The Morning Breaks

The morning breaks and baptisms begin in Spain. WOW!

Way to go Elders Mockler, Lignell and White in Algeciras. Their investigator was leaving that day and so they received permission to baptize him in the early hours of a beautiful Saturday morning. The symbolism of being reborn along with the beginning of the most beautiful day in the life of one of the newest members of the church in Spain.

We also love the "family picture" of the District in Ciudad Real. All in blue and white, way to coordinate! After this picture the entire district changed, Elder Rencher transfered to Almeria, Elder Card is in Aljarafe, the Hermanas have a new missionary, Hermana Gibson, Elder Bradley has a new Elder, Elder Triana, Elder Hatch has a new companion, Elder Seely, and Elder Crawford has a new companion, Elder White.

The Hermanas in Cadiz had a wonderful baptism. Where are you Hermana Capener and Hermana Millan?

Elder Barney and Elder Hunt had a fantastic baptism in Alcala. A very humble man who has found joy and rejoicing in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

On Tuesday we had the pleasure of visiting with the "former" Elder Phillips and his parents all the way from London. What a pleasure to meet his parents and visit again with one of our wonderful returned missionary.

Happy Birthday to Presidente Clegg. Wow, what a huge puff of air to blow out this candle? The office elders made a cake. They just didn't want to buy 59 candles and aren't we glad! August 18th, a great day for the Clegg family.

To celebrate his birthday we decided to take a p-day and go to the mountains. Yes, there are a few mountains, in fact the highest mountain range in Spain is the real Sierre Nevadas just outside of Granada. We found a wonderful ski village up there.

Charming stores and restaurants to choose from.

Lots of hotels for the loads of skiers and snowboarders who come for winter pleasure and a few of us who also enjoy hiking in the hills during the summertime.

We decided to take the gondola to the top.

No Presidente, there isn't any snow and you don't have any skis on. You have to know that Presidente Clegg is more comfortable on a pair of skis on a beautiful powder day than anything else. Oh 3 years without skiing, that is a little sacrifice.

That's the view from the top of the gondola. It looks like some fun intermediate runs. We decided we would hike down the mountain.

"Hey, when is the lift going to start working?" Hermana Clegg is having a hard time keeping up with her "mountain goat" husband. He skis down fast and he hikes down fast.

We are half-way down now, enjoying the view. Just after this picture, somewhere on the hill, Hermana Clegg's phone fell out of her purse. We didn't find out until we were in the car on our way to Huercal-Overa. We figured her phone had returned to nature, never to return. But if you can believe it, a man from Barcelona found it the next day, called us and we were able to meet up with him Sunday afternoon. Wow, tender little miracles happen all the time.

We had a great fireside with the members of the newest branch in Spain in Huercal-Overa. Even some of the saints from Lorca came for the fireside.

Such a wonderful family. Little Freddie, the 12 year old is such a great future missionary. He wanted to touch Presidente Clegg's head because Pte. Henry Eyring called us on our mission. He knows the apostles and prophets and is doing all he can to prepare himself to serve a mission one day. His little brother will too because he will have Freddie as his example.

Another recent convert who is has already been to the temple to do baptisms and is planning to go in January to receive her endowments. Many faithful members in this little branch.

Elder Taylor is trying to hide behind someone's fan. It's not going to work, we can see you Elder Taylor.

The Elders of Lorca and Huercal-Overa are looking great. They have several baptismal dates set and they are working hard. Elder Faerguson looks like he knows something we all don't know? Elder Long, Elder Mervai and Elder Taylor will have to find out.

We did our best to get a group shot of some of the most faithful saints. We are sure this little branch is going to keep on growing.

The next morning, Sunday, we were on our way to Crevillente to go to church. On the way we passed this incredibly different statue on a roundabout that we have ever seen. Boy, who comes up with these?

Elder Rodriguez and Elder Staples are doing great things in Crevillente. They had an investigator in church we were able to meet. Keep working hard Elders and keep things going well there. We love all our missionaries and know they are working hard with urgency because we have so many people to find and teach and baptize in the Spain Malaga Mission!