March 26, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 5

Hi everyone!

So this week was an interesting week. I just finished getting over being sick - the weather's been fluctuating a lot and a ton of rain. People wondered where the rain was and now we have it! haha 

I just want to share with you that I know that Heavenly Father love and knows you personally. Just so you know :) He really is in the details of our lives.

I'll share what you might find interesting from this week but I'm not sure if it's funny, interesting, etc. Have fun reading haha

Monday:

We talked to people. We asked for a locutorio and a Venezuelan lady helped us out. But she realized that there was a closer one than the one that she pointed us to so she walked quickly back to try to help us out and she directs us to the other one. Very unexpected. We find out that she's friends with Rosana and that she knows the missionaries a bit. So that was cool.

Then we walked around and went into an antique shop and we talked to a old guy in there for a while. His name is Angel. And he doesn't like religion. Nor does he hear very well haha. But it was fun just walking into a store and letting him talk about his life and store and interests and try to help him out.

Funny moments: doing Rock, paper, scissors to figure out who does certain things. It's been elder Kamber and I's way of making decisions haha especially if it has to be done and no one wants to do it haha.

Tuesday:

A gypsy stopped us and told us her pastor wanted to talk to us. Super sketchy and funny at the same time... Then studies. Then pancarta. And we talked to a ton of Dominicans about basketball and about Pollito (one of the Dominicans here) and they all know him hahaha. We have seen a lot of people that we already know. And the normal testigos (JWs) talked to us that we usually see. When they were leaving I accidental told them - "no se enfrien" (which means something along the lines of don't get cold hearted) when I meant to say like don't freeze (it was cold) haha. I messed up haha. But it's good. They understand the struggle is real in Spanish sometimes haha.

Wednesday:

We got talking with some old guys including the same old guy who told us he was a testigo and that he wanted to get out of their church and change religions. He recognized us and talked to us. Of lot of people are starting to recognize us and talk to us a lot more haha. It's funny. If we've had a conversation with them they generally are open to talking again.

Friday:

So this morning we walked and talked in the street. We talked to quite a few people. There's lots of old people haha. There's a lot of rain and wind today. One guy actually knew who the Yankees were - whereing a Yankees cap (that rarely happens) and another guy started talking about "smoke on the water" while walking away from us haha. I said hi and he said "smoke on the water" in English hahaha it was funny. And we went into the Dominican Barbershop to talk to the Dominicans there about getting a haircut and about playing basketball. And it was pretty funny because I walked in and the dude starts talking in English to me haha. And we talk briefly and I'm trying to walk out the door and I hit my head on the flat skinny side of the door, straight on. It hurt haha. But not as bad as it should have hurt. And we kept talking to people. 

Then we went to visit Joaquin and Loli. And we've now got it down where we were able to have a wonderful lesson today. We shared the restoration and talked about how to help them with sharing the gospel - specifically. And they actually were thinking about it more. And now we are going to be able to help them out better because the problem has been addressed. And I was able to figure out how to involve myself in the conversation and jump in when needed (cutting them off when needed too). It was cool to finally be able to feel that I was managing the conversation even though I've only been practicing/conscious of my lack of the skill (cutting people off) for a couple weeks.

Saturday:

Then we walked home and did Lang study. And then we headed over to English conversations in the Bar Coherencia. And people were there this time! It was fun to get to talk in English and help people out. And we are getting to the point where they are curious about who we are and why we have a name tag haha. They still haven't asked about the chapa yet but they love when we are there.

I hope you found something interesting or encouraging or enjoyable in this haha.

I just want to say I love you guys and tell you that I know that God is always there for us. Easter is such a great time to remember the Savior and His resurrection. He is there through the thick and the thin. And I know that He loves us and that He has restored His gospel in its fullness on the earth today. He has restored His church with the same organization that existed before.

I know there is a modern prophet who guides us in today's day because Heavenly Father hasn't stopped giving us guidance. The evidence is the Book of Mormon. 

Also, this weekend on March 31 and April 1, we have the opportunity to listen to the guidance of the prophet President Nelson and the apostles. You can see it online at the link below. And I invite you to listen :) Even if it's only for a few moments. I love it and bringing questions to have answered. Because it's one way of getting answers to our hardest questions. Listen with faith and you can find your answers to your questions! :)

Here's the link:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/live-viewing-times-and-options?lang=eng

Have a great week!

