trabajen juntos, que trabajen en la viña del Señor para llevar almas a Él. Él ha preparado los medios para que compartamos el Evangelio de muchas maneras, y Él nos ayudará en nuestros esfuerzos, si actuamos con fé para llevar a cabo Su obra." [Here it is in English: 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.]

My companion Élder Ahlstrom and I have this quote memorized, and so do the other missionaries in our ward. I know that we have a true Prophet of God on the earth today, and that we will be blessed as we follow his counsel. Everyone can know of the same if they will take the time to read/listen to the Book of Mormon and ask God if it´s true. If you actually are looking for a personal answer, He really will answer you.

I know that this is true because I've done it myself, and I want to do so more periodically, because even those of us who are already baptized need to feel it "de vez en cuando." :)

I love you all!! I'm so grateful for all of your support. Thank you so much for helping me get to this point in my life. I'll always be grateful for this opportunity to be a servant of the Lord!!!

Love,

  

Élder Zubeldia

The Best 2 Years!!! 8D

Dearly Beloved Family,

I love you all SO much!! Haha, and my companion Élder Ahlstrom does, too!! And so does the Sabadell 2 ward!! :D

This summarizes pretty well what happened this week:

Dear President Pace,

I am feeling so happy! I love this! It's no wonder why these are called the best two years! I have a phenomenal companion -- Élder Ahlstrom is fantastic! I love that he is a hard-worker, that he has so many good ideas, and that he has such a great desire to be obedient. Could there exist a better companion? Right now, for me, I think not! It is a joy to work with such an on-purpose missionary.

We are on Week 4 of the 12 Week Program. We make sure to actually take time to do the prácticas, and it's a huge blessing throughout our day. He's a fast learner, and has a good grasp of why it's important to study. When we want to make sure he understands a topic, we pretend that I'm his trainee, and we have him teach "his trainee" -- we want him to be ready to teach others how to be an El Faro/Preach My Gospel missionary.

Recent Convert Report: Maribel came to church yesterday for the first hour (as long as she can before having to go to work), and made sure that she paid her tithing! Their home teachers are visiting them.
Flor was sustained yesterday as the Laurel Class Secretary--she is so excited! 
Nancy is working on helping her son in Ecuador.
Peter is excited to receive the priesthood -- he wants to be a missionary! 
Veronica is excited to share the gospel with her family -- she helped us teach the Plan of Salvation to her sister!

Friends who will be baptized soon:
Élder Ahlstrom will explain about Leticia and Appieh.
Carlos Fabian (33, Peru, husband of a less-active) and his daughter Fabiola (9) are fantastic! After months of working on splits with the Ward Mission Leader (now their home teacher), they will be baptized at the end of the month: Fabian on the 21st, so that he can baptize Fabiola on the 28th.

I want to focus on expressing love for my companion more this week. Our companionship is doing well, and I can only imagine how much greater it will be as we learn to love and to express love more. "And faith, hope, CHARITY and LOVE, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." (D&C 4:5)

Love you, President!
Simply,
Élder Zubeldia

Here are some amazing things that happened this week:

We went and visited our friend Francis (40-ish years old, from Ghana -- the ward here used to go knock doors, and he was baptized because of it!), whose wife just arrived from Ghana. Her name is Leticia, and she wants to be baptized in two weeks. Well, we went and were visiting them, and then a drunk roommate, Appieh, came out. We've seen him before, but he's always been completely stoned. This time, Francis was pretty upset that Appieh was interrupting, and started to testify to him (in Twi, a native language) about the Word of Wisdom. We then also testified, and invited Appieh to make a change for the better. He said yes, that he wanted to change; as a testament, he wanted to sign something. So I pulled out my planner, wrote an official-enough statement ("I ____, will never again drink alcohol" with the date) and he signed it. We visited two days later, and this man who hadn't been sober for around 20 years hadn't had a sip of alcohol. As far as we know, he has stayed strong all week!! MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERYDAY!!!!!! 

Miracles happen when we do as the Prophets counsel us, by working through the members. All of our friends who are progressing in the gospel are doing so, and began doing so, because of their direct relationship with a member of the church.

For example, right after leaving Francis, Leticia, and Appieh, we had some open time before our next visit (Maribel and Flor, our new-member friends, set up a Family Home Evening with their as-of-yet-non-member family). We were smack-dab in the middle of two members' homes: a less-active/recent convert family, and the home of the High Priest Group Leader. Normally, it woud've made way more sense to go by the struggling family, but for some reason we got the impression that we had to pass by and talk to the HPGL. He normally would've invited us in, but as he told us later, he felt impressed to just talk to us at the gate. After ten minutes of listening to this fantastic 70 year old Spanish man tell us about the abdication of Juan Carlos to his son Felipe, and the great things that the King does for Spain, a 50 year old, tatooed Catalán man came up to us in a casual shirt and shorts and asked "Excuse me, do you have a church around here that I could visit?" MIRACLE!!! We had a nice visit, and set up for two days time to visit in the home of our member friend. We then received a text just before the visit, telling us that he had searched online, found enough, and no longer needed a visit; we were about to respond over text, but then felt that he needed instead to be called by our member friend. Total, the visit was saved by the member's call. MIRACLE!!!! We had an amazing visit (the Spirit was there, it was SO natural, and such a blessing to work with a member!!), and the man now has a desire to read the Book (not as a race, but like a hobby -- a little every day). MIRACLES!!!!!!

