Updates

Sorry this will be a short letter because it is a bank holiday here and we had to go to the McMurtrey's to email and I am on their tablet and it is super frustrating to write on and taking forever. So sorry if I haven't responded to you, next week for sure! 

Updates: We had interviews with President this week and he said I would be going next week. He didn't know where or with who, but I'll be finding out this week. Teignmouth feels like home and I have loved every minute these past 7 months, but I am ready for a new chapter and challenge of my life and mission. Change is good. I will miss Sister Schmidt and everyone but as my good friend Kieron always says it's only bye for now. Judy is getting baptised on Saturday so that is really special :) I love her so much and so proud of her decision. She was thinking of moving the following week, but as soon as she heard I would probably be going, she said, "Well you have to be there so May 31 it is!" :) May 31 is also the day my trainer, Sister Barker is getting married. So it is a good day to make some covenants with God. :) I love what my president said when I asked him about how you endure well to the end of your mission and life. He said, "When you view your mission as your own time you will say I've done enough and deserve a break and towards the end you may use it as an excuse to not work as hard. When you see your mission as the Lord's, you will understand that this is His time and you would never want to waste this any of His precious time. And you will see that your work doesn't end even when you go home." I think we can apply that to the rest of our lives. He has all given us this life and body to learn, grow, and develop and we should be grateful for it. We should be selfless with our talents and time because it is not really ours, it is His. I love sharing Alma 34:32 with so many people. This really is the time to prepare to meet God and enjoy this life helping one another. I love you all and hope you have a lovely week. I can be patient with people being rude, but my patience with this tablet is testing me. Haha, I have never been the best with technology. Love you loads.

Love,
Sister McLeod

Mother's Day

Mother's Day: I spoke at church, and though it is not Mother's Day in England I said that Moms should deserve 2 days. Anyway so I wished everyone another Happy Mother's Day:) Bishop Vousden's son, Joe, got home from his mission from Leeds and spoke as well. I love how he said toward the end of his mission that he started to only write people that he met that day in his journal because those are the memories he wants to remember forever. I want to start doing that as well. I loved skyping to some of the fam and meeting Elliot! He is my nephew I have never met him and I seriously wish technology was that progressed where I could reach my arms into the computer to hold him. One day! It just made my day that he knows my voice now and smiled :) I'm grateful for the ability to adapt to situations on my mission. My ward mission leader and the elders and ward missionaries were in the other room when I finished skyping and they were all ready correlate about the missionary work. I just had to take a moment and be like wow, thank you Heavenly Father for letting me talk to my family, but now help me just focus on the people and work here. And boom went into the other room and was fine. This is a tremendous blessing because I know how hard it can be for a lot of missionaries.

Temple and Family History Miracle: The Martins in our ward hold a family history event twice a year for anyone who is interested in the community and gave us flyers to pass out. We were determined to find someone to bring to it and on Monday we met Joy. Sure enough, she was super into family history and recognised the church's name from past experiences. We ended up being able to teach her twice that week and she came to the event. It was amazing to see the connection family history has with the gospel.

Jasmine and Christina: I love genuine, thoughtful, and inquisitive young people. Jasmine is Kieron's granddaughter and is so sweet and sincere. She has seen the gospel bring so much happiness to Kieron and had been inside the chapel before for his baptism, a musical fireside, and his talk. She said that she felt such a peace and as we met with her twice this week she continued to feel it and said how much she wants to feel apart of the church. When we extended a baptismal date, she was just smiling and we asked her how she felt and she said excited. She has no religious background, but it is amazing to see that it is our feelings that really helps us know the truth even if our mind can't understand yet. She has such a willing and open heart. The same applies to Christina, who is a student. After meeting with us last week, she was saying how there were so many things that suddenly made her realize how much God was a part of her life. A poem about repentance she had to annotate, a sign on the street about God. She said she felt like she was on the right path and also accepted a baptismal date. I love the sincerity of an honest seeker of God. Both these girls are so humble and striving to be the best people they can be in life. I feel uplifted every time I talk to them and so grateful for this opportunity to share the gospel.

