October 15, 2011

Hola a todos,

I was so excited to hear that I am an uncle again! Welcome to the family, Audrey!

Time is absolutely flying by! We are already finishing up the 4th week of the transfer! That means two weeks until transfers again. Things get really busy in the office around transfer time - welcoming new missionaries, figuring out travel plans, sending out all sorts of paperwork for residency, and then making sure people get where they're supposed to when they're supposed. But, it's all right. It's an exciting time. I don't know about you but I am already feeling excited for Christmas. The Stake President, Presidente Muñoz, has asked Elder Manning (one of our Zone Leaders) and I to organize a Christmas concert/devotional/fireside. It will be another big undertaking but it will be a lot of fun.

In Fuengirola there is also an English speaking branch. Elder Taylor and I are assigned to that branch, the Mijas Branch, so we teach English speakers and Spanish speakers. It is very interesting to teach in English, but it still goes well. We are coming to love all of the people that live here in Spain, no matter where they are from. Elder Taylor is awesome. He is always striving to improve and to be an effective missionary. He loves this work and not only does he love the work, he loves to work. There's a saying that goes, "When all is said and done, there is usually more said than done." Well, we are trying to make sure we get the things done that Heavenly Father wants us to do.

We learn through our study of the gospel and from our teachers and things like that, but we also learn by our experiences, by doing and becoming the things that we feel and know. That is part of the great plan of happiness that our Heavenly Father prepared from the beginning, coming to this earth to have a body and to use our agency to learn to make correct choices and follow God. As we choose to learn and live the gospel, the Lord will lead us safely to Home. Each of you have been part of that guidance that He has given me. Thank you for helping me along the path that leads to life and salvation. Thank you for caring enough to correct me, to encourage me, and to strengthen me. He will do the same for you, "for that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored" (Alma 41:15).

Love,
Elder Joseph Fagersten