The Best 18 Months

Family and Friends,

I'm going to give a short summary of the week. It was a good one. One highlight was visiting a less active going through a lot of trials. She was crying using half a box of tissues that day. Not the highlight. But when we came back two days later she had change 180 degrees. She was smiling. And happy. And hopeful admits what appeared to be the worse thing that could happen to her. What made the difference? She had spent the entire day reading in the Book of Mormon and listening to general conference talks, the words of modern day prophets. Another testimony builder of the importance of the little things. Also, we are visiting with a part member family with a 7-year-old who wants to get baptized when he turns 8. He got up yesterday to bear his testimony. He simply said that he'd read the Book of Mormon completely (kid version) and knows it is true by the way he feels and is grateful for what he is learning and is so excited for his baptism at the end of the month. It brought such a sweet spirit to the meeting. I have learned so much from that kid, Leo. He is a great example. We also taught quite a few lessons with new people that I'm grateful for.

So this will be my last email. Next week on Monday I will be visiting some people and going to the mission home for my last night here in Spain. I have had many mixed emotions recently. I served a mission to serve the Lord and help others come unto Christ through the restored gospel. I've realized that although that was my main purpose in coming, I have had countless blessings for myself while being here. As I have taught others that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored with all the necessary ordinances, I have come to know that for myself with more surety. As I have taught and seen in others lives how living the gospel and keeping all the commandments really brings us happiness, that families can literally be together forever, that our Savior has felt everything we have and knows how to help us in whatever circumstance, that the little things we do such as reading our scriptures, praying, and coming to church make all the difference, that missionary work is one of the most important things we can do, that service brings us to Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God who translated the Book of Mormon, and so much more, my testimony has truly been strengthened. I can't be more grateful for these 18 months and all I've learned that I know will truly bless me forever. I love Spain and my mission and every single experience I've had here that has helped me become a better person. Thanks for all your love and support. I can't imagine leaving here but am also excited to see you next week.

Love,

Hermana Bingham

Happy 4th of July!

They have some cool artwork here.

City of Madrid.  If you look real close you can kind of tell those are all small pictures of people from here.

Happy Week and Sleepover with Caroline

Family and Friends,

I can't believe how fast time is going. Almost to July. Like many of you said, yes, I have many mixed feelings right now. This week had a few failed days - those days that are planned out so well with many lessons, even new people we were all excited for, and then not a single lesson happens. Yet the week wasn't long and I was grateful for other finding activities that happened during that time. We have been finding so many cool people in the streets. We pray they will become progressing investigators. We had the opportunity to meet with some of the relief society presidency and they gave us a great list of some less actives in the ward to work with. We also had a great lesson with a friend, Carmela, of a couple in the ward. The message of the Restoration of the church of Jesus Christ just made sense to her. She was so happy to hear it, things seemed to actually really 'click' for her. I love when that happens. We also ate with the couple after. The wife, Nancy, is blind from an accident years ago in her life. Yet she is always smiling and happy. That is what the gospel and a positive attitude can do. No matter what trials we face, we can be happy and continue with life by really applying the atonement in our lives. She is a great example.

Friday Hermana Barlow and I got to take a recent convert, Jenny, to the temple. As missionaries in this mission we now have the opportunity to go for baptisms with recent converts once a transfer. It was a great experience, Jenny's second time at the temple. I saw some of my other converts as well. It was wonderful being in the temple with so many missionaries and recent converts. The Packs (mission president and his family) were also there. Our wonderful mission president and his wife let their daughter Caroline come back with us and stay the night. Caroline is awesome. I'm going to miss her. She was there basically just for the night, studies in the morning, and one lesson before her dad came and picked her up but I was happy to hang out with her before I leave.

I love you all!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

Temple with Jenny

17 months today.

Family and Friends,

I feel so blessed to be a missionary. I love it. Let me tell you of just a few experiences this week that help me feel that way. We met one lady, Margarita, with her daughter in the street last week. When we called to set up an appointment, she said she would like a blessing for her health (turns out her sister in NJ is a member). We went to her home Saturday and the elders gave her a blessing. It was a beautiful experience and the spirit was strong. She immediately felt more calm for her surgery and already recognizes the power of the priesthood that has been restored. Her and her daughter came to church yesterday as well. They are both very excited and prepared to accept the message of the gospel. Saturday we had another great experience.

Last minute we ended up visiting a member who hasn't been to church in many years. As we talked, I felt a strong impression to invite her boldly and directly then and there to come to church the next morning. She kinda chuckled, but said, "yes, I need to be there, I know it." We stopped by her house on the way to church Sunday and she was ready and anxious. Old church friends were so happy to see her. And she bore a beautiful testimony during relief society. I didn't do a thing, yet her Heavenly Father knew what she needed to hear. Being willing to follow that inspiration is key in missionary work. Our recent convert, Eloisa, also made a cute comment in relief society. She said when she was baptized and looked at herself in those white clothes she thought, "wow, I'm beautiful" and looked younger (she's 73) and more vibrant. Another lady related that to how we are literally more beautiful when we have the Spirit with us. It's true. Anyway, it's been a great week for me.  Hope yours has been as well!

Love you all!

Hermana Bingham

Sorry, only photo this week is of our lunch. I'll try to get a better one next week.

Finding Miracles.

