Little By Little

Hey Everyone!

Little by Little the weeks here in Tarragona are getting better and going by

faster! The work in our area is starting to pick up and I feel better about

working. This week was the fist week at church that I was really able to

talk to some of the members and connect to them, and that is what I love!

This week I went on an Intercambio with the District Leader. His name is

Elder Shumway. He is from Orem, Utah and we had a great time together! He

taught me a lot of things and ways I can get things going here in Tarragona,

but most importantly, he taught me that I just needed to calm down and

relax!!! And let me tell you, these last couple days have been SO MUCH

BETTER!! Thinking back, I think I was more stressed about training than I

actually thought I was. I was so worried about Elder Wiscombe learning this

and trying to be some kind of super missionary, that I was killing myself! I

think I actually realized this week that I have only been in the field for a

little over 3 transfers and really, I am still training myself! I also think

that I have been forgetting to have fun! So the past couple days we really

have been having a good time together and just DOING WORK! It has been so

much better!

So everything thing with Ana is great! She came to church yesterday, and as

long as we can finish teaching her everything and she passes her interview

on Thursday, she will be baptized on Saturday! I kind of talked Ana into

letting Elder Wiscombe baptize her so I think he is really excited/nervous!

I think it is great! He will be getting his first baptism within his first

transfer in the mission! I love it! It will be awesome! Please keep praying

for her and for us! As we all know, The week before the Baptism is when

Satan tries his hardest!

We also talked to an AWESOME Nigerian man yesterday named Dominion! I LOVE

NIGERIANS! haha It is a blast to talk to them! They are just so sweet and

easy to connect to! All you have to do is call them brother, speak a little

pigeon English, do their special handshake and you are IN! haha Anyway, He

said that he just moved her from the islands and he was talking to the

missionaries there but never really took them seriously. He just likes to

talk to them because they spoke english and we great kids, but now he is

really interested in hearing what we have to teach because he thinks it is

great that we dedicate our lives to God for 2 years and preach the gospel.

He told us that he has a wife and a little girl who is 9 years old! BOOM! We

have our second visit with them on Tuesday! I am super stoked to teach them!

I can not tell you how much fun it would have been to serve in Nigeria! O

man, probably not the best living and eating but O MAN it would be so much

fun! haha

So that is about it from here in Tarragona... Right now I am feeling a lot

better about things and the future is looking better! It should be great!

Yesterday they started putting up Christmas lights and decorations in the

City! WHAT! Cant believe it is the holidays already! Too bad you guys arent

goign on vacation! You guys just knew it would be fun without good old Older

Brother James! :) Or you guys just arent telling me where you are going to

not make me feel bad... haha

Well, I love you guys! I tried to send some pics but this computer wasnt

working right... Next week! Keep up the good work! Love you guys lots!

Love

Elder Carrigan

P.S. Emily Kay Brown = BEAUTIFUL! Good Work Brown Family!

WE ARE AT WAR!!!

Hey everyone!

So like the title says! We are officially at war with the cockroaches in our Piso! I decided that since I will probably be living here for the next little while I wasnt going to put up with living in a crappy piso! So I started going to town last P day! This Piso is so nasty! Vitoria was pretty bad also but after we went to town on it it was much better and so much easier to feel the spirit and work! So I chewed the other elders out and now its a little better but we still have some work to do today! But anyway, I hope you enjoy the picture!!!!! haha Dad I am sorry, I still havent taken many pictures here! I guess I just dont know what you want to see! I will try to strat snapping a lot this week!

