La luz

P day in las Cuevas del Drach

Hola a todos!

So this week marked the first week of the transfer! And so after the past 4 transfers of being really weird full of changes, we have a new start and are ready to work. My new companion is Elder DeGroot, and he is just a beast. He was an office Elder before, and so he is super excited to be here in the islands, but he has a really awesome knowledge of how to teach and help others. We are going to have an awesome transfer, he also likes mate, like a lot, and we have ripped it together quite a bit.

Now I shared this briefly on my Facebook page, but I thought I could go into a little more detail here. So this week we went to las cuevas de Drach, some really awesome caves full of boat rides and classical music on the islands. It was awesome!!! And as we were walking through the cave, I saw all the stalagmites and stalagtites, and other cool rock formations. And there were lots of lights so we could see them. Now I thought, what if I was exploring this cave, or I had just discovered it. There wouldn't be a cut path with directions telling me to go, nor lights to highlight the really cool features found in the cave. And so I wouldn't be able to enjoy the cave as much as I did with the lights and path. And as I was thinking, it's the same in life! We are all "walking" through life, figuratively, and there are lots of blessings to enjoy, happiness to have, and a path to follow. However, if we don't have a way to find these things, a figurative light and path, we won't know where to go, or where to find said happiness. Yet, God loves us, He loves us so much! And he doesn't want us to walk in darkness, passing by blessings and happiness without us knowing. So he has provided a path, and lights to see. I highlighted the Book of Mormon in my post, but that's not the only "light". Reading not only the Book of Mormon but as well the Bible, prayer, going to church, even doing service! There are many lights in our life, we just simply need to turn them on! And what path? Bueno the path we step onto once we are baptized. We know it is a straight and narrow path and can be difficult to stay on sometimes, however, the Lord has provided us with the path, ways to stay on the path, and even ways to get back on the path if we stray from it, and ways to have blessings and happiness in our mortal journey. 

Anyways that's another week in Paradise! Literally, I love this island, our zone, and this opportunity to serve here, it is so awesome!!!!! And patriotic reminder!! September 2nd, 1945, Japanese forces officially surrendered, marking the official end of World War 2, known as VJ Day, victory in Japan. So as I usually suggest, go hang up your flags this Wednesday!!!

Until next week,

Élder Van Wagenen 

God Bless America, Viva España 

Fotos:

1. P day at Cuevas del Drach

Palma tiene mi corazón

 

What do yall think of the blue?

Hola a todos!

Yeah, you know how I said our Mission President loves changes?? Yeah, you'll never guess! There will be some changes coming to the Island! It's really quite sad actually, my companion, Elder Condori, was originally going home in another month and a half, he had extended his mission since he arrived in Spain late due to Visa issues. However, his extension was denied, and this is due to the borders of Peru closing, and they need to get all Perivuans who are finishing their missions soon to get to Peru as soon as possible. So he will be leaving this week, and I will be getting another new companion. I will also be leading this giant area on a few weeks of knowledge, so it will be a trial of faith for sure!

But this week was another great week! We had lots of citas, tons of visits, and continuing forward! We had one cita with our amigo named Yamila, she is from Argentina and is a beast. We found a shaded patch of grass in front of the huge cathedral in Palma and the Mediterranean, ripped terere, and talked about Joseph Smith. Something I have learned and is something our Mission President and his wife talk about a lot is with every relationship we have, whether it be with a member, amigo, menos activo, etc, we need to show high love, high expectations. Now, what does that mean in missionary work? High love: Well, quite easily said, show love. Become their friend, take their interests. Love them as the Savior does. We won't be able to touch people's hearts if we aren't their friends. High expectations: Invite them to act in faith with specific invitations that are custom and specifically tailored to their needs. Without specific invitations and inviting people to read the scriptures, pray, and do other things, they will not be able to receive a testimony for their own selves. And regarding our friend Yamila, we showed high love by becoming her friend. Doing something she enjoys, drinking terere, and we talked a lot about Argentina and her interests. And for high expectations, we invited her to read the introduction of the Book of Mormon and ask God if it is true. We will follow up with her next week, however, she was very open to us, and I have faith she will receive an answer.

Anyways, thank you for sticking around and reading my adventures. As I said in my title, Palma has my heart, and although there are always changes, the islands have been treating me well jaja. I hope that everyone is doing well!! Until next week!

Élder Van Wagenen 

God Bless America, Viva España 

Fotos:

1. We went fishing again! This time caught some bigger ones!

2. Palma cathedral

3. Cita con Yamila

4. P day with the district

Palma City Rockers

The Palma City Rockers

Hola a todos!

