D+C 107:33

This week we spent 3 days in Madrid for zone conference and a devotional with Elder Christofferson. Before we left though, here's some stuff we managed to get done:


We had a lesson to finish prepping Ashley for her baptism, which went really well. It's hard for a kid to keep all the little details of the gospel straight but she has a firm testimony and two awesome parents who've been teaching her since she was little. She was baptized on Saturday while we were in Madrid but we got to see the confirmation on Sunday. We have a follow-up lesson this Tuesday and I'm excited to share this scripture from Joseph Smith- History, where Joseph reflects on one of the blessings after his baptism:


"Our minds being now enlightened, we began to have the scriptures laid open to our understandings, and the true meaning and intention of their more mysterious passages revealed unto us in a manner which we never could attain to previously, nor ever before had thought of." (JS-H 1:74)


We too often think of baptism as an endpoint but it's actually just a step up, and there's a lot of learning and growing required of us.


We met Carmen last week trying to verify the address of a totally different member... but she recognized our tags and told us she was baptized in Peru at 14 and has been out of touch with the church since. We had a follow-up visit this week and met her kids, 23yo John Franco and 10yo Thiago. She also told us that when we knocked on her door she recognized Elder Madsen from a dream she had a while ago... needless to say we're excited to help them all gain a better understanding of the gospel and put it into practice!


Then we went to Madrid for meetings and everything... got to see everyone from this mission and some elders I know in the other two (shoutout Elders Teeter and Ford). 


Zone conference was fire, we had some cool trainings on missionary skills like always. President Eastland dropped an awesome presentation on the power and purposes of prayer.


Then on Saturday we went to Madrid's "Temple Square" in Pavones, took a mission pic, and met Elder Christofferson. We all got to shake hands with him and he gave a talk on how the work of the Apostles is to testify of Christ, and the calling of many other authorities of the Church is to assist the Twelve in that work, including the Seventies and especially full-time missionaries. When we believe in Christ and His restored Church, and testify of Him, we are all companions of the Twelve. And hearing the simple testimony of an Apostle of the Lord that Jesus Christ lives was a great experience.


With how long we spent in Madrid, we had time to set up a busy week, so wish us luck!


Stay true to the faith!
-Elder Curtis


Pics


2 canceled video calls
ToMate
Finding Christ in all things
Abandoned PC in the bushes
Santander missionaries and members- past and present 
Alcorcón missionaries and members- past and present 
Families can be together forever! Left to right, Elders Simmons (grandson), Romrell (son), Curtis (grand and mighty patriarch), Madsen (son)
Ramen
Some missionary humor to brighten your day











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