¡Saludos de Valencia!

It is so fun to be here. We have had a week with a little bit of everything.haha I really love our piso. There is never a dull moment and we are having so much fun and always laughing. It is different here teaching so many Africans. I had my first taste of translating spanish>african english and african english>spanish during testimony meeting Sunday. That was stressful, let me tell you. A RC Collins wanted to bear his testimony so I went up there with him, which was quite the experience since I still don´t understand everything he says...or let´s be real, most of it.haha But Heavenly Father knows I have been wanting to build my translating skills, so here we go.

"As we have been visiting members and the ward leaders, they have each given us the name of a family in the ward that is starting to come back. We set up a visit with them. He is a returned missionary, but has been inactive for the last 8+ years. It was really easy to break the ice and we all felt comfortable. We had planned to teach about the importance of the Santa Cena, but during the prayer I felt like we should share an article I had read that morning from the Liahona. My poor companion didn´t have any notice, but trusts me and we went ahead. The article talks about how much we mean to the Lord “¿Cuanto valgo?” We were able to bear testimony and it was exactly what the wife needed to open up. They looked at each other and then invited us to teach and prepare their daughter for baptism. She is 8 years old, but turns 9 in a month and hasn´t treated past missionaries very nicely. The father looked us in the eyes and said, “Esperamos para vosotras.” It was so amazing. They said that they have been waiting for us to be their missionaries. My companion and I both felt it really strong that we need to teach this family. It was a testimony to me that we are in the right place at the right time doing the right things.

I admire Hna Oslund´s willingness to serve me this week when my foot has really been bothering me. She is constantly worrying about me and trying to make me laugh and take care of me. It´s not easy for either of us--for her to serve me or for me to let her serve me--but it is helping us both develop attributes that we need.

Obion and Tony are a couple from Africa who want to be baptized. Obion has come to church fairly consistently, but Tony has not and did not come this week. Obion is progressing in the gospel and he is not. We are trying to find ways to help them arrive at baptism together. It is very different teaching in english, almost awkward. But I like it. And it is great teaching with Hna Oslund again.

Alex is a recent convert who was baptized here a few weeks ago. He is great! We taught him last week and we were late...lost in the new area...and he didn´t have much time. But after we introduced each other, prayed and sang a hymn, he told us that now he was there in the chapel with us he didn´t want to leave and his other appointment didn´t matter. Instead of moving on with the lesson, I stole a moment to make sure he knew that what he was feeling was the Spirit and how important that is. It changed the whole feel of the lesson. He is working to receive the priesthood."

This week was Hna Oslund and Maxwell´s "hump days," halfway marks. We had some fun :-) I´ll have to "leave you hanging" on the stories ;-) HA! Two can play that game, Connor! Cesar really wants to talk to you...I´ll give him your email when you give me the details...

I am waiting for the package. I expect the Pace´s to bring it down when they come for interviews this week. It has really been bothering me...I had to rest last night because I just couldn´t walk on it anymore...or at all. I am going to ask Hna Pace about inserts or a boot if the taping doesn´t work...or I´ll just proselyte in my adidas.haha We shall see, but I don´t think my body can handle so much ibuprofen for an extended period of time...thanks for the prayers. They help.

love you all, can´t believe October is halfway gone! I still can´t believe that Dianna is engaged-and getting married before I get back! And Caleb might leave before I get home...those are hard to swallow but I´m so happy for them.

Smile.

Love,

Hna Clarissa Dalton