Cuenca, lloa lloa, and Hitchcock!!

Hi everyone!!

We already have transfers again!! I feel like a broken record, didn't this just barely happen? Anyway, Hermana McEntire and I are very happy to be able to stay together once more! This week was super busy. Almost everyday I couldn't remember what we did the day before.  In other words, the work here is keeping us on our toes which is good.

To start off I will tell a funny story.  A funny, but TRUE story. Ready? Okay, so on Thursday we invite one of our investigators to a family home evening in a members house.  As we are waiting outside of the metro with him then the Elders arrive and come say hi to us.  One of the Elders says hi to him but calls him a different name and asks if he remembers meeting with them a couple of months ago. Our investigator looks very confused and tells him that he is very mistaken for someone else.  Anyway me and my comp are a little confused but we just start heading for the members house while the Elders waited for someone else at the metro.  So we get to the piso and start walking up the stairs (there are 4 flights) and when we're on the second flight, our investigator who always likes to make really weird jokes says, "I'm too lazy, I'm just going to wait right here." We thought he was just being weird so we kept walking up and then he never came up.  So we went down the stairs and he had DISAPPEARED!!! We looked everywhere but then I knew we were in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. 😳 The Elders were at the top of the piso now and yelled out the window for us to come up and they would explain what had happened. We compared phone numbers of our investigator with a number of angry person and it was the same person!! But it had notes saying that this guy would do this and to not waste your time with him!!  They were so mad that he would trick us. Anyway, although weird things happened this week it will not stop the work of the Lord!! Haha hope you were
able to imagine how weird this situation would be.

But don't worry, good things happened too!! We went to a little Spanish pueblo named Cuenca, and us and some other missionaries went and did a BLITZ there to help out with the missionary work.  It's basically just contacting for 4 hours straight in someone else's area. But guess what, at first I wasn't looking forward to it but at the end I had a lot of fun!! It's funny because you'd say what's so fun about being rejected by people in the street for 4 hours in a very Spanish pueblo? Well I'm just grateful that I got to go do it because it actually reminded me of the joy that comes from working diligently. Which is nice especially because I am approaching the end of my mission.  After we helped work in that area, we and some other Hermanas went to do a little hike to check out the old part of Cuenca which is so beautiful!!! I will show some pictures.

This week intercambio I got to do it with the wonderful Hermana Curtis!! This is her first transfer and she is just wonderful!! I loved being with her for the day because she taught me a lot.  It was fun because later we found some connections we had in our family. Anyway, at the end of this transfer I realized how very very special it has been to be a STL and help with These growing sisters who are a little newer in the mission.  It's cool because I have been able to recognize a lot of me in them. and it's been fun to kind of advise them and remind them about the little important things in the mission.

I love this gospel so much because it is just full of so many opportunities.  If I could think of one word when I think of God's love, it would be Opportunity.  If we let him he will help us grow and do things that we never thought we could.  I'm so grateful for everything I have learned so far in my mission and I'm very excited to continue he to work hard as a servant of the Lord these last 6 weeks. Thank you all for all of the support!

Thought/General Conference talk of the week: "He asks us to be his hands." I've been thinking a lot about love and service.  Go out and serve someone!

Love,
Hermana Berry

Sorry for the photo overload but here's a bit of my week!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       

El Verano del Diablo

Hola everyone!!

So I think the heat from last summer in Madrid traumatized me so much that this week I've been really nervous with the sudden weather change.  But it's all good, because we finally bought our sandals and we are drinking our ocho vasos al día de agua!! The summer in Madrid truly is from the devil.  You walk outside and think that it snowed but then realize it's just deadly pollen that gives you sneeze attacks.  But rain, heat or pollen, we are working hard!! We have been seeing awesome things this transfer!!

But then again I almost don't remember anything from this week. Haha I know it was great.. But what did we do??  I mean I guess this is a good sign because we have stayed so busy!! We had another intercambio,with the Hermanas from Barrio 6! Hermana Hill and are awesome missionaries and it was so great to work with them for a little bit. On Wednesday we met with one of our new investigators who is Spanish. She is a very sweet lady but typically Spaniards love to talk.  So after looking at her 7 photo albums of what it was like in Madrid in the 90's, we almost got through the first lesson!! Haha we will see how she is doing this next week. Lately we've been doing lots of pass by's for address that we have but sometimes it seems like a waste of time because people are never home. But the other day was cool because as we were walking away from a piso that nobody was home. A man from Peru stopped us and told us that he is a member but inactive and has been wanting to go back to church for a long time now.  He didn't know where the church was so he was so happy that he ran into missionaries.  I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father putting people in our path!!

