Sabadell – Week 4…Feeling Sick but I Love It Here! 💕

Hola a todos!!! (Hello to everyone) How are you all doing today? 

Well this week has come to a close and I am glad it has. It has not been the worst one but certainly not the best either. Here's why...

I'm sick. 

It's not fun. We left early morning on Wednesday to grab some things from our mission leader’s apartment because he is in the hospital. Bummer. Anyway, after we got off the train, I just had this heat wave come over me and I felt like throwing up and having to go to the bathroom. I ran into a bar and the man let me use it. I felt so bad for the rest of the morning until about 1:00 when we were in the hospital visiting Alberto. And I have not just been feeling good ever since. I am thinner because I am not eating. I don't have desires to eat and I also don't want to risk it in case nothing stays inside me, ya know? 

Moving on, we had an activity with the youth. It was a minute-to-win it and relay race as well. And at the very end, the winners got to throw whipped cream paper plates at Elder Maybury's face. It was really fun and all of them liked it. I don't have any pictures but I do have the video so I will work on sending that over. 

The miracle of this week was that we were able to follow inspiration and we were able to talk to two really amazing people. Another miracle is that after saying a pray, I was able to finish the day and not stay inside piso when I was feeling so sick. This was on the original day that I was sick and was feeling the worst. 

This week is the talent show and I will be playing the ukulele while hermana Fowler plays the guitar, my companion will play the piano, and hermana Richardson and Lighten will be singing. We are forming a mini band, haha. We will be playing the Jesus version of hallelujah. It will turn out great. 

The work is going slow here, but we are trying are very best, of course. I'm going to try to give it my absolute all this week with working and finding. I won't let being sick stop me for any reason. 

My companion got a phone lent to him because he lost his tablet. Bummer. Maybe it will get turned in, but you never know.  Oh, and I can now solve the Rubix Cube 100% all by myself. My fastest time is 2 minutes and 57 seconds I believe. So yeah, I am getting there. 

Answers to questions....

Do you get a lot of communication from President Galli?

President Galli does not communicate to us a whole lot. He does send out a monthly news bulletin with his thoughts and so forth.  But when we need him, he is there. 

Is there a mission newsletter?

As far as I know, no.

Do you think you can get a picture of yourself with the new Mission President?

Zone Conference is this Saturday, so I will get a picture with him this time.

Are there any other sheet music songs that we can send to you?

Come Thou Fount. Amazing Grace, This is the Christ, and some Christmas songs would be great 

Since you are working so close to the mission home, can you travel there to pick up mail whenever it arrives?

Yep, we travel to the mission home every Monday to grab stuff. 

Are you working on any musical numbers?

Just the one for the talent show, but I am going to try to get us in for a sacrament meeting number

If a miracle happened tomorrow when you woke up, what would it be?

The miracle would be that I didnt feel sick any more, but that I felt 110% at my best.

If you woke up tomorrow with only the things you had thanked the Lord for the night before, what would you have?

A good day, family, the prophet and apostles, the scriptures, health, piso, and the mission. 

Oh, and so you all know, I have lost about 5 pounds. Both good and bad. The last loop on my belts don't keep my pants firm. Bummer. Lol

Well that's about it today. I hope you all have a great day and week. Remember that the miracles are there, you just have to look. And strive for unchanging conversion. I loved that talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson. He is my favorite. 😍 I love you all and keep the faith! 

Love Elder Maybury 

Walking Around a Park in Sabadell

Riding the Train with My Companion

I Finished The Rubics Cube!

My Busted Pinkie - Healing

Sabadell District - the Musical ones 😂

A Group Photo

Well, as the days and weeks continue to roll along, I am always happy to hear from my son.  One thing that is often a true characteristic for Elder Maybury is that he keeps going, even when things are tough, such as the work being difficult or being so sick that he cannot eat or walk.  He told us that he prays to be able to work for the entire time that they are supposed to be out of the piso, and he is blessed to have the energy and strength to do so, but as soon as he gets home, the strength leaves his legs and he collapses with nothing left to give.  Until the next day, where he gets up and starts all over again.  He is a trooper. 

And I love to see that he is so engaged with the youth.  He loves working with them and letting them throw “pie” in his face is something he would easily and willingly do if it would bring a smile to their faces.  I know that his future will consider working with youth again. 

