Kate and Grapes 1/4/2016

Dear Family and Friends—

So it's official, I never want to come home. 

Here in Spain, as some of you know, for the new year count down they have a tradition of eating grapes. Twelve seconds before the new year you have to eat a grape. You got to eat 12 grapes in 12 seconds. Us, being missionaries, we had to be in bed at 11. But because my companion is Spaniard I made her do it with me—to teach me the way of her people. So—we attempted it. I'll send you the video. I know in the video I am laughing and I look like I'm having a great time, but actually I am choking, gasping for air, trying to stay alive to see the next year. I was a little cocky before thinking this grape stuff was easy. I was humbled when I saw my life flash before my eyes. 

My companion and I found a new way to contact. 

This week we stopped a man in the street who told us he loves learning about religions, yet claimed he had not found the church of God and that therefore it doesn't exist. So being missionaries, we taught him part of lesson one and shared Moroni's promise. He then brought up questions about death, so we bore our testimonies of the plan of salvation. We were talking to him for 30 minutes trying everything, but he just didn't listen. We then realized we weren't getting anywhere and as we were leaving he starting asking personal questions. For some reason, I can't remember now, he found out that we ourselves are paying for our missions. And then he was silent. And said, "Now I am starting to have more of a desire to listen. This is bad." This was my fave when he said that and I thought...really? We share the restoration, plan of salvation, our personal testimonies, Moroni's promise—and nothing—and when we say we pay for our missions—that's what makes you want to listen?

But, oh well.

This week was really good and I learned so much.

I know I say that every week but it's true. 

This week we found an amazing family!!! We have taught them the first two lessons and the father is very interested. The mother is very catholic and claims she won't change religions, but when your companion too once was very catholic and said the same thing, and now is serving a mission here in Spain, I'm not worried  Having a Spaniard as a companion, you have extra power, because then people realize that it's not just an American church. 

I love life. 

Love, Hermana Kelemen