Pamplona – Week 9 and 10 … LOTS of work to do, the flu, and a bike ride!

Well hello everyone!!! How are we all doing today?! 

We are here for another wonderful session of Elder Maybury's weekly report! 

So, there were a lot of miracles this week. One of them was from an investigator that we contacted when I did an Intercambio (exchange) with the Zone leader in Pamplona. His name is Alfonso and he is from Venezuela. He has a wife named Elizabeth and 2 little kids as well. We invited him to play soccer with us on Saturday as it was our activity. He came, and he loved it. It was super great. He then came to church the next day as well and he loved it too. 

I taught gospel principles today by myself. I guess my companion forgot that we were supposed to teach, hence it was just me teaching. But it was okay. I taught about the Atonement. 

My companion and I have been doing alright. I have found that the harder I work, the more I forget about the problems around me. Of course, it's like that for most people. It's just that for me, it's been the most applicable. 

I have been feeling pretty bad as of late. I have been sick for the past couple of days. Some say with the gripe (flu). I have a stuffy nose and a headache from the congestion. Stomach wasn't in any pain or felt bad until Sunday and more so when I ate some tamales and ceviche. Bad stuff. I lost my appetite pretty quick and didn't want to eat anything. Not because I didn't like it, but because it didn't sit well in my stomach. But I have been doing better now. I do a little exercise and my nostrils open up, so I can breathe. 

So, this past Sunday we had a despedida (farewell) for a member. She is getting married this Thursday in Salt Lake City. She leaves tomorrow (Tuesday). It was a little rough for me because I grew close to her family and we helped her father get baptized, so of course it was hard to say good-bye for crying out loud! The other Elders got to say good-bye today at the church with us as we ate some Burger King. We took some pictures as well. 

Answers to questions: 

When you type your weekly emails, do you type on the phone or tablet?

I email on the tablet. 

How are your shoes doing?  Church shoes, I mean. 

Shoes are holding up nicely. 

Are you keeping your finger and toe nails trim?  You know I have to ask.  Hahaha!

Nails are clean and trimmed 😉

Have you been doing any cooking lately?

I try to cook every once in a while. I can make a mean omelet and some eggs as well. 

What has been the hardest part of your mission so far?

The hardest thing on the mission has been trying to see the good in what I can do for the Lord. Sometimes I don't feel adequate enough but that's when I know that he will make me more than adequate, he will make me extraordinary. 

What has been the best thing you have learned so far?

The best thing that I have learned so far has been to be patient in all things. I have seen myself grow in this area and am very humbled and blessed because of it. 

I bought a rugby ball today! Whoo-hoo. I am so glad I did. I have been thinking about it for a while and well that post of yours mom with the rugby game finally did it for me. And it only cost 8 euros. Super good! I have no regrets. 

There is a lot of work to do here in Pamplona! And I mean a lot! I love it all. Companions can be difficult at times, but I am learning from each experience. But I have so humbled and such joy from realizing where I am right now. That I am here in Spain preaching and testifying the word of God to His children for 2 years! And it fills me with indescribable joy that I almost can't hold back to tears. That is how you know that this work and this gospel are true. 

I have come to love the gospel with all my heart. It is the greatest thing on this planet or to have ever existed. I don't know how it all started or how the future will be, but I do know this. That the Lord Jesus Christ lives! Heavenly Father is a real being who loves us and cares for us. We do have men on this earth today who are called and inspired by God to bring the work of Salvation to all men. And I have been called by that same God to be a servant to His children and a representative of His Son Jesus Christ to bring the work of Salvation forth to the people of Spain for 2 years. I glory in it and I hasten it. It is not a glory I receive of myself, but that of which I receive is given to the Father. All glory and praise be to Him, for all came from Him. This is my solemn testimony that I leave with you all in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Well that's it for This week. I will try to write more next week though! I love you all and keep the faith!!! 

Love Elder Maybury 

PS: I would love some more music to play.  Can you send me some of the two songs that you requested pronto? Try to find the simple string music so I can play it. 

 These are pictures of our piso.  We keep it clean and I mainly do the dishes (thanks mom for teaching me), but can you guess which bed is mine? 🤔🤔🤔

My birthday present - my ukulele.  

(send me simple strings music if ya like)

Emailed: April 16

Hey everyone, how are we all doing today?! 

Wow, the days just keeping rolling by here in Pamplona ya know. 

First of I will answer some questions 

Do you think you will be transferred this upcoming transfer or is there another 6 weeks in you with Pamplona?

I think I will stay one more transfer here in Pamplona but after that, I will leave. 

What is something you have learned from your current companion so far?

I have learned from my companion that we have to work on all sources and not just what is in front of us. 

What are you looking forward to most in your mission?

Going home. Just kidding. I love the mission. I am looking forward to meeting the New Mission President and all the missionaries that will be coming in 2 transfers. 

Can you try to take some pictures of your time doing missionary work?  (ex: tracting, walking to the Mercado, peeps on the street)  We love those pics too.

I will try to get some pictures of is doing some missionary work. 

Well the miracle of this week was that we were able to get some references and we made contact with them. They are both really nice. I can't wait to continue to work with them. But that was just one miracle out of the many. I have been trying to do better about recognizing the miracles and giving thanks for them. If we don't do either, then we are unappreciative towards God and then why would he give us more? 

We are in Vitoria right now for Preparation Day. Wow it was so fun!!!!! We got to ride bikes through the city and go to a park and play ultimate frisbee and eat food as well. It was quite beautiful. I was riding a light blue bike that I called "The Blue Wave". Her gears were a little off, but she got me through the day. Other people's bikes popped tires or had chains fall off. So, I count my blessings. 

