The Paradox of Man

Hola Everyone!!

Can you believe it's already almost September? I can't believe either that it is already my 3rd week here in Vallecas. People were right about the time going by faster every transfer.  This week I have really been trying to focus on enjoying every moment here on my mission.  Especially now realizing how fast time can go by!  I have really enjoyed being so close to the Madrid temple. (Like literally 10 minutes.) I'm truly so lucky. There are always hard moments, but those are when I learn the most.  And I will also admit that I am grateful for the times that I have felt very lonely or discouraged.  Because those are the times that my prayers have been the most meaningful.  And I have witnessed so many answers to my small prayers.  God truly does love all of his children.

The highlight of this week was our zone conference!!! I always love these zone conferences because not only do we get to see a lot of the other missionaries, get packages, and eat pizza but... The message from the President and his wife is always so uplifting!!! This time the meeting was about the restoration. And how we need to use our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith to teach with power.  This is the first missionary lesson, and it is the most important one. It really isn't just another "reformed" church, but it is the one only "restored" church.  I loved that we focused on this subject because we were having a bit of trouble explaining it to one of our investigations last week.  My testimony of prophets in general really grew this week.  The fact that we have a living prophet today who leads and guides us just shows how much Heavenly Father loves us.

Spiritual thought:

This morning I read a couple of general conference talks and 2 that really stood out to me were "Lord I believe" by Elder Holland & "You matter to him" by Pres. Uchtdorf.  Here are some quotes from "Lord I believe" that I really liked: "..In moments of fear or doubt or troubling times, hold the ground you have already won, even if that ground is limited.."  "The size of your faith or degree of your knowledge is not the issue- it is the integrity you demonstrate toward he faith you do have and the truth you already know." -Elder Holland.  I really like that because sometimes I feel like I have a lot of faith and other times it lingers.  But what's important is that we act upon what we have already felt, and just believe and trust in our Savior at all times and in all places.  The talk by Pres. Uchtdorf explains "There is a paradox of man: compared to God we are nothing; yet we are everything to God."  There is a careful balance we must have in this life: be humble, meek, and submissive like a child, but also remember that "all souls are great in the sight of God."  These talks have really answered some of my prayers, and I hope you guys will get the chance to read more of it. :)

More highlights of the week:

*running out of money earlier in the week for food, but being blessed by people feeding us.

*sunny Sunday afternoon turned into a CRAZY rainstorm.  Last time we are complaining about the heat.  Some trees fell down and we got completely soaked before we could find shelter. Hahaha it was great though.

*Going to Arganda to visit a member (which is a little pueblo outside of Vallecas.) It is such a cute little Spanish pueblo, and they have been preparing for weeks for the upcoming "running of the Bulls" followed with the Bull Fights. It looks like it will be pretty cool. Hopefully we will be there when it happens.  Only for the running, I don't think I could watch a fight. :/

*Everyday I'm amazed that I can help people feel the spirit even when my Spanish grammar is bad.  The Holy Ghost truly has incredible role in this life.

Well that's about it!  I hope everyone has a great week! Love ya'll. 🇪🇸

Hermana Sydney Berry

Estoy muy muy feliz. ☺

Hola my dear ones!!!
I hope everyone had a wonderful week!  My week was so great.  I am so so happy to be here in Barrio 8. I am so so happy to be a missionary... And yeah, basically I am just so happy.  Right now I have the temple as my view as I am writing my email.  It doesn't get better than that!
This week I was reminded of how great it feels at the end of the day when you know you worked your hardest.  Here in Vallecas, there are sooooo many people on the streets which makes it super easy to contact.  Contacting has definitely been one of my weaknesses but I did so much better this week!  I realized that when you find and teach by the spirit, there is really nothing to be afraid of.  Even when there were people being really rude to us,  I could still feel the Savior being proud because we were doing what he wants us to do.  My Spanish and teaching ability has been improving, and all the credit goes to my Heavenly Father.  I'm really excited for the rest of the transfer with Hermana Spencer.  She is such an incredible missionary, and possibly the sweetest person I've ever met.

And for the highlights/funny moments of the week:
Wednesday we got to go see a BYU basketball game with a lot of other missionaries!! Although it ended up being a super long night, it was so much fun.  BYU was playing a small university in Spain. (Oops I forgot what the other school is called).  We got to bring an investigator or recent convert to the game.  It kind of didn't feel aloud to be watching boy basketball players as a missionary (haha).
But it's okay because President was there as well. At the end we went down to talk and get a picture with the team.  Super fun night!  Also I got to see Hermana Rossberg who has been in the Islands these last 4 transfers.  It was so good to see a lot of the other Hermanas I had missed!

We were having a lesson with a guy from Ghana.. And it was just..such a weird lesson.  It was great to meet some of the members/investigators this week. But this guy was pretty peculiar though.  He talked very very quiet and every time we asked a question about the lesson he would just go off about random stuff.  Possibly the funniest part was.. He put his arm on the bench by companion (trust me I did not let him touch my companion).. And then in his awkward mumbling voice and a weird smile he said: "And then Maybe I should marry one of you two.." Bahaha we tried so hard to not giggle
during the lesson.  Oh strange people.

