Villalba

I love Christmas!!!

This week was overall pretty great. We've been so very blessed and I'm so grateful for all the miracles we've seen.

1. Hernando! We met with Hernando again on Tuesday. He's been reading a ton in the Book of Mormon and is doing really well, he just couldn't come to church because he was out of town.
2. Norma and Antonio. They are my FAVORITE! They are visiting their daughters right now from Argentina. We met with them for the second time this week and they are doing really well. When we met, Antonio told us of how his son-in-law had been reading the Book of Mormon and while he was reading he was like, "Mama mia! Mama mia! Nefi, que haces!?" Antonio got pretty excited to read 1 Nephi 4 and we will be meeting with the whole family later this up and coming week. 
3. Monica and Marisol. Hermana Phillips and I contacted them in the street a few weeks ago. Marisol works a ton but got hit by a car and broke her leg so when I called on a whim (the spirit) she answered and invited us to finally come teach them. When we started getting to know them more Monica (15 year old) started just talking to Hermana Koeber and Marisol turned to me and said, "You know, I was about her age when the missionaries found and baptized me, but you know, life just gets in the way." With like a little chuckle thing. What the heck!? So yeah, we found a MIA member and are now teaching her and her daughter. Miracle.
4. Fabian and Jerolin. The biggest miracle! About a month ago Hermana Koeber and I contacted a lady named Alba, she is also a MIA member form Columbia. We finally were able to get in contact with her and we had a lesson on Sunday. Her son and daughter-in-law were also there so we taught all of them. We had already planned and prepared to teach them about #ILLUMINATEtheWORLD and it ended up being exactly what they needed and thy are excited to learn more about how they can become more united as a family as they draw closer to Christ.

I'm so grateful to be a full time representative of Christ. I am studying the New Testament more and the more I learn the more I love our Savior. I'm so grateful for this holiday season that we have to remember what's really important, its like the Sabbath day of all the year. Idk I just love it. Everyone is so much more happy and open and willing to talk. I'm just so grateful! This week we are going to have and incredible Christmas party I will take pics an tell you all how it goes!

I hope you all have a great week!

Hermana Warner

I make snowflakes!

I make food.

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.

I'll just have you all know it's been a good week

Legit I have no time at all! We went on a 15 mile hike today and oh was it beautiful! To train for it we followed the direction of our mission president and explored more of our area. We walk a TON! I love it!!! It's so fun to visit all the different areas. We haven't harvested from our efforts just yet but I know miracles are coming. Most of these people that we are meeting have never even heard of the "Mormons" at all. So it's our job to change that. We are going to make them start thinking the Jehovahs Witnesses are the missionaries. We'll get there! Well this week was great! I completely lost my voice the other day and legit couldn't talk at all..... yeah that was fun. My comp made me sleep all day. And it helped!!! Well here are some pics from our hike...

Love y'all

Hermana warner 

Villalba and Los Molinos

Well it's true. I officially have two hearts in Spain. I love Villalba! It took a while but I know I'm where I'm supposed to be and I'm grateful to be here. This week we had Zone training and guess who my sister training leader is! Hermana Schriever! She was my trainer and first companion in the field. It was so good to see her again, she's my favorite :) 

President and Hermana Pack have been emphasizing the importance of the Book of Mormon and sharing it with everyone. By using the Book of Mormon more in my studies, proselitismo and teaching I have truly felt the spirit more consistently. If you feel a lack of guidance in your life right now, I invite you to start reading the Book of Mormon again. It doesn't need to start in Nephi, just start. And I promise you will feel the guidance of the spirit more abundantly in your life.

President also instructed us to stretch our proselyting boundaries. We always tend to find ourselves contacting in the same area everyday but we are now trying to look beyond and contact in pueblos where there might not be a member. So Hermana Phillips and I did just that. We went to a beautiful pueblo called Los Molinos. It was incredible. I've never met nicer people and I know that God truly has people prepared in these other somewhat unknown areas.

We got to eat with the bishop and his wife as well this weekend. I'm so grateful for this Ward! The bishop and his wife just had the opportunity to help their friends Ninez and Kike enter into the waters of baptism with their family. Ninez has such a strong desire to follow Christ and she was so blessed to have a good friend to show her how. I hope to be more like Monica, the bishops wife, as I share simple truths of the gospel.

