¡Hola Mis Amigo y Familia!

    This week we had a member of the 70 come and speak to us. His name is Elder Olsen and he is from Sweden. He and his wife were adorable and they definitely were guided by the spirit as they spoke. They talked a ton about working with the members. This is the way the Lord wants to be doing the work, and it is the way that the work is hastening. One Elder made it pretty simple. He said that "missionaries and members working together is like a train that is already moving forward, but we are the ones who decide if we are going to jump onboard or not." We all know that if the Lord wants something done, He will do it. I´m learning a lot on how I can work more with the members. 

   My companion was also Very sick this week. One night we decided that we needed to go back to piso early because she could barely even walk. We called the missionary couple that is over all of the health. She told us to go to the hospital and she would set up an appointment. So Hermana Dorgia and I were off again even though she was struggling. Hermana Dorgia is so good and even whenever she is sick she is happy. We got to the emergency room and at first they sent us to where women are giving labor. That wasn´t right. So, we went back and they fixed it. While we were waiting our turn for about 40 minutes we studied scriptures, and at one point my companion turned to me and asked if her skin looked yellow. The weird thing was that only one half of her was yellow and the other half was fine. I started to joke around with her later asking if I had yellow skin as well. Turns our my skin is just pale. 

  So obviously I still don´t understand everything that is being said during lessons, but thankfully my companion does. One time we were walking to a visit and my companion said that we should buy strawberriesand go and visit and member because they were sick. I was just wondering how she knew that this member was sick. Personal revelation? When I told her this she just started to crack up laughing. Apparently the member had told us that she was sick and I just didn´t understand. Now everytime something amazing happens because of a decision that Hermana Dorgia makes we joke and say it is because she receives revalation. The other night we were walking home and she decided that we should take a different route than normal and we ended up bumping into one of our investigators. Revalation! Could be, but also I know that if we are just being obedient we will be guided and we may not even realize it. God will put people in our path. 

  One day we were walking to a visit, and earlier that day it had been hot so my companion and another Hermana put their coats in piso, but I decided to keep mine, and then it all of the sudden started to hail as we got out of the metro. I offered my coat to my companion but she wouldn´t take it. It was freezing, but we were having fun. 

  Today one of the Hermanas in my piso had a birthday so we got up early to decorate and make a cake for her. Then we were all surprised when Archi, an old phillipino man who always hangs out with the missionary, called us and said that he had prepared lunch for us. The food was great, but I said no to the seconds. That didn´t matter and Archie still gave me more food. He wrote a song and almost all of the missionaries in our mission know it. It is called "Amigos para siempre." Everytime we see him he has us sing it. We also rode bikes on the sidewalk along the beach. It was gorgeous. My camera stopped working so I didn´t get to take any pictures of it.

  I love the work. I know that our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, lives. I Know that through His atonement we can live with our Father in Heaven again. I know that the Priesthood power has been restored and that we can be with our families for eternity. I love this gospel.

Hermana Schmidt

   What an amazing week! One night we were knocking doors with a member and the building we were knocking had 60 apartments. You can imagine all the weird things we saw... At one door we knocked, a girl with dred locks and a floral robe on opened it and she looked like she just got out of bed, but she let us in without even really knowing who we were. When we got in the apartment it was all hazy and right away I wanted to leave but my companion didn´t. Another girl came out, and this girl had a unibrow like none I´ve ever seen before. We talked briefly about who we were, and of course the girls were super friendly. I don´t think they really knew what was going on. We invited them to church, but they said they had plans to be in a more natural environment because they just LOVE nature... 

   Another door we knocked on was of a guy who is about 30. He wasn´t interested, but he was very kind and we had a good conversation with him, and then after he gave us a little treat called Dulces Arabes. After he gave us them, he kept talking to us, and I didn´t want to eat the treat for fear that it would taste awful. So, I waited until after he shut his door. The treat was actually really good though, and later we made brownies for him and left them on his doorstep with a note. 