He has asked for prayers in two specific areas.  One, that he will get better from whatever illness he has.  And two, that he will stay in Sabadell for a while.  If you would like to add your prayers, I know he would appreciate it.  Based on how much time he has left, he is likely to only have two areas of his mission left.  Sabadell and possibly one more.  But the great beauty of committing yourself to the WORK of the Lord is that you commit to the work and the people, no matter what area you are sent to and I think Elder Maybury has aptly demonstrated both his love and his commitment to all of people that he has served. 

We sure do miss him, but in just 10 weeks we will get our phone call! Those of us who count the weeks and the days love him the most! *hee hee*

We received a package this week from Elder Maybury.  He sent a little souvenir home for each of us and he included a gift for his little sister's upcoming birthday and her upcoming baptism.  He is so thoughtful.  One of the things that he created for each of us was a hand-made bird with our names on it.  

Here is a picture of Isabellas:

Elder Maybury finds time to mail and email many people off and on throughout the month and he always laments apologetically his "delay" in writing to people.  But, we all know that missionaries are very busy and so ANY mail or email he takes the time to send (except to mom) is a gift!  So, I KNOW he would love to hear from you.  As always, if you would like to send Elder Maybury a letter or an encouraging card, you may do so at the following address:

Elder Alexander J. Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

C/Caltrava 10-12, bajos

08107 Barcelona

Spain

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

Emailed: October 8^th

Sabadell – Week 3…My mini miracle 😇

Hey everyone, how are you all doing? 

Wow, it's good it be able to write an email again. Kind of hard to believe that a new week has come by. So...

For this preparation day, we decided to stay in Sabadell. It was the preparation day as a zone, but what the zone decided to do was ride bikes, which we didnt want to do. So, we relaxed here. We were able to get some good things done. I sent some stuff home that I needed to because it was taking up space. We also did some shopping as well which was really fun. And we ate at McDonald's because it's preparation day. No one wants to eat inside piso. Hahaha. 

So, the miracle of this week. Well I have seen a miracle every single day, but I will choose the most impactful for me. It was Sunday evening. We finished church, lunch and studies. We had nothing to do from 5:00-10:00.  It was rough. We did contacts and door-knocking for the whole time. Well we decided to take the bus to the other side of our area and my card didn't work so I had to pay the ticket. Miracle #1 is that I brought my change. I had forgotten it the past 2 days, but I had it when I needed it. Anyway, toward the end of the day, we started the long walk back. I had a moment to reflect on my personal growth and my call as a missionary. Contacting is not my biggest strength, so I was kind of beating myself up for this weakness. I said to myself, "God has specifically called me to help this area grow and I'm not doing anything. How can I expect those blessings if I can't even try to do my part? That's it, it changes now!" I then saw a man who caught my attention and decided to contact him. We talked and got his phone number and we will call him to set a visit up. It was the miracle I needed. We kept getting rejected time after time that I was starting to waver. I didn't lose faith in seeing a miracle, but I questioned whether it would happen soon or not. I guess looking back I was expecting my own timeline and not the Lord's. 

One of the missionaries here said a powerful phrase. He said, "God saves His best for the end of the day." And that's exactly when it happened, at the end of the day. 

I have been doing the 21 days Book of Mormon challenge. Wow, super powerful. A lot of revelation is being received. I recommend that you do it if you are not. It's reaffirmed my faith in the basic principles that turned my faith into knowledge. 

One of our friends named J.G., is having a hard time. But he is so determined to get baptized. We are including him in every prayer that we say. This man is very connected to God, he has received many miracles in his life and loves the Lord. He is a great man. 

The members here in Sabadell are already some of my favorites. We have an activity coming up for the youth that us missionaries and some leaders will be in charge of. It's going to be really fun! 

I love being with the youth of the ward. It helps me to relax and it always brightens my day. Don't get me wrong, I like working with the adults as well, but sometimes it feels like straight business or something like that. Being with the kids helps me to feel like a God. I know that God needs men, but he said to be like little children. I'm just trying to do what he tells me to do. Haha! 

Answers to questions.... 

Will you get to watch all of the session of General Conference?

We will watch the morning session life, but the rest will be a delayed broadcast because of the time difference and the hours of the day. 

