Insert my dad saying, "It's Christmas" yep it's November. Yes it's Christmas.

Wow what a week! Well more like week and a half, it feels like forever since I've written. So this week was pretty good! We officially have two progressing investigators! Whoot whoot! My week in a nutshell: Thanksgiving feast with the Zone, Inercambios, miracles with Sadith, New investigator Hernando, we went to the temple today, El Escorial Monastery, all our lights burning out (we still have all our Christmas Lights though so don't worry), finally breaking through (literally they are shredded) those $10 boots I bought last min before I left and I can still breath... kinda... the inversion kills man.

But yeah the most important thing I wanted to write about is our miracle with Sadith! Sadith is incredible and I know I've introduced her before so I'll just get to it. Last weekend we felt prompted to teach her about keeping the commandments we studied and prayed and planned but when we got to the door step to her piso we knew we needed to change the game plan. We prayed again before entering and 100% relied on the spirit. As we started the lesson I felt prompted to follow up on her reading and daily prayers. She told us that she hadn't been reading and that she thought it might be a good idea to just read. So that's what we did. I prayed and prayed in those minuscule moments to try to remember a good chapter about keeping the commandments without the "and he shall be thrust down to hell" part. So yeah, I was at a blank. I asked her where she was at in her study, she said 1 Nephi 3....

My heart just exploded with happiness and I knew that that was exactly what Heavenly Father wanted us to do. The Spirit truly testified to her and to us that we need to be obedient to all of God's commandments and that the Lord truly will provide a way. I invited her to read every day and to attend church. She came!

The next lesson we had with her was even more of a miracle. We knew we wanted to teach her about baptism and covenants. Again we made the lesson plan prayed and studied. When we got there we still felt confident of what to teach. I followed up again about how her Scripture study had been for the week. She told us that she had found time to read the Book of Mormon just by taking it everywhere with her. She said she studied it between classes or on the bus ride home. She then proceeded in sharing two scriptures that impacted her deeply. She explained that they were the answers to her prayers. She told us of her desire to be baptized, we asked the baptismal questions and picked a date. It was incredible. 

I'm so grateful for the commandments of the Lord. No matter how small and simple they may seem they really do make a difference. I know that God answers prayers, that he wants to help us in our lives. I know that that BOM is the word of God and that as we apply it to our lives we will know what the Lord would have us do. I'm so grateful for the opportunity we have to attend church every Sunday to partake of the sacrament and to strengthen each other's testimonies. These things are small but I truly believe that, 

"...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

   And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." Alma 37:6-7

I'm so grateful to be one of the small and simple, I hope you all have a fantastic 25 days of serving this December.

 #ILLUMINATEtheWORLD  #LIGHTtheWORLD

Yeah do it soon!

That kid Elder Cample kills me with the chicken hahaha you can see me laughing hahaha.

Thanks for the Peanut-butter Mom

Hello all!

This week felt like FOREVER. In the white handbook it talks about P-day and shares the scripture in Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.

I now completely understand why that is there. It was hardly a Pday last Monday so I'm super grateful to have another one today. But no importa! This week has been INCREDIBLE! I've seen so many miracles and so many blessings. This really is the Lords work.

A few weeks ago Hermana Philips and I found a man near the new chapel that's being built. We gave him a BOM and he promised to read and meet with us after a few weeks. Well those few weeks passed and we had an appointment set up with him and his family on Tuesday. I was tooooooooo excited! This man was so happy and seemed so prepared when we met him and I was so excited to finally find and teach a family. So on Monday right after the end of "Preparation Day" I decided to give him a call to confirm the appointment that we had set up. He told us that because of family visits he wouldn't be able to meet, but then continued to explain that he had been reading the BOM, felt good about it, then went on our website to the frequently asked questions page. He explained that he no longer had questions about our faith and that the appointment would be entirely unnecessary. 

My heart stopped. I stumbled to find the right words to say and the next thing i knew, the conversation was over. I was completely heartbroken. I prayed to God saying, "I've been working so hard. I've been giving it my all. The gospel is true, why wont they listen? Where did I go wrong? What should I have said? What should I have done? What can I do?" This family was so close to receiving the most incredible gift of eternity that we can find on the earth but he was too easily satisfied with the answers to his questions. I invited him to continue reading the Book of Mormon and to pray if it was true and that further down the road we could visit him again. 

