What a Great Week! - Que Semana buena!

Elder Read in his new suit

Elder Read en su nuevo traje 

Elder Read says that last week was another great week.

Although lots of people flogged them - in missionary speak - or in other words let them down, they still managed 19 discussions.  The branch had a temple visit, when lots of people went including their formerly less-active member. A RESCUE, says Elder Read!!

His Preach My Gospel is worn out too!

Su Predicad Mi Evangelio esta gastado también! 

He says he's extremely tired -  as he was writing this e-mail he just wanted to sleep!!  But he knows it's a good sign; all is well there in Huércal.

On Sunday something rather amusing happened.  They were going to go to a town to visit Edenis, the recent convert, but nobody could take them, as everyone who could help them was in that area and they had to wait two hours before someone could return for them.  Therefore they had to improvise by visiting members or investigators, so they decided to visit a certain investigator, but she wasn't at home.  However, at that moment a ten year old boy, with a tennis ball, appeared and he started to talk to the elders.  This resulted in their playing "catch" with him for a little while.  Then they got his address and arranged a visit for Monday. Then they started to go somewhere else and when they looked behind the boy was following them.  He ended up staying with them all afternoon!

Elder Wright, Elder Read's first companion, has written to him and said that he is about to start his second year at university.  Elder Wright said that he has met someone who was serving in Southampton while he, Elder Wright, was serving with Elder Read in Huelva, and told him that he saw a photo of Elders Read and Wright in Southampton chapel.  It was Michael Jarman!  And we certainly knew him.

Michael Jarman at EFY in Utah in August

Also there's a missionary sister serving in Portsmouth who is Spanish and she is the daughter of the president of Lorca branch, which is about 45 minutes from Huércal, from which it was split.  Elders Read and Dean go there for their weekly district meetings.

As we all say: it's a small world in the Church.  More news: their mission leader got married a couple of weeks ago, so they're without one for the moment.

Elder Read can't believe just how little time he has left.  But it's not so bad as he hasn't really taken it in, and it still feels as if he's got an eternity.  So he's going to continue working really hard.

Elder Read dice:
¡Qué semana mas buena!

Muchas personas nos fallaron. Pero muchas. Pero no sé cómo todavía pudimos tener 19 charlas.

Muchas personas de la rama se fueron al templo este fin de semana. Incluso nuestra conversa reciente y menos activa. Y ahora es miembro activa!!! :D :D :D :D :D UN RESCATE!!

 Jaja la verdad es que estoy SUPER cansado. Aún ahora mismos. Quiero dorimir jaja. Pero sé que es una buena señal. Todo va bien aquí en Huércal.

Ayer algo gracioso pasó. Pues primero ibamos a ir a un pueblo para visitar a Edenis ( la conversa reciente) pero nadie pudo llevarnos. Y todos nuestros planes de respaldo estuvieron en el pueblo... eso nos dio 2 horas con nada. Entonces tuvimos que improvisar y pasar por cualquier investigador y o miembro jaja. Estuvimos intentando pasar por una investigadora pero no estuvo en casa. justo Viene un niño de 10 años con una pelota de tenis. Empieza a hablar con nostros. Jugamos un poco con el tirando la pelota. "catch" Conseguimos su dirección y fijamos una cita para hoy. Luego empezamos a ir nos a otro sitio. Al mirar atras vemos que nos está siguendo. Pues un niño de 10 años nos acompañó toda aquella tarde jaja!

Élder Wright me escribió. va a empezar su segundo año de la universidad. Vio a una persona que sirvió en Southampton mientras estaba en Huelva creo. Vio fotos de Élder Wright y yo en la capilla. Se llama Michael Jarman. ¿Les suena?

También hay una hermana misionara que está sirviendo en Portmouth que es española. Ella es la hija del presidente de Rama de Lorca. Es una rama que queda a 45 minutos de aquí. Antes los miembros asistieron a esa rama. Vamos allí cada semana para la reunión de distrito.

El mundo mormón es un mundo MUY pequeño. También nuestro líder misional se casó la semana pasada. Entonces nos hemos quedado sin líder misional jaja.

De verdad NO puedo creer cuán poco pe queda. Menos mal que aún ne me he dado cuanto de eso. Porque todavía se siente que me queda una eternidad. Entonces voy a seguir trabajando fuerte.

