5-13-09

From: elder.miller@myldsmail.net

The fireside with Elder Bednar on Sunday night was very interesting. We took Alex, our investigator from the Ukraine with us, and he really liked it. He told us how much he could tell that Elder Bednar knew the problems of these days and the needs of teens and young people. It was great, and afterwards we had a temple tour with Hermana Salas and Hermana Toone. Alex loved it and gave amazing answers to their questions. He says he is counting the days to go to the temple grounds again for the next charla foganera or fireside.
The Madrid Open started last Friday and goes until this Sunday. The arena it takes place in is very near us. You will have to check out some of the matches.
Elder McBride's dad is doing amazing. He did have to get a pacemaker, but it all went well and life is going good for him.
Jose is doing all right but he works like a mad man. He accepts everything, but doesn't have time to come to church or hardly ever can he meet. Alex, as I said, is doing great. He has quit the occasional social cigarette he would smoke, drinking, and coffee, his real addiction. He works at their restaurant that has a bar where he prepares all of those things and sells them to others, and is able to resist them. He is amazing. He hasn't missed a single lesson out of the 4 a week that we have had. He has been to church 3 times now. He is coming to the baptism of Diana (20 from Ecuador) an investigator of the hermanas'. Alex's mom isn't a believer in religions, but does believe in God. She was raised in the Ukraine in a time when they weren't aloud to practice religion I think, and so it just made things hard for her. Besides, the Orthodox Church has some interesting beliefs.
We ate at the restaurant that Alex and his mom own, and it was way good. They served us a catfish that was about 10 inches long with its tail in its mouth, so it was in a circle. Then it was battered with the skin and all and deep-fried. It was way interesting. Alex studied to be a chef/bar tender/waiter for 4 years so he is just a way good cook. I love the people here. They are amazing! I love being in Barrio 3 and I love the mission.
Much love from the happiest place on earth, not Disneyland, Spain.
Love, Elder Miller