February 24, 2014 - BURRO

What a week! I am glad to hear that all of you are doing so well, and thanks again for all of the continuous love and support. We sure had a great week here in the pueblo.

It is so interesting to be a missionary in this time and to see first hand how the Lord is really HASTENING His work. These past three weeks or so Elder Nyland and I have had many people, menos activos (less active), come up to us and tell us that they are members and that they had never seen the missionaries here and that they would love for us to visit them. This happened again this week as we were walking down a quiet street we ran into a sweet woman. We visited with her Saturday night and really had a great visit with her and her pareja (partner) who is investigating the church. I believe that our purpose here right now is to strengthen what we already have (often times we didn´t even know we had it) and then from there find those who are prepared. The Elche stake has some pretty big goals; within the year they would like to open up a branch here. We sure have a lot of work on our hands.

As I said, this past week we spent a lot of time visiting with menos activos and also a lot of good time going hard on the street. We found some good futures this week, but sheesh... haha there are a lot of tough people here in Spain. Maybe it just isn´t their time yet. We are working hard and trying to find new investigators. Missionary work is a slow process as you are weeding through those to find who are prepared to receive the message. It is almost like a game. I guess a game of Eternal life you could say... it is a great work.

Friday night we were able to organize a great activity with the Young Men in the ward and the leaders to welcome Erick into the Quorum. We all went to the capilla (chapel) Friday night and had a pretty good turn out. The President and counselor both gave great messages and really welcomed Erick into the quorum. I have gained a strong testimony of the strength and power within a quorum out here. These kids are so special. They kept telling Erick that if he needed anything, their doors are always open. This ward has really done a great job with the transition of his family. They are now members.

Sunday, Erick received the Aaronic Priesthood. It was so sweet to be in the circle as his Dad ordained him a teacher. The priesthood power we have been trusted with is a gift from God to perfect the Saints and bless the heavy laden. The Priesthood of God is incredible.

Last night after a few hours of street contacting and a few citas that had fallen through, Elder Nyland and I were a bit discouraged. As we were walking we heard a basketball and around the corner we saw a basketball court with two guys playing. We went over and talked to them for a bit. They are both 21 and they both play on a club team here and asked if we played ball being from the states. We ended up playing a solid game of BURRO the Spanish equivalent of Horse, and I came out with the W!  It was so awesome. It was such a blessing to see them there and such a great finding opportunity. One thing that I have really learned from Elder Nyland is that we should use our gifts the Lord has given us to find new people and bless the lives of many. It was what we needed to end the week on a solid note!

I am so grateful to be here in Spain and for the past 20 weeks I have spent here. I love this pueblo and I love this work. I love you all and continue praying for your health, joy, and success!

Elder Dallin Farrell

February 17, 2014 - Week 30

Hello sweet family and friends! I hope you all had a wonderful week, and a Happy Valentines Day! I sure love you all. This past week was very long, and interesting, but here I am again emailing, Mondays sure come around quick, and definitely go by too fast! As for Elder Nyland and I here is the update:

On Monday evening Elder Nyland and I wanted to do something special to celebrate Erick´s bday. We decided to invite him and his family to Kebap, which was so awesome. We also invited Nacho and Edu and their friend Jenni. It was such a great evening. We all went to Kebap and enjoyed a solid Kebap together, then after we all headed to their home to watch the Joseph Smith movie with one of Erick’s moms work companions and best friends. It was an interesting lesson one for someone that has never heard anything about the church.... but we were able to answer her many questions she had as we visited with her more throughout the week.

