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


 
 
 
   

Madrid 4 Life

Hello mis queridos!!!

What a craaaaazy week we had!! There were plenty of ups and downs in
the beginning of the week but we ended this transfer with a bang! A
Baptism and great lessons with great investigators!! Well we got
transfers and I'm going to Barrio 2!! And... I'm one of the new sister
training leaders!! I'm slightly freaking out but I know that this is
an incredible opportunity the lord is giving me to be able to end my
mission strong. (I hit 15 months this week, CRAZY!) So I was more than
sure that I was going to leave Madrid and serve in either the Islands
or North.  So when I find out that I would probably end my mission
still in Madrid, there was a little disappointment. (Only a little.)
Because something I have been learning here in my mission is that
there are amazing blessings when we align our will with Heavenly
Father's.  I'm ready to work hard and I'm excited what he has in store
for me in Barrio 2.

But on the other hand it was reallllly hard to leave Barrio 5. I'm
going to miss Hermana Modugno so much but I know she is going to do so
great with her new compy in Barrio 5.  I remember when I didn't want
to train or go to Barrio 5.  But yesterday, my last Sunday in the
ward, I was looking around and thinking about how much I'm going to
miss these incredible members. They showed me so much love and
friendship and I'm going to miss them so much.  But I am so excited
that I got this opportunity to serve with them there and to have had
so many incredible experiences there.  I definitely learned a lot of
things these last 5 months. (Wow the times goes by fast, it was just
barely Christmas!)

On Saturday we had several different activities going on in the
church.  There was a big activity for the YSA youth that did a
presentation of different countries.  So we got to see some cool
dances from like Peru, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Columbia, and
Bolivia.  And then we tried some different typical food from their
countries.  So that was super fun to see.  And then after that we had
a missionary activity where we went into different rooms that
represented the plan of salvation. It ended up super awesome!

These last few weeks I have been praying that we would have a miracle
so I could see a baptism in Barrio 5 before I left.  And guess what!!!
 We had the wonderful opportunity to see Oscar get baptized.  It was
so incredible because for almost 5 months we've been working so hard
to have him be able to be baptized. And then he finally did this week,
so we were super happy to be able to have a baptism before we
separated.  ¡MILAGROS!

Okay update on Giannina.  She's just great.  And the last lesson we
had with her yesterday made me really sad to have to leave her!! She's
progressing very well and is just incredible person.  She came to
church on Sunday for the second time and loved it.  She already quit
coffee, tea, and alcohol and is working in quitting smoking, because
she really wants to follow the commandments. Well on Sunday we were
sitting in gospel principles class and she leans over to me and
whispers something.  "Hermana.. I have something to tell you.. But I
don't know how.." So I was like you can tell me.. And she says.. "I
want to be baptized.  I feel so much peace when I'm here and learning
more things.. I think this is what I need to do." I was like yes!!!
That is so great!! So then later yesterday we met with her to set a
date but the date we said she asked if we could do it a week earlier.
Well Of course we can!! She's reading the Book of Mormon and praying
with her son together. They're such a precious family!! Oh the spirit
was so strong and I'm so excited for her!! I learn so much when I
teach humble people.  She already understands very well that thanks to
the atonement of Christ she is able to start over with her life.  I
hope I get to see her baptism now that I'm still pretty close to
barrio 5.

Well that's about it!! Endings and beginnings como siempre.  I'm
beyond grateful for the things I did and people I met in Barrio 5. And
I'm so excited to work hard in Barrio 2.

The gospel is real.  Read about it and pray about it and you will feel
the spirit.
Love you all!!!!!

Hermana Berry 😘🍓🇪🇸
P.s. My new comp named Hermana McEntire. She's from Colorado and super sweet. 😊

  



 

 



  

La vida de Barrio 5

Hola! 🇪🇸
We're already in the last week of his transfers!! Craziness here, but it is all good! Let me see if I can remember what we did this week...

We met with Giannina and taught the word of wisdom with Cynthia's help.  I think it went pretty well.  We gave her the 15 step quit smoking program that the church has and she is very willing to quit.  We are very happy that she is progressing well!
On Saturday we met with a new family from Venezuela.  They were contacted by missionaries in Retiro Park and they are super sweet!! We taught them the restaurant lesson and it was really awesome.  Oscar finally came to church!!  Even though he worked graveyard, he was able to come for only hour.  But we're so happy that he is taking big leaps of faith! So this means that he can get baptized! ️

We had a cool experience that happened to us on Saturday.  Right before our Noche de Hogar at the church we had some extra time so we decided to pass for a direction that we had for a lady who is less active.  This whole week we wanted to get in contact with her but didn't have time. And we never ever have success when we pass by for people's pisos so it didn't really matter that we only had about a half an hour. So anyway, we get to her piso, ring it and she tells us to come up!! I was like what!! This has never happened in my mission so far. (Yeah I know kinda sad, haha.). We tell each other we will just share something in like 10 minutes in then leave.  Well almost 2 hours later we left.  So "E" let us in and she is the cutest, sweet Española I've ever met. Like why does someone open the door, and without knowing us, says come in, do you want leche and galletas?? So we visited with her and she told us her story, and what happened after her conversion story. It's a bit sad, whoa she has gone through a lot!! But it was kind of a little miracle that we showed up in perfect timing because she really needed some people to talk through some things.  She has a very fuerte testimony of the gospel even though bad things have happened to her in the past.  It was funny because when we came up to the door she was throwing away ensign magazines, and so when we came in the door she was like "Look, Hermanas, I promise I was only throwing it away because they are in the Internet, I swear!"  We were like, oh sure, only when the missionaries come.. Haha.  So anyway, we were super excited that we got to meet her!  It reminded me why I love being a missionary.  Listening to people's stories, and then helping them feel God's love by talking with the spirit.

