Visiting Vitoria

The drive from Bilbao to Vitoria is very pretty and has a lot of variety.  We were visiting the branch today for our Sunday meetings and were greeted with a cloudy and rainy day.  We start out by climbing up the mountains through very green mountain pastures filled with typical spanish looking farm houses.

Then as we enter into the valley by Vitoria the style changes rapidly with very typical spanish churches and the landscape is wide open rolling hills of pasture land.  It is always exciting to go to Vitoria.  But of course, the scenery is the best when we arrive at the capilla and see our missionaries.

Here we have Hna Patten from Oakdale, Ca. talking to Elder Griffith from Santa Maria, Ca. while Hna McConkie from Woodland, Ca. looking on.  Wow, 3 Californians not enjoying the cold morning.  Notice the jacket on Hna Patten.  It was chilly to start the day.  Elder Olds from North Logan, Utah and Elder Renshaw from Dallas Center, Ia. are looking on.  But where is Hna Miskin and Elder Frank?

Here they are with a member looking at her photos.  Hna Miskin from Brigham City, Utah is not the one holding the camara.  Elder Frank, from Draper, Utah is looking on with some interest.  

Here I am with 4 Hna's from the branch.  They were all so nice and fun to talk to.  I can't remember their names, I will have to try to write them all down.  But I won't forget their friendliness and warm welcome.  We sang "As Sisters in Zion" in Relief Society and it did bring a few tears to my eyes to realize that all over the world we are truly sisters in zion in the church.

Now here is a great picture of the Presidente with Hna's McConkie, Patten and Miskin and Elders Olds, Griffith, Renshaw and Frank.  This is such a great group.  Elder's Griffith just came over from Leon to be the Zone leader with Elder Olds and Elder Frank is the District Leader with Elder Renshaw being new from Santander.  

We said our good-byes with the excitement that this coming Thursday is zone conference and we will be back in Vitoria.  This is also where the new stake, the 1st stake in our mission will be created September 5th and 6th.   I don't know if I will ever loose my excitement of seeing missionaries walking down the street.  They didn't see us drive by but we sure saw them.  4 very wonderful Elders who are doing their part in building up the kingdom of God on the earth.