Leon District Conference, Wow!

The weekend District Conference started on Saturday afternoon. Since the Presidente had meetings with Elder Weidmann and others I went out with Elder Corbridge and Elder Quinn. We went to visit Cilene who is confined to a wheel chair. She loves the Book of Mormon and has been reading it. She is a sweet woman who has many challenges in her life but has a wonderful smile and a cheerful heart. I enjoyed meeting her and talking to her about Gratitude. It was a special lesson.

The main two sessions were held on Sunday. The first at 9:30 and the second one at noon. It was a wonderful conference. Here Presidente and I are with the District Presidente, Pres. Martinez. He is holding his son. He is a fantastic man with a giant spirit. The two darling girls are sisters and they live in the Ponferrada Rama.

Two wonderful, happy sisters who enjoyed the sessions of conference.

It is so great to see the Elders and Sisters there. Elder Flory and Elder Pederson came on the bus with the 3 branches from Oviedo, Aviles and Gijon. They are great members who sacrifice a lot to come to conference.

Elder Quinn and Elder Roldan are currently working in Leon, where the conference was held. Elder Roldan is the Branch President of the Leon Branch and Elder Quinn is one of the Zone Leaders. They are working hard to build the kingdom in Leon.

Elder Hansen and Elder Gerber are two very hard working Elders from Ponferrada. This is such a wonderful town with a wonderful branch. They love it there.

Couldn't go without seeing Elder Barber. He is giving it his all in Aviles with his companion Elder Pederson

Elder Bingham is currently in Benevente along with Sheila, a recently returned missionary both agreed the conference was great. Elder Wiedmann brought the spirit and challenged us all to grow the church here to create a Stake.

The 3 presiding authorities, Presedente Clegg of the Spain Bilbao Mission, Elder Weidmann, an Area Seventy and Presidente Marinez, the District Presidente. All 3 great men who have a wonderful vision of service and love. Elder Weidmann is from Bern, Switzerland and we sure hope we see him again. He has a real sensitivity to the spirit.

My two friends from Gijon, Rosa and Marisa. They are so wonderful. I feel like we have been friends for years. They have opened up their hearts and let me in. We were having fun setting up this picture. I think we tried it 3 times, looks good!

Elder Bingham and Elder Alvarez were the translators for the conference. This is tough duty. They did a wonderful job and were very appreciated by all. Many of the members came up to me and told me that they did such a great job. Way to go Elders! They loved translating for Elder Weidmann. They said that he testified so often it helped them feel the spirit constantly. What a great example to all.

After the Conference everyone heads over to the small Leon Capilla. It was fun to gather and share food and talk to everyone. Such a wonderful spirit of love. Looks like Elder Roldan is welcoming everyone. I am sure he wishes he had this many people in church each week.

The Elders have to be fed too. They brought their own food and enjoyed catching up with each other. Great Elders. From l. to r. Elders Pederson, Aston, Skidmore, Probst, Hanson, Gerber and Hansen. Whew!

Hermana Bell with this darling young man Benjamin enjoying some nurishment.

Elders Flory and Barber are sharing with me a wonderful empenada. It is good.

Another great family, enjoying the day.

This is a wonderful sister, Tamera, who just got her mission call to Malaga, Spain. Her nationality is Chilean. She is excited to go on her mission. She will be fantastic. She has been out with our Hermanas a lot and they love her.

Elder Skidmore posing with some of the great members

Looks like Elder Araya is leading the charge out of the capilla. Where are they all going?

All those who are going back to Asturias are getting on the bus. Here we have Hna Elena waving goodbye. What a wonderful day of uplighting talks and testimony. We all left full of the spirit and enthusiasm to continue in the work.