Hermana Wheeler en España--Weeks 37-43

More updates from our sweet Brooklyn, ranging all the way from St. Patrick's Day to this morning.  I especially love the pictures of the tulips.  Somehow seeing the flowers bloom on the other side of the world helps me feel connected to her each time I see the blossoms here.  Also, some good news--the light is back, both literally and figuratively.  In her email she mentions this massive power outage that shut down the metro, airports, and cell phones.  Apparently it affected large swaths of Spain, Portugal, and even France.  According to the NYT, power has been flickering back in most areas, so hopefully Madrid is recharged as well.  Brooklyn, we love you!

Week 37: Ímpetu

Hi everyone! How's it going? Happy St. Patrick's day! I'm not there to pinch you, so you better be wearing green.
It's actually been such an amazing week out here in Torrejon. Monday I got to play a little frisbee which always makes me happy, Tuesday I ended up teaching the English class for some of the spanish-speaking missionaries because the normal teacher didn't show up, and on Wednesday I think I experienced shin splints for the first time and regretted praying for patience. Thursday we had four back-to-back amazing lessons with members present, although not in the order we planned them, on Friday I spent the day following spiritual promptings with Hna Swensen, Saturday our beautiful friend Jane passed her baptismal interview with flying colors, and on Sunday FIFTEEN of our friends came to church. People, this never happens.

Anyway, you might be wondering why we care so much about people coming to church. Or maybe not, but I'm going to tell you anyway. Coming to church is the type of powerful spiritual experience that gives you a huge boost of spiritual momentum, or "ímpetu." According to President Russell M Nelson:

"Positive spiritual momentum will keep us moving forward amid the fear and uncertainty created by pandemics, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and armed hostilities. Spiritual momentum can help us withstand the relentless, wicked attacks of the adversary and thwart his efforts to erode our personal spiritual foundation."

Spiritual energy and conviction to move forward is so important for every one of us. How are you going to build spiritual momentum in your life this week? Whether it's reading the scriptures, going to the temple, or just saying a prayer I encourage you to do it. It will be a blessing for you.

Love you all!
Hna Wheeler





Week 38: Radiante

Hiiii everyone!!

I am currently dead tired (and sunburnt) from playing about four straight hours of frisbee at zone p-day. Turns out, President Eastland and I make a good team!

On the theme of sunburns, this week has been filled with radiance in more ways than one. The sun has been such a blessing, especially after about three straight weeks of rain, but more than that, our friend Jane got baptized this Saturday and she was GLOWING, absolutely "radiante". She's so prepared and excited to be a part of God's church and to go to the temple.

One of my favorite things about the mission is seeing how Christ's light changes people, lighting them up from the inside out until they're shining too. All of us have the light of Christ within us. We just need to start sharing it!

Love you all!
Hermana Wheeler

Week 39: Mitad

Ooooh, we're halfway there, OOOOH livin' on a prayer!!

I feel like this lyric accurately represents the last week and a half of my life. Yes, I hit 9 months (mitad, or halfway!) yesterday. No, I don't want to talk about it.

Today's Wednesday, surprise!! This is AMAZING news because it means I am going to the temple for the first time since October and I can't wait.

This last week was kind of frustrating. As always, there's ups and downs in missionary work and this week was a bit of a down. However, it's been amazing to see God's hand and how He's helped us in the rough moments. He is always there for us and He's never too frustrated with our ineptitude to put people in our path and make miracles happen.

I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple and for the opportunity to hear a living prophet speak this weekend in general conference. You won't want to miss it.

Love you so much!!

Week 40: Edificar

Hi everyone! Happy general conference weekend!

This week has been insane (even more so than usual). Monday and Tuesday we were in a trio with Hermana Amado because of transfer week, which was SO fun. Wednesday we got to take our friend Jane to the temple for the first time and help out the 26 (!!) new missionaries as they toured downtown Madrid. Thursday and Friday we had meetings with the Eastlands, and then Saturday and Sunday we were privileged to listen to inspired messages from leaders of the church. These messages touched my heart and answered my questions, so if you haven't listened to them yet please do.

