Elder Thompson becomes a quilter!

Sister Thompson had overextended her efforts once again. She needed to complete some puppets for the Inca Primary who would be practicing for a puppet show performance of Esther. At the same time the Inca Relief Society was finishing up a project, making lap quilts for a senior center. Sister T. had to quilt one small lap quilt so that the sister in Inca could sew the border later that evening. Time was running out! So she asked Brother T. if he could possibly quilt while she made puppets. He consented, set up the frame in a unique manner and went to work. Sister T. kept threading needles and he kept making square knots! What a team! The quilt was delivered to the Relief Society just in time.

Manacor Primary performs with songs and scripturess

When Sis. Thompson visited the Primary one Sunday, she found that they had difficulty staying on tune as they sang their Primary songs. So with the help of the priesthood who moved their class to another room, the Primary children began practicing with the keyboard in the chapel. One of the older students could play one hand with one of the numbers, so Sister Thompson played the left hand and the two were able to accompany together. After two months of practicing,the Primary presented a fine program with scriptures, talks and wonderful singing. The members attending enjoyed every minute of their performance.

A mini CCM was held in Palma for our Zone

Here is the Baleares Zone who have just completed two days of training by President and Sister Hinckley. We are all looking forward to putting into practice the new ideas shared at this occasion. It is always good to see the elders who are serving on the island of Menorca--Elder Bajanas and Elder Rhead. They are the only two elders there and are not able to join us on a weekly basis as our district meetings.

Senior Couples gather in Barcelona for Training

All the Baleares Zone flew to Barcelona for a training with Elder Teixeria from the Quorum of Seventy. Los Thompson were so thrilled to enjoy the spiritual training as well as time with the other senior couples who live in Barcelona, the Hadleys, the Lunds, and the Belnaps. The Hadleys showed us the Young Adult Center where they are assigned, explaining all the activities that happen there. In addition, they shared their apartment with us for two days. The Lunds gave us supplies to take back to Mallorca and the Belnaps fed us and all the other missionaries gathered there. We are grateful to know such hardworking and dedicated seniors.

A soft spoken Argentinean is baptized in Palma

Elder Harris and Elder Bowers met Gustavo on the streets of Inca. He had seen the missionaries before and was finally ready to learn what they had to offer. As he was studying with the elders, Gustavo became a good friend of Jose Antonio, an Inca Branch member from the Dominican Republic. When Gustavo was ready for baptism, he asked Jose Antonio to be the officiator.

Noelia liked Sister T,s costume better--

Noelia, a young member of the Manacor Branch tried the headpiece of Sis. Thompson. She looked much better in it than Sis. T. Noelia livened up the October Fiesta, you can be sure of that!

An October Fiesta in Manacor

The Manacor Branch held a Halloween fiesta with pumpkin painting, catching apples on strings, a costume contest, and lots of food made from pumpkins or calabasas as they are called in Spain. The large round pumpkins are not grown in Spain, so we used a orange colored squash in its place. Pictures is Marcy and her son biting the apple together--remember no hands allowed!

A Member from the Manacor Branch moves away

Giovani was introduced to Los Thompson last Spring in Manacor. He had been working in Switzerland with a Spanish crew and had picked up some German. He wanted to improve his German, so he began meeting with Elder Thompson each week for lessons. Sometimes the missionaries taught him the gospel as well. Los Thompson watched him grow in his understanding of the gospel and in using his priesthood. We have been so gratified to see him studying the gospel and growing in confidence. We are so sorry to have him leave Manacor, but are anxious for him to find a secure living conditions. He is dressed in warm clothing for his new climate.

Elders from the Baleares District are gathered to organize

This group of elders gathers each Tuesday for district planning and teaching. From left to right are Elder Bowers (Los Vegas) Elder Greep (South Jordan, Ut.), Elder Bennington (Cincinnati, Ohio and lately Chicago), Elder Sommerfeldt (Mapleton, Ut.), Elder Jacinto(San Diego), Elder Harris (Clovis, N.M.), and Elder Cannell (No. Calif. and now Ogden). They are a group of dedicated, talented young men who are serious about their work as missionaries. They do have their funny moments, however. With transfers coming up soon, these companionships will likely change.

