Aviles to Ponferrada

Aviles is a pretty little city and we have enjoyed going there and being with the branch members. They were having a missionary fireside and invited us to come.

As we were getting ready to start we had to get the smiles of two happy missionaries. Elder Jackson is Elder Blatter's trainer. They were happy and excited as the work in Aviles is progressing forward.

Here is one very special man with Presidente Clegg. His name is Presidente Emilio Villa and if we could clone him and put him in another 10 branches or more in Spain, we would have more Stakes. He is the most positive example of love and fellowship. He knows what to do and how to bring people back to and into the church. He lives in Gijon and has been the branch president in Gijon, Oviedo and now Aviles. We love him and his sweet family and will miss him! Presidente Clegg has told a few members that he wants them to be his neighbors in heaven, and you are looking at one of them.

That night we drove on to the beautiful city of Ponferrada. The hills and mountains that surround this city makes us think of home in Utah. It was a beautiful Sunday in Ponferrada with many beautiful people there.

We arrived to the church to find Elders Driggs and Reist coming to church with the newest member of the branch, Davian and his mother.

But the two speedy Elders from Wallsburg, Elders Nielsen and Flory were ahead in their stride and made it to the church on time!!!

These two sweet members promised to stay in touch and one day, if their dreams come true, come to the United States.

Two brothers who have been baptized during this last year. They are very faithful and adding to the branch in a wonderful way. Felix, on the right was made the branch secretary today!

4 great looking Elders doing the work with a smile!

We had a wonderful lunch afterwards at the home of the Martinez family, our wonderful District President of Leon. This is another family that "gets it." Presidente Martinez has the vision of one day seeing the Leon District become a Stake and it will happen. We love these people and hope this won't be our last time together. Definitely neighbors in heaven as well!