Great Things are Happening

Culture Update: I learned that it is really rude to point over here. I am finally embracing English culture and eating with my fork and knife all the time. It actually is really efficient.

Funny: We have this investigator named Peter who is a little bit crazy. He is extremely intelligent and knows his bible. He is fixated on the early church during Christ's time and he focuses all his studies on what it would have been like and what the christian church should be like today. He loves to go on tangents about anything and everything, so we were extremely bold, blunt, and persistent that Jesus Christ has restored His church on earth and the only way he could find out would be to come to church and see for himself. Well he came to church and informed everyone he met of his life story and he was at church because he had been "McLeoded". He is a character to say the least and because of creepy comments we are turning him to the elders.

Kieron: STOPPED SMOKING! We set Friday as the day he would stop, and he did it! Man, I just love this man so much, I cannot even express it. He is so ready for baptism. He has progressed so much. We went through all of the baptismal interview questions and the only thing he struggles with is getting to church. It seems like the adversary is trying to stop him because the last 2 weeks he has had the most valid reasons pop up. BUT, he is getting there and the day of his baptism will be seriously so powerful.

Maxine: FINISHED THE BOM! Woot! Woot! and is onto the doctrine of covenants. Her husband is leaving for 7 weeks to Spain and Australia for work because he is a geologist and because she wants him to baptise and confirm her we are waiting. They are such a great couple, really just compliment one another.

Spiritual: In Relief Society we talked about how Jesus becomes personal to you. I was just thinking about how all the time we are inviting people to read, pray, and come to church to get to know their Savior, but unless there is a deeper meaning and desire involved, those 3 actions become ineffective in spiritual growth. I thought about how you can be active in the church, but inactive in the gospel. I reflected on areas I need to improve on, and as I have done so I feel like I am refreshing myself. Sometimes we need to do that so we can wake ourselves up spiritually and remind us of the personal relationship we have to Christ and our Heavenly Father. I hope you all have a refreshing week and I hope it rains soon in California. I wish I could send you the buckets over here.

I love you all so much. You are all so awesome.

Love,

Sister McLeod

Picture of my awesome district. The other is Sister Andersen and I using the masks that a member gave us.

Realizations

Mary Watts: I first typed Bullock and had to correct myself. WOW your package seriously made my life :) It was the first package of my mission! Your wedding pictures should be in a magazine and they were so beautiful I teared up! So happy for my mare bear. Anyway I am going to write you a letter so expect a letter in the coming weeks!

Missionary Work: It is really amazing how our whiteboard and planners are gradually getting more and more filled with so many people. I think my favorite teach this week was with a family with 5 kids! We knocked on their door and as soon as she found out we were not Jehovah's witnesses she welcomed us in. We taught the plan of salvation and these kids (ages 4-11) were so eager to learn and asked the best questions. I just love kids, they are so close to the Spirit. The work is hastening, but it is emotionally and physically draining on so many levels. I love it though, and the Lord is helping Sister Barker and I a lot.

Spiritual: I'm beginning to read the New Testament and loved reading about the first 2 commandments and the perspective Mark 12:33 brings to it. "And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." It is easy to love someone who loves you back, but it is really a test of my faith and heart to love others unconditionally if they reject, hurt, yell, or hate me back. I'm being tested as a missionary, but I know this test will apply throughout my life. I'm realizing that if we are to become like our Savior, we have got to experience a miniscule amount of what He went through. He was despised and rejected of men, but he loved and sacrificed for them anyway. I heard a poem in church, and thought of missionary work in the same light and wrote something that applies to being a missionary.

I realized:
You might get yelled at, ridiculed, or have the door slammed in your face.
Knock, have faith, and love them always.
They might not keep their commitments.
Extend the commitments with faith and love them anyways.
They might not come to church.
Invite, have faith, and love them anyways.
They might not text or call you back.
Text, call, have faith, and love them anyways.
They might be using you for service.
Good you are supposed to be used. Serve and love them anyways.
They might cancel on you or flog the appointment.
Plan in faith and love them anyways.
They might not like you or understand you or your purpose as a missionary.
Pray in faith and love them always.

