Hi from Consuegra!

From: elder.miller@myldsmail.net
Date: Wed, 20 May 2009

Today we are in Consuegra, where there are sweet windmills and a castle. It is in La Mancha near Toledo and Ciudad Real. Last week we went to Ventas the Plaza de Toros, the bullring of Madrid, which is spectacular. We took a tour, and it was awesome. The month of May is the biggest month for bullfights and they have one every day with 4-6 bulls fought at each one. We didn't see a fight, but just being there was fun and we got to take pictures the torero's cape, which is pink and yellow. Then the red cloth that he uses at the end when he has the finishing sword at the end of the fight. It was great. Next week we are probably going to go to Tony Roma's with Elder Sewell and his companion as a goodbye. He has plans to visit for 1 or 2 weeks during Thanksgiving later this year, so hopefully that works out, and you all can meet him then.
Last night we taught an awesome mother and father who are actually legally married. They are just way nice and had amazing questions. Their answers to our questions showed that they were really applying themselves to learn what the spirit was whispering to them. They are Carlos and Elma from Peru, and they are about 30 and have 2 little girls - Fiorela (5) and Mirella (9). They are a referral from Elder Murga and Elder Read. They are just great. They were sad when the first cita didn't work out, and we were worried that it wouldn't work out the second time or ever. But then last night it went great and they ate our message up. They are way excited to have the next lesson with the girls there, who were out playing at the park with a friend and the friend's mom. The littlest girl, Fiorela, ran to the door when we were leaving and was like, "Wait- I want to give you a chuche. (A little candy, usually soft and delicious but sometimes rock hard because the stores have had them on the shelf so long, but this was a good one). So it has been rough only having Alex to teach, but he is amazing, and now we have 4 investigators so its great. The members are awesome though, and so we have 1-5 member lessons depending on the day. Its great, and we are just following "Preach My Gospel" teaching the missionary lessons and getting referrals. I love teaching the members because they almost always put a lot into the lesson, and when people really want to learn they do from the spirit. But also you get out of it what you put into the learning experience and so that's why we have to find the elect. Alex is golden. We found out one rough part in his past from Ukraine, where he grew up until 12 years old and then came here. President Farnsworth will be doing his interview and it should go well because Alex understands repentance, wants with all his heart to be baptized, recognizes what's gone wrong, wants to make it better. We will see how it goes on Sunday, but pray for Alex. He accepted tithing, offerings, fasting, word of wisdom, chastity, and its like he would have lived them his whole life if he only knew about it all. He got frustrated when we contacted a person in the street on the way to the fireside this week The fireside was with the 2 former mission presidents of the Madrid Mission, tons of former missionaries, current missionaries, and members. It was a great experience. They rejected us really hard, and Alex was just like "How could the people do that to you? This message is true, and if I had known this stuff all along, I would have been living it. I just had to wait to finally receive it." He is really excited to prepare for a mission, and oh, he is just amazing.
Also some old investigators that I taught in Barrio 5 got baptized. Alcides and his wife got baptized by Elder Moreno in Barrio 8. They are family of Bernardo and Lorenza, recent converts who gave us tons of referrals in Barrio 5. Alcides is the one who waited to pick up his wife from Paraguay to get baptized, and his son was already baptized in Paraguay. That's awesome. Also, Eva and Juan Carlos, who were also referrals from Bernardo, were baptized in Paraguay. They are the ones who moved back the week before Elder McBride left Barrio 5. They got married and baptized. Its just wonderful the blessings the gospel brings to families. Miguel Angel from Mostoles was sealed in the temple, and I just found out today. I was so sad to not have found out before because I would have been able to attend, since Elder Brown and I taught him, and then he was baptized while we were there. But the important part is that they are an eternal family with their 2 boys. This gospel is so amazing.
We had Zone Conference yesterday, and it went really well. We learned about the atonement, and practiced contacting. The main focus was creating Zion in companionships, then districts, then zones, and just being a team. It was kind of like a "one for all and all for one" theme. It went well, and I learned a ton. Elder Sewell gave his final testimony at the Zone Conference, and I was way sad to see him up there for two reasons. He is going home to England, and I am next. It is really surreal. It scares me and makes me sad more than anything.
I have been able to cut a lot of hair here in Barrio 3. I have cut Elder Read's and Elder Murga's hair twice now, and then Elder Karren's once and my own once. I'm getting pretty proficient with a missionary cut tapered, and just long enough to part. So, have a great week, have fun in Lake Powell and at Tiffany's reception. Tell everyone I say "Hi".
Thanks for all you do for me and your support and love. I love you all so much.
Much love from Spain.
Love, Elder Miller