tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11471715164922976342024-03-05T14:58:01.878-08:00La Misión Málaga de la AbuelaHermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-28048003662606694192015-10-11T13:34:00.001-07:002015-10-11T13:40:51.580-07:00Oh Isabella! (And Ferdinand)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More Alhambra photos! If you ever get to Spain, this is one of the "must see" places.<br />
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I just thought these doorways were pretty cool.</div>
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Our great tour guide Gerardo gave us a lot of great "insider" stories about the Alhambra. It was a great balance to the more leisurely but not as informative self-tour we took last year. </div>
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This has a really interesting story. After King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella took Granada with an overwhelmingly superior force (without having to attack the Alhambra itself), the palace/fortress gradually fell into disrepair. Finally the American writer Washington Irving (think Rip Van Winkle and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow) visited and fell in love with the Alhambra, and actually moved into rooms there in 1829. His Tales of the Alhambra stimulated so much interest in the old fortress that it was gradually restored to where it is today.</div>
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Something I didn't know, the name Granada comes from the Spanish word for pomegranate, which is grown in the region. This is one of the pomegranate trees in the Alhambra.</div>
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Love these flowers!</div>
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Love this lady! Elder and Sister Wiscomb are the ones who took the pictures that I'm in. Thanks! :)<br />
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One last view of the Alhambra. A very beautiful place!</div>
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After the Alhambra we went all had lunch together (The Wok - delicious!) then I went with Hermana and Elder Guffey to explore downtown Granada. First up was the Cathedral. I got this picture off the internet because I only saw pieces of it.</div>
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Like this.</div>
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This is the interior. Very ornate and HUGE! </div>
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The Capilla Mayor.</div>
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I loved the ingravings. Especially the horse :)</div>
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But what we were really looking for were the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, the monarchs who financed Columbus. We finally found them in the Capilla Real, out the door and around the corner from the main Cathedral entrance. </div>
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They didn't allow pictures there, so this is an internet picture. You could take a stairway to where you could see into a room under these horizontal statues. There you could see the lead caskets that housed their remains. History was thick in the air :)</div>
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Then we visited the little markets that surrounded the downtown area. There were a lot of really neat stuff, and yes, I did buy some!<br />
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One last look at our little group: myself, the Redds, the Guffeys, and the Wiscombs. We are gradually disbanding, and I will (and do) miss them very much, along with the Coombs, Frosts, Andersens, and all those who have already gone home. Great people!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-51175557190279852582015-09-27T11:46:00.000-07:002015-09-27T11:46:53.152-07:00Alhambra reboot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I returned to the Alhambra in Granada with the Senior Missionaries one more time before heading home. The weather was beautiful, and there were a lot more flowers in bloom this time. We had a delightful time!<br />
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One of the beautiful flower beds. I have no idea what kind. Jackie???<br />
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Two of my very good friends, Hermana Wiscombe (on the left), and Hermana Guffey. I just realized that somehow Hermana Redd got left out! She's below though :) The Coombs and Frosts decided to sit this one out.<br />
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Some of the yeseria, plaster carved by the Spanish Moors. You can tell it's original because of the colors (red, yellow, green, and blue). They used decorated plain white plaster for the restorations.<br />
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We had a private tour this time and a GREAT guide, Gerardo. We saw things we missed last time, and learned lots of new things. And did a LOT of walking! I took about half the pictures as last time as I'd already been there, and I couldn't dawdle as much trying out different shots and angles.<br />
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Left: old city and city wall.<br />
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Right: The "Guys", Elders Guffey, Wiscombe, and Redd.<br />
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Charles the V, Holy Roman Emperor wanted a palace fit for an emperor and ordered one built near the Moorish Alhambra buildings. He visited shortly after his marriage to Isabel of Portugal, but as you can see, it was never finished.<br />
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Stonework lauding Charles' achievments.<br />
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To the left is a bath house. There were three rooms, with a progression from cold to steaming hot water.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QI9fXDjfK_EWQkYoAA8a_JL0MQBzYj-cdwejhe2mSRMNTmyW4c51xJDGRpT2DijgNVfFoWEcu9zyE0-pnpGlTICFplpQptd6Kbhh6j3Y4kSp2h_aajgWGbtLffCxZ5s2AGqIMZX7Ebg/s1600/IMG_4316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1QI9fXDjfK_EWQkYoAA8a_JL0MQBzYj-cdwejhe2mSRMNTmyW4c51xJDGRpT2DijgNVfFoWEcu9zyE0-pnpGlTICFplpQptd6Kbhh6j3Y4kSp2h_aajgWGbtLffCxZ5s2AGqIMZX7Ebg/s320/IMG_4316.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Inside the Nazarene Palace. It was built by the Moors who were finally driven out in 1492, right before Columbus sailed.<br />
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Elder Guffey and Hermanas Wiscomb and Redd.<br />
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The Court of the Lions. It was a great trip, made even better by a great group of friends!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-63962004128318367122015-09-06T13:50:00.000-07:002015-09-06T13:50:29.827-07:00Spanish Night - Flamenco!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally got to see a Flamenco show! It was part of the "Spanish Night" show put on by an extended Spanish family in Fuengirola. They also put on a Spanish horse show and serve a dinner, but I chose to just take in the Flamenco dance. It was very enjoyable, and I'm so glad I got to see this part of Southern Spanish culture. </div>
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<br />The show included singing, guitar playing, and dancing. It was especially meaningful to me because many nights I get to enjoy the music, songs, and stamps of Flamenco at my home as there is a Flamenco school right down the street from me. And I wasn't being sarcastic when I say I enjoy it, even though it often goes to 11 at night. I really do enjoy it!</div>
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Two of my fellow missionaries and great friends - Hermana Guffey in the middle, and Hermana Wiscombe on the right. Thanks to my fellow missionaries for many of these great pictures!</div>
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And the Elders that joined us, from right to left, Elders Guffey, Coombs, Wiscombe, and our President, President Andersen doing what he is very good at - telling a story :)</div>
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And no, we didn't take advantage of those green bottles ;)</div>
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It was a very fun night! Here we are together, from left to right, the Wiscombs, the Coombs, the Andersens, me, the Guffeys, and the Frosts. The only Senior Missionaries missing were the Redds. Next week! :)</div>
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-24982033538209619072015-08-23T12:43:00.001-07:002015-08-23T12:43:55.484-07:00Rio Guadalhorce Natural Reserve - a great place for a Branch Activity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple of weeks ago we had a Branch activity at the beautiful Rio Guadalhorce Natural Reserve, about an hour or so away from Fuengirola. The water is a gorgeous blue-green, with a temperature just right for swimming. We had 3 missionaries, 3 "permanent" branch members, 2 investigators, a friend, and 6 "temporaries" (members that join us for a few weeks once to several times a year). It was lot of fun!</div>
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Everybody brought plenty of food to share.<br />
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This is one of our "permanent" members, Marcelle, from Belgium with her two dogs. I'm teaching her the temple class lessons and am REALLY hoping to take another trip up to Madrid with her before I leave.<br />
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The gentleman in the hat and striped towel is our Branch President, President Tyndale-Biscoe, or "President Shaun" as he is usually called. On his right is Bruna, our Relief Society President, and on his left, two of our investigators.<br />
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We rented a paddle boat and took turns out on it. I went out with Marcelle, and it was so peaceful - very enjoyable. We had to be careful not to run over President Shaun as he swam across the lake and back though!<br />
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A great family who was with us for several weeks, from South America by way of France (many years).<br />
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This is the Guadalmedina River, which is one of the few rivers in Southern Spain that actually has water in it all year, and that is only because of the dam which forms the reservoir we swam in. Otherwise it would be dry most of the year, as is its 5 tributary rivers. <br />
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Again the river and also the famous Caminito del Rey, or "The Kings Little Pathway". This was before this year the world's most dangerous hike, with walkways clinging to the canyon walls, most of which were falling apart. Quite a few people died along it. This year, however, they finished repairing it and opened it to the public. Tickets were gone in 2 days for months in advance. <br />
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Another look at part of the Camino del Rey (it's nickname). I would LOVE to try it out if we can get tickets!<br />
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The views are fabulous.<br />
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I thought the houses in the crevice were kind of cool.<br />
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Our little group. We had so much fun! Great people. I am going to miss them!</div>
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-90793034524875644242015-08-02T14:07:00.000-07:002015-08-02T14:27:24.476-07:00Ronda<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the "must see" places to go in Southern Spain is Ronda, which is about an hour and a half from Fuengirola. It's quite spectacular as it is built right up to the edge of steep cliffs. It is divided in two by the El Tajo canyon, cut by the Guadalevin river (which, typical to the area, doesn't have a whole lot of water). Behind me is the Puente Nuevo ("New Bridge") built in the later 1700's.</div>
