Photo Shoot in Las Arenas?

This past week we had an interesting event happen in the Mission. On Wednesday, we were called by a reporter from the Journal, a newspaper in Galicia. They interviewed Presidente

Clegg and Elder Chavez, who was in the office having his last interview before going home. They also wanted to come by the next day and take some photos for the article. Presidente asked that the office Elders all be there by 10:30 for the interview. They all were coming at once and so they all got in the elevator. And what do you think happened?

They got stuck. Yes, here are our wonderful office Elders. Actually, we have a new one, Elder Hansen on the left is in the office to be trained to take over for Elder Strickland. The elevator stopped just short of our floor and would only open a little. We passed them my camera to get an inside shot. Now the trick is, can you find the 6th person in this picture? (you might have to enlarge the picture) I was passing them food to sustain them for their almost 1/2 hour journey waiting for the repairman. Meanwhile, back in the office.....

Presidente Clegg was being photographed by the photographer. It was both fun and a little strange to have all this attention. She wanted pictures of the Elders, so we were getting a little nervous waiting for the repairman. Finally he arrived, and our Elders were freed!

Here you can see the photographer taking a picture of Elders Dredge, Strickland and Ashby. Elder Hansen is looking on. She took pictures all around the stairs and then she had them venture outside.

The studying Elder, such a nice shot. Ghee Elder Ashby, did you say you wanted to get into modeling?

Finally, the Elders walking down the street. This is always a good shot. We love to see our Elders in action and even if it is set up, it still makes me want to start singing "Called to Serve" Enough adventure for one day, it is time to get back to work!

The Magnificent 7 plus One

Last Saturday brought Hna Truscott into the office for her final interview. She was suppose to be going on the following Thursday, but there were some pressing family matters and it worked out for her to go home a few days early. She has served faithfully and well. She was with out a doubt one of the best Spanish speakers in the mission, right Elders? (She is a Spanish major) But more than just Spanish, she has a closeness to the spirit in all that she does. We will miss Hna. Truscott

Even if the view is windy, we have to go there. Everyone needs to see the city that represents the mission.

We spent a wonderful evening together. She spent the day Sunday with the Hnas in Bilbao as we had to go to Oviedo, Leon and then home. But bright and early Monday morning she was off to Walla Walla, Washington. She wouldn't get home until Wednesday morning, spending the night in Seattle, but home she is. A thank-you to her parents for sending such a wonderful daughter of God to serve here in Spain.

It is now transfer week and our office staff is changing. Just one last picture together. Only Elder Moore is leaving but next transfer Elder Strickland will leave and then it will be Elder Anderson and Asbhy after a few more. Darn it, this never stops.

Wait a minute, who is out there surfing? Yes, in December in the Las Arenas harbor no less (but not without a wet suit). Just wanted to make sure none of our Elders are out there.

Nope, here comes our California and Madrid boys. Are Elder Griffiths and Chavez leaving tomorrow? Oh no, this is a wonderful group of Elders that we will have a hard time replacing.

Elder Chavez, are you going home to a novia? Not yet, but the lucky girl that gets to be Mrs. Chavez will have won the prize. Elder Chavez has served so well and faithfully. Elder's Ashby and Dredge, the two ayudantes are not sure about this t-shirt that was given to Elder Chavez.

Elders Anderson, Gordon, Bingham and Kofe are waiting for their interview time with the Presidente. We put them on the blog so they can see what it looks like. 4 incredible Elders who we are going to miss so much.

Food glorious food always makes the missionaries happy. We even have carrot sticks and clementines. They love those.

After the interviews are done and food is consumed, it is off to the look-out spot. A perfect day to see for miles and miles. This is such a reflective spot to come and contemplate what the past two years have been like, with all the ups and downs. The Elders can't believe it is their turn to leave. They cannot believe that this time has come.

Elder Dredge isn't going anywhere, he is just trying to look like the body guard! Borrowing the Presidente's glasses and they don't look too bad, do they? Elder Ashby isn't too sure about this one!

What a great group, Elders Probst, Gordon, Kofe, Chavez, Hna Clegg, Pres. Clegg, Elders Anderson, Bingham and Griffith. We really are going to miss them. Such strength lies with these Elders.

They couldn't resist the playground. This actually makes for a great picture. Lot's of meaning we could take from this picture. They came as boys and go home as men for a starter! The rest of the day was filled with dinner and a wonderful testimony meeting. Such a sacred wonderful night. Each one that we have experienced has been so special and tender. They carry the spirit with them so strongly. They are as close to perfect as they come.

Notice I said "close." What are you doing Elder Ashby. I know it's early in the morning but you don't have to cut his tie do you? The Elders in Elder Chavez's piso in Pamplona forgot about this. So we get to see the ceremonial cutting of the tie for Elder Chavez. I don't usually see this.

