Week 12

Hermana Hill and I were fortunate to see a lot of little miracles and tender mercies this week!  All of our plans and appointments with investigators, members, and recent converts all worked out 3 days in a row!  Believe me, that’s a miracle.  We also met the Mission Standards of Excellence numbers as set by the President.  This was Hermana Hill’s first time hitting the goal also, so we both were super stoked.  We also had 4 people say yes to baptism—no dates set yet.  This week was a perfect example of the blessings and miracles that come from hard work.  God will give us success but we have to work, work, and work.  Hermana Hill and I also talked a lot about prayer this week so I wanted to share a little about what I learned.

We know when we pray we talk to God.  What an amazing blessing we are given to communicate our thoughts, desires, and fears to a waiting and loving father.  We are taught, and reminded in the scriptures to strive to pray sincerely, with real intent, and with “all the energy of heart”.  An effective prayer requires effort.

Moroni 7:9,  “And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart, yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such.” 

Any mundane, repetitive prayer that is mumbled half asleep, drooling on our pillow, God does not receive.  We need to stay awake!  Speak sincerely.  Have a heart full of gratitude and voice your thanks for the gifts and talents we have been given.  Pray for guidance, pray to overcome temptation, pray for your family.  Then listen and wait and be willing to act on the answer you receive, which could be instant, or in time.

One of my favorite quotes my Mom sent me is by President Eyring :  “Before you begin your prayer, take a few moments to think about what you want to say.  Consider questions you might have or things that have been bothering you—you can even write them down so you don’t forget.  Use this time to clear your mind from the rukus of the day so you can focus on the gentle impressions of the Holy Ghost.  If your mind tends to wander while you pray, try to visualize Heavenly Father listening.  Speak in specifics.  Also, leave a few minutes at the end of the prayer to listen to the promptings of the Spirit.  You might write down your impressions in your journal.”

I remember my parents (mostly Mom, hehe) would stay up and wait for me when I got home late on the weekends.  We would talk, sometimes laugh and cry, and talk a little bit about the day.  Our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to do the same.

Also, start preparing for conference and keep reading your scriptures!

The Church is true and the book is blue.

Ire’ y Hare’ y Sere’

Hermana Charlesworth

Week 11

We continue to work hard and are setting high goals.  We make a lot of contacts, but we wish we were teaching more.  We did a little celebration for Rebecca’s baptism this week in conjunction with Mexico’s Independence Day. Oh my, what great food!  I haven’t had salsa since I’ve left home and of course the Spaniards don’t eat it, but what a treat. 

For P-Day we had a chance to see one of the Royal Palaces called the Pardo, where Franco lived when he was in power.  It was amazing to see all the tapestries, paintings, and furniture from the 1800’s.  It has Goyos work inside in which I remember studying in Humanities for school.  The palace is still in use on special occasions for when royalty comes into town.

I hope all is well, have a great week, and brighten someone’s day!  Love Hermana C

Celebrating Rebecca's Baptism (In black sombrero) and Mexico Independence Day!

My companion Hermana Hill and myself.

Week 10

This week has been fantastico!  I’ve experienced our first baptism, Rebecca.  She is the one who my companion Hermana Hill and myself refer to her as, our Spanish Grandma, but really she is from Mexico.  From the first day that we taught her she has always made me feel welcome, and she told me, “mi casa es su casa” (my house is your house).  Her baptism was a very special day!

Madrid is truly an international city, because the majority of the members and people we are teaching are from either Peru, Ecuador, or Columbia.  They feed us well when we are invited over, and I’m eating some interesting things.  I find they like to serve warm juice, and the most different by far is a Peruvian homemade drink consisting of purple corn, lemon pulp, and sugar.  I’ve learned to ask for it hot and with extra sugar, it’s definitely much better.  My dad was right, even the milk is served warm.  Gag!

Until next week, may your heart be full of joy!  Love Hermana Mik

My Companion, Hermana Hill, Newly Baptized Rebecca, and myself.

Dinner with a member family, the Benitez, they have all served missions.  Ashley likes my hair. 

Week 9

Whew, it’s been a busy week!  Long 15 hour days between scripture study, language, finding, and teaching.  Our investigators continue to make progress.  We decided to reward ourselves with a fun P-Day and visit the city of Toledo.  It’s about 1 ½ hours south of Madrid by train.

The city of Toledo is set majestically on a hill and a wall circumferences the city like a fortress.  There is also the Tagus River that runs around it like a mote, and it’s a beautiful city with a lot of history.  The city is one of the most important centers of European medieval history.  Because of this, it is known for its metal making of swords, which has been handed down over the centuries starting with the Roman occupancy in the 3^rd Century.  The famous painter, “El Greco” from the Spanish Renaissance period lived and worked in Toledo also.  Toledo happens to be one of the most visited cities in Spain.

Have a good week.  Keep the faith and do a good deed for someone.  Love Hermana Charlesworth

The beautiful and majestic city of Toledo with the Tagus River Below

My new friend Luis in Toledo and I have something in common!

Week 8

It’s been an exciting week teaching and making contacts.  I like talking to everyone we meet on the streets, even when we are headed to an appointment.  I think I’ve surprised my companion by my boldness, because she said we’ve broken her companionship record for the most contacts made in a day.  The CCM prepared me well to have no fear, however, once into an in depth conversation and the Spanairds speak so fast, I signal for my companion to take over.  The language is still coming.  I’m strong spirited but the flesh is week and the mouth won’t do what I want it to do.

We have 2 new investigators that we are teaching from scratch and we’ve already set a baptismal date.  Magali is from Venezuela and Rebecca who is my Spanish Grandma is from Mexico.  They are both fantastic!  I’ll keep you posted on their progress.

Have to run.  Love you guys.  The church is true and the book is blue!  Hermana C