A visit from an Area Presidency....

Hola Familia & Friends,

    

We had a wonderfully memorable week in the Spain Malaga Mission.  Each year we receive a visit from a member of our Area Presidency, and this week Elder Patrick Kearson visited our mission. Our session was held in Malaga with approx. 110 missionaries from Malaga, Sevilla and San Fernando Zones. Elder Kearson thanked us over and over again for our service, and encouraged us to stretch beyond where we are now, to decide to change and give the mission our all. Personally, I am so grateful to Elder Kearson, his family and our leaders who so selflessly serve for years. While our missionaries have sacrificed our time and money for 18-24 months, they sacrifice their freedom, time, entire career, and in the case of Elder Kearson move their families frequently, all to answer a call to serve the Lord. 

         

Elder Kearson spoke to us all day on Tuesday. It was such a good conference. We learned so much as missionaries. For instance, he taught us about "Attacking our mornings" like having diligent and fervent prayer the moment you wake up. Followed by good exercise and diligently studying for your investigators. One of my favorite quotes that he quoted to us as missionaries was by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "You tell me how a missionary starts her day at 6:00 am, how her studies went and how her prayers were, I will tell you what kind of day she will have, what kind of week she will have and what kind of mission and life she will have." Que Fuerte no?! but so good. So, I am now “Attacking my morning”....           

             

We have Yoana´s baptism this Saturday, and we are so excited for her. She is truly the best. And we have also Nicolas who went to a baptism last night with us and he as well loved every bit of it. He is getting baptized as well. This Thursday we are having a little thanksgiving with a couple of missionaries for lunch and BACK to work we go.   

         

Speaking of Thanksgiving, since this Thursday is Thanksgiving, I would to share with you my top 10 list on what I am thankful for:

           

1.   Mi Salvador (My Savior) for everything he has done for me and everyone,

2.   Las Escrituras (The scriptures), 

3.   My Family, Dad, Mom, Darren, David & Ella, 

4.   Templos to be sealed with my family,

5.   To have a prophet to lead & guide us today, Thomas S Monson,

6.   For all my friends and the York Ward,

7.   To be a missionary here in Spain!,

8.   Music.. I love good music that invites the Spirit,

9.   Our Food. I love good food, 

10. I am so grateful for this knowledge that I have del evangelio de Jesucristo. 

  
I hope you like the pictures!! 

    

Have a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving!!
    

Hermana Arce

A relaxing P-day at Castillo de Gibralfaro

Mi Capilla en Malaga

Our Investigator, Hermana Crockett and I

Hermana Crockett & I at the top of Castillo de Gibralfaro in Malaga

Investigator, Hermana Crockett and I

Fun P-day playing Softball with my zone

El Libro de Mormon es la Palabra de Dios!

Hola Familia & Friends,

This week was a roller coaster! It was super hard but yet worth it. We had so many miracles as I see quite a few here in the mission. For instance, it’s so wonderful to see that all our investigators came to church yesterday! "Es maravillo ver que todos nuestros investigadores vinieron a la capilla ayer!" My Spanish is somewhat improving—but I am slowly starting to just babble on, so I am hoping that my grammar will eventually improve as well.

Our investigator Yoana is so amazing! I wish you could meet her. Last P-Day she took hermana Crockett and I to Castillo de Gibralfaro-- it was so much fun. We talked about the church and had a pinic on the castle, over-looking the beach and the city. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL! I took some pictures but they don’t look as good as it was actually being here. I tried to see if I could see the tip of Africa. . .but I could not see it. BTW, the Strait of Gibraltar is very near and I hear on a clear sunny day, you could actually see the coast of Morocco, Africa.

My Ward and the members are fantastic--Barrio 4 de Malaga. We get fed a good bit. . . and of course, I have to watch my weight.

The Lord is preparing these people to receive the gospel. I have the opportunity to witness it! And help them along the path!! Its great! I love learning Spanish MORE and MORE about our purpose and plan. I can testify of the power of "El Libro de Mormon" and this church. I have grown such a strong testimony of the power of the book in the conversion of members, the stories that we can relate to and if you let the Spirit testify of it’s divinity and majesty--it will change our lives. I have changed so much--. I can see it and feel it and so, I love it! It’s all because of Jesus Christ, my Savior. 

One of my favorite quotes on the mission:"Patience means to abide in Faith, knowing that sometimes it is in the waiting rather than in the receiving that we grow the most." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

Yo se que Dios es nuestro Padre Celestial y somos sus hijos. Yo tengo un testimonio sobre el poder en el libro de Mormon, yo se que es la palabra de Dios. Jose smith fue un profeta y Jesucristo es nuestro redentor y salvador. Este es mi testimonio en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen. 

Have a wonderful safe, and spiritual week!

Hasta la proxima semana!! 

Los Quiero Mucho!!

Hermana Arce

Our District on P-Day

Hermana Crockett and I at the parking area of our apartment

My Exchange Companion, Hermana Crockett and I