Un montón de fotos esta semana jaja .P

Traje de Zara

Suit from Zara

At the American restaurant

Al restaurante americano

Death by Chocolate

Muerte por chocolate

Another Busy Week - Otra Semana Muy Activa

Unfortunately, Elder Read didn't have the cable for his camera yesterday when he wrote his e-mail, so there are no new photos this week.  But he bought a new suit yesterday morning as clothes wear out on a mission!  And then, it being P-day, went and played football with some members and non-members.  He needs the exercise, he says.  For his daily exercise he is only able to do stretching and weights as his companion doesn't like running.  On the other hand, Elder Read does like running, but he's managed to reduce his stomach a little.  Haha, he says!

One day last week they went to eat an American restaurant.  "Yum yum yum yum yum!!" 

He ate a whole standing rib roast, but he was still hungry so he had a dessert that was called "Death by chocolate."  He doesn't think that needs an explanation!!

His new suit fits him well.  He got it from Zara, he says, and it is grey -(a good missionary colour I say.)  Hopefully he'll send us photos of him in it next week.

Elder Read and his companion had interviews with President Deere, the mission president, last week. Something President Deere told him that had a major impact was the following:  " The Book of Mormon explains the atonement of Jesus Christ better that any other book."  I very much concur with Elder Read when he says that is so true, and find Alma particularly good.  He had the opportunity to share that with members at a family home evening on Thursday, which happened to be the same day as the interviews and special training.

It is very hot where they are at the moment.  He's already used to it and he loves it.  On Sunday the temperature dropped a little and he felt cold. It was 28 degrees!!  What's he going to do when he comes home?

As ever, Elder Read says everything is going "super well" or "super bien" as he puts it in Spanish.  A few weeks ago he started to read the Triple Combination, and just over a week ago started the Bible.  He's got as far as Exodus 21 and he wants to finish the whole Bible by the end of his mission.  But he's got under four months left so he'll see what happens.  He says that if he doesn't finish it on the plane on his way home he's not going to let President Gilmour release him until he has!!! "Wait, President; I've got to finish Revelations before you can release me.!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Last week a lot members from their branch went to the temple, including their less-active member whose daughter was recently baptised.  He says this points to the reach out and rescue campaign they're going to have this coming week-end.  

Elder Read dice:
Pues no tengo el cable para mi cámara entonces no puedo mandarles fotos.... Pero compré un nuevo traje y acabamos de jugar fútbol con algunos miembros y no miembros :) Necesito el ejercicio. Por la mañana solo hago flexiones o pesas. Mi compañero no le gusta correr. Sino me gustaría ir a correr. Y bajar un poco la barriga jaja :P  

Bueno la semana pasada fuimos a comer en un restaurante americano. yum yum yum yum yum!! Me comí un costillar entero. y todavía tenía hambre entonces me comí un postre que se llamaba "Death by chocolate" no creo que tengo que explicar como era jaja .P 

El traje me queda bien; es de Zara. Color gris. 

Tuvimos entrevistas con presidente la semana pasada :) Algo que me dijo que me impactó mucho era lo siguiente: " the book of mormon explains the atonement of Jesus Christ better that any other book" es verdad. Tuve la oportunidad de compartir eso con los miembros en una noche de hogar el jueves (el mismo día de las entrevistas y el entrenamiento especial)  

Aquí hace un montón de calor. Me ya estoy acostumbrado y ahora me gusta :) De hecho ayer bajó un poco la temperatura y tenía frío jaja :P y eso que hacía 28 grados. Me dio frió jajaja :P 

Pues todo va super bien de verdad. Hace algunas semanas acabé de leer la combinación triple ya llevo una semana y pico con la biblia. Voy por Éxodo 21. Todavía me queda mucho jaja :P Pero quiero leerla entera antes que termine mi misión. Me queda menos de 4 meses jaja :P A ver lo que pasa. Si no lo terminaré en el avión. Y si no, no voy a dejar al presidente Gilmour que me releva antes que la termino jaja :P "espere presidente, me queda Apocalipsis" jaja :P 

Esta semana hay muchos miembros que se van al templo. Nuestra conversa reciente y su madre menos activa también se van :D eso significa que este fin de semana tendremos un rescate!!! :D :D :D :D: D :D :D

Elder Read's new suit reminds us of his shoes that wore out - above - and now he says his scriptures have had so much use - below - that they too are very well worn!

El traje nuevo de Elder Read nos acuerda de sus zapatos gastados - arriba - y ahora dice que sus escrituras estan igual - abajo.

4th August/4 de agosto

Elder Read had a lot to report.  On P-day - the Monday - they went to the castle with a Peruvian member, and here they are with the Peruvian flag outside the castle, which they couldn't enter as the entry was barred. But at least they could take photos outside.