It has been another great week here in Palma de Mallorca! I am learning more and more about this place, and I am really loving this island! This week we met with Mabel, from Colombia, and we set a baptismal date with her! She has been taught my the missionaries before me, and I have only taught her a few times, but I have felt the Spirit in every lesson with her. She is very accepting of the Gospel and says her favorite part is that she can live with her family forever. She literally told us she wants to follow Jesus Christ, strive to be a better person, and develop a better relationship with God. So we super super are excited to continue working with her, and helping her get to baptism!! 

And speaking of baptism, the other Elders in Palma had a baptism this past week and we got to go! One of our friends actually went as well, so it was great! But with the virus, we still can't have baptisms in the churches, so our only options are beaches or private pools. And in Palma we have access to both, however, private pools are much more, well private. So there is a member in our branch who has a really nice pool with an awesome view of the Mediterranean, and that is where we had the baptism. It was really great, and I am grateful I was able to attend and help out a little bit, but we are for sure spoiled to have access to pools with some amazing views! I always love going to baptisms, as I always feel the Spirit in attendance, and seeing the wide grin on people's faces when they come out of the water. Man, it's just awesome.

A little lame for an email this week, but we are still pretty slammed with visits, which is always a good thing! We continue seeing the hand of the Lord in our lives every day, and I know that this is His work. Wishing everybody a great week!

Élder Van Wagenen 

God Bless America, Viva España 

Fotos:

1. Ripping terere and reading the scriptures. The best way to start the day

2. This is what church looks like in Spain

3. Getting sunburned in Palma. Chapter 2. We spent the day in Palma with some missionaries in the zone and some young adults

4. Intercambios with Elder Rappleyea in Inca. Ripping mate and watching the stars.

Changes. Again

The Mediterranean

Hola a todos!!!

I am sorry for missing last weeks email! It has been a wild past few weeks to say the least! Last week, I was in Huercal-Overa, however I got a call from Presidente telling me there were going to be some "emergency transfers," and that I was going to be leaving. I had some mixed feelings for sure. I really loved Andulucia, and the people, Viva Andulucia, but I am no stranger to unexpected changes in the mission. I got transferred to Les Illes Balears, in a city called Palma. For those who don't understand Mallorcan, myself included, the Islands! It is so pretty here, and I have had a great week!!! 

But anyways, in Huércal Overa, although I did not know it was my last week until that Friday, we had a very good week. We were able to meet with lots of friends, and share sacred truths with them and the Spirit was in complete abundance, it was awesome. And then after receiving a quick call from the Mission President, well that kind of changed plans. I was able to navigate the train system in Spain, and the 7 hour train ride from Murcia to Barcelona. And from there make my way through the Barcelona airport and onto the islands. Again, this place is amazing. The island has kind of a California coast vibe, and the Mediterranean is as blue and crystal clear as Lake Tahoe. It is also incredibly GREEN. And well, coming from good ol' Carson Valley Nevada, green isn't a color we see too often. 

And here in Palma, everything is booming. We are going from cita to cita to cita, and when I find some free time to sit down, I quickly think of something I need to do. It's a lot like a Friday night shift at In-N-Out. Ya know right after the Volleyball and Soccer teams all come in at like 10:30, and everyone decides to order 2 fries and a shake, it's kind of crazy. But I love it. We had some really meaningful citas with people this past week, and I only just got here. As of right now, Las Islas Balareas is not big enough to be a stake, and is a district. However, the members here are incredibly strong and faithful, and we see miracles daily when we teach people, and find more people in need of the Gospel. In fact, this past week we met with the very first member who was baptized in the islands, which just shows how little time the church has been growing here.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing excellent. And to the many of you who may be starting school, college, or anything like that, with discouraging news of online learning, and confusing schedules of other classes in person, keep your head up. Good days are ahead, and things will get better. A scripture that we found many people here needing is found in Alma 37:36-37, and I am sure it can be applied right now.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

I know God lifts and supports us, especially during difficult times. So remember this scripture, and pray! Pray with sincerity, and have a conversation with your Heavenly Father. He loves you, more than you can even imagine, and he wants the absolute best for you. So, simply said: Pray!!!

Until next week, sorry for the 5 page essay

Élder Van Wagenen 

God Bless America, Viva España 

Fotos:

 

1. Getting sunburned in Palma. Chapter 1. Yes Mom, even 70 SPF reapplied was no match😂 

2. Man I will miss these Andulucian sunsets from our balcony in Huercal Overa 

3. I will also miss this car!

4. Safe arrivals in Palma

5. Me and my new companion, Elder Condori, from Peru!