I Wanna Get Better

Another week gone by. Each one seems faster than the last. Here we are again. As missionaries, we should have the goal of improving in every way we can. That means striving to be better today than we were yesterday each day. "I Wanna Get Better" by Bleachers pretty bluntly highlights that. The best way to improve constantly is to ensure that we're enjoying the work. A quote from The Princess Bride comes to mind: Miracle Max says, "Have fun storming the castle!" I've tried to implement that into my mission. We're hardly ever welcomed with opened arms, but the best thing to do is smile and go for it anyways.

This week has been good. We still had some lessons fail on us, but definitely less than last week. We met with this guy named Miguel for the first time. We actually met him when he walked into a lesson with another one of our investigators. We met him on a park bench and had one of the coolest lessons that I've had so far in the field. I honestly thought it was gonna be one of those lessons where they're super Catholic and try and bible bash, but I was wrong. Miguel is a really smart, spiritually in-tune guy and the lesson just flowed really well. At the end of the discussion, he straight up told us that he believed everything that we had shared. He could tell that we were sincere and told us he felt that what we said was true. He could definitely turn into a super solid investigator. That is, if we can manage to continue meeting with him. I can't wait to see what he thought of what he read in the Book of Mormon.

We also had Zone Conference up in Leon this last Thursday. It might've been the last time I'll see my cousin here since it's pretty probable that either one of both of us will get tranferred out the the zone next transf


er. Little sad, but I'm just grateful I got to see her here in the first place hahaha. My companion is absolutely convinced that I'm getting transferred out of the area in a couple weeks. I'm hoping that isn't so, though. We could have a couple of baptisms coming up.

Good things happening and more good things coming up. Miss you all. Keep partying hard back in the States, but not too hard (save that for when I get back). Until next week.

Con cariño,

Elder Penner

Pictures:

1. Dope lion in Madrid from when we went a couple weeks back

2. Chapa picture at La Puerta de Alcala in Madrid

3. THE ZONE

4. Picture of when we went to a pueblo that's basically built inside a castle a couple weeks back

Also: Don't think I ever put the address to where you should send me stuff it you want, so here you go:

Calle Fuerteventura 4,2, Office 8B, 28703 San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid Espana

Sweet Disaster

It's been a pretty strange week to be quite honest. The song by DREAMERS, Sweet Disaster, describes what happened in a sense. We had what seemed to be some really busy days this last week, but nearly every day, lessons fell through and we were left with not much to do other than try and find more people to teach. It can be really frustrating when we set things up and go across town to meet with them, and they end up not being home.

However, my companion and I realized something this week: There's always a reason that people fail us. Just like everything else. Maybe there's someone out near us that we need to talk to, or maybe the Lord is simply testing our diligence to see if he can trust us with His work. More often than not, it was the former for us this week. With each lesson that failed us, we walked and talked to some people and found at least one person who seemed like they could be a solid investigator. The thing is, we would set up lessons with them, and then they would fail us too. It's turning into a cycle. A cycle that I certainly hope ends pretty soon. It'd definitely be nice to have some more lessons to teach. 

Last week, contacted a woman named Isabel on the street who then proceeded to tell us she was a member. She had fallen away over the last few years with her job not allowing her to attend church and had started smoking again after quitting to join the church. We met with her a few days later and we shared with her the story of Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. For those that aren't familiar, Zeezrom was a lawyer who basically was going completely against Alma and Amulek, who were preaching the gospel in his city. When he realized that they were speaking the truth, he became very sick. When he was on the verge of death, Alma and Amulek returned and told him he could be healed if he had faith. He said that he believed and, in turn, was healed. The story teaches us that no one is beyond saving. It's never too late to change. It really helped Isabel to see that there was hope for her. She's been coming to church the last couple of weeks now, and told us she wants to meet with us weekly. 

Can't tell you all how great it feels to be out here trying to help people for two years. Yeah, there are difficulties as I described earlier with lessons failing and whatnot, but if we focus on what we're here doing, the difficulties diminish. The church is true. Until next week everyone.

Hasta Luego,

Elder Penner 💸

Native

Hey everyone! So, I kinda forgot to mention last week that my P-Day was switched to Wednesday this week. Sorry about that. My companion has a doctor's appointment in Madrid, so we're spending the day there. Don't let my subject line mislead you, I am in no way speaking like a native... yet. The song Native by Lisbon I realized kinda describes what it's like being over here in Europe. "Oh, I've never been so far from home / Taking my chances we both know / I've never been so far from home / I'm no native." 5,762 miles away from Brentwood, yet I'm not worried about it too much. 

It's been more-or-less a bit of a slower week, but that doesn't mean it was any kind of a rest. Some of our investigators seem to be falling off the face of the earth, and to go along with the ones that are out of town, we didn't have many to work with this last week. We ended up doing a lot of finding which meant a lot of walking. It's basically like going to Disneyland all day, but instead of riding rides, you talk to Spaniards that have already made up their mind that they don't wanna hear what you have to say before you even open your mouth. I've met some really interesting people while street contacting while I've been here. A few observations I've made:

- People jog a little as they pass us so it looks like they're in a rush and stop immediately after

- People like to stop and talk to us only to tell us we're wrong smh

- Talked to a rapper named Mario Canario who believed that he was God and rappers run the world

- A couple professional rugby players

- While we're talking to someone, this lady, who is now known by us as "the nemesis," comes up and hijacks the contact and tells them about her own church.

