Holy Ground

The past couple weeks have been interesting; we’ve been back and forth to Barcelona twice in the past week for different conferences and getting our residence cards. The crazy part is that my poor companion, Hermana Worthington, has been sick with a pretty bad case of bronchitis and we have gone to the doctor a few times, trying to figure out which medication will work for her. I just want her to be better, as she has had this for a while now, and I know it´s been frustrating and painful for her. Please keep her in your prayers.

All that aside, we have really been enjoying it here in Bilbao. I seriously LOVE this place. We have seen so many miracles with the people here. We have been able to reach out to many recent converts and less active members in our area. It is interesting to go into members’ homes … even if they don´t come to church or are having all sorts of problems in their lives or are relatively new members … when you enter you can still feel the Spirit so strong. You can see the Light of Christ in their eyes and they have some of the greatest testimonies. I love working with them and showing them that no matter how far they think they have gone from church or from God, that He is still RIGHT there; and so are we. We are ready to lift them up and do our very best to serve them, teach them, inspire them and just love them. When I was set apart as a missionary, I was told that I would rekindle the fire of the gospel for those who have fallen into inactivity, and I hope I am doing that. We are merely the instruments of the Lord, helping to remind them of the importance of this gospel in their lives, and how much our Heavenly Father loves them.

Missionaries experience a lot of things that they usually have never had to deal with before and sometimes experience different challenges that they must face with great faith. The other day we were in a family´s home, teaching one of their friends (I´m going to call her Valery) who is 20 years old and staying with this family for the week. We have begun teaching Valery, and she is just great! She has so many great questions and just wants to learn more! The family she is staying with has some problems … between the mother and father, the father and the older sons, the mother and the daughter … you name it. As we (Hermana Worthington and I, Darwin (who is a recent convert) and Valery) were teaching a lesson in her room, the wall next to ours began to shake. We heard banging, screaming and yelling from the mother, father and sons. They had gotten into a big fight and it got pretty bad. Honestly, we were a little scared and didn´t know what to do. Valery ran out the room to see what was going on, but quickly returned. She said she was really nervous and scared. I had the sudden prompting that we should say a prayer. We all huddled in a circle in this tiny bedroom, and knelt down. Darwin offered the sweetest prayer, and I began to cry because the Spirit was so strong. It was as if we could feel someone giving us all one big hug. He asked for there to be a peace within this home, that we could all feel God´s love in that moment, and that everything would be okay and that everyone would be safe. As we ended the prayer, we shared with Valery how much Christ loves her and this family; that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings us this comfort and happiness. I gave her a hug and told her that everything would be okay, and it was.

As missionaries, we are also are able to have the REALEST moments of our lives … the most sacred and powerful ones … those ones where everything goes quiet and everything seems to move in slow motion. The veil between us and heaven becomes so thin, and we are able to have these incredible, life-changing realizations and revelations. It is difficult to explain, and I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to be a servant and missionary of Jesus Christ. There is NOTHING like it.

I heard this song the other day on my iPod while my companion was sick and sleeping. As I listened to it, I began to break down a little bit as it made me think a lot about my mission. Take a moment to read the words (or look it up online; it´s incredible!).

“HOLY GROUND”

I guess my life has somehow been like the woman caught in sin

She sat there broken at His feet she knew the law

But heard "let he who’s without sin cast the first stone"

And not a single one was thrown

With no man left there to accuse, she left behind her tattered shoes

I’m on Holy Ground now, and I don’t ever want to leave

Hold me here now and keep my feet planted down in what I’ve found

Upon this holy ground

I know I didn’t have to leave to find this feeling inside me

But I left it all the same, I broke the rules to win the game

And now it’s clear from where I stand, I could’ve always felt His Hand

And though His touch I did refuse, I’m laying down these tattered shoes

With every moment standing here I can feel Him drawing near

And if I could stay in this place I’m sure that I could see His face

And yet I know life must go on, so let this memory linger on inside

Become a part of me...

I’m on Holy Ground now and I don’t ever want to leave

Hold me here now and keep my feet planted down in what I’ve found

Upon this holy ground. -  David Osmond

As I heard this song, two kinds of “holy grounds" came to my mind. First, that Spain has become a holy ground for me. I consider this a very sacred land. I have seen miracles, day in and day out. I have experienced those “heaven on earth” moments that are almost too special to share at times. It has become a part of me, and will be a part of me for the rest of my life. It will never be forgotten.