I love you all, it was such a blessing to see your smiling faces yesterday. I hope you have a lovely week!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Pictures: Dartmoor p-day, we stopped at Pixie land, this cute little place where there are a million little pixies and gnomes

On the way back from MLC, Sister Godard recieved a package from Hawaii and got li hing moi flavored thing---best thing ever!!!!!!!!!! We were excited!

Miracles

Full up: Yesterday after church, I just was filled with so much love of the gospel, miracles, Newton Abbot ward, Teignmouth, the people, just everything to the point where I just started crying in happiness. There are these moments where it feels like there are so many blessings that literally you do not have room enough to recieve them. I had a similar experience one of my last Sundays in Bath. It renews my faith, and strengthens my testimony that God is truly a God of Miracles and of love. I feel like my understanding and sincerity of saying that grows stronger and stronger each day. 

Miracles:

1. Testimony meeting yesterday seemed to focus on the missionary work happening in Teignmouth. Bishop is just amazed about all of the people we are teaching and to think the Sisters opened the area 1 year ago. My favorite thing in missionary work is the progression. Seeing an area or person start from nothing and bit by bit, line upon line, growing each day. It parallels to my belief in God and this gospel. Everything good comes from God and the small and simple things each day. When many days go by and you are able to reflect on the progress, it is the best feeling.

2. There were testimonies born for the first time ever yesterday. They were so pure, beautiful and sincere.

3. A recent convert and her familly who had been away for awhile came to church. 

4. Kieron's grand-daughter and boyfriend decided to come to church with no invitation. I asked her why she came today and she said I have no idea, it just seemed right. Both her boyfriend and her have no concept or teaching about who God is and we are teaching them Tuesday at Kieron's. I have been praying for this opportunity to start sharing the gospel with Kieron's family. We had prayed that day that we could reach our goals for new investigators and that was truly a miracle.

5. Denise, who is the best friend of Judy and a member, bore her testimony for the first time in many years directly to Judy and Judy was in tears. She is getting baptized at the end of this month and you could just feel the love and connection. Denise is older and broke her hip, but made it to the stand. 

6. Judy's granddaughter Charly decided to come with her to church.

7. Our zone has been struggling in church attendance and and we fasted for a specific numeric goal that was way above any week we have had thus far, and we reached it exactly yesterday. 

I seriously could keep going and I don't know how meaningful all these things are to a person reading this, but these are people mean everything to me. I love and care about so incredibly much. They mean the world to me and to see God's hand at work helps me and humbles me to know whose work and glory this really is. I feel like the gospel gives us lens to see miracles. So if you haven't cleaned yours lately, clean them and look around to truly see the miracles. I love how the Spirit is constantly telling Nephi in 1 Nephi 11-14 to "Look". Look for the good in others and yourself. I love you all so much, and I'm grateful for your prayers. I really feel them.  

Easter!

Moves: It was a funky 5 week transfer and man time goes go by so quickly. I can't believe Sister Schmidt has been out a transfer. She is doing awesome and I get to stay another transfer in Teignmouth! REJOICING! At the end of this I will have been here almost 7 and a half months. I think I will be leaving after this, but you never know these days. In other news, I am a great grandmother in the mission and a grandmother again while still being a mom! Wrap your head around that! So Sister Chamberlain is training again and Sister Steffensen is opening a new area and training as well, and I'm still training Sister Schmidt so my posterity is growing! I have no idea if anyone understood that, but it is exciting stuff for me.

Easter Sunday: Easter has always been one of my favourite holidays, and this Easter was so special and lovely. Kieron spoke for the first time in sacrament abour the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and did AMAZING! I was in tears, I was elated. I loved at the end he said "To put it simply, I felt like I was lost, but now I am found and when I look out in each of your faces I feel your warmth and that you are saying welcome home." Such a tender moment, and Chris a less active member we have been working with also gave his first talk ever and it was so powerful. I love how he emphasized that whenever we are feeling inadequate or down, to remember that we were worth dying for by our Saviour Jesus Christ. AND all of Keiron's family came to church and they told us to come by this week. STOKED!!!!!!!!!!! 

