Spetember 27, 2010

Buenos dias,

We had a wonderful week. I forgot to tell you about two weeks ago when we went to Granada for a Specialized Training with President and Hermana Clegg. It's not the same as Zone Conference (we now only have those once every three months) but it is still with the whole zone. Anyway, we went on the bus there (two hours) and had an awesome meeting! We talked about having more energy and urgency and enthusiasm for the work, but at the same time, being more sensitive to the Spirit and asking questions that will invite it to teach the people we meet with. I enjoyed it a lot and felt the Spirit strengthen my testimony and my desire to serve.

This past week we had companionship exchanges with the Zone Leaders, Elder Gold and Elder Del Molino. We had a lot of fun with them and worked hard.

Elder Hurley turned two last Friday, meaning that it was his two year mark in the mission. He has extended and this is his last transfer here. He is a great missionary and he has taught me a lot. Elder Marchello was transferred - he went to Elche. Elder Hurley's companion is Elder Dunoskovic. He was born in Australia, but grew up in the U.S. He's a cool kid. Elder Adams and I are still here in Almería and we are loving it.

Thank so much for all of your love and all of your prayers and all of your support. I love you all. I hope you are all doing well. I know you will continue to do well when you grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This coming weekend we have the opportunity to hear from His living prophets and apostles, and His other leaders of the Church, in General Conference. There are many, many ways to prepare for conference, but one I had was to write down questions that come to my mind and listen for answers during the sessions. And there are many different types of questions you can ask as well - they can be questions about doctrines, things you want to change, things you are uncertain about, things you fear, things that will make you happy, things you want to apply in your life - all of those questions will help you get more out of conference. All of those questions will be answered because the principles and doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ are eternal and can be applied to everyone's life. I know that the Lord loves us. He lives, and he has restored his true church on the earth again, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with the revelations and authority to administer all of the ordinances of salvation and exaltation that will one day bring us back to his presence, to live together in a fulness of everlasting joy.

Keep smiling.

Love,
Elder Fagersten

September 20, 2010

Hello everyone. Almería is fantastic. We are continuing to know the city better and better, as well as the people here. Dad, you were right, it does take about 6 weeks to get an idea of where things are, meet the people, and figure some things out. I enjoy this so much!

The other night, Elder Adams and I went to the house of a family in our ward, and when I say house, I mean apartment. Hardly anyone has a house. That's one thing about Spain - there are bunch of apartments and hardly any houses. Anyway, we went to this family's house, Jose Manuel and his family, and guess what I ate... OCTOPUS! ( I wish I could better understand what they were saying while describing how to make these things and what was in it, but I'll do my best...) He caught the octopus a couple weeks before. He told us that you need to let the octopus sit in the fridge for a week or so, then you cook it (not sure how) then you cut it up and put it in with onions and tomatoes and peppers - kind of like salsa but not really... there's other stuff in there too. I guess it was a recipe from the north of Spain, and yes, it was really good.

Right now we are teaching a man named Jesús. He is preparing to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost the week after General Conference. It is amazing to feel the responsibility and love that come with teaching people the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Adams and I continually work on helping these people come unto Christ. It is true joy to see the gospel change lives, including my own.

I love you all and hope that you find joy in every day.


- Elder Fagersten

So much love!

Just a quick thing - in the Spain Málaga Mission we are allowed to email our mission president and immediate family. I can recieve emails from anyone, that's not a problem, but I will need to write to everyone else by hand, so, I will do that, but it will take some time. Just to let you know I'm not ignoring you and I still love you!

From the Mom

I forgot to attatch a couple of photos that I thought you might be interested in. The first is a photo of the cost of Almeria along the Mediterranean. Joe is currently serving in the city of Almeria. The scenery is breathtaking!

The second photo is a picture of a bull fighting ring. . .they do not get to watch the bull fights, but they were able to check out the bull ring. It looks like some of our sports stadiums here in America!

Thanks for all of your love and support,
Mom

Septemeber 9, 2010

We had another great week in Almería. Elder Adams and I are working really hard to find more people to teach. Last Monday, we went to Telepizza for lunch (it wasn't as good as Little Ceasars but it was a lunch buffet...) and we met a guy named Jesús. Elder Adams and I taught him once and we're planning on meeting with him again this week. He is really cool.

Elder Adams is awesome. He is really patient with me and he has a great attitude. He continually strives to improve and become better. I feel so blessed to have him as my companion and trainer. While we were walking one day he said to me, "Elder Fagersten, I just want you to have an awesome mission. I just want you to have the best time ever." He always helps me try to do that, and together, it has been awesome.

On Wednesday we went up to Granada for a special fireside. Bishop Richard C. Edgley, Elder José A. Teixeira, and Brother Joseph B. Wirthlin Jr. spoke to us. The ward here in Almería rented two buses and we all made the trip together. It was great and I really enjoyed it.

Something about Spain: There are a lot of dogs here, and when people walk their dogs, half the time the don't even have a leash. Still, they never run away. It's pretty crazy.

I love all of you so much. Continue to look to the Lord. Heavenly Father's plan for us is to be happy. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ is how we do that. The atonement of Jesus Christ is central to the gospel, and thus, central to our Heavenly Father's plan. You can do a lot to help His plan take effect in the lives of his children here on the earth. Love and trust and help the missionaries. They work hard and they want to do everything they can to help this work go forward.

Love,
Elder Fagersten

Mon, Sep 6, 2010

Hola,

Well, this past week was quite an adventure. Elder Adams, my trainer, went to a special training at the mission home in Fuengirola along with all the other Trainers, District Leaders, Zone Leaders, and Assistants in the mission. Elder Hurley, Elder Marchello's trainer, went to Málaga on an exchange so that Elder Adams would have someone to travel with. This left Elder Marchello, who arrived the transfer before I did, and myself, to handle the entire city of Almería from Tuesday until Friday night. We survived. : ) Haha. No, we learned a lot, but it certainly was not easy. We would talk with people on the street, look at each other, neither of us not exactly sure what the person just said, but did our best.

Really, that's what the Lord asks of us, that we do our best. He wants us to learn and grow, and when we do our best, He is pleased. I'm amazed at all of the blessings He so willingly gives us.

Something about Almería: This is true for all of Spain too, but the cars here are tiny, as are the streets. And talk about parallel parking - there's no other kind of parking here. Dad, I think you would be impressed by their parking skills.

Also, I need to find a map of the United States, one with Iowa, so I can show people where I'm from. I have yet to talk to a person that knows where it is.

There are so many experiences to tell about, but the most important experiences here, and in all of our lives, are those that bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. The truth is, all of our experiences can bring us closer to Him when we choose to look to Him.

I love you all and hope you're doing well.

Love,
Elder Fagersten

Repentance

I apoligize for getting behind on these posts. I was without a computer for two months. But I'm back on line now and will be back posting letters from Elder Fagersten until we are up to date!