January 27, 2014 - Week 27

Hello sweet family and friends, I cannot believe I am already here doing this again! Thank you so much for the wonderful emails, your love and support means so much to me! I love you all so much, and am so grateful for the role and impact you have made on my life. I feel so blessed. I always love to hear what is going on at home, and all of the joys and blessing that are coming your way. 

This past week was another great one in the books. We have been really focusing our work on J´s family. We met with them a fair amount this week just to continue helping them progress with their goals and within the gospel. The younger brother is still working towards his goal of the 8th for his baptism, and things are looking great. Also, exciting news! The dad received a calling yesterday at church!! After 8 years of inactivity he is seeing the many blessing that come from regular church attendance, and the blessings are clearly evident and being poured out to his family. Every time we go into their home, their faces light up, and it feels like we are home. The spirit within the homes of members is so incredible. There is a peace and comfort that is indescribable. I love this gospel, and the peace, joy, and happiness it brings to our lives. This family is incredible, and really progressing.

This past week, Elder Nyland and I have really been focused on sifting through the investigators that we currently have, and really praying hard with faith to find many new investigators who are prepared to receive the gospel. This week is going to be a big week of finding for us here. I love this pueblo, but the work doesn´t come easy. I love a quote from Elder Holland, "The work of Salvation never was easy, we chose to come to this earth because we knew the final result". This past week, my testimony on the Plan of Salvation really grew. We knew the final result, keeping that perspective makes everything worth it. What an incredible message.

Yesterday we had another great lesson with J. I sure love this man. At the end of our lesson, he offered one of the sweetest prayers I have heard. He prayed that Elder Nyland and I could go forward with faith, and find those that are prepared to hear the truth. After the prayer, he looked up at me and said, "We have known each other for 3 months, it seems like just yesterday that we met. You are my best friend." I just looked at him and started crying, these past 3 months have been so incredible, and J has been there all along. Although right now may not be his time, he knows this message is true, I know he will be alright.

This past week we also spent some great time with the sweet members here. I keep saying it, but members are so incredible. The members here have helped us so so so much in this work. This week we met with our family here and also ate at sweet Hermana Gabi´s and celebrated her brothers b-day on Saturday. Oh the missionary life... it is a great one;)

This email pretty much sums up the highlights of this past week here in the Pueblo. I love this work, and I am so very grateful for this gospel in my life. Being out here has really changed my life for the better. What a privilege I have been given. This gospel is true.

I love you all, until next week!!

The Pueblo Life,

Elder Dallin Farrell

January 20, 2014 - Week 26 - Where have these 6 months gone?!‏

                               

The Zone on Preparation Day

Hello sweet family! I cannot believe we are already doing this again, this past week has just completely flown by! I also cannot believe that this week I hit my 6 month mark as a full time missionary. These past 6 months I have seen and learned so much. I have had great days, and hard days, seen blessings and miracles, and sometimes, I have seen nothing to do at all, but overall I have come to develop a deep love for this work. There is no question in my mind that this is the work of the Lord, and this is His church. I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the opportunity I have been given to serve in the south of Spain for two short years. What a wonderful thing. This past week was great.

Lunes- Monday morning for Pday, it was time for me to get a hair cut (my hair was far overdue for a cut). Anyways, at 1.30 we passed by the peluqueria (barber shop) and I was able to get my haircut. As I was talking to the peluquer (barber) he asked me the question missionaries love to hear, "What are you two doing here" we were able to talk about the church for a good hour, and it turns out that his sister is a member in Florida. He commented on how happy she always is, and he just said he didn´t understand it. We were able to visit with him a few times this week, which was neat! Monday night we went over to the Espinozas so they could help us make sectors on our map of the menos activos (less active) in our ward that we needed to stop by. They are such a big help and blessing for us. They are such an incredible family!

Martes- One service that we offer as missionaries is we teach free English class every Tuesday and Thursday night in the Capilla (chapel). Elder Nyland and I are the teachers of the beginner class, and it is so much fun. We meet new people every week and we try our best to teach them basic English skills. This past week we had a neat opportunity. As we were about to begin class two more students walked in. They walked in with stone faces, and the first question they asked us was "Is this going to be English class, or is this going to be a gospel introduction" I told them that from 7.30 to 8.30 we would be teaching English Class, and after if they wanted to stay we were sharing a message. After the class and message, they left grinning ear to ear. One of my favorite things of being a missionary is making people happy. It was such a sweet thing to see, and they came back Thursday ready to go!

Miercoles- This past week we have really been focusing on our miracle part- member family. We have really been focused on the son to get him prepared for his baptism, so we have been visiting with him a lot lately to get him prepared, and to cover all of the lessons. At the end of the lesson we told him that his baptism would be held on Saturday at 6 30, and he was a little hesitant because he knew he had a soccer game, but he didn´t know what time. Right at this point his older brother hopped in and said, "You can tell your coach that you are making the biggest decision of your life and that you will not be able to make it to the game. You can tell your coach that you are being baptized a member of la Iglesia de JesuCristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias" (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) The Spirit was so strong. This family is incredible.

