Week #4 Already!

Hello everyone!!!! 

I can't believe that's it's been about 4 weeks already. Time has just been flying by here, yet there is so much more to learn and to do! 

So, for today's P-day, we went to the Plaza. It's an amazing place with just a whole amount of different stores. My only question was, "Where are the soccer shoes?" So, we went straight there and found some amazing soccer shoes for the concrete field. Right now, everything is on sale so I got these for 50% off. I only spent €35 on it. If I were to get these cleats in the States, then they would have cost me around $150 or more. So, Spain is definitely the place to be. 

It was raining in Madrid today. Good thing I brought my rain coat otherwise I would have gotten soaked! Haha! It was such an amazing experience to go out and explore the culture and what it is like to be in Spain. 

We went to a chocolate diner where they have some amazing things! The thing to get though is the chocolate churros. I would have never imagined such a thing was possible! It is so good! You get four long churros and a cup of melted chocolate and you just dip it in and you are in heaven! One of the best things I have ever tasted. 

This week has been better than the one before. The material is easier to comprehend. I still haven't learned it all the way but I'll get there soon. I have found out that I am starting to mispronounce my English because I'm around so many Spanish speakers! My pronunciation in Spanish is getting better though! Haha! 

So, I have been called to be a District leader* for the rest of my time here. It is actually a great honor to be one. I'm really excited about it though. My district did say that I would be the next one so I guess they called It. They are an amazing group of people.  My district also calls me the dad of the group and that they could see me with a "dad haircut" whatever that means.

So, the Portuguese elders left this week for Portugal. But one of them stayed behind because he has been having some health problems as of late. His name is Elder Mendez and has a little cerebral palsy, you can barely tell, but it's been acting up lately. He is an amazing guy with a beautiful voice. The Spirit is so strong and always constant with him. If you can pray for him that would be great. 

We are going to the temple today and I can't wait to go. I would rather go to the temple than do anything else. It's a beautiful experience and so much love is abounding in there. 

I don't really know what else to say I guess except I am so happy to be where I am. I do miss being home but I know I am needed here. I love being in Spain and wouldn't trade the mission experience at all. Elder Holland said some amazing things in his talks that we watched. Here are some of my favorites.

1. We cannot guarantee heroic results, but we can guarantee heroic efforts.
2. A mission will be the greatest opportunity of your life. I want it to mean everything to you. Enjoy all of it. Embrace every minute of it, every hour of it, magnify the calling you were given.
3. Obey mission rules. Obedience is the first rule of missionary work. In fact, obedience is the first rule of everything. 
4. We are expected to have at least 1 convert on our mission. And that conversion is us. We can promise our conversion, our soul. 
5. You don't have to be perfect, but you do have to be the best you can be. 

These are amazing. I love the apostles, prophets, and leaders of the church.  
Always be hungry for the words of Christ. Love everyone no matter how hard it is, because Christ loved us enough to die for us. 

I love the letters I continue to get. So far, I hold the lead with the most letters. It's six or seven I think. You guys make me feel special! 😋😍😊😉. 

So, the singing last Sunday went great! We could hear the angels with us. I loved it. Elder Phillips, Elder Muir and I are going to sing the last week we are here. We are going to sing "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul." Maybe we will mix "Abide with me, tis eventide" so it's going to be powerful I hope. All 3 of us our tenors, yes, I count myself as a tenor now, and elder Muir may be able to sing Soprano. Anyway, it's going to be awesome and I'm going to love it. I have found out a new love for directing music. Surprising I think considering I can't read music or listen to it that well. But I am getting better. When me and Elder Phillips get back, we plan on starting a duet together. A trio or quartet would be nice if we can get the other people, but our voices harmonize well. Hopefully it will take us somewhere. 

I'll talk to you all next week! Stay Mormon! 

Elder Maybury

*A “district leader” is a missionary who is called to supervise the activities of the missionary companionships. This missionary organizes all the missionary companionships to ensure that everyone is at the their meetings, assignments or classes, as scheduled.

Me and my companion enjoying the rain in Spain! 

Chocolate churros and a cup of melted chocolate for dipping. 

Some elders and I eating our chocolate churros.  Yummy! 

My new pair of cleats.

     This was such an uplifting email to read.  The days between P-days seem long for us at home.  As much as we keep ourselves busy, we just love the weekly emails to see how our missionary is doing.  Both his father and I can tell in his emails that he is happy.  That is the most important thing for us to see and to feel.  It brings peace to our hearts.  We also know that our son will be a good leader and will be called to positions of leadership throughout his mission and perhaps his life.  He is a good servant.  He is a good worker.  He has a good attitude about most things.  He is obedient.  And most of all, he loves life.  

     This calling to be a district leader will be good for him to exercise some muscles and learn to serve and make decisions.  He has always been a good leader throughout his youth, and this will be another opportunity for him to grow and develop.  His love for his other missionaries is evident, especially in asking us to pray for the elder who is having some physical health issues.  How sweet to ask us to add him to our prayers.  His love for going to the temple is wonderful to see.  The temple is often a place of peace and joy and I am so glad that he has found that testimony of going there to provide a service to others.  

     I firmly believe that he is in the right place.  He is there not only because the people of Spain will benefit from his hard work, service and testimony, but also because he needed to grow and develop in some ways that were important for him.  In 4 short weeks, I have seen him grow in beautiful ways. The Spirit of the Lord has lifted him up and qualified him for the work in ways that may be intangible to others, but are clearly evident to those of us who know and love Alexander.  Many may not believe this, but Alexander was a bit shy and was often nervous to do things outwardly in front of other people.  But he has embraced this opportunity and the efforts that are required and thus, he has benefitted greatly from it.  Just standing and singing in a duet or trio is a sign of that.  Sure, he can sing and yes he loves it, but to stand in front of a group of other people who are your peers and sing is difficult.  But he did it and he is eager to do it again.  It is beautiful to see him grow in these ways.  

     As his family, we miss him tons!  But we would never get in the way of this beautiful opportunity for him to serve so many people in this way.  Thank you for supporting our son.  💕

If you would like to write to Elder Maybury, here is his mailing address.  This address is good until July 24th.  

Elder Alexander Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

Centro de Capacitacion Misional

Calle Del Templo 2, 4a Planta

28030 Madrid

Spain

Note: Letters take up to a week to be delivered.  Letters up to 1 ounce cost one international stamp (= $1.15).