BURRRRGOS

Well my wonderful family and friends the time has come. I have entered the Campo (field):)

We left on a speed train from Madrid, and arrived in Barcelona to meet President and his wonderful wife. They welcomed us with both great food and a very long, very necessary orientation. To sum up the orientation in a few words? Buckle up.

I then spent the night with a temporary companion, Elder Duersch. He quickly proceeded to blow my dear sweet mind in regards to the idea of missionary work. Never will it be the same for me. When we began proselyting, we spoke to everyone. EVERYONE. Every person who crossed our path we invited them to come unto Christ, to find time in their life for us to visit and to grow their faith. I am so happy to say that I am part of a mission that nurtures a culture of blatant, hard, none-stop, work. I'm so lucky to be an El Faro Missionary.

The following morning we received area assignments and companions. After a very nerve racking wait, I received my assignment to Burgos, Spain! My companion Elder Bown. We traveled to our new home rooming and working with another companionship: Elder Salazar, and Elder Richardson.

That morning, after riding through every metro Barcelona had to offer with our little parade of suitcases, I realized that I didn't have my wallet. Now I know that every one of my family members thinks that I just dropped that bad boy, but I'm telling you that the odds are significantly higher that someone just snatched it off me. There isn't a pick pocket in the world who wouldn't lick his lips at the sight of my innocent, whistling, suit-wearing self.

We are opening this area. So that meant that upon arriving at our apartment, it was a bit like opening an ancient missionary tomb:) there was rotting food, a half finished paint project, ancient mission area book records, and a lot a lot of cleaning to do:)

Burgos, a drastic difference than the desert of Madrid, and nothing like the Beaches of Barcelona. It's cold. And only getting colder. I'm going to be repping the sweater for the rest of my time here:) The city of Burgos basically has your European starter pack. A looming hogwarts-ish cathedral with Roman Catholics to match it. Old men playing various guitars/accordions, white stone bridges, fountains with baby heads on every square inch, and countless, all too accurate, partially clothed statues:) I actually have acquired a fear of all statues. You never know here if at some point they are going to break character and ask for money. Good ol' street performers.

My companion is one of the funniest men I've ever met. I cannot believe it. Ha, ha He has this mature, suave, snappy humor that works wonders while we are street contacting. One of the best ways to describe it, "Hello, excuse me ma'am, we're missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, have you seen or met with us before?" "Oh, no I'm atheist.." "And I'm Elder Bown, wonderful!" ha,ha His work ethic and fantastic attitude lengthen my stride. He played football before the mission, can spit some amazing Spanish rap, and cooks!!!

The other two I share the pisa with are Elder Salazar and Elder Richardson.

Elder Salazar is native from Malaga Spain, and he speaks no English. Ha,ha it's been great to learn quickly. He is so loving and gives hugs. That's one thing I've had to adjust to, every man in Spain hugs. Even the the Machos. It's just one of those culture things.

Elder Richardson is striving to quickly learn Spanish:) he was on BYU's drum line before he came. His beat boxing ability is almost as good as his attitude. It has been wonderful. While we don't play any face melting base drop material, Elder Richardson has played an amazing substitute for my dear love for dubstep.

Oh, goodness my people, this mission stuff is so so incredibly difficult, but miracles are so so real. In the process of receiving countless "no, no, no, Tengo Prisa!"s we found someone who really had been prepared. Truly, Heavenly Father was answering both of our prayers. We had the chance to meet with him and teach him in blessed English! ha,ha, whats more, his faith, meekness, and lowliness of heart inspire me.

Not going to lie, I have been kneeling on my knees in prayer for longer and longer this last week, and I've truly felt that prayer continue with me throughout the day within my heart. Crying, just crying unto my Lord. I have grown a deeper dependence on him then ever before. I truly feel the words "I need thee every hour" pass through my mind every second of the day.

Suggestions to home? Get on your knees! Read the word of God! Find the promises that are there in the Book of Mormon. Don't forget where all your strength came from. I fear, I, before the mission, and still sometimes today, say to myself: "Tengo Prisa." (*"I'm busy" for those of you without a spanish dictionary on hand.) You're too busy to remember the Savior? To busy for God? Too busy to remember the blessings you've been given, because you're about greedily seeking more? While these may not be the direct translations of our heart, it's what it truly means when we set Heavenly Father as second place in our lives. Are we honestly taking time in the mornings to thank Heavenly Father for what we've been blessed with. Taking time to build this eternal relationship? Building our lives around him, and reminding ourselves that all that we do should be done with His will in mind. Working constantly to align our will with His. That's what we're doing here. That's what this life is about. The message I'm trying to share, and the very thing I'm attempting to do out here. I love you all. So much love.

Elder Gardner