Elder Openshaw 

1,2)a hike today

3)the Pizarros

New Mission Address

NEW ADDRESS:

Elder Martin R. Openshaw

Avenida de Tenerife, 11

28703 San Sebastián de los Reyes

Madrid, España

For packages - go to: www.amazon.es and order there so you can avoid customs

Items should be mailed before June 15th so he can receive them before he comes home.

Return date TBD - Probably August 8th

March 19, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 4

Hi all!

This week was pretty eventful. And it involved a lot of rain and wind.

On Monday we headed down to Madrid for the mission tour where Elder Sabin of the Seventy came to talk to the whole mission. We got to stay in B9 with Elder Snyder (a former companion).

The neighbors of the B9 elders are really nice. There was this really nice old lady who saw us with our luggage trying to figure out how to get in the building (the elders left the key under their door mat and we just had to get in the front door of the building). And the lady says "hey, are you trying to get in? Let me help you" and she opens the door just to open it for us. And then she's off on her way down the street. It was sooo nice. Then we had to buy groceries to last a couple days so we had to figure out again how to get in and thankfully we buzzed someone and they reluctantly let us in haha.

Tuesday:
Preparation day. We went to the temple and that was great. And then we played some sports in B6 (where I served before). And then to end pday we went to go see some friends from B6, one who was recently baptized! So that was cool.

Then that evening we went to a self-reliance training and we learned how to facilitate the self-reliance class in a branch so we can help out the local units better. And that was cool to be able to ask questions and get clarification on what we actually are doing. Basically the idea is that we will be able to facilitate the classes and help people in learning skills for job interviews, personal finances, starting a business, etc.

Wednesday:
We had the conference with Elder Sabin and it was a wonderful conference. It went by a lot faster than I remember past conferences - I'm getting used to getting through long periods of time sitting haha. Elder Sabin used a lot of short powerful quotes. And he was very authentic and real with us. He's a funny guy. And he had some amazing advice. The biggest thing I took away from the meeting is: be happy - we are professors of happiness, and to "attack the day" (go at it hard, NOT drifting through). Also life is an exciting, happy journey (worry less).

Skip Thursday and Friday.... they weren't that interesting.

Saturday:
This morning we did Pancarta with the members! (the "pancarta" is a big picture of Jesus, we set it on a tripod and talk to people - and we also had a table with pamphlets and cards to take). It was a learning experience for sure haha. The spot where we originally were going to put the pancarta, nobody passes through there so we set it up in a different spot a little further down (in the "median" so we had 3 streets to contact on). And then we moved it again because we realized not many people passed by there either. And so after about 30-45mins we've got the spot chosen and set haha. And while this is going on it is sprinkling so we stick the umbrella down on the table to protect the pamphlets that we set out (we had the pancarta and a table that we were using). And the umbrella worked fine until the wind came...haha. And then all of a sudden it got really really cold. At one point it hailed. And it was even sunny for a few minutes haha. So the weather was doing crazy things. If the weather were consistent it would have been a lot easier...but it made it more fun for sure. And when it got windy we tried putting coins on top of the pamphlet pages and the Book of Mormon so that the pages wouldn't keep getting bent but that resulted in coins catapulting when a large gust of wind came. And it was cool to be able to contact with the members. They make it a lot easier because they expect you to talk with everyone and if you can get someone to stop the members make it a lot more normal haha. And to make things even more funny there was a protest (for raising pensions) that went through on the same street as we were on hahaha. And the ayuntamiento (city hall) told us that it would be okay to do the pancarta and that nothing else was going on...haha oh well. We saw a lot of people with whom we have talked with before. And a lot of rejection haha. But I enjoyed it despite the challenges we had haha.

Sunday:
We had some fun foods with the members. We ate "carne al toro" (toro=bull but it wasn't made out of bull haha). And we had a sweet bean pudding (excuse my English translations of these foods...it doesn't do them any justice). And church as always. Church went great and we had some wonderful classes yesterday.

Just some cool things I learned and had reinforced this week during the conference with Elder Sabin:
-"You know you are on the right path if its uphill"

-"No one has sinned tomorrow"

-‎He told us that with whatever time that we have left in the mission to tell ourselves that we have been called on a mission for that amount of time (just now you have more experience). For example, I've got 5 months and I'm being called on a 5 month mission (instead of saying I have 5 months left). It's a different point of view that makes me continue to want to give it more all.

- Elder Sabin told a story about Chocolate chip pancakes and how he made them for his grandchildren but one grandson couldn't eat them for one reason: "grandpa, they have burnt spots! I'm not eating them!" He related the story to how trials are consecrated for our gain for those who love the Lord. Trial sometimes look like burnt spots on pancakes although they really are the things that help us to grow the most and recieve more blessings in the future.

