Buen Burgos

First and foremost, I need to thank all the wonderful people who have written me, loved me, and supported me. Through letter, email, or prayer, I have felt your love and it has pushed me forward.

Another amazing week goes by in "Buen Burgos" This last week we were just blessed with so many miracles.

As usual, my poor companion has been taking a beating. He went in to the dentist, for his teeth have been hurting for the last few months, and surprise surprise, not one, but two root canals! Yaaaay!!! He has been having nothing but soup for the last little while. He's a real trooper. He's really taking advantage of the cheap medical bills here in Spain:)

In receiving the other half of Burgos, we also received all the less-actives from their area. We were visiting with one family, making snowflakes... yes, who knew that talent would come in handy. We found out that two of the people who lived with them weren't members, and after talking were interested in hearing our message!!!! Yes, what a miracle. Y and M both listened to the message of the restoration and committed to read the Book of Mormon. The best kind of investigators are those that are surrounded by members who love them, and hope to see them progress. I am very excited to see where they go.

The Burgos branch is amazing; they are bustling around in preparation for Christmas and choirs. I've made some great friends. The church is everything for the members here. The chapel is their home, and their fellow members are their friends.

I don't know. I think I saw for a second the beauty of it all this last Sunday. It was the Primary Program, and somewhere between seeing all the little kids singing, some sitting and trying to hide from the gaze of their frustrated parents, some nodding off to sleep in the corner, President Stahl trying to console the squirming younger ones not old enough too sing, the sister who drives hours to assist without her husband, the soon to be missionary leaving without parental support. These people are pilgrims. Warriors. I sat for a moment in the beauty of God's true church. The broken struggling puzzle pieces of a ward made sufficient by the love and hope of an all knowing Creator. I love them. I felt for a moment that Heavenly Father too, was loving me, through the members here in this branch.

I felt this again when I opened a package from home for both birthday and Christmas. Reading through letters, I felt that Heavenly Father really truly does love us.

He sent His son. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, He served. He lifted, and healed the broken. Doing only the will of He who had sent Him. Heavenly Father sends us, His servants, to show of His love. I feel that when I walk in the rain to knock someones door, ride hours by bus, to invite people to church. He cares. He really really cares.

I invite you, the person who's not so convinced, or maybe feel like He's not so worried about you, to stop all that you're doing, everything, and seek someone who needs help. 20 mins or less of complete blatant and selfless service, will leave you feeling closer to Him than before. His yoke is easy His burden light. It is not through waiting to be saved, but though looking to save that we feel of true joy. Please spend Christmas doing that which matters most. I love you all.

Elder Gardner