Buenos Dias

Buenos Dias My dear friends and family:)

There is so so much to say is so little time.

I want to first say I that I love you all, and this gospel comes as the most wonderful gift and chance we have from our Heavenly Father for a wonderful life here, and in the one to come.

Goodness, my flight over here was one of the longest things in the world. I sat next to this couple and I can't tell you how scary that was. I was worried that the language they were speaking was the Spanish I was supposed to understand for 2 years. Turns out they were a very nice polish couple speaking polish not Spanish. PHEW.

My companion is Elder Peterson. He is from San Diego California, and the coolest Elder you'd ever know. He spent one year of college as an Aggie before he headed out. He's super mature, and controlled in big contrast to my nervous and "happy" energy. I love him, and his patience with me.

My language is coming along fine, in fact i feel safe in saying its some of the best here, but I've really been having a hard time with making it grow. It's improving, don't get me wrong, but sometimes I've been having a difficult time reaching my language goals with our "limited" time. HAH Words cannot express the amount of class time we have here. Ohhh my goodness. Imagine late night calculus homework, then have that go throughout the entire day, and then have your instructor speak only in Spanish.

My district has been my saving grace here. Honest there have been already countless days where I've felt of Heavenly Fathers love through these wonderful Elders. We're a small district of only 6 Elders. We eat together, we sleep together, and we learn together. No sisters, hahaha (President Packer has placed the healthy Fear Of God within me regarding the sisters. I think I've made eye contact less than five times, and spoke even less.) The Elder who shares the bunk bed combo with me, is Elder ORD. He's 6'3 240lbs, loves lifting weights, and he went on to win the state title in California with his football team. He's an absolute monster, and he has top bunk. That means whenever he rolls in his sleep, I wake up with the fear he might fall through our creaky little bed set up. More than that though, he has a love for this work, and is motivated to do so. Elder Keir and Elder Benedict are companions and also my mission neighbors. I have already grown to love them so much. Elder Benedict has the most amazing testimony, and in his own words "after doing wrestling just nothing is really that hard." Unknowingly I watched this Elder's state championship match as He wrestled uncontested through the tournament. He has pulled me aside and given me inspiration to push forward in moments of serious stress and fear during this last week. Elder Keir, ha,ha well, he has more pride in his country than I had in THS. And his Scottish accent is almost as good as his work effort and diligence in the difficulties he's had with the language. He is a champ, and his chastisement for our lack of Scottish history has been hilarious. He also sleep talks, and you think sleep talking is funny, try "sleep taulkin' ":) ha,ha. Elder Burr, also in our district, is a little piece of home. I had the chance to actually have calculus class with him, and the fact that we're both here of all places and people astound us every day.

This week has forced me to grow up spiritually so quickly. The first Saturday we were here (4th day in Spain) we took al Parque to make some street contacts:))) ha,ha, oh my goodness, they arranged us in new companionships for this according to Spanish ability. This meant that I got the wonderful opportunity to attempt proselyting with a Portuguese speaking Elder. He spoke not a lick of English, and not any Spanish either, yet his honest and sincere enthusiasm inspired me. It really really surprised me how quickly the people here blew us off. Just because we carried a badge on our chest, our unique experiences and persona meant nothing. No one wanted to listen. I felt this attitude came partly consequence to the constant flood of missionaries they receive weekly. But nonetheless I found myself sitting in front of a devout catholic, and homeless man argue about the bible. HA I really felt the spirit, and I believe he did too, as we spoke about the Book of Mormon, and the invitation we extended to him to read it. He accepted it, as well would have given us his address information if he had a house. I really felt a love for this man, and the situation he was in. And the gift of tongues is real, because his accent was the craziest thing ever.

I really miss home; I really miss my friends, and my family. But one of the things I really have found myself struggling with more than I thought I would is the lack of my beautiful mountains. Everything here is so so old, and people have been here so long that everything has been constructed and reconstructed, then finally covered in graffiti. All the buildings here are the same brick red and the only people who wave back are Chileans excited to try their English "howw er yuu?" ( I love South America) Everyday I pray for a love for the people here, and I know it is coming as I center my life around them.

Everyone of these days is the longest day ever. I don't think it could get much longer, then OH! tomorrow happens. Its a good feeling to completely dedicate myself to the Lord, but even He didn't intend for this to be easy.

As Holland said, "Salvation is not a cheap expense.." And I am working for a lot of salvation. I'm trying to save the people of Spain, myself, and I really am trying to work to become the father I need to be to save my children. That expense will take all I can offer, and that's what I'm willing to give.

Even though I am emailing home today, I still feel really really far away. Which I guess makes sense. But the one constant among all this change has been the Spirit and the feelings I get when bearing testimony of the gospel. Prayer, Reading the Book of Mormon, learning, regardless the language or country it is the same teacher. The Holy Ghost. I love this gospel and the growth it demands, I am attempting to rise to its challenge. I love you all so much.

. Keep working so so hard to my XC team

. Happy Birthday JOE, I love you and miss you everyday.

Elder Gardner