Mission accomplished!

All checked in and ready to go home. There is a lot of excitement. Many of them talked about what it is going to be like to see their families and who they will hug first. (mom won out for everyone). The sadness to leave the mission and realize that they many never come back or see the people they have grown to love is a different emotion they haven't ever experienced before. The excitement to see their families and realize the changes at home is exciting and a little frightening, but they are ready for the task.

Elder Bingham's face seemed to say it all, happy, nervous, sad and fulfilled. Everyone of these wonderful Elders will be greatly missed. They ALL served with all their hearts, might, mind and strength. They worked until the last minute, showing their devotion and love for the Savior Jesus Christ and the people of Spain. With many tears in our eyes we hugged them one by one and sent them through security. Hmm, through security? What is security in this life? It's the Gospel of Jesus Christ and living it to the fullest. Until we meet again our young warriors, Con Amor!

The Times They Are A Changing!

It's the end of another 6 week transfer cycle. We always try to celebrate the hard work by eating together, usually in the office but this time we had to go get Kabobs. These are a favorite of most of the missionaries. They are really good and we enjoyed our lunch together. L to R are Elders Moore, Strickland,Anderson, Ashby and the Presidente and me and Hna Belnap. Oh, I have to add an addendum to the last post. The ayudantes think they won a few more holes or at least tied one or two. That may be correct, but I was never good at numbers. Anyway, we had a great time and Elder Ashby, a re-match will be in order one day!

Then every transfer cycle wouldn't be complete without breakfast at the mission home on Saturday, the office p-day. Hey Elder Ashby, has that food been blessed yet? They are hungry and ready to eat. But wait a minute, there is someone new at this table could there be a change in the office?

Yes, and let me introduce you to Elder Dredge. He is our newest ayudante. He came to us from Vigo. His home is in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. He is an excellent missionary and we are very excited to have him here. Elder Ashby looks content and happy. This will be a great companionship.

I had them all stand in front of the Christmas Trees in the mission home. But you can't see the trees so that wasn't such a great idea. Actually, I would take our great missionaries any day over the trees. Now since Elder Dredge is coming in, this means the departing of our wonderful ayudante Elder.....

Yes, you guessed it, Elder Moore. Always helping as usual. He has been an incredible ayudante and we are going to miss him. He has brought so many good things to the office. We think of him and Elder Bingham as our "trainers" and we couldn't have had any finer young men. Elder Moore just knows where and when he is needed without being asked. He is liked by everyone and an incredible missionary endowed with great power. He knows his purpose as a missionary is to invite everyone to come unto Christ and to be baptized. He has set a standard very high and our great missionaries are following it. He is going out to Gijon, where he will do some incredible work.

I wanted to put this picture because this is what Elder Moore is all about. He loves the work and is always so positive. The first week we came into the mission he and Elder Bingham had a baptism. The last week he is in the office, he and Elder Ashby had a baptism. About 3 months ago Elder Bingham and Elder Moore baptized a man by the name of Ronald. Ronald is pictured here only he is the one baptizing Neyla. It doesn't get any sweeter than this! The spirit was so strong and sweet at this baptism. I remember when Elder Moore told me that Neyla would be baptized. He was right, and the night was great. Elder Moore, we love you and will miss your positive attitude and happy face around the office. We know we have incredible missionaries in this mission, but they don't get any better than Elder Moore. Nos Vemos!

We Just Had to Do It!

It was Saturday morning, the Turkey was in the oven, the day was beautiful, not too hot, not too cold. We had been trying to do this on a P-day ever since we arrived but everyplace was too expensive. But Thursday the Ayudantes had been told of a place that was quite cheap and near the mission home. We just had to do it! What you say?

Go Golfing!!

We have one excited Presidente as we warm up a little. You know having gone almost 6 months without golfing at least a day of two, makes one a little giddy.

Talk about rusty, these two haven't touched a club for over a year and a half. We had 3 happy boys! We decided to play a 9 hole scramble, the Presidente Y Hermana Clegg vs. the Ayudantes. Game on.

The course was set high in the hills on the outskirts of Bilbao, it was a little hilly but the views were great from every hole. The Pyrennes are in the background as we all hacked away.

Yes, balls in the weeds. I think they were looking for the Ayudantes balls. I think at this point we are up 4 holes to O.

Just had to take a classic golf shot of friends on the course.

Let's just say by the 9Th hole, Elder Ashby would rather be playing baseball. We all felt the rust of not playing much. Actually, I don't play that much anyway, so it felt the same. But I must say the Presidente and I make a great team. We won, 8-1!

After we were finished the Marshall told us there was a more expensive 18 hole course on the other side of the mountain. We drove over to see a beautiful course. The red roofs below are on the outskirts of Bilbao. What a gorgeous site. This course definitely doesn't fit in a missionary budget, but it was fun to look at.