The second holy ground is that this opportunity as a missionary has put me on higher and holier ground. A grand, new plane of thinking and feeling; emotionally and spiritually. I look at things from a different, but better, vantage point. I am able to see my life with an eternal perspective. This experience has lifted me and continues to do so every day. I have grown immensely, and I want to stay in this place forever. This holy ground, this sweet spot, this new me that I have created for myself, this new state of living life.

I know that if I stay in this place, that I will see the face of the Savior, knowing that I did all that I could to continue on this climb and share this holiness with everyone. I can feel Him drawing near, and so can you! If we do our very best to serve Him, and increase our own progression, we will see miracles within ourselves. We can always feel His hand. It is the time to lay down OUR tattered shoes, and turn our will over to the Lord. Come unto Him!

I love you all! Find YOUR holy ground … and don´t ever leave.

Con cariño,

Hermana Vance

Women of God, Men of God, Children of God

TRANSFER WEEK!! Woohoo! I am still training Hermana Worthington and still a Sister Training Leader in Bilbao. The missionaries in our ward and district are changing up a little bit. Our two Canadian elders are leaving, Elder Coleman and Elder Hardy. It’s sad because our district has been really close. They all are such incredible examples to me and I couldn´t thank each of them enough for all they have taught me. An elder (Elder Hernandez!) from my district in Valencia is coming up to Bilbao. I also found out they are whitewashing (or putting two new hermanas into the area at the same time) my area in Valencia. The hermana that took my place in Valencia (Hermana Stilson with Hermana Gillette after me), is coming up to be a companion with Hermana Mendez (my Guatemalan companion!) in Logroño! A lot of big changes throughout the mission, with so many missionaries going from the South to the North and from the North to the South, and some going from big cities to little islands! We have about 18 new hermanas coming into the mission and 2 new elders. There are a lot of young missionaries who are being asked to train and be leaders, which is crazy, but exciting! It will cause everyone to rise up, to understand their true potential, and seize the challenge with great faith. It is going to lift this mission and everyone´s spirits ... I can´t wait … forward, upward and onward! We all need these "spiritually sky-rocketing" moments in our lives and in our missions.

Because of transfers, we had 7 hermanas stay in our apartment last night! We had fun, as they are all so special and are going to continue to see miracles in this mission. I can’t imagine being anywhere else than in the middle of Spain right now, surrounded by this army of the Lord´s servants. There is NOTHING like it.

I love my companion, Hermana Worthington, so much. She is so strong, so patient and so open and humble. She works hard, she knows why she is here, and she strengthens me and my testimony, each and every day. We have a blast together!

This week, we had the opportunity to have interviews with President Pace. The Paces are the best! I always really enjoy our interviews. Every phrase of encouragement or piece of counsel he gives me, I really take to heart. It is always inspiring, and I am always touched by his words, even if we are just sitting there for a couple of minutes, looking at each other, sharing our testimonies with tears, and simply saying “thank you” to one another. It means the world to me. He thanked me and said, "Hermana Vance, you inspire me. You are so smart, you work hard and you know what you are doing, and it shows. It is obviously working. Everything I ask you to do, or at least try, you have done. As a leader, a missionary, as a companion, as a sister, as a friend, as a daughter of God and disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ … I don´t know what more I could ask you to do. Thank you for your wonderful service. It will bless you for the rest of your life. Your future husband, family, friends, life and everything you cherish, in 5 years, 10 years, or 25 years … will ALL be affected and blessed because of your faithful service. During this moment in your life and your mission, you have just sky-rocketed, and this will set the course for the rest of your life. Keep up the great work. This is a GREAT time in your mission."  When we prayed together at the end he added, "It is hard for me to see so many incredible, amazing missionaries finish their missions and go home, because it hurts and it leaves a big hole for me. But when I really get to know missionaries like you, those holes are filled. You don´t replace them, you JOIN them. You have become one of those exceptional missionaries for me in this mission. Thank you, thank you, thank you … for deciding to serve. We need you here, and that is why the Lord called you here." He said something similar during my first interview, when I came into the mission. I have always looked up to the other hermanas (Hermanas Reid, Gillette, Munns, Manwill, Mangelson, etc.), more than they could ever know, and I never knew if I could ever be like them. They always knew their purpose and stayed on it. They were flawless and consecrated missionaries in my eyes. They shaped my mission and my life. I just hope that I continue on this rising climb and become the true disciple that I know I was born to be. I can´t thank President Pace and the Lord enough for believing in me, encouraging me and trusting me. I´m excited for this next transfer with Hermana Worthington, to hit the ground running!

