Families should be together forever :)

Dear Family,

I love you so much!!!! :D The Bilbao Fiestas are over and, pretty soon, summer vacations will be over and the other 2/3s of the ward will come back!! XD HOORAY!!!!

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FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ THE REST OF THIS EMAIL -- READ THIS: The Book of Mormon is the evidence that what we believe is true. If you are curious to know if this Church is true, if families can be together forever, read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. You can know for yourself. I've done this, and I would love to tell you about my experience. Let's set a time to visit!

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You will not believe the most wonderful thing that I got to participate in this last week.

But I will get to that in a second. :)

I am so glad to be here in Bilbao! It's amazing! I love being able to serve with Élder Cook -- he is very good at all things having to do with missionary work. He is so good at communicating -- I love how there is always something to talk about, and how accepting he is of ideas.

Our friend Vicente is going to be baptized this Saturday! He has given up smoking and living with his girlfriend to make this change in his life. He wants nothing other than to do what is right, and express his love for Heavenly Father. What a blessing to have such a humble friend!

We're working with the Bishop to plan new activities for the ward -- suddenly years of church activities are coming to mind, and we have some great ideas to warm up the ward. Things are probably going to be slow for a little while, but I strongly believe that if we don't give up on loving these people, things are going to pick up in a long-term way. Together with these people in our ward, Heavenly Father will turn Bilbao upside down!

...THIS WEEK I GOT TO SEE MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went on an intercambio with some missionaries in Santander. The Portocarrero's, the Echegaray's, Esmeralda and Jessica and Isidro, Jonay, Obispo Salgado and Sergio and Rosa and co. ALL SEND THEIR LOVE AND GREETINGS!!!!!!! They love you all, and I made sure they knew that we definitely love them. :)

The intercambio we had in Santander was incredible. I got to see my aunt Maria (Juanjo had just recently been operated so I didn't get to see him), my aunt Carmen and Rafa, my cousin who came to live in Utah for 3 months before I left on my mission. We went with a family of members (Sergio and Rosa and their cute baby son), and it was so powerful -- I feel that it was more real for them to hear it from a member of their own family. The Spirit was so powerful; we all felt it, and I think they would like to learn more.

In short, it was the visit I had waited a year and 2 months to be in. I don't know how to better explain this.

This week I want to visit with more of my family. I know that the message that we share is true. The Spirit of God undeniably exists, it can be felt, and it cannot lie. I know that all people everywhere can discover for themselves the truthfulness of the restoration of the fullness of Christ's church and teachings. As people, like my family, put the message to the test, they will feel the Holy Spirit, and come to know that our message is true. I know that we can all learn to grow a more personal relationship with the Holy Ghost through time, sincere prayer, and our own personal efforts to study and ponder.

I love these truths, and the Father who has granted me this young understanding. I hope that all people everywhere, including my family here in Spain, can all join together in enlarging their understanding of these things, so that we can be an eternal family. I know that families can, and should, be together forever. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

I am in Bilbao!!!!!!!

Dearest Family,

I love you all so, so, so much!!! And I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE IN THE LAND OF MY FATHERS!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I live in Indautxu, next to a pretty park with white structures, a 5 minute walk away from church -- this is a huge difference from Sabadell, where we were about an hour away via public transportation.

I love working in Bilbao!! The people on the street are super friendly!! You can stop just about anyone and talk! It's awesome!! Not to mention that people go crazy when they see that my last name is Basque, and then find out that it's actually because my dad is from Bilbao, too!! It seriously helps!!

We work in the following neighborhoods of Bilbao: Indautxu, Ametzola, Recalde, Zabalburu, San Francisco, Basurtu, and some pueblos that my companion doesn't know because he's never been to them. :) This doesn't mean that I can't go to other places to visit family/friends of family (I don't think... my companion and my district leader just confirmed this -- we CAN go anywhere within the Bilbao zone's boundaries (from Santander to Irun/San Sebastian) ). AWESOME!!!

