The end of an era

 Hola a todos!

I currently find myself writing this email in the good land of the United States of America. Boy is it good to be back. We had quite the adventure returning though. Our flight from Barcelona to Newark was delayed 4 hours, which meant that we were going to miss our connecting flight from Newark to Denver. United apparently felt bad and they got us a hotel for the night, so Elder English and I had a fun night in Newark, and we got back a day late. But I will say seeing the large 12x20 American flag in the Newark airport brought some very moving feelings.

It is still pretty hard to believe that my mission has come to an end. And this past week has been a very weird week of trying to adjust to not being a missionary anymore. I am so grateful for my mission, and I wouldn't change it a bit. Not where I served, when I served, or who I served with, And that's what I love about missions, the Lord calls us to a certain place at a certain time, and custom tailors missions to the individual. And that is how I feel about my mission. The people I met and taught, the companions I served with, and members I met, were all put in my path because the Lord saw it fit. I am forever grateful for my mission, and I know that it has left a long-lasting effect on my life.

For those of you who read my emails, thank you. It really means a lot to me that I had friends and family back at home that were aware of me and that supported me, and I hope my adventures in España weren't too boring. Unfortunately, this will be my last email, however, I do hope to remain in frequent contact with you all. I will not be using this email address anymore, so I will drop my updated contact information down at the bottom.

But if there is anything that the mission taught me, it taught me that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives. He really did rise from the tomb the 3rd day and has his arms extended out to every single one of us with the invitation to come unto Him. He lives, and He is actively leading His church here on the earth through a modern prophet, Russell M. Nelson. The best way to live this life is by letting Him lead and guide us, and as we follow the commandments and His teachings, we are not only happy but blessed exceedingly. (Mosiah 2:41)

Thanks y'all for joining me on this ride, have a wonderful week!
Hermano Van Wagenen
Viva España God Bless America

The best wine was saved for last

Baptism of Micaela

 Hola a todos!

While on the earth, one of the first miracles that the Savior did was change water to wine at a wedding party. In that time era, wine was very common, and the best wine was often served at the beginning of the party or celebration. When the Savior changed water to wine, He did it pretty well, and the guests of the party were in awe that the best wine was saved for the end of the party. What does this have to do with anything? Well, I can relate to this pretty well, because these past 5 weeks have been nothing but the best wine. Don't worry, the word of wisdom is being kept, simply an analogy folks.

With that said, it is hard to believe that within the coming hours, I will be leaving Spanish soil, and going back to the United States. How do I feel? I don't know. It's a lot like how John describes in Revelations, where he eats a book, and it is sweet to the taste but later bitter. It's the same. I am so grateful for the past 2 years and 10 days, for all the people and experiences I've had. The Elder Van Wagenen that entered Spain, and the Elder Van Wagenen that will leave it are 2 different people. I have grown so much, and I will always treasure these 2 years. The bitter part, leaving a country I love just as much as I love my own. Saying goodbye to people that, it is possible I never see again in this life, and also the fact that the end of an era is very near. So, it's bitter-sweet. But, I am taking a part of Spain with me, and I hope to come back in the future.

This past week was amazing. The Lord blessed us with some serious miracles, and we had 2 amigos enter the waters of baptism. It was an amazing week, and I couldn't think of a better way to finish. To not make this email novel status, I will share more of my experiences with yall in a few days.

This time, it's probably not an until next week, but I will probably send out 1 more email after I've returned home. So, until a few days!

Élder Van Wagenen 
Viva España, Visca Catalunya, God Bless America 

Fotos:

1. Baptism of Nelson

2. Baptism of Nelson

3. Micaela and her sister, Erika

4. Fútbol with some chavales

5. La capilla in Barcelona, I'll miss Catalán so much!

6. The district

T minus 8 days

Montserrat with 67% of the Barcelona zone

Hola a todos!

The weeks just keep slipping away faster than I had ever imagined, but we are trying to make the best of every single day! We are still pretty busy teaching lots of people, and our friend Micaela is going to get baptized this week! She is so excited for her baptism, and it's going to be such a good way to end my mission. But trying not to think about the end jaja

I hope everyone enjoyed General Conference as much as I did. I really felt the love that our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, has for us as he spoke. The way that he invited us to strengthen our spiritual foundations, with warnings that it is imperative for our spiritual survival that we study the scriptures every day, it strengthens my testimony that he really is the watchman in the high tower. He knows of the dangers that are down the road and is telling us how we can prepare ourselves for the dangers. We share the same exact thing with the people we teach. God has called Prophets to teach and warn His people, he did so in the Bible, he did in the Book of Mormon, and he continues to do so now.

Go take a look at some of the talks from this past weekend if you didn't get a chance. They get better and better every year!

Until next week!
Élder Van Wagenen 
God Bless America, Viva España 

Fotos:

1. Last General Conference in Spain, but definitely not the last with un buen tereré 

2. An Eagle next to another

3. Sagrada Familia 

4. Sagrada Familia 

5. Yoga

6. Monasterio de Montserrat