We have another friend about two pueblos away from Villalba. Last Saturday she accounted the trials and struggles in her life. She lives a great distance from any loved ones and feels completely alone. We were able to teach her the lesson of the Restoration and testify how the Gospel blesses our lives. She told us of her experience in the prominente church here in Spain, explaining that everyone kept to themselves and that even there she felt alone. 

I know the gospel can help her but she still can't see it. I've been pondering the idea of how we can help these people progress in their conversion to the Lord and although it's a working progress, I have found a bit of the answer.

Yesterday Ninez, our recent convert, came to me and told me of a revelation she received in the temple as she was doing baptisms for the dead. She told me that she felt strongly impressed that she needed to be doing more to share the Gospel. She discussed with me a family member and asked me for help in inviting her to the Gospel. As she finished writing down the information of this beloved family member and handed me the paper I thanked her for the reference. She in turn said, "No, thank you for helping me keep a commandment of the Lord."

I think too often as members of the church we become complacent in our efforts to share the Gospel with others, forgetting that it truly is a commandment of the Lord. I remember these two friends who are so close to receiving the fullness of joy God has in store for them. As a missionary there are many things I need to improve within myself and within my teaching, that is obvious and to state otherwise would be frankly dishonest. But I am thoroughly convinced that if these two friends were befriended by a member, their stories would be completely different. 

I know I've shared before the story of Ninez and Kike. They were a reference from the Bishops wife Monica. As their kids were friends the mothers decided to have a brunch together. At the brunch Ninez offered Monica a coffee. Monica stated boldly that she does not drink coffee because of her religion. This caught the attention of Ninez enough to start asking questions. Monica answered simply and clearly. The questions continued and Monica invited her to learn more from the Missionaries. She and her family are now baptized, active, contributing members of the Ward.

I am grateful for Monica's example to share the gospel and I'd like to invite you all to do the same. I love talk given by Elder Oaks this last General Conference. He explains simply and clearly we as members can share the gospel in a natural way, no matter the friend or circumstance. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and when the opportunities come be proud of what you believe and continue to give them opportunities to ask you questions.

I'm so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really can be forgiven of our wrongdoings and feel free from guilt. I know Christ lives and that he loves us individually. He set the perfect example. As you follow His example and study his words you will know what to say in the exact moment you need to say it.

I hope you all have a fabulous week! We had a few more miracles that I wont get to share today but I know that God's hand truly is in the work. 

Awkward besitos to everyone!

--Hermana Warner

What a week. What a transfer. Time flies way too quick.

So guess what! I have a new comp! Her name is Hermana Koeber! She's a cute chica from Highland Utah and we are going to kill it this transfer. When we got transfer calls Saturday night I honestly didn't believe Hermana Phillips would be leaving, We thought for sure we'd have another transfer together but God knows what he's doing and all I can be is grateful. I've truly had the most incredible companions.

So yep! I'm staying her in Villalba! And I'm so happy! I absolutely love it here! This week our out of the area proselyting efforts paid off and we were able to teach three new people in Torre Ledones, a pueblo about two train stops away from Villalba. We are also going to start teaching a guy in Las Rosas, Alpedrete and La Escorial. So yep lots of first lessons this week! We are so excited! 

Las week we taught Sadith again and she came to sacrament meeting yesterday! Speaking of which, I spoke! Oh my goodness I was not made to talk in big groups, but I did it! and I'm grateful for the experience. I talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how it's helped me in my life. I am so grateful for the BOM everyday. I know it was written for our day and that as we read it we can receive the answers we need to continue with faith in this life.

So yeah back to Sadith, she's a student and lives with her Grandmother, also named Sadith. She is so cute! Sometimes we visit her because she's home bound and gets super lonely. So for lunch she taught us how to make papa de Juan Something.... I'm really bad at spelling so I'm not going to try right now. It's like potatoes with this pepper cheese sauce. It's delicious. I love Peruvian food! This week I also learned how to roast chestnuts and I tried a persimmon! It's so good! And it's called Kaki here, so even better. 

As far as any other investigators, friends, go they are all really new or they aren't progressing. It breaks my heart. These people are so close to receiving the greatest joy they could ever imagine. The relief they need is so close. All they need to do is keep their commitments and come to church. 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here in Spain, specifically Villalba. I'm so excited to see what this transfer will bring.

