The Lord's work

Hey everyone!

This past week has gone pretty good. We had a lot of time in the office thus past week but we also had the chance to meet a lot of new people and experience a lot of miracles. I'll try and keep you filled in on some of the experiences the Lord's blessed us with this week!

One story I wanted to share was from this past Thursday. We were super busy in the office that day and we were only able to get out to teach a lesson and talk to some people for about 20 minutes. We saw though that even though we had such a short amount of time we saw a bunch of miracles and we were able to meet a lot of people that God put into our path. There were a lot of experiences like that but I wanted tonshare one that was really cool.

We went by a members house to help them carry a big bookshelf down the stairs to throw away because they didn't want it anymore and they were going to leave it on the side of the road for someone to grab, that's really common in Madrid. As we were doing that a couple pulled up next to us in their car and started talking to us. Turns out the girl is a less active member and the guy isn't but he loves the church and he said that he wants their daughter to be a member. So we talked for a bit, got their phone number, invited them to church, and said bye.

We then go get into the car and start to drive away only to see them parked on the side of the road trying to grab the bookshelf. So we pulled up next to them and asked if they wanted a hand. They said yes and seeing as it didn't fit in their car we helped carry it about 7 blocks for them to their piso. I'm sure we got a lot of weird looks "you know 3 guys in white shirts and ties carrying a bookshelf through the streets of Madrid get them sometimes" but they were super grateful. All in all it was a cool example of God putting someone in our paths as we did service. 

Something else that was super special that happened this past week was that we went and met as a ward in the new chapel for the first time. We finalky got permission from the government to meet their and we had the meeting and it was very special. It was a special broadcast to Spain and Europe and we heard some words from several general authorities, elder uchtdorf, and sister Jones of the primary presidency. I loved all the talks though I had a hard time focusing on them. 

Every Sunday we take turns translating for a senior missionary who doesn't speak Spanish and it was my turn to translate this time. So I ended up translating all 2 hours and on top of that their were a bunch of kids around me being a little energetic and having a lot of fun playing with my shoes....needless to say I was a little tired afterwards. 

Ha it was all super great though and I really loved the remarks of Elder Uchtdorf, he related the modern day saints to those in the time after Jesus Christ's resurrection and he talked about how similar we were. There was a string theme in the meeting about having a personal testimony and using that to strengthen the family in the home which I really loved and really applies to a less active family who we have been working with that attended. 

All in all its been a really good week. One thing that came to my mind as I put in the subject line is my personal testimony that this really is the Lord's work. With the amount of time that we had to proselyte this past week it on its own doesn't make sense that we had the blessing to talk to and find so many cool new people. Unless we take into account the fact that we aren't the only ones working in the vineyard.

Jacob 5

72 And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.

We aren't the only ones working. When we put in an effort and put our shoulder to the plow, it's easy to see that we aren't the only ones pushing. Our heavenly father knows his children and is preparing and helping them everyday. Constantly striving to help them find and accept the restored gospel. And we as missionaries and members are working right at his side. It's own of the blessings that we can have as members of his church upon the earth. I love you guys! Keep up the good work and have a great week!

- Elder Bassett 

Hey Guys!

On the way to zone conference!

So it's been a pretty crazy week. So we had zone conference, and it was just awesome. The majority of the focus was on how we can use the new technology to focus on our mission purpose and to help further the work. I am so excited to see all the advances in the work that are going to be coming; the Lord is truly hastening His work. 

So one cool thing that happened this week was that as a district, we went out to a busy street and set up this poster of Christ, and then sang hymns by it for a bit. It was an idea we had to mix things up a bit and to see how it worked. I was a little apprehensive about it, but it ended up being a super cool experience. We ended up meeting this super nice old Canarian lady who was like our only audience. It was super fun though, she was calling out to people as they walked by and telling them to come listen to us, ha. She was super sweet, and funny. I attached a picture of her below. 

Hey guys!

It's been a pretty good week here in La Laguna. So we don't have a lot of time to write today, so I gotta be quick, but I do have some cool experiences to share. So first thing that happened at the beginning of the week that was super cool was that we had a cita with an investigator named Alejandro. He is trying to give up smoking right now and has been having a hard time recently, so we taught him about priesthood blessings and asked if he wanted one. He said yes, and so we gave him one. Afterwards, he couldn't stop smiling, and he described to us how he felt a warm feeling traveling through his whole body that started from our hands. That was a really cool experience. 

We have also been trying to knock on doors recently to see if we can find people that way. We spent one day just touching doors. Unfortunately, nothing came of it, but while we were doing it, this pregnant woman and her daughter got stuck in a ditch on the side of the road. So Elder Johnson and I went and helped push her car out. That was pretty cool; she was super grateful, and it was a cool thing to go in the journal and memories. 

We also had stake conference here in the islands. Because it's an island, it had to be done over a broadcast system. President and Hermana Pack spoke in it. Their talks were centered on the restoration; I wanted to share with you guys what I learned while I was there. 

President spoke about Joseph Smith's experience in the sacred grove and the moment when Satan stopped his tongue and held him back from speaking. He went on to talk about how that is one of Satan's greatest powers, to stop us from speaking. We have our testimonies and our experiences, and we need to share them- any impression not to share comes from Satan.

Hermana Pack then spoke about how the message of the Spirit that we need to share is the restoration. A message that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and He sent Jesus Christ to establish a church and to help each and everyone of us overcome our sins through the atonement. Then with time, that church was lost, and the world fell in a state of confusion and darkness, but the church has been restored. The evidence of that restoration is The Bookof Mormon. We can each read it for ourselves and and pray to God to know that it is true, and He will answer us. I testify of this with every fiber of my being. I love you all, till next week.

- Elder Bassett