This Sunday was super tough for me. Well, the beginning at least. I don't know what it was, but I was completely frustrated at my companion. …But I made a promise to myself and the Lord that I would do my very best to never let my anger show get out of control.  So, I have been trying to stick with that since that very moment.

Some other sad news is that [one of the families that we teach] is leaving Pamplona and going to Victoria. They are refugees from Venezuela and they thought they would be here longer, but they are getting moved this Friday, I believe. They have fechas (baptismal dates) for the 26th of May. I will miss them dearly, but I will be able to Skype in for their baptism. I love them so much. 

My bum hurts from the bicycle seat, just so you all know. 

We are meeting with the members more often. I sometimes feel like they are more interactive with my companion than me. And what I want to say to that is that, "I'm sorry I want born in Ecuador, I'm sorry I didn't live in Madrid, I'm sorry I can't speak Spanish perfectly or well, I'm sorry if I lack many things that make me a good missionary. I'm sorry if I'm not your favorite missionary." But I won't.  What I will say to the members is that, "You have my love and support forever. I am here when you need me. I will get the work done with or without you. With is better. I know why I am here. And the Lord has assigned me to your area, to your ward because He needs something done here. So if I am the instrument in doing so, then I will do it. But Remember that it is not really me that ask for your help, but it is really from the Lord." So yeah, a tough week. 

We did an Intercambio (exchanges) a couple of days ago and wow, that was super fun. I went with Elder Loveland and we stayed in my area. It was super great, and we had a lot of fun. We ate at Dominoes and we stuffed ourselves! It was super great to have him by my side. 

The work is coming forward. I am doing my best to serve the Lord and be what he needs me to be. But, it's easier said than done. Wow, really easier so be said than done. 

Well that's about it today. I'll include some photos of the adventures this week. I love you all so very much. Never neglect your prayers, always keep the faith, and serve the Lord with all your heart, might, and soul. Love ya!!! 

Love Elder Maybury 

Pizza time! 

P-Day Shenanigans

(I'm on "The Blue Wave")

Killin' It With the Shades

Me and My Companion in the Streets of Pamplona

Emailed: April 23

Well, as you can well tell, it took me a while to update the blog.  Life was happening and I had to respond to it in the moment.  Before I knew it, another week had gone by.  And then, Warren passed away.  That was sudden and it required a focus of efforts on helping the family.  

I also called Spain 3 times this week in an effort to get them to notify my son regarding Warren's passing.  Warren was my children's uncle for their entire lives.  He was Santa Claus.  He was the big teddy bear.  He was always there.  And we were there for his big moments in life and then as he began to decline in health, he was in our thoughts and prayers.  I was notified of Warren's trip to the ER in the early morning hours on Monday.  In rare fashion, I had not yet "sent" my email to Elder Maybury - it was just waiting for me to add in a few pictures.  So, I added a quick "PS" and notified him of Warren and his trip to the emergency room.

Warren passed away just 36 hours later and I tried to call the Mission President to see the protocol for notifying my son.  The Mission President was at a seminar in Germany and was given my home number to call me so we could come up with a plan.  Tuesday came and went and I heard nothing.  Wednesday, I called again and again I waited for a return call. I also sent an email.  Nothing.  I was feeling a little exasperated at this point, because I didn't want Alexander to simply read it on Facebook without the comfort there. So Thursday I called again and was told that the Mission President had already spoken to my son and had told him he could call home.  He hadn't though.  The mission home secretary said that he would call my son and tell him to call home.  

15 minutes later, I received a message on Facebook Messenger from my son asking me to call a specific number in Spain.  I did.  I was finally able to talk to my son.  Ah, it was good to hear his voice, although at times he did sound like he was 5,000 miles away.  We talked about Warren and there were tears shed.  He wanted to know all the details and so I shared those with him.  We were able to talk for a bit more and we talked about his struggles and his feelings and it was SO GOOD to be there to provide immediate counsel and comfort to him.  

He told me that he ultimately did see a post on Facebook about Warren.  He was saddened by it.  He said that on that day, he worked a little harder and dedicated his work in honor of Warren and it helped to heal his heart just a little.

At the end of the conversation, we laughed.  I told him I'd love to see pictures with his hat facing forward.  Hahaha.  We laughed some more.  It was healing.  (Of course the phone bill that came afterwards was not so healing, but...it's par for the course) *LOL*.

The most important thing that was shared this week with regards to Warren's passing and talking to my son is the knowledge that we have in the gospel that death is not the end.  We know that Warren is now free from his prison of disability.  He can walk.  He can see.  He can talk clearly.  He can hear.  This is the joyous message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There is hope.  There is peace.  There is life after death.  And my son is 5,000 miles away teaching this message of hope and light and love to the wonderful people of Spain.  He can add this experience to his own testimony.

Please know that these young men and women who leave home for 18-24 months do so because they love this gospel.  They want to teach these good things to other people.  They want to share the love and hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ with others.  They are often far from home, and they miss their family, and they miss out on many moments, BUT no matter what happens - even the death of a loved one - the gospel bring peace.  It is okay to feel sad.  It is okay to mourn, as this is a representation of our love for our loved one.  But beyond the sadness and the mourning is rejoicing.  Rejoicing that our loved one is back in the arms of the Savior.  The sweetness of this message makes all 730 days of my son's mission absolutely worth it.  

Thank you for supporting my family.

Thank you for supporting Warren during his time here on earth.

Thank you for supporting Maren during this time of transition and grief.

Thank you for supporting my son on his mission.  

He ABSOLUTELY NEEDS your prayers and support.  He has some down moments and your support, your letters, your cards, and most certainly your prayers truly do uplift him. 

If you would like to write him a letter, you may do so at the following:

Elder Alexander J Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

C/ Calatrava 10-12, bajos

08017 Barcelona

Spain

Each letter requires one universal stamp = $1.15 / up to one ounce