Raise Your Vision

June 13, 2016

Anybody that has driven in Spain, including Spaniards themselves, will tell you that all the drivers in Spain are crazy. On Sunday after eating lunch we headed out to visit a recently married and baptized couple in our ward. We got lost a couple of times because of bad addresses and crazy one way streets. During that time we got cut off several times by cars and people crossing the street in random places without looking. By the time that we got there I was pretty frustrated with what had happened. I parked the car and sat there for moment, I asked God to help me to change my attitude and to be able to bless the lives of this family. I got out of the car and looked up into the sky where there were the most beautiful clouds. That view, peeking out from behind the buildings was enough to help me remember who was in charge and that everything was going to be okay.

I think many times we get caught up in our daily lives and don´t remember that we need to look up. The Lord asks us to do exactly this. In Doctrine and Covenants 88 he teaches us "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;" Our Savior wants us to turn to Him when we have difficulty, and when we do we will receive the rest. Anyways, when we sat down with the family we talked for awhile about what they were going through as a recently called Relief Society President and a husband struggling to find work to support his family. The Spirit testified to them of their need to make sure that they were doing the most important things first and that the Lord would take care of the rest. The Spirit testified to me of the same thing in my assignment.

This week we have had several unexpected changes in the mission and as such President Pack sent my trainer up to Gijon in Asturias, about 4 hours away by train. So, this is going to be a grand adventure with a lot of problem solving and figuring things out as I go along. I´m just hoping that over the next couple of weeks the mission still has power and water. I´ve decided this week that I am a fireman. I run from one fire to another putting it out, from a moldy piso in Alcala to a broken washing machine in A Coruña to a leaky piso in Santiago etc.

Anyways, my invitation for all of us is to look above the leaky, moldy pisos when the time is appropriate so that we can better deal with the problems when they come our way.

I love you all!

Elder Gustafson

Moments to Minister

June 6, 2016

I know I´ve said it before but this has probably been the busiest, craziest week of my mission. I´ve gotten a lot of questions about what I do and what my responsibilities will be.

• What will Elder Maxfield be training you to do? Where is he from?

Elder Maxfield will be training me to manage all of the pisos of the mission, this includes making sure that bills are paid, the owners are happy, missionaries are taking care of their pisos, and organizing repairs that come up on the 100 pisos that we have in the mission. (piso = apartment) He is from Utah.

Elder Kirby is training me to drive in Spain, and because we are in Europe I have to learn how to drive a manual, which will be a great skill, but I´m learning in a 9 passenger van on the narrow streets of Spain, so it is quite an adventure.

• Will you get to proselyte in the evenings?

I do get to proselyte in the evenings. We try to leave the office at 6:30 every night. It is quite dificult sometimes because the work never stops. There is always more to do in the office but we are working to get out in time and develop a proselyting area as well. We serve in the same area as the APs, and the area where President Pack and his family live.

• Do you live close to the temple and Church offices?

We live about 15 minutes in car from the temple and will have the opportunity to go once a transfer.

• Will you get to travel the mission? 

I will not do very much travelling outside of the Madrid area. Inside of Madrid we seem to always be running people from the airport or train station out to an area of Madrid.

• Is this assignment for 5 transfers, until the end of your mission?

I am unsure as to the duration of my stay in the office. Because I am getting my driver´s license it is very probable that I will stay until the end but President has told me that we will cross that bridge when we get to it. I for sure will be here 4 transfers.

• What is your daily schedule like?

My daily schedule starts like any normal missionary at 7:30 studies from 9-11 and then in the office until 6:30 that night, with a short break at some point for lunch. At 6:30 we start to proselyte, usually. This is the normal schedule that we follow about 20 percent of the time. The other 80 percent crazy random things come up, and that may just be because it was transfer week this last week but we´ll see.

If you have more questions please feel free to ask I enjoy responding and very rarely know what would be interesting for you to know.

One of the things that I have learned this week is to treasure the time that we have. There are many missionaries who just long to go home, back to their girlfriends and families. What they don´t realize is the spiritual nourishment that they are receiving. Coming into the office on about Thursday I realized that I was feeling down and couldn´t figure out why. I asked the other elders in the office and they explained to me that I was feeling what most missionaries feel when they go home. When they stop spending all of their time out preaching the gospel and get caught up in the workings of life. They helped me to understand that I would need to make a real effort in praying, studying, and looking for the times to minister.

I recommitted myself to doing those things daily and since then have seen small increases in my attitude and disposition. I want to share two experiences when we were able to minister this week. First we got to teach a man on Saturday night named Toño, As we finished the lesson he testified of how what we had just taught to him had been worked by the Spirit. That he had been meditating on the topic and that he just needed an invitation to act. Second, on Sunday during our lunch break we got a call from President calling us into the office. We grabbed our lunch, two pots of arroz and lentils, and flew over to the office. We talked to the security guard earlier that morning and told us that he had a long day ahead of him. As we had a short down moment in the office we ran downstairs with a bowl of rice and lentils and gave it to him. It was a small act but a moment to feel like we could serve individually in the midst of a high tense situation.