So things here in Tarragona are slowly getting better... We had a lot of potential visits set up but a lot of them fired on us so that really blew! It I feel like I am starting to really get a feel of how things work here and hopefully things will really start to pick up! We have some really great investigators rigth now that we are working with but everything is still in the starting stage of the lessons. At the beggining of the week we met with a lady named Ana from Cuba! She is amazing! She doesnt really know much about Jesus Christ because when she was in Cuba she lived really far from the church and wasnt able to attend. In our lesson, we were planning on just having a "lesson 0" with her and getting to know her, her background, and then go from there As we began to talk to her, the conversation slowly turned into the importance of Christ in our lives and why we need to shape our life to be like his, I then slowly started talking about baptism. As I explained baptism and how the ordinance is performed she became real alert. When I was done explaining it, she asked me to explain it again... I thought to myself, o great! She doesnt understand! My spanish is terrible or I simply cant teach... So I drew a picture, after i drew a terrible looking picture and tried to explain it again, she asked me to explain it again! Im thinking to myself! O gosh! How can she not understand! So we took her in the church and showed her the font and the picture of Jesus Christ while he is getting baptized. She then looked at me and said, I have seen this all in a dream! Me standing here in White! BOOM! Another dreamer! So we asked her on the spot if she would get baptized and she accepted a date! Miracles!!! it is amazing what the Lord has in store for us! Unfortunately, she didnt come to chuch yesterday so we will have to change the date , but thats a different story.... With a little work she will be baptized! I know it!

We had interviews with President Pace this week, and I always love talking to him! He is a great guy who always gives me a little extra motivation for the week! They went really well! He gave some tips on things I could do and talked to me about the importance of trainning and all that jazz! I cant express how glad I am to have such an awesome mission president. I feel like if I didnt like my mission president it would be just that much harder to be here! Its definitely the little things that keep me going on the rough days!

This week, once again has a lot of potential, but I dont like potential. Too much risk involved for a fired visit! Tarragona just works a lot differently than Vitoria did and I am still trying to adjust. In Vitoria we worked a lot with the less active families. There was always something do and always someone to visit and we hardly ever had a visit fire on us! He contacted in the streets a lot and rarely knocked doors! Here, Totally different! We had more lessons fire on us last week than we did lesson, it is super hard to visit someone else because the live super far away, Less actives dont give you the time of day, and all we do is knock doors... Im not a big fan of it! I dont mind knocking doors but I would much rather work through visits with less actives and members! Its just different! Yes, change is good, it is just super hard to adjust!

Well Fam! I love you all! Hope everything is going well at home! I love you all tons! Thanks for everything!

Elder Carrigan

Little By Little

Hey Everyone! 

First off thank you for the emails of support and advice! They really helped! This week as been pretty slow, but what can you expect. New area, I dont know anyone.... Its been rough! The first couple days, as you could tell, I was freaking out and had no idea what to do! Luckily that feeling is slowly going away... The first couple days I just had no idea what i was doing! The other Elders here havent really been helping me much which is a pain! I was expecting them to help me make a smoother transition into the ward (Getting to know the members, Menos Activos, Investigators) but they didnt really help much... The basically just threw the area book in my face and said good luck! It was crap... So I started looking through the area book but mission area books are such a joke its not even funny! So then I just maned up and started calling people. The phont the office gave me was full of just tons of investigators and Future investigators so I called people for like 2 to 3 hours straight... Im still not done. I have found a ton of potential investigators and hopefully we will start teaching some of them this week.

I feel bad though because we have been in Piso a lot these past couple days calling people and trying to set up visits. I think Elder Wiscombe is a little bored which is never good for a new missionary. Every once in a while, we would take a "break" and go contact people. He doesnt like contacting too much either! haha Is Spanish isnt that great and the people here dont understand him at all. He has a hard farmers boy accent haha. But he tries! We tried to contact this man, and I told Elder Wiscombe that it was his turn to start the contact. He went up and started talking to the guy, The man stoped him midway through his sentence and said I have no Idea what he just said! haha I had to try super hard not to start laughing! Being a couple days with a new missionary has made me realize how fast the Lord has blessed me with being able to speak spanish. My spanish still isnt perfect and I still dont understand everything but I can get by! It is definitely the little things that kept me going this week!

