Sling Box to the rescue.

I know it's sad, when the best thing that happens on a Sunday has to do with TV. Ladd got us hooked up to our TV at home with Sling Box. Sling Box is a device that lets us control our direct TV receiver from our computer and watch what we want. We can even watch and record shows. No more late nights for BYU games. Ladd, You are the man!

Church was great again. The Elders spoke and there was a wonderful spirit. Elder Driggs has only been out a few months so we could understand him a little better. I gave the priesthood lesson on being a disciple of Christ. I've decided I could do better in that area so I'm going to try to do better in that area. (makes sense)

Weston translated some of the announcements for me in Priesthood meeting. I think the language is getting a little easier for him.

Saturday in Burgos 9-26

Lazy day. We studied, ate and walked into town. We also got ready for the BYU game. 1:00 am our time. Ladd and Mckenzie video streamed it through Skype. Thank you skype.

Espanol Es Mui Dificil 9-25

Spanish is really hard! What more can I say. English hard because there are many exceptions to the rules. Spanish is hard because there are many rules. This conjugation stuff. It's hard enough to learn the word but then you have learn how it changes every time you want to use it a sentence. Perhaps the most frustrating part of it is that 2 year olds speak way better than I do. Which make me think, if the best way to learn a language is like a child does, is it going to take two years to get a two year olds language skill?

Lynette and wen ton a 90 km ride today out into the country side South of Burgos. A great ride with lots of hills and beautiful wooded country side. However the wind was blowing hard the hole time. Why is it that when you ride in the wind, no matter which direction you are going the wind is in your face. Our three hour ride turned out to be 4 hours.

We had dinner with Gonzalo's family. He is the spanish student we had in our home this summer. His brother stayed with us 4 or 5 years ago. Their parents were amazing host and wonderful people.

Date With the Sister Missionaries and Chocolate Overdose

Today after Español escuela the sister missionaries came to our piso for lunch (mediodia). Sisters Johnson and Sanchez. Sister Johnson is from California and Sister Sanchez is from España. Sister Johnson who grew-up Vegan didn't seem to mind the american hamburgers and home made french fries Lynette served. It's a privilege to have missionaries in our home. They are both wonderful missionaries with a passion for the work. They told us about a restaurant that serves chocolate dishes. On the way home from seminary we found the shop and enjoyed $20 worth of churos dipped in chocolate sauce/drink. The chocolate sauce was made to dip the churos into and also drink it. I think it was the most intense chocolate experience I have ever had.

Our spanish is getting better but very slowly. Westons Spanish is much better but he wouldn't admit it to us.

Catching-up 9-21

Sorry to have missed so many days. I'll try to catch-up. Thursday we went to Espanol Escuela and the teacher (different from yesterday) decided to take on a field trip to an art exhibit. Art exhibits are not usually my thing but when they are in a language that I do not understand it is really not my thing. Lynette and I came home and went for a quick ride (only about 35k or so). I spent the rest of the day on a conference call with work. That's pretty cool to think you can be in Spain and participate in a meeting in Utah.

Friday we went to Segovia and then to Toledo. Segovia is the city where the Romans built an aqueduct with amazing engineering. They also have the castle there that Walt Disney used to design the castle at Disneyland. We loved the city. Very narrow roads with old buildings and churches etc..etc.. etc..

After Segovia, we drove to Toledo. Toledo is another old city with etc....etc....etc.... but it has a few it's own unique features. Toledo is known for making swords and other weapons of war. Every other shop sales swords knives and armor. Weston and I had a great time looking at the weapons Toledo had to offer.

As we drove into Toledo and checked into our hotel, we were told that we had to move our car because the Vuelta was going to be coming down the road the hotel is on. To most people this would have been bad news. To us, it was great news. The Vuelta is the "tour of Spain" cycling tour. It is one of the biggest cycling races in Europe. 21 days of stage racing just like the Tour de France. The Toledo stage was a Time trial race and the next to the last day of the Vuelta. We watched the race just as the racers were starting up a hill then we went to the finish line and watched. Very exciting, very cool for cycling fans.

