Miracles

Some Miracles of the Week:

1. The elders met a man named Deon for literally 20 seconds in Newton Abbot, but in those 20 seconds he said he had faith, but dint have a church to go to and gave them his phone number and told them he lived in Teignmouth. The elders then called us to let us know about him and to give him a call later that evening. Literally an hour later, we were walking in Teignmouth and stopped a man. Turns out it was Deon! We proceeded to teach him, and set up a time to meet again. I think the Lord really wants Deon to be taught and we are excited about him.

2. We watched Finding Faith in Christ with Alan, and it was one of those teaches where the truth just clicked. The Spirit was there and he was able to understood more fully about who our Savior really is and what he has done for us. He was tearing up, and although he was feeling awful he came to church on Sunday. There was some drama between him and a less active member that he actually knows, but thanks to the elders and another member they were able to calm him down in a classroom and his whole demeanor changed from the beginning of church to the end. The blessings of coming to church are real, even when we feel horrible.

3. Maxie has not been feeling good lately, but she was driving around the roundabout by the church one evening and saw the lights on and remembered that it was choir. She felt like she needed to just sing to feel better, and lo and behold right as we are walking by the chapel we see her and is like is that Maxie!? We never usually go to choir on Wednesday, but we felt like we should that day. We were late, and it seriously was just meant to be that we could just see her since we hadn't been able to for a few days. After choir there was a relief society activity that she stayed for, and it was so good to see her smiling and happy and participating. Yet again the gospel, the members, the chapel, and the Spirit uplift those in need. I love seeing it repeated again and again in so many lives.

Calming down and focusing on the person: So we are really busy lately in teaching and going on exchanges and what not, and there was one time I realized that I was stressing about getting to the next appointment during a teach with someone else, and I stopped and pondered afterwards: what am I doing? I need to just focus on this person and their needs at this moment, and trust that everything else that day will work out how it is meant to be AND NOT STRESS. I was reading in 3 Nephi today about the Savior visiting the Nephites in the Americas and I love how He was about to leave them after speaking and teaching them, but there is a moment where he just looks at them. He sees they have tears in their eyes, and he feels their faith. He is moved with compassion, and even though he needs to go, he stops to help those in need. He heals those in need, blesses the children one by one, and prays a beautiful prayer to Heavenly Father with them. They are filled with joy, and he is filled with joy. It is this circle of reciprocated love that really brings joy to our lives. BUT, this opportunity and joy that happened could have been easily missed if Jesus was stressed about time. I am learning that everything works out how it is meant to be, and we just need to stop and focus on the person that is right in front of us. I love the quote that goes along the lines that, a problem to be solved should never take priority to a person that needs to be loved.

I love you all,so much.

Love,

Sister McLeod    

The People

The Why: It is good to slow down sometimes and remember why you are doing something. When you understand the why, the who, what, when, and where, it makes more sense and life suddenly has more meaning. I hit my halfway mark yesterday, so maybe that is why I am being reflective. The why I am out here on a mission is because of the people I have met and will continue to meet. Their stories, personalities, humor, and testimonies have been locked away in my heart and I cannot imagine my life without knowing them. Sister Andersen and I were just realizing that we are teaching the best people and we are so lucky to know them and love them. They are so unique and different, yet the unifying power of the gospel is helping to be happier. I love it and wanted to share a little something about them.

(50's) Judy: Judy is a hard working single mom who will do anything for her family. She stands up for what she knows is right and looks out for the underdog. When she watched the restoration video and when we read the scriptures, she always shows concern for the people who get persecuted like Joseph Smith and Nephi from his brothers. It is so sweet to see her concern.

(30's) Alan: Alan is HILARIOUS! The first week we were together, Sister Andersen and I found him knocking and every time we meet with him he is still amazed that we knocked his door, like it was a privilege. Just from that experience, He knows God is looking out for him. Alan comes from a bit of a dodgy/chavy/noncommittal background, but has this pureness type of innocence and is stoked on the gospel and wants to change his life. He even got a journal that says "man with a plan." We had to take a picture. I wish you could all meet and see how this guy is without trying to be.

This is Alan: A man with a plan!

