October 26, 2015 "Short"

October 19 "He knows us"

I'll write something next week, but this would take too long to write.
I really hope you guys enjoy this one. It's special to me. I love all
of you. (:

Silence
https://familysearch.org/photos/audio/19959611

¡La Iglesia es verdadera!

Foto con Lesly, my recent convert and my son, and my people from my
first area! I went back and visited... They all said that I was too

skinny.... I thought it was just because they had gotten me fat there!

#57 Voice Recording

Well this is my first voice recording! Let me know what you all think!
Love you all!
Rocio story

#56 Hmmmmm

Bueno I have no time this week! I've been very busy and I can keep my mind off of what we get to do to help people! It's awesome! Well I just want to briefly share a story that impacted me and helped me very much. 

The familia Salas are awesome people! Hermana Salas is a rock in every sense of the word... He beat me in an arm wrestle while I was using two arms... Plus he's got 2 hernias( I'm convinced they help him have super strength) He needs to get operated on soon. Then his wife Elma is awesome too... She has three herniated discs that are out of place... She's in a lot of pain... We decided to make them cookies. I wanted to share a message, and I shared a good message, but their responses were much more powerful than my message. Manuel Salas talked about how God sent us here to be tried... He needs to allow us to see that we're strong enough to go through trails and come out victorious having gained greater confidence in the Lord. Then Elma talked about how through these trails she's come to have a greater appreciation for the Atonement and a great love for God... These people are amazing. 

I've come to learn that "my yoke is easy and my burden is light" that means there is a yoke, and there is a burden. God doesn't take away all of the pain, so we can be happy, but rather provided something much more gratifying.... He provides a way for us to be happy through our burdens. God is great. 

#55 "Miraculous day en Villalba"

Group email! 

    Okay well I actually had a little bit of time to write on the train, so I can tell you about Richard. He's our Nigerian investigator who is spectacular! He used to be Muslim, but the Lord went preparing him poco a poco until he was ready to know the gospel of Jesus Christ. This man has more faith than anyone that I've met... He's incredible. He has a baptismal date for the 16th of October. He still has to get married, and wait for the government to say he can get married. Reasonably he's still a ways out from getting it all done, but he says that God will open whatever door He needs to to help Richard me a member of the church of Jesus Christ. Richard is amazing, and I feel extremely blessed to be a part of his conversion. 

 Now I'll tell you about my miraculous day en Villalba. Today I went to go visit my first area, and had very little time due to travel. I really only had time to visit 2-3 families that I really wanted to see. As I was talking to one of the families about people who had accompanied me to lessons, and brought me their friends to teach. I asked about 2, Harison and Giovanni... Both of the now inactive. I was heart broken and truly sad. These people are incredible. I really wanted to see them, but I knew both of them worked. On our way to another place we found Harison! I was super excited to see him, and I have him a giant hug! This guy is great! I got after him with love and told him to go back to church. It was short quick and powerful. Then on our way to another visit we saw Giovanni! Again, a crazy unexpected miracle. I also invited him to come back to church; told him how much I loved him and how much I knew he could do. It was wonderful. 

As I was talking to Ismael(my first convert) we acknowledged how great the Lord was and how he was and is a God of miracles! I was incredible to go back and visit! I felt a ton of love and I'm so grateful that I was able to see those incredible people again... God is good. God is great!

I got to visit my first area today! It's been almost a year since I've
seen a lot of these people! I have to catch a train and go three hours
away, but it was great and I'll write more next week!

Richard is a machine!! He's our investigator he has more faith than
anyone I've ever met. I love him and his family a lot! I'll write more
next week! I never have time!

#54 "Stories"

These last few weeks have been fantastic! We've had incredible growth here in Azuqueca! I got here looking to do everything right. I wanted to do things by the book and fully invest myself. To make cookies for the members and investigators, allow ALL of my thoughts words and deeds be dedicated to my area. I tried to humble myself, to not do my will with the work, but rather to do the Lord's will. 

Well I'd like to briefly explain some of the bounteous blessings that the Lore has allotted us. 1. Ruben..  I talked about him last week, and now he has a baptismal date! 2. They've now changed the ward mission leader and given us 5 new ward missionaries. Now I don't say this to brag, or to say that I'm any better than anyone else, but rather the opposite. I notice that when I try to do things my way we get okay results, but when we do them the Lord's way the Heavens open and we are elevated to higher planes. 

