Sabadell – Week 6…One Transfer Done and Feeling better 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Hello to everyone again! How has the week been? This week went by kind slow, I guess because it was transfers and we were expecting calls. I was so nervous about it....

So, I wasn't sure if I was getting transferred or not. It's always possible to get 6-week shafted. I did not want that to happen to me. So, I was nervous. Anyway, I was dying from anxiety throughout the week. I was asking paths elders and sisters what do you think is going to happen to us? I was so petrified and that I could leave that I had a dream where I got the call that I was leaving and I started telling people about it. This was all in the dream of course. Man, the mind can really play tricks. Long story short, I'm not leaving. I'm staying here with my companion Elder Newman. I'm excited because that most likely means that I will be here for Christmas next transfer, Yay! 

The trio of hermanas is getting broken up. Hermana Lighten will stay and finish her mission here with Hermana Fowler while Hermana Richardson is leaving and going to Marratxi. If that sounds familiar to you, it's because it was my last area. Yep, they are taking out the elders and putting hermanas in the area, so it doesn't matter to me. I trust hermana Richardson completely to take over the area. So, I’m not worried. 

This week I have been feeling better. My body is slowly working on getting back to where it should be and learning to process foods again.  I saw the doctor and she wasn’t too worried but did recommend some medicine to help.  So, I bought some medicine that she recommended me. One is probiotics and the other one is for bowel regularity. I always feel like I am going to throw up or like I could. But it's not too serious. I just have to watch what I eat and how I feel so everything goes well. I'm still moving though. I'm still working. God has answered my prayers everyday of giving me the strength necessary to go out and work. God is very aware of us. So, if you feel like he is not, you are sorely mistaken. So, try again.  He is there.

We were able to meet with a man named Gustavo yesterday. He is Catholic but doesn't practice. But says he believes in his church and will stay Catholic. Well, we will see what happens when he feels the spirit more. He has met with missionaries before and always likes to hear them share their message. So that's good at least. We taught him The Restoration. Something amazing happens that I now realized. The more you teach others of the Gospel and why it is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, the more it is written in your heart. And I felt that. It felt so good and I was so thankful to be able to have that special moment. I can truly say without doubt or fear that I KNOW that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on earth today. Joseph Smith was called to restore it by the power and holiness of God. 

Stake Conference is the 18th of November I believe. This will make the 4th Stake Conference that I have gone to as a missionary. I Love it. 

Answers to questions.... 

Are you able to read emails during the week?  Do you?

I can read emails anytime of the week. But I save family emails for preparation days because I like to just sit and focus on it. It makes me feel like I'm more connected to you all. 

Did you get any mail this week?

I will be going to the office today to see if I have some mail. 

Where are you in your readings in the Book of Mormon?

I finished reading the book of Mormon in English. I have 2 Nephi-alma 19 to finish in Spanish and then I will be done with that.

Do you think there is any way that you will be able to go to the temple with Roberlando?

Unfortunately, no, very sad but I am excited for him

Do you think President Galli will let you have time to write essays for scholarships?

I believe so. President Dayton let it happen, I know that. 

What is the greatest act of service someone has done for you while on your mission?

The greatest act of service has been from the hermanas being food for us when we were sick for a member give us a cake each week. So yes, if you give food to me, I will count it as one of the greatest services done to me, haha! 

Have you gained any insights from reading your patriarchal blessing?

9. These blessings come from obedience. And when you take the time to read and understand it, you will feel the power of its promises and will have a desire to do your part. 

Well I think that's about it everyone. Tonight, there is a special Family Home Evening in the mission home. We are going with a recent convert. It will be fun. But it's starts at 6:00pm and we have to leave by 5:00pm, so my writing time has been moved up.  I’m trying to write as much as possible with time to write to the family as well. I love you all though. Thank you for the prayers about my health and work. I have noticed a big change for the better because of you all. Thank you again! 

Love Elder Maybury 

Call Me Elder "Cook"

A Chinese Buffet

We Found the Hermanas Piso...

...we just walked up to their window! 

People live in the Attic - Spooky

Found! One Tootsie Roll...on a window sill

I didn't eat it, but I was tempted (ask my family)

This would make a good cover to a book I think

Me and Elder Newman

Just in case we find rats in our piso, I'm ready!

Finally saw my old companion from the CCM - Elder Cheever

Note: In the CCM in Madrid, Elder Maybury and Elder Cheever were companions.  Elder Maybury was in the Barcelona mission and Elder Cheever was in the Madrid mission.  It was not likely that they would see each other again until after the mission.  Then, the mission boundaries changed in July.  Elder Cheever was now in the Barcelona mission.  This past week, they saw each other at the train station as Elder Cheever was being transferred to a new area.  These are lifelong friendships for sure.  

Well, I am happy to have heard from my boy, but mostly happy that he is staying in Sabadell AND more importantly, that he

is feeling better, bit by bit.  Again, as he said, thank you for your prayers on his behalf.  He could feel them and he is getting better. 

This week I received a personal letter just to me from my son.  I don’t often get one that is just for me.  He and I exchange emails back and forth on his P-day, but in my email to him, I had shared some things with him that he felt warranted a separate response.  I appreciated so much his compassion that he would see the tuggings on my heart and write to me.  I will share one part of what he wrote because it is probably the BEST part of any email he has ever written since the beginning of his mission. 

He said,

“I don't know if you have been able to tell the growth I have had, but it has been a lot. I am happy with who I am and I hope I will be able to serve in God's kingdom someday.”

The BEST part about all of that is that he said, “I am happy with who I am.”  My heart overflows with love and joy for this.  He said so many wonderful things to me in that email and there were tears flowing from my eyes because yes, I do his growth.  I see his depth.  His maturity.  Isn’t this one of the greatest wishes of any parent?  To have their children be happy with the kind of person that they are?  For me, it is. 

In part of my response to him, I said this:

My heart misses you so much, but this mission has done more for you than I EVER could.  You are learning, doing and becoming EVERYTHING I had hoped for you!!! Thank you for being a willing servant of the Lord.  Thank you for letting him mold you!!!  As I have said many times, A mission is hard, but it is ALWAYS worth it!

This is one of the many great blessings of serving a valiant mission.  The growth.  The personal development that comes from sacrificing everything – all your comforts, your luxuries, your time, your energies, your friends, your family time, your worldly cares – and giving 100% of who you are to serving the Lord.  It HAS to change you.  There may be tears.  Illness.  Slammed doors.  Difficult encounters.  Worn out shoes and tired knees.  Your heart may break as you see people that you didn’t know you could love, sacrifice everything as they learn to love and invite the Savior into their lives.  And finally, and probably the most important, the view of your own nothingness in comparison to everything that the Savior has done for you, will bring you to your knees in humble, soul-shaking gratitude, ever aware that every single day of life is a gift from above. 

I am so grateful for my son’s service and the change it gives me to acknowledge my love for him and for the Savior who is molding him to be his best self.  Sacrificing this time with my son, while hard on some days, is 100% worth it.  No doubt.

As always, thank you all for supporting my son through prayers, letters, cards, emails and sparkly dust.  He loves it all.  He loves you all.  As do we.  If you feel like sending him a letter or card of encouragement, you may do so at the following address:

Elder Alexander J. Maybury

C/ Calatrava 10-12, bajos

08017 Barcelona

Spain

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

Emailed: October 23rd