Castilla de La Mancha

Hola! Greetings from La Mancha. 

I'm still in Azuqueca but I just realized that Azuqueca is part of La Mancha or the area where the famous Spanish book Don Quijote de La Mancha is based off of. Ha you learn new and fascinating facts everyday. 

Here in La Mancha it is very hot. Extremely hot. I will be extremely grateful when this summer season passes. Don't get me wrong I am in love with my tan body but, these sweaty armpits are keeping prospective investigators away. Shout out to Gma who sent me deodorant! Spain thanks you! But we did get a nice summer storm a few days ago. There was thunder and lighting covering the sky. I was a little kid on Christmas. But I'm trying to learn to enjoy every day, even when it is hot. Because as many people are liking to remind me now, there isn't much time I have left to enjoy the Spanish sky. 

In the mission there is 2 groups of people. 1. Where they ask you how much time you have in the mission. 2. When they ask you when your going home. I don't know how or when I became a member of the second group, but I am on official "when you going home" groupie. I don't know how time has flown by so fast, I still feel like a newbie! Menos mal, that members are also missionaries, so I have my whole life to get this right. 

This week we had a pretty neat experience. Wednesday was spiritually packed! We went to the temple in the morning to do a session. The entire time I was there I was thinking this could be my last time in the Madrid temple (if I get transferred away from the Madrid area) and so I really tried to enjoy every moment. I ended up being alone with my comp in the celestial room for a few minutes and that was very special for me. I was filled with a sense of gratitude and love for ,my Father in Heaven and all the blessings he has poured out to me and my loved ones. 

After the temple session we went straight to the Stake Center next door to have a Zone Meeting with our very brand new Mission President! President Pack and his family. I was so pumped to meet my new papa in the mission. They showed up late due to a car accident on the freeway and you could tell all the missionaries were getting antsy to meet them. When they showed up we were all holding our breaths. I kept thinking "be on your best behavior Shurtz." Don't wanna be on the presidents black list on the first day. 

Well after a few moments President Pack spoke, then his wife, and then their two kids, JJ and Caroline. I fell in love with them immediately, maybe it was their thick southern accent, or the way Hermana Pack was attempting to speak Spanish. Either way they got me hooked! I just felt this overwhelming feeling of love for them, and I could tell they felt it too. President Pack told us of this experience he had talking to President Irying on the phone, Irying said 

"Missionaries focus to much on where they are called to serve, when in reality that doesn't matter it's who they are called to. Missionaries are called to their mission presidents." I feel deeply that is true. I'm here to learn from the Packs! I haven't had my first interview with President pack yet so I haven't blown it by my sarcastic witty remarks yet. I'll fill you in by next week. 

This week I've really been studying Elder Holland. Ha, since he is my favorite apostle I've been reading all his talks from General conference (thank you gospel library app) and I have learned so much! Holland has such an incredible way to just pierce you to the soul. Either way I have felt such comfort from him and his testimony about the savior. I wanted to insert a paragraph from one of his talks that really helped me feel the love of my savior this past week:

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path--the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].” (None Were With Him, Holland April 2009)

Amen, Holland. The Atonement isn't just for sins, it's to help us is in our moments of despair, and confusion. I'm forever grateful for this eternal gift my Savior has given me and all humankind. I'm grateful I have this short time to continue to preach to the world this amazing gift of His. 

I love you all and I miss you and can't wait to tell you that in person! Have a great week.

Con amor, 

Hermana Shurtz