The Inca Piso is cleaned and vacated

Due to the changes in the size of the Barcelona Espana Mission and the number of missionaries we are receiving, the size of our zone has been diminished by two elders. Therefore, Elder Harris and Elder Bowers moved from Inca to Manacor. However, Los Thompson and the elders had to clean and shine the Inca piso before vacating it. We also gathered every kitchen and cleaning utensil that belonged to the mission and stuffed them along with the elders into our small Opal Corsa. The elders are looking their funniest because they hardly have breathing room during our drive to their new quarters.

A Memorable Event in October

Due to the untiring efforts of Elder Harris and Elder Bowers, Antonio Morales consented to be baptized on October 16 at the Palma Branch baptistry. Elder Thompson was invited to baptize him. Elder Harris offered his "chapa" or badge for Antonio to wear for this picture. Antonio is wearing his new Sunday best clothing and is ready to begin a new chapter in his life.

Since June the missionary apartment above us has been vacant due to the changes in the number of missionaries in the Barcelona Espana Mission. The Church changed the missions in Spain from 4 to three, enlarging the area for the Barcelona Mission and shrinking the number of missionaries assigned here. With the apartment vacant, Los Thompson gradually cleaned it as time permitted. One poster that has been hanging in the piso shows the determination of the missionaries who have stayed there. They want to do their work well and to be a force for good.

The Manacor Branch bid farewell to a strong and able member--Fabiola Flaquer. She and her two children recently returned to their homeland of Santiago, Chile. Fabiola has been a seminary teacher, a Relief Society counselor, and a member of the Activities Committee. She would patiently try to communicate with Los Thompson to help us understand Espanol. Pictured are many of the Manacor sisters happy to be together yet sad to see Fabiola (next to Sister T. on the right)leave. Her husband Pablo will follow her shortly.

The Inca Primary has an end of summer party in a secluded park, formerly a monestary at the edge of the town of LLubi. Each of these children is so bright and happy that it is a pleasure to be with them.

The September monthly activity in the Inca Branch centered on service. We made lap quilts for a senior care center nearby. Sister T. invented a way to make a frame to do the quilting and Bro. T. bought lengths of wood and clamps so it could actually happen. We set up the frames between table so we could thread under the stretched fabric. It actually worked! A good number of members (both men and women) took part, threading and tying.

Friedmans visit Mallorca.jpg

Our neighbors Jonathan and Leeann Friedman came to Mallorca bearing gifts for us--vitamins, Franklin planner inserts, and sleeping herbs. We were so happy to see them and grateful for their acting as our mail service. We showed them Valldemossa where we enjoyed a lovely patio luncheon.

The Inca Elders have worked with an entertainer from Cape Town, South Africa. Lincoln is very talented and could be a part of the Gladys Knight Motown Singers. Vinguel and Dessire, members of the Inca Branch joined us for a night watching Lincoln sing and dance.

We have found a deaf Russian who lipreads and helps us clean our piso.

Since Sister T. was a former teacher of the deaf, any time a deaf person in in the area, she can find them. While having pictures framed for the two branches, we met Olga. She came to Mallorca to find work cleaning the hotels, even completed a 6 month course to do so. We are getting her help in our apartment while she continues to look for work. She is a happy, very competent cleaner, always telling us to eat healthy foods and breathe clean air.

Felanitx is Christopher Columbus country

South of Manacor is the town of Felanitx. Our member friend, Catalina showed us the castle and nearby the possible birth place or dwelling for Christopher Columbus. According to the locals Columbus'father was incarcerated in the jail in the castle.

