Marraxtí – Week 15…This week went by fast! 💫

Hello everyone! How are you all today? 

Well this week has flown by so fast! I can't really remember what we did but I'll do my best to describe it all. 

Last Friday we contacted for 2 hours straight and although it's not the worst of course, its downside doesn’t make it any fun. Not a whole lot of visible success, but you never know what you may have set up by doing what the Lord needs you to do. 

Paco and Ignacio blessed the sacrament for the first time on Sunday!!!!  Wow, it was great to watch them progress and help them in this mortal journey that we all make. We showed Paco how to prepare the Sacrament since he gave us a ride to church so he was there when we were doing it. 

We have been trying to meet with more of the members as well. The branch is doing good. They are now focusing themselves more on missionary work so that is a plus. 

The miracle of this week was that we were able to have a Family Home Evening with Lucy, who stopped investigating the church for a time but has now recently started meeting with us again. She is fantastic and already a good friend of mine (ours). 

For today, we went to the center (Plaza España), and I got me soma more LlaoLlao, of course. We had a mission to look for a stuffed bull for the niece of Elder Apodaca but we didn't find any surprisingly. But I did buy some things as well. Some more reminders of my journeys in Spain. Yay! 

Answers to questions...

How are things going with the new companion?

Me and my companion are doing great, or better at least. We are learning to work together more. Not that we don't, but we are always progressing, that's the key. 

How are you liking the charcoal toothpaste?

It's always fun to use the charcoal toothpaste. I do like it a lot.

Any word on when the next Zone Conference is?  Do you have any calendar for upcoming events? 

Zone Conference is this Friday at 9:30. As far as a calender goes, I don't know anything about that. I'm sorry. 

How is your pinkie toe doing?

Pinkie toe is good, it's growing but looks small. Hahaha. 

What makes you smile the most?

What makes me smile the most are the moments I feel the spirit really strongly and it's a feeling of how blessed I am for being here. And that's the smile that lasts. 

From the kids: Do you have to buy your food every day?

To the kids: I have to buy my food every Monday. It's kind of fun but stressful at the same time because I don't want to spend too much as well. 

Well that's about it for this week. I bought two shirts today because I was tired of wearing the same ones. One is a two-button up and another one is one that says California Huntington Beach on it and I love it. Sales are amazing! 

By the way, we got soaked as we were walking to the bus station to go to Soller, like a huge rainstorm and pelting rain. Completely drenched! No photo, sorry! 😢

I love this area and my purpose for being here. I count the blessings every day! God lives, and everything proves it! 

Love you all forever! 

Love Elder Maybury 

Found an AWESOME Sombrero

I would buy it if I didn't have to worry about luggage

Beautiful Spain

It's true! Jesus does love you! 

A Cathedral in Soller

A Street we Walk on every week

I love clouds! 

Me and My Companion - Elder Apodaca

He is asleep *shhh*

Someone Made Us Lasagna - Yummo! 

Selfie!!!  I love the fog and mountains in the back

Well this week seems to have had a few improvements in some areas, which is nice.  The work is certainly difficult at times and spending 2 hours trying to contact in the street keeps you humble, as a missionary.  We have all been there!

In some personal emails to me, Elder Maybury wrote of some struggles with trying to understand where his strengths are and ensuring that he is living up to his potential on his mission for the Lord.  In a few email exchanges back and forth, he was able to share more with me about his feelings and some of the changes that have been happening for him. 

He said:

“Sólo quiero poner mi vida en armonía con la voluntad de Dios. Lo que él quiere, es lo que yo quiero. .... Y ESO es el cambio que vale la pena. Eso es el hombre que quiero ser. Quiero ser como mi padre celestial, pero también mi padre terrenal (shout out to dad 😍).”

TRANSLATION: “I only want to put my life in harmony with the will of the Lord.  What He wants is what I want.  And THIS is the change that matters.  This is the man that I want to be.  Like my Father in Heaven, but also like my earthly father (shout out to dad).” 

This is what we often refer to as a “change of heart”.  It is a change where you set aside all of your own needs, your will, your desires, so that you are free to do the will of the Lord.  This helps one to be more eager to serve others, to love without judgment, to give of oneself, to be more humble, to use your talents and skills to help, uplift and love others, and ultimately to live as the Savior lived, in full service of others. 

While it is hard to see my son struggle, at times, I know that the process of the struggle will make him stronger and will help him to have a clearer perspective.  The decision to serve was his.  He makes a daily choice to continue to serve.  He kneels each day and commits his time to the Lord and says, “what is Thy will?” and then he listens and goes and does what is needed.  This is the daily bootcamp, if you will, for personal spiritual development.  As a mere mortal mother, I could not do that for him.  I could not teach him all that he is learning about himself, about others, about the value of strengths and weaknesses, about the power of the Holy Ghost, and about his own infinite worth.  So, my small sacrifice was to let him go for 2 years and learn at the feet of the Savior, so-to-speak, in His vineyard, serving His sheep.  And for all of these 15 months that he has been serving, I have seen him grow from a young man excited to serve, to a man who is honored to serve. 

This mission has been the best thing for him, so he can test his mettle and HE can know his worth.  And it has been the best thing for our family.  So, we can support, uplift, and sustain this great work by supporting this wonderful young man.  It is an honor to be his mother.  It is an honor to watch him grow.  And, even though it is still hard, and I miss him like crazy, it is an honor to sacrifice my time with him so that he can serve the wonderful people of Spain. 

He thanks you for your love and prayers.  He thanks you for checking up on him and his mission.  It lifts him up in those difficult moments, to know that there are people back home who are cheering him on.  Thank you for loving our son and for being his cheerleaders a few thousands miles away.  

If you would like to send Elder Maybury a card or letter, you may do so at the following address:

Elder Alexander J. Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

C/ Calatrava 10-12, bajos

08017 Barcelona

Spain

Each card/letter will require one international stamp = $1.15 / up to one ounce

Emailed: August 20^th