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!)