Battle Hymn of the Republic Mornings

So, every morning here, I wake up about ten minutes before the alarm, in a room full of men, and a bed with the work of the Lord just waiting for me. Ha! I roll out of bed at this time and start praying till about when Battle Hymn of the Republic starts playing over the speakers through the hallways. It keeps going while I shower, and it builds to a point where which is going to blow up first the speakers or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's nice that I wake up because I never have to wait for a shower, and then no one has to put up with my yodeling/whistling in the morning.

The breakfast usually is safe, the cafeteria ladies don't try to get too creative. We then study the good ol' LIbro de Mormon for a hour, and then wait till certain doom comes in the form of a grammar lesson, or we teach a lesson to an investigator about some portion of the Plan of Salvation. Our district has three teachers here. Hermano Martin. Native to Spain, served his mission in Malaga, and he speaks faster and mumbles more that any Spaniard I have ever met. We have Hermana Santanas she's super nice, and is here from the Canary Islands also a speed demon speaker. Hermano Galvez is our night teacher. He is soo sweet. He loves the work, and makes it super fun. He served in London, England.

This week has honestly gone by so so quickly. I would say my highlight for my week came in the form of a another dear sweet park visit. I honestly, against my "bestest" hopes and desires, couldn't help but feel a little scared or more or less dread the amount of no's I knew were going to come. It didn't help my companion didn't speak either language that proved necessary in the park. Elder Makarov, from Belarus. A 24 year old Russian speaker, in the park with me. If nothing else the park was just a great trial for me. It forced me to open my mouth, not for anyone else, but for the Lord. It was very cool to say a prayer in Spanish, and for him to say one in Russian. We were able to find someone who would eventually listen. A definite blessing.

That is one thing I fear I've failed to mention. Walking through the CCM here (the best way to describe it) is like Star Trek, with so many different accents and languages. Each sign has the words in 6 different languages. We ALL know the Scotland national anthem by heart now. We have a sister who just came in from Albania. Brother from New Zealand. We have people from Italy, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian, Serbia, Peru, Portugal, France, and of Course UTAH woooot, wooot, woot. Hahah my favorite thing is singing "Called to Serve" in Russian. Little did I know, but my cross country language practice helps immensely in pronunciation. Ha,ha I really actually love the Russians here. They are some of the easiest to get along with here. All the teachers from there are very, very funny, and very hard workers. Which I honestly found to be really cool. We have more in common then I had thought.

For Preparation day, today, we went to Museum National del Prado. I only mention this, because it's supposed to one of the best in the world. I don't know art all that well, but I did enjoy watching all the elders run around trying to avoid the nude portions of the museum.:) ha,ha My favorite had to have come in the form of the many portraits of Jesus Christ, He truly suffered and died for us. He knew what his life here would mean. I am thankful I get to send this message to the world.

I again, through my reading of the Book of Mormon am rediscovering the beauty of this book. I invite you to read it every day. Every day. I can promise you if you are adamant with this, your testimony will remain, and you will be guaranteed strength. Pray to know it's truths. I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Yes, sometimes its not that tear-provoking "Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning with the desire to push a handcart of some kind, but maybe just maybe, It will be enough to get you through the night, through the week. PROVERBS 3: 5-6 ALMA 32: 21

I love you, my sweet family and friends. Keep smiling and keep praying. Os amo.

Elder Gardner