(20's) Maxie: Maxie pretty much teaches herself. She is thirsty for knowledge and understanding and is so considerate of others. She is always sensitive about doing the right thing, and she is the epitome of "slow and steady wins the race." For Maxie, the truth has come a little bit at a time and through little experiences here and there and she wants to make sure she is committing to something she fully believes in and trusts in. The members love her and she is going to sing a duet with a member at the next musical program. She is immersing herself in the gospel and church activities amidst the trials that she faces and I love her to death. We are going to the moors (beautiful place) with her today for our p-day and then going to FHE at the Vousdans home and Alan is going to come to!

(60's) Bill: Bill is an artist. You should see the texts Bill sends about his feelings about the Book of Mormon. So poetic and he is loving every moment about learning about this gospel. He has legitimate obstacles keeping him from coming to church, but He is trusting in God to prepare a way for him.

(60's) Kieron: And we can't forget about him. I talk about him loads, but he seriously is so thoughtful and I love him to death. He is loving learning even more about the gospel after his baptism and starting to do his family history and heading to the temple for baptisms soon. His family is getting interested, and we are hoping to teach them next! His insights and prayers are completely genuine and beautiful.

So when I knock doors or get knocked over by this rubbish weather, I remember the why and these people. The hope to find that next person I am going to start loving even more and introduce to the gospel is why I go out everyday. It is why I am a missionary.

I love you all so much. Look at the why you do things and it will help you gain a better attitude amidst the trials we face daily. The gospel is true and brings happiness. I know that for myself and I know that for the people I have met.

Love,

Sister McLeod

I was so tired one night, I literally could not get to bed. Haha!

Sister Andersen let me cut her hair! I felt so proud that finally someone trusted me enough! By the way it looks great!

Product hair cut

Zone Conference

Zone Conference: Since we are so far away from everything in the mission, we had to spend the night in Yeovil with the sisters there before traveling to to Poole in the morning. The Torquay sisters also stayed with us so it was a party. I don't know what it is about girls but we can talk forever. Anyways we made it to zone conference and it was awesome. Elder Teixiera who is a general authority came and spoke to us and his insights were focused on helping our investigators progress. It was exactly what I needed to hear and I loved how he emphasized that it is one thing to feel truth, but the most important thing we need to do and help our investigators do is to test their faith and act on that principle of truth. Faith is all about action. For lunch, the members in Poole were so kind to give us a Thanksgiving meal. It was so good to see Sister Chamberlain and she is doing well in Bath, so that made me happy. It was also so good to see Sister Cowley from my MTC group. Seriously every time we see each other we are going through very similar things so it is nice to talk and laugh.

Zone Conference Thanksgiving meal

Trains: I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. It is my favorite thing to look out the window in England and see such beautiful green rolling hills or the sea side. Everytime we travel on the train, I feel like a giddy little child.  

Sister Andersen and I traveling on the train

Sister Erasmus and Jacob. Sisters in my distritc in Torquay.

Kieron and Alan: They are our two solid investigators.We taught Alan in the chapel with a recent convert and he prayed for the first time after being really nervous and it was absolutely amazing. He was buzzing with happiness afterwards and telling everyone at the ward activity so that was a good sign. The Newton Abbot ward is really involved with ward activities which is so awesome. We had a Spanish night on Friday and a musical christmas program on Sunday that both Kieron and Alana came to. Unfortunately, they didn't come to church but we are working on that! Kieron and Alan are being able to be fellowshipped and taught in memebrs homes. I seriously feel like a friend maker on a mission. It is because we missionaries come and go, but the ward stays and so we have to build those connections. It has been a good week in seeing both of them progress little bit by little bit.

December: I am SO PUMPED for December. Sister Andersen's mom sent us Danish candy advent calendars and the ward gave us one as well so we were so exicted for it to finally be December to start it. We get to go to the temple on the 10th, we are teaching and finding some great people, the ward is doing so many activities, and then it is Christmas!!! Good things are happening. I've been reading Jesus the Christ and learning so much more about our Savior and think this first Christmas in my England home will be very unique and different.

I love you all. You are in my prayers.

Love,

Sister McLeod