Well, our trio was to be short-lived. Elder Barlow was transferred this last Monday to work in Barrio 3 in Madrid, leaving me and Elder Thurston alone here again. It's nice in some ways, being able to restore the old functions of having a normal companionship, but we also miss Elder Barlow a lot. He was a way nice guy who had a big heart and liked making jokes. Though he couldn't speak Spanish hardly at all, everyone loved him because he had so much charm and was so personable and didn't take himself too seriously. I'm sure he will do incredible things in the mission.
Many other changes happened. The Canary Islands got more-or-less redone and a bunch of missionaries from the mainland were switched with a bunch of missionaries from the islands. A few people went back and forth from up north and Madrid. All in all, lots of changes. We stayed mostly put, Elder Thurston and I.
The biggest news this week is that Sadith Coello is very close to being baptized! His service is scheduled for the 27th this week and we're all very excited, especially him, for this new step he will be taking in his life. His interview last night went through without a hitch, and he'll soon be joining his family in Church membership. An interesting thing about Sadith: he has read the entire Book of Mormon already. He decided that it would be important to read the whole book before getting baptized, so he set that goal. Many days, as we passed by his apartment, we saw him sitting out in his minivan all alone, reclined, reading the Book of Mormon. I asked him where he was in the book the other day, and he said that he was almost done with Moroni. Incredible! Sadith is a good man and the Lord needs him in His Church.In other news, we continue to find new people to find, teach and baptize. We have about 3 families that are really showing progress right now. Maria and her two kids, Daniel y Diana and their two kids, and Alvaro and Lani and their three daughters. Two of the three are looking a little shaky right now, but we're not going to give up on them just yet. They have good desires, but are a little "flojo" at the moment and need help.
Things are still going well with the members. We are helping a good number of less active members come back to Church. This last week, actually, was a very successful week in that regard. Many people came to Church who don't normally do that, including one family that has been estranged from the ward for almost 5 years. It was a true joy to see all of these people make the decision to come back. That is just as satisfying to me to see. After all, I'm here to invite all people to come to Christ. I'm doing all that I can to keep focused on the work and use my time wisely. There is still so much work to do here in Villalba! And there are so many investigators to teach and to help progress.I can't afford to lose focus now! Now that we're back in a normal companionship, I find it all the easier to really buckle up and work hard. I hope and pray that the Lord will be pleased with my sacrifice.
I love you all! Thanks for your support in letters and emails. I appreciate all that you do for me, and for each other.
Take care, and till next time,
Elder Knorr