A million chocolates recieved at Easter. Easter Sunday in front of the pretty tree at our chapel

Family Fun Day: Oh my daysssss, this was the best day ever! In St. Austell which is an hour and a half away the Plymouth stake put on a family fun day at the sweetest new school that was just built. They had football, tennis, jumpy castles, Easter egg hunts, BBQ, movies, you name it for the day. Our investigator Judy really wanted to go with her grandkids and so we were able to go. Her grandkids are the cutest and coolest. There was Kieron (14), Charlotte (11), and Jack (2). I am sad I didn't get a picture with all of them, but we were just too much of a great time for a picture. They all had so much fun, and we are hoping we can teach them one day. Since we all couldn't fit in one car, we came with Sam and Bryony and their friend Layla. On the way back they showed us Newquay which is the most gorgeous place ever. They showed us Fistral Beach where they have surf competitions every year. Anyway, it was a very untypical missionary day, but an extremely fun one nevertheless. There was a ton of non-members who came and it was just the best. I am very lucky human being.

Fistral beach

P-day at Smuggler Cove in Teignmouth

Well, I love you all. Teignmouth is just the best area and I am having a grand old time with Sister Schmidt preaching the gospel. I refuse to burn out on my mission and I just want to give the Lord my all this last third of my mission.

Love,
Sister McLeod

Gratitude

Mothering Sunday: I forget to say about last week March 30th, was Mother's Day here....or rather it is called Mothering Sunday so that was really lovely and odd to celebrate it so early. It still didn't feel like it. It will feel like it when I get to see the cutest mom of all times on May 11th!

Paul's Baptism: It was so lovely. The speakers, Dot Martin and Cynthia Wildin, were both converts, and they shared their journal entries from their baptism and confirmation day. Kieron got to be a witness of it as well. The choir sang, and members came to support so it was wonderful. I just love the members so much here. It really does feel like home, and they are my family. I have been blessed in the two areas I have been so far. It worked out that there was a birthday party at the chapel earlier that day so we had a feast of food for after. Straight after the baptism we watched the Saturday morning conference session at 5 pm. Seriously the best day. Baptism + General conference, what could be better for a missionary?

General Conference: We watched general conference at a member's home with our investigators as well as the senior couple, the McMurteys. So many things stuck out to me, but the one that keeps coming to mind is Elder Uchtdorf's. It was so cute to see how pumped Sister Schmidt was for him. She was saying how much of a hero he is in Germany. I loved his words about gratitude as a way of being, a disposition and who it doesn't mean only saying or counting the good things you have. I love how he spoke of gratitude not of the lips, but of the soul. It made me see gratiude in such a deeper way, and it is something I want to embody more. I am grateful we can see the beauty and joy of life amist the hard times. I think that is the key to figure out in this life of being tested---That even in our hardest times, we can remain grateful. I love being able to hear the words of a living prophet and his apostles. Anyone who hears their words must feel that they are truly inspired. I am grateful for this mission and the continual process of learning how to be happy amidst difficult times. I love you all so much. I love England. It is funny that the things I criticized at the beginning I am beginging to defend as if I'm from here. I'm beginning to say eEnglish phrases and words like it is nomal. Still don't have an accent, but I am grateful that I am truly loving England. Honestly in the beginning, I didn't think I could or would love it this much, but I do.

I love you all.

I went on exchanges with the Torquay sisters this week and I was with Sister Stuart in Teignmouth. She is the one on the left on the pic. I don't think I have laughed so much in one day on my mission. She is hilarious and we had such a good time together. She is from SLC and graduated from East High School with Courtney Curtis! such a small world.

Pic of Paul's baptism. Jon Martin baptized him. Jon Martin is the most jolly English man you can find. He is from Manchester and I love his accent.

Baptism and Missions

Baptism: One of the elders' investigators was baptized on Friday and at the end of it, Bishop Vousden felt prompted to invite Kieron to come share his testimony. Kieron spoke so beautifully and was so grateful to be there and relive his baptism and his feelings 7 weeks ago. I was just beaming ear to ear. He is so wonderful and doing so well. Just embracing the gospel and being a light to others.  

