First sick day on the Mission

Hello Family!

Well, many bits of news this week! First off.....(drumroll)..... I have bronchitis!!!! Haha, whooooo! It came very recently. Earlier this week, me and Elder Díaz had a little bit of a cough, but nothing bad. It got a little worse this weekend, so we went to the doctor today, and its official! I will be at home for the next day or so, and taking an antibiotic. Haha, great stuff! Also, another new thing. I have a new companion! Elder Díaz left to go to a little town called Cuenca, and I am now with Elder Peña. He is also from Peru, but is a lot less American. ;) He doesn´t speak too much English, so we will be getting by in Spanish. This is the first time time that I have a native speaking companion, so I am hoping that my Spanish improves even more!

Thank you so much for sending the videos. Haha, the one of Devin getting attacked by Lucy is hillarious! It looks sooooo beautiful out there!!!! I actually miss the snow. You guys know that winter is my least favorite season, but I have grown to miss the beauty of the snow. Because, usually here, it is just cold, and there is no snow. But! Guess what! Elder Díaz and I were up packing, and we look out the window to find the big white stuff falling out the window! I will try and attach a picture! It has all pretty much melted off by now, but it was great to just see it falling!

Well, there ya go! That is pretty much my week for you. It was difficult, but I am very excited to work with Elder Peña out here. I love all of you so much!

Elder Rawlinson

PS A couple of favors.

Could you send me Alex´s email address? It turns out that I don´t have it.

Also, this week I found a painting that I really love. It is called The Saints Embark in Liverpool, or something like that, and it is by Ken Baxter. Could you email be the best quality one you can find on the internet? I would like to print it out and keep it. 

Oh, that reminds me. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about family history. If you could, can you maybe get some stories of how our ancestors came to know the gospel. That would be great!

Living a fairy tale - TOLEDO!!!

Well folks. Today, I fulfilled one of my lifelong dreams. Well, not really lifelong, but since I got my mission call. (But, oh boy... That sure feels like a lifetime ago. Yet, yesterday at the same time.) We took a journey to Toledo. This medieval city was the capital of the kingdom here in Spain until the early 1500s. Where, after much moving, it ended up in Madrid. It is gorgeous! Before the mission, I drempt of going to its winding streets. Seeing its cathedrals. And just being there! And, it finally happened today! Just wanted to send y'all(sorry, my companion is from the south. (: ) some pictures of this very epic day!

I want to let all of you know that I am doing well. Even though I am one of those missionaries who is not very good at writing, I wanted to thank you for all of the support you give. For the prayers that are given on my behalf. The mission is rough! And I am so grateful for the energy and strength that I receive from each one of you back home! This church is true. The gospel changes lives. And, our Father in heaven only wants us to be happy.

Awkward week after Christmas

Well, here we are! In the awkward week after Christmas. Haha, it is very interesting for us missionaries, especially as we are going to be having an extra awkward week until Three Kings Day. But, we are doing the best we can. :)

It was great to be able to see you on Christmas! You guys look like you are doing great! Since then, there hasn´t been too much new stuff. We did have a Christmas party on Saturday. It went very well! We were able to bring some investigators, and have a great time! We met some new people that we could be teaching soon! Including, one woman from the Philipines. I´ll keep you updated on that! 

Well, that´s about all of the time that I have for today. :) I love you all! So very much! keep pushing forward! I pray for you all of the time!

Elder Rawlinson