Sunday was back to church. I Love our Branch. Madison led the music in Sacrament meeting and the new stake president was the main speaker. Again i didn't understand any of it (shouldn't I start to understand a little by now, it's been 3.5 weeks). But the Stake President brought a light and hope to the branch that seemed evident to me. Lynette, Madison and Weston left after Sacrament meeting to go to Catholic mass. Our friends have a son that signs in the cathedrals choir. I asked them how it was and their response was that they are glad we don't have incense in our church. But they did say the singing was good. I taught the english version of priesthood. It seemed to go well I had 3 class members Solomon from Uganda, Jared a returned missionary from California and Ezekiel from Argentina by way of Utah. Stephen the new convert from Africa has flipped out. I called him this week to make sure he would come. He just keep repeating over and over again that he was a christian and that he had a bible. It was weird. It's like he had a breakdown or something. The missionaries said he has been the same way when they contact him.

Today was back to the Espanol grind. We studied most of the day with a break to take Weston to seminary.

That pretty much catches us up.

Espanol Escuela at Cruz Rojas

We found out about a free Spanish class held at the red cross. They have it everyday for 1.5 hours. The teachers are volunteers. If you know Lynette you know free is good. Today was our first day. It was mostly a review for us, but it will be good to have a teacher we can ask questions to as we try to learn.

Most of the class were from Pakistan. In-fact, one of the class members was the man who served us at the Doner Kabob Restaurant we ate at with the Elders. Doner Kabobs are a type of food from the middle east (Pakistan) and are very popular here because they are cheap, tasty and on every corner.

In Spanish class they played a game. When you were asked a question in spanish you stayed in line if you missed the question you went to the end of line. I spent my time at the end of the line. Just like in any other school I have been in. I did find out however that the people at the end of the line are more fun. ( just like in school also).

Last Supper With Elder Gordon

Elder Gordon is being transfered to his last area before he returns home. We went out to diner with him and his companion Elder Driggs. Elder Gordon is a seasoned veteran of carrying the Cross of Jesus. He radiates a love for the people of the branch, the city and the country. He's humble yet strong. He's bold but teachable. He kept our diner appointment to 1 hour (like the handbook says) though it could have gone longer. I imagine having diner with an american family could be tempting to string it out and talk of home. He's a great example of what a missionary should be a few months before he goes home. He's the kind of Elder you want to be your sons trainer.

Elder Driggs is green but teachable. He also radiates a spirit of confidence yet he's humble. You can tell when you first meet him that he came on a mission for the right reason. We're lucky to him serving in Burgos.

It was fun to have diner with them. I'm thankful for the chance to get to know these two missionaries.

Testimony Meeting in Burgos Branch

We rode our bikes to church for testimony meeting. Last week the stake was organized, so fast sunday was today. We had an enjoyable meeting with a good spirit. Madison gave the closing prayer. Since I don't know what people are saying I notice what they do more. One sister was the most animated I have ever seen in a testimony meeting. She was waving her arms all over and had great facial expressions. I need to learn the language so I don't notice weird things like that.

I taught my first priesthood lesson. The only people that attended were the missionaries. The new member from Nigeria was out of town. I learned two things. I was humbled to teach the Elders. I felt a little intimidated teaching them. I know it seems weird that a grown 50 year old would feel intimidated by 19 and 20 year old missionaries but they have a very special spirit and power. They have been called as full time messengers of Jesus. The other thing I learned is that I need to make sure my class member is there. So, I'm going to be diligent at calling him and getting him to church.

Bike Ride, Barbecue, and BYU

Today Lynette and I rode to a small village called Barbadillo de Pez in the mountains about 70 kilometers from Burgos. It was a crazy ride with a small stretch on the freeway. Jesus the religion teacher at Madison's school led the way. It was very slow. Lynette and I asked for our turn in the front but he didn't want us to. It was the longest 70 kilometers I have ever rode. Weston came up with The family that invited us. She is a teacher at Madison's school. The town was very beautiful. There was a river running right through the middle of it. The family that invited us said that the river is catch and release only and that there are many trout in it. (i didn't see any with my trained fish eyes however)

The family prepared a BBQ with every kind of meat you could think of. They even BBQed bacon (1 ft long 4 in. wide and 1/8 in. thick). Having been shopping here I think it most of cost over 100 Euros. They own a home in this village. They stay there every year for the whole month of August and then on weekends.