How are things with your companion?

Elder Newman is a good elder who is obedient. He is a hard worker. 

Do you need us to send you a new journal?  You mentioned one being full.

I am fine on journals, I have enough to last me the rest of the mission. 

What are you looking forward to for General Conference this weekend?

I am looking forward to hearing the prophet speak and seeing if there will be changes again from General Conference. 

Do you know when your next Zone Conference is?

Zone Conference is the 13 of October I believe. 

Do you think you can message the elder in charge of the blog and see when it might be ready?  We are missing so much information. *tears*

I'll give Elder Rodriguez a little jingle jangle, haha

I was able to solve my first Rubix Cube this past week! Elder Newman taught me really well. I haven't been able to solve it without his help, but I'll get there. It's pretty fun actually, but at the same time really stressful. I remember back home where we could only get 1 side. Now I have advanced! 

I am been kinda of sick this past week, just some stomach/bathroom problems. That's part of the reason why I am trying to eat a lot healthier. I think it's Spain in general that is killing me. I think if I stayed longer than 2 years in Spain, I might go to the Spirit world. I can't wait for some American food! 

All is well over here. The work.... is work. We are trying hard over here. We give everything and leave it in the Lord's hands. We have been getting rejected a lot and it's some slaps to the face, but a good night's sleep helps us to cool off and try again the next day. 

Well, that's about it fellas. It has been a beautiful week in Sabadell with the temperatures cooling off in the evening. Beautiful sun rises, and sunsets warm the heart. God's creations are all around. I love you all and wish you all a fantastic and miracle-filled week. Keep the faith! 

Love Elder Maybury 

Me and Elder Newman

Eating with some members after service

A Parquor and Skate park

Ukulele Time

Posing and Selfies

What a joy it is to receive these weekly communications from my son.  It uplifts my heart every single week and carries me through.  And my joy increases to see his smile.  A smile which is brought about by his love for the work and his love for the people of Spain.  In a personal video that he sent home he said, “I really love it here in Sabadell.  Really, really love it.”  And this is doubly awesome since he really did not want to leave the island.  This is further evidence that the Lord takes care of his children, especially when they are engaged in His good work. 

Another thing he mentioned in his video was that he is grateful for a companion who is obedient.  He said that not only does it help him to remain obedient in all things, but it makes the work easier – even when it isn’t easy work to do.  I think that is something that many people don’t understand about obedience and especially obedience to God’s commandments.  Obedience is simple.  Sometimes the simplicity of it causes people to make it more complicated, but in reality, obedience is just doing what you are supposed to, being where you need to be, and living the way you should be living.  In this way, you are right where you need to be to receive the Lord’s blessings.  I am grateful that my son is learning this valuable life lesson. 

Thank you to each of you who reads this blog and who write to my son and who prays for him.  He definitely feels those prayers and needs them.  The work in Spain is hard, as you can read from Elder Maybury’s words, but miracles abound, and these missionaries are out there working all day and night trying to be a miracle in someone’s life, to share the joy of the gospel with them.  So, please write to him and pray for him. 

Of note, Elder Maybury is healing from slamming his pinkie in a door and cutting his forehead.  Both are healing.  The pinkie nail is now black which is a good sign that the blood is drying up and his nail is growing again.  He cut his forehead while helping out a member with some service.  He was cutting a long piece of metal when he leaned in and it "sliced" his head.  Yikes!  But, that is healing too.  Luckily I did send him with some Essential Oils and he knows how to use them to heal some of his achies and owies.  🤗

Here is a quick summary of the 21-day challenge Elder Maybury referenced:

How to do it

·       Read the assigned scripture for the day;

·       Mark one verse that stands out to you;

·       Communicate briefly with your spouse (reading partner) about what impressed each of you the most;

·       Finish reading with a prayer, asking God if the words you have just read are true and to receive a personal testimony of it.

Because of my son’s example, I will be taking on this challenge for the remainder of this month.  A list of the scriptures can be found online.

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

Elder Alexander J. Maybury

Spain Barcelona Mission

C/ Calatrava 10-12, bajos

08017 Barcelona

Spain

Each letter requires one international stamp = $1.10 / up to one ounce

Emailed: October 1^st