I'd like to finish with a story that happened last Tuesday. We were going to meet with a less active family. The father is not a member, and the 10 year old son isn't either. We showed up and just kinda started getting in a routine ( I despise routines) my comp was doing a good job explaining principles, but there was just a lot of noise and jokes going along. They've had various visits from the missionaries, but I fear that some one them may not have been that effective. I stopped the lesson and asked them why they thought we were here? They gave off some good answers, and then I pulled out my iPad. I showed them my first screen saver, which is a picture my my family dropping off my cousin at the MTC. Then I told them, " Let me show you why I left these wonderful people." I proceeded to show them my other screensaver which is a picture of the Fuentea family right after their sealing. "Families can be together forever, but I have to be honest, without the gospel of Jesus Christ and the temple.... They can't be" 

Arlet( the mother) started tearing up as did the non member friend. The Spirit was testifying of truth. 

I then directed my attention to Jesus(Arlet's husband) I asked him if he had ever recognized the Spirit? He said that he has felt it a few times during testimony meeting. The Spirit again testified as he shared his experiences. We discussed a little more with him and proceeded to talk to Adriano. I asked him, "Do you know what baptism is?" 

He said, "I do... It's when we make a promise with God that we're going to do the right thing."

"Do you want to get baptized?" 

"When I feel ready." 

"Great answer. What do you think you'll feel when you're ready?" 

"The Spirit" 

I proceeded to ask questions and he then understood that he had felt the Spirit and that he needed to get baptized. We set a date for him. He started crying. He ran over to his mom. He said that he was so happy that he now felt ready and was going to get baptized. I thin addressed the friend (Patricia) and asked her how she felt. She also recognized the Spirit.

Now we have three people with a baptismal date, some great investigators, and a lot of progress. It's truly amazing how God can change us when we simply allow Him to. The church is true. 

#53 I submit to you...

This week was fantastic! We I've been focusing on assuring that I don't become complacent with and that I constantly improve. I've experienced a lot of personal growth along with progress in my area. 

On exchanges with my buddy Elder Barlow we were contacting in the streets. For the last 9-10 months I've pushed myself to talk to everyone, but recently I've wanted to talk to EVERYONE! Whether it be that they are on the bench, with their girlfriend, on a bike, or even parked in a car. We have the greatest message in the world, so we should be running to let everyone know about it! 

We had been stopping a lot of people, and then we saw this young couple. So you understand the culture people in Spain do EVERYTHING on benches. So they were on the bench mingled together (kinda awkward) then we started talking to these two Spaniards. They both started laughing at us.... Ha I was chuckled a little and then somehow the situation changed. We started talking to them about God, and His love for us. We ended up talked to them, and sharing the restoration with them. Their countenance changed. They now had a respectable distance between them, and they were listening and sharing experiences. In the background you could hear some arguments and loud music, but we really felt the Spirit. It was strong and testifying of truth. 

The last experience I'd like to share was when we stopped Ruben. I approached him and he shook his head and finger as if to signal me to leave him alone. I did what I always do when I see that.... Contact them anyway! He told me that he didn't believe in God and wanted nothing to do with us. Using inspired questions we were able to find an experience in which he had prayed, asked God to help him with cancer, and now he has no signs of cancer. We got in deeper and talked for about 30 minutes. At the end of the conversation the Spirit was very powerful and up lifting. It was hands down the most powerful lesson I've had on my mission. We're meeting him this coming week, and he seems very anxious to meet and better understand our Lord's love.

I learned that we never know who someone truly is until we take the time to know them. The Spirit can can people over time, and instantly. God loves us. The church is true. 

#52 Too Much But Too Little

I have so much to say, but with so little time. Last week I have
traveling like 10-12 hours to get to my area. It was sad to say good
bye to my saints in Ourense. They did a small farewell with our small
branch, but I love them sooo much! They did a ton for me, and I don't
know if I can ever repay them.

Now I'm in Azuqueca and its my fourth area! I'm actually in a big
ward... I think the Lord likes to take me to dead areas, but there
wasn't a lot of work going here, but just this last week we've gotten
straight to work, and I feel like I've had one of the most productive
weeks of my mission! We've been blessed with a lot of miracles, and we
have plans to see many more! The ward is excited for some movement,
and we're going give them that and get into a momentum having the
Spirit guide us and open the windows of Heaven!

Above all we got the rest of the Fuentes family sealed!! It's too cool
and I wish I had more time to dedicate to telling you guys about it!
But here are some pics! The church is true!

#51 Land Before Time #76

Add caption

This week was awesome! I've still been working on writing my miracle for every day and I've been more happy and excited! I think some people believe I'm borderline insane, but I get so pumped when we go and talk to people about wonderful truths! 

