Nothing Like Family

What a great day to have a visit from our two oldest daughters, Hillary Christiansen on the far left and Nicole Ashton next to her. They planned a whirlwind trip to see Spain in 10 days, leaving only 2 1/2 days with us. It was a great time between babies to come with their husbands to see us. Thanks to the Watkins in Madrid and to the Hinckleys in Barcelona who aided our kids on their stay here.

We took them to our favorite spot in the Pyrenees Mountains, a little town called Berastegi, which is totally Basque. The day was perfect to see the mountains peeks and to enjoy the scenery.

Here they are enjoying the visit above the town. Hillary's husband, Rob is joining Rick and the girls on the little wall. You can see about 10-12 different mountain peeks from here.

Nikki and her husband Matt pose in front of a quaint home in the town. Matt just finished his Emergency Room Residency the week we left for the mission and is now a "real" doctor. They enjoyed taking a little time away from the all night shifts and 3 kids left at home to spend some time together.

These are really the mailboxes of the town. No kidding. They are everywhere in the Basque countryside. There was mail in the little individual doors. Some places in the world are still like they have been for years.

The coast line of the Basque country side is picturesque and fun to see. We wanted to take the kids to see the small towns with their unique charm.

Hillary and Rob and posed in front of the harbor of Bermeo. Rob is our creative genius who is always helping all of us with our computer problems or any problem for that matter. He and Hillary are the 1st born of their families and so these two take care of us. They left their darling Jack home and are expecting at the end of December another little boy. We are glad the doctor gave her permission to come.

We spent the morning in Santillana where the rain stopped just as we got there. We found ourselves enjoying the scenery but more so just enjoying being together.

We had to take a picture at the front of the mission home before they left. Oh way to soon.

Thanks to Hillary, Rob, Matt and Nikki for taking the time to come and see us. It did our hearts good to catch up about home firsthand. We do miss our children and grandchildren and so it was hard to say good-bye again. Luckily for us we had to go directly to the office after we tearfully left them at the airport. No time to feel sad, there is always work to be done in the mission. But a well enjoyed touch of home. Nos Vemos!

Dear Friends Come So Far

As Presidente and I are working on things in the office, who could be the one taking the photos? Well it is none other than our friends the Bertins who came to visit us from our home town of Bountiful. We have been close friends to the Bertins for years and so what a treat to have them as our first visitor to the mission.

We found a few hours after working in the office and went off to discover some of the sights of Northern Spain. Here Jennifer and I are walking the streets of Bermeo where a little market was going on. I think Jennifer saw something on the pier. Whatever, we were having a great time.

This is such a colorful harbor with the many boats. Such a picturesque basque town. All the signs here were in Basque. We felt like we had left Spain all together.

We also went up to the beautiful town of San Sebastian. This is a resort town and we loved our stroll. Here is the cathedral in the main part of town.

On the Saturday that they were here Rick had to go to Vitoria for some meetings and a baptism and I went with the Bertins to Santillana de Mer. It is a medieval town totally preserved. A fun place to walk and shop.

We took time for a great meal. Then after a fun ride through the mountains we came back to Bilbao for a baptism.

How fun to be in a little basque town with a dear friend. It didn't seem real to have them here, but the little diversion was nice for us. We are suppose to take a p-day a week but that doesn't always happen. The Bertins were only here for 3 days, and in between all of that we still had things to do in the mission, but we did enjoy their visit.

Finally, a picture with Kim in it. He is always taking the pictures. This was taken on the boardwalk of San Sebastian. Truly a lovely European vacation town.

A nice little Spanish meal at an outside cafe. We enjoyed the sweet summer night reminiscing and catching up about the news of friends at home. We love the Bertins and grateful for their visit. It gave us a little time to relax and refresh a little.

Second Round of Interviews

Second half of the mission needed to be interviewed and here we find the President teaching a little to the Elders in San Sebastian. They all looked glued to his words of wisdom. Good Elders are always eager for advice from the President.

Next stop was in Ferrol. Yes, 6 1/2 hours across the mission. We took the ayudantes with us and everywhere we went they worked with the missionaries on contacting and inviting people to be baptized. It was very well received. In Ferrol it was the Elders p-day and so the president told them to come in their p-day clothes. Elders Stevens and Jackson also fixed us lunch, homemade pizza with all the fixings. Here Elder Ashby was giving the presidente a little shoulder message as he ate his pizza. Elder Jackson just hopes the Presidente likes his pizza.

