The Island Retreat



 This week has been amazing. Monday through Wednesday we went to the island of Mallorca to a city called Palma for a "Senior Missionary Conference". We got to do some sight seeing, and spend a lot of time getting to know each other and hearing messages from President and Sister Heckmann. It was really fun. On Monday, after we all arrived in Palma we took a train ride to the Port of Soller. It was a lot of fun and went through some absolutely beautiful countryside with orchard after orchard of citrus trees. It was a very old wooden train, and it reminded us of the "Heber Creeper". The port was beautiful with two lighthouses overlooking the opening to the port. We didn't have enough time to go and see them up close, but we did get a chance to eat at an outdoor restaurant before we had to head back. The hotel we stayed in was right on the beach, and the President booked us rooms facing the water so we could listen to the surf all night. On Tuesday Hermana Heckmann led us on a tour of the Catholic Basilica in Palma. It was a unique perspective as she had been brought up Catholic and was able to talk about the basilica from an active Catholic point of view. The craftsmanship in this old building was amazing, and I couldn't help but think that these people sacrificed and put their whole lives into trying to worship the Savior. You have to respect them for that. 

One huge painting there was very interesting as it was depicting the "baptism" of Jesus. Of course, their version of "baptism" was John the Baptist pouring a little water on the Savior's head. The interesting thing for me was that they believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are all wrapped up in the same being. It's called the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. In this painting however, you see depictions of the Savior (being baptized / sprinkled), Heavenly Father (seated on his throne), and the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove. It was quite interesting. 

That afternoon we started our meetings and each couple talked about themselves, their families, and what their responsibility is in the mission. It was great to get to know the other missionaries. We finished up on Wednesday morning, and then flew back to Barcelona Wednesday night. 

The Hammonds needed to take an early flight out of Barcelona on Thursday morning to go home, and so they stayed with us Wednesday night. We were up quite late as they were struggling to get each of their suitcases under 50 lbs. They had also been given a bunch of "going away" gifts from members, and so getting everything into those suitcases was a real chore. I am very glad that we have a baggage scale because we were within just a few ounces of 50 lbs at the end.

The office elders showed up with the mission van at 0600 on Thursday, and took the Hammonds to the airport. It was hard to say goodbye to them, but we hope to be able to hang out together once we get home in a little over 16 months. (crazy how fast time is slipping away from me!) 

The Hammonds leaving on Thursday meant that they weren't available to help with Institute on Friday. To compound the problem, Sister Larrosa who usually does all of the cooking was in the hospital, and so the Evans couple (the Hammond's replacements) and the Mussers had to pull the whole thing together without the help of the Larrosas. It was pretty wild, but with the help of some volunteers from among the Young Single Adults, and with me taking Elder Evans' institute class for him, we were able to pull it off. 

My class was on John 17-19 which includes the Great Intercessory prayer, and the trial and crucifixion of the Savior. I loved being reminded that the Savior prayed not only for His apostles, but for all of us who would believe on their words. The concept of the Savior praying for me personally is a humbling thought. We also talked a lot about the concept of becoming "One" with the Father and with the Son, and with each other. It was wonderful to be reminded of how much our Savior loves us, and how willing He and our Heavenly Father are to forgive us, and to help us return home to them. This is the message that our wonderful missionaries share and it's wonderful.

Yesterday, we had the office elders over for home-made pizza as their funds were pretty well exhausted for the month. (It just happened that they had 3 P-days during this pay period) They ate well yesterday at least, and they will just have to make due until the 1st when their cards are funded.

All and all, a very busy week. It was kind of rough only having 2 working days in the office to get a week's worth of stuff done, but that's just the way things go sometimes. (no good vacation goes unpunished) This coming week promises to be pretty wild as we are supposed to get 19 new missionaries. Transfers are going to be insane and the office will be bursting at the seams. So, we had better "gird up our loins, fresh courage take."

We love and miss you all!

Lots of Pics this week! Click Here

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