It's Good to be Able to Feel the Freezing Wind

Dear people who haven't forgotten about me yet,

Ha ha well, life here in Burgos is beginning to get too comfortable; we wake up almost every morning early to play basketball with a member here in Burgos, well the other Elders play, while I use my just awful ability to "get buckets" as an excuse to run. I run the inside of the little block of pisos surrounding us, circles around the basketball court. I think its just over a 400m lap, or at least I hope so, otherwise I am a lot fatter than I thought I was:) It's freezing in the mornings and nights, its not really just the cold though, the wind is just brutal. But as Elder Bown says, "hmm I'm sure the pioneers would have loved to be able to feel wind, but they were too busy burying their own families." Yeah he has a great way at making you feel just awful for ever complaining about anything ever. Ha,ha, it is a good healthy perspective.

Just a quick by the way, I have begun online proselyting, and when I friend my investigators on Facebook it would be nice to look like I have more than 20 friends.. Ha,ha, so yes please search me up: Joshua Gardner, (I am using my missionary account) and feel free to like and comment just know that I cannot respond. You can always send me an email here and I can respond to those:)

Last night housed one of the most strange events I've ever participated in. We were invited by an investigator to attend his Evangelical Philadelphia Church. Hahaha oh my goodness. We could hear the music before we saw the building:) We entered and all the lights were turned down low save a low spotlight on the "preacher." And on either side of him were the most massive speakers you ever did see blasting, BLASTING, music. Not just gospel, but drums, guitar, bass, piano, and a women singing louder than I've ever heard any human sing in my life. Screaming. There was no way. No way. That any kind of still small voice could have been heard in that room. Haha, we watched as they participated in the Sacrament with electric guitar accompaniment, as the Preacher would periodically throw his hands into the air "SI SENOR!" ​ We even used our bus funds to pay tithing to their church, which might be completely against mission rules, but seeing as we sat on the front row, we didn't have any other money and all eyes were on us the only to rubios in the room. Haha what an experience; I know while it may have been emotionally rousing to have all that yelling, and singing, I know that within those walls, during any of those meetings, never will the quiet prayer and silent commitment to try again tomorrow take place. Never will the tender burning within the heart and love for the Savior come from chanting that I witnessed.

I can testify that I witnessed many many people trying. I saw people with desires to follow God, and live his teachings, but in many many ways I wished to give them the real feelings of the spirit. The comfort that I has given me. I know that is what they truly were searching for. I love you all so so much. Keep on reading and praying, please.

Elder Gardner