Week of April 6, 2017

Buenos Dias from a very happy hermana in Madrid :)

This week was awesome! We got to watch the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions of conference live, it was kind of strange to be watching them at 6 in the evening though haha. The others we watched too just not at the same time as you guys did. But wow. Conference was spectacular. I love the spirit when prophets and apostles talk and bear testimony. One thing that really stood out to me is Charity. I've been studying the Character of Christ, and each talk the spirit taught me more of how I can stop thinking of myself and serve others and allow myself to be changed through Christ. I set some new goals and have already seen some great growth in my self. I am also finding more and more weaknesses, but it's really been good thing. I love it here.

They love to deep-fry their food here... my digestive system has definitely taken a beating, but in my interview with the mission president he asked my very candidly how my mtc experience would improve and we talked about the food and the very next day they already added more options to the salad bar and didn't have anything deep fried, it was amazing! Haha

We get to go out everyday for physical activity, last week we spent most of the week in the gym, but this week we played soccer and ultimate frisbee. There are some natives that love to wait around and play soccer with us, it was so fun!! Special shout out to my brothers for teaching me how to play sports, I may not be any good but I hold my own. I had a sweeeeet meg against one of the native boys, definitely one of my proudest moments haha.

On Thursdays, our Pdays, we get to do a session in the temple only for missionaries, it's amazing. I'm going to miss the temple so much. We also get to go on an outing to the city, I think next week we are going to some palace, but today we get to go to the mall. I'd rather see the city, but I'm not complaining. During lunch and after physical activity we could go to the little stores around here, so we actually have quite a bit of freedom, it's nice. Then Saturday is park day :) the park is gorgeous, we can't take pictures but some elderly sister missionaries did and sent them to me :) it's about half the size of central park, and it's sweet!

This last Saturday was a lot harder. I was companions with a Russian sister so I had to do all the talking in Spanish. Talk about good practice haha. There's also a lot of people that speak English so she could talk when we found them. That's not why it was hard though, for the first time here, I got rejected. Time and time again, a classic Spanish finger wave, an instant turn off at the mention of God, lots of atheists, and all I could use was so excited broken Spanish. It's okay though because God sent me another miracle. We saw someone on a bench that we had passed so we circled back and after talking to that guy (he was Italian answer awesome) my comp pointed to a woman and said let's talk to her, turns out she is the sweetest person alive. She was from somewhere in South America and had so many questions that are all perfectly answered by the gospel. I sat on that bench and listened then let the spirit guide me, my Spanish came faster than I thought I could and the words kept popping into my head. I gave her a book of Mormon and taught her the entire first lesson on the restoration, she was so thankful and so excited about the Book of Mormon she wanted to buy it haha, but I told her it was a gift and she loved it, she couldn't remember her address or phone number but she asked for the address and phone number of the church so she could call and find out more. She was so prepared for our message and the spirit was so real. I hope to find her in Heaven, she was the sweetest. We were there with her for probably 45 mins. Gift of tongues you guys, IT'S REAL!!

I forgot to mention last week but we sing all the time and I love it!! We sing on the temple steps every Sunday, and in the park (but I missed it because I was talking to Victoria whoops), and this week I got to perform i stand all amazed in one of our devotionals. It's been great.

I love my teachers. They are awesome and I absolutely adore all the sisters and elders here! I love that is small so I can get to know all these amazing people! 

I love you all! Thank you for your prayers,  I feel them everyday! I'm praying for you guys too! 

I know my savior lives and I love Him so much. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I am eternally thankful for the decision I made to be here, and for the knowledge and light I get to share!

Love you all!

Hermana Read