Hace Diez Anos

10 years ago, while I was serving as missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Madrid Temple was dedicated. It was a glorious time. All of the members and missionaries from all over Spain had the opportunity to attend the dedication. So during this past General Conference weekend, my mission presidents (along with lots of help from some of our missionaries) put together a reunion and tried to find all of our missionaries. I was able to fly out to Utah for the event and it was a most wonderful time. The experiences you have & the circumstances in which you find yourselves bond you to fellow missionaries in a way that is different from any other relationship. I love these people. It makes me (joyfully) cry to think about them. I love Spain and the miracles I saw there. It was a large part of my life that shaped me & I think about it almost everyday, if only for a brief moment.

Many thanks to Erin for watching Ella during the Hermanas luncheon. And to Lari for putting me up & lending me a car. And to Liz for picking me up at the airport. And to Richard & Joan for taking me back to the airport. And to all the elderes y hermanas that made the extra effort to be there. It was so fantastic to be with you all again! Until we meet again....

Hermanas at the luncheon



Kari, me & Anfissa


Me & Jamie


me & Hillary


The group of Elders & Hermanas I went to Spain with- and ended up serving with (almost) all fo them at some point. Haven't seen this whole group together since a mission council I went to in 1999.


Me & Presidente Clate Mask, and Kari


Kari, Hermana Mask, me & Nici (with her 4th baby)


Nanci (who also married a man who served in Bilboa at the same time Matt was there).


Ella just climbed up on Hermana Mask's lap (maybe the chocolate was influential?)


me & Rebecca- my MTC comp.