Thursday, May 31, 2012

May 21, 2012

Hola,

Well, this past week we had Zone Conference in Murcia.  It's our tradition that during a missionary's last Zone Conference he/she gives his/her "final testimony."  It seemed a bit strange to actually be one of those missionaries!  But I was able to see a lot of missionaries one more time and I enjoyed it a lot.

This week will be my last week as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The feelings are many.  I have come to love these people so much, even though the majority don't accept our invitation.  They don't really understand what we offer, nor the importance of the message that we bring.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.  He has restored His true Church.  There are living prophets and apostles on the earth today.  God lives.  He speaks.  He is just as much involved in the happiness and salvation of his children today as he was anciently.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ.  It serves as evidence of the divinity and reality of the calling of Joseph Smith as the prophet that the Lord called and through whom He restored His church.  I know, with all of my heart, that these things are true.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

May 14, 2012

Hola,

Elder Jones and I had another great week!  I don't think I have ever enjoyed my mission as much as I am now.  I know that the promises of the Lord are true, especially this one: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (D&C 84:88).  The Lord has literally strengthened our bodies and our minds and our spirits so as to enable us to do His work in His way.  He has led us and guided us to those who are willing to listen to the message of the restoration of His gospel and His church.

Yesterday, I really enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with Mom, Dad and Jacob.  I am glad that things are going well.  I am excited to see all of you soon!  Well, I won't see Elder Fagersten in Arizona for a little while still, but it will come quicker than we think!

During this these past few weeks I have come to love the people more deeply and I have come to love the Lord more deeply.  The events or experiences are now in the past, but the lessons learned will influence my future.  I know that the Lord's plan for us is perfect.  His infinite atonement provides for us the means by which we receive forgiveness of our sins and we have the faith to obey His commandments.  His healing and enabling power will lift us and lead us along.  He wants us to be happy, and we can be happy, because through Him we can be made whole.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

May 7, 2012

Hola,

This week was awesome!  Elder Jones and I have been talking with tons of people and doors are opening left and right, literally!  The Lord has led us to many people that are willing to at least let us in and share this message, but it didn't happen by itself.  As we open our mouths and declare the news of the restoration of the gospel and church of Jesus Christ we find those who are searching for the truth.  Everybody has needs, and there are needs that only the restored gospel can satisfy.

We had a car for the past few weeks that we used to travel to another pueblo called Vera, but on Saturday the missionaries from Cartagena came and took it, so it's back to public transportation.  There are, however, members that are willing to drive us every once and a while.

On Sunday we experienced a miracle.  About a year and eight months ago, I was in Almería, my first area, with Elder Adams, my trainer, and we were teaching a part-member family.  The husband, Orlando, is a member, but his wife, Jaqueline, is not.  Orlando's family lives here in Huércal-Overa, and they attend church here.  Orlando and Jaqueline come here on the weekends for work, but they still live in Almería.  Anyway, the last couple of weeks, they have come to church here, and yesterday, after the meetings, Jaqueline comes up to us and says, "I would like to be baptized."  I don't think I've ever smiled bigger than I did when she said that.  We will baptize her in two weeks, on May 19th.  I know that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

Sunday was also Mother's Day here in Spain, so Elder Jones and I wrote letters to each of the mothers in the branch.  Mother's Day will be this coming Sunday in the United States, so, Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers!  I'm excited to talk with Mom.

I love all of you and I'm grateful for each of you.  I know that God lives and wants us to be happy.  Jesus Christ is his Son.  He came to earth to prepare the way for our happiness and our salvation, and all are welcomed and invited to come unto Him.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

P.S.  The photos: the first one is me eating a squid, I think, in a typical Spanish dish called paella.  We ate with Pedro, Rosa, Julia, and Belkis, who are actually from Honduras, but Rosa is an amazing cook and it was great.  The second one is a Johne Deere sign that I found while we were waiting for the car to get revised and stuff.



 

A little Change

Well Family,

Some changes had to be made in order for the travel to work out, so I will be home on Wednesday, May 30, instead of Thursday, May 31.  Here is the travel itinerary.  I would love to see as many of you as possible at the airport in Cedar Rapids.