I'm learning it doesn't matter what people do or say, I already know that my response needs to be filled with love and faith in them and God. Having love and faith in God, gives us greater love and faith in people.

I love you all so much and hope you are enjoying sunshine of summer!

Cheers,

Sister McLeod

English 101

Oh my goodness, it is proper hot here! They said they didn't have a summer last year, and that this weather is supposed to last a month. I'm starting to understand how missionaries in hot places feel, the sun drains you, but I am getting a sweet farmer's tan and shoe tan line so I am counting my blessings. And the sun makes everyone friendlier :) Yesterday I was told I have a beautiful accent, so I felt pretty cool for a minute. The english accent is so normal to me and I used to think I wanted to have one, but I just like how I talk because it is me. My companion has mostly had foreign companions, and so her accent is kinda like a hodgepodge of something. No one can ever figure it out when they are talking to her, it's funny, but she says I am Americanizing her again, prepping her to go back in 6 weeks! 

Family: Marina sent me pics of the farm, and it looked so fun and made me so happy all my nieces and nephews are getting to have that experience we all had. Some of the best memories of my childhood were there :) Give all my love to the kiddos.

Here is a list of the differences or things I love about England I've started to make. And this is all my bias and I have only been in one place, Bath and the surrounding towns/villages for about a month and a half so ya it is just my opinion. Bath is a city and as you get further you get more in the country in places like Radstock, Mid Somer Norton, etc. I get the best of both worlds being in the beautiful countryside and in the city. 

1. They say Hiya, and I love it because hi is too short and hello is to formal.

2. When someone says "have a good day!" you respond "and you!" instead of you too.

3. Food tends to run on the bland side, it is still good.

4. Trousers = pants

5. Pants = underwear

6. Petrol station = gas station

7. They say garage gare--idge

8. Never seen so many different flowers

9. Eat everything with potatoes

10. May appear standoffish, but they are softies at heart :)

11. Chips = fries

12. Crisps = chips

13. Squash is their form of juice. It is like instant crystal light, you buy a high concentrated container and then pour mostly water and then a little of the squash.

14. Loo/toilet = bathroom

15. Men tend to be better dressed

16. Everything is crammed/narrow. Cars, roads, houses are so narrow. I have mad respect for bus drivers, I really don't get how they don't hit anything.

17. Everywhere is saturated with green. So beautiful.

18. Lack of trust of government/health system--I think that is a universal thing

19. Dental care = super expensive

20. The water is very hard. I don't know if that makes sense, but there are so many minerals in it and when I take a bath, I never feel very clean, and you need a ton of shampoo and soap.

21. Their beans in a can are in a tomatoe sauce base and beans on a toast is so delicious!

22. Roundabouts everywhere!

23. Everyone loves to talk about the weather. If it is raining, they says it is rubbish outside. If it is hot, they say it is too hot to do anything.

24. I love when they say "I can't be bothered." to let you know they don't care or are too lazy. I love saying this one.

25. When saying bye or thanks = Cheers!

Spiritual: I finished reading the Book of Mormon again! And you know what, it is still true, but I love to keep asking God again if it is because He will confirm that truth to our heart and mind time and time again by the Holy Ghost. We just have to ask. And so I Mackenzie Kaitlyn McLeod want to let you know that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and was translated by Joseph Smith, a prophet called of God. Because I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon, I have a stronger knowledge of my Savior's love and know what I must do and become to live with Him and my Heavenly Father again. It brings clarity and companionship to the Bible. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God except us choosing to reject it. I know as we read the word of God, we are led to the love of God. I know that reading the Book of Mormon daily converts us more fully unto the Lord and so I look forward to reading it again. In fact I read 1 Nephi chapter 1 today and saw it in a whole new light even though I have read it countless times. The lessons we learn from the Book of Mormon relate to each of our lives. This gives me a further witness this book written 2 thousands years ago lets us know God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Although the standards of the world may change, His truth remains constant and enduring. The Book of Mormon is full of good, and that good comes from God. Until I read it again, and write another testimony I leave with you these words that are completely sincere and have come because of taking the time to read, ponder, and pray. Do those three things and you'll learn for yourself :) That is what I'm doing everyday, inviting others to learn for themselves.