On our way home Lynette and I decided to ride by ourselves. Instead of 3.5 hours it took 2 hr. 20 min. Much more enjoyable but a long day of 140 kilometers.

Weston and I stayed up and watched the BYU game on the internet. They beat Tulane by a bunch. We had a great time eating and watching the game together.

Convert Baptism

We just witnessed the baptism of a young women we never met. Preformed by an Elder we barely know. Spoken in a language we don't understand. Yet everything about it was so familiar. It's a great occasion when someone excepts the invitation to join the Lord's church through the waters of Baptism.

This was a 15 year old young women who has been taking the lessons with her family. SHe was ready before the rest of her family but her father bore his testimony at the baptismal service so I get the idea that he won't be far behind. Anyway, it was a great experience.

Weston went to his first day of school today. He's not real thrilled and I don't blame him. It's going to be hard. But I hope it works out for him.

English Class With the Missionaries

Our highlight today was attending the english class that the missionaries hold at he church. It's fun to just be around the missionaries. There is such an amazing spirit. I don't understand why people just don't come up to them and ask to join the church. The light they have is obvious.

There are some very good people that come to the class. none of them really have a purpose to learn English. I think they are there to be near the missionaries in a non-threatening setting. We are trying to arrange an open house with the missionaries for the exchange kids that came to Orem and there families. I can't help to think that there is a way to expose more people to the blessings of the restored gospel.

Cycling and "The News"

Lynette and I took a ride into the hills North of Burgos for about 35 miles. Just mostly rolling hills with a couple of good climbs. Every few kilometers a new village, narrow roads and a huge old church in the middle. It's just like you would picture riding in northern Spain. The roads are very smooth, even the patched roads are smooth. It's a cyclist's dream come true. There are small roads with very little traffic everywhere you look.

We enrolled Weston in the same school Madison is attending. He will only go for the few months we are here, but it will be a great chance for him to learn more Spanish. He is not happy about it. I guess I can't blame him. It's hard to be 14 and struggle to communicate with your peers and on top of that not know weather people are making fun of you behind your back. When we gave him "the news" it wasn't our favorite moment in Spain.

Zarautz

Today was a fun day. I took a run around the point of Zarautz and found this great little village by the sea. It looked like the main industry was fishing. Later in the morning Weston and I body surfed then rented a surfboard for an hour. Weston got up on the first wave. It was great fun. We drove part of the way home on a toll road. It cost 9 Euros. ($13.50) for about 50 miles. A nice road but not that nice. You would think with gas costing $6/gallon they would have enough taxes to pay for the roads, without needing tolls. I must say however as a cyclist you notice the quality of the roads. These roads are nice.

When we got back to Burgos we took advantage of the car and went grocery shopping. So far we have only been able to buy what we can carry in our small backpack, since we are on our bikes. We bought 75 Euros worth of groceries. It should last about a week.

I have to admit I like the whole getting around on bikes thing. Parking is easy, traffic is no problema and it just feels good. I wonder how long I could go in Orem without using a car?

The New Vitoria Spain Stake VS Zarautz

The first stake in Northern Spain was established today. The meeting was held in the auditorium of a University in Bilboa. I guess I was expecting a huge auditorium that would fit several hundred people but it was more like a large lecture hall that fit a few hundred. The meeting was incredible. I can't help to think of how faithful the saints are here. This was impressed upon me when we drove further up the coast to San Sebastian, and ended up in a "small" town of Zarautz. When we got to San Sebastian there was no where to park and people everywhere. We found a place to spend the night in a smaller town West of S. Sebastian call Zarautz. The name sounds like an evil city from the old testament or Book of Mormon. It is actually a cute touristy town in the Basque country of Northern Spain. We walked down the street to the city beach and there were thousands of people walking up and down the beach, playing in the water or eating in an open-air restaurant. I was even more impressed by the faithfulness of the saints. These several thousand beach goers had no concept of the importance a meeting held a coupe hours earlier when a few hundred people formed a new Stake in Zion.

It feels like the church has to work very hard just to keep a small toe-hold in this part of the world. The people here are good. The task of bringing them the gospel seems almost overwhelming to me. Yet little by little progress in the kingdom is being made. Stakes are being formed.

