Week 62: "I am your dad"

Howdy everybody! This week has been absolutely fantastic. The reason? Two words: Elder. Brown. Elder Brown is from the beautiful San Diego/Japan/Germany/northern California/Delaware area! His dad was in the Air Force haha. He is "awesome" (this is in quotations because I forgot how much Americans say this word and being from southern California, it's Elder Brown's go to). I picked him up Tuesday at Hyde Park and he looked excited but also kind of dead. He had woken up at 4 am and we didn't get back to the island and to our flat until 10 pm so it was understandable. Nevertheless, he has been working hard and we are having a blast. We have a mutual love for Phineas and Ferb and a similar sense of humour so things have been *snaps* Okay. They've actually been brilliant but that was just a joke and I know it's losing it's humour now that I have said it was a reference to the show, but hey, when you are emailing a massive group of people, you have to explain these things :-)

We have honestly been running around everywhere this past week and I have barely had moments to stop and think. The disappointing thing is that we have had all our appointments fall through this week, but the magical thing is that we were even able to meet those people in the first place! 

I wanted to share a few of the many miracles this week. 

FIRST

...paella...

so we were on our way to a dinner appointment with this family called the Palomos. They are really sweet and moved to the island from Spain just over a year and a half ago and so they are still working on learning English. Also, they still have their spanish phone numbers and just use whatsapp, so we had a hard time reaching them to try and confirm their address. We ended up in the town where they live and wandered around for about 15 minutes before we finally found the place. While we were wandering, we passed this spanish restaurant that was having a paella special. As we walked by, I thought, "I would love to have some paella, we might need to go here soon". Moving along, we made our way to their house, had the first course of dinner (yes there was more than one course) and then, Sister Palomo says "I hope you are still hungry because, well I did not have the ingredients I normally use, but I made paella." Let me tell you, it was fantastic and some of the most flavourful food that I have had in ages. It really was a miracle, not because I just got something I wanted, but rather because I felt a reassurance that God is aware of us, even the little things. Besides getting to train Elder Brown, it made my week.

SECOND

So, I may or may not have forgotten that the Bishop asked me to give a talk on Sunday. Well to be fair, he did send us a message that was a bit convoluted and I thought he was telling me that he actually found someone else to speak. Anyways, we get to church on Sunday and he asks me if I am still good to give a talk. I said yes and was able to share some of my thoughts on the Plan of Salvation, which is what we believe is the plan God made for us so that we could learn and gain experience and grow to become like Him. I truly felt the spirit as I bore testimony that I would see my brother again, for Sunday was the two year anniversary of his passing. The second miracle this week is not just one of a week, but one of eternity. God created a plan that would allow all of us, ALL meaning ALL, to return to live with Him and our families. I know this to be true, and having the chance to teach and testify of this yesterday was truly humbling.

THIRD

I made it through another anniversary. Sawyer was on my mind this week, but thanks to many scriptures read, prayers offered and received, and through an abiding faith in the One who gave me Sawyer in the first place (well besides my parents of course), I made it through. I felt strong. I felt like I could carry on through even the hardest of struggles. I laughed. I enjoyed the days. Tears were shed at various points, but life continued and I felt him walking with me and that gave me strength. Thank you for your prayers and your support and your love and your care, both two years ago and today. 

FOURTH

Elder Brown has not died yet. He has a severe nut allergy and we have successfully managed to avoid all nuts. Also, in showing him the ropes, he is doing really well and is a quick study. We are working hard and are really excited for what is to come. These next 12 weeks are going to be a blast. Hopefully he does not freeze from the cold though. He went from a balmy 65 to a chilly 22. Poor soul.

But moving on from the miracles, this week has probably been one of the best of my mission. Not necessarily due to any particular event, but because in teaching Elder Brown, I have been able to look back and see how far I have come. I see the growth that I've had, the trust the Lord has in my, and my power to declare His gospel with boldness and love. I feel on top of the world. 

Another quick fun story. So we could not find the house of this family we were trying to visit (deja vu amiright) and there was no footpath on the road we were walking on and the cars were going really fast. So, to not die, we decided to cross and follow this sign that said public footpath. We thought that surely this would lead us to their house. Well, after walking for about five minutes, we felt like we were in the middle of the Hobbit, with rolling hills on either side, a castle in the distance, and no sounds but our trodding feet and the occasional sheep. It was magical. It was also the wrong way. But hey, we found their house eventually so it all worked out. England is the best.

British Food of the Week: Oaties - imagine a nature valley granola bar in the shape of a circle. They rock. 

British Word of the Week: water closet - no restrooms here

Scripture of the Week: Mosiah 15:25

Companion Comic: also, by the way, the one from last week is someone hit a light and broke it with a volleyball. I know the suspense was killing you. So the actual one is we were at the Palomos and they have a 4 year old son named Pablo. He is adorable. He also randomly switches between english and spanish, so much so that his mom says she cannot even understand him. He wanted to show us his halloween costume. He is going to be darth vader. So he put it on and was standing on his chair, showing off his threads and his brother told him to say something darth vader would say. Pablo turns to him and says, in a little british/spanish voice, "I am your dad". We couldn't stop laughing and it has a whole new meaning since Elder Brown is my trainee and in the mission we joke that your trainer is your "dad". Good times.

Anyways, know that I am doing well. I have my surgery tomorrow but I am optimistic about recovery. I am having the time of my life here and would not change it for the world. I love you all and thanks for the support!