Just briefly for my email I want to share how great it is to see how God can transform people's lives and allow us to shift our mindset. I would like to share two examples one is my recent converts' father from Talavera. His name is Daniel, he was part of the Romanian police force and was one of the most hard headed people I've ever met. (I was one of, but I mean definitely) Our branch mission leader said that he's seen people Change and has seen God do miracles, but that he didn't think Daniel would go anywhere. 6 months after that discussion I had the opportunity to hear him tell me that Daniel, his wife and 2 kids have been going to church for the last few months! Haha My old branch mission leader was happy to inform me that he was wrong about Daniel and God really can change anyone. It was a good moment to see Miguel being a good example for his family and to see seeds you planted start to grow. 

The next example is Consuelo! She's a Columbian investigator that we have. I met her about 4 months ago. I had previously met her daughters, but they told me that their mom didn't want anything to do with us. I then saw her crossing a bridge, and went to talk to her. She said she was in a hurry, quite rudely, and kept walking. I told her that it wasn't a problem because missionaries walk fast! She still gave me a cold shoulder and I was very persistent and finally hot permission to stop by her house. This week she called me because we hadn't seen her for 5 days and got after me for not visiting her! She's also been to church about 5 times and is now bringing her daughter! GOD IS GREAT! 

Well those were just 2 examples and God's still working on making me the third, but I've still got to humble myself and let The Lord mold me. The church is true! I hope you all have a great week! 

Pics from Santiago, Pontevedra and my buddy elder Bartholomew... Come to find out I punched his cousin in the face in 7th grade... Small world. 🇲🇽

#50 Because I'm Batman

This week consisted of tender mercies and peace. I've been in Ourense for almost 6 months now. I came in with my old comp, Elder Peterson, and opened the area. We worked tirelessly for the success of the area, and after almost 3 years without baptisms we were blessed to be a part of 2 people's eternal salvation. I've now been with Elder Galvan for 3 months and I saw a lot of the things we built up fall in spite of our efforts. With a branch that's about as big as my old priest quorum it hurts when we don't see progress. But it's not even me it hurts, but it hurts because this is their reality. After another year I'll go home to my monster size ward. 

After having a couple of down weeks where it seemed like our efforts were going to waste I decided that I needed to shift my mindset, follow what President Hinkley said and have an attitude of gratitude! I started seeing little miracles occurring more frequently. Just small things like running into a less active member that had been dodging my calls. We saw her, chatted a bit about life, and without saying anything about church she said that tomorrow she'd come and she did. An old investigator started reading the Book of Mormon. It also seemed like a lot of problems just fixed themselves! The biggest one though is Consuelo's daughter vamp to church. Her mom is our investigator, and when we went to pick her mom up she got in the elevator too. I know her mom didn't pressure her at all and neither did we, but I feel like the Lord touched her heart and she listened to the prompting! 

I'm grateful for the tender mercies God gives all of us everyday! Look for the and you'll find them! 

PS for those of you RMs I have a question. When was the last time you talked to one of the people you taught on your mission? As missionaries we played a big role in their lives and surely told them we loved them. Let us not just be speakers of the word, but also doers. I put myself in this category too. I need to be better at writing my converts, but I also invite you rms who read this to join me in doing better at showing that love we told our people we had for them. The church is true! 

#49 Este Semana

We had quite the week! From painting to preaching to anything else you can imagine. 

Oswaldo was a member reference from our branch mission leader. He's a very good man from Venezuela. He's encountered some tough economic times, so he has to sell his house. We helped him for a good chunk of our week to paint his house. We had an awesome time painting his house, and discussing with him. I think if it were just his choice he'd get baptized, but he doesn't want to do anything contrary to his wife's will, so she's our focus now, but overall I think it was a great opportunity to show a little bit of our love for them! 

Then this last week we taught Consuelo. They're also been having a lot of family problems, especially with one of her sister, who is a member. We shared a bible video that illustrated that we need to do things for God, and that she should ask him what He wants her to do. We finished the lesson, and then she prayed. She got very emotional and said that's why she doesn't like to pray. She said that it feels like I'm covered by this feeling. I told her that's the Holy Ghost. We still have a long way to go, but it's great to see how the Lord goes by giving us just as much light as we can take. He truly prepares people for us to teach. 

Overall we've had some great stuff happening. We've dropped a lot of people, and have had to be quite bold, but I know of we do the Lord's will that's He'll provide a way for us to grow and build His kingdom! the church is true!! 

PS for the future missionary who wrote my after looking at my blog I accidentally deleted your email... come to find out that stuff actually happens. I would love to write you, so if you could just send me a quick note, I'll gladly write you about the greatest mission on earth!!! 