Those are just two, and there's more, but time only allows for so much. :)

This week has been miraculous -- the miracles happen as we take the time to express love for our friends here, especially the members, and work with the members to help more and more people feel loved. I love this!

(Oh, and fun note, aside from my assignment as Sustitute Gospel Principles Teacher, I was just given Home Teaching assignments here in the Ward!! XD I love this ward!!)

I love you all so much!!! Have a wonderful week!!! I love being a missionary!!! I'm so grateful for the blessing I have to be able to live with you all forever!!!

Love,

Élder Zubeldia

Whoa!

La semana pasada tuvimos muchísimos milagros -- nuestro amigo Peter, 21 años y de Ghana, se bautizó!! :) Hace un mes, cuando él estaba buscando ayuda de Dios, él oró, y encontró la página de "MormonChannel". Él sintió el Espíritu, y sentía que tenía que ser bautizado en nuestra iglesia. Llamó a un amigo suyo del otro barrio, y el amigo se puso en contacto con nosotros. Un mes después, se bautizó. Milagros pasan todos los dias.

Peter Abass and Bishop Kyle Merrill

Élders Ahlstrom and Wheat, Peter Abass, me, Élder Seegmiller.

Élders Ahlstrom and Wheat, Bishop Kyle Merrill, Peter Abass, me, Élder Seegmiller.

The Wonderful Life of a Missionary

Dear Family,

I love you all so much!! :) I'm so excited to read your emails later today!!

So, my new companion has finally arrived! His name is Élder Ahlstrom. Today is officially his 7th day in the mission field. He is 18 (he graduated early), from Castle Rock, Colorado. He is a rock-climber and a violinist (we've already performed two duets -- one at a Zone Conference and one for Peter's baptism this last weekend!) He is the oldest of 4 children, and he is one amazing missionary. He is a little guy, but he's got a huge spirit!!

This is what I wrote to President Pace to sum up last week: 
  
Dear President,

I'm doing so well and I love being a missionary! This week has been miraculous, and I love my new companion, Élder Ahlstrom! He is very on top of things: he's a hard worker, and he is eager to find, teach, and baptize. We're working on the 12 week program, and we're starting Week 2. Hopefully we'll be able to learn at a good pace, to be able to catch up with the transfer. To return and report: you asked me to help him have a passion for baptism, and I've been praying for guidance to help him in this. Prayers are answered, and the process has had a good start. Every day last week he expressed to me his astonishment and gratitude to be able to participate in the helping of our friend Peter Abass to be baptized. I'm so grateful for the Lord's timing, and for the privilege it is to be a missionary with Élder Ahlstrom!

Recent Convert Report: Maribel has used up all of her vacation days for the year to be able to attend church on Sunday for all three meetings. She still comes to Relief Society (our first hour) every Sunday. Nancy is now in Ecuador, and we've been emailing her every week; we're still waiting for a response. Flor loves coming to church, and has begun to read the Book of Mormon with her close cousin, Shirley!! Member missionary work!! Veronica is excited to prepare for a temple marriage to her returned-missionary boyfriend, who will arrive in a month.

We had a miraculous visit with Juan, Maribel, and Flor. The Spirit was strong, and we spoke about the blessings of having the Holy Ghost in our lives. I am so happy to know this family!! We are working with Juan, and will inform you of his baptism as soon as he accepts a day! This family told us that they don't have many friends. We asked them about people the knew who need help, and they listed off 15 of their friends. I love this family! We're working with them to contact everyone -- we're going to have a Noche de Hogar with them, and jointly tell them of the wonderful news of the restoration. It's amazing what can happen when a family knows you love them, feels the Spirit, and then wants to share the gospel with the people they love in their lives. I feel like that's how members and missionaries can work together to do the Lord's work.

Peter is amazing. Élder Ahlstrom will explain. With the area divisions, it was strange and confusing as to "who's investigator" he was, and "who's baptism" he was. Interesting that that sort of distinction had to be made. Well, he is the friend of all of us, and it was HIS baptism; but, to report it, I want my old companions to go down as having baptized him. It's not so important who "gets recognition" for this sacred experience -- so long as Peter feels the welcome and recognition of the ward, we are happy. As a token of this, he was baptized by the Bishop. We're grateful for the wonderful friends and families here in Sabadell 2. What a wonderful time to be a missionary!

I want to focus on being more humble this week. If I can be more humble, I will be more aware of the Spirit's guidance, and I will be a more effective missionary. Thank you for your example of humility, President. It means so much to me.

I love you!