Trying to learn my area is definitely the hardest thing right now. Tarragona is a very intersting area. The city of Tarragona is pretty small and easy to understand, but then there are pueblos everywhere! And all the members live in the pueblos! Its a pain! I hate pueblos! They take forever to get out there and are just a straight pain. Its like trying to learn 5 different areas because I have to learn 5 different small cities. It sucks, but it is what it is. I am just learnign a little bit at a time...

So my address in Tarragona is this

Elder James Carrigan
Calle Rambla Nova 125, 3, 3
43001 Tarragona
Spain

I dont mind is you guys send me things but as far as friends, just tell them to send things to the mission home. It will be easier this way! Thanks!

Dad, everythign you said you were sending sounds great! I would love if you sent me that ballot! President Pace said we could try to set it up online and all that but I just dont have time to try to figure out how to do everything! If you could send it to me also with some instructions on what to do that would be great!

Well, I think that is pretty much it this week... Sorry, not much went down! Thanks again for the prayers and the love and support! I am still feeling a little overwhelmed, but this are gettign better little by little. Thanks for everything! Love you all!

Elder Carrigan

Training?!?!?!

So I have some time to write you guys today because my companion gets to write home and tell him them about everything... You know the story. So let me give you the run down today and then I can fill in details and answer all your questions on Monday. So here is the story... Elder Tyler and I were in weekly correlation meeting with our ward mission leader when we recieved a call from President Pace. Elder Tyler answered the phone and described that two visa waiters were coming in and they had barely found out it. If they would have known the would have planned during transfers but because they didnt know, obviously they couldnt plan for it. He told Elder Tyler that they were in need of some trainers and that we would be training. At first Elder Tyler and I believed that we would be put into a trio and train a new elder in Vitoria, so we were pretty stoked! President Pace then asked to talk to me... He asked me if I would be willing to train and I told him that it shouldnt be a problem. It wouldnt be a problem. He then told me I would be leaving for Tarragona and whitewashing ... I then realized that I wasnt going to be in a trio... My heart dropped! haha I had to ask him to repeat what he said... So he then told us that we needed to be in Barcelona the next day around noon... May I remind you that this correlation meeting was at noon! So 24 hours... Elder Tyler and I changed all my plans so I could see as many people before I left Vitoria! Honestly, it was tough saying goodbye to everyone and I didnt get to say goodbye to a lot of people because I had to pack all my crap. We took the latest bus we could up to Bilbao, stayed the night in Bilbao, and then woke up the next morning to take the 640 train to Barcelona. I sat on a train for 7 hours to Barcelona. Barcelona is SO humid and hot! I hate it! I miss the nice cool north already... haha So anyway, we met our new companions, took some pictures, and then parted ways. Elder Tyler to Vitoria with his "son" and me with my "son" to Tarragona. So these last couple days have been absolutely crazy!

So now info about Tarragona.

Tarragona is about a 45 minute train ride from Barcelona. It is a smaller city like Vitoria but surrounded bt Publos. I have heard that Tarragona was a Naval Base for the Romans back in the day so there are a lot of ruins, but I am yet to see one, There were two elders here working here before we got here and we live with them. So its not exactly a complete whitewash but it still is going to be tough to get to know everyone and the area by ourselves. There is a ward here and from what I here it is huge! I am stoked for this! I have heard there are tons of youth and young single adults as well! It will be a lot different from the small branch in Vitoria! The Piso here isnt too bad but it isnt the best either! It is super dirty and nasty! I dont know why some Elders chopse to live this way, but I refuse so I have been cleaning in all the spare time I have haha. And yes I have found a few suprises crawling around. Mom you wont want to read this part, we live with cockroaches... Yay! haha We will have to try and solve the problem! We wilve with two other elders who are both from Texas, and as you can guess, I have already heard enough about how great Texas is! haha Got to love those Texans! They are both kind of interesting.... Interesting Texans... Ya,we will see how it goes...