Tuesday morning, Elder Nyland left to Malaga to pick up his DNI so that he could be legal here in Spain. I stayed behind with some other Elders in Alicante, and we were able to bounce back and forth between the two areas to get some work done. There were many interesting things that happened... haha oh intercambios, you gotta love them! First of all on Wednesday during medio dia while Elder Durfey and I were coming back to piso... the elevator broke... haha I guess after having to ride in so many elevators it is destined to happen sooner than later. I guess it is something that you just have to check off of the bucket list ;) We were almost to the top floor when all of a sudden we just dropped, and the door swung wide open! I am not going to lie, it was pretty dang scary, but we were safe! We ended up just chillin’ in the elevator for a good thirty minutes while we were waiting for the repair man to come. It was... an interesting experience;)

On Wednesday night as I was walking back to piso with Elder Metcalf (another Elder from Alicante) we had a man stop us in the street. This has never happened to me in the mission, but it is something that I had always heard about. As he stopped us, he just asked us, "Are you two missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" We replied yes, and he went on to explain his story. It turns out that he was baptized a member over 10 years ago. With time, he ran into some problems, and ended up leaving the church. He said that over time he had been losing the faith. He went on the tell us, "Tonight I prayed to my God to give me something to find the faith I have lost which I once had. Tonight I ran into you two." After saying this he just came up to me and gave me the biggest hug, and just started crying on my shoulder. It was an experience that I will never forget. It was a man I had never met in my life. It was a man that was a little dirty and stinky. It was a man that has had problems in life just like every single one of us. But for a split second I felt the love that Christ had for this man, and I wanted to do anything that I could to help him. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. The mission is a crazy experience, but I am so grateful for the moments like these that make it worth it.

I have learned so so much this past week, but two of the main things I have learned is one, faith is everything. With faith we have hope, and with hope we can become who our Father in Heaven has intended us to be. The next thing I learned is that EVERYONE deserves the chance to feel of this love and joy that we feel as members of this incredible gospel. I am so humbled and grateful for the opportunity I have to be here. The mission is by no means easy, but worth it. I love all of you and am so grateful for the influence you have in my life. You mean everything to me. Know that you are always in my prayers. Until next week,

Much Love,

Elder Dallin Farrell

February 10, 2014 - Week 29

Hello sweet family and friends, and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! Sheesh, I cannot believe how quickly time is going. It seems like just yesterday I was on Skype with you guys. It is kind of crazy to think that I have spent every major holiday away from home here in my little Pueblo, I sure love it here. Thank you so much for all of the emails, prayers, love, and support that you send my way. It means the world to me.

This past weekend, we were able to participate in the baptism of Erick. It was such an incredible experience and it was so humbling just to see him enter the waters of baptism to take upon himself the name of Jesus Christ. This past week as we have been preparing for the baptism, I have been doing a lot of reflecting over my past four months here, and how grateful I am to be here.

I remember our second day here in San Vicente, Elder Ellsworth and I had been street contacting for 3 1/2 hours and we were ready to go into piso for medio dia. We had five minutes left and we decided to take one more go around the block. As we were turning the corner, a young Ecuadorian man approached us and so we began to talk to him. We met with him for the next two months or so, and were so amazed by this incredible golden investigator we had found. I remember him telling us about his family, and telling us that he had a little brother that played soccer and was 14 years old. After visiting with him for about 2 months, we finally went over to try to meet his brother and parents. It turns out that the first time that we went over they didn´t want anything from the church.

A month later in December we went back and tried to ring the timbre again to see if they would let us in. I remember vividly our first lesson with Erick. He was a little timid, but very wise, receptive, and mature for his age. We continued meeting with him a few times a week until he really started progressing, and we were able to set a baptismal date with him. Throughout January and into February we were blessed to be able to meet with him every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to teach him the lessons, and just check in with him, and occasionally end with a solid game of Parchís or Jenga. During these past few months it has been so humbling to see his progress, and the reactivation of his parents, and the light and blessings that have come to their lives by means of the gospel. 

This past week we were really able to focus on Erick and to make all of the preparations he needed for his baptism. Thank you so so much for all of your faith and prayers, which have been such an incredible help during this past week! On Thursday night, Erick came to the church with his parents for his interview. We were there early to get everything planned for the baptism and he came in just glowing! It was so sweet to see him enter with a huge smile on his face going into his interview. After the interview and English class we picked out his baptismal clothes for him and his father. On Friday we got all of the clothes ironed, and ready to go, then Friday night we went over and had them try it all on. They were so so excited, and they practiced the baptismal prayer and did perfect. My companion Elder Nyland let Erick borrow his suit so he could look super sharp for his baptism.