Family and Friends,

Hola! The weeks are flying. This week we had a low number of lessons, but Hermana Barlow and I still had fun. Even days when we were out in the heat a lot of the day we came home feeling accomplished and as if we'd done our best. We keep seeing the finding miracles as we talk to everyone. We have received more numbers of people to go visit than I have in a long time this week. We also were teaching a new investigator when her friend stopped by and wanted to listen as well so we get to share the gospel with both of them. When we passed by for an inactive member, she had already moved back to her country but her daughter wanted us to visit her. The very last person we talked to the other night had good memories of the missionaries when they visited her husband a long time ago and invited us to visit the whole family.  I actually had an interesting conversation with Hermana Olsen when I was with her this week about how we see miracles daily - it doesn't always mean the people we are teaching recognize these miracles and change, but it seems to be just what we need as missionaries to keep going some days. Not sure if that makes sense how I said it even, but I feel very blessed to recognize 'little' miracles daily.

On Thursday Hermana Barlow and I were in Barrio 3 (Carabanchel) with our sister training leaders for the day for exchanges. I got to be companions with Hermana Olsen - we served together a year ago. It was super fun being together, sharing fun mission stories, and seeing how much we have both changed in a year. Good times. Hermana Barlow and I stayed with Hermanas Olsen and Graff for the night then we all went to zone conference on Friday. We talked about a lot of basics there, but a good review. We also are having a few changes in the mission.  Nothing too drastic, just good opportunities to help us stay focused on our purpose and see miracles.  We have a tradition in this mission where all the missionaries going home bear their testimonies at their last zone conference - which was this one for me. It was strange. Last zone conference. I don't like those moments when I realize how close to the end I really am. But I'm grateful for every moment I have here!

Love you all!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

There is crazy, fun art work in the center of about every round about here. I think I'll start taking pictures of more.

That's not snow.  Just crazy pollen that collects and makes allergy season not so fun for the people of Madrid.

   

Hermana Barlow trying to stay entertained during calls.

Last transfer. Training Hermana Barlow.

Family and Friends,

What a great week! For Monday night and Tuesday morning I stayed with Hermanas Duffin and Campillo in Alcorcón until my companion came Tuesday. I had a great time with them! I got to meet more awesome people here in Spain. Then on Tuesday I met my new companion Hermana Barlow. She's great! She is from Las Vegas. I'm so blessed to train her. In fact, our mission president, President Pack, said how clear it was this transfer with who the companionships would be between the trainers and the trainees- that we all had something to give and learn. I've figured out what I needed to learn from Hermana Barlow already, hopefully she learns something from me.

We are still focusing a lot on finding more people to teach. There is a mission-wide challenge to attempt at sharing the gospel with at least 25 people a day for each missionary. Doesn't seem like too many but with busy days or meeting days we have to literally talk to everyone. And it's been so fun. I love coming home at the end of a day and feeling that I've really put all my effort in sharing the gospel with as many as I can. And as we do it with prayer, we have been led to some great people. Yesterday we weren't having much success and had about 10 minutes until a lesson but stopped and prayed to be led to someone who was prepared to listen and know what to say. The second person we talked to is from Columbia, has friends from our church there, and was interested and wanted to meet again. I know the Lord helps us in His work.

We met with a really great new lady this week. She lives in very humble circumstances and is searching for exactly what the gospel can give her. We had a good lesson that led us all to tears as we felt the spirit so strong. I love experiences like that. With another lady, we had been debating if we really should keep visiting her now or if she needed a little time because she hadn't been progressing- she loves our visits but hadn't read in the Book of Mormon or been to church in a long time. Hermana Barlow had a great idea to help her and as we shared it, the lady opened up about her doubts. We talked about a few things and read from the Book of Mormon with her. Two days later she showed up at church. It was a wonderful 'surprise' to see her there.

I love the mission. Working full-time for the Lord is the best job ever.

Love,

Hermana Bingham

Hermana Barlow and I.

Baptism and transfers.

Family and Friends,

I feel like I just wrote since it was Wednesday, but the last few days have been great. Saturday Eloisa was baptized. Her sister and a few other family members are members of the church and live in the south of Spain. They came for the baptism as well as a good amount of members. The ward is great for support. It was a beautiful baptism.  Eloisa was so happy.

We also have transfers today. My companion, Hermana Smith, is going home. It's pretty weird having her go, but I get to train for my last transfer! I'm so excited. When I was in Santiago I prayed to be able to end my mission training if possible, but figured it wouldn't happen when I was STL again. Heavenly Father is so aware of me and knows what is best for me. I will meet my new companion tomorrow so I'll have to let know next week who she is.

Love you all! Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Hermana Bingham

(Sorry the email is short, it's transfer day and not sure if I'll have wifi again)

Fadma

James and Liliana

16 months

Family and Friends,

I can't believe it's been another week! This transfer already end this week. It's flown. Anyway, I am still doing well. It's been a pretty normal, but good, week. We have eaten with more members, and even investigators, than any other. It's been great getting to know them on a more personal level. We also had great lessons with less actives. We had a great experience with one as she explained to us how her life has changed recently since we've come to visit. I have come to realize that the Lord does not only prepare people who aren't members to accept the gospel, but also those who have fallen away to return. That was the case with this lady - she was prepared and ready to come back, just needed a small nudge.

I got to go to the temple today! With being in the north and the way transfers worked, it had been about 6 months. I had an overwhelming feeling of peace going in. I'm so happy I'm in a mission with a temple I get to attend. I'm even more grateful for the priesthood that has been restored and the ability to make covenants with our Heavenly Father that will allow us to return to His presence.

I love you all lots! Thanks for all the love and support!

Love,

Hermana Bingham