Love,
Joe


Élder Thornley
Secretario
Misión España Málaga
Móvil: 607.521.034 (4602)
Oficina: 952.46.93.92


_____________________________________________
From: Jaime Vanhoose Steele
Sent: martes, 17 de abril de 2012 19:16
To: Spain Malaga Mission; KATHERINEFAGERSTEN@GMAIL.COM
Subject: Final Return Travel Itinerary For FAGERSTEN/JOSEPH OWEN - 30May - 29HBQ2


The Spain Malaga missionaries are now returning May 30th due to flight availability for the whole group.If there are any problems with this please contact me.
Thank you!
Jaime Steele
Missionary Travel
801-240-5703

**Electronic Ticketed**
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT                          DATE 17APRIL12
50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST                    AGENT VH/JV BOOKING REF 29HBQ2
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111                    FAGERSTEN/JOSEPH OW 195059-R
FAX      : 801-240-5115

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL
  SPAIN MALAGA MISSION

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE
_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______
AIR FRANCE            30MAY MALAGA         PARIS          650A    925A
AF 2031           WEDNESDAY MALAGA AIRPORT CHARLES DE GAU
L ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 3     TERMINAL 2D
           NON SMOKING      FOOD FOR PURCHASE             NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         2:35 DURATION
 UX 1033                    FLIGHT OPERATED BY UX AIR EUROPA
            AIRCRAFT OWNER: UX  AIR EUROPA
              COCKPIT CREW: UX  AIR EUROPA
                CABIN CREW: UX  AIR EUROPA
                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800    

DELTA AIR LINES       30MAY PARIS          MINNEAPOLIS MN 1040A   100P
DL 219            WEDNESDAY CHARLES DE GAU ST PAUL INTL
U ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 2E    TERMINAL 1
           NON SMOKING      LUNCH                         NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         9:20 DURATION
                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200
                            SEAT 40A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

DELTA AIR LINES       30MAY MINNEAPOLIS MN CEDAR RAPID IA 455P    557P
DL 4086           WEDNESDAY ST PAUL INTL   CEDAR RAPIDS
U ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 1
           NON SMOKING                                    NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         1:02 DURATION
                            FLIGHT OPERATED BY PINNACLE DBA DELTA CON
            AIRCRAFT OWNER: 9E  PINNACLE AIRLINES
                  AIRCRAFT: CANADAIR REGIONAL JET
                            SEAT 13A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  AF/29HBQ2  DL/GYXAE8

FAGERSTEN/JOSEPH OWEN  195059-R    
     ETKT:DL/006 7037194497

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE
OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE
CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537)
.
CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7
.
JAIME STEELE - EXT 25703
MISSION PRESIDENT RICHARD REED CLEGG
PH 011-34-952-469-392 OFFICE 011-34-95-246-3091 HOME
CALL CHURCH TRAVEL IN EMERGENCY OR DELAYED SITUATION
MADRID MTC CONTACT PRESIDENT DOUGLAS EARL
PH 011 34 91 301 7626 OR 011 34 91 301 7627
      * NOTICE * STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED AT AIRPORT.
        BECAUSE CHECK-IN TIMES AROUND THE WORLD MAY VARY BASED
       ON THE INDIVIDUAL AIRPORT AND DAY-TO-DAY SECURITY ISSUES
                 PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY FOR YOUR FLIGHTS.
      IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AIRPORT SECURITY,
                 PLEASE CONTACT THE AIRPORT DIRECTLY.
          MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800) 537-3537 OR (801) 240-5111
           EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800) 537-1232 OR (801) 240-1387    
        GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000

BAGGAGE POLICY - FOR TRAVEL TO/FROM, WITHIN THE US, PLEASE VISIT:
HTTPS://BAGS.AMADEUS.COM?R=29HBQ2&N=FAGERSTEN


Use CheckMyTrip to view your itinerary and flight changes at any time:
Go to CheckMyTrip now: http://WWW.CHECKMYTRIP.COM/CMTSERVLET?R=29HBQ2&L=US&N=FAGERSTEN

April 30, 2012

Hola,

We had a fantastic week.  Oh, and just to let you know, I changed my mind about school this fall.  I have decided I will go to BYU-Idaho!