"Stretch but don't stress" - do the best you can and then turn it over to the Lord

D&C 90:24:Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.

I was really impressed by Elder Sabin's overall message that we can be happy no matter the circumstances. He's truly an example of that and has been through a lot in his life. I know that our Heavenly Father truly does love us and He hears our prayers. I also know that God once again has called a prophet in our day and guides him to help us know how to live in our times,  just as prophets of old. Pretty soon we will have the opportunity to listen to him in General Conference the first weekend of April :)

Have a wonderful week!
Elder Openshaw

1)doing the pancarta

2)the castle - the wind is super loud with those flags!

Mom needs to figure out how to add this :)

3)video- my companion got some little sticky worm things and we've been flinging all over the place. We decided to take a video. And then a missionary added the clip from the district on after seeing it haha. Not planned.

March 13, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 3

Hi everybody!

This week has been quite interesting! I'm going to give a day by day account but just the highlights:

Monday:
Then we went contacting and I talked to a former investigator at a bar waiting outside for someone and he eventually said "hey! I have a friend that's one of you guys". And pulled out the contact on his phone that is the WhatsApp picture of Elder Jones (Michael, the one I'm with) and elder Packham. And he doesn't recognize elder Jones as the one in the picture hahahaha. It was pretty funny.

Tuesday:skip a day - fairly normal day.

Wednesday:
When talking with people in the street, we stopped a guy named Enrique who just moved here from Cuba - 27 days ago. He's a pretty cool guy with a lot of time on his hands right now. Unfortunately he's also pretty flojo (lazy/hard to get a hold of).

Then we passed by a less active family we have been trying to get a lesson with for months. They often tell us tell are home and a certain time and they aren't home. So I asked for their general schedule and we passed by at a time they were likely to be home. They didn't answer the door so we just made a few calls to set up some lessons. And as we were making the calls I saw the father, Jose step out of the house towards the car hahaha. So we go back up and pretend to ring again. And Jose stops backing up the car although he had started to at first. But I think he saw us and stopped. Then we wait for an awkward amount of time and no one comes to the door and he doesn't continue backing up. So we go down the hill again and we turn around and the mom walks right out! And she waves to my companion hahaha. And they made a get-away in the van...it was pretty funny but kind of frustrating at the same time haha.

Thursday:
We had some interesting conversations in a small town called Camponaraya. We talked to a lady who offered to let me to use her scythe if we wanted to help her with her garden haha. I asked her what it was called in Spanish. It was huge!

And there were like 3 people total we saw in the streets and so we went door knocking! And we met a cool guy named Antonio who said "no" at first from his window but then came outside because he couldn't really hear us. He asked us what we were doing here and we had a decent conversation. He started going back inside and I felt the need to stop him again so I did...And I talked about the self-reliance program (1st thing that came to mind). He's a cool guy. By the way this week my companion and I are going down to Madrid to receive a training on how to teach people to do the self-reliance program. I'm excited to be able to start teaching others about it and use it as another way of finding new people to teach. The branches here are too small to have someone called to run the self-reliance courses so basically the missionaries in the small branches will have the opportunity to be the course facilitators teaching people how to find work, start a business and a bunch of other skills.

Friday:
We went to the Rosal (the mall) and we had a miracle. We had been praying for someone who was prepared for the gospel to find them there at 12:30, in the seats where we met with Miriam, with a phone in hand. And we found someone!

At 12:25 we arrived and there were two people seated where we specified. A man on one side and a woman on the other side (there were two clusters of seats and they were separated). At 12:30 when we went over there to take a seat both had their phones out. And we sit down at the cluster of seat with the old man and he is playing on his phone and he has an oxygen tank...and he was a lot older than it seemed before. The lady was probably about 25-30 years old. And she was on the other cluster of seats. So it was going to be awkward. So I pulled out my tablet and tried to connect the Wi-Fi but it wasn't working so the thought came, ask the lady for help with the Wi-Fi. So I immediately got up and asked her about it and we started the conversation that way. And I even got to share the restoration! And she was kind of interested, she kept asking questions but it was complicated because she was working on her computer. So I got her email and we will see how that goes haha. She wouldn't take the Book of Mormon but wanted it electronically. But it was amazing how the spirit gave me the idea to ask about Wi-Fi...no other approach in that moment would have been as normal (that I could think of) nor would have gotten me out of my seat. We are going to ask about something completely different and try to transition that way. But the spirit really does guide us. And wow it was a little scary to get up but it worked out really really well and was totally worth it.

