My first bullfight!

10/1  Elder Webber and I had another great week this week.  Juliana's family is doing incredible!  We had a visit with them and set a goal for a day to go to the temple as a family. They are such a wonderful family, and they really lighten up the room when they walk in. I really have grown to love them so much! We have such a great relationship with them, and they are already completely integrated with the ward. It has been such a privilege to be able to be get to know them and help Juliana prepare for her baptism. 

This last weekend we planned a barbecue with the branch. It was so relieving to see the whole branch participate and help bring it together. One of the hardest things here has been getting activities to happen, but these members just took charge of the whole thing and made it happen. It was such a good turn out. It started out a little slow, but then when Juliana's family got there, things picked up real quick. Everybody was talking, eating and having a great time. We had a few investigators there as well, one of which was Mohamed. He is doing very well and has asked us to help him with his Spanish. He has showed a lot of interest in the church, and is very friendly with everyone. 

One thing I have learned through my studies and experiences this week is the importance of being firmly rooted in the gospel. I have seen that if we do not have a rock solid testimony, we will not make it through trials and challenges. Our testimonies need to be firm in Jesus Christ. We need to know that He is our Savior and Redeemer. We need to know without a doubt that He restored His church, the ONLY true and living church, through the prophet Joseph Smith. We need to know that this church is guided by living prophets, and there are no errors in its doctrine or teachings because they come directly from the Savior. As Helaman wrote, if we are anchored to the "rock of our Redeemer", nothing will be able to sway us. No trial or challenge will have power to pull us away from the truth. 

So this week I got to see a bullfight! It wasn't really a full on bullfight, it was just a little kid doing it with a baby bull. It was still really cool though. The little bull still charged and everything. The kid actually ended up getting thrown on the ground at one point. He was fine though. I lucked out on companion exchange to Logroño! They were celebrating San Mateo all last week, and the parties were crazy! Lots of wine and alcohol. Not the best for missionary work, but it was a cool cultural experience. I also got to see Pamplona on transfer day. I had to go there Sunday night and sent Elder Webber off Monday morning. It was a little hard, but I know I'll see him again back home. I got to stay in Pamplona until Tuesday night. It's an incredible city! I took lots of pictures and saw the streets where they do the running of the bulls! Way cool!

P.S. I am training now, and that's why the email is so late. Sorry, you'll get the story next week.

Plaza de Toros where I saw the bullfight

Pamplona

The Running of the Bulls takes place on this street!