This morning I read in 3 Nephi about when there were days of darkness, storms, and destruction in the Americas after Jesus is crucified inJerusalem.  And then later he comes and visits them as a resurrected being.  I related this part to the BOM to repentance.  Sometimes when we repent, we may feel we are in a couple of days of darkness and destruction, but at the end Jesus Christ is there for us with open loving arms to help us back up.  Last week Elder Bednar talked a lot about putting off the natural man.  This week I have been pondering a lot about this!! I'm so grateful for the strengthening power of the atonement that I can apply every day in my life!!

Sorry this is so short!! But I hope everyone has a great week!!

Love,
Hermana Berry

Here is picture I have is of a weird dessert I made. And by the plaza de Toros.

 
 
 
    

Spiritual exhaustion is real.

Hola everyone!!

I had so much to say but then coming back from Toledo I just had an extreme sneeze attack and now my mind is stuffy.  So let's see what I can remember from this crazy week!!!
 First off, I don't think a normal missionary week exists here in Barrio 2, haha.  So like I said last Monday we had intercambios with the Hermanas from Barrio 4.  And then a couple of days later we had the Hermanas from Vigo stay with us so we had to do splits for a couple of days.  Let's just say it's been a good opportunity to learn my area faster. Eeek. But it's always so fun to get to know new sisters! They're all so great. :)

Second of all, the blessings keep coming.  There's a quote from Elder Holland that I really like that says: "Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come."

And it's true! And I think as I am coming to the end of my mission, I'm starting to realize them more.  One of them being getting to hear Elder Bednar speak the last 2 days!! What a great and spiritual week we have had!! So on Saturday Elder Bednar came to talk to all of the missionaries in Madrid (and the ones from the North came down), and it was an awesome experience.  I love the way he teaches because instead of just giving us a bunch of long talks, he has a huge discussion with us, answering our questions, and allowing the spirit to really be there.  I think I was more afraid to ask a question in front of a huge group than to an apostle haha so I didn't.  But my companion did so that was cool. All of his answers were so great and wow his testimony of Jesus Christ is really something special.  Every time he ever talks to a big group of people he always encourages them to not take notes of what the speaker says, but of "what is not said." He said only write down what the spirit is telling you. He talked a lot about the power and influence that comes from the Holy Ghost.

So that was on Saturday, and then on Sunday there was a devotional for the youth that we got to go to if we brought an investigator.  Two days in a row of listening to an apostle is so great.  Well this time was different because there had to be someone to translate into Spanish.  There were a lot of great questions asked and a lot of great answers given. Also his wife and Elder and Sister Kearon spoke as well. I guess if I could say what I got the most out of it is Faith and the Holy Ghost.  He gave the example from the Bible of when the Israelites stepped into the water before it was parted, and then they saw the miracle.  So walk into the water, and then God will show you the miracle.

On Sunday when we went to Pavones to hear the second devotional, it was kind of a realization why I am so very fortunate to have only served in areas in Madrid.  I must admit there were moments I felt kind of sad that I never got to go to the Islands or the North but on Sunday it changed my mind.  Well first of all there's nothing better than big gatherings to hear a very important speaker, because I always feel the spirit so much more.  And then it's even cooler when I get to see all of mis amigos from my past 3 areas!! I walked up the stairs by the temple then a member from Alcorcón ran and hugged me. My companion was like how do you know everyone? And I said haha don't worry it's just her! Then like 5 seconds later I saw soooo many more members that I love from all 3 of my areas!! Anyway... I imagine that's what the celestial kingdom is like a little bit.  Being able to forget about all of the hard times you ever had because it was all worth it for all of the special relationships you've made with incredible people. So that was kind of tender, then we ended the night with an apostle of Jesus Christ.  And then nights like those I just lay in bed wondering why on earth I'm so lucky to be having these blessings in my life.  This church has never been so real.  And that's when the power of the Holy Ghost comes in the picture.  Something very interesting that Elder Bednar said is that we didn't need an apostle to tell us all of these things.  Because we are learning it from the Holy Ghost.

Sorry for the long email.  I love being her in Barrio 2 with Hermana McEntire but the time is flying by way too fast.  I'm also very grateful for the new investigators that the Lord is blessing us with. Trust in God and act on your faith, and you will see that he and his son are always there for you.

Con Amor,

Hermana Berry 🇪🇸

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Wacky Wednesday

Hola everyone!