Everyone was happy with lunch and the role play and teaching went well here in Ferrol. These two elders are working hard and seeing a lot of progress in this city.

The next stop was A Coruna where we did the interviews and workshops and then the Auydantes went of on cambios with Elders Esteves-Garcia and Elder McClanahan and I went out on cambios with the Hermanas. Hna Calderon, Sandoval and Fitches were great to be with. We had a night of total contacting as their weren't any visits for tonight. I first went with Hna Calderon and we were able to get 3 referrals while later with Hna Fitches we got 1 referral. We talked to a bunch of people always trying to "state the obvious" when starting a conversation with people. I was real original starting with 'Hola, soy de los ustados unidos" The people would laugh and say, yes, we can tell. I guess my accent is still very american. Anyway, we had a great time. I love working with the sisters.

The next morning we were up and off to Santiago. But I couldn't leave without taking a few morning shots of the beautiful A Coruna area. Notice the small boat in the water. This tiny beach was right out of our hotel. No, we didn't go to the beach, but it was very beautiful. The morning light is just coming on the horizon. Beautiful with the sound of the seagulls and the water lapping up on the sand. Ahhh, oh well, must get on the road.

This isn't Stonehenge, but this was out the other side of the hotel. Again, a beautiful sight. I am getting to really love A Coruna.

After stopping in Santiago we pushed on to Pontevedra. Here Elders Hansen and Garcia fixed us a very authentic Mexican meal. We enjoyed this and afterwards the Presidente did his interviews. The auydantes also worked with the Elders. Nice way to spend Medio Dia.

Afterwards it is on to Vigo. The zone leaders, Elders Dredge and Cairns are really doing a great job. This zone is incredible and they are working as hard as missionaries could. Here we have l to r. Elders Dredge, Ashby, Cairns, Gerber, and Moore. Sorry to Elder Anderson who is in his interview. Great looking Elders with happy smiles to match.

After the interviews here I went with Hermanas Abellan and Maquieira to work for the rest of the afternoon and evening. We had a box full of supplies to drop off to their piso so we took a few fun pictures while we were there for 3 minutes. Here is their study area. Always neat and clean in the hermana's piso.

Maybe we should cook something up? No, no time.

After the day is done, here is were the Hermanas will sleep. But no time for that, it was off to the hills of Vigo. We went everywhere. We had a few appointments fall through, we delivered pamphlets to members who are working with the missionaries, and did a lot of contacting getting a few referrals and talking to a lot of different people.. We finished of the night with a visit to a women named Elizabeth. She is a member who has cancer and is going through chemo-therapy. These two sisters are providing so much love and comfort for her. Hermana Maquieira on the left is from Ecuador and Hermana Abellan is from Barcelona. Two great sisters whom I enjoyed immensely, leaving them at 9:15 to get back to the hotel and for them to get back to their piso. A great night of work in the mission field.

The next morning found us in Orense. Here Elder Moya is mugging for the camera while Elders Webb and Kofe are talking with Elders Ashby and Moore about contacting. In all the sessions I would be the contact on the street. It was fun to role play with the Elders and Sisters and realize how good they are and how much they are striving to be the best missionaries they can be.

We finished in Bilbao that evening but here we have Elders Dredge and Cairns who are in Vigo giving us the thumbs up. Yes, it was a great round of interviews. All of our missionaries have different talents and ways about doing the work, but they all greeted us with huge smiles, miracles to share and a true willingness to do the Lord's work. We are so blessed here in Spain and love our missionaries dearly.

Traveling the Mission

What, no one mugging for the camera? Never when there is fresh mail. Missionaries love mail and packages from home. They do get their e-mails but there is nothing like a letter to hold and read and re-read.

Guapo elders! The Elders of Pamplona are such hard working elders. I always feel power in their righteousness. It doesn't hurt that they are hard working elders who are always so appreciative of the little treats and food that we bring them.

Our beautiful Spanish hermanas! Hna Sanchez, on the left is training Hna Moraza who just came into the mission two days ago. They will be a dynamite team. Hna Moraza's mother served in Burgos some 25 years ago and this is where Hna Moraza gets to start. Tender mercies abound in the mission field.

Our blonde contrast to the dark Spaniards. Elders Holmes and Driggs are waiting for their interviews with the Presidente. Two happy elders who work hard. Burgos has seen the fruits of hard working elders and sisters. Since we came in July they have had 4 baptisms with 3 baptismal dates set for the next month. Wow, keep it up.