But what a beautiful sight. It was great to be outdoors and getting a little relaxation. We are suppose to take a p-day once a week, but it doesn't seem to work that way. We get a little time here and there, but this day, coupled with our Thanksgiving feast was definitely a nice rest. We live in a beautiful place and it was fun to discover something new. Until next time, FORE!

4 Thanksgiving Meals?

The expression on Elder Crocker's face says it all, it is Thanksgiving and we are going to enjoy a feast. The San Sebastian Elders were being interviewed on Thanksgiving day and Elder Blazian thought we better have Thanksgiving dinner, so we were happy to stay a little longer and enjoy a great meal. These Elders are so happy too because just a few weeks ago they moved into their new piso. It is a beautiful place ready to host a meal fit for a bunch of hungry missionaries.

But when you move to a new place there are always things to go get. What, no can opener? Well Elder Nielsen and Elder Moore improvise because no one wants a Thanksgiving meal without cranberries do they?

Here we all are, ready to dig in. The Elders found a turkey, and made a salad, brownies and mashed potatoes. The ayudantes brought carrot crisp and I brought the pumpkin pie and cranberries. We sat down to a meal fit for a king and his court! (Well, really just 6 great missionaries and a lucky mission presidente and his wife) l.to r., me Elders Moore, Nielsen, Ashby, Pte. Clegg, Elders Blazian, Howard and Crocker.

Next stop was Saturday at the mission home with the Bilbao District and the Office Missionaries. We had 16 sitting down and it made for a lot of food to be eaten. We ordered a 25 lb turkey from the store, and most of it was eaten. Hna. Belnap made the homemade rolls and an apple pie and everyone else came to eat. The feast began with a welcome from Presidente Clegg and then we all indulged. Even our Spanish Elders loved the food. After it was all over, what else do you do but go to the backyard and try to play it off.

Hna. Johns seems to be enjoying herself. We were blessed with good weather and a backyard to play in.

Hey, Hermana Belnap is the last woman standing? I think she looks like she knows what she is doing.

Here we have our great looking group, happy and ready to go back to work after a big day of food and fun. Front row, l. to r. Hna. Johns, Elders Gordon, Moore and Ashby. Second row, l. to r. Hna. Fitches, Elders Nelson, Leon, Anderson, Strickland, Rowley, Woods and Cepeda.

That night after our Thanksgiving dinner we drove to Ponferrada for church the next day. We were graciously invited to go to Pte. Martinez, the District President's home for lunch after church. It was the branch's branch conference that day. Pictured here are the District Presidency and their wives along with the District Relief Society President and the District Primary President. We had a wonderful meal that was very typical Dominican Republic, where Pte. Martinez is originally from. Front row, l. to r. Pte Clegg, Pte Garnelo, Pte Martinez (Branch Presidente and brother of the District Presidente)Pte. Martinez. Second row, l to r., Hna's Clegg, Martinez, Garnelo(I know they have their own names but I can't find them here, sorry), Pte Aguado, his wife Rosa and Ana Martinez and Hna Martinez. O.k, I'm sure that was confusing, but let me just say they are all wonderful people with such dedication to the gospel. We left Ponferrada full and happy as all the men joined together and helped us change a burned out headlamp light on our car. We next drove to Gijon where we had been invited to spend a p-day with the Elders and Hna's from Aviles, Gijon and Oviedo.

It's Monday in Gijon and what on earth are all these missionaries doing on their knees?

They are watching the sharks being fed. We met at the Elder's piso in Gijon and walked to the aquarium. It was fun to go around and see the many different kinds of fishes. At 1:00 they fed the sharks, the main attraction for all of us.

Here is this fine looking group. We are standing in front of a big replica of a Blue Marlin. Glad it isn't real. L. to R. Pte Clegg, Hna Clegg, Elder Pederson, Hna's Roerig and Bell, Elders Barber, Aston, Probst, Sanchez, Hanson, Araya and Flory. What a great group and so fun to be with. Now that we have worked up another appetite, it is off to the piso for some food.

The Gijon piso is palatial. It has so much space and some nice details like a hidden wall safe and two doors to enter the piso. Here Elders Sanchez and Araya are mugging for me while Elders Hanson and Aston are having a chat with the Presidente while everyone awaits the final details being taken care of by Elder Probst. He is the main chef. I think he called me a few times during the week with cooking questions, but let me testify, he is a cook!

Here we are ready to dig in. We ate chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, salad and pie and cinnamon rolls. It was great again. Hey who said they didn't celebrate Thanksgiving in Spain. I think our waistlines can attest to the fact that they do. We left the missionaries as they were returning home to start the week of work. We had a wonderful time being with our missionaries and helping each other not miss home too much and just being able to share in the things we are all thankful for, our families and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.