Today my companion and I have been extremely spoiled by my second pair of adopted Spain grandparents, the Mammens. They brought us back to Segovia so Sister Little could see it before she goes home in May. We've spent all day stunned by beautiful architecture, from a Roman aqueduct 2000 years old to a Snow-White-worthy castle to a soaring cathedral. In between, I've been thinking about the word "edificar," which means "to build." These structures were such acts of faith. Cathedrals are built over centuries, and their architects generally don't live to see their completion. Are we putting the same dedication and attention into our spiritual foundations?

Matthew 7
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Build your house upon Jesus Christ. Fill your life with things that are edifying, that build you up. Build others up with your words and actions, and never forget that God made all of this for you.

Love!
Hermana Wheeler







Week 41: Prisa

Hello lovely peoples! How's it going?

This week I've been thinking a lot about Doctrine and Covenants 58:27.

"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

The phrase "anxiously engaged" is repeated a lot as a missionary. Sometimes it carries a bit of a negative connotation as we try to avoid anxiety, but I love how the footnote relates it to dedication, diligence, good works, industry, and zeal. Anxiety is reactive. It's triggered by circumstances causing stress and tension. In contrast, being "anxiously engaged" is proactive. As the next verse says, "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."

I love how God's plan and the atonement are enabling. God has given us the power and ability to choose for ourselves! With that power comes great responsibility (accidental Spiderman plug). We need to be diligent and abound in good works. I continue to grow in my understanding of how important that is.

Hermana Little finishes her mission in four weeks (shhh don't tell her) which has given her this sense of prisa. To have prisa means to be in a hurry, and for her, she is in a hurry to declare that Christ lives to everyone she meets. I love how she is teaching me to be anxiously engaged and fulfill my missionary purpose in as many ways as possible.

Don't miss the chance to be eagerly engaged! God is giving us opportunities to do good, we just have to take them.

Best!!
Hna Wheeler

(Hna Turner I love you )

Week 42: Levantar

Happy Easter everyone!!

Today's message is simple. For the last few days I've been studying angels and my calling as a missionary. What a privilege it is to proclaim the good news: "He is not here: for he is risen" (Matthew 28:6).

Levantar means to rise, and Christ did. He defeated death and sin and because of that, we don't have to suffer them any more. These are the best tidings of greatest joy, and that joy is magnified as we echo the angels' cry.

Life is hard. Missionary work is hard. Having hope and being strong and persisting in the face of difficulties is hard, but it is ALL worth it because Christ raises us up with Him. He loves you more and better than you could ever imagine.

He is risen!!
Hermana Wheeler

Week 43: Alegría

What's up folks? Good to be here today! I hope you all have had a spectacular week and that the weather's treating you all well.

Today I want to talk about alegria, or happiness. Happiness is one of those things that's deceptively elusive. It feels like it shouldn't be as difficult to find (or as easy to lose) as it is.

Elder Gary B Sabin says in his conference talk "Hallmarks of Happiness," that "the greatest happiness and blessing of mortality will be found in who we have become through God’s grace as we make and keep sacred covenants with Him."

I saw the truth of this statement this week. Our friend Kristian got baptized on Saturday, and I have never seen him look happier. Although he lost his job that morning, his excitement to make a covenant with God and eagerness to go to the temple is contagious. If you're having a hard time feeling happy, look to Christ. He is the master healer and He will help you.

Sending lots of love!

Hna Wheeler

P. S. I'm finishing this email a few hours later in a bit of a rush because we don't want to waste phone battery. Almost all of Spain has been under a massive, international power outage since around 12:30 today. We're okay, but it's affected the metro, the airports, cell service, etc. Send some prayers our way!