Mataró – Week 15…My camera died and a Christmas wish list!

Hi mommy! How are you doing today?! 

Well I am so glad that another Monday is here. This week took a little longer than usual but that's okay. It's not like I'm going anywhere right now. It took a little longer because last week I was talking to my piso (the other Elders) about how much longer they have left. And I was thinking about how much I have left and that I have been on my mission for longer than it's felt. So, then the Lord made this past week a little longer, haha! So, lessoned learned and I don't talk about my time left or how long I have been out here anymore. Haha! 

So, for Christmas, we have 45 minutes to talk to our family!!!! Yay!!!! It will be done over Skype since I have that. I will probably do it at the Church. I still have to finish this transfer so it's very possible that I will leave Mataró. Sad but I'll go where the Lord needs me to go. It's my mentality that I am trying to enhance. 

We have 3 people with a baptism date right now. Roberlando, Will, and Esther. Esther was the miracle of this week. Me and Elder Dickson were contacting in the streets and a young adult women just turned the corner. I wasn't going to contact her because she was about 7 feet away and for some reason I thought it was too far to contact. But Elder Dickson encouraged me to do it and, to make a long story short, she now has a fecha now for the 25th of November! Boom-yah! Will has a fecha for the same day, as well and Roberlando has a fecha for the 18th of November. Exciting things are happening!!!  The Lord blesses us when act upon the Spirit, or when our companion acts upon the Spirit as well. 

To answer your question, yes, I am still singing. I think I am getting worse when I am singing because no one else here really sings so I'm left to my own devices. But no worries. I keep on doing what I love.

Some ideas for me for Christmas: I need an SD card that will fit into my tablet. I need a flash drive to put photos on so I can have more space and things that that you know. I would love some ties as well. Dark blue socks would be a really big help so I can wear my blue slacks more often. ;) My CTR ring would be a nice Christmas gift. A picture of the Savior. A new journal. I write in my every day and so it lasts me about 6 months or a little longer, so I new one would be nice as well. 

Something to pray for me would be to find my priesthood line of authority. I cannot find it anywhere right now and it's stressing me out quite a bit. But I have faith that it will be found. So my camera situation. I think my trainer took my cord to charge my camera and plug it in. So I can’t charge my battery and my camera is dead. I don't know what to do. I knew I shouldn't have taken it out. Man, it's frustrating for me. I HATE my things being gone.

I was watching one of the videos that you sent me and I explained it to my companion what it was. And he said that is literally one of the most trunkiest things he has ever seen in his entire life. Psh! But I am not trunky. I just remember them. I am still here to stay. Whoo-hoo! 

*Trunky = ready to go home, as in sitting on your packed trunk/luggage

So my ear pains are coming back again. I am not sure what it is. I don't stick cotton swabs in my ears all the way. I dry them out well. I literally have no clue. Can you tell me again what oils to use?  I'm tired of the ear pains. 

Thank you so much for those pictures. I absolutely loved them. My family means the most to me and my friends are close under there. The gospel is on top of course. But anyways thank you for them. Thank you for the money you and other family sends to me.  I will do better about budgeting and taking care of the necessities. 

I have absolutely no doubt about your calling to the YW's. I believe that because of your amazing teaching experiences in the Hurley Ward, you will be better able to help the youth in this new ward. 

I think that is all I have for write now. I can't wait to email you again next week. I love you so much mother. I am proud of you and I am so honored to be your son. I love you a lot. Don't ever forget that. I'll talk you to next time, mom.

With love that last forever, Elder Maybury, your first son and missionary 

 Saturday night with some ward members! It was pouring!!!

Archery battle! We shot arrows at Each other! 

 We aren't your regular trick-or-treaters

 Halloween night relaxing cause they don't really do Halloween here.

District meeting on Halloween Day! Trick-or-Treat!!!

What a wonderful update from Elder Maybury.  As you can see, hard work pays off, especially as they work to share the gospel with others.  I am proud of the work that he and his companions have put into the area and I am grateful that he is able to see small miracles every week in the work there.  

There were parts of his letter that I edited out because they were personal just for me, but they continue to speak to his HUGE heart and love that he has for his family in trying to help them out.  I am so proud of him and his desire to serve, not only the people of Spain, but also continue to try to serve his family from so far away.  He is a sweet boy and he brings our family joy.

His humility also continues to impress me.  His Christmas list is so humble - compared to last year!  I love it!  Necessities only.  Socks, ties, and a picture of the Savior.  What a perfect focus for his mission of service to the Savior.  Another option, of course, is to put money into his account so that he can get what he needs, including blue socks. 😊  

It is such a beautiful thing to watch your child grow and develop.  No matter their age or their circumstance, it is nice to see them mature and become strong and happy human beings.  I am so grateful for my son's sacrifice of service.  It blesses our family in innumerable ways.  It is a beautiful example to his siblings and his family of being selfless, of letting go of the things of this world to try to help others.  Especially during this month of November, where the focus is on gratitude, I am thankful for my son and all missionaries because they answer a call to serve.  They rise to the challenge.  They learn to love others, even in the face of rejection and in the face of differences.  What a beautiful example to the world and society - loving others regardless of beliefs.  Loving others through service.  Loving others enough to sacrifice your comforts so that you can give to them.  The world would be a better place if we all could give just a little more to those around us and give up some of comforts so that others might have a little more of what they need. 

It is an honor to support my son on his mission.  Thank you all for supporting him, as well.

If you would like to write to him or send him a card or holiday greeting, please do so at the following address:

Elder Alexander J. Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

C/ Calatrava 10-12, bajos

08017 Barcelona

Spain

 All letters/cards require one international stamp = $1.15

And yes, I am looking forward to our 45 minute phone call in just 7 weeks!!!!!