We've continued to work with Xavier the 11-year-old legend. He's still progressing and is able to come to church this weekend with his dad! We taught him about the 10 commandments this last week and he kept asking us where the commandment about respecting your children is. Love that kid hahahaha. 

SOMETHING COOL THAT HAPPENED: So the other day we were preparing for lunch and planned to make some tacos. We decided to run to the store real quick to grab a few things that we needed. As I close the door, I realized I didn't have the keys or phone. And neither did my companion. That meant we were pretty much stranded. We went to the chapel to see if the other elders might be there - nada. I was starting to think about how long of a day it could end up being if we didn't figure something out. Luckily, I knew where the duena (landlord) to our building lived, so we started to go over there in hopes that I could somehow remember which piso she lived in. The plan was to buzz everyone's apartments until we eventually found hers. On our way over, it started to pour. We were soaked by the time we got there. We got ready to start guessing which piso was hers, when a man walked up and opened the door. I asked if he by chance knew the duena and it just so happened that he was her son. We went up, grabbed the spare key, chatted with the duena who lectured us a little, and went back down where the shining sun awaited us. Things turned around real quick. I know that it wasn't just some coincidence. Heavenly Father was looking out for us.

Ok I'm almost done I promise. As I said, we're spending the day in Madrid which means we can stop by the only Five Guys in Spain. Practically a U.S. embassy with the classic rock and greasy burgers. We also had a chance to go to the temple this morning. I was talking to one of the guys working there, and it turns out he knew my uncle when he served in Spain roughly 30 years ago or so. It's a small world, and the Mormon world is even smaller. Everyone knows everyone in some way hahaha. That's all for this update. A little bit more lengthy than usual. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing, but you guys can deal with it. Have a stupendous week everyone!

Hasta Luego,

Elder Penner

1. Our zone at District Conference last week

2. Sol - super touristy center of Madrid

Float On

Went with Modest Mouse's Float On this week. It's been a good week and now it's just a matter of keeping things rolling. Had some quite interesting experiences this week. We went up to Leon yesterday for District Conference which basically means every branch in central-northern Spain got together for a big ol' church meeting. I saw my cousin and freaked some more missionaries out when I hugged her hahaha. My mission president and his wife were both there, and I've gotta say, they are some of the greatest, most caring people I know. Hermana Pack gave a talk about how missionaries not only need physical food, but also spiritual food from the branch members in our areas. The members are so important in the work we do and that's something I've noticed since arriving in Spain.

We've been meeting with a less active member, Mario Martinez, and his son Xavier for a couple months now. Xavier is one of the sickest kids I've ever met. Mario is from El Salvador and actually used to play professional soccer there. Xavier is 11 and hasn't been baptized yet. They can't come to church very often since Mario works as a Burger King delivery driver and the hours are difficult. Xavier recently started progressing and accepted an invitation to be baptized and is super excited about it. Mario was really grateful and told us about his hopes of being sealed to his family. He thinks that Xavier's baptism may be the key in the conversion of his wife, who also isn't a member. I can't think of anything better than being able work with them to make it happen. Really hopeful and excited (as always, really).

We also met with Hamilton the past week. It's safe to say that we might need a little more work with him. He always likes to bring up all the bad things happening in the world and I'm not sure he understands why we've been visiting him. He's a pretty peculiar guy to say the least. We're gonna continue working with him, but we need some of our other investigators back in town. 

Nevertheless, things are looking up. All signs are pointing towards baptisms happening soon. Stay tuned ladies and gentlemen. Love you all and I'll talk to you next week.

Hasta luego,Elder Penner

Pictures:

1 & 2. Valladolid is sick

3. Better quality picture of the legendary Mexican picture from a couple weeks ago

Somebody New

First off, I'd like to wish my father back at home a very happy birthday. He turns 87 on Thursday. Love you pops.

TRANSFERS TODAY. My father in the mission field (trainer) Elder Kamimoto left this morning. That man is a legend, I'm gonna miss him. My new companion, Elder Waters, actually just got done training my friend from the MTC, Elder Burt. He's from Florida and seems super sick. He plays basketball so I've decided that at some point during this transfer, I'm going to dunk on him. I chose Somebody New by Joywave as my subject line for obvious reasons. It's a bit strange to be with someone new after being with Elder Kamimoto for 3 months, but we're ready to pick up right where Elder Kamimoto and I left off and baptize the whole city.

Ok so a couple weeks ago we starting teaching a guy named Edgar. We met him in a pueblo (small town outside of the city) and gave him a passalong card with the church website on it. He then proceeded to show up to our first lesson with a ton of written questions about the things he read about online. We gave him a Book of Mormon and set up a visit with him a week after. We called to confirm the visit the day before and found out that he had read 140 PAGES in the BoM and was in the Book of Jacob already in just one week. We taught him Plan of Salvation and he told us that everything that we've taught and he's read makes perfect sense. Really excited about him. Unfortunately he's out of town for the next 2 weeks.  

There seems to be a pattern with people going out of town right after they start progressing. Mirella is also gone until June. Speaking of people out of town though, our investigator Kennis got back from the Dominican Republic this week and was finally able to go to church! It's just a matter of whether she's able to keep going or not now, which is difficult due to her job.

Think that's it for this week. Love you guys.

Hasta Luego,

Elder Penner

Pictures:

1. Bowling last week (Elder Jones almost dropped that ball and knocked someone out)

2. ENGLISH CLASS WOOOO

3. Last Sunday for Elder Jones and Kamimoto here ft. Charles & Eva (I swear I'm not as short as I look there)