I am so, so happy to be here in Bilbao! I love working with Élder Cook -- he is a deep thinker, and he is very sensitive to the Spirit. I hope I can learn the area and the ward faster, so that I can better help him in more planning situations. Apart from wanting to help take off a load of stress, I want to be able to help more in our efforts to work with the members.

This week, I would love to love and get to know these members. Yesterday was a day for "firsts" for me in our ward: I finally met the Bishop, and I gave my first talk in the ward (on The Family: A Proclamation). I'm excited to get to know the rest of my Bilbao-ward family this week. I hope to be able to visit as many visits as possible while coordinating intercambios and area changes (the Bilbao Fiestas are all this next week).

I will never forget the intense, Spirit-guided experience I had this week in the baptismal interview for Carmen in San Sebastian. Within the first 5 minutes of the interview, she communicated to me that she had come to our interview with the intention of telling her missionaries that she didn't feel ready for baptism, and that she wanted to postpone her baptism for some distant, future time. Her baptism was scheduled for the following day, and for a brief moment I was mind-blown; what on earth was I supposed to do? I offered a silent prayer for guidance, and felt impressed to ask her some questions. I don't remember everything that was said, but I remember that many of her "doubts" were almost word-for-word the same doubts that my companion and I had practiced last transfer, as part of our training program. As I spoke to her, I saw my friends from my last area who had been baptized in my mind's eye, and I felt a great love for this person who I had just met, and a desire to help her choose to be baptized. I know that the Holy Ghost guided both of us during that interview, and I am grateful for practicas, because the Spirit guided me to apply them to Carmen in the critical moments of her interview. I felt such great peace when, with tears in her eyes, she said, "Thank you... I want to be baptized tomorrow. I know this is true."

I also know that "this" is true -- Heavenly Father is real and lovingly aware of us; Jesus Christ truly did sacrifice completely for my imperfections, and thanks to Him I can be forgiven; Joseph Smith, Jr. really was the prophet through which God restored the fullness of His church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and the Book of Mormon is divine evidence of the truthfulness of all of these things. I hope to help my family here in Bilbao to put these things to the test; I know that if they do so sincerely, they will know for themselves, and we will get to be together for all eternity.

I am so excited for eternity! I love being a covenant missionary!! I love you, family!!!!!

Families can AND SHOULD be together forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,
Élder Zubeldia

BILBAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Family,

I love you!! I AM IN BILBAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the Bishop Merrill and his wife Kate of Sabadell 2
Elder Wheat and I with our tie. :)
Our last night in Sabadell. Élder Wheat left to Ibiza!!!!!!!!!

Leaving Sabadell was probably the hardest thing ever -- there was so much love there. I love Sabadell, and the wonderful friends I've made there.

Family, I want to come back and have you meet them. These people are incredible!!!

I visited every family the week before I left, especially my friends who have been baptized in these past few months. I love these people!!!!

There were so many tears and hugs involved. I can't put into an email what happened. Tender experience after tender experience. I feel like I know a little bit about what Heaven is like from being with such loving people. What a wonderful place!

...

It was very confusing to have gotten the call telling me that I was going to serve in Bilbao. I was so speechlessly excited to go; but I was devastated to leave them. It was weird. Thankfully, I am a citizen of this country, and will be able to come back and visit them all soon!!

For now, I am in Bilbao!!! :D My new companion is Elder Cook from Seatle Washington. He plays piano, ballroom dances, and went to BYU just before leaving on his misión. He has 7 months left, and he's an obedient missionary. I'm excited to work with him!!

I want to retell a miracle from Sabadell. The story continued.

The couple we contacted a month ago, coming home from an FHE in a pueblo late one night, started having the other missionaries in our Ward come and visit them. We also had opportunities to teach them as we saw them on the bus or as they called out to us out on the Street. Last Friday I went in to interview him for his baptism.

