Here Comes March!


 I can't believe that we are already into another month! Where did February go? The time is flying by. This has been an amazing week for me. On Tuesday, we had our normal mission Zoom call and President Heckmann felt inspired to talk about Joy. He focused on the Joy that the Gospel brings when we live it, and on the Joy that comes to the soul that repents. He encouraged all of the missionaries to review the talks by Elder Kearon and Sister Yee. They are both wonderful. The Savior can fill our souls with joy. One of my favorite people in the Book of Mormon is Ammon. He was filled with joy so powerful that it overcame him, and he fell to the earth. I have never been completely overcome with joy, but there have been many times when my heart was filled almost to overflowing with joy. I know that the adversary would have me forget those times, but they are real, and I am grateful for them.

Wednesday was Mission Leadership Conference and so the mission home was full of the leaders in the mission. These sweet missionaries always bring an amazing spirit with them, and it is wonderful to be around them. Of course the other great thing about it was that the office staff was invited up to the President's house for lunch! 

Thursday was Brenda's birthday. The missionaries wanted to get her a cake, but we decided on some amazing pastries instead. One of them had all kinds of fruit on it, and the other was filled with Nutella. Both of them were all kinds of yummy! Brenda had signed up to cook lunch that day, and made some of her amazing clam chowder. President and Sister Heckmann came down and gave her some Turron and some beautiful Barcelona mugs. Sister Heckmann said that she had been working on a cake all day, but kept getting interrupted and so she promised that she would bring it down the next day. It was a chocolate cake filled with chocolate moose and fresh strawberries. (it's rough talking about all of this delicious food on Fast Sunday!). It was really very sweet of her with all that she has to do to remember Brenda's birthday. We love the Heckmanns!

On Friday night we had institute with its normal craziness. One thing that really stood out to me though was Elder Hammond's lesson. He was teaching John 6 and the account there of the Savior walking on the water. Verses 20 and 21 hit me like they never had before. 

20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

The Savior identifies Himself to His disciples, and tells them not to be afraid; which in and of itself is sermon for us. However, the next verse is the one that hit home to me. They "willingly" received Him into the ship; and "immediately" the ship was at the land whither they went. When we willingly receive our Savior into our lives, He will make great things happen for us, even miraculous things. I love this doctrine.

Yesterday, the office elders invited us to go with them to Montserrat. It is a monastery way up on a mountain about an hour away from Barcelona. It was really impressive, and the views were amazing. The hikes really tested my metal, but we made it through. I am definitely not as young as I used to be. I watched these young men just bounding up the tough trails and then waiting for the old people to catch up, and I realized that my "bounding" days are long over. I have now moved into the "stumbling" days of life, but we keep going. We took them to a Peruvian place for dinner, and it was great. 

Today was Fast and Testimony meeting, and it was great. There is no "dead time" in this ward. They line up and the Bishop has to manage the end of the meeting, or we would probably be there through Sunday School! These are sweet, wonderful souls, and it is great to hear their testimonies of how the Gospel has blessed their lives. They remind me that Heaven is mindful of each of us, and we are, and always will be, loved. The adversary tries to get us to forget that fact. 

We love and miss you all, and hope that the coming week will be awesome for you!

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