God blesses us when we work our hardest AND our smartest. I strive to be the missionary the Lord wants me to be.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!! 

You're happier when you put the Lord first. Do it.

Loves and besos

Hermana Warner 

Last selfie with my cute comp Hermana Phillips

Me and my new cute comp. Pumped.

Ninez spoke in Conference!

Hey hey hey

Well it's another week in Villalba! I honestly can't believe I've already been here a month. Crazy. I love Villalba! The members here are incredible and I'm so excited for all the new friends we've been meeting. Thanks for everyone who's given advice and for all the prayers in our behalf. Prayers are being answered. People are being found. We are praying for miracles this week.

So update. Sadith, our friend that was going to be baptized this week, hasn't been coming to church so we will have to postpone it. Satan doesn't give anyone a break. She's been really stressed about school and has had to learn the hard way the promise in D&C 82:10 I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise. We've set some goals and made plans to help her organize her life a little bit more. 

I've been thinking a lot about obedience and sacrifice. We've taught our investigators and other friends time after time that really, when they are willing to put the lord first, he will provide for us. As we pay our tithing, the Lord will help us, as we keep the sabbath day holy, the Lord will give us strength to take on the challenges in the coming week, as we fast sincerely we can receive the revelation we need in our lives. With every Commandment there is a promised blessing. As we align our will to the Lords, and do as He asks, He will keep His promise.

This last weekend we had Stake Conference in Pavones (where the temple is in Madrid) We were allowed to go to the Saturday night session because our recent convert Ninez was asked to bear her testimony of her conversion! The spirit was so powerful as this woman with only a month as a member testified of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I absolutely love her! Her husbands name is Kike and they have two daughters Maura and Alba. They are the absolute sweetest most sincere people. We haven't been able to meet with them very much this transfer because of their crazy work schedules and because we've all been getting sick. But they come to church every sunday and the times we have met have been incredible. Maura and I like to play with Hermana Phillips hair together and Alba is an artist so we are great friends (:

At Stake conference we also heard from President Pack, Hermana Pack and a member of the 70, Elder Homer. Before Elder Homer went up to talk he was like, "There are two more people I feel we should hear from enforce I speak." Logically I thought he'd invite the members who invited Ninez and Kike to the Gospel and then he's like, "Sisters, will you come up and share your testimony?" We completely froze. We didn't expect it at all, I haven't been so nervous for a long long time. But we went up there said a few good words and sat down. I need to be better at expecting things like this. 

Anyway! It's been a really great week and I'm grateful everyday to be a missionary! I hope your weeks are fantastic and that you bake some delicious pie. We will be. 

Loves!

Hermana Warner

Photo from Halloween

Leaves are falling

Hello November. 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I got to go to the temple today! That's why I didn't get to write on Monday. I'm so grateful for the temple! It was so wonderful. I felt so much peace. I'm so grateful for the blessing it is to be in the house of the Lord. 

The other day as we were contacting in a building, we found a middle aged man. As we started to introduce ourselves saying that we are of the church of Jesus Christ, he cut us off and finished the sentence. He explained that his brother was a bishop living in Georgia USA. He continued saying that the majority of his family had been baptized and that he was the only one who wasn't a member. His brother had already made efforts in convincing him into joining the church and that we couldn't convince him either. We told him more about ourselves, our families and that we were here for a year and a half to preach the gospel. He replied that it is important that we remember our family back at home, wished us luck, and waved us on our way. 

We continued knocking the rest of the doors in the building and continued my day. It wasn't until later that I realized the miracle we had been a part of. I am sure the family of this man have offered countless prayers in his behalf. It wouldn't surprise me if they had prayed that some how he could get in contact with the missionaries and understand why the gospel is so important to them. 

I'm trying to better understand how the Lord is the artist and I am the tool. I can be the answer to the prayers of others, I just need to recognize and act on the spirit. I look forward to meeting with this man and other amazing people we have found. 

It's still slow but it's going! We are finding people who are ready. I hope you all had a fantastic Halloween and that this week is wonderful! 

--Hermana Warner 

Oh yeah, we also rode bikes today in Madrid. That was pretty fun.