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The "old bridge" was built in the 1500's, much lower, had only one arch, and obviously wasn't built as well since it collapsed, taking 50 people with it.<br />
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To the right I'm pretty sure is the tourism building. Very Spanish and pretty.<br />
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I went to Ronda on a Pday with Hermana Coombs (she was nice enough to drive us there even though she had been before) and the office elders, Elder Fife and Elder Weenig. This is the everpresent and beautifully built Catholic church.<br />
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This is looking towards the New Bridge (the white car is on it). It's not that impressive from above, but really cool up close.<br />
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This shows the typical Andelucian white buildings lining the cliffs (taken from the bridge).<br />
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The Puente Nuevo is over 100 meters tall and was very fun to photograph :)<br />
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We got to go into the center room (you can see the "window" above the center arch in the picture above, and the doorway in the picture to the right) which had been made into a little museum. During the 19th century it was a prison, and during the 1930's Spanish Civil War it was used to house political prisoners.<br />
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A view down to the river, taken out of the bridge's center room. It is said that during the Civil War both sides killed hundreds of people in Rhonda (almost a thousand in total), throwing many to their deaths into the canyon.<br />
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Another view from the bridge showing the cliffs and Spanish countryside.<br />
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Heading towards the road that goes down into the canyon was this pretty view of Ronda.<br />
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The Elders and I hiked down to the base of the bridge. You can see one of the supporting pillars to their right and the river to their left.<br />
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Elder Weenig made sure I had plenty of pictures of myself. Some pretty good shots of the bridge, too! Thanks Elder Weenig!<br />
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I just love these narrow Spanish streets! That shows that I have never had to drive down one :) Very pretty.<br />
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This was near the bridge - cool tile picture.<br />
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The view off off of the Puente Nuevo. I'm not sure I'd want to live in the buildings right on the edge, but what a view!<br />
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I'm so glad that I got to go to Ronda - this was the last place on my "bucket list" of places I HAD to see in my mission before I left Spain. There are others that would be good to see, but if not I am content. I have been so very blessed to be able to serve in this beautiful place! And I am also blessed to have gotten to know so many great people here. #missionsareawesome!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-41529401949976462682015-07-12T08:52:00.000-07:002015-08-16T14:33:56.333-07:00International Parade part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I decided to treat you to even more pictures of the International Parade as they are so fun and it was really hard to cut it down much farther :) However, lest you think this is daily fare, I have weeks with nary a costume or historical place in sight. (besides Fuengirola, which is cool enough by itself ;)<br />
But the mission... ah, the mission! I can't describe to you how grateful I am to be able to interact with all of the great missionaries and other people I get to rub elbows with here in Spain! And I have been SO BLESSED! The last couple of weeks in Sunday School GD class has been on the atonement, and it has been such a privilage to study about and discuss my Savior and all He has done for me! And I just found out I get to tutor my third convert in preparation for her going to the temple! Such an honor and privilege! I love the temple, and am excited to be able to help her find the joy that comes from getting her own endowments and from serving her ancestors in the temple. It's the best!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-79860865822743514212015-07-06T12:42:00.000-07:002015-07-06T12:42:40.797-07:00International Fair Parade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This International Fair (May 2, 2015) marked the one year anniversary of my mission here in Spain. Last year at this time I had been here all of two days, and was a bit jet lagged. I totally missed the parade. Many different countries were represented and the costumes were fantastic. I don't have a lot to say... just enjoy the pictures!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-90919606953087910032015-06-28T12:50:00.000-07:002015-06-28T12:50:10.170-07:00Fiesta de San Isidro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This was one of those "surprise parades" that I didn't know was coming. Last year I just caught it from my balcony. This year I grabbed my camera, ran downstairs, and ran up the street past all the participants so I wouldn't miss anything.<br />
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The Fiesta de San Isidro celebrates the patron saint of the farmers, Saint Isidro. It is celebrated on the 15th of May (so I'm a bit late with this post) and they came into town with tractors pulling festively decorated wagons.<br />
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The horses were almost all very spirited and beautiful, and of course everyone was dressed in their finest traditional Spanish outfits.<br />
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Saint Isidore (Isidro) was born about 1070 and was a farmer his whole life. He was very generous, and had a number of miraculous stories and miracles attributed to him. For example, it is said that his son fell into a well, and when he and his wife Santa Maria prayed, the water level rose until they were able to get their son out of the well.<br />
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Other stories told of how he would go to mass and pray every day while angels did his work, and how when he did work, angels worked on either side of him, so he was able to do the work of three men.<br />
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One last story (there are many) - he would bring people home to eat with them, and one day he brought home so many Marie ran out of food. When she told Isidore, he told her to look again, and she was able to keep scooping food out until everyone was fed.<br />
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These pictures don't go with the Fiesta de San Isidro, but were part of the International Festival (the parade was short :) ). Quite the variety of meats!<br />
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And will you take a lemon with your piglet? You can buy whole piglets and whole rabbits (skinned) in the supermarkets. And there is always a large selection of fresh fish right out in the open that they will help you get!<br />
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Of course there were huge vats of Paella (the traditional Spanish rice and meat dish, often with a variety of seafood in it).<br />
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This is a random food picture - a traditional cake with a real egg in the middle of it. We got it to celebrate some Spanish Saint in La Mancha when we were there the end of April. Spain does love it's Saints and Festivals!<br />
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Here are a few random pictures of the Fuengirola beach as they prepared for the summer tourist season. Here they're digging holes for the beach umbrellas, all with that kind of natural, matty look.<br />
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They also brought in loads of sand and spread it around with tractors. A beach can never have enough sand!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-84375033601754309592015-06-07T14:13:00.000-07:002015-06-07T14:13:18.673-07:00Sevilla Conference and Fun part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Los Awesome Misión Málaga de España ¨Senior¨ Missionaries</div>
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Top: Los Redds, Los Wiscombs</div>
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Bottom: Los Guffeys, me, Los Coombs, y Los Frosts</div>
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More pictures in the Maria Louisa Park. This statue had a pair of probably pigeons sitting on its head. Real ¨love birds¨ :)<br />
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More of the gardens. It was so peaceful there!<br />
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Spring is the time for a Catholic child's First Communion and there were many families in the park with their kids dressed up in suits or beautiful white dresses to take their Communion pictures. Most were probably around 7 or 8, but it is traditional to take between 7 and 12. You can see a girl with a white parasol to the right.<br />
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I love those flowers and these women!<br />
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The park´s centerpiece, the outside of the Plaza de España, with its beautiful ceramic tiles. This and many of the buildings were built for an ¨expo¨, the Exposicion Ibero-Americano of 1929. They beautiful and extravagant, built just before the stock market crash of ´29, and was meant, among other things, to boost Spain´s moral after they lost all of their colonies in the Americas.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Some of the trees had a pretty wild root system and I love all the different varieties!</span></span><br />
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There were a number of little ¨Glorietas¨ around the park dedicated to various writers. This one is for the poet Gustavo Becquer. The three ladies are hopeful love, possessed love, and lost love. And the two Cupids are wounded love, and love which wounds.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Now we move on to the center of the Plaza de España (again, built for expo '29). I´ll let the pictures speak for themselves (loved the beautiful ceramics, waterway, and fountain!) and move on to the WHY of why we were in Sevilla. All of the beautiful parks and buildings were a feast for the eyes, but the Whole Mission Conference was a feast for the soul.</span></span><br />
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The conference featured President Dykes of the area 70 (which was really cool to see as he used to be the president of the Oregon Portland Mission!) and Elder Alan, an area 70, and their wives. I thought it was going to be a review of the booklets they gave us getting us ready for ipads, but it was nothing of the sort. It was one of the most spiritual meetings I've ever had the privilege to attend.<br />
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First President Dykes spoke about Christ and His atonement, and how we are all dependent on his mercy, merits, and grace. Also how Christ will help us make it through whatever may come our way, so don't quit! And get to really <u>know</u> the Savior by study, by prayer, and through the Holy Ghost. He will always be there to help us through whatever we may need him for, whether it be repentance, healing, or whatever.<br />
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(Back to the Plaza de España for a bit - there were small niches along the outside of one building dedicated to the southern provinces. Málaga is the province that Fuengirola is in (where the mission office actually is, about a half hour from Málaga). <br />