I'm so grateful to be serving here and for the opportunities I have everyday to invite others to come into Christ.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Hermana Warner 

Villalba

Villalba. Well it's definitely not Vigo but it's pretty good. Everything is different. The members the people the missionaries. Everything. 

So yeah! My cute companion is Hermana Phillips! I love her so much! She is from California and this is her first transfer out of training. She is kind to everyone and loves everyone we meet. She is always saying hi to random people in the street and just likes to be happy. We pals.

The WARD here is incredible. It's super strong and I think a lot has to do with the fact that most of the members here are actually from Spain and aren't just living her for work. I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of the leaders this last week, which I'm super grateful for but now I think I might have to actually start using the zeta and talking like a Spaniard. I guess I just sound like I'm speaking general Spanish. Eh, whatever.

Like I said this place is super different the area that we stay around is a lot smaller than Vigo and there are a ton more families. The first day I was here I was just in awe with how many teenagers I've seen... wait, there are teenagers in Spain? In Vigo there were just really old people, middle aged people and their babies. Anyway, the people here are generally really nice and open. Well just be walking down the street talk to the first people we see and they be like, "okay cool, you want my number and address" and I'm usually down to take it. CRAZY. So yeah, last week we mostly focused on contacting but this week we have a ton of first lessons set up so we will see how it goes!

We had a really cool experience this week. On Tuesday we went to teach our friend Julie. We talked about faith and read the introduction of the Book of Mormon. We met with her again on Friday ready to review the plan of salvation real quick then to finish teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But she brought a friend! We started teaching the plan of salvation and her friend Camelia said, "I've always wondered why bad things happen in the world and why good people die young."

I'm so grateful that the gospel and it's perfect truths have been restored. By a prophet of God. We have the answers to the questions of the soul. I loved the talk by President Utchdorf about the plan of salvation. I know its true and I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to teach about it almost everyday. 

Well I love you guys. Y'all are chill.

From Villalba Spain

Hermana Warner 

We had a fun activity. It was like a welcome to Relief Society for the YSA girls. My ward is cute.

Hermana Phillips and I always find ourselves on beautiful adventures. 

Look there are mountains! And it's dry like Utah! I'll probably move to Oregon when I get back.

I'm not crying, you're crying. Goodbye Vigo.

Hello all!

Right now I am siting on a train to MADRID! Too pumped. I´ll be serving in Villalba with Hermana Phillips! I don´t have a picture of her yet but she´s in the same group as Hermana Davis I will be sure to tell you all about her and Villalba next week ;)

Well I'm super sorry I didn't even write a big email last week, we went to the islands again for our last P-day together, it was lovely and honestly so nice not having to stress about writing (sorry not sorry) So these past few weeks have literally been a blur, so I'll just tell you what I remember.

Last week we had our final lesson with our Recent Convert Pedro! Pedro is my favorite. I sure did not cry, nope, and he didn't either. Well actually we were all crying. The spirit was so powerful. We reviewed the baptismal covenant and he bore his testimony of Jesus Christ. This Gospel really has completely changed his life. He is a light to me and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to see his conversion process. I reread over his teaching record. When the missionaries found him he was a grumpy middle aged man who didn't really believe anything, but now you'll never find him without a smile on his face and the light of Christ in his eyes. 

Sometimes when we contact in the street people will ask us, "Do people actually listen to you? Do people actually change?" I love when they ask and I can proudly state, "Yes!" There really are people out there who are ready and looking to receive the Gospel. It may be your neighbor, it may be a family member, it may be one of your closest friends. But sometimes they don't know what they are looking for, and that's why we all need to open our mouths and share what we know. I invite you all in some way shape of form, to do as President Monson instructed and share a part of the plan of Salvation with someone you know. Everyone has questions and we have the answers.

Well the train ride is over and we are going to go be productive. My new comp is Hermana Phillips and she is legit the cutest. 

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve in Vigo it really is like home to me and I look forward to the day I can visit them again :) I learned so much in. Vigo, I'm so grateful for Hermana Schriever and Hermana Davis they made each day a wonderful day, even when they weren't so wonderful. I'm so excited to meet my cute new family :) 

I hope you all enjoyed Conference, the weather looked lovely! 

Besos!

Hermana Warner 

Goodbye hills, hello plains.

 Last lesson with Pedro ft. Hilda y Estéban

 Hilda and her beautiful daughter Amanda (Young Women's President) <3 

Linda and cute Antonella!

They would help us with lessons and always welcomes our new friends to church :)

Chao