Happy Birthdays

I saw God at work this week my dear friends and family, and it was truly truly both precious and beautiful.

So, in all honestly, this mission thing is pretty intense, as it was intended to be. Especially here in dear Burgos. We are opening this area like I've said, so that means were kinda rebuilding a teaching pool. That means a lot a lot of street contacting and with various problems with the new online "Area Book" we've kinda been doing so blind. Also, missionaries themselves have been here for a very long long time, but just not anytime recently. This just means that everyone has had enough contact to know to keep walking if we try to stop them Ha,ha... It's been good. What makes it more of a challenge is that 90% of the population here have a signed copy of the Bible, and the other 10% are usually drunk.

We do find people to teach. Someone from the D R is one of our investigators, and his faith is just beautiful. He loved having us over, and would love to grow closer to Heavenly Father in whatever way he can. We in all honesty could have probably committed him to a fecha (baptismal date) if we wanted to on the first visit, but we thought it might be best to do so when he was sober.

I don't know this week has just been crazy my peps.

From intense encounters with "Testigos," to witnessing car robberies, to drunk teenagers demanding our Instagram information, to powerful testimonies, and really frustrating rejections, we've laughed all the way through it. I think through my companion more than anyone else my Heavenly Father has carried me. He truly can make any situation something to walk away from laughing. I am grateful for him, and my Heavenly Father, for this absolutely beautiful week.

Now, for the spiritual portion of my somewhat inappropriate message, goodness haha, I had the opportunity to see God's hand at work. In many ways this mission is both difficult and frustrating. The people just don't want help, and they've got it ingrained in their system that we are of the devil. Instead of the happy picture you imagine of the missionary helping the elderly women with her groceries, you have a cowering little women terrified we're attempting to mug her.

But, listen I am here for a reason, and I saw why. I saw God's love in the 6th floor of a seemingly forgotten pisa, in the middle of a frigid and dark street. I saw God at work while singing to a now 60 year old man, "Cumplianos Feliz" who wouldn't have heard it otherwise. We spent a night with one of God's wonderful children on his birthday who would have otherwise spent it alone. We played a game of Spanish Sorry, and he loved every little second of it. I, for a moment, just saw that I was God's hands. I saw for a moment the love that Heavenly Father has for this man. I know if for nothing else. I am here to sing Happy Birthday for the people of Spain. And if that's all they will let me do, goodness gracious, I will do it with all of my dear sweet soul.

Yes sometimes people don't want to listen, and all they will hear from us is a "Que Venga" so I guess I've come to the conclusion, that I, Elder Gardner, will say all my "Que Venga's" with all the love I can asunder. I know God lives. "We've proved him in days that are past." I invite you, all that even read these little tangents, to look at someone this next coming week, month, whatever, and just give them your heart. Love them and serve them in whatever capacity they will allow before it gets weird... haha I know that as we do so, the Lord has promised through Prophets, that we will enter into his rest. "Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." I love you all.

-Elder Gardner