People from Blake's Mission

     Since Blake served his mission in Spain, he was really excited to get to reconnect with some of the people there that meant a lot to him.  I was able to meet some incredible church members.  From an elderly couple who were the first members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Spain, to recent converts who knew more about sacrifice and gratitude than I can even imagine.  We had the greatest time. 
   A lot of the people Blake taught were immigrants to Spain from Bolivia, Peru, or other third-world countries.  They were incredible people who didn't have much but were so genuinely willing to give of what they did have.  I wish I took a picture of all the food people made for us.  It was so amazing, we had just barely met them, (and there were a lot of us) but because they knew and loved Blake they would invite all 7-12 of us to dinner and prepare amazing meals.  These people exemplified the light of Christ.  It wasn't just one family either- three different families invited us in on extremely short notice to have dinner with them.  

   This is Esmerelda and Abraham's family.  They were incredible. Every decoration on their walls was either a picture of Christ or of the Temple.  They were extremely welcoming and opened their home to people so freely.  One of the people that really had an impact on Blake from his mission is Shirley (in the red).  Blake and his companion started teaching Shirley the discussions when he was there.  She was so excited to set a date for her baptism.  Two weeks before her baptism her entire house burned to the ground.  She and her 3 children lost every single thing that they owned except for the clothes on their backs.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose everything. She still kept her baptism date despite her huge personal tragedy.  

   

                                     

This is Sara. She was hilarious! She didn't really say anything, she just sat in a chair and put these fake lips and teeth in her mouth. She was adorable.   

 

This is Elianel.  She was such an angel! We met her the first night at Esmerelda and Abraham's house but she couldn't come back the next night for dinner so she left presents for me, Blake's mom, and his little sister McKell.  She gave Laurel and I brooches. (I'm wearing mine in the picture below) and she gave McKell a beautiful bracelet. 

                  

The guy in front is Archie.  An adorable Filipino (that's with an "F" right?) man that made us the most incredible food.  He and Blake have kept in touch since Blake came home.  He sends us Christmas cards and letters. Blake said that one day in church he complimented Archie on his tie and Archie immediately took it off and gave it to BLake without even saying anything.  He is the sweetest guy.

  Blake and Archie again

The Perez family from Peru.  She made the spiciest hot sauce that I have EVER tasted! And I love spicy food!

With Hernan and Sonja... and their little dog Titi.  They were so funny! Even though only two people in our seven person group spoke Spanish, we were all laughing the whole time.  And Sonja made the most incredible empanadas! 

  
   Los Reyes.  The couple on the left were the first members of the church in Murcia.  Hermano Reyes writes poetry and he read us a ten page poem in Spanish.. no idea what it meant but it sounded beautiful!