Now my "son"

My companions name is Elder Wiscombe. He is from Morgan Utah and lives on a farm... haha Like me in the begining of my mission, He doesnt speak any spanish. In fact, he doesnt speak much English. He is super super shy. I am going to have to find a way to break him out of his shell or I am going to go crazy! Um I dont know what else to tell ya. He loves math and was the... I cant remember what its called... Its the person who is like the best math student in the school... Ya that... He went to Morgan High School. His nickname is Swoosh but he doesnt play basketball... Still a little confused on this one... And ya thats about it... If you want to know more let me know. Unfortunately, I forgot my little photo thing in my suitcase in piso so I will have to send photos on Monday... Sorry!

Summery of this whole situation. I am super nervous and feel super unprepared to do this... For the past two days I have thinking that President needs to reset his revelation signal because he got this one wrong! haha I know once I get the hang of things here in Tarragona it will be easier but its going to be tough! I would love all the prays and all the advise anyone has. I am sure it can only help!

Well I love you all tons and thank you for you support and incouraging words! I will send you pictures and my new address on Monday. I will talk to you guys then!

Much love!

Elder Carrigan

A GIANT surprise

So, I am writing you a quick letter to tell you some crazy news. Mom, remember how I told you I felt like this was going to be my last 6 weeks in Vitoria... Ya it was more like my last week in Vitoria... I recieved a call today from President Pace telling me that I am leaving tomorrow morning! I know you guys and others were planning on sending things to me sometime soon. DONT SEND THEM TO VITORIA! Send them either to the office or wait till I give you my new address...

Why am I leaving? Very good question...ç
President Pace asked me today to train a new missionary that is coming in tomorrow... He was a Visa Waiter in Provo... I will be white washing a city called Zaragoza. (White washing means missionaries havent worked there for sometime, or reopening is a better word) So, I will be reopening an area and trainning a new missionary.... I cant tell you how nervous I am!

More information to come on Monday! Love you all lots! Have a great Tuesday!

Love
Elder Carrigan

P.S. PRAY LOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Wake Up My Friends, Its Time For Conference!

Family!

Another week goes by and it ended in the greatest way possible! Conference weekend! Conference was a lot different this year, and I think for the first time in my life I actually missed dad running down the stairs playing a fake trumpet and yelling, "Wake up my friends, its time for conference!" haha It truly is interesting what you miss on the mission.

Conference was amazing! We watched it in the church with all the members and since we have some members here in Vitoria who speak english, I was able to watch it in English. I was very happy! haha Unfortunately, we dont have the chance to watch the Sunday afternoon session and we had to watch the priesthood session in Spanish due to some problems... But I loved it all. When we were finished watching conference I wanted to watch more! I was dying we couldnt watch the last session! Please send me the magazine! haha Overall, I think my favorite talk was from President Uchtdorf in the Saturday morning session. He said two things that just hit me really deep for some reason. He was talking about enjoying the things we are doing in life in the moment. Too many times in this life we go through things way to fast and forget to stop and look around. The quotes I loved went like this.

"Dont wait until you are about to die, to learn how to live"  and "Stop looking with your eyes and start looking with your heart"

Great advice to everyone and I definitely think it is great for missionaries. I have already seen way to many missionaries, and even myself at times, who just want to get through there mission way too fast! We forget to enjoy where we are and what we are doing! So coming away from conference it is my goal to enjoy the little things in my mission a little more. Enjoy the time here and love what I am doing!

And of course the famous announcement! Crazy! When he announced it, my mind went straight to everyone I knew who can know turn in papers or is now very close to turning in papers! So if you hear what people are going to start doing, please let me know! Definitely tell me what Justin and Nick are planning on doing! I was trying to think what I would have done if I had the chance to leave at 18... I still dont know what I have done. Looking back on freshman year, I am really happy that I did go to school because I learned a lot of things that have helped me here and I had an absolute blast, but if I would have had the option of leaving before I knew what school would be like... I honestly dont know what I would have done. The one thing I do like is I think it becomes a bigger and more personal desicion for everyone. For me, my option was 1 semester or 2 semesters of school. Now there is a lot more that factors into it, One thing for sure, START PREPARING NOW. We had an opportunity to watch the press conference where Elder Holland and Nelson talked about it, and they both said that MTC time would be cut down by at least 1/3. To me thats a lot of time. Nick, Justin, whoever. Prepare. Know The Book of Mormon and know Preach My Gospel! Like Elder Holland also said in the Press Conference, "We need missionaries the first day they get into the field!" There is a lot of work to be done!