Paul: Our invetsigator Paul is getting baptized this Saturday! We met him in February as we stopped him in the street. He was one of those who asked to buy the Book of Mormon from us because he saw the value of it. And since then he has read the Book of Mormon, gospel principles, and has been loving church. He is very quiet, asks a lot of interetsing questions, and is a deep thinker. It has been wonderful to see him grow and see how the Book of Mormon and the Spirit are the true converters.

Billie: I recieved the best letter from Billie in Bath who was baptized in December and is 23. She is doing amazing and told me that she is going to go on a mission!!!!!!!!!! Oh man, that filled me with so much joy and I am so exicted for her. She is such an example to me. I feel like people you teach on the mission actually teach you more by their example. 

Pics: OH MY GOODNESS CAN KIERON GET ANY GREATER!? So we had a family home evening at the Vousdens with Maxie, George, Kieron, and Paul. Kieron said he had to pull out his American jumper for just for me. This brought so much joy to me. Whenever I feel sad, I need to just look at this. 

Sister Schmidt enjoying her first fish and chip meal in england. I love fish and chips in england. Their chips are just so amazing.

Music

Sun: I am currently in a blouse without a cardigan or raincoat and when I woke up there was light! This is simply glorious, and I hear it is supposed to be like this for the next couple weeks! Seriously it is so crazy how everyone is so much happier when it the sun's out. BUT I have got to remind myself I am in England where the weather is bipolar.

Musical Program: Our ward had a musical evening last night and it was the best for multiple reasons.

1. My love for church music has grown exponentially. I remember when I was a teenager I would not sing hymns, and my mom would tell me to sing, and I would just be my annoying teenager self and be even more silent. Well mom, my attitude has changed :) So rejoice. 

2. Maxie, our amazing investigator, sang a duet of "I am a child of God" with Eve, who is a member and they did so amazing! I felt like a proud parent and was just beaming at her the whole time. George (her husband) is now back from his 5 week Australia work trip being a geologist and he is so amazed to see how Maxie is so enthusiastic about the gospel. She still feels there is a barrier with something, and she can't pinpoint it yet, but she is getting there and we are going to go to the temple with her next week, so we are excited about that. She already feels so a part of the ward that our relief society president has already assigned visiting teachers and another member kept thinking of her for a calling. So Maxie is just amazing. I lover her. After church we made them pizza, and it felt so nice that we are so comfortable with them to have them relax while we made them some lunch.

3. Kieron, sweet sweet Kieron, brought 8 of his family members to the program and they loved it. His granddaughter said she wants to go to church next week with him and his daughter wants to feed us! Man, so wonderful.

Exchanges: I went on exchanges these past 2 weeks. This past week Sister Ensing (from New Zealand-coolest accent ever) came over here to Teignmouth with me and it was so fun! This is her first transfer and she is so bold and has such a fire about her. She got to extend a baptismal date to our investigator, Christopher, and she was so pumped. It made me want to train a new missionary because I just love their enthusiasm and I feel like I know what I am doing more so it wouldn't be as scary as training Sister Chamberlain. Man I love her still and Sister Chamberlain is doing so good. She is on the Isle of Wight with my really good friend from Bristol Sister Lloyd. When I heard they were going to be companions I was so jealous and wanted to go and serve with them in a trio.

3 minutes: Well I have got 3 minutes left, but I just love everyone loads and hope everything is doing alright. Have a lovely week!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Busy, busy

Zone Conference: Since our trains aren't working until April, they hired a mini bus to get us to zone conference to Poole. Zone conference is a time that is so nice to see other missionaries, but really to help me see what I need to work on and what I need to do to help the people I am teaching. The AP's spoke about talking to everyone and it has been something I have been alright at, but not always consistent in. Sister Andersen and I knew we had to get better about consistently talking to everyone and so we prayed for the courage and faith to do it. That morning we talked and taught amidst our travels to literally everyone and on our way back for lunch we met Paul. We taught him the restoration, committed him to read the Book of Mormon and to meet with us on Saturday. On Saturday he voiced that church has been on his mind and he was eager to learn. He accepted April 5th for baptism, a date we had prayed about and planned earlier in the week to extend. Tonight we are having FHE (family home evening) in a members home and he is planning to come to church this Sunday! It seriously is amazing that as we listen to our leaders and ultimately the Lord's counsel he will blesses us.

