October 25, 2010

Hola,

We love Almería. Somebody asked me about this, but I don't think I answered - yes, the members feed us. ...Every day. Not an exaggeration either. Well, okay, actually, they don't feed us on Mondays because that's p-day. Every other day, yes. Is it a lot of food? Yes. Is it delicious? Yes. We are quite lucky here. Every Sunday one of the sisters in the ward, her name is Mirta (from Argentina), goes around talking to people about feeding us and then hands us the list at the end of church. It's pretty nice.

This is not the only reason we love Almería. The people are just as willing to help us in lessons as they are to feed us. The young single adults help us most of the time. Now that school has started again it is a little bit more difficult to find time when they can come, but they are still willing and ready. We all come closer when we help in this work.

Random fact about Spain: Very few things are refrigerated here.

Elder Adams and I are now teaching a lady named Jaqueline. She is reading and praying and coming to Church. She and her husband, Orlando, and their son, Jason, left after sacrament meeting yesterday because they were kind of sick, but they're all right. It was just a little cold. We have been working with them for a couple of weeks now and things are going well.

In the past few weeks I have thought a lot about the Savior's atonement, and the plan that Heavenly Father has for us. It is a perfect plan. Like Elder Adams has said, it just makes sense, and it gives purpose to this life. The atonement of Jesus Christ makes the plan possible and when we accept it we find true happiness. Obedience is essential to true happiness. Like Nephi asked, can we follow Jesus save we are willing to keep the commandments of the Father? (2 Nephi 31:10)

We have been commandend to have faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, to repent, and come unto Him. In the end, all of this is intended for our happiness. Dad, I am beginning to understand why you have always loved teaching the plan of salvation. It gives us true hope. It gives us something worth-while. It gives us the promise of eternal families and a pure fulness of joy.

I know that my Redeemer lives. He loves us. The invitation is extended to us. The way is prepared.

I love you!

Love,
Elder Fagersten