I saw this quote the other day, on one of the other hermana´s walls … it says: "Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." - Margaret Nadauld

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/10/the-joy-of-womanhood?lang=eng

I really liked this because she is absolutely right. This is the time to stand out and stand up; to be the women, men and children of God that He intended us to be. People can see your bright lights, your Christ-like examples and your burning testimonies. Don´t ever lose it … stay strong and steadfast in CHRIST. Don´t forget who you REALLY are, in the midst of a world that is telling you who you "should" be. You know better. You are literal sons and daughters of the Almighty God. He loves you and wants the best for you, found on the path only through Christ.

In Mosiah 3:17 it reads: "And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."

Remember who you are. I love you all, my brothers and sisters!

Hermana Lydia Pamela Vance

What Lack I Yet?

Time has been flying, as I just hit my 8 month mark on my mission. I hope you are all enjoying the cold; it gets chilly here too, especially next to the beach as the humidity mixes with the cold. It goes right through my bones sometimes, but I still love it. I am missing snow a little bit, but you all can make some snowmen and go sledding for me!

This past week we went to the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum with the elders and it was so fun! It was really neat to go out and see some great, famous, interesting and very different artwork!

This week our ward missionary leader, Cristian, came back from being out of town. He was working at the MTC for a few weeks, and he came back with endless stories about me that the other teachers had told him; like the one on my 3^rd day in the MTC, when I almost set the whole cafeteria on fire single-handedly. That´s what happens when you just want to warm up your bread roll for 20 seconds in the microwave, but you don’t realize one of the teachers was using it before you and set it to "oven-mode". I turned my back for a few seconds and saw black smoke everywhere! Everyone freaked out and was wondering who did it. At first, I thought the same thing … "yeah, who would do that? Who just left something in there?" Then I realized, whoops, that was me. The shameful, slow hand raise. Such funny and great memories! I miss and love that place! 

Jhon was baptized this last weekend!!! It was so incredible. The service went beautifully, and there were so many people, including many of his friends and family! What a remarkable experience to witness. He was so happy, and after the service, his mother bore a powerful, emotional testimony about all she had gone through to get her son here, and that ever since she was baptized, all she wanted was this for her children. As I was sitting beside Jhon at this time, I looked over to see tears rolling down his cheeks. You could feel the Spirit so strong, and you could feel the love within that family, after all they had gone through together and the love that Heavenly Father has for this family and all of the blessings and miracles they are going to see in their lives. Jhon has often talked to me about how badly he wants to serve a mission someday. He said "Hmm … Elder Escobar, I like the sound of that!" He is just precious! I am excited to continue to help him along this great journey. I know none of this would have happened without the help of the Lord. It was through our faith and trust in Him that all of this was possible.

This past week I was re-reading some notes I had from the conference we had with President and Hermana Pace and the Kearons. I really loved these verses, when the young man is talking to the Savior in Matthew 19:16-20:

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

 He saith unto him, which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 The young man saith unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

 Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."

After all we have accomplished and after all the good we do, we are still able to humble ourselves and ask, "What lack I yet?" What things are still holding me back? What can I still be doing better? I will be honest and say sometimes the answers we receive sting a little bit. We can only progress as we humble ourselves and have the desire to change and ACT.

Sister Kearon told us, "When we want to change, yes, on occasion, it does involve a little pain. You have to try and practice with it. Every time you do, you will move a little more upward on your eternal progression. The more spiritually refined you become, the more weaknesses you overcome, the more you will realize you have to improve and change. That is okay! Sometimes it takes us a month to work on something, such as a bad habit or weakness, and sometimes it can take us 10 years. Whatever it may be, DO NOT GIVE UP. EVER. The Lord is very, very patient."

Hermana Pace shared, "I have come to the acknowledgment of my weaknesses, but I have never let them immobilize me." 

As we notice these things, I can promise you that through the Lord, weak things can become strong. He is molding and shaping us into our divine identity. Every time we chip off a rough edge, we become more refined, but then we find another edge to work on. It is an ongoing process to our eternal perfection, only made possible through our perfect example, which is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love Him. I love His gospel, and I know He is at the head of this church and the forefront of this grand work of salvation … especially here in Spain.

Let him refine you, day by day, and I promise, you will never regret it.

Love ya’!

Hermana Vance