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President Dykes also challenged us to do something that is really hard for me - learn all of the members' names in our ward! The Mijas branch is easy - there are only about 8 or 10 regular members that aren't missionaries, but I also go to some of the Spanish ward and I only know a few of their names. That is something I really need to work on. He also challenged us to truly listen and DO when the Holy Ghost tells us something.<br />
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Elder Allen talked about moral agency, and using technology correctly. He emphasized that we need to be agents to act, rather than objects to be acted upon. A great idea was that we needed to get on technology with a specific purpose in mind, and when that purpose is accomplished, get off. I'm still working on that.<br />
Safeguards for technology: Be in tune with the Spirit, Focus on your purpose, Be disciplined, and Be One with your companion and the Lord.<br />
A great conference.<br />
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Finally I want to mention a bit about our drive to and from Sevilla. I rode with the Coombs, and on the way we got on the toll road, which has very few exits, but the GPS keep telling us to get off... then on the way home it had us taking these little dinky roads, which actually was pretty cool because we got to see all kinds of beautiful countryside, with lots of little towns often built around hilltops for protection. Turns out the GPS was set to "avoid all major roads". Moral - be careful of the guide you are using and make sure it's leading you to where (and how) you want to go!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-87863949526904962015-05-25T13:44:00.000-07:002015-05-25T13:47:42.773-07:00Sevilla Conference! (Well, and fun :) )<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love these ladies! From l to r, Hermana Guffey, Hermana Redd, me, and Hermana Wiscomb - from whom I got this (as well as the third and last pictures). Hermana Coombs, Hermana Frost, and Hermana Deere (not pictured) are also great friends :)</div>
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Last month the WHOLE MISSION descended upon Sevilla for the very first Whole Mission Conference of President Deere's tenure. Many missionaries, including the "seniors" stayed at hotels, giving me the chance to ride in my first car elevator. It was nice and smooth :) Nice hotel, too.<br />
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Hermana and Élder Wiscomb let me tag along with them to explore Sevilla´s beautiful Maria Luisa Park. It is Sevilla´s main green area, and were first the gardens of the Palace of San Telmo, which was built in 1682 as a school for the orphan children of sailors.<br />
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It was a beautiful time of year to go, with many beautiful flowers to go along with all of the sculptures, trees, fountains, ponds, pavilions, and etc.<br />
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There were several people ensconced in hammocks relaxing above this waterfall (you can see the green one). You can also see the cool pavilion at the top of the hill.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I loved this walkway covered with gorgeous purple flowers!</span><br />
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There were a number of different ways to get around the park (which was quite large). There were horse drawn carriages, little peddle cars (like the one in this picture), bikes, and even Segway scooters. We walked, which was good because I love taking pictures, and that's hard if you're rushing around and have to watch where you're going :).<br />
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There were lots of cool buildings, several of which had been turned into museums. We weren't able to visit any though.<br />
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Love these flowers!<br />
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More gardens. The park actually serves as botanical gardens. To the right is a picture of the Pavillion Real in the Plaza América.<br />
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One of these days I'm going to take one of these horse taxis. It looks so fun! And the horses are treated very well.<br />
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The museum of Archaeology.<br />
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Élder and Hermana Wiscomb amongst the flowers.<br />
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There were a LOT of birds, especially doves, in the park.<br />
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This is the ¨Queens Sewing Box¨ built in 1893 as a retreat.<br />
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Beautiful buildings.<br />
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Such a peaceful place! Totally beautiful.<br />
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The final picture is of our whole mission - all about 200 of us! It was an awesome conference, and I´ll write more about it next time.<br />
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llHermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-65004136246021237682015-05-17T13:34:00.000-07:002015-05-17T13:39:03.851-07:00The Rock!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hurray! I finally got to go to Gibraltar! My friends, the Wiscombs came down to do their residency and decided to go to Gib, inviting me along.<br />
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It's only a couple of hours from Fuen and goes through beautiful country as well as along the Mediterranean. It also had the added bonus of being with some great friends, so the whole trip was a pleasure!<br />
When we got there the Guffeys joined us (party time!)<br />
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This is the Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, a gift from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. It's on the tip of Gibraltar, on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula.<br />
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Gibraltar was captured from Spain in 1704, and was given the chance to rejoin Spain with referendums in 1967 and again in 2002 when over 90% said No! This has led to sour feelings between the UK and Spain, and occasionally Spain will get mad and do little things like making it difficult to get into Gib. In 2006 Gibraltar got its own constitution, and now governs itself, with the exception of a few things like self defense and foreign relations. (This is me with the Wiscombs).<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">After parking the car we walked through the town of Gibralter with it's narrow streets and many little shops that provide all you need to make your wedding there (one of the main "industries") a delightful day. Our Branch President's son, Jack, had to get married there because Spain wouldn't let him as he had been in the States at school for a while. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">This "statue" is actually a real person. Pretty cool.</span><br />
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Then we took the cable car up to the top of the Rock. Unfortunately we didn't have time to see the limestone "St. Michael's Cave", but the views were spectacular! You can easily walk all over Gibraltar - it's only 2.6 square miles in size (6.8 square kilometers). Beyond the car you can see the city of Gibralter and beyond that the Bay of Gibralter.<br />
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This guy met us at the top, hoping for handouts. It is a treasured place, and only the alpha Barbary Macaque monkeys get to hang out here.<br />
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In spite of the 4,000 pound penalty for feeding the monkeys, they knew where good things come from, and would grab and run with any dangling bags or back packs they could get away with.<br />
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This is looking towards the Straits of Gibralter, with Spain on the right, and Africa (Morocco to be specific) on the left. I've seen Africa! Now to visit (I hope) :)<br />
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The Three Hermanas :) We had a great time! (I got this shot and the one of the Guffeys from Elder and Hermana Wiscomb. Thanks!)<br />
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Finally we had to try out the famous Roy's Fish and Chips, and it definitely lived up to it's reputation. The fish was light and not greasy, and the chips were delicious! Very yummy.<br />
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Elder and Hermana Guffey. They do military relations at the nearby Rota naval base, where they are famous for their waffles. They were great guides!<br />
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And of course the famous British red telephone booth. At least Superman would have a place to change here!<br />
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Visiting Gibraltar was such fun! And it is a spectacular place to visit. My final picture is of the Trinity Lighthouse, at the tip of the Rock, looking out towards the Straight. I am so blessed to be able to serve here in Spain! #missionsareawesome :)<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-45784130933496976322015-05-02T12:07:00.000-07:002015-05-02T13:00:45.192-07:00Senior Miss. Just Gotta Have fu-un! Missionaries in La Mancha.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Frosts, the Redds, me, and the Wiscombs.</td></tr>
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Last weekend all the "senior" missionaries (minus the Coombs) got together at the Wiscomb's home in Alcázar de San Juan which is in La Mancha territory. We don't often congregate, but when we do, we have a lot of fun!<br />
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The first order of business was to explore the windmills, which the region is famous for. Especially those tiltable ones disguising their "giant" nature. <br />
Wine and olive oil are also big (shown here with the windmills we are headed towards), as are wheat, barley, and oats (the reason for the wind MILLS).<br />
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These are the windmills above Alcázar (pictured in the distance). <span style="background-color: white; color: #444b51; font-family: 'Museo Sans 300'; line-height: 24px;">The picture to the left shows the inner workings of the windmill. First the miller has to attach cloth to the blades of the mill (a difficult and dangerous job). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutN2Vyfuke9sQeWzE2LMQdqjLaVEUnzcNHkp2N7tEYJb_ZpDAgYrSezaK-QIolKaZD-13YJxh3YakFSRC5fZdnJO4RSWgWVkGj1nK9KbK-_X5skaAn3ciZpUfpCmbmNb6SZNRO2B6yQI/s1600/IMG_3107b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutN2Vyfuke9sQeWzE2LMQdqjLaVEUnzcNHkp2N7tEYJb_ZpDAgYrSezaK-QIolKaZD-13YJxh3YakFSRC5fZdnJO4RSWgWVkGj1nK9KbK-_X5skaAn3ciZpUfpCmbmNb6SZNRO2B6yQI/s1600/IMG_3107b.jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the contrast between the town, fallow fields, and crops</td></tr>
