Disappointing McDonald's and new ways to spread the gospel Week 25 January 15, 2018 Murcia, Spain Malaga Spain Mission

Well as usual we have met again here as another week bites the dust. This week was absolutely crazy, but a lot of exciting changes.

The days leading up to Wednesday, we spent a ton of time meeting up with people and saying goodbye because Elder Biegel was leaving. We definitely went out on a high note, with a ton of great lessons and goodbyes.

Elder Benedict got here Wednesday night, and we went to work. That night we had a lesson with a man named Morris. He had came to church twice before and we taught him the restoration and invited him to be baptized, which he accepted for the 27th of this month! So we are now rolling with 7 people with baptismal dates which is unreal and we are being blessed so much. Wednesday as well we found out that we are receiving more technology which is practically just letting us use our tablets a little more, and a new smartphone which is kinda crazy. So now we have access to what'sapp and Facebook, so go add me haha. 

Other than that we've been grinding like usual here in Murcia, Elder Benedict and I get along pretty well. He's from Layton and is a big time wrestler and sports junkie so we get along just fine haha. He's also got some killer skills on the guitar which is cool. 

I also got assigned as the new district leader which is cool to be able to help out but along with the opportunity to help is the responsibility to take care of a bunch of ticky tacky items which kinda sucks haha. All new experience which is good. 

One thing that me and Elder Biegel thought a bunch on before he left was humility. One night I kinda put into a representation that we now proudly call the Pride Prohibits Progression Parable. If you compare two flowers for instance, (we use flowers because we can compare blooming to becoming prideful) both of these flowers have the goal of growing as high as they can before "blooming". Now as these flowers begin to grow one starts to grow a little faster, speaking as if these flowers are actually concious of their surroundings, it sees that it has a little bit more light  and water and it thinks it's good enough and blooms. That stops it's progression, its done. But the other flower continues to grow, it surpasses the one that bloomed, and continues to grow. Pride Prohibits Progression! For us there should never be a time that we "bloom" it should be a continuous cycle of staying grateful, humble, and working for those things that "are gonna matter in a thousand years" (Stephen Jones, Hope Works). 

I love you all and wish you all the best week. I hope the new year resolutions haven't gone out the window quite yet, and if they have just set something called a "goal" and keep going. Haha keep thanking, and asking the one and only God the Father, because I testify that he is there and is waiting for us to talk to him. I testify that through Jesus Christ there is no wound too deep, no problem too big, no night too dark for him to overcome, we just have to ask the Father in his name. Stay humble. 

Until next week, 

Elder Batty 

Ft some weird vests we found in a shoe store today lol