On Monday, Elder Jones went to Fuengirola for a District Leader Training meeting, so Elder Wright and Elder Tenney, who serve in Lorca, came and spent the day with me, then I went with them to Lorca on Tuesday.  We had a good time.  Elder Tenney is new - he arrived a week and a half ago - and he's a great missionary.  Wednesday we had district meeting and in the afternoon we taught some great people.  On Thursday we finally got in touch with one of ouf investigators with whom we hadn't talked in about 2 weeks.  That was a miracle.  Then on Friday, we found two teenage boys who we are going to teach, and had a lesson with another investigator which was also a miracle.  We found him right as he was leaving his apartment and we were able to talk with him for a while.  It was great.

On Saturday, we visited a member who is from Venezuela and she taught us how to make "arepas," which are kind of like pancakes, but not really.  You make the dough, then you form them into pancake looking things, then you fry them in oil, take them out, cut them in half and fill the inside with butter, cheese, or whatever else you want, and you eat them.  They are delicious!

Yesterday was Pedro's birthday.  He is the first counselor in the Branch Presidency.  Elder Jones and I made some posters for him, and after church we went with his wife, Rosa, and his daughters, Julia and Belkis, and put up the posters and stuff before he got back from his meetings.  They're a great family.  They're from Honduras, but have lived here for about 5 years, I think.  Rosa also taught me how to make "tortilla de patata" and we did it quite well.  Elder Jones and I brought vanilla ice cream, bananas, strawberries, chocolate syrup, carmel syrup, and whipped cream, so we had banana splits for the dessert.  It was fun.

Throughout the week, my testimony of the truth of this work has grown and strengthened.  I know that it's true!  The true church and gospel of Jesus Christ have been restored to the earth.  I am grateful for this knowledge, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony of it with these people, and invite them to come and see and know for themselves that these things are true.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

April 23, 2012

Hola,

What a great week!  On Wednesday I said good bye to Elder Card, and welcomed Elder Jones to Huércal-Overa.  He's awesome!  He's from Enterprise, Utah, near St. George.  He's a hard-working, obedient missionary and I love serving as his companion.  We are finding lots of people to teach and we have felt the Lord help us in this work.

On Friday morning, President and Hermana Clegg came here for our Specialized Training.  It was great!  We had interviews with President, Hermana Clegg gave a workshop, and we had a "Question-Answer" session with President Clegg - kind of an open discussion about the gospel, missionary work, etc.  I loved it!  My interview with President Clegg was especially significant for me, and I love and appreciate him for all of the help and guidance and encouragement he has given me during my entire mission.

On Saturday we went to Murcia for a meeting with our zone and the Stake High Councilman over missionary work.  We discussed plans that the Stake has to put into practice in each of our individual units to help the members and missionaries work together, and we all left with greater faith and desires to invite others to come unto Christ.  Instead of coming straight back to our area, we went to Cartagena, took the car that the missionaries had, and drove it back here.  Now we can go out to the other towns around here without having to depend on the bus schedule.  We're grateful to have it.

Yesterday, Elder Jones and I both gave talks about missionary work in church.  He talked about the "who," "what," "where," "when," and "why," of missionary work, and I talked about how the gospel changes lives.  Nearly everyone in the branch is a convert, so we encouraged them to make the effort to invite others to come unto Christ, to invite their friends and family members to come and see and experience the same changes that they have experienced by accepting and living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that the changes that come into our lives by living the gospel are changes for the better.  Everything the Lord teaches us and commands us to do; all of the ordinances and covenants, principles and doctrines have the purpose to prepare us to return Home to our Heavenly Father, and to feel at home when we get there, so that we are prepared and able to live even as He lives.

I love you all so much!

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

coming home

HI EVERYONE!!!