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The gears transfer the force produced by the motion of the blades to turn the top stone of a pair of millstones. Grain is poured through a hole in the top stone, and it is ground into flour. This is forced out the side and goes down a chute, where it is collected in sacks on the floor below. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444b51; font-family: 'Museo Sans 300'; line-height: 24px;">We finished the day checking out the branch in Alcázar and a local restaurant, then went to our various accommodations. The Wiscombs were very kind to me and let me camp out in their living room. You meet the greatest people on missions!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444b51; font-family: 'Museo Sans 300'; line-height: 24px;"> The next day the Guffeys joined us and we drove to the windmills of Campo de Criptana where we were hoping to be able to tour one. Unfortunately there were busloads of people before us, so we weren't able to. But the windmills were still cool! I tried to get a picture of the cathedral with the windmills behind it as we drove up, but I wasn't fast enough, so here is the cathedral <i>behind</i> them!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #444b51; font-family: Museo Sans 300;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">There was a little shop there selling Don Quixote souvenirs that had caves dug out below where he displayed his wares. Very cool (literally). </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444b51;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Don sneaking up behind me. This is the entrance to the little shop. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvVLYKVgeUOoCZafgCCKLsbkKzbl6C2VimgZSk7eGQgh5mWmOOTsvm_Ps2mafpyPusprskuzk3PMstkEzaazTT9ttUfgGNAbIZyn-XU61kbPN1vbdR8-gJTjolpIJ7sznmfX7gh1IbJo/s1600/IMG_3152b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvVLYKVgeUOoCZafgCCKLsbkKzbl6C2VimgZSk7eGQgh5mWmOOTsvm_Ps2mafpyPusprskuzk3PMstkEzaazTT9ttUfgGNAbIZyn-XU61kbPN1vbdR8-gJTjolpIJ7sznmfX7gh1IbJo/s1600/IMG_3152b.jpg" height="185" width="200" /></a><span style="color: #444b51;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I love the spring flowers coming out! I couldn't resist. </span></span><br />
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Next it was on to El Toboso, "Patria de Dulcinea." Here the craze for all things Don Quixote reaches a fever pitch.</div>
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First we visited the Museo Cervantino, which houses over 400 editions of Don Quixote in 60 different languages. All kinds of different people from Ronald Regan to Hitler donated signed copies.<br />
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The sizes ranged from tiny to huge, and they even had a VERY dramatic movie of what Dulcinea might have thought of the author.<br />
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Then we toured the Museo Casa de Dulcinea, which is a "re-creation" of the home of the Don's "girlfriend" Dulcinea. At least it showcased what a home of that era would look like.<br />
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Outside was a wine press that used a gigantic beam to press the juice out of the grapes. They also had an outdoor "room" with walls filled with pigeon holes, just big enough for one bird each. They were raised for meat, not racing.<br />
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<span style="color: #444b51;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">I leave you with some final pictures of our adventures in La Mancha. #missionsareawesome! </span></span><br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-27148844078442023512015-04-17T15:22:00.003-07:002015-04-17T15:22:52.039-07:00Short plug for a great serviceI just found a site that is doing a great service for those who have and those who will serve in the Spain Málaga Mission (and also for all of the other missions in the world). They provide links to many of the missionary blogs from that mission, and also provide a lot of other information, and even in many cases short videos from returned missionaries describing their missions and other helpful things. The link is http://preparetoserve.com/spain-malaga-mission/ Take a look!Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-70217380542080854952015-04-12T12:20:00.000-07:002015-04-17T13:37:18.354-07:00Goodbye Hermana Chantrill, Hello Semana Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mission seems to be flying by on the wings of a diving falcon - I entered the MTC on April 14, 2014, so I'm almost exactly 2/3 done (or a year out of my 18 months). How in the world did that happen? My companion, Hermana Chantrill (I can say Linda now :) ) left a few weeks ago to join her son in Hawaii by way of Montana.<br />
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I really miss her, but am getting used to going it alone. What's with my companions and Hawaii? My MTC companion went to Hawaii (the PCC) when she left me too! At least she's going to a great place, with family even. I took over her work, so I have plenty to keep me busy, which helps. No sign of a new companion, which means I'll probably be alone the last 6 months (it takes 5 or 6 months for visas, etc. - we just got the notifications for the missionaries coming in September). Good thing there are great people in the office!<br />
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The other major event was Conference and Easter. "Easter" is Semana Santa, or the Holy Week here, and yes, it lasts a full week with kids on vacation and parades (actually penance processions) every night leading up to Good Friday (which is the night I caught the procession), and of course Easter. Unlike the Three Kings (Christmas) parade, these processions are much more solemn - no candy throwing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUOOqVEnHBhqj36YUPbngETnv1rx7E9aLDrSd7dpFIL_PHp9rha7HHzWrdQDK3S7GQqgj87lk28phRwqkZZVwOyWYIP7c5cPPJunUOV7DDSYAyzWcqLxC91OgTCwjCyvXjUA7Gmo2EJo/s1600/IMG_2997b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUOOqVEnHBhqj36YUPbngETnv1rx7E9aLDrSd7dpFIL_PHp9rha7HHzWrdQDK3S7GQqgj87lk28phRwqkZZVwOyWYIP7c5cPPJunUOV7DDSYAyzWcqLxC91OgTCwjCyvXjUA7Gmo2EJo/s1600/IMG_2997b.jpg" height="291" width="320" /></a> Groups of men from a "Brotherhood", which is usually a group of Catholic families that have passed down the tradition (some clear from the Middle Ages) carry VERY heavy statuary or works of art of Christ and/or Mary (Pasos), gilded with gold etc. It takes 40 or 50 men to lift one, and they only go a short distance before putting it down a while to rest (it is carried on poles resting on their shoulders and is only lifted a few inches).<br />
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Also in the procession are solemn women carrying candles (didn't get a good picture of them), and groups of "nazarenos" who wear robes (whose color depends on the group), and a hood (capirote) with a conical hat and flaps that hide the wearers face, so that they can show penitence while still hiding who they are.<br />
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There was also a rifle drill team and a couple of marching bands. And lots of slow, solemn drumming. It went down the street near my apartment, so I didn't have to stand around waiting long (I just ran out when I heard the drumming).<br />
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There were a lot of people since it was Good Friday (there was a little festival down by the beach too, with lots of food - a Spanish tradition - and music and dancing. Forgot my camera for that though), so I was back a ways and had to lift my camera way over my head.<br />
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This is another Paso of Mary. The men would move to the beat of the drum, and the whole thing would sway back and forth - very solemn and dignified.<br />
One thing that I love about my mission here in Spain is getting to experience its rich culture and history without having to rush through. I love the people and all that I have been able to learn and do. Most of all, though, I love serving my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which is really what this season is all about.<br />
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Which brings me to General Conference, something I (along with so many others) enjoyed so much this Easter Sunday. The major theme seemed to be Christ and His atonement, and there were many talks I loved and have already savored many times. The Fuengirola missionaries got to go up to the Mission home and have a potluck breakfast before listening to the Saturday afternoon session (it starts at 10pm here, so I fell asleep for most of it the night before), so it was especially great enjoying it with my friends. There are some awesome people serving here! And I leave you with a symbol of what it's all about to me... the Living Christ, as shown in this sand sculpture of the Last Supper, prefiguring Christ's atonement and Resurrection. He lives! And I love him so much, and am so grateful to him for everything I have, am able to enjoy, and am. Thank you!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-32190925965261961042015-03-18T13:17:00.000-07:002015-03-18T14:29:18.545-07:00Fuengirola Bioparc<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My companion Hermana Chantrill and I have been talking about going to the Bioparc in our little ciudad for a long time now, and we finally made it a week before she leaves for home! There is more on that below, but first I wanted to share a bit more about my home-away-from-home, Fuengirola. <br />
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There are a few different sand artists who grace our beach regularly with their art. This one puts up a brand new masterpiece every month or two and spends a great deal of time and effort perfecting it, and maintaining (or sometimes hiring someone to guard it) before time or rain or kids get to it and it is reduced to heaps of sand, ready to be changed into a whole new piece. I always "tip" him a bit to take a picture, and go by regularly to enjoy his art. As far as I can tell he only uses sand and water, keeping it moist so it doesn't disintegrate, which can be a real challenge.<br />
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This "artist" on the other hand, is much more limited in his efforts. He always does a town on a hill with a little train track with lots of little toy figures, and uses spray to "decorate" and preserve his work. He will create most of it in a few days, then "work" dilligently on it for weeks with hardly any change in it at all, all the while asking for donations. Once in a while he'll let it disintegrate and rebuild almost the same exact thing over again. It makes me ask myself if what I am "building" is genuine and meaningful in a true way, or just a sham for show and profit. I hope it's the former.<br />
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A lot of the trees around town are decorative orange trees and the bright orange fruit makes a beautiful contrast that lasts a long time. The reason these beauties aren't stripped bare is because the fruit is VERY bitter. You could maybe make a lemonade type drink with LOTS of sugar, but it still wouldn't be that good. The kids like to throw them at each other however :) Probably a lesson in there somewhere too, maybe of a similar kind. What kind of fruit am I producing? I hope the insides are sweet, even if the outsides aren't really the most beautiful! Or maybe we should be careful that the fruits of our lives are sweet instead of just appearing great from an outside observer. What can you see in this "parable"?<br />
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Okay, we finally make it back to the zoo. This is actually like 4 blocks from my apartment in the middle of the city! It is surrounded by stores and apartment buildings, and you can't even tell it's there. It's actually pretty good sized, and has evolved from small cages to fairly decent sized, natural looking habitats with nary a cage to be seen. We visited during mediodia, the middle of the day, so everyone was pretty laid back.<br />
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Except this poor guy. He must have fallen into the bug pit or something to have all his friends "helping" him out!<br />
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There were lots of trees and ponds. It was very pretty and the animals really beautiful.<br />
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Except this guy (a Komodo Dragon). Still pretty cool though. The path of the bioparc wandered around and around, letting you see each habitat from several different perspectives.<br />
