Travel, travel, travel!

Travel: I passed Stonehenge 6 times this week. That is a new personal record for me that I don't think I will surpass another time my life. I was in the car for 22 hours this week!!! That is what happens when you live in the boonies, but I am so grateful for it because I love the green and pleasant country side of England.

Temple: On Tuesday, Sister Andersen and I drove to the temple with George, Maxie, and Eve. So typical that I got my camera out and took one picture and then it died. But the picture I did get was so beautiful. Sister Andersen has all the other pictures, but unfortunately her new area doesn't have a place to send pics, so you'll have to imagine them. We walked around the grounds, the visitor center sisters gave a little speal, and then we had lunch. I love the peace of the temple grounds and the newness of spring in the air with the dafodills blossoming all around. They had a really lovely time and George said he didn't want to leave. I didn't either. You just feel so safe and secure. It was the best way for Sister Andersen to spend her last day. I feel like Maxie and George are family. I love them and Eve (who is a member and has become bff with Maxie and us) so much.

Staines Round 1: On Wednesday morning the McMurteys (senior couple) picked us up in the morning and we travelled to the Staines chapel. That is the central meeting and switching spot for missionaries who are moving that transfer and there were so many. We did some training, ate lunch, and the new missionaries were all sorted and my new missionary, my child, is Sister Schmidt from Germany! She is so great and hilarious. Full of fire, enthusiasm, super outgoing, talkative, and blunt. She is 19 and has a twin who is nannying right now in Australia at the moment. She is from Leipzig which is in the eastern part. She has been adjusting wonderfully and is ready to work and she is loving how the members are so involved with us. She is so amazing, and I have a lot to learn from her.

Staines Round 2: Less than 24 hours of being in Teignmouth, the zone leaders picked us up Thursday night for Missionary Leadership Council on Friday in Staines. We slept over in Staines because it starts at 8am and that would be ridiculous traveling that early from the Plymouth zone. Sister Schmidt stayed with Sister Pollidario's companion for that day. The AP's called earlier in the week to have me speak about resolving concerns on exchanges and discouraging gossip. I had so many thoughts about it throughout the week, but I could never compile it or organize it, and it was so frustrating. I learned a really important bit on personal revelation from this experience. I prayed so much, and I just felt like I kept hitting a barrier/mental block. I continued to think about it up until Thursday night, but still nothing. I just prayed that night that the Spirit would help guide me when I spoke, but I was so nervous. This is MLC, AP's, all the zone leaders, sister training leaders, and mission so a bit intimidating. BUT the Lord always answers our prayers, and I woke up at 5:45 with a scripture and story, and from that point on, I was able to focus on specific things I wanted to share. I felt more confident, and when it came for me to speak, it just felt so natural and I didn't even have to look at anything, I just knew what to say next. Seriously so grateful for the Spirit, and I love how we just have to trust in it and know it will come even if it is last minute. I'm the only STL Plymouth zone now since Sister Bereno from Colombia is going back to a Spanish branch in London, so now I've got sort out 4 exchanges that are so far away without a car and most of the trains still not wroking. I've got my work cut out for me, but it will all be good.

Well I love you all loads and loads and hope you have a great week.

Pictures from MLC and this is Sister Santo who is from the mission district in San Francisco...so we bonded.

 All the STLS

This is Maxie, George, Eve Somerville (love that lady so much!) and me and Sister Andersen

Mum

MUM: I get to be a mother again (mission terminology for training a new missionary) and I am so excited!!! President called and told me 2 new ones were coming in and one was from Germany and the other from Denmark. He said that when he interviewed them he would know which one would be right for which companion. STOKED! I think it is going to be the Danish one because Sister Andersen knows her and I guess I feel like I need to keep up the Danish legacy, but who knows. Sister Andersen is going to Bracknell in the Reading zone and although she is sad to leave Teignmouth the great, her beloved greenie area, change is always so good. I always thought I could not love another place and ward as much as I loved Bath, but Teignmouth is rivaling. What I love about life is that wherever you go there is different types of beauty all around. I think we like to stereotype beauty. For example, we stereotype Hawaii for the most beautiful place on earth, blondes with blue eyes, the list goes on, and yes those places and people are beautiful, but everywhere you go there is beauty. We have just got to open our eyes look for the good wherever. BUT I DIGRESS... haha sorry about that tangent. Change is good, and excited/nervous (not as nervous as first time trainig)/humbled to train a new missionary in Teignmouth.

Bishopric: A new bishopric was called in Newton Abbot and I am also so pumped about that because it is Peter Vousden and we are super close to the Vousdens already and they are so involved in the missionary work. They live in Teignmouth too, so ya really happy about that and excited about the future progression of the ward.

English Foods: My mom asked me what my favorite English foods are and I would have to say cottage/shepherds pie and their wide variety of cooked potatoes. Cottage pie is beef and shepherds pie is lamb, and then you put mashed potatoes for the next layer and then sprinkle cheese on top and then cook it in the oven. And you serve it with cooked vegetables and gravy. And of course potatoes. You've got mash, new, boiled, roasted, jacket, ordinary styles of potatoes. My favourite pudding (they call dessert pudding) is anything with custard. It is this thick good cream type liquid you put on different things and it is LUSH! I also like trifle, which is custard a cake, and jelly type of thing. Anyways those are my typical english favs.

