Eight Shermans: Our Last Few Days in Spain

Something to Think About

Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping all the commandments of God.

-Joseph Smith

Throughout his life, Joseph Smith would turn to God in prayer to seek the help and guidance he needed. A Church member recalled hearing him pray in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time of great personal difficulty: "Never until then had I heard a man address his Maker as though He was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child. . . . . There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the Lord standing facing His humblest of all servants I had ever seen." - Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith Priesthood/Relief Society Manual.

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"It is not always easy to follow a righteous plan and be obedient to the laws of society and the laws of the Lord. In the long run, however, following the rules is still the best pathway to obtaining all the things the Lord has promised."
- President James E. Faust (April Priesthood Session, 2007)

Friday, June 20, 2008

Our Last Few Days in Spain

During the last couple of weeks in Spain we went to Madrid and visited with some of our friends.

On Tuesday (June 10) we went to the Parque del Buen Retiro. The object of our visit was to rent boats and go rowing in the Estanque. Our goal was successful, but true-to-form it began to rain. But undaunted we remained to row until it stopped.

Afterwards we visited the Casa de la Vaca where there was an interesting exhibit of Romantic British Painters whose subjects were Spain and its people. Our biggest surprise was the statue out front. Due to the explicit nature of the statue, we felt compelled to censure it for a general audience.

We then wandered around the park and visited one of Jannette's favorite spots, the Rose Garden.

The park is so beautiful, especially on a rainy day!!

Later that afternoon we visited with Fe, our dear friend who for years arranged housing for our program when it was in Madrid. We had a wonderful visit with her.

On Wednesday we visited the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The museum holds one of the most amazing collections of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. The kids had a chance to see works by Renoir, Pissarro, Van Gogh, Picasso and Kadinsky. It was a great morning. Afterwards we had lunch with our friends Jorge and Pizca.

On our way home we stopped at the Madrid Temple.

It was wonderful because it promoted family unity and love. Isn't Jeremy just loved so much!!!

The only problem was when Seth tried to break into the Temple. Good thing that it was closed for cleaning!!!

On Thursday we returned to the Museo del Prado and spent a couple of hours there. We took the opportunity to revisit the special exhibit on Renaissance Portraits, which is absolutely fantastic. After visiting some of our "old friends" in the permanent collection (including works by Murillo, Ribalta, Ribera, and Goya), we had lunch with Antonio. He treated us and the kids to a Burger King extravaganza. It was wonderful!!! After lunch we wandered downtown to the Palacio Real and to buy some souvenirs before returning back to Alcalá.

While making our souvenir rounds, the kids got a little crazy!!!