THE FINAL TRAVEL ITINERARY FOR JOE IS LISTED BELOW:


MARK YOUR CALENDARS, MAY 30TH AT 6 P.M. AT THE CR AIRPORT. . .LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING!!!

The Spain Malaga missionaries are now returning May 30th due to flight availability for the whole group. If there are any problems with this please contact me.
Thank you!
Jaime Steele
Missionary Travel
801-240-5703

**Electronic Ticketed**
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT                          DATE 17APRIL12
50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST                    AGENT VH/JV BOOKING REF 29HBQ2
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111                    FAGERSTEN/JOSEPH OW 195059-R
FAX      : 801-240-5115

  MISSIONARY TRAVEL
  SPAIN MALAGA MISSION

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE
_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______
AIR FRANCE            30MAY MALAGA         PARIS          650A    925A
AF 2031           WEDNESDAY MALAGA AIRPORT CHARLES DE GAU
L ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 3     TERMINAL 2D
           NON SMOKING      FOOD FOR PURCHASE             NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         2:35 DURATION
 UX 1033                    FLIGHT OPERATED BY UX AIR EUROPA
            AIRCRAFT OWNER: UX  AIR EUROPA
              COCKPIT CREW: UX  AIR EUROPA
                CABIN CREW: UX  AIR EUROPA
                  AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800    

DELTA AIR LINES       30MAY PARIS          MINNEAPOLIS MN 1040A   100P
DL 219            WEDNESDAY CHARLES DE GAU ST PAUL INTL
U ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 2E    TERMINAL 1
           NON SMOKING      LUNCH                         NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         9:20 DURATION
                  AIRCRAFT: AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200
                            SEAT 40A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

DELTA AIR LINES       30MAY MINNEAPOLIS MN CEDAR RAPID IA 455P    557P
DL 4086           WEDNESDAY ST PAUL INTL   CEDAR RAPIDS
U ECONOMY                   TERMINAL 1
           NON SMOKING                                    NON STOP
                            RESERVATION CONFIRMED         1:02 DURATION
                            FLIGHT OPERATED BY PINNACLE DBA DELTA CON
            AIRCRAFT OWNER: 9E  PINNACLE AIRLINES
                  AIRCRAFT: CANADAIR REGIONAL JET
                            SEAT 13A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED

RESERVATION NUMBER(S)  AF/29HBQ2  DL/GYXAE8

FAGERSTEN/JOSEPH OWEN  195059-R    
     ETKT:DL/006 7037194497

**IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, FLIGHT CHANGES ENROUTE
OR SIGNIFICANT DELAYS, IMMEDIATELY TELEPHONE
CHURCH TRAVEL (801-240-5111 OR 1-800-537-3537)
.
CHURCH TRAVEL IS AVAILABLE 24/7
.
JAIME STEELE - EXT 25703
MISSION PRESIDENT RICHARD REED CLEGG
PH 011-34-952-469-392 OFFICE 011-34-95-246-3091 HOME
CALL CHURCH TRAVEL IN EMERGENCY OR DELAYED SITUATION
MADRID MTC CONTACT PRESIDENT DOUGLAS EARL
PH 011 34 91 301 7626 OR 011 34 91 301 7627
      * NOTICE * STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED AT AIRPORT.
        BECAUSE CHECK-IN TIMES AROUND THE WORLD MAY VARY BASED
       ON THE INDIVIDUAL AIRPORT AND DAY-TO-DAY SECURITY ISSUES
                 PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY FOR YOUR FLIGHTS.
      IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING AIRPORT SECURITY,
                 PLEASE CONTACT THE AIRPORT DIRECTLY.
          MISSIONARY TRAVEL (800) 537-3537 OR (801) 240-5111
           EMPLOYEE TRAVEL (800) 537-1232 OR (801) 240-1387    
        GENERAL AUTHORITY TRAVEL (800)453-3860 OR (801)240-1000

BAGGAGE POLICY - FOR TRAVEL TO/FROM, WITHIN THE US, PLEASE VISIT:
HTTPS://BAGS.AMADEUS.COM?R=29HBQ2&N=FAGERSTEN


Use CheckMyTrip to view your itinerary and flight changes at any time:
Go to CheckMyTrip now: http://WWW.CHECKMYTRIP.COM/CMTSERVLET?R=29HBQ2&L=US&N=FAGERSTEN

April 16, 2012

Hola,

This week went great!  Elder Card and I have worked and walked and talked a lot over the last six weeks and this week was probably the best!  We taught some of the people that we had originally spoken with over a month ago but with whom we couldn't get in contact again until last Thursday.  They told us that we can come back and share more with them and we feel excited and grateful for that.

