Bye to Bilbao & Hello to Hospitalet!

TRANSFER WEEK! The other day we received the phone call about transfers and I was told that I would be leaving Bilbao. My heart was shattered, of course, but I knew it was coming. It was just a matter of time. When I told the members and the people there, they were sad. I love those people with all my heart, and I know that they will be my friends forever. I was able to stop by many homes of the people I have come to love here in Pais Vasco (Bilbao) before I left.

I shared my love and appreciation for all that they have done for me. I also gave thanks to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to serve there during the past six months of my mission, and for the opportunity to spend this part of my life among these incredible people. I will miss Hermana Manotas, as she has been such a strength and example to me. We had so many amazing moments and experiences together that I will never forget.

I will now be serving in the city of Hospitalet, right outside of Barcelona. My new companion´s name is Hermana Moser and she is from Sugar City, Idaho! She is such a hoot, and we are gonna rock it together! I can´t wait and I know there are so many adventures and miracles awaiting us.

Talk to you all next week! Know that I love you and pray for you always!

Yours truly,

Hermana Lydia Vance

 

I Will Give You Rest

I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend. Easter traditions here are a little different, but we still had a great time! I absolutely loved General Conference; it was so inspirational! I know these men and women that lead our church are called by Almighty God. You just cannot deny it when you hear them speak! If you were unable to watch conference, here is the link:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2015/04?cid=HP_SU_4-5-2015_dPTH_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng

I personally loved Elder Holland´s talk. You have to watch it!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/04?lang=eng&vid=4154894180001&cid=10

Time just flies here, as next week is transfer week again! I cannot believe I have been with Hermana Manotas for an incredible five weeks! I wonder what will happen, and whether or not I´ll be leaving the Bilbao. Wherever I am, I know that I will be where the Lord needs me to be.

I love this place, and I know my heart is going to break when I have to leave, BUT this is the Lord´s work, and we do it in HIS way and in HIS time.

I want to share an experience that happened this past week. We were at a restaurant with a member (Darwin), when a man who was sitting behind us asked, "Are you two missionaries?". We explained that we were and he told us that his named was Juan Carlos and he was from Columbia. He told us he had heard about the church and had some friends that were members in Columbia, but never looked into it much. Now he knows that there was something different about his friends, and that he wants what we have. He said "You two just have a great light about you as I heard you talking and laughing. You just seemed to be filled with joy. Then I saw your name tags and knew why you were so happy." We talked for a little longer, and after that invited him to attend the General Conference broadcast with us. He said he really wanted to come and that he knows he needs the gospel in his life. We saw him that weekend at General Conference and he loved it. After we were talking for a little bit, we bore powerful testimony of The Restoration of the Gospel, and about Jesus Christ and His infinite love, mercy and atonement. The spirit was so strong  and he said, "You know, I have been having some really tough moments in my life these past few months, and I have just been searching for relief. I have been yearning for this peace and rest. And … I think I have found it. I know that I need to do what God wants me to do, to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized." We were both in shock. We are going to be meeting with him next week to talk and teach more.

There are people everywhere waiting and really searching for this refuge, this peace and this safe haven that we can find through the principles and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Eyring said:

"Many are praying to Heavenly Father for relief, for help in carrying their burdens of grief, loneliness, and fear. Heavenly Father hears those prayers and understands their needs. He and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Jesus Christ, have promised help. In the New Testament, in Matthew 11, Jesus Christ gave this sweet promise: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest … Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls … For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’”

He will give us all rest, if we come unto Him. I know that the Lord is always there to lift us up, but we too can help in this great cause. We know that charity is the pure love of Christ. Can you even imagine that type of love? We can help by being the Lord´s hands for all of those around us.

His love never fails, and we never will cease to feel in our hearts the urge “to mourn with those that mourn … and comfort those that stand in need of comfort”. Nor will the peace He promises ever leave us as we serve others for Him. We are here to strengthen feeble knees and lift up hands that hang down. Someone could be waiting to meet you, so that you can help them meet the Savior. Lift one another´s burdens. Be an answer to someone else´s prayer. Look for opportunities to bless and love those around you.

Love,

Hermana Vance

HE LIVES

I hope you all had a great week. I am so grateful for this Easter season and the chance we have to once again, turn our thoughts to the Savior. After three days, He rose from the dead; and because of Him, we will ALL have the amazing opportunity to be resurrected as He was.

This video is new from our church. It is absolutely beautiful and so touching; I love it.

http://www.mormon.org/easter?cid=HP_FR_3-27-2015_dMIS_fMRMN_xLIDyL1-A_

I also love this hymn:

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives"

I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

If you want to really know what we believe and what this gospel is all about, read “The Living Christ”, which is a simple, but powerful, one-page testimony from our modern day apostles. https://www.lds.org/bc/content/shared/content/english/pdf/36035_000_25_livingchrist.pdf

Some great Mormon Messages you just have to watch:

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/none-were-with-him-2

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/his-sacred-name-an-easter-declaration-3

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/he-lives-testimonies-of-jesus-christ-1

I want to invite you all to remember what this week is REALLY about. Our Savior loves each and every one of you. He wants you to be happy. He came to earth to show the perfect way; that we may follow Him. He lived, suffered and died for us … and He lives again! He is with us every day. This is the greatest news there is! I love my Savior and His gospel!

Happy Easter,

Hermana Vance