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This peacock didn't seem to care for his habitat-mate very much. There were also crocodiles in the same exibit, which I found a bit weird.<br />
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I LOVE the coloring on this guy. He was in a greenhouse where you can walk right in amongst the birds. It was pretty cool. <br />
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This guy loved this spot of ground for some reason and when one of the other birds found an interesting stick in his area, he chased it out (but the little one managed to fly with that huge-for-him stick to a friendlier area). My companion, Hermana Chantrill, really liked his coloring, so I took her picture with him.<br />
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This "Baobab tree" was actually molded out of I think cement as part of the "Madagascar exhibit". They had some smaller cages with insects and snakes that were actually inside the "tree". There were no buildings inside the bioparc itself (outside of this one). All in all it was a very pleasant afternoon, not too cold, not too hot, and fun to boot!<br />
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Since my companion is leaving, I wanted to do a little mini-tribute to those who have moved on. This is Elder Mercado who actually doesn't go home home for a couple of months, but he was the Secretary in the office for like six month, so I got a bit attached by the time he left to go back in the field. Below and to the left are Elders Buckway and Dansie who were in the office at the very beginning of my mission (as was Elder Flint, who has his back to us, and who left earlier). They left for home this last transfer, which is sad, and yet happy. Now they get to get on with the rest of what I'm sure will be awesome lives! Hermana Castillo in the light blue shirt (Jeanene - I can call her that now because she and Rod went home about 3 months ago). She is a great friend whom I miss greatly. And Hermana Chantrill of course is in the pink. We have been together now for almost a year and she is family to me. She will be missed so much! But I feel so blessed at having met and gotten to know all of these talented, spiritual, just all around great people, as well as the others who are still here. There is nothing like a mission! I love it!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-57168136805667083692015-02-11T08:28:00.000-08:002015-02-11T08:28:17.180-08:00La Mezquita - Catedral de Córdoba - Prt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My friends! The Senior Missionaries of the Spain Málaga Mission (plus a few photo bombers and minus my comp). From the left, a PBer, then Élder and Hermana Wiscomb, me (don´t know the guy right behind me), Élder y Hermana Redd, Élder y Hermana Coombs, Élder y Hermana Wilson, Élder (hiding) and Hermana Guffey, and finally Élder y Hermana Frost. The Coombs and I are in the office, Hermana Frost is the Mission PA, Élder Frost (a veterinarian like me!) is helping with medical stuff, and they are also doing JAS (YSA), the Guffies are military liaison to the Rota military base, and the Wiscombs, Redds, and Wilsons are leadership support and do whatever they can find to help out. All are wonderful with our missionaries and their branches, and we are very lucky to have them! We will miss the Wilsons when the leave us next week. Great people all.<br />
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Now back to La Mezquita! This is the Mihrab, or Muslim prayer niche, which traditionally faces in the direction of Mecca, aiding worshipers in their quest to pray in that direction, but the Córdoba mihrab is unusual in that it points towards the south, instead of east-southeast, which is the direction of Mecca. It is richly gilded and decorated, and quite striking.<br />
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This is the Mirab Dome over the Maksoureh (next to the Mihrab), which was an anteroom for the caliph and his court. Another amazing Spanish ceiling!<br />
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Another look at the mosque´s architecture, including the double arches supported by Roman columns, and its beautiful colored glass windows (I´m not sure if they are original however). The main expanse was used for Muslim prayers (personal and the 5 daily plus special Friday prayers), teaching, and Sharia Law cases.<br />
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The Mezquita had a number of very beautiful colored glass windows like this one.<br />
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This is a look at the "treasure room" - there were a lot of gilded platters, statues, candle sticks, and etc. And a lot of history - this time we rented the talking tour, which was very interesting and definitely worth while.<br />
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Beautiful columns near the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real)<br />
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This is one of the chapels (Capilla Sagrario or Chapel of Sagrario) built around the outer wall of the mosque. Again, notice the beautiful ceiling and art work.<br />
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The Capilla Mayor (the main cathedral built in the center of the mosque). It was very beautiful, but seemed out of place - just kind of stuck in the middle there.<br />
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A detail in the wall of the Capilla Mayor from the "outside".<br />
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Across from the Capilla Mayor, also in the center of the mosque was the Coro (or choir). Unfortunately my pictures of the main Coro didn't turn out that good, but there were individual choir stalls built about 1475 that all had unique carvings on them that were really beautiful.<br />
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The organ - it was huge!<br />
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Afterwards we went out for lunch. Delicious!<br />
This is Elder Redd on the left, and Hermana and Elder Wilson on the right.<br />
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Starting on the left and going around the table: Hermana (with camera) and Elder Coombs, Hermana (hidden) and Elder Wiscomb, Elder Frost, (Hermana Frost and Elder Guffey hidden) and finally Hermana Guffey.<br />
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The food was beautiful and delicious - I think it was a Hungarian place, but I can't remember for sure.<br />
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And I finish off with the Patio De Los Naranjos or Orange Tree Courtyard which was in front of la Mezquita and inside of the surrounding walls. As you can see they were loaded with (sour) oranges. Beautiful grounds! So we said goodbye to the Mezquita (which you can see in the background) and to our adventures until next time!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-91716495486311570162015-01-28T13:14:00.000-08:002015-02-02T21:19:13.467-08:00La Mezquita - Catedral de Córdoba prt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the middle of December we had another Senior Missionary ¨Conference¨, this time in Córdoba. The plan was to meet at the Mezquita, so the Coombs and I set off with the Frosts behind us, trusting in Tim, our faithful TomTom to get us to the Mezquita (Mosque)/Cathedral in that beautiful city.<br />
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Sure enough he got us there, but we could NOT find the public parking that was supposed to be there. Finally Hermana Coombs got out and hired a taxi to take her to the proper entrance, our two cars trailing behind. We had to go back over the bridge, then around to another bridge to get to the right side. And it only cost a few euros.<br />
This time everyone (except of course my companion, Hermana Chantrill, who is just not into travel) made it, and it was GREAT to see all the other ¨seniors¨! (I keep putting it in quotations, because we are NOT old!)<br />
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Well, we met up with a couple of other couples at the parking garage and headed for the Mezquita. Above is a picture of part of the wall which surrounded the whole complex. It took a bit of wandering, but we finally found the entrance into the grounds (I'll show you a picture of the beautiful grounds that featured orange trees later), and entered the Mezquita itself. Just inside the entrance is some plexiglass on the ground that lets you see into what I'm pretty sure was the mosque built on the site before the magnificent building that is there now. It has quite a religious history. First there was a Roman temple dedicated to Janus built there. Then a Visigothic cathedral. When the area was converted to Islam the building was divided between the Muslims and Christians (around 710). Then in 784 the emir of Córdobo bought the Christian half and constructed a magnificent mosque (mezquita) which took over 250 years to finish and was remodeled many times later. At one point it held an arm bone of the prophet Mohammad and an original copy of the Koran and Muslims would come on pilgrimage. Then in 1236 King Ferdinand switched the area back to Christianity, and the mezquita was consecrated, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and used as it was. Then in 1523 the Córdoba church leaders asked King Charles V if they could build their own church inside. So a huge Renaissance cathedral was built right in the middle of the huge mosque! <br />
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When Charles came to see it, legend has it that he said, ¨You have built what you or others might have built anywhere, but you have destroyed something that was unique in the world¨. A bit melodramatic, although they did take out over 400 of the beautiful columns (856 are still there though). The ¨Forest of Columns¨ was really beautiful and many were ¨repurposed¨ from the Roman temple that had been there before, and from other Roman ruins. They are made of jasper, onyx, marble, and granite and are topped with piers and 2 tiers of the red and white striped arches.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"> This</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> was a new architectural design that let the ceiling be much higher than previous buildings of that type. It was quite magnificent and HUGE! O</span>nce again I spent much of my time looking up. Each area had it´s own ceiling design, and they were all very beautiful. This ceiling over the cathedral area.<br />
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There were a whole bunch (37) of ¨capillas¨ (little chapels) around the outside walls. There were all kinds of beautiful pieces like this in the capillas.<br />
One good thing the cathedral conversion may have done was to preserve the whole building when the Spanish Inquisition came along and all the Jews and Muslims had to convert, leave, or die.<br />
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There were some rooms where they kept the treasures, and this huge piece was in the middle of one of those rooms.<br />
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Art work, sculpture, and more treasures.<br />
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This was in the treasure room. I wish I could remember what exactly it was. I think it was someone's crypt? Not sure. It looks like it may have been commemorating the plague, but that's just my fancy.<br />
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A display of the tile work that has been found here.<br />
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This is the Capella Real (Royal Chapel) which was a room just stuck in the middle of the mosque (along with some others and the main cathedral). It had really cool stuco work, and was the burial chapel of Ferdinand IV and Alfonso XI. <br />
I love the scalloping!<br />
