Hermana Laura Johnson: Barcelona Mission: (Zaragoza) Week-28 2012

This is my last week in Zaragoza! I am so sad! BUT so many good things happened last week and so many great things will happen this week. It has been an unforgettable experience. Zaragoza and these people will always hold a special place in my heart. I am excited for you to meet them next year and to see this wonderful city. I have learned a lot here and have grown up a lot...that is for sure.

Thank you so much for emailing me! I loved your emails-Mom, Dad, and Uncle Bruce. I appreciate them and your support and love.

Sorry for the multiple emails sending all of the pictures. I want to make sure I can get a picture with everyone!! And we have a lot of meal appointments this week as I say good-bye to these wonderful people.

On Tuesday we had a referral from our great Branch mission leader, Sergio. We went into the piso where they had their own sewing company/business. We were a little hesitant because we were hoping that they weren´t thinking that we were there for the business. It was so interesting. They were making nice coats. But, it turned out to be a success. We talked to the man Carlos and found out that his brother is a Bishop in Venezuela!

We also visited with our recent converts, Happy, Kate, and Maria. They are all amazing. Their faith is strong despite the trials that they go through in their lives and somehow they always have smiles on their faces. They are good examples to me.

On Wednesday, we missed our train in the morning and then we almost missed the second train going to Lleida! Ha...But we made it and we did the long walk with the Elders to the church building. We had a great Zone training meeting which got us pumped up, (Elder Tirado dressed up like a stripling warrior). The Spirit was strong and we really felt that this is really the second harvest and that we as a mission can baptize 600 people this year (right now we are at 409).

Later, we had a meeting with Sergio and planned for Dulce´s baptism on Saturday. Then we went to Nicole and Rubens, where we ate and watched them play on the wii just a dance game to Halloween songs. It was fun. I LOVE THAT FAMILY so much!

On Thursday we visited with Dulce in the morning...she´s so great and so prepared. Who do you meet that does not smoke, drink alcohol, coffee or tea?! NO ONE! It´s amazing. Then we went to visit Lorena and Paco. They are amazing. Paco is the Young Men´s president in the Branch and is in the military and works on tanks. His wife, Lorena is originally from Argentina. Their families are both converts to the church. Paco served his mission here a few years ago when Pres. Wadell (from San Diego) was Mission President. And Paco´s Zone leader was Carlos Augustin (the second counselor in our Branch presidency!). Anyway, they are a bit less active. We had a wonderful meal together and shared with them that there is a reason why they have trials and that they can get through them with the help of the Savior. We invited them to church. They are always so thankful for our visits and tell us that they really feel a strong spirit when we visit them. Just wish they were more active in church.

When we left Hermana Jorgensen and I were talking about how as Sister missionaries, we have different roles then the Elders and sometimes don´t realize the power and the influence we have on people. It´s amazing to bring a little light to others and help them in whatever way we can. It is a special opportunity and a blessing we have and I love it and really appreciate it.

While we were waiting for the bus to go back into town, I recognized this Chinese man who was on the bus earlier so I decided to talk to him. He doesn´t speak much Spanish...does NOT speak English...but I was able to say the few phrases that I knew in Chinese. He has a wife and a seventeen year old son. His face lit up when I started saying the few Chinese phrases that I know. I wish I knew more and that I would have learned more of the language while attending the Chinese Branch for so long. L I showed him a picture of my family. He smiled and was very nice. When he got off the bus he smiled and said good-bye.

That night we went to the Church´s house and then to the Chacon´s house to eat and then to the Halloween party the other Branch had.

Friday I got a phone call from Hermana Rejon, my trainer in Sabadell. She told me that there was a tragic accident there with some of the people we had been working with. Three died in a house fire, and the son is in the hospital, his legs burnt and the Step Dad just got out of the hospital. SO SAD. I loved that family so much. It was hard to hear that news. I will explain more details later...no time.

Then we went to the Young Adult activity to help translate for the Church's. They did an amazing presentation about how our life is 90% of what happens to us and 10% of how we choose to deal with it. We can have success if we try to make the best out of our situations in life. What a blessing it is to be in the presence of Elder and Hermana Church. They are amazing examples of people who have really been successful in all aspects of their lives.

Saturday was Dulce´s baptism, she was so happy and it was incredible! I think I played the piano the best I have ever done so far on my mission! All of these amazing people showed up to support her and it was my last baptism in Zaragoza so I was hoping it would be the best. Hermana Jorgensen, Elders Spencer and Oliveira and I all sang acapella the song "Lord I Would Follow Thee". It was so good and the spirit was so strong. J

Sunday was the best Sunday I have ever had on my mission. A less active family that I have been working with during my whole time here in Zaragoza came to church! It was a miracle! Also, Javier bore his testimony and shared about his bus experience about when he prayed that a Sister missionary would sit next to him and then I did. It was incredible. It brought tears to our eyes. So many people bore their testimonies that there was actually a line! That never happens. AND we went overtime, which never happens! Lots of children bore their testimonies, which never happens. A lot of people talked about perseverance and how the Lord answers prayers. They were amazing. I bore my testimony about how the Lord is our light in the wilderness and even during hard times the light can be there for us. There were a lot of investigators that showed up. The most amount of people I have ever seen attend church! It was a miracle!! I love being here.

Oh, I just want to tell you all the details of EVERYTHING. But I don´t have time. And I need to take more time to write in my journal to record all of these amazing experiences.

Thanks for being there and supporting me.

Love, Laura