So today is my Pday which means that we got to the temple this morning.  Blessings always here in Madrid!! Speaking of which.. I forgot to mention last week that this Saturday Elder Bednar is coming to Madrid to speak to the missionaries!! He was originally going to only speak to the MTC missionaries, but were luckily enough to hear him as well.  The missionaries from the North get to come down too. But the missionaries in the islands get a special treat because after Elder Bednar speaks with us he's going to have a separate meeting with them.  We are highly anticipating this very special meeting with an a apostle of Jesus Christ!

Well because my Pday is today I will try my very best to remember what happened last week! Well it's true that being a STL suddenly you don't have a normal routine schedule. But it's all good because I'm having super fun and having tons of spiritual learning experiences!

Let's start with Conceilio.  Last Tuesday I got to attend my first Leadership council at the President's house.  And oh what a treat it was to be spiritually edified, learn how to be a better leader, and be surrounded by so many incredible sisters and Elders! I had a lot of fun.  And I truly am grateful that the Lord trusts me with this calling.  The only things I was nervous about being an STL with the intercambios (sorry for the Spanglish- "exchanges") and speaking at the zone meeting.  But they both turned out awesome and I learned a lot!! The intercambio I had on Monday was soooo good.  Two lessons failed us but that enabled to have us see two unplanned miracles.  I got to be with Hermana Barcenas who's from Texas/Mexico, and she's absolutely incredible! She's a convert of only a couple of years but her testimony blows me away.  I haven't felt the spirit like that for a while.  She reminded me how special and REAL the atonement or Jesus Christ is.  I'm so grateful for the love that he has  for all of us!!

Yes there are days that are a little hard because approaching near your mission can be TOUGH.  But I have been praying so much and Heavenly Father is helping me so much.  These last few weeks I have seen so many miracles and so many blessings.  This last week we started teaching several new investigators that we are so excited about!!

Heavenly Father is real and he loves us so much.  Pray to him and you will feel a peace that will be more familiar than you would think.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary and serve the Lord in Spain.  As I skyped my Family for Mother's Day, it reminded me how grateful I am to be taught by such loving parents.

Spain might hang dried pig legs in bars to eat and may kill bulls for entertainment everyday in the month of May, but Madrid will always have apart of my heart. ❤️

Con Amor,
Hermana Berry 🇪🇸🍓

 
 
 
 
 
 
     

~Bucket of Blessings in Barrio 2~

Hola Y'all (I sound like my little brother)

This week was soooo good!!! I can't even remember exactly what we did but just that I felt content this week with my new comp and new area. Hermana McEntire is super funny and an incredible example!! We've stayed busy this week working a lot so that makes me very happy of course! I read an article the other day in my studies that really impacted me.  It was an article from a returned sister missionary that shared how she was able to recognize success towards the end of her mission.  (Which was exactly what I needed to read.). Anyway, it said that "Gratitude counteracts jealousy."  Gratitude for the blessings that God has already given you (as missionaries) will help you see the
success that you have already have.  And instead being jealous when other missionaries have more success, gratitude allow you to follow their examples.  Anyway I really liked that and this week as I have been focusing on counting my many blessings, I have been able to see what I have already done throughout my mission, and be so happy where I am right now.  The area reminds me a lot like  Alcorcón so that's a perk. 😊

Quick update in Barrio 5: well I'm not sure because I'm not there anymore!! But it looks like Hermana Modugno and her new companion are doing great.  Today for p-day we went to a ward activity in a big park.  And as we were on a mini train Hermana Modugno was walking by so that was super funny.  Anyway... The other day we actually kind of had a cool little miracle.  We were walking in the street on our way to another appointment and this Columbian guy stopped us in the street and yelled "hey you guys need to pray for me!!" We got talking and he had already knew sister missionaries before and wants to meet again. We had a little lesson with him on a bench and it seemed like we were an answer to he prayers.  Hopefully we will see him again soon!  Funny moment:  We were contacting a lady in the street and this guy walks over to us and hands a kiwi and says "Chicas, que frescais!"  And then he left.  It was so weird. Haha.

Anyway the coolest thing we did this week I would say would be on Saturday be cause we got to go to a sealing in the temple!! There's a young boy convert who the Hermanas visit so we got permission from President to attend their family sealing.  It was so precious!! We were in there and when the two boys came in, (the convert is 15 and and the other is only 3.) I felt the spirit so strong as they ran to their parents.  It made me so so grateful that we have the restored priesthood keys here on the earth to enable us to be sealed to our families for the eternities!! Wow what blessings we have.

Well tomorrow is my first leadership counsel at the Presidents house and I'm super excited.  I'm very grateful for this opportunity that I have been given to help and serve the sisters here in my zone.  I'm
excited to keep working these last few months of my mission.  The church is true and I love it so!!! And Madrid has my heart. 😘

Hermana Sydney Berry