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