From lunch on Wednesday to lunch on Thursday, the entire mission joined in fasting and prayer to prepare ourselves for a mission wide "harvest" on Friday.  The Zone Leaders in the mission, at the April Zone Leader Council, organized a day in which the entire mission, every companionship, would spend the entire day looking for those people who will hear and accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  No lessons were to be scheduled that day, no one was allowed to teach a lesson unless some one let you in the door.  Specifically planning the streets and neighborhoods and where we would be at what time, we were to spend all day contacting and knocking doors.  We loved it!  Knowing that the whole mission was united in faith and in prayer seemed to give everyone extra ánimo, or excitement.  Elder Card and I knocked a ton of doors, and talked with a lot of people, and many of them invited us to come back.  We felt really grateful and really humbled by the goodness of the Lord and the strength and energy that He gave us to do this work.

One bit of sad news, however, did come our way.  Elder Card will not stay in Huércal-Overa as my companion next transfer.  On Saturday morning, President Clegg called and told Elder Card his new assignment - Elche.  Elder Card is an amazing missionary and is definitely one of my great friends from the mission.  We learned and went through a lot together.  He then spoke to me and said, "Well, Elder Jones is going to be your last companion."  There are two Elder Joneses in the mission, but Elder Ryan Jones, who was my District Leader when I served in Puertollano, is the one who will be with me here during my last transfer.  He's great and I am excited to serve with him.  It's crazy that I am already in the last six weeks of my full-time missionary service.  The time has flown by, but at the same time it seems like ages ago that I stepped off that bus and arrived in my first area.

I know that the Lord loves and knows each of us individually, and there is no sacrifice or task or challenge beyond the enabling power of his grace.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ assures us that it will all be worth it.

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain

April 9, 2012

Hola,

What a great week!  On Tuesday we did exchanges with the missionaries in Lorca.  We went there on Tuesday morning for District Meeting and then Elder Card came back here to Huércal with Elder Wright while I stayed with Elder Avellar in Lorca.  Elder Avellar finishes his mission at the end of this transfer, so two of us old goats in the mission had a chance to work together for a little bit.  I enjoyed it a lot and he taught me many important things.  With the passing of time I realize how much more I still need to learn and change and improve, but I also realize how willing the Lord is to help me learn and change and improve.

This week was "Semana Santa" and it is huge in Huércal-Overa.  Not huge in terms of numbers because it's a pretty small town, but huge in the sense of importance.  Elder Card and I went and saw some of it and we felt pretty sure that nearly everyone in the pueblo was part of a procession or saw a procession.  We hadn't seen so many people in one place the whole time that we have served here.

On Sunday, all of the talks given in sacrament meeting focused on the Atonement of the Lord, Jesus Christ.  Each of the speakers prepared well and I felt the Spirit as they taught and testified of the great love of our Heavenly Father and his Only Begotten Son.  During the last two hours of the meetings, we had Sunday School combined, and Priesthood and Relief Society combined as well.  More lessons were taught and testimonies shared of the importance and significance of the Atonement.  I love studying the Atonement, talking, pondering and praying about it.  Because of the restoration of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can understand not only what Jesus did for us, but why He did it, and how that atoning sacrifice can have full influence and power and application in our lives.  I am grateful for the testimony I have that the words spoken by the angel are true - "He is risen" (Matt. 28: 6).  His atonement gives us the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father in families forever.  It truly is "sweet the joy this sentence gives; I know that my Redeemer lives!"

Love,
Elder Fagersten in Spain