church is a refuge

Well I have just some really great things to talk about for today about this last week, it was amazing!

We are teaching 2 friends of this member, Juan, who was baptized just a year ago, and it´s incredible. No wonder they tell us to work through members. The first is Justo, a Spanish man, probably in his 40s, who is very very into religion and gospel study. He´s been in mulitple churches, and is very involved in the Catholic church now--his son wants to be a priest for them. But what amazes me is that he came to our church (he just appeared one day with Juan and then we got to know him for the first time), looking for a place that answered his numerous doubts and questions, because he has felt that in the places that he´s been in the past, they haven´t been answered perfectly.

He´s now been to church for 3 or 4 times in a row, and in the lesson´s we´ve had he´s been asking lots of questions and doubts that he has, because he has a true desire to have the answer. One of the main ones was this ´If God really does want us to have the best, why would he have commanded Adam and Eve to not to eat of the fruit and then just thrown them out? Which, to be honest, was a question I admit to having had in the past as well, but here is the beautiful part. As we talked (I was actually on an exchange with Elder Wilson!! One of the best days ever haha) I felt the Spirit testifying and teaching both Justo and me with his questions. The Spirit worked miracles in that lesson. Elder Wilson said something about how, by eating the fruit, they were able to finally know, just like touching fire--which we´re always warned to stay away from--we finally realize the right from the wrong, and can continue one. Justo sat there for a minute and said ´you know, you just convinced me a little bit there.´ Oh yeah, that´s what I´m talking about. One point for the Spirit.

Juan has another friend that´s investigating the church, we actually found him in the street and he told us ´yeah I have a friend from your church, he´s a good man´. And we´re teaching him now. I´m just so excited to work with these people and all of the rest.

Having those great investigators makes me so happy, even when 4 other investigators of ours told us they don´t want to, or can´t meet with us anymore. Sad. Church was incredible yesterday, the talks, lessons, members. So amazing. The Spirit really was so strong there, and it was testifying strongly to me that it really is all true. One member gave an amazing talk during sacrement meeting about missionary work, one of the best talks I´ve heard out here in Spain I think. He did so well, talking about how we as members have the great blessing to participate in it, and how we lots of times hide the fact that we are members, hiding our scriptures when friends pass by so that they won´t see. We have a great duty to share this with others, and we can receive so many blessings from doing that! 

I´m not sure how or why this happened, but politics got brought up in Priesthood quorum, American politics. I started getting really frustrated because while sitting with our investigators there in the class, we were hearing the members of the church of Jesus Christ discuss and talk about who should have one, while we were trying to help them feel the spirit and receive an answer or confirmation on whether or not this church is the Lord´s one and only church. One member there with us brought up the scripture from the Bible when Jesus is talking about the money and ask´s who´s face is on it, ended up being Caesar's. He then said to give to Caesar what is his, and give to the Lord what is His. Sorry I can´t remember it really well, but basically reminded them all that that was the time for the Lord, and to give their attention to Him. I really liked that, and felt like it is true for us members all around the world. The Church is the refuge we have to learn and get closer to God, and it most definitely changes that tone and Spirit when we taint the conversations with other topics.

The work is going really well here, and I´ve been very happy these days and have found just so much peace and comfort through this mission.

I love you all so much!

Love Elder Franson