Viernes- Friday night we had another great lesson with the son, and we taught him Seguir al Profeta. (Follow the Prophet) We watched the President Thomas S. Monson video, and it was so great. I am so grateful to have a Prophet on the earth today leading and guiding this church. I am so grateful for his example of lifelong service.

Sabado- After a great day of work, we finished the night off with a Noche de Hogar (FHE) with the incredible Espinoza family. I have learned so so much from this incredible family. They are truly some of my heros. We had a family night on la obra misional (missionary work), and it is crazy that it still hits me so hard that I am finally here. They showed us the video that they played and the hastening the work fireside about missionary work, I would really recommend it.

Domingo- My favorite day of the week. Church was a little crazy today with so much going on within the ward, but everything always works out. After ward council meeting, Elder Nyland and I went to our every Sunday medio dia (noon) lunch with sweet Hermana Gabi. She always feeds us interesting food, but we sure love her. She takes such great care of us. Tonight we ended the night with an incredible noche de hogar (FHE) with our part-member family. We taught them El Dia de Reposo (Sabath Day Holy). It was such a spiritual lesson, and the son is really progressing. We were able to change his fecha (date) to the 8th of February so his father can baptize him. This family is such a miracle. He said something really nice during the lesson. "This message is literally the reason why I am here. I was with my friends, and I looked down at my clock and realized I had to be home with my family so that I could meet with the Elders. Ever since I have heard this message, I have just felt so much peace with myself, and around the home. I haven´t raised my voice or been acting like a child." The spirit was so powerful. We ended the night with a nice game of Jenga with them.

I know this letter is a little long, but this week was so incredible. The Lord is really blessing us here, and all of His missionaries all around the world. This is His work. I love it.

I love you all so so much, and am ever grateful for you! Until next week

The Pueblo Life,

Elder Dallin Farrell

January 13, 2014 - Trainer

Elder Nyland & Elder Farrell (trainer)

Hello family and friends! Thank you so much for all of the great emails, prayers, love, and support, it really means more than you will know. I hope you all had a great week and are all keeping warm. This past week was a pretty crazy one for me, from saying goodbye to Elder Ellsworth, traveling to Malaga, picking up Elder Nyland in the mission home, and then coming back here to pick up the work right where we left off. 

Lunes- Monday was a crazy day, from cleaning our piso to packing all of Elder Ellsworth´s stuff to get him out of the door Tuesday morning. It was a bitter sweet day because we are really excited for these upcoming transfers, but we have really become best friends over these past few months with all of the work we have had and all of the holidays we have celebrated together. I sure love that kid, he has definitely changed my mission for the better. Monday night we had quite the final lesson with J.... wow we looked and felt like Hermanas. (Sorry that is probably a bad joke, but we had some good tears, and the spirit was so very strong) It was so weird thinking that just three short months ago we found this incredible man, and now Elder Ellsworth is heading out. We will take good care of J!

Martes- Tuesday was a nice 8 hour travel day by bus to Malaga to pick up my new companion. At one of the bus stops I was able to see Elder Adamson again!!! I sure love that guy! He is heading out to Sevilla all the way on the other side of the mission so it may be awhile until we see each other again. Around 7 we arrived at the mission home. There were 8 new missionaries arriving (5 Hermanas, and 3 Elders). It was so good to be in the mission home, and to see President and Hermana Deere. I say it every time I see them, but they are so incredible. I am so grateful to be here serving with them. Right as I walked in, President gave me a big hug and jokingly said, "Elder Farrell, you are too young to be training" I couldn´t have agreed with him more...;) haha They sat all of the trainers down and then brought all of the new missionaries up. I know I haven´t been here for too long, but it was so crazy to see how young all of the new missionaries look! They pulled out the map and first called up Elder Nyland, President then said... Elder Nyland, your companion will be.... Elder Farrell. I was so excited to hear that he was my companion, I really feel like I scored. He is such a stud, and is already a great missionary. After assigning comps, we ate a great chicken dinner, and then ate cake to celebrate Annie’s birthday, it was such a wonderful night! 

Miercoles-  Another big travel day. We arrived late, but it was so nice to be home with my new comp. This past week, I have tried really hard to make him feel right at home. This is a great place to be - the best in the mission. 

Jueves- Thursday we worked hard, and had some great citas with both members and investigators. I really put Elder Nyland to work on his first day out; he is already such a great missionary. Thursday night we had a cita so I could introduce Elder Nyland to his new family here in Spain. They are so sweet, and continue to take great care of us. 

Viernes- Friday morning, my poor comp woke up at 6 in the morning just throwing up. It is no fun to be sick, especially the second day out in the field. We stayed in for the day, and Elder Nyland was able to get some good rest. Poor guy, he thinks it was something he ate, but I think it was just a combination of a bunch of things... lack of sleep, nerves, Spain, being a new missionary. He is doing much better now!

Saturday and Sunday were packed days - we are so busy. Yesterday I got a little overwhelmed because I just felt like there wasn´t enough time in the day to do everything that we need to accomplish as missionaries. The work is really picking up here, and we have some progressing investigators.  Right now we are really focusing on J’s little brother.  He has a fecha bautismal for the 25th of this month, and is so excited for his baptism. Please keep him in your prayers.

