As an Ice Cube from the North

Wow, I think I really am beginning to understand what it means when they say that the weeks are like days and the days are like weeks.

It all flew by in a whirlwind of capilla cards, failed lessons, and a lot a lot of "Tengo Prisa's" Haha goodness.

I Love The Mission! I think one of my most favorite things is now contacting. I've never felt something so empowering. It's almost like very aggressive speed dating:) "Hello, excuse me sir!" "What?" "Do you believe in God?"

Ha,ha we don't really have much time before they realize who we are and they run away, ha,ha, so we just get right to the questions of the soul.

Because the fact is all of Burgos, Spain, and most of the world, is honestly trying to avoid these questions: "Why am I here? Where did I come from? Whats going to happen when we die?" Social media, Video games, Shopping, Working, it all at times is just us attempting to hide from the fact that we are all going to die some day.

As missionaries we desperately, almost like Noah, are trying to remind people that the rains will come. Their parents, children, and friends will die. Sickness, hunger, and depression are here.

"C'mon Elder Gardner, why do you have to be such a downer, just tell us a funny story and bear your testimony."

I'm sorry but that's not how it is though. The fact is, one day each of us will cry over the lifeless body, crippled son, or suicidal friend. Accidents, natural disasters, its honestly on the way. And I don't want you, or anyone in the streets of Burgos to feel crushed. To drop into a place so low you can't crawl out.

I met the saddest man in the world. He spoke about the death of his son to come, and he broke into tears. He didn't have the hope that I have, the smile Christ and His atonement give me. "I know it all comes to an end" he said, "I hope I'm wrong, but I know it just comes to an end."

My dear family. We don't need to live this way. We don't. When sadness comes. When trials, death, and our questions rise, I hope all of you can fall back on the testimonies you have built through nights of earnest, sincere prayer, and hopeful diligent scripture study.

I plea with you all. Please don't wait till it starts to rain to build your boat. Don't wait till the groomsman shows up to find your oil. I can promise, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the day will come when you will hit your knees, forgotten, lost, and so so frustrated, and you will wish you had the testimony you could have built today.

I'm sorry I went into doomsday prep mode, but I think it some of the words I'd like to share to the people who just won't stop. Won't stop to think. Won't put down their phones.

But I want to announce that we should be having a baptize this weekend! Ha,ha such a beautiful miracle. Like I said dear Elder Bown and I, under the direction of our amazing President, were sent to open this area. I know that this work is guided by Heavenly Father. We were contacted by L... C... on our number which his member found on a card which he had. He called this number which would not have been in use if Presidente had not sent us here to good ol' Burgos B. We would not have found L... C..., who will be baptized only two week after he called us, unless we were here in the right time sent by Heavenly Father to the right place.

Blessing to see Heavenly Father working through his servants to further his work. I love this mission.

Your Ice Cube from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

-Elder Gardner