I read in Heleman 3 and I really like these verses..

27 Thus we may see that the Lord is merciful unto all who will, in the sincerity of their hearts, call upon his holy name.

28 Yea, thus we see that the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God.

29 Yea, we see that whosoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked--

This work is hard but I love the blessings, they are so rewarding!

Next week we will see where I will spend my last 2 transfers!!

Con amor,

Hermana Sydney Berry

 

 

 

 

 

   

I 😍 Italy, New York, and Madrid.

Hello everyone!

My week was thrown off a little because we have Pday today instead of Monday.  So hopefully I'll be able to remember what I did last week. They changed it so that if you go to the temple you have Pday that day.  So in other words we just got out of the temple which was a really nice.  I have a feeling that I might leave Madrid for my last area which means that this was probably my last temple trip in Spain.  But that's okay, I'm so grateful for all of the times I got to go throughout my mission so far because I know lots of missions don't get that opportunity. (Sorry Noah, )

This week is the 2nd to last week of this transfer!! Transfers are on the 26th and I think I'm leaving.  I know Hermana Modugno will do great though, even though she is a bit nervous to area train, she is going to rock it!! All of Barrio 5 loves her!!
So last week I talked about Josefina.  This last week we have been trying and trying to meet with her but she all of the sudden got really busy looking for a job and is not coming to our appointments!!! . But anyway, it's not a surprise because EVERYTIME in my mission there has been someone so prepared to be baptized.. Satan's storms of trials appear so we are just pressing forward with faith.  She really is great, we are just hoping to be able to meet with her soon to finish teaching the lessons.  Oscar just needs to be able to come to church to get baptized.  So we are still praying for a miracle with his job. We are determined to see a baptism here in Barrio 5!  Sometimes we just need faith and patience during these times.

I've been trying so hard not to be trunky and this week made it a little difficult, haha.  A daughter of a super cute Dominican less active family that we visit returned home from her mission in New  York last Thursday.  She's so awesome!  We went to the airport to support her family when they picked her up.  But holy cow watching that...can you say trunky!!!?? It's okay though-- focus focus focus, haha.  And Vangelina is great though!! She's such an example to me because she is a convert to the church and I can already tell that she was a great missionary.  We're super excited for her help with our investigators and to keep helping her Mom and sister.  I love this family so much!!!

Thursday we also had a great zone conference, where our zone leaders taught us some great things.  President and Sister Pack came and it's always nice to receive spiritual instruction from them. I'm so grateful for the general conference we had and for all of the incredible talks there to help me grow spiritually.  Hopefully all of you have had a chance to read and hear some.
Last Monday we met with an old investigator that we finally had success of contacting her after like 4 months! She's super nice, Español, and very social.  We're not exactly sure if she really has interest in hearing about the gospel or just letting us in her house to give us juice and pastries.  But we are excited to meet with her again soon!!

Giannina is doing awesome!! We just love her.  She is so humble and very willing to change.  We had a member present lesson with a member named Cynthia who is a young mother too so we thought she could relate to her.  Well it was a great lesson and Cynthia brought her to church! And I can't even explain how much weight that lifts off us when the members bring our investigators to church.  We were so thrilled to Giannina and her son walk into sacrament meeting!! She loved all of the classes and is excited to come back next week.  This week we are going to start teaching the commandments and she is already more than willing to receive help to stop smoking.  I'm so grateful for the atonement, because not only does Christ forgive us from our sins, but he will make our weaknesses become stronger, even if that happens to be an addiction .  We are very excited about her progress. ️

For Pday today we went to Alcorcón to visit some of the wonderful members that I love and missed so dearly.  As I was there talking with them, I thought about the times in Alcorcón that maybe that were a little difficult for me the time.  But wow oh how the time has gone by fast!! Maybe Heavenly Father is trying to remind me that I need to enjoy every last moment I have here in my mission.  I'm so grateful for this gospel, for the opportunity I have has so far to serve with incredible people here in Madrid.  The hard times is when God is creating you into someone better than yourself.

I really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk from conference.  It gives me true comfort know that here in this life we are going to fall a ton because we are so stinkin imperfect, but the amazing thing about this gospel is that we get credit for trying. (-Elder Holland)

Les quiero MUCHO!!

Hermana Sydney Berry

Photos- welcoming at the airport, Hermana Modugno found a restaurant that serves Italian food from her city! (Bari, Italia), temple, and Alcorcón!