Hermana Bingham en España: A great Christmas week.‏

Family and Friends,

I hope you've all had an amazing Christmas. I didn't really write that
much last week, but here's a summary of the last two weeks. I've had
some big testimony builders recently. Hermana Maza has been a huge
example to me. Last Wednesday (1 1/2 weeks ago) morning she found out
that her older sister passed away from cancer. Obviously a big trial
to deal with, especially being away from family. We spent a day in the
mission home and by Thursday afternoon were back to work. It was
amazing to see and feel her testimony strengthen even more. I could
feel the Spirit really strong during the lessons we taught the
following days, a few even on the plan of salvation. I know Heavenly
Father gives us trials so we can grow and progress. Sometimes it may
be hard to understand in the moment, but He has a greater plan for us
and knows what we need.

Another testimony builder happened Christmas Day. I started getting
sick Christmas Eve, and by mid-morning on Christmas I had completely
lost my voice. I was so nervous that I wouldn't be able to talk and
communicate with my family over Skype. One of the elders kindly asked
if I'd like a priesthood blessing. They gave me one, and I was able to
speak with my family. The next day it was gone again besides a faint
whisper. I'm grateful for the tender mercies of my Heavenly Father and
for the restoration of the priesthood on the earth.

As far as Christmas celebrations go, we had a lot of fun. Actually a
small fact first is that people from Spain celebrate 'Día de los Reyes
Magos' - wise men day- the 6th of January more than Christmas. That's
when they open gifts. Christmas is still celebrated, but it's not as
big. We had a Christmas dinner the week before at the church. We ate
and had a talent show. There were a ton of people, many friends and
family of the members. On Christmas Eve, all the missionaries from
Madrid (100+) had an activity. We first had a spiritual devotional
with scriptures and musical numbers and after food, white elephant,
and caroling (singing on the steps of the 'temple square'). That
evening we had Christmas Eve dinner with the Guzmans. Then Christmas
Day we basically visited people and ate with them all day and Skyped
family.

Yesterday we saw a cool miracle. We went to Arganda, one of the
pueblos. On our way back home we past a churrería that a
friend/investigator works at. He called us over and we talked for a
minute. Then his boss came, and the truth is we were a little nervous
because we were not sure if we should be there (we were on the back
side talking while he worked). I looked at Hermana Maza and said,
"should we go?" And she, always in tune with the Spirit, said, "I
think we need to talk to his boss first." So we did. And turns out she
is a member, with almost all her extended family members, but her
immediate family no and has been inactive for over 20 years. She
hasn't owned a Book of Mormon for years and was happy to accept one
and set up a time to meet again.

I'm really grateful for all the experiences I have. I know our
Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us and we must learn to follow
the Spirit and do what He wants for us. That is what will make us
truly happy and prepare us for the eternities.