Élder Zubeldia

Q&A

 

So, I don't remember what your questions were from last week, because I lost the print-outs in all of our busyness. So sorry!! Let me just answer general things:

I'm feeling FANTASTIC, even though I'm a little sick. It's no big deal, just a fun head cold. It's catching -- my companions in the piso have it, too. Haha, trend setting! ;)

The weather is FANTSTIC!! It's been beautiful to have really powerful rain, and nice, dense clouds. :) But this week will be sunnier they tell me. :) (Parents: I'm not cutting my hair this week; I'm wearing my hat ALWAYS, except when in homes/church; and I have sunscreen. Don't worry! I will try to get that dermatologist info from the Office today. :) Everything is fine!!)

My food storage is still holding strong! :) Members and investigators keep giving us food -- there literally is no physical way to make it to all eating appointments without going on splits (which temptation I am going to resist, at least for a while, until Élder Ahlstrom feels comfortable with the idea :) ). 

We have big plans for helping out our less-actives in the ward! Entire generations and families have disappeared, and we are going to work with the ward to help them out! I love this ward!! We have the best ward members ever!!

I was reading in 1 Samuel 15:22, and the principles behind the words struck me: "Ciertamente el obedecer es mejor que los sacrificios, y el prestar atención que la grosura de los carneros".  This is what I wrote down as I was pondering this verse, translated into English: We need to pay attention to the Spirit and His promptings; it's greater in His sight to pay attention, and obey, than any sacrifice of our time, efforts, or health; by obeying Him, and acting in accordance with them, we will be able to do the will of God. In other words, we will find that we are "walking with Him"; being happy, Father and children, together.

I know that as we try to push other things/interests/issues aside, and focus on trying to be obedient to God's will, He will help others through us, and we will be happy for it. :)

I love you all so much!!

Simply,

Élder Zubeldia

Time is going by way too fast!!!!!!

Dear Family,

I love you so much!! :)

I can't believe that time is going by so quickly! In three days, I'll have been out for a year!!!!! 0.o OH MY GOLOSHES I STILL FEEL LIKE A BRAND-NEW MISSIONARY!!!!!!

Haha, that aside...

This week was AWESOME!!!!! :D Our friend Verónica was baptized this last week!!!!!!!! She is SO HAPPY!!!!!!!!! Our friend Flor who was baptized two weeks ago, the daughter of Maribel who was baptized last month, brought her cousin Shirley to church with her, and apart from loving Young Womens, she is reading the Book of Mormon!!!!! Their family is SO HAPPY!!!!

It is just so undeniably CLEAR how the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses and changes lives!! Our friends have repented, have been baptized in God's way, and have the gift of the Holy Ghost -- THEY ARE SO MUCH HAPPIER, with SO much more PEACE, and filled with SO MUCH HOPE for the future!!! They love reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and coming to church! Maribel gave a talk yesterday in Sacrament meeting, and IT WAS FANTASTIC!!!! She testified of prayer, and of reading, and of going to church -- SHE DID SUCH A GREAT JOB!!!!! It was her last vacation day -- she has used ALL of her allotted vacation days of the year to attend all of church. Since our church meetings are backwards, she won't be able to attend Sacrament Meeting until next year, but she is more than happy to come every Sunday to be able to be there for Relief Society. Flor and Shirley love church, and will stay for all the meetings, even though their parents aren't there. :)

Something that was awesome about Veronica's baptism (aside from it being a TRUE priesthood ordinance necessary for our eternal progression), was that Betty Akna came and sang at the service!! She is a non-denominal Christian professional singer from Ecuatorial Ginea who we met in the train station last Wednesday. We started talking with her, and I felt impressed to ask her if she would be willing to come and sing at a baptismal service for our friend. She said YES, even though we couldn't pay her! Turns out, her ex-boyfriend is a member in Barcelona! Coincidence, I think not!! I accompanied as she sang "Amazing Grace"! It was beautiful!! Veronica loved it, and so did Peter!!

Our friend Peter is going to be baptized this Sunday (there is a stake activity on Saturday in Lleida, so it will be Sunday afternoon). He is SO excited!! He has such amazing questions!! He is from Ghana, and he is so awesome! It is such a humbling experience to watch as Heavenly Father touches people's hearts, and to see them respond by choosing to follow His loving guidance. He is SO excited for his baptism!! I love our friends here in Sabadell, and I love this work!! Heavenly Father is so good to us!!

President Pace said something very interesting. He was congratulating me, and when I told him that it isn't me (it's the Lord -- He does EVERYTHING here for our friends and our ward), he told me that he was grateful that we were worthy enough to not get in the Lord's way for our friends in Sabadell. :) I love my mission president!

Well, family, this past week has been amazing! My new companion should be coming soon, and I'm excited to meet him! His name is Élder Allstrom -- So Élder "A" and Élder "Z" will be serving together (haha, two words: alphabet jokes ;) )

We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives! I'm learning how to live the gospel, and how to really have a change. I want to change into a better son of God, and a better priesthood holder. I want to live worthy of the blessings that Heavenly Father has generously given me. I love being a missionary!!

 

I love you, family!!

  

Élder Zubeldia