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Muslims didn't believe in making any artwork that depicted living creatures that might be worshiped, including people and animals. Here you can see the intricate geometric and floral patterns and Arabic script (usually verses of the Koran) that they used in their decorations. Beautiful!<br />
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There was a lot of statuary of various sizes.<br />
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And other works of art.<br />
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This is a misc. monument in Córdoba we walked by on our way out that I thought was kind of cool, and I had room for it here :). I'll write more about our visit next time. Another great trip in Spain!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-30191710284263634462015-01-21T13:10:00.000-08:002015-02-11T08:42:48.999-08:00Of Bread and Disney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while since I've written - long enough that it took a bit to remember how to get to my blog... so it made me think, why a blog? It's definitely not for the "fame" - I know relatively few people read this, or really care much if I do it or not. And that's not what I care about anyway. A better reason might be as a record of my mission - but I have my journal for that. One good thing about a blog is that hopefully it strengthens the connection between me and my family and friends. And just perhaps, it might encourage someone to take a look at serving a senior mission themselves. Besides, I find writing and taking pictures rather fun! It can just be a challenge finding the time to do it sometimes! Enough of my "excuses" :)<br />
Today I'm going to focus on some of the "perks" of serving a mission. First and foremost, it seems like the Spirit is just there, without me having to do anything special, and often without me even realizing anything is "special" or "different". For example, the other day it was my companion's week to cook our main meal of the day, "mediodia" (which we usually eat around 3 or so).<br />
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I didn't really need anything, but I was getting a bit low on bread (I usually buy a 5 pack of thin loaves, then cut it up into smallish pieces and freeze), and thought I needed a few other things, but when I got to the store I couldn't think of anything I really needed, and they didn't have any of the whole-ish wheat bread I like (as close as they come here to whole wheat). Most people here are really spoiled and picky about their bread and like it hot out of the oven, so they don't make a whole lot at a time so they can bring small hot lots out probably a couple times a day. Anyway, they DID have some very hot, fresh, "old fashioned" round loaf so I couldn't resist grabbing some, thinking if the lines were too long I'd just run it back. Well, I found a nice short line and so ended up getting it. I also stopped by the fruit and vegetable store to get some stuff, and threw in a couple potatoes. When I got home, I found out that Hna Chantrill had gone shopping for mediodia, but was distracted because of her lost debit card, and while she had gotten sandwich fixings, she had forgotten the bread AND the potatoes she needed for her soup. It's cool how the Lord helps out, even in the small things! There have been quite a few other times I've found the urge to do misc. things, like ask a missionary about a certain person (a referral) who it turns out had been forgotten somehow and really wanted and needed to be contacted, or look a certain place where I find something that had been left that really was needed right then, or make a needed comment to someone. And it really doesn't feel like anything particularly significant, just something that would be a good idea to do. It's been pretty neat :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zone conference (3 zones, in Málaga)</td></tr>
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Another "perk" is being able to associate with such wonderful people - both young and not-so-young. Today was transfers and we got 21 brand new missionaries in. That makes for a very long, but very wonderful day! And I knew many of the trainers from either being here when they came in, or from concillio (Mission leadership council I think in the states), or whatever. It's hard to believe I've been here almost 9 months already! It has gone by SO fast!<br />
And of course there is the beach and other delights associated with serving here in Spain. Speaking of which, I guess I'll write a bit about the holidays here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqBSgr8uyAhssKOEM4ZW3DNZS152lZxx9ho57uDcwlF3Z9lKV57APYOxzoyhetoVv7iHrSVgrqKdSSnGnZqerMtpAhMLxqLJGtDJgIMJ2l3ArVE5Ji4avcITt16Ka3rxeiaqT1PBxmYk/s1600/IMG_2776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqBSgr8uyAhssKOEM4ZW3DNZS152lZxx9ho57uDcwlF3Z9lKV57APYOxzoyhetoVv7iHrSVgrqKdSSnGnZqerMtpAhMLxqLJGtDJgIMJ2l3ArVE5Ji4avcITt16Ka3rxeiaqT1PBxmYk/s1600/IMG_2776.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>A couple weeks before Christmas we started hearing very loud firecrackers, which continued well into the new year. Sometimes in the middle of the night! Christmas is cool - they don't give more than 1 or 2 presents for Christmas, so it is easier to focus on the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. And they don't have school from before Christmas until after Jan 6, which is "Kings Day".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqnSEKwmYyRaX-vD6t5pdMApl-E45M2F0e8oTugXXIIX3mngZDvQfL-Y11ezXW7dbxJ_uuCxe5PGAA6vFE2HwKfH5iFLxtB0KDIyTaTkqtRqYHelL1yNedPOKfm0VYS3j2odFkEhdBE8/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqnSEKwmYyRaX-vD6t5pdMApl-E45M2F0e8oTugXXIIX3mngZDvQfL-Y11ezXW7dbxJ_uuCxe5PGAA6vFE2HwKfH5iFLxtB0KDIyTaTkqtRqYHelL1yNedPOKfm0VYS3j2odFkEhdBE8/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKhpxX0OmALAFtlTcUk0hXfjBGvPFZJ2qiNKDk82nCokbIf3R5aomMBW0oQH2RbJraJsUZH63Ir4XSzGzhynwg5rFMcYnyobNG-a5HSNSCSVxuiGWu_FJRy2U3jWvC_cBrZRcfO3DjNk/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKhpxX0OmALAFtlTcUk0hXfjBGvPFZJ2qiNKDk82nCokbIf3R5aomMBW0oQH2RbJraJsUZH63Ir4XSzGzhynwg5rFMcYnyobNG-a5HSNSCSVxuiGWu_FJRy2U3jWvC_cBrZRcfO3DjNk/s1600/IMG_2777.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a> That is the day they give gifts to each other, celebrating the coming of the 3 wise men / Kings to give gifts to the Christ child. And the night before they have a big parade, which went down the street right next to our little street. The parade consisted of mostly Disney-themed floats plus one for each of three kings (<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.8400001525879px;">Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior).</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balthasar - a crowd favorite</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY4a6IWYIp2tSYmnupIITpkW1sStJCjCOLrer1t-yf_n5MVH7rHKYqCFA5TnzoP1OPcj4mpv8yCROsb6U5bDQeQhKcPujXJJ9sqvvmXgCqiRe9P6w7J02BR788guas1xthDRrIbgTseI/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOY4a6IWYIp2tSYmnupIITpkW1sStJCjCOLrer1t-yf_n5MVH7rHKYqCFA5TnzoP1OPcj4mpv8yCROsb6U5bDQeQhKcPujXJJ9sqvvmXgCqiRe9P6w7J02BR788guas1xthDRrIbgTseI/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a>There were bunches of kids on each who were made up and costumed to go along with the float and were supplied huge amounts of candy to throw at the watchers. EVERYONE (young and old) was scrambling to get their share, and there was so much, all the kids got tons, so nobody felt bad. I spent most of my time taking pictures and several times got pelted with bunches of candy, so I got a couple pockets full to (mostly) bring into the office. It was a lot of fun!<br />
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So now Christmas and King´s Day are over and it´s time to settle back down to the routine of the office. Which is rarely routine. Mission life is awesome!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-37684985541913656262014-12-25T09:07:00.000-08:002014-12-25T09:07:16.803-08:00A Fuengirola Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I begin this Christmas message with a reminder that no matter the place, time, or season, Christ is the center of it all. His birth, life, atonement, and resurrection is the reason I am here in Spain, and is what gives this life meaning and hope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ1lqtq9cYE/VJwnYDOEGjI/AAAAAAAAB_U/gL8BX4gYYC4/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ1lqtq9cYE/VJwnYDOEGjI/AAAAAAAAB_U/gL8BX4gYYC4/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuengirola Mediterranian, Christmas morning 2014</td></tr>
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I am so very very grateful for His example, His atonement, and the love from Him which I feel daily in my life. I am thankful that I am able to serve his missionaries and his people here in Spain, and hope that you, too, are feeling the joy that comes from being in His service!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjaTRK2vJNg/VJwqwBuCgAI/AAAAAAAACAY/dEwyUOJxL8o/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NjaTRK2vJNg/VJwqwBuCgAI/AAAAAAAACAY/dEwyUOJxL8o/s1600/IMG_2653.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2ubBgFygko/VJwpyYf-A8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/kJUVeyoALc8/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E2ubBgFygko/VJwpyYf-A8I/AAAAAAAAB_o/kJUVeyoALc8/s1600/IMG_2645.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>My "Christmas" began with the "He is The Gift" effort, with cards, videos, and etc. It really started with the tri-zone Christmas conference in Málaga, where the Málaga, Granada, and La Mancha zones came together for training, visiting, and a talent contest. To the left singing and on the right (on the far left) are our office elders, Elders Mercado and Datweiler showing off their talents (singing and eating, respectively).<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7abGbqJXO48/VJwqCwym4rI/AAAAAAAAB_w/VfT6Y2OMDvI/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7abGbqJXO48/VJwqCwym4rI/AAAAAAAAB_w/VfT6Y2OMDvI/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Un354Jzqg68/VJwqMUq8NfI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XW7vzMA97w0/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Un354Jzqg68/VJwqMUq8NfI/AAAAAAAAB_4/XW7vzMA97w0/s1600/IMG_2670.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>On the left are some of the little cabin-booths that popped up all over to sell Christmas treasures. On the right is the roundabout outside our office sporting its Christmas finery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same fountain Christmas Eve</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9k4G1-0N2Q/VJwqbe94ZvI/AAAAAAAACAI/G14osVKLvZ0/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X9k4G1-0N2Q/VJwqbe94ZvI/AAAAAAAACAI/G14osVKLvZ0/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLooXDVyK0c/VJwtpoSo16I/AAAAAAAACBE/2EJxQraklGg/s1600/IMG_2701b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sLooXDVyK0c/VJwtpoSo16I/AAAAAAAACBE/2EJxQraklGg/s1600/IMG_2701b.jpg" height="200" width="196" /></a>More Fuengirola street decorations, Christmas Eve 2014.<br />
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Our little piso had a little tree we put up, and my friend Debbie gave us this cool nativity set. Just like home! The papá noel was in a store window, and I just couldn´t resist :)<br />
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The decorations in the Plaza Constitución were beautiful, as was the nearby catholic church, Nuestra Señora de Rosario.<br />
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Merry Christmas from Spain, and may your time here on this earth be filled with adventure and the joy that comes from service to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-24067228331217178342014-12-14T10:46:00.001-08:002014-12-14T10:46:11.126-08:00The Number One Attraction in Málaga, Spain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So is it the Castle? The Fortress? The Picaso Museum? The Roman Theatre? The Beach? No! None of that! <br />