#48 Tradition the Mission

This week we got some big news with our Colombian family that we helped reactivate, and baptise the grandmother. Esneda (Grandmother) had a son that got poisoned while drinking alcohol. He was in the ER and fighting between life and death. We prayed and fasted together, and receive news that he was now conscious. I learned a lot from this experience. One being that God loves us which is why He gave us commandments. Second being that prayer is powerful, and that we need to learn from our difficult experiences. This family drew closer together, and felt the love of their Father a little more. There is always something good that we can obtain from a difficult situation. 

The last thing I want to talk about was a song that was showed to me by an investigator. The whole song was not a missionary appropriate song, but I feel like this line can relate to us. "We've come a long way from where we began, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again." To me this directly relates to prayer. every night we give an account of our day's proceedings to the Lord. I just hope that every day I can feel like I've taken good care of the part of the vineyard that the Lord entrusted me with. We all have something that the Lord has entrusted us with. I hope that we can  all see that we've come a long way. 

The love the Lord. His church has been restored, and is wonderful. I love you all and hope that you all have the greatest week of your vidas!!

Con amor Elder Bailey

#47 Tradition the Mission!

This week we got some big news with our Colombian family that we helped reactivate, and baptise the grandmother. Esneda (Grandmother) had a son that got poisoned while drinking alcohol. He was in the ER and fighting between life and death. We prayed and fasted together, and receive news that he was now conscious. I learned a lot from this experience. One being that God loves us which is why He gave us commandments. Second being that prayer is powerful, and that we need to learn from our difficult experiences. This family drew closer together, and felt the love of their Father a little more. There is always something good that we can obtain from a difficult situation. 

The last thing I want to talk about was a song that was showed to me by an investigator. The whole song was not a missionary appropriate song, but I feel like this line can relate to us. "We've come a long way from where we began, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again." To me this directly relates to prayer. every night we give an account of our day's proceedings to the Lord. I just hope that every day I can feel like I've taken good care of the part of the vineyard that the Lord entrusted me with. We all have something that the Lord has entrusted us with. I hope that we can  all see that we've come a long way. 

The love the Lord. His church has been restored, and is wonderful. I love you all and hope that you all have the greatest week of your vidas!!

Con amor Elder Bailey

#46 Who am I?

I have been very edified this week. We were able to have a unique service opportunity, and I continue to learn from my Saviour. 

We have a great Colombian member here in Ourense her name is Rosa. Her husband, Jorge, has recently had a stroke and they detected that he had a cancerous tumor in his throat. Rosa was operated for her knee on Thursday, and has been suffering a lot. This 60 year old lady has been carrying her family for a long time, and in a matter of 2 weeks her life came changed dramatically. 

We always ask Rosa if there's anything that we can do to help her, but she always says no. Sunday afternoon she wanted someone to stay the night with him. They called around our small branch and it seemed like nobody could help her. We heard about it, and said we'd go. Many people said that she had family that should help her, or that she was taking advantage of the branch. I was a little upset with that attitude, and asked them what they would do if Jesus was there?

In the end we broke mission rules and stayed the night with him. I was unable to sleep because of the constant noise, and smell that was there. It wasn't fun, but I had a lot of time to think of why Ido I do? I'll be the first to say that I'm far from perfection and that I desperately need the atonement. I realized that many times I do the right thing because others may be watching me, to please my leaders, parents or friends. I knew it intellectually, but I needed to comprehend it Spiritually. I need to do the right thing because it's the right thing. Not for blessing that will inevitably come. I reflected on the hymn "Choose the Right" I need to always strive to chose the right and let the consequences follow. 

I know that my redeemer lives. He loves each one of us personally. He is my best friend.

#45 Voces

"Oh ye that embark in he service of your fellow beings"

We were blessed with a great week! I got to jam with a black lady, and do a great amount of service! 

On Thursday afternoon we were walking to a lesson when I was suddenly stopped by a Dominican lady. She just stopped and without saying a word put this earbuds in my ear. I started hearing this heavy metal music. More than anything I was confused. She then took it out, smiled and said, "I'm Christian too.... Keep up the preaching." On the mission I've just been able to see some interesting things and some interesting people. What I've learned is that we're all kind of weird, but God loves us all regardless! 

Yesterday we were blessed with an opportunity to serve a beautiful Ecuadorian family. They work in fairs selling articles of clothing and jewelry from their country. They are moving to Holland because the work situation is better there. We got to move a ton of heavy boxes down a few floors, and then take them to another member's house and store them really high up. I've been asked many times why do we need to congregate together to worship, can't we just do what's right and read the bible? There are many reasons why, but I believe that God allows us to congregate to help each other so we can feel charity! I'm happy for the opportunity we had to serve and for r the opportunity we HAVE to serve God everyday!! The church is true!!! 