Love you loads and loads,

Sister McLeod 

Sister Andersen took a walk on the beach on our last p-day together

This is from the top of Teignmouth, we get our workout in everyday climbing those hills.

We correlate with our ward mission leader Brother Maddock every sunday night and we have dinner as well. So here is a pic of the gang. The old Bishop Woods came along (right), then there is me and Sister Andersen. The Julians, Matthew Maddock, Elder Smith and Stephen, and Deb Maddock.

Will miss this little lady

This is a very blury pic, but this is at the Vousden's home for Family home evening with George and Maxie and we played the game where everyone was different scripture person (labeled on their head) ie. Moses, Jesus, Nephi, and we had to guess who we were by asking questions. Always a good time at the Vousden home :)

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

Teignmouth

I SAW THE OCEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!! Ya it was magical and Heavenly Father is very kind to me.

Dan Taylor: My dad's best friend Dan Taylor passed away last week. When I think of kindness and humility, I think of Dan. I had the opportunity of getting to know their family growing up through the years going to ski Tahoe and Whistler together. When I think of the Taylors, I think of their loving friendship and how blessed I was to know him. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation knowing death is only the doorway to the eternities and we are only separated from our loved ones temporarily. My dad met Dan on his mission in Taiwan and they were roommates at BYU where they met my mom and Cindy (Dan's wife). I am so grateful for friendships that last forever. I reflected on the friendships I have been able to be blessed with in High School, University, and on the mission and am so grateful for every person in my life that has made such a lasting influence in my life. It makes me want to be a better friend. Dan will be dealry missed and his family has been in my prayers.

Leaving Bath: Wow! I could not have left on a better note than Chris coming on a teach with us and bearing such a powerful testimony and teahcing like a natural. Sister Chamberlain e-mailed me today and let me know he blessed the sacrament wonderfully yesterday:) And Billie asked us to move the baptismal date up! I told her I was leaving and she was like you'll be back for the baptism right?? Sadly no, but it doesn't even matter because she is getting baptised!!!!! I'm learning on the mission that a baptism is just a bonus. True joy is really in seeing them progress and build their faith in Jesus Christ amidst the hardships of life. Yes tears were shed, and I am still getting used to not being in Bath. It feels like home, but I know that I need to move on. Victoria, a YSA who has been recently coming back to church wrote me the nicest letter and when I said bye she said, "I love you, and I'm British so that means a lot" :) Man I love these people to bits.

 My awesome tree of life our life for my last teach with Billie

 

Teignmouth: We met in Staines for the sorting of new missionaries and there were only 5 new ones this time. Sister Chamberlain is training a Sister from Norway. She is beautiful, so the pair of them are going to be getting some head nods for sure. Anyway I love Sister Chamberlain so much. She is going to be a lifelong friend. We had so much fun and really loved one another and Bath. I was driven down to Teignmouth (4 and half hour journey from Staines) by the McMurtery's. They are the nicest senior couple who are in the Newton Abbot ward. Teignmouth is gorgeous and I can see the ocean far off from my window. Pictures will definitely be coming soon. Sister Anderson is from Denmark and I love her so much already. She is so wonderful, but doesn't realize it so I just am loving her and letting her know until she believes it. She is quiet, humble, and beautiful. I am definitely pushing her out of her comfort zone talking to everyone, so she may like or not like me at times, but I am pushing her with love :) It is definitely a transition for both of us, but we get along and I know amazing things are going to happen here.

Sister Goddard, who I know from BYUH. We saw each other at Staines and were just started screaming in delight. She is 6 weeks ahead of me on the mish.

My beautiful posterity! Sister Chamberlain is training I forget her name from Norway. She knows Ingunn Sorenson!

My new companion Sister Anderson from Denmark. She is absolutely lovely.

Members: So the goal they have in the future is to create a Teignmouth branch (oh ya it is pronounced Timoth). There is so much potential here with the members in this area and Newton Abbot. I am so exicted because it feels like a gold mine and we just need to get to work and get this area organized and utilize the members. The members have been so supportive already and want to help us in anyway we can. Oh ya it is also a musical ward and they do a musical fireside every 6 weeks. Everyone has been asking me if I am musical and I sadly am like nope, I wish. My patriarchal blessings says I will develop my talents in music so who knows, maybe this is the place to do it! We have got a guitar and uke in our flat (which is so huge! we live in a house) so i'm going to try! The elders are in Newton Abbot, but we work a lot in their area as well and with them. Anyways, I know I'm supposed to be here and baptisms are coming!!!!!!!!

Sister Anderson getting musical on the guitar!

I love you all so much. Thanks for your love and support!

My new address:

70 Bitten Park Road

Teignmouth, Devon

TQ14 9DA