I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and show the God´s love for his children in a small way.

Love,
Elder Gustafson

The Office

With the Family Garcia - A Coruna

May 30, 2016

When President Pack calls on Saturday morning of transfers you know that he isn´t calling to chat. He called me to serve in the office of the mission as the secretary responsible for apartments and vehicles. It has been kind of a storm of emotions and thoughts and feelings about this new assignment but I understand that the Lord´s plan is much better than mine.

Anyways this last week has been amazing! We have had some of the most spiritual lessons of my mission. We met with Lola on Saturday and we were able to teach her about the plan of salvation. She has a son who is serving a mission and because of the sacrifices that he has made, she wants to learn more about what is so important to him. There was a moment during the lesson when she expressed a doubt about not being able to be perfect enough to gain the celestial kingdom. We talked about the atonement of Jesus Christ and how God does not require us to be perfect, instead he requires that we progress. I am so grateful for that, I don´t need to be perfect, just keep progressing.

Life on the mission is already super crazy! I got here (Madrid) last night, they flew me down first class in order to get me and my suitcases in on Sunday night. It was pretty much the nicest flight I have ever taken, I got two drinks, almonds, and as much leg room as I wanted. I got in at about 11:00 and then began running around picking up more people. We got home at about 12:30. We currently are 7 elders in our piso which is a lot but it will be a whole lot of fun, until we can find the APs a new piso. This morning we went running out the door to get more people to the airport and have been going all day long. It is going to be a whole lot of fun in the next five transfers here in the office.

Anyways, I love you all, have a wonderful week!

Elder Gustafson

With Patricio

With Rafa

Rainbow in Galacia

Open House Miracles

With my friend after the dedication of the new chapel in A Coruna

May 23, 2016

What a crazy week we have had in A Coruña! And how many miracles have we seen! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week we had the open house for the new chapel. It was quite different because there was a lot of down time waiting for people to come but it was a great experience and we got to meet some interesting people. In the evening on Thursday we saw some really cool miracles. We went to visit Rafa, a returning less active, who is awesome! His greatest desire is to serve a mission. As we all talked, we felt the Spirit as it testified of the next steps that he needed to take to get to be able to serve a mission and complete that desire. He shared with us how much his cousin, who is currently serving a mission, has influenced him and his desires to return to the church.

Later that night we went to make some phone calls on a bench and a guy came up to us and asked if he could sit next to us. It was a little strange because there were like five other open benches right there but of course we made room, we weren't about to pass up on a conversation. So we get talking and he tells us about his life, and tells us that he has met with missionaries before but lost contact with them. So we get contact information and ask if there is another day when we could share a message with him and he asks, well what can you share with me now. Of course we talked with him about the restoration and got a second lesson with him this coming week. I'll keep you posted.

Another miracle from the week. On Thursday night I had the impression to call Salvador, the man who came to church by himself a couple of weeks ago, to invite him to the open house. He hadn't picked up the other times that I had called but I decided I'll try it again. He picked up this time all excited to hear from us. After receiving the invitation he said, "of course I'll come, it will be good to give you a brotherly hug!" He came and it was awesome we have a lesson set up this week and we are going to give him copies of the duty to God and personal progress programs which he requested for his children. Finally at the dedication on Sunday we had seven of our investigators there, which was awesome! As the meeting started I was saving seats for Kandy and Iago but after about five minutes without them showing up, I moved in allowing others who were still coming in to sit down. Two women that I didn't recognize came in and sat down in those seats. I was a little frustrated that Kandy and Iago hadn't shown up and someone had taken those seats but little did I realize who had sat down. After the meeting I introduced myself and it turned out that one of the women was a less active who we haven't had contact with and the other, her friend that she had brought for the dedication. Anyways we have a lesson set up this week. It was amazing the ways the Lord has blessed us this week! This really is his work and we can try and try but it doesn't matter at all if He is not involved. I wish I had time to share all the miracles that we see but know that He blesses us every day.

Thank you for your prayers on my behalf and on behalf of my investigators.

I love you all!
Elder Gustafson

You Don't Need an Apostle to Learn

May 16, 2016

Wow! What a week we've had here! On Friday night we left at 10:20 at night and got into Madrid Saturday at 9:20 AM. It was an interesting adventure in a seat all night long but worth it to be able to learn with Elder Bednar. There was a lot that I learned during the conference with Elder Bednar but I want to highlight four principles that are all related together that really impacted me.