Los Hinckley visit Mallorca and speak in Manacor

After a spiritual Sunday service, we are invited to participate in blessing a new home for the Tiberi family in Ca's Concos. Brother Tiberi invites the branch members for a barbeque--Argentinian style. Then the house is blessed. Here are The Hinckleys, Thompsons and Tiberis in the new dwelling.

Tough duty but someone has to do it

We are visiting a member who is a caretaker for a lovely property in Cala Rajada. His wife is receiving the lessons. Elders Ames and Harris, Los Thompson are viewing a luxurious pool and patio that could be very tempting,--but we prevail and teach about the restoration.

Preparation Day in Palma with all elders in Baleares zone.

We found an old tennis club with an unused pool and four clay courts. The elders were sure that Los Thompson would get beat this time, but once again we prevailed. The elders teamed up to play each other in fun competition but ended up throwing a football--Elder Harris'favorite sport.

Four elders succeed in preaching the gospel to Marcy

It took 6 elders to finally convince Marcy of the truthfulness of their message. Elders Hansen and Roos began the lesson. Elders Bodily and Ballard, Ames and Harris (pictured above) continued until she was filled with love for the doctrine.

The Book of Mormon touched her heart

Elder Thompson is privileged to baptize Marcy, our sweet friend from Brazil. At first she wasn't interested, but once Elder Hansen and Bodily got her reading the Book of Mormon she felt the spirit. As she said, "She was hooked." She cares for a senior citizen in Manacor and has used the Church website to learn more about the church.

A lost member found in Portocolom-Catalina

On Sunday afternoons the Thompsons and the Elders went hunting for lost members on the branch records. Most members have moved, but one was found--a jewel named Catalina.

Preparation Days are a needed relief for the missionaries

The elders always look forward to P-Day (a preparation day to clean, shop, email,sight see).Here are Elders Ames and Henrie, Hansen and Bodily enjoying the view at Formentor.

LorenaTiberi from the Manacor Branch met a fine young returned missionary at a YSA outing in Madrid. She married him in August. Here is the Manacor ladies celebrating her engagement.

Fountain of Youth!

Sister Thompson thinks she has found
the fountain of youth!
Maybe spending a lot of time with the young elders
is actually the secret.

The Thompsons are teaching the elders to play tennis,
but so far, they haven't been beaten.They are sharing the gospel with a family from Honduras,

and that family is sharing their cooking skills.They have worked hard teaching the gospel to the Sanchez family.Elder Thompson's Spanish is improving a lot.

Three Men in Black work the streets of Alcudia Old Town.

This is the Castro Family in Cala Millor.

These elders in Manacor gave up their apartment
for the Thompsons.

Of course,
Sister Thompson always pays back with food.

Elder Thompson joined with the young elders
in singing for Zone Conference.

This is the road to Sa Colobra.

The views make anyone
feel young again!

Beautiful Palma

This is our zone, assembled for interviews.
Also with us are Larrubia and Jose Antonio.

These windmills are on Mallorca.

The Bay of Palma is very scenic.

We don't miss the snow at home.
We have plenty here!

There was snow in Manacor, too.
Manacor has a lot of narrow streets,
but thanks to Roger's pre-mission health regimen,
he has no problem getting through.

This is a handsome sight!
Also in the scene is the bay at Porto Cristo.

There are old rock walls and beautiful orchards
in the Inca area.

South of Inca is this Pueblo of Campanet.
The snow-capped mountains rise above Inca.
The farmland is beautiful near Maria de Salud.

We substituted for the Elders one week
and taught their English class.
One particular investigator liked the class
and returned!

One of our difficult responsibilities is to find
a place for President and Sister Hinckley to eat after interviews.
But Sister Thompson is up to the task.

There is always food after interviews.
Here we are with the Elders in Kabob for district meetings.

We enjoyed a wonderful family home evening
in our humble piso.

Elders Naseath and Roos, our neighbors,
are shown here guarding our front door.

This future elder is serving a youth mission,
here shown with Elders Hardcastle and Thompson.

We love the members of our branch.
Here are Lorene and Novia and their sister and her boyfriend.