 

Lots of loves,

Cheers!

 

Sister McLeod

A Day in the Life

Sorry no pictures this week because the computers were down in the library and we can't upload at the apple store.

Shout-outs: To my best friend Mary Bullock, who is actually now Mary WATTS!!! I asked my brother to send me a picture of your wedding and you looked absolutely stunning! SO happy for you and Jeff and can't wait to hear more. ANOTHER shout out to my Jerusalem besties Dre and Tom MEYER! They met in Jerusalem and are absolutely my favorite people to be around. June was a big month in weddings of the people I love and just know you have got a very happy missionary in England wishing you the best!

 

So my dad requested info about schedule, food, companion, and ward so here ya go Brucey Boy and anyone who reads this.

Schedule: On average since I have been in Bath we are teaching about 13-15 lessons a week. We have such a great companionship ahead of us too so I am feeling really blessed. We wake up at 6:30 and exercise by either running outside or staying inside the flat to do yoga/weights/ "stretch" when we are feeling a little lazy-haha. We get ready and by 8 we have personal study for an hour and then at 9 we have companion study for an hour. After we head out to either go to a lesson or a place to tract {going door to door}, street contact or what not. We really try to find when we teach, and teach when we find to maximize our time. We are in Bath, Radstock, Keynshem, Mid Somer Norton, and so it usually takes 15-45 minutes to get to places on the bus. We walk a lot and I really enjoy it. Beautiful place to be a missionary. We have a lunch hour, extra study hour {for me since I am being trained}, and a dinner hour where we usually have 3 meals at members' houses a week. We come back to plan at 9 and do area book {record people we met and taught} and then go to bed at 10:30. And then we wake up and do it all over again. We are constantly doing something somewhere talking to someone. It is good fun and hard work.

Food: Food is food and I am happy with anything I get. The food is similar to America, but everything is blander. I am salting everything everyday or trying to spice it up in some way. They eat potatoes with everything too. When we go to members to eat, it is often some potatoes, cottage pie, and cooked veggies. I am a happy camper though and thankful for having normal foods. They have a million different kind of cheeses here and I really am enjoying their cheese. Their meat is not the greatest and their attempt at Mexican items are really funny. Their chocolate is BOMB. American chocolate tastes like plastic compared to theirs.

Companion: Sister Barker is a wonderful trainer. We are both learning from each other and that is so important in a companionship. She is fully of energy and enthusiasm and friendliness. I am a little quieter, but am finding it is an effective balance. We are constantly trying to create a balance as we teach and meet people, as we both try to discern through the Spirit what that person needs help with. 

Ward: The ward is ZE BEST! They are so solid and strong and I feel like at home in the Bath ward. It is really a family ward and they are so willing to help and go on teaches {appointments} with us. A lot of the members are in the Chippenham area which is in the elders' area, but there are still are wonderful people and families in our area. It really is a blessing that there can be sisters and elders in one ward. 

 

Spiritual: Okay so one of the families I absolutely love reminds me of my sister Melissa's family and we were fortunate to have dinner with them yesterday. She is in this legit fashion school here in Bath where only a few are accepted every year and she just had a fashion show. She was explaining how much the gospel helps her out in designing and creating her pieces and getting her through the intense nature of the fashion industry. Most of the other students are 10 years younger, and are amazed how she has 2 kids and a husband and is able to be one of the top students. She knows it is all because of the Lord and the gospel and I love how she has incorporated her testimony into everything she does including her profession. She is passionate about wanting to incorporate modesty and gospel inspiration into modern and contemporary creativity of being a designer. It is her secret to success. Her virtue contrasts so much to the lack of self worth and negative aspect of the fashion world. She stands out because of her light. As she shared with us her vision and love for the Lord, I felt the spirit so strongly. It made me think how we need to incorporate the gospel into every aspect of our life. The Lord does not just want to hear from you about going to church. He wants to hear and help you when you are surfing, cooking, planning for a birthday party, or working out or ANYTHING. When you let Him into the things you love, you understand how much He has blessed you and it can make you a natural missionary in your natural environment. Many of her teachers and fellow design students recognize the beauty she embodies and I know it will lead to missionary experiences. I invite you to bring the gospel to things you love, and with that mindset missionary work is not as scary and I know missionary work is something you can develop to love and desire.  

