It was sad to leave Madrid and Spain. It is truly a beautiful country with good traditions and amazing people whom we will always remember and love.
On our last night, we took the metro (several transfers and one hour of time) in Madrid to visit Ana, whom Jonathan taught and baptized in Alcazar. They lived in a good-sized home there, but have moved to Madrid where they share an apartment with another family. Each family has a private bedroom, but they share the kitchen and bathroom. Ana's husband was at work, but she is pictured here with her son, Joel.
We sat on stools around the bed, which took up most of the room. A desk with computer and TV, a cabinet and a closet (pictured behind us) comprised the rest of the room. Nevertheless, Ana served us pizza and juice (a delicious blend of oranges, pineapple and carrots), and she had a gift for us too! It was a clock with landmarks of Madrid on the face, and she had wrapped it in bubblewrap for our trip home. She got out pictures of her baptism and showed us the lesson manual from which she taught the children turning eight about baptism. She is also taking the temple preparation classes. I was able to share my testimony of the temple and making covenants. Of course, we gave them zipper scarves and took "photos". I have noticed that Spanish women are particularly petite. I have stood next to five or six now in the photos and they fit under my arm!
Earlier that day, we left Caceres and drove to Toledo. We had been anticipating that destination because we were going to buy souvenirs at the Moreno Store. The owners love missionaries and even give them discounts. The upstairs is filled with Lladro porcelain figures. The Lladro family made the famous Christus, and a pair of missionaries (which we purchased), also nativities. They are working on an Angel Moroni for next year.
Downstairs is an amazing room full of swords, armor, chainmail, etc. This is where Jonathan wanted to go. He purchased a hand-made Spanish steel sword that looks like one used in the movie, Princess Bride.
We were also able to watch an artist make gold inlaid jewelry. I purchased a beautiful gold bracelet and earrings which were made by the owner's father, whom we also met. Mr. Moreno even took us to a neighboring shop so we could buy hand-painted porcelain plates. We had seen them in Madrid, but these were better quality and signed by the artist (and more expensive!)
On our last night, we took the metro (several transfers and one hour of time) in Madrid to visit Ana, whom Jonathan taught and baptized in Alcazar. They lived in a good-sized home there, but have moved to Madrid where they share an apartment with another family. Each family has a private bedroom, but they share the kitchen and bathroom. Ana's husband was at work, but she is pictured here with her son, Joel.
We sat on stools around the bed, which took up most of the room. A desk with computer and TV, a cabinet and a closet (pictured behind us) comprised the rest of the room. Nevertheless, Ana served us pizza and juice (a delicious blend of oranges, pineapple and carrots), and she had a gift for us too! It was a clock with landmarks of Madrid on the face, and she had wrapped it in bubblewrap for our trip home. She got out pictures of her baptism and showed us the lesson manual from which she taught the children turning eight about baptism. She is also taking the temple preparation classes. I was able to share my testimony of the temple and making covenants. Of course, we gave them zipper scarves and took "photos". I have noticed that Spanish women are particularly petite. I have stood next to five or six now in the photos and they fit under my arm!
Earlier that day, we left Caceres and drove to Toledo. We had been anticipating that destination because we were going to buy souvenirs at the Moreno Store. The owners love missionaries and even give them discounts. The upstairs is filled with Lladro porcelain figures. The Lladro family made the famous Christus, and a pair of missionaries (which we purchased), also nativities. They are working on an Angel Moroni for next year.
Downstairs is an amazing room full of swords, armor, chainmail, etc. This is where Jonathan wanted to go. He purchased a hand-made Spanish steel sword that looks like one used in the movie, Princess Bride.
We were also able to watch an artist make gold inlaid jewelry. I purchased a beautiful gold bracelet and earrings which were made by the owner's father, whom we also met. Mr. Moreno even took us to a neighboring shop so we could buy hand-painted porcelain plates. We had seen them in Madrid, but these were better quality and signed by the artist (and more expensive!)After our shopping trip in Toledo, we drove to the candy factory in Madrid and purchased strawberry "chuchas", a popular candy in Spain. These are like "sourpatch candies", but have more flavor and are sweeter. That night, we stayed in temple housing and it felt like we were coming home to familiar surroundings.
President Blanco had given us an entire box (12" x 20") of "tea cakes" which were light-as-air butter cookies with chocolate filling. They were delicious! We were unable, much as we tried, to eat all of them. We met a nice family from southern Spain, who were also staying in temple housing. They had three children, ages 13, 12, and 7. I was hoping to see them again so I could give the remaining cookies to them, but we were leaving at 7:30 AM! We did see the father in the elevator, but I had already taken the cookies to the car. And then, as we were getting into the car, he walked into the underground parking area! I told him I was hoping I would see him so we could give them the cookies. He said, "Wish granted." It felt like a tender mercy.
This entire trip has been filled with tender mercies. I am so grateful we could experience it, and to see the growth and spirituality in Jonathan is truly a blessing. He could talk and carry on a converstation in perfect Spanish, translate back and forth, navigate those crazy Spanish streets on foot or by car or Metro, and he used exact obedience in following mission rules (he didn't watch any movies on the incredibly long flights home!) We are truly blessed.
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