Saturday:
We had some really weird conversations this morning. One guy tried to tell us that Buddha, Jesus and Mohammad all communicated with aliens. Another treated us like aliens and not like human beings haha. They just stared at us with the "what are you" look haha.

We also went to the Bar Coherencia where every Saturday there is a group that meets to just practice speaking English. Apparently it's a group but today there were only 2 other people haha. But it was cool to be able to speak in English and actually feel like we were helping people out.

Funny moment of the day, I stepped on what I call an "Asturian water bomb" (loose pieces of sidewalk that have water the seeps underneath and which release when stepped on). So I got muddy water that splashed on my pants and shirt all the way up to my face! Haha

Sunday:
Today we had District conference in Leon (where all the church members from this geographic part of Spain get together). It was a wonderful conference. It actually went by very fast even though it was 2 two hour sessions. I learned a lot and was reminded of a lot too. And there was a lot of time to fill so at the very start President Pack warned us some missionaries would be sharing their testimonies. And I got to see the members from Oviedo! 

That was awesome!

I've learned a lot of things this week but sometimes it's difficult explaining life lessons that you learn. Something I learned this week comes from the Bible:

Romans 8:28, 31
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
31...If God be for us, who can be against us?

Our Heavenly Father is cheering us on and wants us to succeed. Even when life is hard, even when we have trials that seem impossible to overcome, He is there and wants to hear from us. And as we trust Him and love Him all things (trials, sickness, temptations, afflictions, etc) will work together for our good. He can make our weaknesses strengths. If He be for us, who can be against us?

Have a great week!
Elder Openshaw

Pictures from last Pday in Leon

March 5, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 2

Hi everyone!

This week we've been trying to find new people to teach which has been pretty interesting, I'll explain some of the experiences haha. And the weather has been crazy, we had snow one day and the next day it was in the 50s/60s haha. And now rain.

We talked to a lot of people this week and we've seen multiple people who recognize us (Ponferrada isn't all that big). And we did a lot of new things to try to find people who are interested. At one point we sat on a bench to make some calls and had conversations with 6 people hahaha, they would walk by and talk to us or sit down and talk. It was hilarious. We even saw a guy we talked to last week and he stopped and said hi. I guess we are more approachable sitting down then if we are walking around trying to talk to people.

We also contacted big groups of youth telling them about English conversations that we are doing. And that was pretty fun because they are usually fairly open to talking/stopping and listening.

And this week we even got to talk to the guy who tells us "go back to Philadelphia" and he actually didn't have anything to say when we tried talking to him haha. It was super funny. The guy's name is Gonzalo and he only was saying go back to Philly for no reason apparently haha, he didn't have any explanation.

And then we talked to people in the pouring rain and wind. And wow it was windy. And one of the best rejections was the "I'm hiding behind my umbrella and can't hear you" one. Some people have it mastered haha.

Some other funny conversations:
1) A conversation directed towards a lady walking in the same direction (all in spanish):
me: "hey, do you know of an Asturian restaurant close by?"
Her: "pero, que dices?" (What are you talking about?)
Me: I'm looking for a restaurant, do you know where one is?
Her: pero, déjame en paz! .... Que pesado! (Just leaving me alone! I don't know what you are talking about...how annoying!)

(And she stormed off just ticked...for no reason...for asking a question maybe? But it was pretty funny.)

2) us: Hey! Great weather we are having here! (While it's super rain and cold, and we keep walking away)
Them: yay, it's "wonderful"!

Us: Hey great weather we are having here! (Us stopping)
Them:....(nothing).....

Hahaha it's great.

Some other things we tried were talking with other churches and seeing if they had any service opportunities. It didn't work out too well for us haha. We called and they were super surprised what we were asking for. They couldn't believe that two people wanted to help out the community I guess haha. But they would almost always say "sorry, I'm not sure if I heard you correctly...will you repeat that" and then they asked what organization we are from, who we are...it was great haha. It was funny and fun to surprise them. And the best conversation was a pastor saying: "do you know who you are calling? Do you know what church this is???" It was hilarious. I think we surprised him that Mormons were calling him and wanted to talk to him about helping out the community. People here in Spain have a weird idea of who Mormons are and what we believe.