Here is a poster made by the Hermanas of the recent baptisms. Such animo in the branch. It is nice to see.

The Leon Elders are lined up to get their marching orders from Presidente Clegg. Actually he is just sharing a scriptural passage and thought. But wait a minute, one of these elders, the second on the left is Elder Anderson from the office. Why in Leon? Oh yes, the wonderful word we all learn to live with, Residency paper work. But where is Elder Roldan? Elders Quinn and Corbridge are the Zone leaders and Elder Nestvogel is the District Leader and Elder Roldan is the branch president of the Leon branch. Maybe he is up in the office at the end of the hall?

Yes, her he is with names or paperwork or something. Always things to do to keep these branches running. Elder Roldan is a great Branch President as well as a fine Elder.

Is the Presidente getting after Elder Smith? I don't think so from the smiles on their faces. Elders Smith and Bingham are the Elders who have re-opened Benavente. The entire District was fasting for this small branch to aid in the work and pray for their success. Well, last week they had 18 new investigators with a family, a man and his friends and I think someone else at church. They nearly doubled the little branch attendance this past Sunday. The Lord will pour out his blessings on those who seek to do his will. We will keep you in our prayers as well as all of the missionaries in the Spain Bilbao Mission, we need the help of the Lord daily.

These darling children are from the Ponferrada branch. Starting from the left is Elvis, Lady and Camilla. Camilla is the daughter of the Branch President while the other two are there with their parents who are going to the temple to be sealed. Such a sweet family.

Here we are with Thomas and his family after their interviews. This dear family is originally from Ecuador and now have lived in Spain for I think 4-5 years, maybe more. They are excited to go to the temple. Lady is especially smiling with joy.

These are our Elders in Ponferrada, Elders Hanson, Rodriquez, Luz Maria and Elder Woods. Luz Maria is getting baptized this next weekend. She was there for her interview. She is also from Ecuador. Her husband is a member and now she is ready to be baptized. We also have a wonderful bit of news from Ponferrada. Presidente Carnelo's wife, who isn't a member has now decided to be baptized. He has been a faithful member for 10 years, now a member of the District Presidency. His wife has been taught many times and started again with the Elders. She decided she was ready now, and this coming Saturday, along with Luz Maria, she will be baptized. Many tears of joy are being shed and so much excitement in Ponferrada. They had another baptism two weeks ago, and a few more fechas for the up coming weeks. Lot's of faith and prayers and hard work going on in this wonderful city.

Wow, this looks like Utah? No, we just didn't fly the coup. This is on the drive between Leon and Oviedo. Such varied country. On the Leon side it is much drier and really does look like a hillside in Utah, on the other side is lush, green jagged mountains that look just like Switzerland, or should I say, Northern Spain. Lots of diversity.

OVIEDO seems to be coming out of Elder Aston's mouth. He actually just got this wonderful package from home. Elder Harris and Skidmore are eyeing the taco seasoning and taco shells. All the little things that you might be able to find here or might not, but if they are in the stores, way to expensive.

On to Aviles with Elders Barber and Pederson. Look, they made us a treat, apple bread. And of course, Elder Pederson's package from home, what is inside?

Great stuff mom, Elder Pederson is loving life now.

Here is Elder Flory with his new "son" Elder Araya from Southern Spain. They are in Gijon together. Such a new dynamic team. Elder Flory, did you ever think when you were riding horses on the hills of Wallsburg, Utah that you would be doing this?

And the second part of this wonderful group in Gijon, Elder Sanchez, the new "son" from Barcelona and Elder Probst from Heber City, Utah. Hey wait, a Wasatch County-Spain connection! I think it works.

Let's not forget our hard working Hermanas Bell and Rudder. After the interviews I went out with them for about 3 hours. This investigator couldn't see us but we did teach a lesson with a lovely little girl named Stacy, who is getting baptized at the end of the month. Great sisters in Gijon.

Sunday we spent in church in Gijon and were so kindly invited to dinner with Rosa and Carlos. They are the ones next to us. He serves in the District Presidency as well as Rosa is the District Primary President. Great strong members. The other two are a nice man, David from Barcelona who was visiting Marissa. She is adorable and is also the counselor in the District Primary. Lovely people who served us an incredible meal. We left happy and full and were on our way home.

I'll end this blog with another picture, one of the many, many bridges in Spain. This is just a road over the freeway, as you are getting close to Santander. They do bridges so well. The art that is displayed along the highways is so enjoyable to see. Well home for two nights and then on the the second half of the mission.