Metro Party

Hola!

So basically I'm loving being in B5. God really is pushing me to work,
there's never a dull moment here in B5 and for that I'm super
grateful.

We were able to do some service this week which made me a happy
camper. We made some good old American no bake cookies for a member in
the hospital, nothing makes people feel better then a butt ton on
super and butter! We also were able to help clean the church which was
nice! I believe the best way to show the members, investigators,
whoever that you love them is by serving them. So my comp and I have
been looking for ways to do acts of service everywhere we go.

Another cool thing we've been able to do is have Family Home Evenings
with investigators and members every night. Best part of the mission!
There is nothing funner then a good old FHE with members.

I'm starting to get used to being in the metro a lot. It's fun because
there are always performers playing in the metro. The metro doesn't
have music playing, because they have people who do it for free.

We were able to go to the temple this week which is always such a
blessing. I have really grown to love hearing the sessions in Spanish.
I haven't done an English session since the MTC and for that I'm so
grateful. I walked away from the temple feeling a deep love for my
father in heaven. I also gained a stronger testimony that God is in
the details, always.

A weird fact. We live on the third floor, and for some reason our
piano has become infested with ants. Ha! We've tried everything to get
rid of them. The best way we've found is by mopping up the little
suckers. I just laugh and think, if it's this bad on the third floor
what's going on in the first one? So basically that's been our
adventure this week.

Also I have officially been dubbed "elder Shurtz" by the young single
adults here. They say I'm so hip that I'm cooler then an Hermana. I
don't know what that means but it works.

Today we are going to play baseball with our Cuban investigator, the
elders, and a few members. The elders are pretty pumped to play an
American sport for a change. We always get roped into playing futbal
so we're happy to switch it up for a change. But although we are
playing baseball... It's a bit improvised due to not a lot of people
play and no one has the equipment. So we are playing with tennis balls
and we are still trying to find a bat. So we'll see how it goes.

I'm super grateful for all the love and support I have felt these last
14 months. I am grateful for the prayers and the emails. Thank you for
supporting my family. I am so grateful for all you have done for me. I
can't wait to give each and everyone of you a big ol hug. I hope you
have a great and know that you are loved a continent away.

Con amor,
Hermana Shurtz

BYU Groupies

Hola!

Big ol city greetings to yall. It's been weird adjusting to more then
5 people on the street at all times. Also hearing all the city sounds
at night was weird to get used to, but I'm flexible and it's been a
fun and new experience.

On Wednesday we got surprised by our mission president with permission
to go to a free BYU basketball game! Whatup! We were allowed to come
if we brought someone with us. My comp and I were so down. So as we
got there, I was SO SURPRISED to see some old friends. Wellington, my
convert from alcobendas. Andres a friend from Alcobendas and angel, an
investigator I helped teach when I was in Alcobendas. To say I
screamed is an understatement. I was over the moon to see some old
friends after so much time. Best gift God has given me in my mission.

I've loved being in B5 so far. I've had so many confirmations that I
need to be here. I was asked to give a talk on Sunday and I talked
about missionary work (go figure.) and they loved it, I had them eatin
out the palm of my hands with my Shurtz whit. I had a member come up
to me later and say that my attitude was just what the ward needed. So
we'll see what goes down.

I love you all! I miss you so much. Have a great week!

Con amor,
Hermana Shurtz

Sun Setting In Puerta del Sol

My favorite place in Spain.

Farewell party to Cordova

Hola!

So transfers came and passed and I got transferred to Barrio 5. Which
is in Puerta del Sol the heart of Madrid. I'm with Hermana
Brirnbaugher. She's from Bolivia and seems really nice. It was hard to
say goodbye to Azuqueca. I am going to miss those members SO much. But
that's the mission, and hopefully this is my last change.

This week was great! We were members all week long due to that elder
Cordova was going home, and there was the possibility of me leaving. I
ate SO much food. Every night we'd come home rolling in the door.
Hopefully I'm able to walk off this Latin food soon!

There's also been a bit of drama his week because the president has
changed a few things about the schedule. We've been trying to adjust
to it, it's always hard for change. But I know he's been called of
God!

Well there's not much to say. I'm excited for this new adventure, I
miss you all!

Con cariño,
Hermana Shurtz

This old man kills me. 92 years old, and still can crack the best jokes.

Trunky Email

Hola!