Spiritual thought:
We have a very awesome investigator from Guinea Equatorial and he is 23 years old.  He's very friendly, funny, and faithful.  He's a great guy.  He loves the bible, but he is a little confused with some very important doctrine.  He's great but when we have a lesson with him, I want to hit my head on a wall.  He doesn't believe that we lived as spirits with God before this life or that God, Jesus  Christ, and the Holy Ghost and 3 different personages.  Anyway, after all of the deep doctrine questions he had for us it always came back to the same thing... He needs to read the Book Of Mormon and pray with a SINCERE HEART to know if it is true.  Our message of this gospel is very very simple.  And the way to receive an answer can be simple as well.  But sometime the pride in our hearts can stop us from receiving such truths.  I know that we can ask our Heavenly Father anything and he will make it known unto us through the Holy Ghost.  I know that Jesus Christ died for us, and when we follow him,  we can and will live happier, better lives.  He is the only person that can mold and change our lives into something better.  I have personally seen this incredible change in people that I have had the privilege of meeting here on my mission.

Although there are so many hard moments as a missionary,  if anyone of you reading this is wondering if you should serve a mission, just do it.  You realize what this life really is about.  A special peace comes from knowing who we were before this earth, what we are doing here in the life, and where we will go after.  There were small things I didn't really understand for myself until I had to teach it out loud to someone.

I love you all, thank you for the support, and have a wonderful week.
(Especially to those of you starting school!!)
Scripture assignment: Ether chapter 3. It's a great example about Faith!

Con much Amor,
Hermana Sydney Berry xoxo
😚⚽️🇪🇸🌞

Me voy a Barrio 8!!

Hola mi familia y amigos!!!

Wow what a week!!! Today are transfers and I am in Barrio 8 with Hermana Spencer!! What a dream area. I had actually really wanted to come here.. And plus my new comp is an angel!! I'm so excited for a fresh new start with a brand new area!! Things will be different, hard, new challenges but.... I am super content. I get to go to the church by the temple and MTC.. Ahhh I'm so excited for this transfer. 😊
I loved, loved my time in Alcorcón and boy am I going to miss those people!! It's hard to explain all that I have learned these last 4 transfers and I'm so excited to grow even more! These last two weeks I've been praying that I could see certain people that I hadn't for a while so I could feel satisfied leaving that area.  Well once again I have had my prayers answered.  Within like 3 days I kept running into people that had been in the back of my mind for a while.  It was really cool to see that like always Heavenly Father knows are thoughts, weaknesses and strengths. I was really grateful to see blessings this week right before I left.

Speaking of prayers, yesterday as I was packing up, I panicked because I couldn't remember where my passport was.  I quickly went on my knees and asked for help. Yup, 5 seconds later found it. Last night I couldn't find my metro pass, I prayed, 5 seconds later I found it.  I looked at Hna Whiting and just started crying and said "I JUST LOVE PRAYERS OKAY!?" hahahahaha.

Last night I said goodbye to the branch I've been serving in for the last 6 months.  It was hard but it was cool to realize how much these people loved me and how much I loved them.  I really have learned so much from these members and investigators as well.  I feel so blessed from Heavenly Father! It is so awesome to see even though were hard times, he was able to show me the fruits of my work in Alcorcón.  I love this gospel so much.  I love learning more about it every day.

Sorry this is short.. But I better go start unpacking!! Thanks for all of the support! I will send some pictures from this week. :) The Elders had a baptism with a very special lady.  It was a perfect way
to end my time there!!
Con mucho Amor,
Hermana Berry

España es el lugar donde quiero estar.

Hola everyone!!

     Right now I am sitting in McDonoald's in Madrid, eating a frambuesa macaron, writing my family, and remembering how cool it is to be here.  Not only do I get to learn about the richness of the gospel, but I get to eat gourmet pastries in a European McDonalds.....Oh and look at Sword stores, and walk by 100 of years old buildings, enjoy the culture of Spain, and hang out with Hermanas from around the world.  I AM THE LUCKIEST WOMAN EN EL MUNDO!! 🇪🇸

     We had another great week!! It was definitely a week of learning as well.  This week is most likely my last week here in Alcrocón because four transfers in one area is usually the max.  I have a lot of mixed feelings about it.  I am going to miss the memories and members so much but I'm thinking that it is time for a change for me.  I decided to start collecting all of my "happy thoughts" that we do every night and write them all down in a journal starting with my first transfer here.  This has really helped me to visualize my progression, remember the good times I've had, and all of the things I have learned from different people.  I have been very nervous about where my next adventure/area will be, but I have no choice but to put all of my trust in the Lord that everything will be okay.

     Here are just a few things that I have studied/learned this week:  

*You are never alone.  Jesus Christ has literally felt everything you have gone through.  Things can get hard but that is what this earth life is about.  He knows how we feel and wants to comfort us.  We can feel his love and this peace more when we obey the commandments.  I have increased my knowledge in this through the Book Of Mormon. Oh yeah!! 

