How many members does it take to convert one spanish man?

Hola!

The answer to my title, is 8. Let me explain: In my ward the office elders, and the APs are in my area. Elder Bohnne, one of the office elder tore a muscle in his knee and had to have surgery last week. But because he is such a bomb missionary! He ¨contacts¨ in front of the church when they dont have lessons. They set up a little chair for him and try to flag down people to listen to them. Its inspiring to watch. One night, my companion and I were watching them contact while we waited for an investigador to arrive. While we waited they stopped an old spanish man, like normal this sweet old man starts splirtting out the 1000 reasons why there couldnt be a god, quite forcefully. They spoke to him calmly but firmly, and one of the members at the church went out to join them. Anyway, after 5 minutes or so our investigador fired us so we went out to contact. We arrived back at the church 40 minutes later. Guess who was outside the church still talking to this old spaniard? 8 members (including the two elders) trying to resolve his doubts. This time around, the sweet spaniard wasnt shouting but nodding his head listening. It was amazing to see his heart soften, and although he said he wouldnt come to church, I know we planted a very good seed! 

This week has been very good for me, because Im learning to stop comparing my growth to those other missionaries around me. My spanish, my charity, my listening abilities, my everything. Because when you do compare you are just so darn miserable? Your so consummed with your faults that you cant focus on the work. Know how to fix it? Prayer. I have decided to give a reporting every night to my Heavenly Father of what I did that day, and see what he thinks of my progress. That has made all the world of the difference. 

This thursday is thanksgiving, and if you were worried about my el dia de acción de gracias, dont! Because a plus of serving in Alcobendas is the mission president lives in my area, and that saint and his wife has invited all of the missionaries in my area to have dinner at his house!!! Miracles my friends. Miracles. I am stoked. 

I have alot to be grateful for, the gospel, my Savior, my family, my friends, my health, this mission. So so so much! I cant even begin to write all the many things I have to be grateful for. All the good things in my life have to do with the goodness of our Heavenly Father, because he loves us! How blessed we are. I hope you all enjoy your thanksgiving!

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

Jam'on !

Us singing at the Vera's house!

Pics from Bustar Viejo

Jamming Out in the Rain

Hola!! 

This week was a busy week! I love working with Hermana Fuller because even though she leaves pretty soon that isnt stopping her from giving her all to the field here in Alcobendas. She is so creative and has so many ideas to help the people here in this ward. We worked everyday to use our time to our advantage. However, as my Uncle Scott told me before I left that you need to work hard and play hard. Which we did.

On Tuesday we went over to the Vera familys house to eat, along with some other missionaries. When we finished Andres brought out his guitar and we had a cool jam session singing hymns, christmas music. It brought back so many memories being at my aunts house for Christmas Eve singing and dancing. One of my highlights of the week. 

I am currently teaching an Asian right now. Didnt think I would be teaching an Asian in Spain, but hey throw him in with my Ecuadorians, Peruvians, Romanians, etc. Its a blast. He speaks 10 languages, he makes me laugh so hard because he is so smart he wants to fight on every doctrine. I am so grateful for my world religion course I took before my mission. When he speaks spanish it reminds me of one of those old chinese english action films. He is funny, I love the man! 

Oh funny story! My companion and I were walking by this bar one day and this man yelled at us "Preachers why dont you preach to me?" So you know what my companion did, she started preaching. He thought she was an angel from heaven, but me. Me, he didnt enjoy. However he did like flicking my nose, the first time I was surprised the second time it happended I felt like snapping his finger. However my companion seemed to get to him, and he said he would come to church, so lets wait and see! 

All in all my life here is good. I cant believe I´ve been out here as long as I have. It seems like only yesterday I received my call. But such is life. I am grateful for my time I have and to work in the Lords vineyard. I know this work is so important! I love my Savior. I miss you all and pray that you are all doing well.

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

Many Are Called but Few Answer

Hola from Alcobendas!

