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.