Musical Devotional

Today I am so very thankful that our musical devotional is over.  More details about it later in this post, but let me just say that I love music.  I love singing.  I love playing the piano.  And I used to love playing the flute.  Unfortunately, even with years of practice, my talent is only subpar.  So, performing can be very stressful for me.  Thus, I am grateful that our devotional is over!


Monday, Elder Larsen dropped me off with these two cute sisters, so that we could do some shopping.  He passed on shopping and went to the church instead to study for his Institute lesson. Hermana Trone bought a sweater and was very disappointed that a coat that she was in love with, didn't work out.  It was the right color, the right price, and it had a big hood fur-edging.  But there was one "big" problem.  We had unknowingly wandered into the maternity department.  After searching all over the store unsuccessfully for another coat that she would like, we went back to the maternity department.  She begged me to talked to the clerk and ask her if this same style of coat would be in another part of the store.  Here she is the missionary that is about to go home, and knows Spanish very well, and I have to talk to the store clerk.  But, I guess my Spanish isn't too bad because I asked the clerk and even understood her response that this brand was only for marternity clothes. No coat for Hermana Trone.

There are roundabouts everywhere with very interesting artwork.  Since we were not be here much longer, I decided to start taking pictures and posting them.  

After shopping, Elder Larsen picked us up and we stopped at this little shop 

just down from the church for a bite of lunch.

The Hermanas went very traditional Spanish and had Tortilla Española.

Monday night, we were invited to have home evening at the Palm's home.  

We were quite the international group.  On the left are the Edwards, who were just visiting here from England for a couple of weeks.  Then the Palms from Sweden,                     , 

The Erhiems for Norway, and Elder Larsen from the United States.  

 The Palms have a small net for the dining room table and the always play table tennis after the lesson.  The winner wins a chocolate bar.  Apparently,             , is the undefeated champion.  But, my sweetheart managed to win the candy bar for me.  I was very proud of my champion!

Elder Ruiz and Elder Priest were in charge of the lesson on Tuesday night.  I really enjoyed there message about having our faith in Jesus Christ, even when the world around us can be in such turmoil.  I love this quote from President Henry B. Eyring:

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, 

the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. 

In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. 

We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it."

We had our district meeting in Telde this week.  Elder Nash had us role play teaching discussions to each other, and trying to find a word that he had given us.  It was a great activity for practicing our listening skills.

I love these happy missionaries, Elders Norrell, Maxfield, Nash, and Sarango.

Saturday morning we taught a class for the ward in Vecindario about Indexing.  Then we took one of our JAS to lunch.  Afterwards, we headed back home to finish up chicken enchiladas and banana cake for Darío's Farewell Party.  Then we headed back to Vecindario for the party.  What a nice tribute they did for this amazing young man.  He leaves next week for the Argentina Bahía Blanca Mission.  We are really going to miss his quick smile and powerful spirit.  

Vecindario Ward

Sunday morning we attended Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School in Las Palmas.  I accompanied the Young Women in the meeting.  Then Cody taught a spur of the moment lesson to the young adults in Sunday School.  He did an amazing job.  How I wish I could speak Spanish like him!
Then we drove to Vecindario to teach our Institute class.  I practiced the piano during part of the lesson.

We had our musical devotional last night.  It went really well.  All of the songs and scripture narrations were testifying of Jesus Christ.  Even though my musical talent is not spectacular, I accompanied five groups and sang a solo.  Any of you who know me well, know that I do not have a spectacular solo voice.  But, singing "The Lord is My Shepherd," with the melody in the alto line, and with a very nice piano arrangement in the background, I was pleased with my performance.

The missionaries sang in several groups.

 Julia, my youngest piano student, sang a solo of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me."  

She was amazing!

At the end we watched this short video.  I hope you will take three minutes to watch here.  It is powerful and inspiring.  How grateful I am for all the blessings that I have in my life because of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  And I am grateful to be serving Him for these two years.