It was incredible. He was SO prepared! He knows that this is true: the first time he walked into the Church, he could feel something (the Spirit), and then during the family-focused classes, he felt the Spirit witness to him that this was the true church of God on earth today. That's when he began to progress; but angels had been preparing him the whole time before that...

He told me in the interview this (I will try to paraphrase): "When we were back in the Dominican Republic, my wife and children used to go to church every Sunday, but I always had work to do. I never made time to go to church. A few weeks ago I woke up feeling that something was missing in our lives, and I told my wife that we needed to find the church. That same day, God sent us an angel...you!"

The interview went phenomenally, and then came the time to fill out his "registro" and ask which of his two missionaries (or members aka his friends) he wanted to baptize him. I was totally taken off guard when he told me that he wanted me to baptize him.

We went back into their living room, and the wife began to tell me a little more about the story of our first meeting. She said: "You came as an answer to our prayers. We saw you on the bus, but we wouldn't have said anything to you if you hadn't started talking with us. We never give our number to anyone, but you made us feel so good. It just goes to show how important it is to be friendly and talk with everyone."

...

I was so humbled by their words. I am in awe of Heavenly Father, and how he Works. He is "todopoderoso." What a privilege and tender mercy to be able to serve as a representative of His Holy Son, and to be engaged full-time in His work. I am so grateful to be a missionary. I love this!!!

I love you all!!! Keep Reading the Book of Mormon, Praying, and being Fully Active in the Church!! It's Heavenly Father's church -- He wants us to remember this!!

Love,
Elder Zubeldia

P.S. Papi, please send me the addresses and phone numbers and names of our family and friends. It's time for everyone here to have another chance to choose to have an eternal family. Please pray for them and that Angels will prepare their hearts!!! I love you!!!

This is my last week?! IT´S GO TIME!!!!

Dear Family,

I love you I love you I love you!!! :)

I wish I could send you more emails/love/stuff, but there is no time. I think that is the challenge -- making time. I will have to pray more about that.

But for now, this was an INCREDIBLE WEEK!!!!! Our district is doing GREAT!!!!

I want to tell you a story about blessings of working through the members:

At the beginning of July, my companion Élder Awesome (I mean, Alhstrom...same thing) and I were coming home from a FHE that we had organized in one of the ghetto pueblos we are assigned to in this green hilly country-side. We had personally brought several members out to another family's home, and we were helping to bring a dozen or so back to the train. At the train station we worked as a team to talk with people, and practice sharing the gospel (our recent converts are amazing at this -- they used to go to the Jehova's Witness church... thank heavens they recognized the truth!). We were all excited to continue to do so on the train, but it was not to be so: it was a Saturday night, and the entire train was filled with youth coming from (or going to?) their "botellón" (ie, they were all drinking and smoking). Alcohol was being spilt onto the floor, and it was hard to breathe because of the smoke. We were worried about everyone getting home safely, and we were about to get off with them to walk them home, but that would have made us get home really, really late. We organized them into groups, they got off together, and then we prayed for them until we got off at our stop. As we stepped off the train to get on our bus, I noticed a couple sitting nearby on the bus, who had obviously also been on the same train, and felt prompted to comment to them about the tragic state of those youth. We started talking, and suddenly the woman asked me, "Where's the church around here?" As it turned out, she was a member who wasn't on our records, who hasn't been to the church in years. We talked on the bus ride, had a nice conversation about the blessings of the gospel, and then set up another time to visit. The husband is a non-member, they are from the Dominican Republic, and they have two children waiting for them in their country. They live in the other Élders' area, but we've taught them from time to time, as we have done splits and have seen them on the buses. The husband is going to be baptized this Saturday! It's amazing to me the way that Heavenly Father makes things happen: He knew where we needed to be, and when, to be able to meet and befriend His beloved children, right as they were prepared to receive His restored message. How awesome is that?! :D Heavenly Father is so good to us all!!

