*Elder Farrell has a new address, if you would like to write him you may contact me at auf4@hotmail.com and I will get back to you - Andrea*
Thank you family and friends, I always look forward to hearing from you, it is a definite highlight in my week! For this past week, here we go!
Wed- A crazy day full of travel. My bus left Malaga Station around 1 15 with a group of about 15 missionaries all headed to different destinations on the East side of Spain. I knew a few of the missionaries, but it honestly felt just like day one again on my mission, which isn´t the best feeling because I have been here 6 weeks, but on the mission you just get used to meeting new people which is great;) 6 hours into the trip, we finally arrived in Murcia where I picked up my new comp and best friend Elder Ellsworth. At the bus stop I was also able to see Elder Allsop and Adamson! It was so good to hear that they are doing well and loving their service here in this beautiful country. Elder Ellsworth and I are opening an area. We have all of the pueblos just outside of Alicante. Little did I know what opening an area meant until we got to our brand new piso with no food, no area book, and literally NO idea what is going on... haha thankfully we get along well, and just laughed about the challenge that we have in front of us. We are both very humbled and VERY excited to work here.
Thurs- All day Thursday, we got unpacked, purchased food and living supplies for our piso, and at night two Elders came by to kind of show us around. They also showed us where our Capilla is which is a good 30 minute tram ride away from our house. As you can tell, this past week we have really just been getting our feet wet, and getting used to our new living conditions (which are great).
Fri- We walked our whole area to find where everything is, and to become more and more familiar with where we will be serving. Friday night we went to ward council meeting with our ward mission leader. It turns out that we have 6 companionships in our ward (Alicante 2) Elder Ellsworth and I, Elder Durfey and Day, and two Hermanas. We also have 3 less active member families and an active family that just recently moved into our area a week before we got here. That is where our work will begin:) Elder Ellsworth and I are already best friends! These are going to be a quick 12 weeks together. He is honestly helping me so much, and teaching me those qualities I need to learn to become the missionary the Lord would have me become.
Sat- Saturday morning, we visited the new member family that recently moved into our area, they are INCREDIBLE! Son 5, the mother father, and three children (17, 16, and 11) We had a great lesson with them and definitely felt the spirit in their home. The Spirit is SO strong in the homes of the members here. They also treated us to a whopping bowl of an ice cream sundae with a nice muffin on the side-just like the one that you make mom:) It reminded me of you:) As we were leaving the mother made it clear that if we needed ANYTHING they are here for us. I know the Lord has placed them here for a reason, they are here for us, and to assist us in building the Kingdom in this beautiful part of the Lord´s vineyard. That night Elder Ellsworth and I had a good five hours of street contacting. Wow. I am not going to lie, it may have been one of the longest, hardest, and most tiring days of my mission, but I know there is a reason for it. The Lord has placed so much trust and responsibility into our hands in opening this new area, and if that includes 5 hours of street contacting everyday to increase our investigator pool, we will pray hard, go and do. What a glorious message we carry!
Sun- Yesterday we had Stake Conference in the Elche Stake. We still do not know ANY of our members, but it was a very nice conference. President Deere came and spoke with an area 70 about how this is the time for members and missionaries to unite, and come together in this great cause. The Lord is truly hastening His work. One quote that Elder Herbertson gave that really stuck with me. "Although God´s plan, the Gospel, is intended to be simple, that doesn´t mean it is going to be easy.¨ That is so true. This life is a journey, but thankfully we have the road map through it. Sunday´s are such a wonderful day to recharge and get ready for a new week. I love this work!
Elder Ellsworth told me something this morning that really stuck out to me. He said, "Elder, you only have two names on your tag, Farrell, and Jesucristo. Bring honor to your family name, and glorify your Savior and Redeemer." That is my prayer as a missionary. I know the Lord gives us mountains to climb for a reason, always remember that WHATEVER you are facing in your life, the Lord understands completely and is there for you. Don´t give up when you face trials, view them as a challenge, and as a way the Lord is transforming you into who He KNOWS you can become. This message is incredible. I love you SO much family and miss you but I know this is the work of the Lord, and this is where I need to be to bring others the joy we have found. I am doing well, I am doing my best. I love hearing from you, and am looking forward to hearing from you next week:) Thank you for everything you do, you are in my heart and prayers always!
Con Amor,
Elder Dallin Farrell
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