Avila to The North coast

The First Stake formation in the Bilboa mission is tomorrow so we made our way to the north coast(near Bilboa). What a great drive. We started in the plains (which reminds of of Filmore Utah without the mountains), and drove into the mountains of the North. It was a very cool drive with many villages with very big churches in the middle and several castles. You go around a corner and there was a castle on top of a little hill. The Mountains were very green a beautiful.

When we were looking for our hotel we saw a sign to a castle. We couldn't see the castle but followed the signs. The road ended so we started hiking. at the top of a hill the was the ruins of a castle which dated from 800 to 1100 A.D. it wasn't to look at but was cool to think about how different there life was than ours. The Gospel wasn't on the earth and wasn't going to be for another thousand years.

Side note, We booked our hotel using our Aircard and the computer. When we got there the elderly lady that ran the place told us she didn't have the reservation. When I asked her to call expedia she suddenly found the reservation. Then she said we had to have a paper copy. She had had a paper copy, but she said she needed ours. We decided she didn't really want us to stay there so we told her to cancel it. She wouldn't but she wouldn't let us stay there either. She wanted our money but didn't want us. We left and will cancel the charge, her loss. She doesn't get us or our money.

Avila Esapania

Today I rode my bike to the Car rental to pick up a very small rental car. We drove to Avila which is about 3 hours away. They are having a mid-evil fiesta. Avila is famous as a large walled city. It is supposed to be the largest intact wall of any city in the world. It's a little over 2km around the wall. We stayed in our landlords hotel inside the city wall. I know it sounds funny but you do feel more secure inside the city wall. The streets are narrow and the buildings are old. The Fiesta was also very fun. Many people come from all around so they can wear their Mid-evil wear. It was surprising how many people really got into it. There were lot's of booths selling everything you can think of Weston's favorite booths were the ones with swords and armor.

The hotel was a restored palace and was a real treat. Pachi's company owns the hotel and our landlord is the manager of it. So we got a great deal.

Washing machine and Church calling

The big task of the day was to get the washing machine fixed. this is the type of thing that when you know the language it takes an hour or two but when you don't it's an all day thing. We have never seen this type of machine; we don't know how to take it apart, and we don't know where to get parts once we find a broken one. It did take all day but it did get done. The kids had a youth activity at church. Weston and I rode our bikes from the apartment and Madison walked from her home. We got there ok, Madison did not. After a few phone calls we found each other and I showed her the way. She almost made it but started feeling unsure, which made her make some wrong turns.

The youth went out for ice cream without any adults. I like this program. Just think how easy it would be to be a youth leader if you didn't have to go on the activities. But than again going to ice cream with the youth is easy also.

The branch President called me to teach priesthood 3 weeks per month. He knows about as much english as I know Spanish. We spent most of the time laughing at ourselves but a sister who knows english came in and helped. There is a new convert from Nigeria (see earlier blog) He feels that the new convert will be better taught in English. I am going to try to make that thought true.

Uno Week en Espania

It's been one week since we got here. time has flown by. We had our first real conversation in Espanol. It took two of us be we had a conversation with Pachi. At least we're counting it as a conversation. Lynette and I understood it about the same.

Our main Bano was not working so while Lynette and Weston went on a Bicycle ride, I rode into town to get some Bano parts (I really need to know how to put the squiggly line over the n).

I left the piso at 1:30 thinking I could make it in time to get there before they close for siesta. They closed at 1:30. There's no set time on the siesta thing as it turns out. some close at 1, some at 1:30 some at 2 some at 2:30. I say if you're going to have a weird custom then at least coordinate it a little. I id find out that the best tim to ride a bike in the city is during siesta (when ever that is) because everyone is at home and there is very little traffic.

We finished the day going to the english class the Elders have at the church. It was just conversation in english. It was fun to do something we do well.

Missionary Discussion with a Recent Convert

The highlight of the day was meeting with the missionaries and having a lesson with a recent convert Steven. He is from Nigeria and has been in Spain for 4 years. English is his primary language so the Elders have been teaching in him in English. The lesson was on the apostasy and restoration. It was a great experience to see these young mean teach the gospel with love and power. The spirit was strong and we got to bare our testimonies.