Members that help us = Angels: I love Teignmouth so much! And the members are doing amazing in their efforts to help us. For example we taught Kim on Friday and committed her to come to church. She has a newborn, 4 and 5 year old and no car or car seats and the member there, Susan, was so willing to help. We mass texted the ward for car seats, found 3 and Susan went and retrieved them and was able to take Kim and her family to church. The kids loved primary and Susan took the initiative to make sure they sat next to her in church, and other members even helped with the kids too. So amazing, and so blessed to be teaching so many people that the Lord is preparing. We have 6 baptismal dates and love them all so much. They are all so different and unique, but the gospel is blessing their lives. Kieron passed the sacrament on Sunday like a champ and we are going to do a family home evening with his family this week! Oh man so good. We are so busy!

Dartmoors: The prettiest place ever. Felt Like Lord of the Rings. We went with Maxie, our investigator who I love to death on p-day. We got drenched, but so beautiful and so worth it!

Maxie had a hat from Copenhagen - so obviously Sister Andersen rocked it!

Maxie and I

I look so scary, I don't know what I was doing

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

Kieron!

Sister McLeod :): Kieron was baptized on Saturday and it was just the greatest thing in the world. Although a baptism is so wonderful to see, it is the process of growth and happiness that really makes it so meaningful. He had 3 different baptismal dates before, and to see him finally enter so excited and willing fills me with warmth. I knew this day would come ever since I met him in November, it was just a matter of when. You can feel that with different people, and I was just so glad that the "when" was on Saturday where I could see it. We gave him a quad of scriptures the week before for a baptismal gift, but he wanted to open it after his baptism talk about self-control. It was so cute. He brought it to the baptism and ripped it open and just smiled from ear to ear! I seriously want to put Kieron in my pocket forever!  He wasn't sure if his family was going to come, but they did and it meant so much to him to have them there. There was such a happy spirit at the service and one of the members sang "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul" and it is my new favorite hymn. So beautiful. On Sunday, he received the gift of the holy ghost and tears were streaming down his face. He described the experience afterwards as feeling a warm pressure infusing into his body. He also received the priesthood after church and that is where I teared up. To see how happy he was and to know there is one more righteous priesthood holder on the earth just fills me right up. I felt the same way with Chris in Bath. Afterwards, I shook Kieron's hand and it is a moment I want to freeze forever. He said I made it, and I said I knew you would. When he said thank you, it was the most meaningful thank you I have felt and it was so hard to not not just give him a big hug! Kieron, just to hear his name makes me so happy. I love this gospel so much. It means the world to me. 

Weather: In other news, England is getting hit so much with rain. There is flooding in a lot of areas and in the town over the rail line that paralells the sea was demolished and the rail line was hanging in Dawlish. The waves were going insane! On p-day we went and videoed them. I'll send some pics. But we are doing great! Just a little wet. 

What I have learned in England: Umbrellas are useless, rain coats are the way to go.

Crazy waves, a view from one of our investigators flats

I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Progress

Transfers: President called Saturday and told us he thought about moving Sister Andersen, but felt like we should be together in Teignmouth one more transfer. We were both happy because that means we would see Kieron get baptised this Saturday and our other 2 baptisms we have planned in this transfer. A lot of people are leaving our zone and district and it is always a bit sad because you get attached to people, but then great new people come and go and it is just the circle of the mission and life and the memories last forever-cheesy, but true! 

Maxie: We gave her scriptures (the quad) yesterday we had someone get at the temple and it was so endearing to see how excited she was. I love new scriptures, they are so fresh and ready to be learned from.

