Two Years in the Canary Islands: Zone Conference and BYU Football

I am grateful for the blessing of technology that allows us to keep in touch with our friends and loved ones. I want to thank everyone who continues to stay in contact with us as we are so far away. We feel your love and support.

This week we have been busy getting ready for our upcoming transfer when we will have 43 new missionaries joining us. I have that many packets, permission letters, and personal surveys to prepare. Elder Larsen has to find several new apartments, so we are busy in the office.

After our office meeting on Wednesday, I went with Hermana Pack to get things for the zone conference the next day. Because we were buying several things, we decided to park in the underground parking garage. It was the first time either one of us had been in it. We were certainly surprised to find parking for only about 20 cars and barely enough space to turn around in. Hermana Pack's car is larger than the average car in Spain, and we were happy, happy to pull straight into this prime parking space. We have learned to appreciate the little things!

On Thursday, we had Zone Conference. The spirit is always strong when we have these missionaries together. They are a powerful force for good. I also enjoyed hearing "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy," sung by these great elders.

And we were able to visit a little during our lunch break.

Elder Nash and Elder McAllister

Hermanas Pack, Shaw, Rojas, Quintana, West

Elder Maxfield

Hermanas Olsen and Figueiredo

Elder Schwenke and Elder Ruiz

The Bakes and the Schwartz

Saturday morning, Hermana Pack wanted me to go with her to her hair appointment, so that I could translate. I guess my Spanish has improved! As it turned out, we did not have the correct address of the salon. I talked to them on the phone, got the address and verified her appointment, all in Spanish! She was a good sport to allow pictures of the process. But I forgot to get a picture of the lovely finished product!

That afternoon, I cooked food for Sunday and made potato salad and baked beans for our dinner at the mission home The Packs invited us over to watch the BYU season opener.

President Deniz, the stake president from Las Palmas, was in town for a meeting. This was his first game of American football. And what a great game! When it was under a minute, he asked how they could possibly score. At the one second mark, he thought it was impossible to win. Then we told him it was possible, but it would take a miracle. Well, the miracle happened. Wow! What a win! We are very sad that Taysom Hill is out for the season. A very bitter side to the sweet victory.