Lessons Learned

Temple Reunion: I think my happy place in my mind will forever be the grounds of the London Temple. It is the most peaceful and beautiful place and we were able to go there with a few of our investigators with the ward. The ward hired a coach and it was especially special because Dan Williams went through the temple for the first time. He is going to serve a mission in Provo in December. A cool story behind that is that Elder Bradshaw was actually trained in Bournemouth and and was here a year ago. He helped Dan have the desire to go on a mission and start his papers. When Elder Bradshaw left, Dan was praying for him to come back, and a year later he did. This doesn't happen too often, so it truly was an answer to Dan's prayers. The Elders got permission to go through with him. How special is that? I love the Williams' family so much. They have been through a lot, and are such examples to me. It was the prettiest day ever and I'll send loads of pictures. Out of all the days to be at the temple Sister Schimdt and her companion came with an investigator and I was so excited to see her. Also, it was the stake temple day for Bristol so I saw loads of the Bath ward. It was the sunniest day-weather wise and happiness wise. Heavenly Father is so kind to me.

I am supposed to write 5 valuable lessons to submit that I've learned to the mission and thought of these 11 things that I have learned on my mission. I could elaborate on them, but I'll keep it simple.

1. My mission never really ends.

2. People who fall away from the church just need to feel sincere and consistent love to come back.

3. We need to be conduits to the Spirit in order do the Lord's work. 

4. There is opposition in all things.

5. True Faith in Jesus Christ leads to diligent, consistent action.

6. The small and simple things are actually the largest and most significant in spirituality. If you are struggling, go back to the basics.

7. We all have weaknesses, but when we rely on the Lord they can become our strengths

8. Use your talents and the unique person you are to share the gospel.

9. The Book of Mormon opens the door to truth, personal revelation, and Jesus Christ.

10. The worth of every soul is great in the sight of God- leave judgments at the door. Like my good friend Mother Theresa said "If you judge someone, you have no time to love them."

11. Obedience brings happiness. Disobedience does not. Obedience is the only way to progress.

 "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Phillipians 4:11

Content: I came across this in my scriptures this morning and I felt like it really spoke to me in how I am feeling at the moment because everyone loves to ask you how you are feeling as your time is dwindling on your mission. I honestly feel content with life, and I know that is a choice that we can make every day in whatever situation and location we may find ourselves. I have 2 weeks left and am going to work hard and enjoy this time, but I know my mission is just starting a new chapter soon that is exciting and different. I am so exicted for Paulo's baptism coming up and we are teaching some amazing people who I love so dearly. I love you all so much and hope you are content where you are at this moment:)

Rodney and Mark, our invetsigators at the temple. Rodney is too cool for school to smile, haha. Me and Sister Schmidtyyyyyy!!!!!!!

The Elders and us with Dan Willaims and his brother, Josh, Halloween! The ward did an awesome trunk n treat even thought they call the trunk boot and I carved the temple in my pumpkin :) Justine (dressed as a pumpkin) is amazing! She is a recent convert's friend we are teaching

Last Move

Moves: I got my last moves call from president and I get to stay in Bournemouth with Sister Barnes!!! In mission terminology my granddaughter gets to kill her grandma. pretty funny. She is just excited because as she says she gets to inherit the birthright (haha known as a loads of stuff I'm going to leave behind). But honestly I could not be happier :) I am so grateful to have stayed in Bath, Teignmouth, and Bournemouth for a good amount of time. I guess I was meant to stay in the south west my whole mission. I really cannot complain. I think I have served in the prettiest parts of the mission with amazing members in solid wards. 

Questions and Answers: I wrote 5 questions for conference that I prayed would be answered. 4/5 of them have been answered and I just assume the other answer is in the one session I didn't watch because of the time difference in England. It is truly amazing how the Spirit presses on your heart and mind the things you need to act upon and think about. I think a talk that really stood out to me was Elder Jeffrey R. Holland about the poor and poor in spirit. Shocker, right? I just am realizing how much more aware I need to be of those in need. I love that Elder Holland said it was something he did not know the answer to, but that he knew that God knows the answers and as we seek His counsel in prayer we can know how we can help the poor and needy on an individual basis. Isn't that great about life? We can seek heaven's help and receive answers. 

Conference: It was such a cool miracle this week as we were teaching this sincere, humble guy named Manny and he said he wished someone he knew was learning about the gospel too. We said you would really get on with this other guy we are teaching named Rodney. Well, turns out they are really good friends. Both of them came to conference and were impressed by the words spoken. They are both seeking the truth, coming from Christian backgrounds, one from Zimbabwe and the other from Nigeria. We are excited to see how they will progress now they are in it together. 

I love you all so much. Have a lovely week!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Women's Conference

European Women's Conference: It was the first ever conference for women held in Europe in Frankfurt, Germany and it was amazing to hear the words of Elder Bednar and Elder Ballard. Elder Bednar talked of the enabling power of Christ's Atonement and gave the example of his wife who suffered with morning sickness 24/7 for 8 months of her first pregnancy. He saw everyday the power that was given to her to endure each day and it was a power beyond her own-through Christ. What left an impression with me was how both of these apostles talked about women in the most sincere and loving way to the point where I don't know how you didn't leave feeling like the best person in the planet. I felt so much love, and that is the greatest gift you can give a person when you are giving a talk or lesson. Another thing I thought about was when he said in talking about the apostles and prophet was that "they are better in private that they are in public." He said I serve with modern day Moronis and I loved that concept in applying in my own life. What am I like when no when is around or in the private moments with people? I know these men are truly called of the Lord to be apostles and prophets of Jesus Christ. We have a living day prophet who I love so dearly. I am so excited for general conference coming up in October.

Week: This week has been wonderful. We were able to see a lot of people and involve the members in the work more fully. I have been so blessed with every ward I have served in England. These people are amazing. My favourite teach this week was with a 21 year old named Rodney. He prayed on his 21st birthday (last week) that he could find the truth about religions, and we knocked on Monday. When he told his Dad, he showed him a lot of anti-Mormon material, but still met with us and feels like there is something that he has never felt before. We had a powerful lesson with him, and I don't fret about these things because I know God is more powerful than man, and he will let us know the truth.

I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister McLeod

Exchanges with the saucy Salisbury sisters! And slushies on p-day after playing tennis