They have found an Ecuadorian who is a musician and Elder Read has learnt how to play the accordion a little.  It's easy, he says; or, at least, the right hand is.

On the Thursday they had roast chicken.  Delicious!! Then they gave an English class  - with 8 people attending.  And only 2 were members.  All the elders had to do was to arrive at the chapel - and teach the lesson of course!

Elder Read says he'll remain in this area for one more transfer.  He's only got three left on his mission, so that means he'll finish his mission in hi next area.  It's strange to think that he'll be in his last area for under two months, as he's used to being in an area for 4-6 months. But he's very happy to be in this area for one more transfer;so that will be nearly 6 months there. Their goal for this transfer is 3 baptisms.  AND THEY ARE GOING TO DO IT!

They have eaten yellow watermelon. Honestly; it exists!

This is his best area to date and he's sending photos.

With all the weddings that Elder Read is hearing about, he says he can't believe that everyone's getting married.

Pues mucho pasó esta semana. El Lunes subimos al castillo con un miembro peruano. Había una reja entonces no pudimos entrar al castillo pero si tomamos fotos fuera :) También llevé mi bandera peruana :)
También encontramos una futuro ecuatoriano que también es músico :) Aprendí como tocar el Acordeón un poco. Es fácil :) Bueno la mano derecha si es fácil jaja :P

También le jueves comimos pollo asado :) ¡Que rico! Y también tuvimos una clase de inglés muy buena con muchas personas :) 8 asistieron. Y solo 2 eran miembros :) Ahora solo tenemos que llevarles a la capilla :) jaja.


Pues me quedo un traslado más. Solo me quedan 3 en la misión... Terminé mi misión en mi próxima área. Es raro pensar que solo estaré en mi última área un poco menos de 2 meses. Estoy acostumbrado a quedarme en mis áreas por 4-6 meses... Es muy raro. Pero estoy muy agradecido que esteré aquí un traslado mas. Casi 6 meses aquí. Nuestra meta bautismal para este traslado son 3 bautismos. ¡LO VAMOS A HACER!

También comimos sandía amarilla... Existe. Supuestamente.

Pues esta área es la mejor de verdad. Les estoy mandando fotos.

¡No puedo creer que todo el mundo se esta casando ahora! AhH!!

A Busy Few Weeks - Unas Semanas muy Ocupadas

Due to pressing family matters it has been impossible to do this blog for the last few weeks so we have some catching up to do.

A Baptism

On Sunday 13th July Elder Read baptised one of the twins of the reactivated member and Elder Dean confirmed her, the baptism taking place right before Sacrament and the confirmation taking place during it. This was the first baptism in the branch for almost 2 years - a whole  mission!  Elder Read said that the baptism was so spiritual that he was sure that the angels were singing. The convert felt super and nearly everyone was crying.  The wait was so worthwhile.  The Elders sang a musical item with the family of the branch president during the baptism.

They have been told that it is possible that they'll soon be able to use an I-phone and an I-pad. They don't know when, but President Deere said that probably their mission will be considered for their use in order to aid them with their work. They're very excited.

Pues la primera cosa: HABIA UN BAUTISMO el 13 de julio!!! :D :D :D :D :D El primer bautismo aquí en casi dos años. No lo puedo creer :) estamos super contentos de verdad. El servicio era tan espiritual que estoy seguro que los ángeles estaban cantando en los cielos.  Mi compañero la confirmó :) La conversa se sintió super bien y casi todos estuvieron llorando :) La espera tan grande valió la pena :) 2 años. Eso es una misión entera! Vaya. NO sé cómo explicar lo que sentimos ayer :) se bautizó antes de la reunión sacramental entonces pudimos confirmarla después durante la reunión sacramental :) Hicimos un número musical con la familia del presidente de Rama también para el bautismo :) 

OH! Es posible que vamos a recibir dispositivos electrónicos tales como i-phone y i-pad. No sabemos cuando pero el Presidente Deere nos dijo: "perece probable que nuestra misión será considerada a recibir dispositivos electrónicos para ayudarnos en la obra." estoy animado. Una autoridad General va a venir a la misión en Noviembre. Junto antes que me vaya jaja :P Sería gracioso si la misión recibe esas cosas justo antes o después que me vaya jaja :P Me gustaría usar las. También el presidente nos a dijo que vamos a usar 1 hora cada semana hasta el final del mes para llenar el librito "Mi familia" de la historia familiar. Ahora realmente vamos a usar la historia familiar para encontrar y a llevar a las personas al templo. 

More to come very shortly.