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According to the UK Trip Advisor, the number one attraction is the Málaga Museum of Glass and Crystal! Say what? Seriously? Well yes, seriously! It is housed in a delightfully restored 18 century home where you can ¨browse through the history of humanity by means of the glass.¨ Each room represents different periods of glass making, and is decorated with period furniture, pictures, floor coverings, etc.<br />
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What really <u>makes</u> this museum though is the fact that tours are given by the actual owners of the house and most of the furnishings, pictures, and etc. belonged to their ancestors. You see paintings of their ancestors, hear stories about the various pieces, and hear the enthusiasm in the guides´s voice (one of the owners) as he shares his considerable knowledge of both the science and the history of the exhibits. Thanks Hna Castillo for this picture!<br />
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They had some of the earliest examples of glass making, like this perfume bottle that is over 2,000 years old. Before they blew glass, they poured it or wound ropes of hot glass around a mold.<br />
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Again, it was so neat to see pictures and objects actually related to our tour guide and his partners. It made it much more personal and relevent to me.<br />
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More glassware - I don´t remember the specifics, but they had all kinds of periods, all kinds of different makers.<br />
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Cameo glass - the white glass is layered on top of the red glass, then parts of the white glass are carved away to leave the design.<br />
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They also had a number of stained glass windows mostly rescued from churches or homes that were being demolished. This one is from England, and says ¨Jesus said, suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not¨ at the bottom. Very beautiful!<br />
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More beautiful glassware.<br />
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I loved the inlay on this table. There was all kinds of beautiful furniture, including a very old piano. They even let us play it a bit!<br />
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Hermana Castillo (she´s home, so I get to call her Jeanene now) was my companion for one last adventure - we had so much fun together! She did a much better job capturing the museum entrance.<br />
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Afterwards we went out for tapas - they were really good! There was a variety of both hot and cold, and you paid for them by what type of stick they came with. My favorite was the fried clam (at least that´s what it tasted like).<br />
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And to end - one last glass collection, with some neat etchings. Once again Spain came through with a thoroughly enjoyable day. You never know what you´re going to find here!<br />
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-54715597862858842962014-12-07T11:58:00.000-08:002014-12-07T12:40:19.391-08:00I Love to See the Temple - twice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hurray! I finally got to go to Madrid and see (and attend) the beautiful temple there! And I got to do so TWICE! Once in the company of an awesome reactivated member Debbie, and then again with a fantastic new (one year) member going through for her very first time, Ghazaaleh. I was fortunate enough to get to teach both of them, so I feel very blessed!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out the train window on the way to Madrid.</td></tr>
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We ended up taking the fast train both times (I got a really good deal and timing didn't work out for the bus - and none of the drivers who knew where they were going could go unfortunately (we can't take the mission cars out of the mission). We had planned to all go together, but found out that although Ghazaaleh had been baptized more than a year before our planned date, she had been confirmed the day after, and so couldn't go yet. And Debbie was moving to England soon and so HAD to go then if she were to go here, which we knew was pretty important. So I "sacrificed" and forced myself to go twice ;) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Madrid Metro</td></tr>
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The first trip up with Debbie I got to watch Frozen in Spanish (which was pretty fun), which made the trip very quick. The AVE (high speed) train goes up to 300 km/hr,(over 180mph) and takes a little over 3 hours (counting the train ride from Fuen to Málaga) for a trip that takes 6 hours in the car, and about 7 on the bus. Then it takes about another half an hour on the Madrid Metro to get to the temple (the metro stop is only a block or two from the temple).<br />
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Both times we got to stay in the temple hostel, which has bunks and costs just 10 euros each a night. And there is even a small kitchenette to fix your food in the room, in addition to a large general area.<br />
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As always the temple grounds were beautiful with fountains, etc. It was also fun to see the MTC area where my daughter Marie was taught before her Spain Bilbao Mission.<br />
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It was cool seeing familiar statues and phrases in Spanish, including "La Casa Del Señor". I love Spain!!<br />
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While Debbie was in the distribution center, I wandered around taking pictures :)<br />
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We were able to attend the temple both Wednesday AND Thursday, and do multiple things which was just fantastic. The celestial room is gorgeous, and as always the peace and Spirit felt there were awesome. How I have missed the temple!<br />
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On Thursday our friend the Castillos were able to join us for a session before they left Spain, headed back to Arizona by way of Paris. Oh I miss them! But I love being here, and they are now loving on a whole passel of grandkids, so all is right with the world :)<br />
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Two weeks later I was back on the train with Ghazaaleh (going to the temple for her first time) and the Padres, a Phillipino couple in our branch who completed our group. It was the first time the Padres had been on the bullet train, and they were abolutely thrilled. You'll notice I have tennis shoes on - last time I wore my "good" shoes, and by the time I got home my feet were KILLING me, so this time I decided comforted before fashion. Besides, they match my outfit ;)<br />
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Again we stayed in the temple hostel, and again we had a lot of fun! Wednesday Ghazaaleh did her own temple work, then Thursday we got to go through again a couple more times before we had to hurry and get back to the train station.<br />
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Before we went, though, we snuck into where the nativity scene was to take some pictures. We had so much fun we kind of cut it close getting back to the train. We made it though!<br />
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This is on the way home. We actually got to ride in "first class" as that was where the cheap tickets happened to be, and I guess we didn't look like your typical upper-crust riders as they checked our tickets TWICE! (They usually don't check at all - just look at what seats are occupied).<br />
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All in all I had an absolutely wonderful time. The Spirit was strong, we accomplished what we came to do, and I can't think of a place I would rather be.<br />
Temples and missions are SO COOL!<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-28791775884837339192014-12-01T11:54:00.000-08:002014-12-01T11:54:19.210-08:00Thanksgiving and other fun stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I still can't get over the Fuen beach. Such beauty! I am so grateful to be able to spend time there. And I have so much more to be grateful for too. The week before last we were visited by one of the 70, Elder Kearon. It was a totally wonderful conference - very inspirational. I am so blessed to have such a great mission president, President Deere (and Hermana Deere too), and to be able to be taught by a spiritual giant like Elder Kearon and Sister Kearon too. A great day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President and Sister Deere, Elder and Sister Kearon,<br />
and Pres. and Sister Himenez, Pres. Deere's councelor.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLnWx3CqAjs/VHjvTZ8wsPI/AAAAAAAAB10/Cd-Re_t2Tr4/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZrM70RFhhU/VHjxFNIvy7I/AAAAAAAAB2I/c89Pat3pa44/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xZrM70RFhhU/VHjxFNIvy7I/AAAAAAAAB2I/c89Pat3pa44/s1600/IMG_2282.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yLnWx3CqAjs/VHjvTZ8wsPI/AAAAAAAAB10/Cd-Re_t2Tr4/s1600/IMG_2290.JPG" height="150" width="200" /><br />
An interesting side note - many years ago our branch president was a ward mission leader and the sister missionaries serving his ward in England came and told him about this fantastic new investigator they had found... they were sure he would be baptized, and in fact were sure he would one day be in the bishopric... or bishop... or even stake president. Sure enough, that was Elder Kearon! Small world. He was so nice and so grateful too. He must have thanked us at least 20 times, and in fact thanked and shook the hands of every single missionary (including this one). And he has inspired me to "attack the day!" and start it with more diligence, which if you know me is a tremendous accomplishment :).<br />
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I also feel blessed to be able to associate with such awesome "seniors". We just got two new couples into our mission. This is Elder and Sister Redd, who will serve in Cáceres, helping with the branch up there. The other is the Frosts. She is the new mission nurse, and he is working with the JAS (YSA) program. He worked as a veterinary pathologist in his "other life". It'll be fun to get to know them! <br />
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This last week the Málaga Zone got together for Thanksgiving. Those missionaries are amazing cooks! One companionship of Elders started a couple weeks before-hand to perfect their roll-making skills. It took a number of tries (forgot the yeast, too much sugar killed it, too much grease, etc), but they got it down and killed it - the rolls were AWESOME! And so were the other dishes. I brought cranberry sauce that turned out pretty good too :)<br />