Kieron: Love this man to death. His baptism this Saturday will be so amazing. The ward is so involved and he is just the best.

Good week: We got 2 more baptismal dates, Judy and Alan, and had 10 lessons with members. This ward is so great in helping us out with teaching.

                                                                                         Haha, okay so funny. This is Sly. It is Kieron's iguana and                                                            

                                                                                in the middle of a teach I just started laughing because it 

                                                                                      turned his head dramatically and just gave us this face the rest of the time. Oh Sly, what a character.

Funny: We were knocking doors on Tuesday and found a girl named Daisy (by the way I am naming my first girl that-in love with that name) who was really interested. At the end when we were exchanging numbers, her brother who is about our age came to the door and just stared at us without speaking. The awkwardest thing ever. We said bye, and that night we got a text from an unknown number saying "my liahona pointed to you." (FYI if you're not Mormon it is this compass type thing that Lehi's family in the Book of Mormon use to show them where to go in the wilderness) We were like what in the world, who is this this person? Well turned out it was Daisy's creepy brother and he had researched a lot about Mormons and must have come across a Mormon pickup line website. Anyways, that was pretty funny and gave us a good laugh. We said if he was really interested he could talk to the elders.

Sponge: Being a missionary is like being a sponge. You are constantly absorbing a variety of emotions/issues from others and yourself and it can be quite overwhelming at times. One moment you feel so much joy for someone progressing, and then seriously your next appointment you feel so sad for another person's heartbreaking situation in life. I was people watching at church yesterday, and it is so interesting to know a lot of the back stories to certain individuals and families and what they are going through. Everyone is at a different level, and it can be very emotionally and spiritually exhausting as a missionary jumping up and down and here and there for each investigator, less active, member, or person you meet on the street. In likening myself to a sponge, I am understanding that through prayer at night and in the morning (and i guess at any moment) you just need to squeeze out(for lack of a better word) everything to the Lord. Jesus Christ has absorbed all the pain of sin, sorrow and physical trials in this life, and we need to give our and others peoples "stuff" (for lack of a better word) to Him. Why? Because he is the only one who knows what we are going through and He can help. I love the trials that we go through and asking the question what can I learn from this? I think we are all sponges and the same principle of prayer I talked about applies to all of us. I love you all so much. like really i do. i miss you all so much. Remember you are loved and remember to pray.

Love,

Sister McLeod

Awesome

Kieron: Seriously Kieron has brought so much joy into my life. When I came to Teignmouth almost 3 months ago, he had a lot of philosophies of life, smoked, would not pray, read the Book of Mormon, and come to church. A lot has changed from that initial meeting and I have loved seeing him increase in knowledge and happiness. Yesterday he was at church before us (the first time for him coming for all 3 hours). He is now the one who begins our lessons with prayers that are so beautiful and meaningful. He loves and gets excited to read the Book of Mormon. He has quit smoking. He has set his own baptismal date for February 8th. And he understands how special and important that day will be for him. He has a solid testimony of prophets and the restoration. In response to asking him what he thought of President Monson, he paused and enthusiastically said, "I like that man!" Now Kieron was not broken in anyway when the sisters first knocked on his door in August. He was delightful to be around with a lovely family, but one question would pop into his head from time to time. He would look around at the beauty of the earth and thought there had be more, there had to be a Creator. Initially he said he was a happy man and could not imagine himself being happier. He has proved himself wrong as he has found even more peace, happiness, and answers to his questions. On our last teach he said if it wasn't for gravity, he would be floating. There is this indescribable joy from helping him apply the gospel into his life and see their progression so personally. I cannot wait for February 8th and 9th for Kieron to be baptised and receive the Holy Ghost. I know people are happy and content, but I know this gospel allows us to reach the greatest form of happiness possible.   

Jesus Christ: I reflected on Him as a perfected, resurrected Being and I thought how interesting it is that He kept the nail marks in his hands and feet. I thought, if he was perfected in body why would he keep them? I think He left them as reminders and evidence of His perfect love and sacrifice toward us. Also, to let us know that the trials and burdens we carry are molding and refining us toward our ultimate goal of perfection. I don't know if that makes sense, but I had an "aha" moment the other day about this. 