Then we went to the library and we did some Facebooking. We trying to go to more public places rather than to just go to the church, making it easier for people maybe to see us or approach us. And we walked into a room in the library with about 40 study desks, with books lining the walls and a tangible silence haha. And when we entered all eyes were on us haha. It was funny. And very quiet.

This week we also got to help a friend who I will call Maria with the translation of her résumé and she was so pleased with it and so happy that we were able to help her out. Apparently I ended up translating more than she expected. And she told us she is still reading the Book of Mormon and that when she gets a job and finds a new place to live she will be able to focus more on meeting with us (and honestly right now her situation is quite rough).

And on Saturday we had a lesson with 'Danny'. We called him on a whim and he answered! What a miracle! We haven't been able to contact him all week because he hasn't read our messages or answered our calls. And he answered! We had a lesson with him that night and it went really well! He's so cool. We are so excited for him because he's keeping his commitments. He read and he seems to have been praying. He actually kept his word about saying the last prayer too when he didn't want to say the first one (last time he didn't want to pray at all).

It has definitely been an interesting week! It's also been a pretty trying/difficult week. When you have a lot of desires to help other people and share with them a message that is so important to you because of how it has helped change your life, it's rough when people reject your help or your message. But the truth is that this is God's work and all we have to do is keep going and trying to help others even when they reject it. Eventually we will find those who want the help.

Eter 12:6, 12
6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.

I love these verses. We don't receive a witness until after the trial of our faith. It's so true. We need to trust in Heavenly Father and His promises but we really can't know (receive that witness) until after our faith is tested. As a missionary, our faith is always being tested. When we choose to talk to people we try our faith - we don't know if they will allow us to talk to them or if we will be rejected. We have to try and test that faith first. I know that Heavenly Father loves all His children and allows us to have trials so that we can learn and grow.

Have a great week!

With love,
Elder Openshaw

NEW ADDRESS:

Elder Martin R. Openshaw

Avenida de Tenerife, 11

28703 San Sebastián de los Reyes

Madrid, España

February 19, 2018 ~ Transfer 14, Week 1

Hi everybody!

This was an interesting week but I don't know where to start. Well, first off we had transfers! But there weren't any changes so I'm staying with Elder Kamber here in Ponferrada. And I'm pumped because it's a great place to be.

Earlier this week was Carnival so the kids don't have school and some people are dressed up. It's kind of like the USA version of Halloween.

On Monday we went talking to people and we needed to set up some lessons and so we went to McDonald's to sit down somewhere warm (which the options are limited) and set up some lessons. It worked well. There were a lot of people at McDs dressed up in costumes. And two Mormon missionaries sitting there tranquilo, doing the work of the Lord.

Tuesday was a busy day! It snowed which then turned into rain...just above freezing so it was cold. And I didn't use an umbrella which worked out okay. Although we ate at a member's home and they got upset I didn't use an umbrella :) Oh well.

We ran into a ton of people we know in the streets this week so that was fun. We even found our future investagator Adriano outside of a bar and Elder Kamber takes off his glove to shake hands and Adriano says "I'm not Trump! You don't have to take off your glove" haha. It was funny.

And we got pretty creative this week. We went towards the center because we were going to go on the big main pedestrian street to talk to people while using the pancarta (a posterboard/picture of Jesus) but there weren't a whole lot of people around. So we did a walking pancarta! We held the board as we walked and talked to people. It was hilarious because people either loved it or that hated it. It was really funny to watch people take out their phones to avoid making eye contact or avoid talking with us (and then putting their phones away right after they passed us). And the side glances from people were also very funny. They tried sneaking looks at it without being noticed by us (because they didn't want to talk but yet they were really curious). It was funny. We also found a hippy dude from Bosnian in the town center with a guitar singing songs about peace and love in English. We talked with him a bit, he's a cool dude and believes a lot of great truths.

We also have been trying to get a hold of another investigator named Hector and he finally answered but we soon find out he's at a church service. And it was pretty loud. And we ended up walking around town talking to people and we happened to run into that same church service (the door was open as we walked by) and see him in the back row haha. It was pretty funny.

If you haven't noticed by now, this week was mostly spent talking to people and trying to set up lessons. We had a couple good lessons this week and we are striving to have more in the coming week. I don't know if those stories were exciting at all but I hope something was enjoyable haha.

I wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures:

Matt 11:28-30
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Life isn't easy. But if we allow Him, Christ can ease our burdens by strengthening us in our difficulties. He knows how we feel because He felt all of your sorrows and afflictions. I know that if we turn to Him in difficult times as well as easier times He will help us and strengthen us to become who we are needed to be. So I invite you to pray to Heavenly Father and ask for help and strength to become who He needs you to be.

