España!

Just hours in Spain!  

Elder Van Wagenen with President & Sister Galli

(President Galli grew up in RENO - small world)

Hola a todos!

So much has happened in the past week. I will do my absolute best to not turn this email into a novel.

Our last few days at the MTC were very fun, but also very tough. I really loved my district at the MTC and will miss all of them. I had some of the most fun, and the most spiritual experiences with my district while at the MTC. 

The flight to Barcelona, with the layover in JFK really was quite boring an uncomfortable, and needless to say, this jet lag is still taking its toll on me. But I am slowly adjusting to this new schedule. When we arrived in Barcelona, we met up with President and Sister Galli, and los ayudantes. (The assistants to the president). We then drove around Barcelona, saw some sights, and went to Castell de Montjuïc. Up there we saw the entire city, and the Mediterranean. It was really cool, a little windy and cold, but beautiful. President pointed out some sights of the city, and spoke about our mission a little bit. After that we headed to the mission home for interviews and ciesta. Boy do I love ciesta! We basically napped, talked with the President and his wife, and went through some house keeping business. Anyways, for the night we crashed at the Zone leaders piso, which fortunately for me was right across from La Sagrada Familia. So I got to walk right in front of that this week. It is so cool, and really pretty at night, even though it is under construction! 

The next day we headed back to meet our trainers and go to our areas. We had a little pow wow, talked a little more with the president and his wife, and got our assignments. And I got to go to Elche, which is down south, with Elder Whitehead as my trainer. I really like him, and he is showing me how to work!

All the new missionaries with President & Sister Galli

Elder Van Wagenen with new trainer Elder Whitehead

My very first appointment was with a member who is a great cook. And we had Columbian style paella. So not the authentic Spanosh paella, but it was very close. And it was also very good. After the meal, we taught the second half of the Plan of Salvation to some people who are not members who are living with the member, if that makes sense. I didn't say a whole lot, but do feel that they understood most of what I said.

Columbian Paella

I really love Elche, it is November and is not cold, there are palm trees everywhere, I am in a 4 man piso, and we have a car! The members here in Elche are very helpful and nice, and we have 2 visits every day, one for lunch, one for dinner. So we have been doing a lot of contacting, and a lot of member visits. It's been a great week!

The street in Elche - Lots of Palm Trees everywhere

(Date Palms actually)

I see this email has already breached novel status, so I'll end it here. Spain is treating me well thus far, and I hope all of you are doing well. Until next week!

Elder Van Wagenen 

God Bless America, Viva la España