This past week was so great, probably one of the best of my mission. I have felt happier this past week then I think I have in my whole mission because I have spent less time thinking about myself as I am trying my best to help Elder Nyland make a smooth transition into the missionary life. I feel like that is a good update for now. I pray for your happiness and success; I am so grateful for each one of you. Have the best week, and I can´t wait until next week to see what the work brings. I love you so so much!

The Pueblo Life,

Elder Dallin Farrell

(Credit goes to Sister Deere for these pics - thank you!)

January 6, 2014 - New Year - Murcia Zone Conference - Transfers

New Year Grapes!

Well, after a huge week, here we go again! I can´t believe that it is already 2014, I am so excited what this year in Spain will bring, and the many blessings and miracles that will come. I easily have to say that 2013 was the best year of my life, but I know that this year is going to be a pretty good competitor! I am sure you are all anxious to hear about tranfer calls so I will get that off first. Saturday night, President Deere called Elder Ellsworth and I, and told us that it was time to split the dynamic duo up. We were sad for this day to come, but we knew that it was coming shortly. I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with Elder Ellsworth, he is one of my best friends, and has changed my mission for the better. We are sad to see each other leave, but excited to see what these next few transfers bring. It turns out that Elder Ellsworth will be heading to La Mancha to be a Zone Leader over there. He is such a stud, and will do great things. President told me that this next transfer I will be training here. I am so so excited for this opportunity, but pretty dang nervous as well. It is nice that I know the members and the area, but now I will be taking the reigns over here in the pueblo life. I don´t know who my comp is yet, but there are three new Elders coming in this transfer; 2 from Utah and 1 from Idaho. I will be catching the 8 hour bus ride tomorrow to pick up my ‘son’, and then return back here sometime Wednesday evening. This week is going to be a huge week, but I am sure excited to see how it goes! As for Elder Ellsworth and I - what a great last week we had together!

Martes- Tuesday night Elder Ellsworth and I were able to get together with the district and celebrate noche vieja with a lot of members in Alicante. We had such a fun time, and there was a great turn out. I believe there were about 20 people there.  We began the night by playing games as a district, eating a great chicken dinner, karaoking (sp) (disney music;)) and then we finished the year off with a tradition that they do here in Spain. Every noche vieja as the clock strikes 12 everyone has 12 grapes ready in hand. As each bell rings you throw another grape in your mouth to welcome in the New Year. Little did Elder Ellsworth and I know that you could chew the grapes... haha we stuffed 12 huge grapes with seeds in our mouths to welcome in the New Year. Wow... what a painful experience! haha at least we know now so that next year we can do it just right. I snapped a great video that I can´t wait to show you guys! Such a fun night. Happy New Year!

Miercoles- Tuesday night we spent the night with the Zone Leaders in Alicante. Wednesday morning we woke up early to travel back and to dive back into the work. It was a really sad morning because there were so many people that were hung over and returning from their parties. It really made Elder Ellsworth and I grateful for this message, and for the happiness these standards and principles bring. At 11 we went over to ‘our family’s’ house to celebrate the New Year with them. Thankfully this time we were able to chew the grapes...;) 

Jueves- Thursday we met with J and his family and had such a spiritual lesson with them. We showed them the message "Mountains to Climb" and the spirit was so very strong. The father bore his testimony after the message, and thanked us so much. He told us how big of a miracle it was that we found him and his family to bring them back into the fold. It is so very humbling to be a missionary and to see the Lord work miracles in the lives of many.

Viernes- Friday we had our joint Zone Conference in Murcia!! I have been waiting for this for a very long time, I was able to see Elder Adamson again!! Right when we saw each other we just gave each other the biggest hugs! It was such a blessing to have one of my best friends here with me. After we proceeded to tell all of our inside jokes that have been building up over the past 5 months. It was so good to see him, and all of the other missionaries. President and Hermana Deere gave great talks, exactly what I needed to hear going into this next transfer.

Sabado/Domingo- The past two days have been great ones. Saturday President called, and then Sunday we started up church with the 10 o clock schedule. It was so nice! I don´t think I will ever complain about 1 o clock church again after having it at 5! We ended the week by having a great lesson with J.  We talked to him about the importance of family and he was so engaged. His mother lives in Ecuador so it is pretty hard for him, but he told us that the greatest gift that he gave his mother this last Christmas season was to tell her that he had found the church. This man has such a special light about him, I know big things are in store for him and his family.

This e mail is a little crazy, but so was this past week. I am sad to say goodbye to my best friend Elder Ellsworth, but I am so excited to welcome my new companion into the mission, and hopefully make him feel right at home. I am still learning so much everyday, and know that I will be learning more in these next few weeks, but one thing that I know is how much our Father in Heaven loves each and everyone of His Children. He is there. He cares. I love you all so much, and pray that you have a happy, safe week! Until then, much love!

Elder Dallin Farrell

Reunion in Murcia!

Deliciousness!