This Week: We had zone training in Plymouth = awesome. I went on exchanges with Sister Felts in Exeter = awesome, she is an awesome missionary. Just an awesome week overall. But remember to get to the awesome takes some opposition. 

Power of Being a Member: I was just reflecting about all of the people who either have progressed to baptism or are progressing thus far on my mission, and the common thread is that they knew a mormon before talking to us. Bath: Chris had a friend who invited him to basketball and a priesthood general conference session. Billie's nan was a member. Teignmouth: Judy is the friend of Denise in our ward. Maxie is the wife of George, a member. And Kieron's sister-in-law is a member. The power and influence of who you are as a unique individual is more far reaching than you think. Keep being who are and make the gospel transparent in your life. I loved sitting at at church and seeing our 4 investigators who were each sitting with a member. It is not only happiness that it is bringing in the investigators lives, but the members too. This gospel of Jesus Christ just breathes happiness and love! It is the best and I am so grateful more and more for it. I think the most missionary success I'll have in my life is when I go home. The mission is just training me to be the person the Lord needs me to be forever. And that is someone who loves others and brings them to the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father.

I love you all!

"For we walk by faith rather than by sight" 2 Cor 5:6, my new favorite sciprture for the week.

Love,

Sister McLeod

Teignmouth really is a gem. Sisters in the Plymouth zone and zone training. Sister Jacob and I. We really bonded when we learned that she has family who live in Driggs, Idaho! It is always so nice to find someone who loves the same place as much as you do. We dreamed of lime freezes on the corner drug store.

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.

Temple

Kieron: MAN! It is so awesome have people to teach and I especially love our invetsigator Kieron. Just think of a proper yet hippie English older man who is so insightful and delightful. He loves his boots and was a biker back in the day. That is Kieron. It has been amazing seeing him progress so much these past weeks and we had one of the most powerful lessons on repentance that renewed my testimony of it. I love daily repentance! It is so liberating to know we can change and be better each day. He is making changes in his life and has loved church. He is hungry for more and more each time we teach him. Kieron, what a great man. He even flew the American flag!

Hair: Mom, in regards to your question I actually have not gotten a haircutt and do not think I will on my mission. I have heard horror stories from other missionaries and therefore am going to play it safe. Don't worry,when I see split ends I cut them.  

Temple trip: Wow...I don't know what to say. I loved every second of it. We took a train to Plymouth where a coach with all the Bristol zone picked us up and we headed on our 5 hour journey to the temple. It was so nice to talk to all my missionary homies especially Sister Chamberlain. I got to hear how Bath was doing (still so awesome) and Billie even called so I got to speak to her on the phone for a second. We got to the temple at about 10:30 and stayed in the accomodations with 6 missionaries to a room. In the morning, they made American pancakes...oh how I miss them... and our session began at 11. The temple grounds are so beautiful and the inside was even more beautiful. It was such a sacred experience and I am so grateful for the feelings of peace and safety of the temple. After, there was a lovely Christmas dinner and then we headed home.

My beautiful companion, I was getting artsy

Luke 2: President Millar encouraged us to read Luke 2 and put ourselves in the place of the shepherds this Christmas season. They too, were away from their families that night as they tended their flocks. But because they were away caring for those sheep, they were able to see the sign of the star pointing them to the little baby Jesus. It was them who went directly to see him, and then went abroad letting everyone know that the Savior had been born. I loved thinking that I get to be watching over and helping people learn of Jesus Christ continually this Christmas season. This is my only Christmas as a missionary, and it is so special. I've been thinking a lot about how everyone looks forward to Christmas and comparing it to the thousands of years that the prophets looked forward to Christ coming. I am so grateful we get to continually look forward to the moments of joy in this life and in the life to come because of what Jesus Christ did for each one of us. I am grateful for this knowledge and being reminded of the blessings and gifts He so freely gives to us each day. 

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