Pics... What I look like inside, and exchanges! 

¡La Iglesia es verdadera!

#44 I don't remember

These last couple of days I've been kinda sick, but Satan doesn't take a day off, so neither do I! Jaja but if anything I say in these email doesn't make sense it very well may be that I took the night time pills during the day.

I really don't remember what happened this week all that I remember is that I felt really good about this week. Yesterday we went over to the Montes' house and I made burritos! We had a great time, and were able to have another very edifying lesson. Whenever I go over there I feel like I do a lot of introspection, and it allows me to open my spiritual eyes. I'm trying hard to see situations and people the way that the Lord does.

Later during the day yesterday we were contacting in the streets. It was 42 degrees... which is Fahrenheit is about 108 degrees. I was sick and completely drained. I told my comp that we were going to sit in the shade, stay productive and make calls. As I was making calls some old guy came and started talking to my comp. Then an old investigator came and started talking to me. Then his friend walked by and I started teaching her too. We taught for like 20 minutes, but he had to go to a lesson. It was awesome to see the Lord just do what I couldn't do. When we give it our all God will pick us up and take us the rest of the way!

The church is true. I love all of you and sincerely hope that you all have a fantastically great week! (I think that's grammatically incorrect... ehh.. have pity for the sick(;

#43 Eu no falou

This week was great!! We met an old angel and had some very inspiring meeting. 

We were in the bank getting our bus passes renewed and we were in in line behind this old Galego  guy. We were waiting for it to be our turn, but this sneaky lady tried to cut us in line. Once the old guy noticed what was happening he took a second and then started expressing himself. He begun cussing like a sailor! "I have a bad knee! How dare you cut us in line!" After a minute of him yelling and everyone looking at him the lady moved and I was like go ahead brother. He said with s smile, "After you my friend." My comp is convinced that he was a third Nifite. 

Now I feel like I've written about my good friend Fran before, but basically he's an awesome guy who's less active. He was Bishop in Venezuela and Branch president here. We were conversing and I so much wanted to get to the core of the problem. Through inspired questions and the Spirit we were able to help him realize why we should keep the commandments what moves him to choose the right. The Spirit was very strong in that room, and I know that he has the potential to transform this branch which is why I'm so excited about his growth. 

The church is true. Here are a couple of pics we got with our other Venezuelan friend Jose Matute! 

#42 Portugal

Bueno I have no time today, or hardly ever, but we had a miraculous week!

We just got back from Portugal, so I have poco tiempo but muchos pictures! (Don't worry dad we had permission) (:

We were on exchanges, so I was waiting for my companion, making calls. This guy named Jhonathan is was an old investigator that I've tried to
call like 10 times. I felt like I should call him, but I didn't want to call him to just hear another answering machine. I decided to follow the prompting and kick my pride out of the way for a second. I called him, and answered! He was open to meet that day right when my comp got back from the station. We set the place, and told him we'd be there in 45 minutes. My comp's bus came late, so we got to where Jhonathan was 90 minutes later! Jhonathan had waited there for an extra 45 minutes! (Doesn't happen in Spain) Then we met with him to see where he was at. He had read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, stopped smoking and isn't living with his girlfriend! That's gold if I've ever seen it!!!

We conversed for a few minutes and went over what he remembered. He told me that he felt like the church was good, and this is the path that he wants to follow! That's HUGE miracle! He's so prepared! We now have a date for his batism, and I thank the Lord for blessing this area, and me with such a prepared man!

Gotta be their stepping stones!

#41 Vision

Esta semana fue guay! It was my first week with my new comp, and I had a great time with him. he got baptised just a little over 2 years ago, and now he's on a mission!! He has a good spirit, so we're gonna blow up this area! 

This week we heard about our main man Oswaldo. His 7 year old son was talking to his friend saying that he can't play with him Sunday because he has to go to church. Oswaldo and his wife said that they're now going this week because they're not Mormons. Oswaldito said, "Well in that case I'm a Mormon!" It  makes me laugh, but it's also interesting how young children are often times more in tuned to the Spirit than adults. 

We also had district conference this week, and we had Fran the Domincan come. I was way pumped to see him there! He's the guy that used to be a bishop in the DR, but has now been inactive for like7 years. Him and I are buddies, so we had a good time singing and chatting on the bus ride up there! It's really those small moments of joy that make things well worth the effort! 

Lastly we're been working on a District vision, and I found a good use for some of the pictures that I had taken before the mission! It's all in Spanish, but I think it's pretty cool! The church is true, and I hope you all have a grand week!