I love this work! I know that Heavenly Father knows and loves all of us. He will guide us as we do our best to worthily seek out His guidance. He will always forgive us of our imperfections, help us to improve, and lead us to lasting happiness if we believe on Him, repent, are baptized, and live worthy of the gift of the Holy Ghost. There is nothing more important for anyone to ever know about!!

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOFÍA AND SORAYA!!!!! YOU TWO ARE THE BEST LITTLE ANGEL PRINCESS MUNCHKIN SISTERS EVER!!!!!! (Susana and Sarah -- the same applies to both of you, except neither of you are munchkins anymore ;) but you two are DEFINITELY still angels!!!) I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

When our recent convert friend Fabian baptized his daughter Fabiola!!!!

This is a game plan that we made for a FHE. The figure 8 is a puzzle that we made, colored, and cut-out. Haha, we´re such artists!! ;)

A picture of me falling asleep on a train--I don´t remember this one, but there must not have been anyone nearby to talk with! :)

Last week´s preparation day at the park. We made a funny movie as a district playing there!

Our district having fun at a park on preparation day. 

Us again, today, at the bowling alley. District unity!! :)

Today when we went as a district to go bowling (that´s Élder Wheat, my old companion, with the red hair!).

Sabadell!! Jaja 7 months and going strong!! :D

Dear Family,

I love being a missionary! Élder Ahlstrom is doing better -- he's still adapting to the heat and the regular stresses of missionary life. He is really good at focusing on details, and he's very organized. I love when I can get a smile out of him! I carry it with me everywhere! We are almost done with Week 10 of the 12 Week Program.

This week was very interesting, as it was full of intercambios. I had the privilege of learning from Élder Ferrer and Élder Oliveira, both huge examples to me. I admire these two missionaries. Élder Ferrer is amazing; he is a missionary who is personable, natural, and powerful. I love how he works through the members -- they love him for being himself. I find that significant. Élder Oliveira told me that I should send the Informe of the Intercambio via Correos, so I will. I hope it arrives sometime soon!

I've been trying to have a move serving mindset; a more Christlike mindset. While I was with Élder Ferrer, we were about to enter a building on a side-street. On the other side of the street was an older woman with lots of groceries. I went over and asked if I could help carry her groceries into her building; she declined. We were talking with some recent converts inside the building, when, 15 minutes later, the same woman comes in, laden with her groceries. As she entered through the door I had opened for her, she proceeded to place her bags on the floor. She said, "Me caes muy bien; toma, para tí y todos tus amigos" -- she pulled out a box of delicious peaches, and gave us almost the entire box. We were shocked, and grateful; and though she still wouldn't let me carry her bags for her, it was a testimony to me of the importance of always thinking about serving others. Miracles happen. I know that Heavenly Father really will bless us if we act on sincere desires to serve.

I gave a talk for the second time here in our ward. The first time was 7 months ago, where I invited everyone to "join together" in the Lord's work. I followed Élder M. Russell Ballard's example from General Conference, and did a follow-up. The first talk of the meeting was given by Flor, the convert daughter of my first convert, Maribel. Her talk was amazing! It made me so happy to be able to share my love and appreciation for this wonderful work and for everyone in this wonderful ward! Missionary work truly is miraculous when we work with, for, and through the members. They are the angels of Alma 13:24.

I know that we are led by the Lord through President Thomas S. Monson. I love this church! I love the work of salvation!

Love,
Élder Zubeldia

Sabadell, every day!! :)

Dear Family,

I love you so much!!! Life is flying by!! I am so grateful to be a missionary!!

Francis and Leticia

This week was AWESOME!! So busy, and so much to do!! Our friend Leticia was baptized!!! SHE IS SO FANTASTIC!!!! This picture is of Francis and Leticia!! :D They are from Ghana. Five years ago, this amazing ward went and knocked doors, and Francis was found and baptized because of their efforts!! Leticia just arrived a little over a month ago from Ghana (which has a miracle story of its own), and Leticia was baptized this last weekend!! She only speaks Twi (a Ghanan dialect), and so we would teach her, and her husband would translate. He also translates the Book of Mormon for her when they read (he can't read Twi, so he reads it first in English and then translates it). It has been miraculous to see her path towards conversion!! They are both excited to prepare to be married for time and for eternity in the Temple!!