First, there is no reason to stop and check the oil every five minutes if the car is running fine. When we are doing the best we can, keep going, trust in the Spirit to turn on the oil light when there are things to fix. In life we can't be so caught up in asking Am I a good missionary? Am I good home teacher? Am I a good disciple of Jesus Christ? We forget to focus on others. When the Spirit says change the oil, don't argue don't get stopped on the side of the highway of life worrying about your imperfections, change the oil and get going.

Second, Faith is being able to focus on others or turn outwards, trusting that the Spirit will indicate those things that you need to change in your life. Have the confidence that you are doing well. The Spirit, if you ask, will always show you where to improve. Have faith that He will lead and guide you so that you can return to live with God, as you are striving to keep your covenants and serve those around you.

Third, treasure up the words of life constantly in your mind. If we want power when we speak, one of the requisites is that we treasure up the words of life constantly in our minds. In the scripture that I was ponderizing last week it talks of the principle of opening our mouths and as we do it at all times and in all places we will "strength such as is not known among men."

Fourth, what was said by Elder Bednar was what everyone needed to hear, and what we heard from the Spirit was what each of us needed to hear. Really we don't need an Apostle to come teach us because, as members of the church, we have a member of the godhead with us in all times. He is the real teacher, as we learn to listen to Him we will receive everything that we need.

I loved this conference because of how empowering it was to keep moving forward. Don't get caught on the side of the road, the Spirit will teach you what you need to know as you put in your effort to keep moving forward. I love being a missionary. I am great fun for the experiences that I have everyday that testify of my Father in Heaven. There is no greater blessing in this life or the next than to have a relationship with Him!

I love you all,
Elder Gustafson

P-Day Futbol

Happy Missionaries!

The Spirit Guides

May 9, 2016

Torrejon gang in Galacia!

This has been a crazy week in A Coruña. I was in a trio with the other Elders here in Coruña because my companion went down to Madrid for the leadership counsel, we had some absolutely great times together, teaching and getting to know their investigators. We had a great lesson this week with Kandy and Iago. We talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon in receiving revelation about our message. As we talked and had a conversation the Spirit guided our conversation so that her doubts came out and shared with us how she was feeling. It is amazing how the Spirit is able to touch people's hearts and move people. 

We also had a super solid lesson with Yeiry and Samil and Yesairy. She talked with us about how some of the temptations that she faced have left, because every time she faces one of her temptations there is a voice in her head that tells her not to do it. She described the voice as being a combination of my voice and my companion's voice. It is the Spirit working miracles. She still needs to come to church with more frequency please pray that she will have the strength and courage to be able to come.

I love you all,
Elder Gustafson

At the mall with Elder Bartholomew

Great Week in Espana

May 2, 2016

Well, once again this week has been absolutely amazing! I love being a missionary, with all of the rough parts of being a missionary it just makes the great parts amazing. This week we saw some amazing miracles! We were at church yesterday, we get there half an hour early in order to great those that come in and a man walked in who we did not recognize. we greeted him and he told us that an inactive friend had invited him to come to church to see the new chapel, but that the member had decided not to wake up that morning so, Salvador, the man, had decided to come by himself anyways. He told us that he didn't want to stay for the meetings but wanted to talk and pray with us. Perfect! We went into a classroom and talked about the Restoration and our beliefs he was very open and agreed to stay for part of Sacrament meeting as he had an appointment at the top of the hour and so could not stay for the whole thing. We were stoked! It is very rare that people walk into the chapel by themselves looking to talk about God. Then during the second hour, the branch President pulls my companion and I out of class and introduces us to a woman who had come the church looking to pray and talk with God because her mother was very sick and in the hospital. She asked if we would be willing to go and give a blessing to her mother, we happily agreed and will be going in the next couple of days. It was like God was saying here, this person needs to hear the gospel, and this person, take good care of them. I am very grateful that He sent these people to us so that we can help them find the peace and the answers that they are looking for. I know that miracles exist.

My companion is a boss. He is really one of the best teachers that I have met. I have learned a lot from him and have grown so much in the last couple of weeks. But there is a lesson that I have had to learn with him as with all of my companions, which is the danger of comparison. Comparison is a tool of the devil to either build up pride or to tear down oneself. When we compare ourselves to others, we say he is better than me or I am better than him. Both frases are destructive and will drive away the Spirit. We are all sons and daughters of God, He knows who we are and what we need in our lives. The most important thing is that we trust in Him to mold us in His way. As we eliminate those feelings of better or worse we can feel love for others as well as love for ourselves. The second great commandment teaches us, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." I invite all of us to look for our strengths and our weaknesses not to put ourselves down but so that we can go to the Lord looking for the strength of His Atonement to change, which we will find. Let us look always for the good in others but also in ourselves so that we can use our gifts to bless the lives of those around us.

I know that God loves us and has given each and everyone unique skills and talents for the reason of building His Kingdom and blessing His children.

Love,
Elder Gustafson