Well Fam, thats about it from here in Vitoria... Not much is going down. Elder Tyler and continue to try to find some more to teach... I think it was actually easier to contact with Rios, people automatically had a connection if they were from South America! Nobody wants to listen to two white kids in suits who dont speak spanish very well haha. We try! We have faith and know in time we will find someone! No worries! The Lord works miracles!

As far as things I need... I think I am fine! Like I said, I am pretty content right now.. The only thing I can think of is some more pens (The kind that dad likes) but dont rush! I will be fine! I found ONE in a store yesterday and I was going to buy it, it was almost 2 euros... What a joke! haha So ya... Other than that, I think I am good!

Thanks for everything! Love you all and I hope you all had a wonderfull conference weekend! I know I did!!

Love
Elder Carrigan

Pig Feet and Chicken Bones

Whats up Whats Up!

 Another week goes by... Time flies by it is crazy! I just realized yesterday that I have been in Vitoria for 3 months! I cant believe it! Where did the time go!?

Well anyway, This week has been pretty average and a little on the boring side... We dont have many investigators right now because when Elder Rios found out he was leaving, he got super trunky of Vitoria haha. This week we spent most of the time sayign goodbye to members, taking tons of photos and blah blah blah. It was also good though because now Elder Tyler knows just about everyone here in Vitoria and knows the area pretty well. It was also a very good week because just about every family here wanted to invite him over to eat before he left. I honestly dont think I will have to eat this week... I have never eaten so much in my life. So yes, you can probably guess by now, that this week Pig Feet and Chicken bones were on the menu... We ate chicken bones with an African Family. They are great but eatign with them is always interesting. She made us this great chicken and I ate it all and loved it, Then the mom turned to me and said, do you not like the bones... O geez! I knew I had to eat them.... There is never another choice! haha Ya... It was interesting haha. So then the next day we at a house of some Columbians, I think. And they fed us some awesome soup and then pig feet...I hope I never have to eat pig feet again! Honestly, If I could describe it, It is like biting straight into a huge thing of FAT! It was terrible. I just took it down as fast as I could! Elder Tyler tried to do the same... haha but he choked on it! hahaha Elder Rios had to give him the hymlic hahahaha Honestly, the scariest but funniest thing I have ever seen! hahaha The Mom was freaking out! hahaha Awesome! I am pretty sure she will never feed us Pig Feet again and I am alright with that! haha

So that is the story for the week... Nothing else really went down! It turns out that Elder Olaya was also transfered! O my gosh I cant explain how happy I was haha. But the new elder that came is just as interesting... His name is Elder Hikola and is from Finland... He is a GAMER! That eplains it all... He is about 3 times the size I am. haha. Ya it should be fun,

Anyway, Elder Tyler and I are ready to get back to working hard here in Vitoria! Right now the other Elders here in Vitoria have 5 fetchas. Pretty exciting right. we should see some baptisms soon and we are all really excited for conference this week! Unfortunately we dont get to watch the Sunday night session... Here they have like a conference marathon on sunday! We watch almost all the sessions on Sunday... I might die haha! We will see! Luckily, because all the africans that attend church that speak english. There is a good chance they are going to play it in english in a different room! Im stoked! But yes please send the magazine when it comes...

Well thats about all for this week... It was fun chatting with soem of you today! It is always great to hear from everyone and how things are going back home! Good to hear everythign is well! I love you all tons and I will talk to you next week!

Love you all!

Elder Carrigan