Kaleb's first transfer....wait for it...

Hello family!

I don´t have very much time, because I have just arrived in the Islands! From what I can tell, the weather is fantastic, and the work as well. I just wanted to let you know that I have arrived safely in vecindario, on the island Gran Canaria. It has been a very long day of flights and train rides, but I am here and ready to get to work mañana!

Thank you so much for your support! I love you!

Élder Rawlinson

February 9th

Dear Family,

This week, I will have been out for 4 months! Woah! How time flies. What people say about the mission is really true. The weeks are very long, but the months are very short. I will also be finishing my training in the 12 week program after this week, and the new transfer starts next week. It will be interesting to see if anything changes. There is a chance that I could go to another area, but I could also stay here in Avilés. I will find out on Saturday, and then changes happen on next Monday. I am very excited and very nervous at the same time. I don´t want to leave Avilés yet, but mostly I don´t want to leave the people here. A change would be very exciting as well, but we will see what happens!

I can´t believe that Mark is going to be home in a month! It seems like so many crazy things are happening now that I am out here. Speaking of that, how is JB doing? Is he living with his parents now that he is home?

I love Mosiah 3:19. That scripture really sums up our purpose here on earth, to put off the natural man. I love how much the scriptures can help us our own lives. And I really understand why we are always told to read them daily. I read over John 9 this morning in my personal study, which is the story of Christ healing the blind man on the Sabbath. I absolutely love this story, and how we can relate it to our experience on earth. Just like this blind man, we are born with a veil, so that we can´t perceive everything spiritually, that we need to learn for ourselves how to put off the natural man, and become a saint. It is through Christ that we can see again, and I am so grateful for that.

That's about it family! You guys are fantastic! I carry that second photo that you sent me in my bag to show investigators and members, and they absolutely love it. I love you all. I look forward to spending eternity with each of you.

Your son/brother,

Élder Rawlinson

PS. In your next package, could you please send me something? Can you send me a copy of that Mormon tabernacle album that we have in iTunes? The one with the classical music? Thank you!

This is a picture taken above the town of Oviedo, Spain

February 2, 2014

Hello Family!

I did get that money! And when I get a chance, I will exchange it for Euros. That is so cool to hear about Donelle! I´m so glad that she got a job, and that Noah is going to PG! Tell him to say hi to some of my teachers and friends while he is there!

The past week was awesome! We had a Reigonal conference that was presided over by Elder Ballard, and transmitted to all of the members in Spain, Portugal, and Cape Verde. It was awesome! We had to take a bus to Gijon, a larger city about 30 minutes away to watch it in their capilla. All of the members in the district of León were there to watch the conference. It really focused on member missionary work, but we still learned quite a bit there. We had the chance to meet with president Jackson and have interviews. I am so grateful for him and his great example for us.

Today, we went to Covadonga, which is a little pueblo in the mountains of Asturias. It is so gorgeous, I will send pictures next week! To sum up though, we met a pony, and I drank from a fountain seven times to ensure that I will be married soon. I don´t know if it still works if I will be on a mission for the next 20 months. Haha, probably not. :)

I know I say this almost every week, but I am so grateful for this chance that I have to serve a mission. I have learned soooo much about the Gospel, and about myself. It is definitely difficult. But when I remember my family supporting me spiritually at home, it is much easier. Thank you for all you do! 

Love you so much!

Élder Rawlinson

This is Kaleb and his companion, Elder Parkinson, above the mountains in Oviedo in front of the Christo statue