Have an awesome week!
Elder Openshaw

1) Jose Mari - an awesome member. He's in cadiz visiting family but I wanted to get a pic in case I left

February 12, 2018 ~ Transfer 13 Week 5

Hi all!

How's everyone doing? This week has been an interesting week. Fairly normal. Failed lessons and rejections but I'll give some highlights of the little things that made a difference in the week:

Monday:

I was doing an intercambio with Elder Packham and we ended the day with some calls. And while making calls someone rang our timbre (doorbell). I thought it was the other elders so I answered it with a slightly angry but playful "Dime!" (Tell me what you want). And it wasn't the other elders. Oops haha. And we just let them in. And then a couple minutes later we get a knock at the door and it's two Catholic Priests! Haha they were in the building to knock doors (they were basically kind of doing home teaching but to everyone haha). And they saw Jesus and thought it was cool that we were believers. It was wierd that we were the ones on the other side of the knocked door this time. It was quite funny.

Also, sidenote but we got to try "cecina" with the other elders - basically it is like jamon Serrano but it's a cow leg or a horse leg, this one was a cow. It was pretty good.

Tuesday:

Elder Packham and I were talking in the street and we found Sonia, a cousin of a member and she is interested about the gospel! She's super cool and it was cool that we got to find her (the elders didn't even know that this member had other family members here that might be interested haha).

Then Elder Packham and I went to a lesson with a less active. I was there, in that same house, teaching him a year ago on an intercambio with the Zone Leaders as a young missionary...it was super wierd being there again but cool to see how much he has progressed. He's an interesting guy haha. And he didn't remember me from our lesson 1 year ago. But this time I was able to understand him 100% haha last time I didn't understand him much (being a very new missionary and not speaking much Spanish.)

Thursday:

This morning we passed by Diana and we read scriptures with her (she actually asked us to read with her). If she wasn't working in the locutorio (internet cafe) everyday and all day she would probably be baptized.

Then we had weekly planning. I had to start the botillo because it takes 2-2.5 hours to cook and I want to make sure it's cooked because I actually have no clue what I'm doing (I just asked a member for advice). And in the end the Botillo turned out well! (Botillo is a cow stomach stuffed with pig ribs and tail; and some of the tail, especially the end, still have whiskers we found out...). It tastes basically like chorizo. And we made a soup with onion and cabbage and potatoes with the water that we cooked it in. The member's advice worked! And it was funny trying to convince my companion that it actually was a really good meal and that he didn't have to be scared. He was a little doubtful because I've never cooked it before and I've only eaten it once. But it all worked out. It was great haha. It was a fun experience.

Today I also realized that we don't really get to see the people who work normal shifts and get home in the evenings, we only see those who have time during the day to meet so Saturday's and Sundays are valuable for that reason, they are different people who we get to talk to.

Friday:

I also got some really pathetic conversations today. I started talking with one guy from Leon who faked an important call to get out of the conversation...if you don't want anything it's better just to say it...

And I got to play the bass today! I saw it and walked into the music store. I don't remember a thing. Like I remember very very little. I couldn't even play a scale or anything cool haha.

So...it was an interesting and long week to say the least. We are trying to find more people to teach (and we do have a couple really good investagators which is great).

I just want to say that I know this church is true. It's the same church that Jesus Christ established when on the earth. We have revelation in today's day through a modern a prophet. And I know we can get answers to prayers. I know Heavenly Father loves us and wants the best for us, His children. I know the Bible is true. I know the Book of Mormon is true. It's not because my parents told me. It's not because I "grew up" in the church. It's because I learned it on my own. I fought for my testimony and the ability to say that I know it's all true. And I've been fighting for a long time. And I've studied the scriptures on my own and I've received answers to my prayers about the Book of Mormon. And I cannot deny what I have felt.

Heavenly Father knew that it would be hard to believe that a young man named Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and that Joseph was called as a prophet. So he gave us the Book of Mormon as evidence. I don't want anyone to take my word for it. I just invite you to read and ask God yourself that it's true. And I know you will get an answer.

Moroni 10:4-5:

"4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

‎

With lots of love,

Elder Openshaw

NEW ADDRESS:

Elder Martin R. Openshaw

Avenida de Tenerife, 11

28703 San Sebastián de los Reyes

Madrid, España

1) botillo pre-cooked

2) opened Botillo

3&4)the castle