GREETING ELDER JONATHAN OGDEN

March 23, 2010

It was such a thrill to go to the mission home in Madrid and meet Jonathan as he completed his mission. We were able to drive there with no problems. As Jonathan walked into the entry area, he gave me besos (Spanish kiss on both cheeks), and we hugged for a very long time. He looked great, and had matured, but seemed much the same. After meeting many missionaries, including his MTC and CCM companions, two sets of senior couples, and Pres. and Sister Watkins, we posed for this picture under the Spanish flag, then ate a pancake breakfast. Then we loaded Jonathan's suitcases into our car and drove to temple housing. After checking Jonathan in, we attended a session in the beautiful Madrid Temple.

Many of the temple workers knew Jonathan, and it was great to see the warm welcome. It was also good to hear English from several temple workers who are serving missions there. I was given headphones to listen to the session, and I turned the volume down so I could also hear the Spanish. The Celestial Room is beautiful: all done in florals of pink, blue, purple and gold with floral and basket-weave patterns on the windows, mouldings, etc.

After the temple, we went grocery shopping and bought Jonathan's favorite Spanish foods, including the juice that was served at the mission home breakfast. We came home for lunch and a planning session. Jonathan made some appointments and then we took the metro to central downtown Madrid. It has similar features to Paris and London! There are large, decorative buildings, busy streets and walks, which I am learning is very European. We did a little shopping and then visited the Naval Museum.


We saw these men posing in front of a building. We couldn't believe they were real!

Here we are at the metro.
We met Rodrigo and Priscilla and went to a Brazilian Restaurant. They are both great young adults. Rodrigo is very friendly is getting baptized on my birthday! The food was excellent, too.