   I love when the members here try and pronounce my last name because it´s always the same comment that they make after they get it. They always say "Oh Schmidt like Joseph Smith!" They pronounce Schmidt and Smith almost exactly the same. It´s fine with me though that they compare it to Joseph Smith. 

  Since transfers were last week, I got to work with one of the new trainers for a night. We were waiting for an investigator in front of the Sagrada Familia, and an old man came up to us and started talking to us. He wasn´t interested in our message and I´m still not sure why he had started to talk to us in the first place. I think he said that he thought we were German... but afterwards he gave us a huge bear hug, and the other Hermana and I just stood there in shock because we didn´t want to push this old man away. 

  The work is going well here. We are still having troubles with getting our investigators to come to church and progress, but the members are really starting to help us, and that is such a miracle for us. 

  This Preparation day we went to Tibbidabo which is the highest point in Barcelona. It was super pretty and we had two districts with us. I could see the other side of the mountain and it was all GREEN!! 

   Love you all and hope you are having fun and helping the missionaries! We love the members and are always praying for them! One thing that we say every morning is a quote from Thomas S. Monson that says "Now is the moment that the members and missionaries unite and work together in the vineyard of the Lord to bring souls unto him. He has prepared the way so that we can share the Gospel in many ways, and He will help us in our efforts as we act with faith, to bring to pass His work."

Hemana Schmidt

Hola Everyone!

 So talk about an interesting week. Some things never change. For instance yesterday I was with Hermana Thorpe on splits and we had to do our informe for coordination meeting. We went to the locutorio and were filling out the information and, of course, I had the phone out to put in the telephone numbers. That night my companion asked where the phone was, and I searched everywhere, but could not find it. Turns out I left it in the Locutorio. That´s so like me to do! We did get it back today though. Miracle! 

  Missionary work is fun and sometimes we just need to embrace the awkward moments that happen. One day my companion and I were doing our pass by plan, and while we were waiting to cross a street, I turned to the old man beside me and started to talk to him. He was carrying groceries in both hands, so obviously when I asked him if we could hand him a card, he declined. And then, being the socially awkward person I am, said that I could put the card in one of the bags. What was I thinking?! I don´t know, but at first this man did not want anything to do with us, but we just kept talking to him, and he didn´t really have a choice but to listen to us because we were walking in the same direction. He was very friendly by the end, and took a card. We also know where he lives so we will be visiting him soon. :) 

   Yesterday should have been Preparation day, but since transfers are this week we have P-day today. Yesterday was really cool though because I had been thinking of how my companion and I can be working better as a companionship. The thought came to mind that I should stop doubting my insights or opinions and instead voice them. So yesterday that is exactly what I did. I felt that we needed to knock the doors of our apartment building. My companion agreed, and the first door we knocked a man from Chile opened and we taught him the Restoration right there on the doorstep, and he wants us to teach him and his girlfriend! We have a visit planned with him on Thursday!

   My companion was sick again this week, and she expressed to me that she wanted a priesthood blessing, but was scared to call the Elders. She asked if I could call them, so I did. After I got off the phone with them I realized how messy our apartment was, and started to hurry and clean up. This got me thinking though. If I feel awkward having guests over in our messy  apartment, shouldn´t I always strive to have the apartment clean because in a way isn´t the Holy Ghost is a guest as well? Thanks mom for always keeping our house clean! :)

   I was with Hermana Thorpe (the one who was in the MTC with me) yesterday as well, and we got to visit a less active member who was in a hospital. Luckily for us she speaks English. Her dad who also is a less active member was there as well. I was praying that we would know how to talk with them, and that prayer was definitely answered. We found out their needs and talked with them about the enabling power of the atonement. The Spirit was there strong, but it was also amazing for me because it made me realize that I really can do missionary work! It´s cool to be able to see my own progression. 

   This Gospel is true. Christ lives, and our Heavenly Father loves us. 

Love you all!

Hermana Schmidt