*An Apostasy of the gospel of Jesus Christ happened thousands of years ago.  But it has been truly restored to the earth by a prophet named Joseph Smith.  There is only one reason I am in Spain this very moment.  And it is because I know that this is the true and only living church of God.  No matter what happens in our day, it always comes down to one thing.  I love this gospel so much, and I know that is the real restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I would not be in Spain right now if I didn't know that.

*The temple is a wonderful place to be. When we are there doing the work for the Lord, we can seriously receive answers to our prayers. We went to the temple this week and something I read there really helped me.  I am so grateful for the scriptures!!

 Mormon 9:19-21 

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

     Here is a small wrap up of the fun things we did this week!!

*We visited/said goodbye to my favorite old Spanish lady, Felisa.  She is such a doll and loves when we visit her!  She told me that she hopes her grandson finds a girl like us. (What? Aww) she was in tears when we left. She. Is. So. Precious.  

*2 jovens in the rama(branch), are so excited to prepare to serve missions!  Roberto and Rolando.  One is a recent convert and the other one isn't even baptized yet! They're great.

*We had a lesson with an old investigator that we found from the area book who turned out to be pretty golden! He already keeps like 3 of the big commandments..hmm so I like this guy.

*I taught a family how to make crêpes. Mmm.. That was fun.

Keep it real, safe, and awesome.  I love this gospel, missionary work, and Spain!!!!

Love you all and have a a GREAT week!!!!

 

¡Qué cosa más rubia!

   Hola mi querdia familia!!!  Ahhh what a great week we had! Missions are so amazing. Sigh, I just love it.  It started off with a great district meeting we had on Wednesday!  As missionaries we all have weaknesses but there is nothing too weak that the Lord can't strengthen.  He knows that there are moments that seem hard for us, but he is there to help us because we are his servants "gathering his sheep."  Although I have had some really stressful moments here, I have never felt his love more stronger.  

     Earlier this week I studied the talk "The Comforter" given by Pres. Eyring this last general conference.  He talks about how the Holy Ghost is there to feel comfort in hard moments we experience in life.  In that talk he said there are people praying every night for their burdens to be lifted.  We need to reach out to people in times of need because sometimes we are the ones who help comfort them. I had an intercambio with Hermana Sykes in Leganés this week.  We were both able to help each other various struggles we were going through.  I know that when we follow the spirit, we really can help people find the answer to their prayers.  She talked about Ether 12. I love this chapter!! Especially verse 27: "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." It is so true!  What ever weaknesses we have, they can turn into strengths when we look to Christ with faith.  I encourage you all to try this, and be patient in your trials.  He always has something better in store for us.  We just need to trust in his plan.

     SATURDAY WAS ABOUT SERVICE.  Saturday was just great.  We felt like we really worked hard and truly tried to talk to a lot of people!  In the morning we had a street lesson with an old cute Spanish lady who was sitting on a bench.  She told us a really cool story.  But first I need to give a background story.  My first transfer here,  I saw a homeless man with a long beard and very matted hair who slept inside a bank.  We would see him every day on our morning run.  I didn't think much of it, just that his situation was pretty sad. But some days we tried avoiding him because he appeared to be always drunk.  Okay back to the story with the old lady on the bench.  She goes on to tells us a story about a homeless man, who has a beard, very matted hair, and used to sleep in a bank.  One day she sat by him and offered to buy him water.  He said no, that he already had money.  A couple days later she sees him again and tries to offer something again.  He says no.  He looks to her and says "Do you have any grandchildren?"  So she pulls out a picture of her grandchildren.  And do you know what he did next? He pulled out his wallet and handed her €10.  Yes, I started to cry later when I figured out what she said in Spanish.  Oh my gosh what an example of the pure love of Christ!!!

     Sunday.  Oh my goodness, we had thee best testimony meeting in Sacrament.  All of the youth went to EFY in Segovia for a week.  Yesterday, they all shared their testimonies.  It was so fun to hear how their testimonies were so strengthened.  A lot of them are recent converts.  One of the boys named Charly bore his testimony. It was so cute because he is usually super shy.  Also one of them is actually one of our investigators!  He is the 17 year old boy I wrote about a couple weeks ago.  He has been an investigator for over year but has been waiting for his 18th birthday to be baptized so he instead of having to ask permission from his parents.  Well he goes up there and shares his testimony about how he lost his scriptures the last day at EFY and was pretty upset about it. He prayed to find it and then found it!! He said he could feel the spirit there so much.  Yesterday he was fasting to know if he should get baptized sooner!! Oh my gosh we were such happy missionaries yesterday.  He is such an incredible kid.  What teenager who isn't baptized, goes to EFY and prays to find his scriptures!? Exactly.  It was such a cool meeting.  Yes I was crying.  Also, one my favorite members, Eva, bore her testimony!! It was so awesome to hear it.  We are all in different stages with testimonies of Christ, and that's why it's important to share ours with others to help strengthen theirs.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!!!

Love you all and thank you for the support!!!!

Con mucho Amor,

Hermana Sydney Berry.