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These cute little girls (I got to hold one and President Deere is holding the other - mom is holding their brother Asher) are in our branch. Their mom just found out yesterday that they are identical, even though they were in separate sacs. It was so fun holding a baby again! And I was the envy of all the Hermanas (younger missionaries can't hold children).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LqjnCeGr_ipHNnTvtf3biZA3xJFGPcIB3rvtqva3NWL3py2Bfa8uZx2uL_5W9rpqW3FfcBFnbizPLWEaicVoEKXoYU-DDZm9iH83z8J0tQvfqhPjQyPoIjnOMfR3k8_F3UEtZ96BAus/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LqjnCeGr_ipHNnTvtf3biZA3xJFGPcIB3rvtqva3NWL3py2Bfa8uZx2uL_5W9rpqW3FfcBFnbizPLWEaicVoEKXoYU-DDZm9iH83z8J0tQvfqhPjQyPoIjnOMfR3k8_F3UEtZ96BAus/s1600/IMG_2360.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0U8AXMlD9g/VHjqBMx6PgI/AAAAAAAAB1A/K9U3YE_pmeQ/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i0U8AXMlD9g/VHjqBMx6PgI/AAAAAAAAB1A/K9U3YE_pmeQ/s1600/IMG_2356.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>More of our great missionaries in the Málaga mission waiting for the rolls to get there so we could eat (it was worth the wait!)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDm72suKaEk/VHjo7C6Tc2I/AAAAAAAAB0w/Idy3ngRl06s/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDm72suKaEk/VHjo7C6Tc2I/AAAAAAAAB0w/Idy3ngRl06s/s1600/IMG_2361.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2R3HsmIAd5w/VHjou18X_1I/AAAAAAAAB0o/Dj0t0rBAwug/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2R3HsmIAd5w/VHjou18X_1I/AAAAAAAAB0o/Dj0t0rBAwug/s1600/IMG_2362.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a>On the left, the ¨Thankful Tree¨, and right - our office couple the Coombs and office elder, the Deere´s son, and (beyond him) one of our Ayudantes (APs).<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkmhFzGPs_g/VHjryIJQrSI/AAAAAAAAB1k/n6lkhnM4hbo/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tkmhFzGPs_g/VHjryIJQrSI/AAAAAAAAB1k/n6lkhnM4hbo/s1600/IMG_2271.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
Our after-dinner food coma (ignoring the bottle) :) It was all delicious and very hard not to stuff ourselves! For once there was leftovers - the missionaries might have actually gotten their fill for once! <br />
It was a GREAT couple of weeks! And I'll end on one more picture of Fuen's beauty :)<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-47375487028322825962014-11-23T11:45:00.000-08:002014-11-23T11:56:27.948-08:00The Alhambra, part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Court of Machuca and Nasrid Palace</td></tr>
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Onward and upward in the Alhambra! This is the outside view of the Nasrid Palace I showed last time, taken from the wall of the Alcazaba. <br />
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One more picture inside the Nasrid Palace<br />
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The Alcazaba is one of the oldest parts of the Alhambra, and housed their military (you can see the remains of the walls of their quarters to the right). This is the Plaza de Armas, and in the back, the Torre del Homenaje. We were able to climb up onto most of the towers, which gave some pretty cool views (I think this was taken from the Torre de la Vela, or Watchtower). </div>
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Through one of the arrow loops (that let you shoot arrows from behind the walls without putting yourself in too much danger of being shot).</div>
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Granada from the walls of the Alcazaba</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely ladies I was lucky enough to explore with.<br />
Me, Hermanas Coombs, Wilson, and Wiscomb. Great ladies!</td></tr>
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The Palace of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles the V. It is a Renaissance building built to reflect on what a magnificent, important person he was, but was never finished (the roof was finally put on in the late 20th century).</div>
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Inside the Palacio de Carlos V (Palace of<br />
Charles V).<br />
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Elder Wilson and Elder Coombs headed for the Generalife (Hermana Coombs and Hermana Wilson behind).<br />
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Fountains of the Generalife</div>
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The Water Stairway which brought water from the Royal Water Chanel for irrigation.<br />
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Goodbye Alhambra! It was a true pleasure.</div>
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Of coarse I have to include my friends from the MTC. Some I am still in contact with :) There are the Maynards in front of me, the Bradshaws beside them, the Martins, behind them, and beside me is my companion SisterTilley. Great people!<br />
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Also very awesome are the young missionaries that I've gotten to know. Here we are at a baptism that was performed in the beautiful outdoors.<br />
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All the Fuengirola missionaries got together Conference Sunday to watch Saturday afternoon's session (because of the time difference) and as a prank all the younger missionaries wore their pajamas over their regular "Sunday" dress. We all had a GREAT time! But no swimming :)<br />
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On the "Bullet Train" to Zone conference. I'm glad I went - we had been in a smaller, but fairly far away zone to beef them up a bit, but soon after was switched to the near, but now very large, Malaga Zone.<br />
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And at Zone Conference :)<br />
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And last, but very far from the least, I'm dedicating the rest of this post to my friends the Castillos, who had their exit interview today and will be leaving tomorrow (although I'll get to see them one last time at the temple in Madrid on Saturday, which I'm very excited about!)<br />
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The first two pictures are from our visit with the rest of the office staff to the Jerez Andalusian Horse Riding Academy, where Hermana Castillo and I learned of our shared love of beautiful horses, among many other things.<br />
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The weight of the world! At the Malaga car museum.<br />
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Outside the Teatro Cervantes, where they took me to see Los Miserables in Spanish. It was wonderful!<br />
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And finally, in Seville at the Alcazar with Hermana Castillo's mom and sisters. They are pretty awesome too!<br />
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What can I say about the Castillos? They are some of the best, most genuine, most generous people I know and I will miss them immensely. Goodbye for now, and enjoy those grand babies! See you on the flip side :)<br />
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<br />Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1147171516492297634.post-25045478408902791792014-11-16T14:21:00.000-08:002014-11-16T14:21:27.106-08:00It's The People!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R The Wiscombs, Deeres, Guffys, me, Hemana Chantrill,<br />the Castillos, and the Wilsons.</td></tr>
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Today I'm going to take a break from the Alhambra and share a bit about what makes a mission so special. As the title says, it's the people! The above picture was taken at our Senior Conference not long after I got here in Spain, and I've grown to love them all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermanas Castillo, Wilson, Deere,<br />Annie, and Nielson :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wiscombs and me at the Alhambra.</td></tr>
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Going on the large picture, first up is the Wiscombs, who I get to see fairly often as they come in for Zone conferences. I also got to go through the Alhambra with them (more on that next week). They work as leadership support .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermana Deere (in the black blouse) and two of the<br /> Deere kids, Justin and Annie, with Hermana<br /> Wilson outside the Malaga car museum.</td></tr>
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Next are our awesome Mission President and Sister Deere. I am fortunate that I get to meet with them every week in our office staff meeting, and also get to work fairly often especially with Hermana Deere. She is one awesome lady! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Deere doing what he does best -<br /> helping missionaries (in this case the brand new<br /> type) feel welcome and teaching them what<br /> they need to know and do to be successes.</td></tr>
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Next are the Guffys. They work with the members in the military over at the naval base in Rota. I haven't seen them too much, but they'll be coming in next week :) </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opx8GBH51yI/VGjpnC-uFtI/AAAAAAAABl0/AhF7LYMOOPE/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-opx8GBH51yI/VGjpnC-uFtI/AAAAAAAABl0/AhF7LYMOOPE/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" height="111" width="200" /></a>Then on the other side of me is my companion Hermana Chantrill. She and I have a great time together. She is working on an absolutely amazing quilt wall hanging for the next people in line, the Castillos, based on some tile work at the Alhambra (the one with me crouched down beside it acting as a sizing reference). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Then there are the Castillos. What can I say about them? They are amazing people, and great friends, and why this post is occuring now - they will be ending their mission tomorrow and will be greatly missed. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally on the end are "Los Wilsons", another great couple that came to the Alhambra with us. I have absolutely loved getting to know them! They do great work as leadership support too.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpvK_ZG2mOw/VGkan7n8eGI/AAAAAAAABtM/kyDisPXOyJ8/s1600/2014_1027_044519AA.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BpvK_ZG2mOw/VGkan7n8eGI/AAAAAAAABtM/kyDisPXOyJ8/s1600/2014_1027_044519AA.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a>The Coombs came later as the much anticipated new office couple, which allowed the Castillos to actually do what they came out to do, which was Mission Nurse and JAS (YSA) support. They fit right in with our group, and have been a great support to both me and the other office staff, and to the missionaries they help daily. </div>
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On to some other fun pictures taken at the Alhambra in Granada.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermanas Wilson, Wiscomb,<br />and Coombs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elders Wilson and Coombs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coombs and H. Wilson (back)<br />and Elder Wiscomb and me.</td></tr>
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The next group that have become my friends are the members of our little Mijas International (English Speaking) Branch. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures of them as I'm not particularly in the habit of snapping photos in church, but there are a few. And I'll try to get more to add. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This sister is not quite a year old in the gospel - and I've been teaching her temple prep (and piano) lessons to get her ready to go to the temple this next month. I am so excited for her! She has a amazing story involving escape from Iran (where she is from) and her seach for a Christian church she could believe in. She found the right place!</div>
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This is the branch President and his wife (to the left), and the sister who came back into activity a while back and has made GREAT strides (talking to Hermana Chantrill). We're going to the temple together this Friday, which I am very excited for! </div>
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Well, looks like I'll have to break this blog post into two parts too - way too many pictures! </div>
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Hermana Nielsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06798448924276417994noreply@blogger.com0