Week 2 in the MTC

Hey guys! It is week 2 here in Spain Madrid.

This past week has been full of adventures and challenges. So everyday this week we speak ONLY SPANISH from 8-12:00. Next week it will be 8-1:00 everyday and each week will add an hour. So that of course has it's challenges and benefits. I have come to know that the interpretation of tongues comes before el don de lenguas (gift of tongues). When people speak, I am able to understand them a bit easier now but talking to them can still be a challenge. It is frustrating to have to relearn all the vocab words since I new them before but I have forgotten them. But you just have to pray for the Spirit and all will be well.

Me and my companion Elder Cheever are doing great. We are practicing on how to teach an investigator. My companion is really good at Spanish despite him saying he is not. So when we teach he does most of the talking and answering questions because I am not at that point yet. We both plan the lesson and equally share our parts but he is just able to understand and talk more than me. So grateful for him! 

Me and some of the other Elders are singing on Sunday the 2nd of July. It's gonna be really awesome. Most of the elders say I have the best voice here. Elder Phillips is really good. Me and him will be singing as lead tenors in our song which is "I Stand All Amazed". We have been practicing and we sound really good! The other Elders will sing as well in the song. Most of them are fine singing, as long as it is in a group and they don't have to do a solo. 

P-day is so fun here! We went to the mall today and they have a bunch of stuff! Me and my companion were looking for some soccer shoes to play in. And these shoes are different because these shoes are designed for you to play on concrete instead of grass of turf. But the highest shoe size they had was a 45 (10 1/2). I am an 11 1/2 so I will have to go somewhere else. Soccer here is so fun! I was again complemented in my playing skills for soccer, basketball, and volleyball. But i always stay humble. Thats the key to a successful day in the mission. The teachers who play here are so good! I have never seen anything like it. I'm have never seen so many people (including myself) get embarrassed by their soccer moves. United States has nothing on these guys. 

It gets so hot here in Madrid. I am thinking of just cutting of all my shirts with long sleeves  and make them short sleeves. Here, they use Celsius instead of Fahrenheit. 35 degrees C is 95 degrees F. It's been hitting about 40 this past week! 

The food here is OK. It's food so you can't complain really. But some of the stuff here is really good like the pudding and flan. The meat was amazing here. And I did see some rice and beans which was the best!!! Spain is different but I love it here. Oh and the driving here is crazy! 

Elder Maybury

Here are some pics from this week... 

 My district with the MTC President and wife (Presidente y Hermana Packer)

Me with MTC President and wife

Me and my companion on temple grounds

Madrid temple at night

Something to know about Elder Maybury is that he LOVES to sing!  He did not have a "singing voice" two years ago, but he sang in the choir at church and he practiced and he sang all the time.  I taught him how to choose music that complimented his vocal range so he wasn't hurting his vocal chords, and how to find his range and note, and then I taught him how to harmonize and use step notes, etc.  Before he left, he was singing non-stop, in the shower, while doing chores, while driving, and he would put videos of barbershop quartets on and sing with them.  It was quite fun! 

One of his biggest wishes was that he would be able to sing in groups or in the choir at the MTC.  The Provo MTC has a big choir, but we didn't know what type of choir, if any, Madrid would have.  So to see that he is singing in a group on Sunday as a lead...it just makes my heart so happy.  He did it.  And he is loving it! 

These pictures cause me to feel so much emotion.  As I read his words and look at the pictures, the main thing that stands out to me is that he is happy.  I can see it.  I can feel it.  I can hear it.  This brings peace to my heart.  It is hard to realize that he has only been gong a little over a week when it feels like so much more.  I don't know if I can do 102 more weeks of this!  😃

If you would like to write to Elder Maybury, you may do so here (copy the address exactly as you see it here):

Elder Alexander Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

Centro de Capacitacion Misional

Calle Del Templo 2, 4a Planta

28030 Madrid

Spain

• Single page letters (up to 1 ounce) are 1 international stamp (=$1.15)
• Cards may weigh more
• It will take 7-10 for letters to arrive

One of the greatest things for missionaries is to receive letters from home.  These letters often raise their spirits and give them motivation that they had not realized they needed.  

Thank you, one and all, for the continued support of Elder Maybury and his service.  He can feel your prayers, and as a family, we are grateful for them, as well.  

💕