Funny: So the bus is our buddy. We are always traveling on the bus and I'm getting used to getting off and on quickly. 3 times this week I have completely fallen because of the momentum of the bus stopping or starting. Like literally one time I completely fell on my back and the Book of Mormon and my green apple went flying. The worst part was that Sister Barker was already off the bus and I feared the doors were going to shut and we would be separated! Oh the thought of being separated from your companion-haha. Nonetheless, I have provided some comical entertainment for the bus riders of Bath. So I'm going to work on not being so clumsy this week.

Love you all,

Cheers!

Sister McLeod

Whirlwind - Week 1

WOW! I seriously feel like this computer is about to explode in the amount of time it gives me, so sorry if I didn't get to write you guys all that much! I was blown aways about how many e-mails I got and overwhelmed with the love and appreciation I feel! Thank you so much! I love to hear about the updates of your lives, it means a lot.

Companion: I love her so much! Her name is Sister Gorniak and she is from Tasmania, Australia! Lauren Ockey only can appreciate how excited I was to find out that my companion was Australian. And she is just full of love, jokes, and sweetness. I love how much we laugh and her accent is the best! My roommates are also Sister Su from Taiwan and Sister Cowley from Arizona (Rosie Card you must be dying right now because of the connection) They feel like my companions too because we do everything together too! They are the best and we just crackup at meals and in our rooms. I am trying to acquire an Aussie accent as well as a British one.

MTC: Is awesome! So there are 64 of us that arrived on Thursday, we are from all over the world and are either going to the London or London south mission. Probably 2/3 are elders and the rest of us our sisters. oh and Jeff there is an Elder Rodriguez from the DR who said he was in your mission and recognized you. The food is great, and it was such a miracle that I didn't have any problems adjusting to time! I'm learning and studying so much like on accelerated speed! All the elders are so nice and seem so young to me. My teachers are legit. Sister Willis and Brother Carr are from England and are hilarious and teach so powerfully with the spirit! Sister Willis served in Temple Square and Brother Carr served in my mission.

England: Is so pretty and green and everything you imagine it to be, but I was not prepared how cold it is. I am in for a real treat if this is only May. The Preston temple and its grounds remind you of an English garden and I was dying with the green ivy arches! I relate everything to Harry Potter and felt like I was in the maze in HP4.

Spiritual: The things I am learning and teaching to others are things I have known my whole life, but I finally have trust and confidence in the spirit to guide what I need to say. An MTC Devotional by Bednar is exactly what I needed to hear the answer to. It was is it the spirit or is it me? His answer: Quit worrying about it! Go to work and press forward in Jesus Christ. be good boys and girls and you will do things without knowing that it is the spirit. he went on to tell some awesome stories, but it is what I think I needed and we all need to know. We worry about things we shouldn't worry about when we should just focus on the gospel and keep moving. The spirit will be there. I have such a testimony of this as I have been here in the MTC. As I have focused on studying on the gospel of Jesus Christ, you are directed to have to Holy Ghost. I was scared about teaching, but as we have met with investigators the Spirit is there and I feel like my words are His. I cannot wait to get out into the mission field on Tuesday! The MTC is great, but I'm ready to do His work because it is what everyone needs to hear. Everyone needs to feel the love of Christ and I'm stoked!

Okay sorry I feel like a mad woman right now, and I don't know if I am making sense and this e-mail is missing A LOT of things. The MTC is a whirlwind, but I have to go! Ahhhhh! Okay I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Sister Su, My companion, Sister Gorniak, Sister Cowley, and I

This one is for you Rosie Card! {Me and Sister Cowley}