Lots of Happenings and Pictures!

Judy and Denise at her baptism

Wow what a lovely week! I am just filled with gratitude for the love I feel for evey person I've met in Teignmouth and Newton Abbot. My eyes have been annoyingly leaking. I took pictures of a lot of people who have made an impact on my life. I didn't get everyone, but here are a million pictures.

Bourenmouth: Presdient called Saturday morning and asked me to pinkwash an area and train a new missionary. Pinkwash means that the area used to have elders, but they have closed it down for a bit and are now opening it to sisters. I am excited/scared, but more on the excited part to begin this new adventure. It will be fun to train and to come into the area together knowing nothing about the place or ward. I think what awaits me is a lot of prayers, getting lost, but seeing a lot of miracles as well. I guess I can't get out of the southwest of England haha, but I am blessed to be going to a seaside city again. 

Judy's baptism: I have been teaching Judy since December. It was really cool how it all came to be because we felt prompted to go by a older member Denise who lived at the very top of Teignmouth when I was with Sister Andersen. Me being a novice to Teignmouth I thought it would take 15 minutes to walk there, but with the hills it ended up being 50 minutes. I am proud to say when Sister Schmidt and I walked there a couple of days ago it only took 30 minutes, so I'm getting in shape with all these hills :) But during that time with Denise the Spirit was very strong as we got to know her and when we asked if there was anyone we could go by, she told us about her beloved friend Judy whom she has known for 30 years. We stopped by and once every 2 weeks turned into once a week which turned in to 2 then 3 times a week. Judy cannot lie, and it has been so fun teaching her because she will say exactly what is on her mind and ask wonderful questions. She has a heart of gold and does anything for her family and friends. I love her so much. The baptismal service was so special as Denise spoke about friendship. They were both in tears and it just made me tear up as well. Charlotte, her grand-daughter sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." At the last moment she got scared she couldn't hit the high parts so we offered to sing it with her. Man we, or more me, made her look good because of my not so good voice, but it was special and she is the cutest and has made me braclets and a little smirf for a good bye present. What a special memory to end in Teignmouth.

Miracle teach:  I want to talk about this miracle of a teach we had. We met Christina on the street a month back. She is 17 and we have been meeting her at this little bench/pavilion right by the sea when members aren't able to have her in their home. We came to the teach with Elisa, a member who just got called to the Adelaide Australia mission (fun fact for you all), and turns out Christina brought her friend Louise who is interested. It gets better. We start teaching word of wisdom and law of chastity after a brief overview and how to begin teaching for Louise when a lovely girl turns around from another bench and says "Hey! I am really interested in what you are talking about, can I join in?". It was such an amazing experience and we are now meeting with both of those girls as well as Christina. Christina's mom let her finally come to church and so that was another miracle as well!

Teignmouth: I have loved this place and people with all my heart and I've really learned on the mission that home is where ever the gospel and love is. I am grateful to have seen the incredible progress of this area and see Kieron, Paul, Judy enters the waters of baptism. Things are conitnuing to progress and hopefully when I visit in a couple years there will be a Teignmouth ward.

I love you all so much, and appreciate your love and support. It means a lot.

Heather, Rebecca, Oliver, and me. I don't have time to write about her, but I know one of the reasons I needed to be here was to be with Heather during this really difficult part of her life. She said you are like a sister to me, and I feel the same way. There have been so many ups and downs, and I am so blessed to know this family.

 Judy, charlotte, me and Smirf

Vousdens = Amazing family, I don't know what we would do without them. That is Bishop and his wife Susan (I think she looks like Aunt Anne), his son Joe who returned from his mish 2 weeks ago in Leeds and Shannon, the prettiest 16 year old ever!

Maxie, she is also like another sister and she is planning on being baptised, she is just waiting for the penny to drop on a few things. She is pretty much a member already though and we have been through a lot together.

This is one of the many meals we have had together and it is so cute they always just give me a fork because I am American and am not the best with the knife/fork approach of Europeans.

Elisa Zuchic is the sweetest person ever. She is from Croatia but moved with her Mom 6 years ago to England and joined the church. She got her mission to Adelaide Australia. How cool is that!

Miracle teach. Emily had to go before the end, but here's a pic of Christina, Louise, me, and Elisa.

Dohertys. They an an Irish family who moved into the ward last year. They came pretty much with nothing and I am so grateful for their example of stalwart faith. We go every Thursday to them for dinner and they are hilarious in such an English dry humour type of way. 

My choir family!!!!!! Love every single one of them sooo much!

Sara McGuiness is the mom of 8! Can you believe it?. She just had little cute oscar, who is already being so musical

Hilarious Sister Schmidt: We were doing Judy's garden and Sister Schmidt was frustrated her fence wouldn't fit and she was like find me a saw, and I was like sister come on, it is alright, but no she would not leave it like that so we find her a saw and she just keeps sawing for a good 20 minutes. 

Stella and Kids: They were baptised in September, and they are just so great. Stella is AMAZING! So much respect for everything she has done as a single mom with everything that happened in the past. They are just so loving and fun.

Sam and Bryony: Love these two.

Musical

Musical: It was amazing how it all came together. There were little glitches with sound and what not along the way, but that's what I loved about. All of us amateurs coming together and trying our best. Overall though it was very powerful and emotional. The songs sounded so beautiful, and they will be stuck in my head forever. It was a really cool experience for ward members and everyone who came and saw it. I just love this ward so much, I really feel like I am apart of it. Jasmine, Judy, and Maxie's families all came and a lot of friends and family of members. I love the process of events like these, and the actual performance itself is just a cherry on top. All of it and Maxie and George being apart of it was so inspired and a lot of special moments I will cherish. It is cool to see how these events help bring so many people together, less actives, investigators, and members.

Year Mark: Sister Schmidt is the cutest and got a little candle and sang happy birthday to me. She saw a mermaid little bubble bath thing one p-day and thought that it looked like me and so that was my gift:) It was the best. She is hilarious.

Blur: This week has been such a blur of events of zone conference in Poole, exchanges, musical rehearsals, and the musical. A lot of great things happening here. Teignmouth is just the absolute best. Jasmine is just loving praying and church. Christina feels like she is on the right path, and Judy is getting closer and closer to baptism. There are great things happening, but there not without some trials for them along the way. I just love the optimisim of the prophet's example of how things will work out. They always do, and I am so grateful for that.  

I love this gospel and I love the Book of Momon. It makes more and more sense eveytime I read it. I love you all so much and keep doing doing those small and simple things. They make the biggest difference.

Love,
Sister McLeod

 Sister McMurtey holding Sara McGuiness's baby who was born on Wednesday. So presh, his name is Oscar. 

 Some pictures of the musical rehearsal and year mark.

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 :)

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

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    

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

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