Saturday night, at 5 we all gathered at the church for the baptisms within the District! There was such a great turnout, the member support here is incredible. It was also such a great turn out for all of the friends of those being baptized. The spirit was so strong. Erick’s father was able to baptize him, and right when they came out of the water, they just gave each other the biggest hug. It was so sweet to see the happiness that the gospel brings for families. His sweet mother was just crying. After Erick got up and bore such a strong testimony he said, "I know this gospel is true, I know the Book of Mormon is true. I am so grateful for my brother, because through him my family was able to meet the missionaries. They have been there for me every step of the way. They have changed my life." It was such a humbling moment for us to realize that we were able to act as instruments in his conversion. On Sunday I was able to confirm him as a member of the church. 

These past four months here have been some of the best of my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here, and to have had the opportunity to meet and serve with Erick and his incredible family. This past week we have witnessed many miracles, and we know that there are many more on the way. I am so grateful to be here, I love this work. I love you all, and pray for your happiness, health, and success! Have the best week, and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Much Love, 

Elder Dallin Farrell

February 3, 2014

Elder Farrell & Elder Nyland

Hello sweet family and friends, what an incredible week. This past week has been so special. The work here is really growing; I know this is where I need to be. Thank you so very much for all of the emails, letters, prayers, encouragement, and support, it means so much to me. I know all of my letters start the same, but I really do mean it;) As for Elder Nyland and I:

English Class: Tuesday and Thursday nights have quickly made their way to the top of the list of my favorite days out here on the mission. Every Tuesday and Thursday night we have the opportunity to teach our English class. It is so incredible to see the growth in our class, and the light in each of their faces. Last transfer there were nights when Elder Ellsworth and I would travel to the capilla (chapel) to find nobody there to teach, but now we are filling up every night and I honestly love our students. This service is such an incredible opportunity to get investigators into the capilla to feel the sweet spirit that resides there. We always close with a message and a prayer and leave them with the Spirit.

We went to one of the pueblos in our area. It is about an hour and a half bus ride there and back, so we only go out on Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we go out and meet with two incredible less active members. They feed us so well, and we are always able to leave them with a spiritual message. This past week after our visit with them we asked the husband if he would help us with another cita (appointment) with a menos activo (less active) family that lived out there, and he was thrilled. He quickly changed into his white shirt and tie, and threw on his name tag hahaha... I don´t know if that is allowed;) then we went to visit with another family. They are 7 and are a menos activo family. For the four months that I have been here we have never been able to go in, but on Wednesday they let us in, and we were able to share a wonderful message with them. They have a 9 year old daughter that is not baptized, so we are really working hard to reactivate the family, and to get her baptized. We are also starting an English class in G´s home so that we can find more investigators out there. The work is growing a ton.

Our family here: This past week, our family here invited us over Friday night to tell us something. Elder Nyland and I were a little bit nervous to hear the news because we didn´t want to hear they were moving. Right now, the economy is really tough here in Spain, and it has affected almost everyone. It has also affected our family here, and the father has been out of work for months. When we arrived we gathered together as a family, and they told us that he would be moving to England to find work up there. The example and the sacrifice that he is making for his family is so touching. This family has been incredible, I know they will always be close to me. The family is staying here until they know more, or until he receives anything. Please keep them in your prayers.

This past week our main focus has been on the family of Erick. Honestly just thinking about the progress the gospel has brought to them in their lives is so humbling. This family means so much to me. Last night I had the most spiritual cita I have yet had here on my mission. We were able to share the Joseph Smith movie, which is so powerful. After we all went around and shared our testimonies on the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the Restoration of the true gospel. The spirit was piercing. Sweet Hermana (Erick´s mother) was weeping. Wow. That was an experience I will never forget. Right now we are really focusing on this family, and we have Erick´s baptismal date for this upcoming Saturday, so that is our main focus for the week. Please keep them in your prayers.

I am so grateful for this gospel, and the knowledge that I have, that families are eternal. I love you with all of my heart. Much love!!

Elder Dallin Farrell