Friday, March 9, 2012

Barcelona Mission: (Madrid) Week-01 2012

Subject: Espana!

Hola!

I still can´t believe that I am in Spain; it´s so crazy to think about how I finally made it here!

Tuesday the 28th (the day before we left) I started having a sore throat and a stuffy/runny nose.  Wednesday while on my flight, my ears hurt way bad. Got to Spain Thursday March 1st and I couldn´t hear out of both my ears because they were still plugged from the flight and my cold was getting worse.  March 2nd my ears were still plugged and I had a bad fever and cough.  The next 3 or 4 days I slept all day and all night.  I felt so bad for my companion and some other Sisters because they had to take turns staying in the room with me.  The MTC President´s wife, Sister Sitterud was super good to me and got me food (normal food) and some medicine, which didn´t help so I ended up going to the doctor.  My companion and I rode downtown with the Russian MTC teacher in his car, which was interesting.

The Russian teacher was born and raised in Texas. He went on a mission to Ukraine. He graduated from BYU and then got a job in Russia.  Then he married a girl from Spain and lives here. He speaks Spanish, English and Russian!

Downtown was very interesting: the narrow streets and tall buildings.  All the buildings are peach colored and are all apartments.  It seems like everyone lives in apartments.  The cars are small and are parked in small spaces, but it´s very neat.  I like being in a different country.

I feel a lot better now because of taking the pills I got from the doctor.  One ear is unplugged as of yesterday!!  :)  One down, one to go.  My nose is a lot better and my cough is almost gone. It is hard eating the food in the cafeteria.  It´s interesting and probably would be better if I was feeling normal.

We went to a huge park where we went contacting.  It was so neat. I really love using my Spanish and have realized how blessed I am to have a minor in it and to be able to speak.  A lot of people rely on me to translate and speak for them-how cool is that?  I have also realized how great it was to be in Rose Park in Salt Lake for almost three months!  I was speaking Spanish everyday almost all day and it has really helped me here.  I am sooo grateful that I can speak and understand!!!

The Madrid temple is so close!  There is so much I want to say but I only have a minute left (we are on the MTC schedule again-30 min emailing).  It´s hard to be in the MTC again especially after working so hard all day everyday out in the field.  I miss my bike.  …haha... I am still trying to figure out how I can take full advantage of this time I have to study everyday all day in a classroom.  I need the studying to count for something!  It´s been a little hard adjusting but I am for sure grateful how I felt the Spirit so strong everyday all day at the Provo MTC, and it´s kind of the same here!

I know that Heavenly Father loves me and is VERY AWARE of each of our individual needs.  I got super frustrated because of my sickness and my inability to function so I prayed hard and often, but it seemed the prayers weren't working, but I was able to gain humility real fast. I got a blessing and I went to the temple and we heard a wonderful devotional from Elder Holland.  I´ve been humbled and slowly I will get back to full health. I am anxious but I am grateful. Heavenly Father knows and He is watching over me.

Today we are taking the Metro again to go to downtown Madrid to do some sightseeing!!  I think next week´s pictures/email are going to be great.

My companion and I are leaving the MTC next Friday the 16th.  We also have to go down to the City Hall and sign papers and take more pictures (to apply for our residency).

Barcelona, wait for me.  I am coming. ...haha...

Love,

Hermana Johnson


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