Well here I am in
Logroño. Wow, what a time it has been. I am very saddened to leave Mataró. That
is my home away from home. I can't imagine being anywhere else. I do not want
to leave, but I know that I have left to come here because the Lord needs me
here. And that means that I need to teach someone or I need to be taught
something. Either way, it is what the Lord needs and I am here to abide by His
will and that of the Fathers.
It is very cold here, or
at least starting to get cold. But no me importa, estoy listo para trabajar y
para bautizar a la gente aqui. You have to co e in here with the right attitude
for right reasons. If you don't, then transitioning will be so much more
harder. It was already hard for me to leave Mataró, I don't need it to be even
harder.
The miracle this week
was being able to see Roberlando recieve the Aaronic priesthood on Sunday and
being able to help give it to him. I am so happy to see him progress in the
gospel. I have seen a new light in his eyes and I see his determination to stay
on this path and endure to the end. I love him so much! Another miracle was
that we were at the bar of Marco Antonio's (he is a member) and when we left,
we said a prayer that he could receive some business and be blessed according
to his faith. Right after we finished the prayer and got up to leave, someone
came in and he had some business. I testify that prayer works.
Elder Tuttle is my new
companion. He was broken by Elder Graham who is my trainer. Elder Tuttle was
also trained in Mataró and is originally from California!!! His dad is a
diplomat. Pretty neat! Elder Tuttle has dabbled a little in Rugby too. I am
excited to work with him and get some baptisms for the Lord! #SplashZone 🌊
So, as I said
previously, it was difficult to leave Mataró. They threw a little party for me
which I expected but I didn't think that I deserved it. Being "new"
and not being able to speak, I didn't really think that I did much but apparently,
I did. An hermana told me that as long as you can teach them the doctrine and
share your testimony, they will love you. Which was the case that I saw. I have
grown a lot in Mataró and I am ready to keep growing, especially in my Spanish.
I took a lot of pictures and I will include those later. I love you all and I
can't wait to talk again next week. Take care, keep the faith, and love the
Lord.
Love, Elder
Maybury.
Here are a few pictures with members in Mataró, saying "adios" as I leave for a new area. I will miss them.
The youth were amazing!!!
The Obispo (Bishop of the ward) - he talks so fast!!!!
The "goodbye" party for me.
My last morning with these fantastic Elders.
Some friends from the MTC (saw them at the train station during transfers)
My new companion, Elder Tuttle!
Aww, my sweet son. It is always emotional to be transferred from
your first area. In your first area is
where you cut your teeth, so to speak, for missionary work. You have a trainer that you grow to love
because they have taken care of you for 2-4 months. But, just as he said, the Lord needs you in
other areas, also, and so being transferred is also a great blessing. New people to get to know, to serve, to learn
from. I am so grateful for my son’s
positive attitude. Having a good
attitude in the mission field makes a MAJOR difference.
I am so grateful that my
son has a chance to participate in these amazing growth experiences. As much as I try to teach my children, and as
much as I succeed and fail as a parent, no amount of parent education can take
the place of the hard work and important lessons learned on a mission. It truly is a gift and a blessing for those
who serve. And for those of us at
home? Well, we are blessed as well. Although things have not gone the way we
would have designed them to be for us, I cannot deny the very perceptible
feeling of being blessed by our Father in Heaven. It is a feeling. A sense of being taken care of. Things are not perfect, but there is a sense
of peace that we feel. I am thankful to
Alexander for his service because our blessings are a direct result of his
service and sacrifice. I know that his
siblings love and miss him too, and they are watching and learning from him, as
well. As I said, it is a blessing to all
of us.
As
a family, we thank you all for supporting our son. He loves knowing that you are thinking of him
and watching over his family. He is
thankful for your prayers and for your letters.
If
you would like to send him a letter or a card, you may do so at this address:
Elder Alexander J.
Maybury
Spain Barcelona
Mission
C/ Calatrava 10-12,
bajos
08017 Barcelona
Spain
All
cards and letters use one international stamp = $1.15 (up to 1 ounce)
Transfers were on November 21, 2017
