Elche is famous for something?

Hola a todos,

This week was awesome, but a sad end to my training. We have transfers this week, and Élder Whitehead is leaving to A Coruña way up north. I have loved having Élder Whitehead as my trainer, I have learned so much from him. My new companion is Élder Monsalve, he is from Chile, and speaks Spanish perfectly! I am so excited because I know he can help me with my Spanish a lot! 

Little miracle this week, we were in the streets on our way back to piso towards the end of the day. And on our way back, a Venezuelan family contacted us. They stopped us and wanted to know more information. There were 3 of them, and the father had worked with members of the church in Venezuela and has gotten to know the church a little that way. We met with them this week, and we are excited for their potential. 

I read this scripture found in 1 Nephi 7:12. Some context, this is when Nephi, his brothers, and the family of Ishmael are traveling through the wilderness, and Laman and Lemuel started to complain. I can't blame them, but I'm sure it got old. I really like how Nephi is just so blunt and straight to his brothers. Kind of an Elder Holland type of a feel to it if you read it with his voice. It says:

12 Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him.

Pretty clear no? The scriptures have been written for our day, so whenever reading scriptures, always ask yourself what can I learn from this scripture. How can I apply it into my own life? And for me, although there may be things that don't seem to be going the way I would like, I must remember that it is all according to the will of God and that I just need to remain faithful. 

Until next week! 

Élder Van Wagenen

God Bless America, Viva la España

Fotos:

1. RIP Whitehead 

2. La dame de Elche museum 

3. I saw a z400 in the streets of Elda and had to get a pic

4. I made pancakes! They don't really have this enjoyment of life here, so it was a little more difficult to make it. But it was great! 

 5. So this is what Elche is famous for. Right there is exactly where la dama de Elche was found. Why it's so significant, I know not, but it's a statue of curious workmanship and is thousands of years old. The real one is in Madrid.