Changes

This is the second week in a row I've chosen a song by Mutemath, but this one was just so blunt I had to go with it. Excuse my unoriginality I promise I'm better than this. Change is happening, people. I'm getting transferred out of Valladolid and going to Toledo. It's technically in the community of Madrid, but like an hour south of the actual city. I'm on a bus headed there right now, so I don't know a ton yet.

WHAT I KNOW ABOUT MY NEW AREA:

- It's the most famous city in the world for swords.

- It's one of the hottest areas in in the entire mission.

- Pretty touristy

- Hace calor 

- It's built on hills (aka death for a missionary in a walking mission)

- It's hotter than Africa.

My new companion's name is Elder Davis and he's from Kaysville, Utah, which is where I lived for like 8 years. It's been awesome chatting with him about who we both know from there. He already seems top class. It's gonna be a good transfer. ALSO: I found out that my cousin is going to be in an area right next to mine, so I'll be able to see her quite a bit. At first I thought we were going to be in the same district, but it turns out that the missionary who told me that was wrong. Still super cool that we'll be so close when I thought that I might not even see her again for the rest of my time here.

This week was full of running around saying goodbyes, and teaching lessons where we weren't sure if they were going to show up since we still had no phone. We made it work, though. No worries.  I had a couple more really cool experiences this week. When we went to say goodbye to Julio, Loventa and Miguel, Loventa made us a Nigerian dish called fufu. It's basically raw dough that you dip in a spicey soup and swallow whole. Pretty interesting, but good hahaha. Miguel afterward said that he's really gonna miss me and told me he's felt something different about me when we're in lessons. He feels at peace and can feel the Holy Ghost testifying of truth. It was a little surprising to hear to be honest. I never thought I could have that profound of an effect on someone. I'm gonna miss him as well as all the other people we're working with as well. Xavier should get baptized in the next week or so. He had his baptismal interview this last week and passed. Kennis should follow a couple weeks after. I'm a little sad that I won't be there to see it, but happy for them as ever.

Well, I'm ready to lose myself in the work in my new area. It's game time. If there's ever a bit of advice I've heard in the mission, it's to get to your new area and hit the ground running. Vale chavales, me voy.

Hasta Luego,

Elder Penner 🇪🇸

Calle Fuerteventura 4, 2 Oficina 8-B

28703 San Sebastian de los Reyes
Madrid, España

Picture:

1. My new area in the mission/weather

All the rest are on my camera and I haven't had a chance to get them off. Sorry lads. Next week.