Life here in Alcobendas is cold as normal. Another week down under my belt. It blows my mind that I´ve been out in the mission field for 3 months. It feels like yesterday that I entered the MTC. But that just is life, things keep moving on. This week went by so fast. However quick funny story for you....I may or may not have fallen on my face twice in one day this week. Yup, Im a clutz. That hasnt stopped being a part of me, even with my chappa on. The first time I was trying to do this fancy kick switch move to side step this old spanish lady (because let me tell you what, it is impossible to walk around old spanish people in groups) anyway I should have known better then to try to be clever because SMACK. My whole body hit the pavement. One thing I love about Spaniards is they look back, see if it affects them, if it doesnt they just keep walking on. Which is exactly what that old lady did. But its fine, I laughed it off. Then later that night, I just fell out of no where. My companion and I are pretty positive a witch put a spell on us. But hey la vida!

This week we had a Area Book party (the area book is where we right about our investigadors, past investigadors, and so forth) so there are old investigadors in this book from 2002. Its amazing to see how God prepares people, because we decided to call some of the old investigadors from missionaries in the past. Now they have this desire to learn that they didnt have in the past!! We´ve seen miracles through working in the Area book, and for that I am grateful. 

Wellington my convert is doing amazing! He blessed the sacrament on Sunday. I may have teared up like a proud mamma when I heard him! Also on Sunday was the Primary Program, which was so cute to see!! Even in Spain the primary programs are adorable. 

Life here is good. I feel blessed to be in Alcobendas helping the ward progress here. I love my companion, and I love my Savior. Currently I am in 3 Nefi in El Libro de Mormon, where JesuCristo is talking, and the spirit and the power in this chapters are my favorite. I have really learned to love and rely on the scriptures and the counsel they give us. I love to think of the BoM as a letter mas o menos, (more or less) for us in these latter days from God. I know this is his church, I know that we are so blessed when we help in this work, in whatever shape we can. I love my Savior. I love you all.

Have a great week, please know I think about you every day.

Con Amor, 

Hermana Shurtz

Happy Birthday Gunner!

Babysitting For a Week

Hola!

On Monday we got a surprise call from President Jackson asking us if we had one extra bed in our home. No, this time it wasnt an Iranian trying to move in with us it was Hermana Cansado. She actually finished her mission almost two weeks ago, but she was waiting a whole week for her parents to come and pick her up so they could tour Spain together. So she crashed the week with my companion and I. What a blast that was! Small world, but Hermana Cansado half trained Hermana Fuller, so it was a reunion party! 

Awesome week with these two!!

I loved working in a trio, the dynamic was amazing. I learned so much from the two of them this week. Its amazing to see that even though Hermana Cansado was technically done she still put her shoulder to the wheel and worked hard. I hope at the end of my mission I can be just like them.

This week went by so fast but so much happened this week. We were constantly on the streets contacting, meeting people from all over the country! I love that, just talking to people (well listening really, my speaking isnt quite there yet). Another blessing this week is to witness to many priesthood blessings. Many of our investigadors right now have been struggling with one thing or another and we felt impressed that we needed to offer them a blessing. So we had members help us out, and I love knowing that these men have the power of God! That these blessings are words sent from God. I know I am not putting it into the correct words how Im feeling, but its just so nice to know that we have the stamp of approval from the big man upstairs. 

Also I´ve been fed alot this week.... Thats a serious blessing from heaven! I had spanish food, venezualen food, brazilian, you name it, I ate it! My stomach isnt happy with me, but my taste buds are! Oh well, just a few more crunches in the morning and its all worth it. 

I know that this is the only true church of God. I am so grateful to be here in Spain and to teach the importance of the Priesthood in our lives. I feel so blessed to be in this church. God is so good. He knows us better then we could ever know ourselves. I am so blessed.

I love you all and miss you.

Con Amor,

Hermana Shurtz

Sandwiches on "P" day with my new Comp, Hermana Fuller from Murray
First week together was great!

Going to miss these two angels.  They moved back to Chile this week.  Loved
this family so much.