If my mom hasn't shouted it on the rooftops yet, my release date is
the 8th of December. I got my "trunky email" this last Wednesday. I
was sitting waiting for a meeting to start when I got it. I had
figured I was going home the 22 because that's when transfers end...
But once again God decided to throw me a curveball. Not going to lie I
was a bit bummed to have my days get cut but I'll be happy to spend
the holiday season back home.

The best thing that happened this week is our investigator Richard
told us that his papers should be all done and they have a wedding
planned for September! You know what that means, baptism in SEPTEMBER!
Although I am 99% positive I won't be there im so grateful that things
are moving forward for him finally and he's able to get baptized. This
man is amazing.

A very interesting thing happened to me a few days back. We were
visiting a less active and she was taking care of a little girl for a
month while her mom was out working. This little 2 year old stole my
heart. I'm not normally all over kids but she stole my heart right
away. You could see her overwhelming need for affection. She'd been
lacking someone to tell her how pretty and adorable she was. We
played, danced, and when she was tired curled up on my lap and slept.
I wanted to take her home with me so bad. In that moment I wanted
nothing more then to be a mother. I am grateful that I have the gospel
in my life (and an amazing mother as an example) that will help
prepare me to be a mom when the time comes.

This week is the last week of the transfer and our agenda is full of
visits with members. I'm pumped but I'm nervous what's going to happen
to my waistline. Wish me luck.

I know the gospel is true. It really is there to help families be
together forever. I know my Savior lives and loves us.

Con amor,
Hermana Shurtz

Where Did July Go?!

Hola!

I have a testimony that I am one sweet person. Due to, I've been eaten
alive by Mosquitos. I'm sweeter then apple pie for these little
suckers. But hey nothing that some home remedies can't cure.

Last week we got an assignment from President Pack to meet with our
Bishop to see how we can help our ward. I was so down with meeting
with him. I know that meeting with the Bishop, helping him will only
help us as missionaries grow in the work in their ward. I saw what
meeting with the bishop did in Los Cristianos so I know that it would
only help us progress by meeting with the bishop here in Azuqueca.

There hasn't been just a draught physically in this little desert.
We've been having a lot of problems in the missionary work here so it
was nice to sit down with the bishop with the elders and talk about
what we thought maybe was the problem, and how we could help fix it.
It was a good meeting and gave us a bunch of animo to work harder to
help the ward become stronger and bigger.

I was able to go on intercombios this week with a girl named Hermana
Orrego. She's from chile, but her parents are Argentinean. She was so
much fun to work with for the day! She really is an awesome
missionaries. I was grateful to work with her and learn new things,
new ways to teach, new perspective. Just a recharge. I think sometimes
in life we get in a routine and it's just so nice to do something
different, be with someone different to just grow. I'm grateful for
intercombios because it's just a chance to remember and refresh things
up a bit. I guess old dogs can learn new tricks.

Transfers are in two weeks and I'm 90% positive I'm heading out. I can
just feel it. But it bites because all the members are leaving now for
vacation and won't get back till after transfers. So I've been
basically do my "just in case" goodbyes now. We went over to this
families house with the elders to eat with them, the Bustos. The dads
from chilie and he made us "completos" I thought those were just
something Kid History made up but their real! What they are are hot
dogs with ANYTHING you could imagine on them. I ate 2.

Another food update: being here in Spain where there are so many
immigrants from South America means you get to try food from all over
the world. My favorite has to be from Peru. I love Peruvian food.
Especially Papa la Juan Cayena (I don't know if that's how you spell
it.) we went over to this members house and she fed us that, and
sometimes they add a little to much spice. Let's just say I was
breathing out fire for like 3 hours afterwards. Wow that was HOT. but
good. Ha!

Cool spiritual moment. We passed by a less active family house the
other day. The husband had gone apostate due to some money issues and
his heart has really hardened towards the church. His wife I think was
just confused and was supporting her husband, but about two weeks ago
she felt the need to come back to church and so she did. Then found
the elders on the street and told them she wants us to pass by. In the
lesson with her she told us "I feel good, I know what I've been
missing and it was this." You can see this determination in her to
fight for her family, to start over, and it's empowering.

I know this church is true. I know that repentance is a gift from God
and we can always start over. I have felt the peace that comes from
turning my will over to God. I'm grateful for the knowledge that I
have of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He lives.

I miss you and love you all.

Con amor,
Hermana Shurtz