I love serving with Élder Ahlstrom! We are both doing great. He is such a hardworking missionary; even when he is exhausted, he doesn't lose his desire to serve. He is very on purpose, and he will be a wonderful trainer. He told me yesterday multiple times, "We are here to baptize!" I am so glad that he knows this, and that he has a passion for baptism!

Our members are the miracle of the week. This week they have really been there for us, inviting their friends to FHEs, and miraculously appearing when we bump into people prepared for the members on the street. When we were on splits with one of the returned missionaries, we had just arrived in one of our "puebles" on our way to a visit. As I stepped out of the bus, a boy called out to me with an American accent. Allen is a 15 year old boy from Honduras who just arrived to Spain a few days ago, who had spoken English with the elders in his country. The member I was with was also from Honduras (in Sabadell, this is a rare occurrence, since there aren't many Hondureños). It worked out perfectly, and we're going to visit with his family later this week!

Sarah, love the members. When you love them, miracles happen. Look for ways to serve them. They will love you, and trust you, and they will want their friends to meet you. Read Alma 13:24, and remember -- THEY are the ANGELS.

Our recent converts are doing fantastically! They are so excited to progress in the gospel! We are working with the members to help and support them.

I, Élder Zubeldia, having been born of goodly parents into a wonderful family, have been taught to follow the Savior; and notwithstanding having seen afflictions, I know that I have been highly favored of the Lord in all my days. May we all recognize that near the same can be said for all of us.  I know that Heavenly Father loves us, and that His Son, Jesus Christ, offered Himself so that we could all return safely home. I know that God restored His only church through the prophet Joseph Smith, and that the Book of Mormon is a true evidence of this. I know these things because I have felt the power of the Holy Spirit of God tell me so in my heart. All those who sincerely pray, ponder and read about the Book of Mormon, and attend church services, having faith and real intent, will come to know the same. Whoever you are, and whatever your circumstances, I invite you to try this out for yourself. If you are honestly seeking, I promise you that you will receive a real answer from Heavenly Father. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love you!

Élder Zubeldia

Pictures, pictures!

This is Francis and Leticia!! :D They are from Ghana. Five years ago, this amazing ward went and knocked doors, and Francis was found and baptized because of their efforts!! Leticia just arrived a little over a month ago from Ghana (which has a miracle story of its own), and Leticia was baptized this last weekend!! She only speaks Twi (a Ghanan dialect), and so we would teach her, and her husband would translate. He also translates the Book of Mormon for her when they read (he can't read Twi, so he reads it first in English and then translates it). It has been miraculous to see her path towards conversion!! They are both excited to prepare to be married for time and for eternity in the Temple!!

This is what the first page of the Book of Mormon in Twi looks like. Can you read it? I can't either!

This picture is of the wedding of Leo and Linda, our friends who are relatives of our recent converts. They invited us to their wedding, and it was buckets of fun!! We just need everyone to learn about modesty, and then the next wedding will be even better!!!

This is the happy couple. :) Hopefully they will begin to prepare to be married in the Temple someday!! For their wedding gifts we gave them a large picture of the Madrid Temple and a large "Family Proclamation" for them to hang somewhere in their home. :)

As you can see, we decorated our apartment a little bit for the 4th of July. Jaja, it wasn´t much, but it sure was fun!

Oh, also, for the 4th of July, we made use of the Root Beer Concentrate you sent me last year, and we made Root Beer Floats for the District!! It was a blast!! We even gave out Root Beer to some other people -- everyone was curious about our special American drink!

This is a puzzle that we made as part of a lesson we planned for a Family Home Evening. On the back of every piece is a step of the Gospel. :) It was fun for the little children to take turns arranging the puzzle!